The terrorism trial of two suspected Ansaru sect leaders, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, will begin on January 15, 2026, according to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Judge Emeka Nwite postponed the trial, which was originally scheduled to start on Wednesday, after defense attorney B. I. Bakum informed the court that he had not received the accusations and supporting documentation from the Department of State Services (DSS), where the defendants are presently detained.

Additionally, Bakum said that his clients’ current incarceration at the DSS facility restricts their access and trial preparation, so he asked the court to compel their transfer to a penitentiary facility.

David Kaswe, an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice and DSS attorney, disagreed with the action, arguing that the trial should go forward since prosecution witnesses were already in court.

Noting that the defense had not yet submitted such letters, Kaswe contended that the DSS follows an established system requiring written requests before counsel may access detainees.

He asked the court to order Bakum to follow DSS guidelines and include the prosecution in all future correspondence.

In a succinct decision, Justice Nwite ruled that the defense must be allowed enough time to examine the case file in order for the hearing to be fair.

The judge decided that “counsel must have adequate access to their clients and study the evidence before trial can begin” before rescheduling the start date to January 15, 2026.

In order to facilitate access, he directed the defense to write formally to the DSS and to include the prosecution in all correspondence.

Usman and Abba are charged with 32 counts that include terrorism, financing of terrorism, kidnapping, manufacturing of weapons, illegal mining, and connection to overseas terror networks.

Usman, whose real name is Abu Bara’a, admitted guilt to Count 10, an economic felony associated with illicit mining, but disputed the other 31 counts. To every charge, Abba entered a not guilty plea.

Usman was given a 15-year prison sentence in September for engaging in illicit mining and using the money he made to purchase weapons for kidnapping and terrorism.

The defendants committed several offenses between 2015 and 2024, according to the DSS, including:

bombing Niger State’s Wawa Military Camp

Training in firearms in Sudan and Mali

Making homemade explosives (IEDs)

Security personnel being abducted

financing terrorism using money obtained through illicit mining

Ansaru fighter training and operations coordination

The prosecution claims that millions of naira obtained through illicit mining were utilized to purchase weapons, ammunition, and IED components.

Between May and July of 2025, both suspects were apprehended through intelligence-led operations.

Ansaru, a Boko Haram offshoot group, has been connected to a number of high-profile incidents, such as assaults on military units and kidnappings of foreigners.

The main barrier to uploading election results in real time has been identified by the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC.

Speaking at the 2025 Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibitions in Abuja, Commission Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, stated that poor telecommunications connectivity continues to be the commission’s biggest barrier to real-time result uploads, despite significant advancements made possible by the implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

The inconsistent quality of network coverage throughout Nigeria continues to impede the smooth transmission of polling-unit results to the INEC Result Viewing page, Prof. Amupitan admitted on behalf of National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu.

Dayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, stated in a statement on Tuesday that although multiple voting and voter impersonation have been successfully reduced, the Commission is still facing connection issues in a number of regions of the nation.

“Achieving real-time upload of Polling Unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal remains one of the most difficult battles for transparency on Election Day, with 176,846 polling units tucked into swamps, perched on mountains, and hidden in remote communities.”

Amupitan stated, “A tool like the BVAS is only as good as the network it runs on.”

He stated that INEC would keep working with network providers and the Nigerian Communications Commission to find solutions to the problem while actively looking into other technologies to fill in the gaps.

The head of INEC insisted that the long-standing issue of identity theft during Nigerian elections has been resolved with the implementation of BVAS.

Speaking to a group of tech entrepreneurs, legislators, and representatives from civil society, he proclaimed the end of identity fraud and multiple voting.

He referred to BVAS as an impenetrable method of voter verification and called it a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic history.

“The BVAS device, which guarantees that only the legitimate, eligible voter can be accredited at the polling place, has become our first line of defense against identity fraud. Voter impersonation has essentially been eradicated from our election system with the implementation of biometric measures,” he stated.

Hon. Philip Agbese, also known as the Okanga 1 of Agila and the esteemed member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, has once again left his mark in the hearts of his people with what has been called an extraordinary display of kindness, leadership, and community spirit.
In an audacious gesture to promote agricultural growth in the community, Hon. Agbese today gave the Apa-Agila Youth Leader and the APC Ward Chairman, Hon. Ogezi Ikwebe, a brand-new RIMA tractor via Club 01 President Mr. Onmeje Okibe. For rural farmers who have long faced difficulties with mechanization, the gesture—which was part of his continuous attempts to encourage self-reliance and food productivity—has been welcomed as a turning point.

Hon. Agbese stressed at the tractor presentation that agriculture continues to be the main driver of the local economy and that providing youth and community leaders with the necessary resources is essential to ensure sustainable growth. He claims that the tractor represents an investment in Apa-Agila’s future as well as a chance for young people to embrace farming as a sustainable source of income.
The Okanga 1 also showed love to the family of the late Mr. Emmanuel Orinya, popularly known as Mata7, who was one of his devoted followers before to his passing, in a different gesture of uncommon kindness. The deceased’s family received a brand-new motorcycle from Hon. Agbese, who described it as a mark of gratitude and memory for the loyalty and sacrifices Mr. Orinya made during his lifetime.
Many persons in attendance were impressed by the moving presentation and said that Hon. Agbese’s humility, empathy, and strong sense of duty to his people were reflected in the gesture.
The Okanga 1 of Agila has undoubtedly demonstrated once more that being a leader involves more than just holding public office; it also entails changing people’s lives, mending hearts, and strengthening communities for long-term advancement.
#Okanga1OfAgila #PhilipAgbese #AgriculturalDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment
Elder Otseme Vincent, also known as Ofu Ai’Unazi, Apa-Agila, wrote the motion.

Senator Bassey Otu, the governor of Cross River State, has reiterated his administration’s dedication to enhancing cooperation with the Nigerian Navy in order to improve marine security and protect the state’s coastal resources.

Governor Otu made this statement on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Government House in Calabar with Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, the new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of Eastern Naval Command.
The governor called the visit “a mark of seriousness and purpose,” pointing out that the FOC’s quick interaction with the state government shows his willingness to take action.

Otu said, “I want to express my gratitude for your seriousness of purpose.” “I assumed it would take some time to see your face, but we suspended everything to welcome you as soon as we received the notice of your coming. That demonstrates your dedication and readiness for action.

Governor Otu praised the Navy for its long-standing collaboration with the state, especially in maintaining river and creek safety. In the state’s coastal corridor, he noted that the Eastern Naval Command has been a reliable ally in preserving calm and reducing maritime crimes.

He stated, “Security has remained one of our top priorities.” “To maintain peace and stability, we have been collaborating with the Command quite effectively. Your presence is made even more important by the Nigerian Navy’s in-depth knowledge of this region, including its creeks, waterways, and marine ecosystem.

The governor also expressed gratitude to the Cross River Naval officers who are still serving with distinction, noting that their commitment demonstrates the friendly ties between the state and the Navy.

Earlier in his speech, Rear Admiral Okehie thanked the governor for the cordial welcome and referred to his assignment to Calabar as “a homecoming,” having served in the state at various points in the past.

“As the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, I feel like I’m coming home,” Okehie remarked. “I had the honor of serving here from 2014 to 2016 as Commander, NNS Centenary, and from 2021 to 2022 as Commander, NNS Victory.” My admiration for the kind hospitality of the Cross River community and the ongoing collaboration between the state government and the Navy has grown as a result of these encounters.

In order to maintain marine security, advance the blue economy, and fortify civil-military collaboration, he promised that the Command, under his direction, would continue to collaborate closely with the Cross River State government.

“The Eastern Naval Command will deploy a highly professional and motivated force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests in accordance with the mission of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas,” Okehie declared. “We will collaborate with your government to strengthen cooperation for the peace and prosperity of our state and country, promote blue economy initiatives, and improve maritime security.”

“In safeguarding the maritime domain, we preserve also the nation’s peace and prosperity,” he added, pledging the Navy’s continuous support in the state’s efforts to promote peace, sustainable development, and the defense of national sovereignty.