Television Nigerian

Aloy Ejimakor, special counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has responded to Donald Trump’s classification of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” in response to allegations of Christian genocide in the nation.

According to reports, Trump claimed that “radical Islamists” were to blame for the numerous murders of Christians in Nigeria on Friday in a post on his Truth Social website.

The United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” he later declared Nigeria to be a “country of particular concern.”

Ejimakor claimed in a post on his X handle that Nigeria’s designation as CPC was unavoidable due to the government’s reported deployment of tear gas on nonviolent protestors while openly courting terrorists.

“The aftermath of taking two direct hits with tear gas for expressing my legal right to peaceful assembly,” he wrote.

“A country will inevitably be labeled as a Country of Particular Concern when it tear-gasses peaceful protestors while romanticizing terrorists in front of the people. “FreeMNK”

Remember that the police in Abuja recently detained Ejimakor and a few others in connection with the free Nnamdi Kanu demonstration?

Omoyele Sowore, an activist politician, organized the rally, which was supposed to take place at the presidential villa and call for Kanu’s release from President Bola Tinubu.

After being taken into custody, Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel, Sowore, Kanu’s brother, and others were arraigned in front of a Kuje Magistrate Court and placed under remand.

Tear gas was allegedly fired at Ejimakor and the other demonstrators as a form of punishment during the relocation procedure.

Ejimakor passed out while on remand, but the medical staff at Kuje jail took care of him right away.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has said that her invitation to Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, and other lawmakers to commission constituency projects in Kogi State was in complete accordance with parliamentary custom and practice.

The senator clarified in a statement released on Thursday that she adhered to parliamentary custom by sending the invitation through the presiding officer.

“I wrote a letter to the Senate through the presiding officer to the Senate President to read on the floor today, as is customary for announcements of such nature,” she stated.

This week marks Akpoti-Uduaghan’s second year in office. She stated that the invitation was an attempt to emphasize her dedication to inclusive representation and public service rather than a personal celebration.

In order to avoid giving the impression that I was celebrating alone, I sent out the invitation. I consider myself to be progressive. I continue to perform my duties in the chamber and adhere to the correct procedures despite current judicial issues,” she stated.

The congressman emphasized that her choice demonstrated her commitment to institutional respect and due process, and that her impending project launches were a part of her ongoing efforts to enhance the well-being of her residents.

“This is about celebrating the accomplishments of public service, not about personal recognition,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s explanation coincides with increased public awareness following her recent return from the Senate’s suspension.

On March 6, the Senate adopted the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions’ findings, which resulted in the Kogi senator’s six-month suspension.

Her suspension came after she and Senate President Akpabio got into a heated argument on February 20 about seating arrangements. The argument then turned into charges of sexual harassment, which Akpabio strongly denied.

After completing her suspension, she was reinstated on September 24 and has since started actively participating in legislative proceedings.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has supported a number of projects since her return, such as a bill to create six zonal centers throughout Nigeria and a National Center for Autism.

Early diagnosis, research, education, and care for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are the goals of the proposed legislation.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the troubled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has filed a new motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, requesting his immediate release and the dismissal of all charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu contended that there is no legitimate or current legal foundation for his continued prosecution in the October 30, 2025, “Motion on Notice and Written Address in Support.”

He argued that the counts violate procedural and constitutional law, calling the case “a nullity ab initio” (invalid from the start) and urging the court to dismiss them all.

Kanu, who represented himself in the new petition, reportedly claimed that his trial violates pertinent provisions of the Evidence Act 2011 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, as well as Sections 1(3), 6(6)(b), and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He argued that the prosecution’s use of laws that have been repealed, such as the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, which has been repealed by the TPPA 2022, and the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which has been replaced by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, makes the entire procedure unlawful.

Kanu contended, “There is no legitimate accusation against me under any current Nigerian law.” “The prosecution is using statutes that have been repealed or are nonexistent. Due to the lack of a current legal basis, the accusations are void from the outset.

The IPOB leader argued that lower courts must take judicial notice of repealed acts under Section 122 of the Evidence Act 2011, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in FRN v. Kanu (SC/CR/1361/2022).

Any refusal to do so, he contended, would render all further proceedings null and unlawful.

No court of law may continue to rely on a statute that has been repealed. Section 36(12) of the Constitution, which prohibits the trial of a citizen for an offense not defined by an existing statute, is violated by such processes, according to Kanu.

Kanu further argued that the alleged crimes were believed to have taken place outside of Nigeria’s borders in Kenya.

He said that such activities must be validated by a Kenyan court before a Nigerian court can take jurisdiction, citing Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

He claims that the omission nullifies the court’s extraterritorial jurisdiction in his case and breaches Article 7(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

According to Kanu, Sections 1(3) and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution render any judicial act or legislation that violates the Constitution null and void.

He noted important rulings in which convictions were overturned because they were based on nonexistent legislation, such as Aoko v. Fagbemi (1961) 1 All NLR 400 and FRN v. Ifegwu (2003) 15 NWLR (Pt. 842) 113.

“The Constitution continues to be the ultimate law of the land,” Kanu declared. “Any action or choice made in defiance of its provisions is void.”

Kanu requested in his application that the presiding judge render a decision by November 4, 2025, at the latest, and that the prosecution be required to react purely on legal issues within three days.

He emphasized that no supporting affidavit was necessary because his application posed only legal and constitutional interpretation issues.

“My application is completely constitutional and lawful. He said in the motion, “There is no factual dispute that would necessitate an affidavit.

Since his re-arrest in 2021 following his escape from the country, Kanu has been under the Department of State Services’ (DSS) custody.

He is charged with several offenses that are on the verge of treason, terrorism, and incitement; he has repeatedly rejected these accusations as politically driven and legally flawed.

The court is anticipated to set a date for the hearing of the latest motion, which could decide whether the protracted trial proceeds or ends due to the IPOB leader’s fresh constitutional issues.

Reuben Abati, a renowned broadcaster and former presidential assistant, has praised his wife Kikelomo Abati, calling her his inspiration, source of joy, and true happiness.

As he celebrated his wife’s 46th birthday on Instagram, Abati wrote a touching message expressing his love for her, whom he referred to as his “jewel” and “sunrise.”

Wishing my Jewel a happy birthday, he wrote. Because of your motivation, self-control, and strong sense of purpose more than your natural charm, you are one of the few women that push me to be more and challenge me intellectually. You never hesitate to labor hard and get your hands dirty. Magnificent!

As Abati considered their union, he quoted Prince Adelusi, his godfather, as saying:

“A happy man marries the girl he loves, but the happier man marries the woman he loves.”

He continued by saying that genuine love and respect for one another are the sources of true happiness rather than material possessions.

“True happiness originates from within; it doesn’t exist on a shelf. Abati remarked, “I’ve found that true happiness with you.”

“Kiki, thank you for everything you do. I am fortunate to have a life partner that is so nice, hardworking, and sympathetic.

“Until the day I die, I will always love you.” Iyawo mi, you are my sun, not simply my sunrise. Cheers to your 46th birthday, Oyinbo.

The Presidency has explained that President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the case of Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, was an act of clemency, not a pardon.

In an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified the difference and stressed that President Tinubu acted out of compassion rather than exoneration.

According to reports, Onanuga described Sanda’s case as a “crime of passion” — one committed in the heat of emotion rather than through premeditation. He emphasized that the President’s decision to grant clemency was influenced by humanitarian considerations, particularly the welfare of Sanda’s children.

“Maryam Sanda was given clemency, not a pardon. Her kids were put into consideration. It was a crime of passion, not premeditated,” Onanuga said. “The President is a compassionate man. He listens to the public and understands that people can act irrationally in the heat of an argument.”

Onanuga further explained that President Tinubu has demonstrated his willingness to review decisions and act with empathy when the situation calls for it. “This President is not afraid to reverse himself. He’s been considerate about this because he’s human — capable of making mistakes but always ready to correct them when necessary,” he said.

He added that while the crime was serious and justice had been served through conviction, the President’s decision to commute the death sentence to 12 years imprisonment was a way of balancing justice with mercy. The aim, he said, was not to undermine the judiciary but to ensure that the punishment did not completely destroy the life of the convict’s children.

Onanuga also remarked that conflicts within relationships can sometimes escalate uncontrollably, leading to tragic outcomes. “Anything can happen between a man and a woman in the heat of the moment. The President was moved by compassion and by the understanding that the act wasn’t planned or deliberate,” he explained.

The case of Maryam Sanda, which shocked the nation in 2020, involved the fatal stabbing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute in Abuja. Her conviction was upheld after a lengthy legal process, and she was sentenced to death by hanging.

However, following public appeals and widespread debate about the morality of the death penalty in domestic violence cases, President Tinubu recently commuted her sentence. The decision, though controversial, has been praised in some quarters as an act of mercy aligned with modern humanitarian principles.

Onanuga concluded that President Tinubu’s action should be seen as an expression of empathy, not weakness. “The President acted as a father and a leader who understands that justice must go hand in hand with mercy. He didn’t pardon her; he simply reduced her sentence, ensuring that while she pays for her crime, her children are not punished alongside her,” he said.

The Presidency has explained that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to replace the nation’s service chiefs was driven by his dissatisfaction with how security issues were being managed across the country.
As reported by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday.
There had been speculation that the president made the changes following an alleged coup plot, but Onanuga dismissed such claims, describing the move as part of a normal administrative process.
“It’s simply a routine change,” Onanuga said. “The President is deeply concerned about the handling of security matters and decided it was time to bring in new people with fresh ideas. He instructed them to ensure that the insurgency which started in 2009 does not reemerge after 16 years of turmoil. The President made it clear that the new service chiefs must do everything within their power to end the insurgency once and for all.”
Speaking further, Onanuga debunked rumours of an attempted coup, describing the reports as baseless and sensational.
He said, “That story was just the spread of unfounded rumours. Some journalists, in their quest for attention, write sensational headlines without considering how such reports serve the public interest. Many of those stories are designed merely for traffic and clicks.”

A 15% ad-valorem import tax on gasoline and diesel imports into Nigeria has been approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The project aims to increase the cost of imported fuel to help Nigeria’s local refineries by imposing a value-based tax on all fuel imports. This strategy seeks to lessen the nation’s dependency on imported fuel, promote domestic production, and establish a more equitable downstream sector.

Tinubu instructed the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to implement the tariff immediately as part of what the government referred to as a “market-responsive import tariff framework” in a letter dated October 21, 2025, which was made public on October 30, 2025.

The letter, which was signed by his private secretary, Damilotun Aderemi, expressed the president’s acceptance of a suggestion made by Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of the FIRS.

In order to bring import costs into line with domestic market realities, the proposal called for the imposition of a 15% tariff on the cost, insurance, and freight value of imported gasoline and diesel.

In accordance with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda for energy security and fiscal sustainability, Adedeji clarified in his message to the president that the action was a component of ongoing reforms to support local refining, guarantee price stability, and bolster the naira-based oil economy.

“Operationalizing crude transactions in local currency, strengthening local refining capacity, and ensuring a stable, affordable supply of petroleum products across Nigeria are the core objectives of this initiative,” Adedeji said.

Additionally, the head of FIRS cautioned that market instability has resulted from the current mismatch between locally refined goods and import parity prices.

“Price instability persists, partly due to the misalignment between local refiners and marketers, even though domestic petrol refining has begun to increase and diesel sufficiency has been achieved,” he said.

He pointed out that growing domestic refineries are under pressure because import parity pricing, which serves as the baseline for setting pump prices, frequently falls below cost recovery levels for local manufacturers, especially during foreign exchange and freight fluctuations.

According to Adedeji, the government’s role is now “twofold, to ensure a level playing field for refiners to recover costs and attract investments, while protecting consumers and domestic producers from unfair pricing practices and collusion.”

He contended that a fair and competitive downstream environment would be fostered by the new tariff regime, which would deter duty-free gasoline imports from undercutting domestic manufacturers.

The 15 percent import tariff could raise the landing cost of gasoline by an estimated N99.72 per litre, according to estimations in the letter.

This reflects an increase of around 99.72 per litre at current CIF levels, which pushes imported landed costs toward local cost-recovery without restricting supply or raising consumer prices above sustainable boundaries. The anticipated Lagos pump costs would still be much lower than regional averages like Senegal ($1.76 per litre), Cote d’Ivoire ($1.52 per litre), and Ghana ($1.37 per litre) even after this modification, remaining in the range of N964.72 per litre ($0.62).

The strategy is implemented as Nigeria steps up attempts to increase domestic refining and lessen reliance on imported petroleum products.

While modular refineries in the states of Edo, Rivers, and Imo have begun small-scale petrol refining, the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery in Lagos has started producing diesel and aviation fuel.

But even with these improvements, up to 67% of the country’s petrol needs are still met by imports.