In a historic development that marks a potential end to one of the longest-running legal sagas in American history, the United States government has reached plea agreements with three key figures accused of orchestrating the devastating September 11, 2001 attacks.
Among those agreeing to the deal is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, alleged mastermind of the attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people.
The Pentagon announced Wednesday that Mohammed, along with co-defendants Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, have entered into pretrial agreements, paving the way for a resolution to the case. While the specific terms of the deals have not been publicly disclosed, reports suggest the defendants will plead guilty in exchange for life imprisonment, avoiding the death penalty.
Read Also: LASU temporarily closes campus amid nationwide protest
The plea agreements come after years of legal wrangling and multiple delays in the military commission proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when members of the al-Qaeda group hijacked four domestic flights and flew them into the World Trade Center in New York, and the Pentagon building outside Washington. The fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back against the hijackers.
The attack triggered what then-President George W Bush called the “war on terror”, leading to the US military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and years of US operations against armed hardline groups elsewhere in the Middle East.
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US agrees plea deals with masterminds of 9/11 attacks
‘How I want to be buried’ — Onyeka Onwenu’s final wishes surface online
The late Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu’s burial wishes have resurfaced on the internet.
TVN reports that Onwenu died on July 30, 2024, after collapsing at the 80th birthday party of the CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Stella Okolie.
Following her death, the details of her burial wish from a 2021 opinion piece in Premium Times, emerged on social media.
The veteran singer made this known while reacting to the lavish burial ceremony of celebrity businessman Obi Cubana’s mother, Uche Iyiegbu, in July 2021.
In the article, she stated that she had given her family instructions on how to bury her.
She wrote: “Just days before the most outrageous burial of Innyom Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu in Oba, Anambra State, in July, I told a friend that I had given instructions to my family on how to bury me when my time comes.
“Do it quickly, quietly and privately. Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Mourn, yes, but not excessively. Make merriment, and then go about your business. If friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I’m alive, so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I’m gone and have no idea about this. That is me.
“I’m very uncomfortable with lavish displays of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others.”
‘How I want to be buried’ — Onyeka Onwenu’s final wishes surface online
Heavy security presence as protesters gather in Delta
Protesters in Asaba, Delta State, are currently gathering at the popular Interbua Roundabout amid a heavy presence of security agencies.
The protest, which started with two young men around 9:30 am, grew to 10 protesters and then to 15 by 10:20 am, with placards bearing inscriptions such as #EndBadGovernment and “Hardship Everywhere.”
The protesters alleged that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had, on Tuesday, given millions of naira to some youth groups to thwart the protest.
A protester, who did not give his name, said, “We are here with placards; we don’t have any guns, cutlasses, or any weapons. I came here to satisfy my conscience.
“I’m calling on Deltans to come out and not to fear. The security agencies are here to protect us, not to kill us.
“We are not a group; we are citizens exercising our rights. Those youths who collected money from the Governor are a disgrace to the youth.”
He added that people are also scared to come out because of the security threat.
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Protesters vow to continue #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests until Tinubu meets demands
Protesters have declared that they will sustain their #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests until President Bola Tinubu meets their demands.
They urged the president to take necessary actions to address their grievances, promising to immediately call off the protests if their demands are met.
Addressing journalists at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, expressed frustration over the prolonged oppression under President Tinubu’s leadership.
“The various court orders restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration. Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long. Today, we have risen. We are saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accedes to our demands, we will remain on the streets,” Adenola stated.
Read also: Senate President’s Office debunks reports of ‘eating while protesting’ comment
Ayoola Babalola, one of the leaders of the Take It Back Movement, condemned the show of force around the premises of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, calling it an embarrassment to the nation.
He pledged that protesters would not be intimidated, emphasizing their determination to continue the protests until their demands are met.
“We want to see the president on the street. During previous protests, he was on the street,” Adenola added, highlighting the protesters’ desire for direct engagement with President Tinubu.
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FCT roads deserted, banks shut down as protests get underway
Economic activities in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT came to a standstill on Thursday following the commencement of the #EndBadGovernance protest.
TVN reports that Nigerians, particularly youths, who are angered by the prevailing economic situation in the country, are currently protesting across the 36 states and the FCT.
The protest, according to the organisers, is aimed at drawing the attention of both the federal and state governments to the economic situation.
TVN correspondents who monitored situations across the nation’s capital on Thursday morning observed that major roads were deserted with stranded passengers across the territory.
The ever-busy Berger Bridge and other places see a few vehicular movements. Banks and other financial institutions were also closed due to fear of attacks by hoodlums who may hijack the demonstration.
The popular Utako market was shut down, with several shops and plazas under lock and key.
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE, had predicted that the protest could cost Nigeria an estimated daily loss of N400,000 if not properly managed.
The nationwide protest is expected to last for 10 days, according to the organisers.
There are fears that the protest may worsen the security situation in the country. However, TVN observed on Thursday that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies were at strategic places in the territory.
FCT roads deserted, banks shut down as protests get underway
Customers stranded as banks close over #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in Abuja
Banks in Bwari Area Council and along the airport road in the Federal Capital Territory didn’t open for business activity on Thursday leaving customers stranded.
This is due to ongoing protests to end bad governance in the country.
The protest, which began in the early hours of Thursday, aimed to draw attention to the hunger and low purchasing power of citizens.
A visit to several banks by our correspondents showed that banks were locked, with security officers barricading customers from accessing the banking halls.
At the First Bank of Nigeria branch, a private security guard said, “We are not open yet, we are still waiting for the order to do so.”
When asked why the bank remained locked at 9:30 am on a working day, he replied, “Today is different, you know what is happening in the country now.”
Similarly, branches of Zenith Bank, Polaris, Unity, and FCMB were closed, leaving customers unable to access cash.
“This is unfortunate. I have been standing here for hours waiting for money, but nothing is forthcoming,” a frustrated customer lamented.
The streets were deserted due to fear of violence erupting from the protest, and the major market in Bwari was also affected, with many residents opting for panic buying instead of venturing out.
A Point of Sale operator, Matilda, said, “I’m not in a hurry to open my shop this morning because many persons are still in their homes. People are not moving about now.”
Along the popular airport road, banks including GT Bank, Stanbic IBTC, United Bank of Africa and Zenith Bank were shut with staff asked to stay at home.
It was gathered that the instruction not to open a shop was based on a directive from the headquarters of all banks.
Our correspondent also observed heavy security presence at the banks despite closure and didn’t allow one of our correspondents to take pictures.
A security official said, “All the banks here didn’t open today. It was based on a directive from the headquarters of these branches. Even though you can see security personnel here, the banks were asked not to open for business.”
Customers who came for financial transactions were turned back.
Even the Automated Teller Machine Stands were shut.
According Online observed that less activities on the busy access road into the capital city with security patrol vehicles going around the city.
BREAKING: Protesters march towards Kano Government House
Hundreds of young protesters have shut down the ancient city of Kano, in protest, carrying placards with different inscriptions.
The protesters commenced their actions from within the city, in places like Gama, Tudun Wada, Tudun Murtala, and other similar neighbourhoods. They came out en masse with their bodies painted in different colours.
In other areas, such as Hotoro, Maiduguri Road and Ahmadu Bello Way, teenage boys were seen carrying dangerous weapons while some of them were shouting, “We need urgent actions from government.”
There was a heavy presence of armed police officers and operatives of NSCDC and DSS in strategic locations. On Ahmadu Bello Way, police officers responded swiftly to confiscate weapons from the protesting youths.
TVN correspondent, however, was turned back on Ahmadu Bello Way because the protesters were said to have started being wild and violent.
The protesting youths, mostly under 20, were seen matching towards the Government House.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was quoted as saying that if the protests become necessary, they should come peacefully to the Government House and submit their papers of demands, which he promised to take personally to the president.
BREAKING: Protesters march towards Kano Government House
Zamfara shuns #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest
The ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in the country has experienced a low turnout in Gusau town the Zamfara state capital and other places in the state.
Checks by According have shown that there were insignificant numbers of protesters in some streets in Gusau town, while the protest did not hold in the remaining 13 local government areas of the state.
Commercial activities were going on, while fuel stations were dispensing the commodity to motorists without hindrance.
Similarly, civil servants working in government ministries and parastatals have reported to duty.
Commercial banks were however closed for fear of possible attacks by hoodlums.
Meanwhile, other states like Lagos, Kano and FCT have reported a significant number of protesters.
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Enugu residents observe sit-at-home to protest
Residents of Enugu State on Thursday observed the nationwide anti-hardship and misgovernance protest through sit-at-home.
Our correspondent who went around the state capital reports that economic and social activities were paralysed as residents deserted roads.
Shops, petrol stations, malls, and event centres were completely shut down as of 10 am when our correspondent moved around the state capital.
Although entrance gates of major markets in Enugu such as Ogbete Main Market, New Market, Abakpa Market, and Emene Market were thrown open, there was nobody in those markets.
At ShopRite and SPAR Market, only security operatives were seen moving around.
At Okpara Square, only fierce-looking soldiers and policemen were seen occupying the entrance and road leading into the square.
While the gate of Enugu State High Court was open, no worker was inside except two security men at the entrance gate. At the Federal High Court, the gate was under lock and key.
Speaking to our correspondent, a resident, Chinasa Omeke, blamed the situation in Enugu as a result of threats by the security agencies.
“Our people are observing the protest through sit-at-home so that nobody will kill you. In Enugu State, the recent events have shown that Nigerian security agencies have levied war on Nigerian people who will come out to protest, which is their constitutional right,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, only a handful of vehicles were on the road.
Senate President’s Office debunks reports of ‘eating while protesting’ comment
The Communications and Strategy Office of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, issued a statement refuting media reports that Akpabio said he would be “eating while protesters are protesting”.
The consultant in charge of the office, Sir Kenny Okolugbo described the reports as “uncharitable” and motivated to bring Akpabio into conflict with the Nigerian masses.
According to Okolugbo, Akpabio was quoting the Managing Director of the NDDC, who stated that Niger Delta youths have never had it so good under the current leadership and would not be interested in regime change. Instead, they would “own the government” and be focused on benefiting from it.
Okolugbo clarified that Akpabio’s statement was part of a larger message urging the people of the Niger Delta to exercise patience with the Tinubu administration, acknowledging that there is hunger in the land. He emphasized that Akpabio, as the most senior government official from the region, understands their pain and is advocating for calm.
Read Also: EFCC recovers over N231bn during Tinubu’s first year in office, sets up Immigration fraud unit
Okolugbo noted that Akpabio never said “he and others will be EATING while the protesters will be PROTESTING”.
He described the report as uncharitable, saying that its motive was to bring Akpabio in conflict with the Nigerian masses.
Explaining further, Okolugbo opined: “He was only quoting the MD of the NDDC that said the Niger Delta Youths have never had it so good with himself and the Amnesty boss on the saddle that it was a government of the Youths who will not be interested in regime change rather will own the GOVERNMENT and will not protest but rather be eating.
“The import of his visit was a declaration that the nine states of the Niger Delta will not be involved in any protest being the most senior government official from that region he feels their pain and that there is hunger in the land.
“The people of the Niger Delta have been urged to exercise patience with the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That one year is not enough to judge the performance of the administration.”
The statement aimed to set the record straight and dispel any misconceptions about Akpabio’s comments, which were allegedly taken out of context to create a negative narrative.
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