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Kanu’s threat to wreak havoc in Nigeria not empty boast, FG tells court

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The Federal Government on Friday told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that the threat by Biafra nation agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to break up Nigeria and establish the Republic of Biafra should not be considered an empty boast.

The government said Kanu, who publicly declared his intention to break up Nigeria and whose actions led to the death of scores of security agents and Nigerians, should be made to answer for his crimes.

Responding to a No Case application made by Kanu, counsel to federal government lawyer Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said the Biafran leader’s many broadcasts caused Nigerians great pain.

The senior lawyer told Justice James Omotosho to reject the claims by Kanu that he had no case to answer in the seven-count terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.

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Awomolo argued that boasting to break up Nigeria is a fundamental security issue to the nation and should not be trivialized as an empty threat as claimed by Kanu.

The government lawyer told the court that Kanu in the broadcast directed his followers to go after police men to kill them along with their families, adding that over 170 security agents were killed shortly after the broadcast.

“The defendant made a broadcast. He proudly declared himself as an IPOB leader even when he knew that IPOB had been proscribed. He made a broadcast that the world will come to standstill.

‘The law of Nigeria prohibits words capable of making Nigerians live in perpetual fears, threatening to bring Nigeria down. The aim is to create Biafra and not a mere boasting, and there are consequences for such boasting.

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Awomolo urged Justice Omotosho to reject the no case submission by Kanu and order him to enter his defence in the charges against him, stresding that the no case application was a misplaced and misconceived one.

However, Kanu, through his lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi SAN, had faulted the prosecution of his client in the charges and asked the court to discharge and acquit him.

Among others, Agabi SAN said that throughout the proceedings, no single witness was called to tell the court how he was incited by Kanu to resort to violence.

He also informed the court that the five witnesses called during trial who are operatives of the Department of the State Service (DSS) admitted that their roles were limited to obtaining statements from Kanu.

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Agabi argued that no investigation whatsoever was carried out on Kanu’s statements and no report of any investigation on terrorism allegations was made available to the court.

The senior lawyer drew the attention of the court to the charges against Kanu, which were amended eight times, yet no one came to testify that he was instigated to violence.

Insisting that Kanu was only asking people to defend themselves from the wanting killings, Agabi argued that the threat to bring the World down by Kanu was a mere boasting and should not be used against him to justify terrorism offences.

He said that asking Nigerians to defend themselves is a constitutional right and has been re-echoed by other Nigerians, including General T. Y Danjuma rtd.

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Agabi also faulted the solitary confinement of Kanu in the last 10 years in violations of international law that solidarity confinement must not last for more than 15 days.

Insisting that ingredients of terrorism charges were not established throughout the trial, Agabi pleaded with the judge to hold that no prima facie made against Kanu to warrant ordering him to enter defence in the charges.

Justice Omotosho, after taking arguments for and against the no case application, fixed October 10 for ruling.

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We’re Working to Secure Return Tickets for Senators Who Lost Primaries — Akpabio

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed that the leadership of the Senate is making efforts to ensure that some senators who lost their parties’ primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections are given another opportunity to return to the National Assembly.

Akpabio made the revelation on Tuesday during plenary following the Senate’s four-week recess, while addressing the outcome of the recently concluded party primaries across the country.

According to reports, about 40 serving senators from various political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), failed to secure their parties’ tickets for the next election cycle.

While congratulating lawmakers who emerged victorious in the primaries, Akpabio acknowledged the disappointment experienced by those who were unsuccessful, assuring them that efforts were underway to minimize political setbacks within the Senate.

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“I felicitate, particularly those who have secured their mandates to represent their parties in the next election. I know that there will always be victories and disappointments, yet above every individual triumph stands a greater triumph, the triumph of democracy itself,” he said.

The Senate President noted that the leadership of the upper chamber was surprised by the number of incumbent lawmakers who lost their bids for re-election, adding that discussions were ongoing to find political solutions for some of those affected.

“And in this Senate, we have promised that we will have very few disappointments, and I do know that the Senate leader and the leadership of the Senate are working very hard towards that, so in advance, I will say congratulations to all of us across party lines,” Akpabio stated.

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Youths Flood Ondo City to Honour Akinlaja’s Birthday, Hail Him as Visionary Leader and True Democrat

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ondo City came alive on Monday, June 1, 2026, as a sea of jubilant youths converged on Adoc Events Centre and the residence of Hon. Joseph Iranola Akinlaja, former representative of Ondo East and West Federal Constituency, to celebrate his birthday.

Under the banner of the End Miscreants Movement, the gathering was more than a festivity—it was a tribute to Akinlaja’s enduring legacy and his contributions to the socio-economic growth of Ondo.

The youths described the septuagenarian and former General Secretary of NUPENG as a peace-loving icon, a consummate democrat, and a leader committed to youth empowerment, human capital development, and sustainable innovation.

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They emphasized that the “End Miscreants Movement” reflects Akinlaja’s role as a stabilizing force whose interventions have curbed cultism, violent clashes, land grabbing, and other social vices in the community.

The event drew prominent figures, including former Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who praised Akinlaja as a symbol of peace, unity, and progress. Mimiko lauded his maturity and sacrifice in advancing excellence.

Other dignitaries present were Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Olamide Adesanmi Oladiji, Hon. Biola Makinde, Hon. Moyinoluwa Ogunwunmiju, and Hon. Abiola Oladapo, Akin Akinbobola, Eni Akinshola, editor in chief and publisher of Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com), Emmanuel Ajibulu etc, all of whom extolled Akinlaja’s virtues.

The Chairman of Lagos Zone of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG, Comrade Gbolahan Saheed Adigun who was unavoidably absent was represented by Israel Okougbo, Comrade Samuel Owolabi, Adekunle Akinlaja and Comrade Timothy Iseoluwa.

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The atmosphere was electrified by live music from five different professional musicians, with youths chanting solidarity slogans and dancing in contagious but peaceful jubilation.

In his remarks, Akinlaja thanked the youths for their support, urging them to prepare for a prosperous future. He highlighted the achievements of Dr. Mimiko (fondly called Iroko), noting his enduring legacies in governance and innovation.

“Our youths must remain steadfast as ambassadors of excellence, shaping a brighter future for Nigeria,” Akinlaja declared, challenging them to actively participate in the electoral process to ensure credible and peaceful elections.

Speaking on behalf of the youths, Aseyege Ayoola, popularly known as Spender, hailed Akinlaja as a unifying figure whose temperament and experience are vital for Nigeria’s progress.

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He commended fellow youths for making the event successful and acknowledged contributors such as Kayode Folajogun, Adijath Wonuola, Akin Fadayomi, Lawrence Adefolaju, Lukas Famakinwa, and Akinpelumi.

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Fire security chiefs if insecurity persists in next 90 days– Adeboye urges FG

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has advised the federal government to give Nigeria’s security chiefs a 90-day deadline to eliminate terrorists across the country or resign from office.

Adeboye made the call in a video shared on X on Tuesday where he expressed concern over the country’s security situation and urged authorities to act swiftly against those responsible for the violence.

Addressing the government, the cleric said security chiefs should be held accountable for delivering results in the fight against terrorism.

“If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say quietly to our government, ‘Move fast and tell our security chiefs, get rid of these terrorists within 90 days or resign,” he said.

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The cleric also called on the government to go beyond targeting terrorists and focus on those financing and supporting their activities.

“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, we should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists; they should eliminate their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” he added.

Adeboye recalled advising a former Nigerian president to issue a similar ultimatum to security chiefs in the past, noting that although the directive was given, it was not fully enforced when the deadline elapsed.

According to him, the experience underscored the need for stronger political will and strict enforcement of directives aimed at ending insecurity.

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The cleric’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over terrorist attacks, banditry and kidnappings in several parts of the country, with calls mounting for more decisive measures to tackle the security challenges.

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