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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and advancing regional cooperation following the formal presentation of Letters of Credence by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Ezenwa Chukwuemeka Nwaobiala.

The ceremony, held at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan on 18 June 2026, officially marked the commencement of Ambassador Nwaobiala’s diplomatic assignment after his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The envoy was accompanied by his wife, Lady Chidinma Nwaobiala, during the presentation to President Alassane Ouattara.

During the event, Ambassador Nwaobiala conveyed the goodwill of the Nigerian President to his Ivorian counterpart and reaffirmed Abuja’s commitment to strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two West African nations.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Ouattara welcomed the Nigerian envoy and underscored the importance of the enduring friendship between both countries, expressing his willingness to work closely with the ambassador to expand cooperation in areas of shared interest, particularly regional integration and economic development.

The ceremony highlighted the strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire and reinforced their common resolve to promote peace, stability and prosperity across the West African sub-region.

Speaking later at a reception organised in his honour by members of the Nigerian community in Côte d’Ivoire, Ambassador Nwaobiala reflected on the deep historical and cultural links between the two countries.

The ambassador also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the confidence placed in him, pledging to serve Nigeria with dedication and integrity.

“Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire are bound not only by geography, but by history, shared aspirations and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of African unity and prosperity.

“I express gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the confidence reposed in me and pledge to undertake my responsibility as Ambassador with humility, a sense of duty and firm resolve to advance the enduring interests of Nigeria while strengthening the bonds of friendship and partnership between the two brotherly nations”, he said.

Ambassador Nwaobiala further assured Nigerians and his host country of his determination to promote stronger cooperation and mutual understanding throughout his tenure.

He pledged his “commitment to fostering greater understanding, mutual respect and productive collaboration for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries,” while urging the international community to embrace dialogue and partnership as the foundation for global progress.

“Nations around the world should continue to build bridges and partnerships, in place of walls and partitions”, he added.

His presentation of credentials comes as Nigeria continues to strengthen diplomatic engagement across Africa, with renewed emphasis on regional integration, economic cooperation and collective efforts to advance peace, security and sustainable development within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and beyond.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered activist and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending a ruling on his bail.

Justice Mohammed Umar made the order Monday after Sowore failed to appear in court on June 16.

The judge had revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

—Motion for stay filed—

Sowore’s new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, has now filed a motion seeking to stay the court’s earlier decision.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter to June 24 to hear the application.

Sowore arrived in court Monday with supporters, some carrying placards.

He’s being prosecuted by the DSS over X and Facebook posts where he allegedly called President Bola Tinubu “a criminal”.

He denies the allegations.

The DSS was represented by Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, who made the oral application for the bench warrant on June 16.

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A South Korean court has sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison over his role in the failed martial law declaration made by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court found Park guilty of taking part in an “insurrection” after prosecutors accused him of supporting actions linked to Yoon’s controversial move. The verdict was shared through a recording posted online.

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Yoon announced martial law during a late-night address in December 2024, but the decision lasted only about six hours. Lawmakers quickly gathered at the National Assembly and voted against the declaration, forcing it to end.

Yoon was later convicted of leading an insurrection and is currently being held while he appeals a life imprisonment sentence. He also received a 30-year prison term earlier this month over allegations that he sent drones to North Korea to “manufacture a national crisis” as a reason to introduce martial law.

Prosecutors said Park held a meeting with justice ministry officials shortly after the martial law announcement. They claimed he discussed prison space in case authorities moved to arrest people considered opponents of the government.

Judge Lee Jin-gwan said Park’s actions placed the country’s democratic system at risk.

“Due to the actions of the defendant, the country nearly faced a situation in which the people’s fundamental rights and the basic order of liberal democracy could have been violated,” the judge said.

The judge added that Park failed to act despite concerns raised during the meeting about the legality of the move.

As justice minister, Park “ignored the various opinions that had been raised at the meeting regarding the illegality of the Dec 3 insurrection”, Lee said.

Prosecutors had requested a 20-year jail term, accusing Park of misusing his position and weakening the rule of law.

They said he had “reduced the law to a tool of insurrection in his abuse of power and posed a challenge to the rule of law”.

Park, who had remained free during his trial, was taken into custody after the court delivered its judgment.

The martial law declaration caused major political unrest in South Korea. It sparked public protests, affected the country’s financial markets and surprised international partners, including the United States.

Several former officials linked to Yoon’s administration have also received prison sentences. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is serving 15 years, while former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min received a nine-year sentence.

Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to three years in prison for exposing classified military information connected to the alleged insurrection.

Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, is also serving a four-year prison sentence over separate charges involving stock manipulation and bribery.