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Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants must open their defence in the ongoing drug trafficking case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The ruling, delivered on Friday, April 11, followed a series of no-case submissions filed by the defendants, which the court dismissed. Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the embattled officer and his co-accused.
Kyari, a former Head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was arrested on February 14, 2022, after the NDLEA declared him wanted over alleged involvement with an international drug cartel.
He is standing trial alongside four other police officers—ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, and Inspector John Nuhu—on charges of conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine, unlawful dealing, and tampering with evidence.
The defendants were arraigned on March 7, 2022, alongside two suspected drug traffickers, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, who were apprehended at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. While Kyari and the four officers pleaded not guilty, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty and were subsequently convicted.
Following the closure of the NDLEA’s case, the defence team filed a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence presented was insufficient for conviction. However, in five separate rulings, Justice Nwite disagreed.
“Assuming without conceding that the defendants were charged with a quantity of cocaine either less or more than 17.55kg, it does not negate the fact that prima facie evidence exists showing the 1st defendant dealt with or tampered with cocaine,” the judge stated in his ruling on Kyari’s application.
The court has adjourned the matter to May 21, 2025, for the defendants to open their defence.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing the Borno South Senatorial District, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the nation’s security and economy sectors.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Daily on Friday, Ndume urged the President to focus solely on these critical areas, stating, “Let the President forget about everything and concentrate on three things – security, welfare of citizens, and economy.”
He emphasized that Tinubu’s attention should be on these priorities as a matter of urgency. “His attention should go there as number 1, then he should create a state of emergency in those areas.”
While a strong advocate for democratic principles, Ndume expressed surprise over the President’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He criticized the move, which followed a prolonged political crisis in the oil-rich state, and called it a misstep.
On March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months. He appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during this period. The President invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the declaration of a state of emergency in cases of national danger or disaster.
However, Ndume questioned the necessity of such a proclamation, suggesting that the President should have instead gathered the key political figures involved and worked towards resolving the dispute.
“I feel that the President would have worked seriously on bringing them (and) solving the problem than declaring a state of emergency,” he said.
He also rejected claims that the political actors had ignored the President’s previous directives before the emergency rule was imposed.
“How can you ignore the President? When he removed them now, did they ignore the removal?” Ndume queried.
The ongoing U.S.-China trade war is likely to bring down inflation in the U.S. economy, key sections of the financial market indicate, offering bullish cues to risk assets, including bitcoin (BTC).
In his inaugural address on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump promised to “tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens," and then fired the first shot against China, Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. Since then, the trade tensions have escalated to such an extent that as of writing, the U.S. and China have imposed retaliatory tariffs on each other in excess of 100%.
Tariffs increase the cost of imported goods, which are then passed on to the consumer and could lead to higher general price level in a consumption-driven economy like the U.S.
Consequently since the trade war broke out, markets have been worried about a tariffs-led resurgence in the U.S. inflation, with the Fed adding to those concerns through its stagflationary economic projections last month. Stagflation, representing a combination of low growth, high inflation and joblessness, is seen as the worst outcome for riskier assets.
Bitcoin, therefore, has dropped nearly 20% since early February, alongside broad-based risk aversion on Wall Street that has seen investors concurrently dump stocks, bonds and the U.S. dollar.
Breakevens suggest disinflation
However, market-based measures of inflation, such as the breakevens, suggest tariffs could be disinflationary over the long run. In other words, the Fed might be wrong in fearing stagflation and will soon have a leeway to cut rates.
Inflation breakevens the yields on traditional Treasury bonds with the yields on Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). The five-year breakeven inflation rate peaked above 2.6% in early February and has since dropped to 2.32%, according to data tracked by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
The 10-year breakeven rate has dropped from 2.5% to 2.19%. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's expected two-year inflation has held at around 2.6%.
One time cost
According to observers, the impact of tariffs, viewed as a one-time cost adjustment, relies on the reactions of other macroeconomic variables and tends to be disinflationary in the long run.
When producers pass the tariff increase onto consumers, inflation levels rise. However, if there is no corresponding increase in income, consumers are compelled to reduce their consumption. This reduction can lead to inventory build-up and ultimately contribute to a decline in the prices of goods and services.
"Since the days of Smoot-Hawley, Tariffs have never been inflationary. Rather they are Deflationary and "stimulative themselves". Moreover, the disinflation shown in these charts will help encourage the Fed to soon ease as well. The Calvary is coming!," Jim Paulsen, author of the Paulsen Perspectives newsletter and a Wall Street veteran with four decades of experience, said on X.
A paper published by American economist Ravi Batra in 2001 made a similar observation, saying, "Tariffs in the US were never associated with rising prices, and trade liberalization with declining prices. High tariffs were always followed by sharp drops in the cost of living. tariffs produce inflation only in nonmarket or ualistic developing economies, but not inadvanced economies."
All things considered, the recent financial market turbulence likely resulted from growth fears rather than inflation. The bull could soon reemerge in anticipation of a dovish stance from the Federal Reserve.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has signaled the end of his tenure, bidding farewell to colleagues at a regional election conference in Banjul, Gambia.
Speaking at the extraordinary general assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), Yakubu confirmed that this was his final appearance as INEC Chairman, as his tenure ends later this year.
According to Western Post, the INEC Chairman called for greater collaboration among West African election management bodies and expressed optimism about the restoration of democracy in countries currently under military rule in the region.
Yakubu’s remarks come amid speculation about his removal by President Bola Tinubu, following his absence at INEC’s office during a visit by opposition party leaders. However, his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, clarified that Yakubu was on an official assignment abroad, and that National Commissioner Sam Olumekun was acting in his absence.
As the search for Yakubu’s successor intensifies, discussions among regional and political leaders are ongoing regarding the appointment process. Some have argued that the next INEC Chairman should come from a region outside the Southwest, while others emphasize the need for competence over regional or ethnic considerations.
Notably, no Yoruba individual has ever served as the INEC Chairman since the commission’s inception in 1960, a point raised by those advocating for regional balance. However, others argue that the selection should prioritize credibility, competence, and fairness, rather than regional representation.
Naija News understands that Yakubu’s tenure as INEC Chairman is set to expire in November, 2025.
[NaijaNews]
The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has vowed to investigate the alleged diversion of imported finished goods to FreeTrade Zones (FTZs) from other ports by unscrupulous Customs Licence Clearing and Forwarding agents in connivance with bad eggs in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Leke Abejide, stated this in an address at the Lekki Free Trade Zone Command of the NCS on Friday.
According to him, the criminality which he described as a great economic sabotage, was perpetrated to shortchange the nation of needed revenues, especially the loss of over N1.5 trillion in one year.
He said, “It was so bad that in one of the free trade zones that I don’t want to mention because I don’t want them to run away; we know them and we will go back to five years later and collect this trillions from them. So this is where you should be looking at.
“They will not pay duty because the law says in three months after production you will come and pay duty. They will go and sell first. Honourable colleagues, this has worked so fast.We need to do something about it. More than 1.5 trillion lost in the process of this last year.
“We are doing it already but I don’t say it out. The system we are going to use, they will know that we, too, we are experts in this. We will be able to get them those who they thought they have beaten five years, they must vomit it.
“We know them and I believe in this place it’s happening too whereby they will come in the form of bringing raw materials and they bring finished goods and they take it to the market”.
Speaking at DUFIL Prima Packaging factory located within the Lekki FTZ, the committee chairman said the House would amend the NEPZA Act to address the loopholes that companies and individuals exploit to shortchange the government.
[DailyTrust]
Dangote Industries has emphasized the need for significant investment in research, technology, and global best practices to drive sustainable industrial development in Nigeria.
The call was made by Ayirioritse Okerentie, Deputy Regional Director (South East) of Dangote Cement PLC, during the Dangote Group’s Special Day at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, organized by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA).
Okerentie stressed that for Nigerian products to achieve global competitiveness, the country must prioritize innovation and research.
He added that advancing the industrial sector through technology and development initiatives is key to staying ahead of international competition.
“Developing Nigeria industrial sector requires massive investment in technology, adoption of best in-class global practices. This is the best way for products from Nigeria to gain global recognition. When your products are of global standards, global recognition becomes easy,” he said
He described the theme of the fair, “Developing Nigeria Industrial Sector/SMEs for Economic Advancement & Global Recognition” as apt.
Okerentie said that Dangote Group was Africa’s foremost indigenous manufacturing conglomerate which believes that the nation’s industrial/manufacturing sector has the capacity to impact significantly on the economy especially in the creation of jobs, provision of goods, reduction in imports of finished products and adding of value to our raw materials.
”It is generally accepted that a nation’s economic wellbeing is largely dependent on the industrial/manufacturing sector,” he said.
He noted that the industrial/manufacturing sector is labour intensive and could create millions of direct and indirect employments for people of diverse skills such as administrators, accountants, engineers, technicians, marketing & sales among others.
“It can also create indirect employment for supply chain actors in other sectors of the economy such as raw materials suppliers, logistics and transportation, farmers, and miners,” he said..
Speaking on Dangote petroleum refinery, he said the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has exported refined petroleum products such as aviation fuel, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), automotive gas oil, naphtha to many African, European, American and Asian markets and that the products conform to the Euro V specifications.
He disclosed that the Dangote Petrochemical Complex has kicked off the production of polypropylene, a major raw material used in textile, plastic, furniture and pharmaceutical sectors.
“According to the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), the country imports 90 percent of its annual polypropylene requirements (amounting to 250,000 metric tonnes), but will now become a net exporter, generating foreign exchange to strengthen the economy. We are optimistic that many new manufacturing outfits will emerge relying on both the products and byproducts of the petroleum complex as feedstock in their production processes,” he said .
“As a conglomerate driving the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, while we produce critical household items, some of our other products serve as either feedstock or raw materials for other manufacturers.
”The evolution of these mutual interdependent industries is expected to revolutionise Nigeria’s economy by creating linkages between different industrial sectors.
”The linkages will provide cushions to the economy, preventing disruptions in production as raw materials are available. Linkages are vital in sustainable economic and industrial development. We are envisaging a connected and interlinked manufacturing sector that will produce goods that are usually imported, and in the process create more jobs for the growing youth population,” he said..
Okerentie noted that dDngote Group’s participation in the Fair, apart from the exhibitions, is to seek connections with other businesses.
The president of ECCIMA, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo expressed joy that Dangote Group had been part of the chamber’s success story in the hosting of the Enugu International Trade Fair over the years and had been major sponsor of the fair for the past four years.
“There is no doubt that Dangote Plc has added a lot of value to the growth of the Nigerian economy, operating in almost every sector of the economy.
“The recent investment of Dangote Group into the oil and gas industry has taken the company to another level, especially with the positive impact Dangote Refinery has made on regulating the prices of Petroleum products in Nigeria.
“We commend the Dangote group for this and request that the Federal Government should give the company all needed support to continue to bring smile on the faces of Nigerians once again,” Jideonwo said.
[TheNation]
Bayo Ojulari, group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, says the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project reached 72 percent completion rate at the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Ojulari announced the development at the 2025 Oloibiri lecture series and energy forum (OLEF) organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
In his keynote address, Ojulari, represented by Udy Ntia, NNPC executive vice-president, upstream, said globally, upstream oil and gas companies are expected to invest more than $30 billion in digital technologies in 2025.
“These technologies are not optional extras. They are foundational to improving asset reliability, lowering lifting costs, and reducing greenhouse gas effects,” he said.
“At the NNPC Ltd., we have embraced digital transformation not as a buzzword but as an operational imperative. We have embraced this reality with deliberate strategy.
“Our upstream subsidiary is deploying real-time reservoir monitoring, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven subsurface imaging to drive value and operational resilience.”
Ojulari said its digital transformation roadmap is anchored on three core pillars: intelligent automation, data governance, and cyber resilience.
“But beyond revenue, our hydrocarbon wealth must now become a bridge to a broader, more sustainable energy future. Technology is no longer an enabler. It has now become a fulcrum,” the NNPC boss said.
“In alignment with Nigeria’s energy transition plan, targeting to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, the NNPC Ltd. has initiated gas-led transition programmes, including the expansion of autogas programme, targeting more than one million vehicles through 2026.
“Energy transition is not a story. It is a global necessity, but its pathways must be shaped by local realities. Africa cannot afford a transition that leaves its people in the dark.
“As we forge ahead into this new energy era, let us remember sustainability is not a destination. It is a journey, a journey powered by technology, guided by sound policy, and anchored on a robust ethical supply chain.”
In June 2024, the federal government said the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project would be delivered by the first quarter of 2025, but the deadline has been missed.
[TheCable]
‘Go to court not police’ - Falana slams Akpabio for petitioning IGP over Natasha’s allegation
AFOLABI
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Femi Falana has slammed the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for petitioning the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over the assassination allegation made against him by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Falana said in seeking redress, the Senate President should not have petitioned the IGP on the matter if he believes the Kogi Central lawmaker defamed his character.
Describing the matter as politically-motivated, Falana said since Akpabio in his petition alleged character defamation and claimed that the allegation of assassination plot is false, he (the Senate President) should desist from using the Police to criminalise a civil dispute.
“In the said petition, Senator Akpabio, stated that the alleged defamatory statement is ‘entirely false, unfounded and politically motivated’. To that extent, the Nigeria Police Force should not be asked to criminalise a civil dispute that is ‘politically motivated,’” the senior lawyer said.
Citing a couple of cases, Falana said the Court of Appeal had cautioned public officers against using state’s machinery to harass or intimidate their political opponents.
He also said that the court also urged public office holders to ensure they do not diminish from the freedom gained from colonial masters by resorting to laws enacted by them to suit their purpose.
Further noting that public officers must be tolerant of criticism and where a writer overshoots his or her boundary, Falana said there should be a resort to the law of libel rather than intimidation.
He added, “In view of the above epochal words of the Court of Appeal, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio should be advised to institute a libel suit in the appropriate High Court if he feels defamed by the statement credited to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at a political rally.”
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, April 10, gifted the best-graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU) a whooping sum of N10 million.
Ojo Nwosu Isioma who received the funds from the Lagos State governor bagged a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93.
Portable Reveals What Stopped Him From Sleeping With Bobrisky
A graduate of Biochemistry, Nwosu finished from the university with a first-class degree.
Speaking during the convocation ceremony of the institution, the governor represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat said the state government is committed to ensuring the provision of quality education for the younger ones.
He also stated that Nwosu’s success has made the Lagos State government, LASU, and the entire university community proud.
He assured that Lagos State is working closely with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to ensure that students get all the financial assistance they need to excel in their academics.Nigerian cultural tours
“Education is the backbone of our society, and we must recognise its importance in addressing societal needs and human development.
“As leaders, we must ensure our educational system remains relevant and effective in providing innovative solutions to real-life problems,” the governor said.
The Ebonyi State High Court on Thursday ordered the release of 12 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who had been in custody since May 24, 2021.
Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, IPOB lawyer, who made this known in a statement issued after the court ruling said that the freed individuals are part of a larger group of 36 IPOB supporters who were arrested nearly four years ago.
Ejiofor noted that despite multiple court rulings over the years discharging and acquitting them of all charges, they had remained in detention until Thursday’s ruling.
The ruling followed a formal application by the Ebonyi State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
He said that the DPP acknowledged the series of judicial pronouncements and formally withdrew the latest charges against the 12 detainees, effectively ending their years-long incarceration.
According to him, the court directive was carried out without delay, and the individuals were handed over in compliance with the ruling.
“It marked a long-overdue respect for the rule of law and a reaffirmation of their innocence, which courts had upheld time and again,” Ejiofor said.
Ejiofor emphasised that the legal team remains committed to the release of the remaining IPOB members, who, according to him, have also been acquitted by no fewer than four separate High Courts in Ebonyi State.
“Their release is no longer a matter of if but when, and that moment draws closer by the day,” he said.
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A leading Islamic cleric and National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Ibrahim Jalingo, has stirred intense controversy after publicly endorsing the death penalty for individuals who renounce Islam, claiming it is supported by the Qur’an.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Jalingo defended a Hadith that prescribes death for apostates, dismissing critics who challenge its validity as suffering from “compound ignorance.”
Responding to what he called fabricated arguments aimed at discrediting Hadith literature, Jalingo quoted the contentious narration: “Whoever changes his religion, kill him” and insisted it aligns with Islamic teachings.
He accused those questioning the Hadith of lacking proper religious understanding.
“The Qur’an is a revelation from Allah, and so is the Hadith,” Jalingo wrote.
“Often, the Qur’an addresses matters briefly, while the Hadith comes to elaborate. This Hadith does not contradict the Qur’an—it reinforces it.”
Citing verses from the Qur’an—Surah At-Tawbah (9:5), Surah Al-Baqarah (2:193), and Surah An-Nisa’ (4:89 and 4:91)—Jalingo argued that Islamic scripture calls for severe consequences for apostasy and polytheism, including death in certain contexts.
He also claimed that the oft-quoted verse promoting religious freedom, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256), had been abrogated by later revelations.
In a particularly inflammatory remark, Jalingo launched a personal attack on his critics, likening them to “prostitutes and effeminate men,” while praising his supporters for upholding “true” Islamic principles.
His comments have since gone viral, drawing both applause from hardline followers and widespread condemnation from other Muslim scholars, civil society actors, and human rights advocates
The South-East Elders Alliance for Tinubu 2027 has called on Nigerians to support the second-term ambition of President Bola Tinubu.
The Enugu North Senatorial District chapter of the group called for support for the president’s re-election after a meeting on Wednesday.
In a communique jointly signed by its leaders including its National Coordinator, South East, Humphrey Nsofor and the Deputy National Coordinator, Damian Opata, the group said President Tinubu has done well for the region.
According to the group, the region has immensely benefitted from the president’s administration, especially with key appointments handed to their sons.
Listing some of the juicy positions handed to some individuals from the Southeast region, the group pleaded with Mr. President to originate and forward to the National Assembly, the bill amending the constitutional provisions to create more states in Nigeria.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Professor Iliyasu Usman was the first Igbo Imam of the Central Mosque, Abuja. Professor Usman is of Nsukka Igbo extraction.”
“The appointment of Dr Mrs Amaka Onu as Board Member, Federal Polytechnic, Jigawa State,” the communique said.
The group further urged President Tinubu to put in more efforts into improving the security situation across the country.
“In this regard, we suggest that the President should seriously consider the idea of setting up a Digital Response Arm / Unit within the Nigerian security system.
“Finally, we plead with all Nigerians to support President Tinubu for a second term, come 2027. This would enable him to complete the Southern mandate of eight years. We believe that this would reduce acrimony in the choice of presidential candidates for the 2027 presidential elections,” it added.
Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) ban on the broadcast of Eedris Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa,” describing it as a violation of freedom of expression and the right to access information.
In a statement released on its official Facebook page, Amnesty International stated that the ban, which categorized the song as “Not To Be Broadcast” for its critical tone towards the government, is an abuse of power.
The organisation called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct NBC to withdraw the ban, emphasising that the song’s criticism of those in power is not grounds for censorship.
Amnesty International argued that the Nigerian people have a right to freedom of expression and that there is no legal justification for prohibiting the song from being aired on radio and television. The organization also criticised NBC’s reliance on the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, which they called deeply flawed, as a basis for the ban. Amnesty stressed that such actions represent an increasing intolerance of dissenting voices in Nigeria.
The statement further highlighted that the ban is incompatible with the right to access information and media freedom. It called for the urgent repeal of heavy censorship regulations by NBC, which have been used to limit freedom of expression in the country. Amnesty warned that the arbitrary nature of the ban would create a chilling effect on media outlets, potentially silencing artists and stifling creativity.
Amnesty International also pointed out that the ban violates Nigeria’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights protecting freedom of expression.
The organisation urged President Tinubu’s government to act swiftly and reverse the ban to avoid further promoting censorship and creating a climate of fear and repression.
This comes after the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government and the NBC, demanding the immediate reversal of the ban on Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa.”
Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president of Nigeria on Friday, April 11, visited the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna.
In a video shared by the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on X, Atiku said he paid a post-Sallah visit to Buhari.
The video also captured other leaders including the former governors of Sokoto and Kaduna States, Aminu Tambuwal and Nasir El-Rufai.
It is, however, not clear whether the former vice president visited the home of Buhari in the company of the other politicians.
In his post, Atiku said the former President in his usual manner cracked them up with jokes during their time with him.
He wrote, “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in my Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations.
“Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023.
“It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour,” Atiku stated.
As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in my Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations. Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu… pic.twitter.com/99R24FUGB3
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) April 11, 2025