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 Supreme Court Rejects Anyanwu’s Bid to Halt Judgment Removing Him as PDP Secretary The Supreme Court has dSUPREME WEED Lismissed an application filed by Samuel Anyanwu seeking to stay the execution of the Court of Appeal's judgment that removed him as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). During Monday’s proceedings, Anyanwu unexpectedly applied to withdraw his request, prompting Justice Musa Awani Aba-Aji to strike out the application. Kingsley Njemanze (SAN), representing Anyanwu, formally withdrew the request on his client’s behalf. The Federal High Court and Court of Appeal in Enugu had earlier delivered concurrent rulings that ousted Anyanwu from his position. The appellate court upheld Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP. In its December 2024 ruling, the Court of Appeal held that Anyanwu’s appeal was incompetent and without merit, stating that he violated the PDP constitution by retaining the secretary position afte...

 Police Dismantle Akwa Ibom Kidnap Gang, Recover Weapons and Millions in Cash The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a notorious kidnap gang responsible for a series of abductions in Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, and nearby communities. The successful operation led to the death of one suspect, while arms, ammunition, and over ₦3.1 million in cash were recovered. Confirming the development on Monday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, described the gang as a major force behind recent kidnappings in the area. Police Raid Criminal Hideouts Acting on credible intelligence, a joint tactical team stormed several hideouts in Ikpe Annang, Ikpe Ikot Akpan, and Ikot Inyang within Essien Udim Local Government Area. Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects opened fire in an attempt to escape, prompting a swift response from security forces. “The operatives engaged the suspects in a gun duel, leading to their apprehension. All five gang members sustained injuries ...

 US Engaged in Talks with Four Groups on TikTok Sale – Trump President Donald Trump has revealed that the United States is in discussions with four different groups interested in acquiring TikTok, as the Chinese-owned platform faces an uncertain future in the country. Under a US law, TikTok must divest from its parent company, ByteDance, or risk being banned. When asked on Sunday about a potential deal, Trump responded, "It could be." "We’re negotiating with four different groups. A lot of people are interested, and the decision is up to me," he stated aboard Air Force One, adding that all four bidders were strong contenders without disclosing their names. TikTok Ban and Temporary Shutdown The TikTok ban law took effect on January 19, citing national security concerns that the Chinese government could use the platform for surveillance or covert influence in the United States. As the deadline approached, TikTok briefly shut down in the US and was removed from app sto...

 Senate’s Suspension of Natasha Disrespectful to Kogi Constituents – Peterside Founder of Anap Foundation, Atedo Peterside, has criticized the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as a disrespectful move against her constituents. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Peterside expressed concern over the Senate’s decision, stating that the action was troubling and affirming his support for Akpoti-Uduaghan. “The most disturbing aspect of the Nigerian Senate hullabaloo around Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is that the Senate leadership must be aware that her six-month suspension is ultra vires and also disrespectful to her constituents in Kogi State, but they don’t care,” he wrote. Background of the Dispute The rift between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated on Thursday when the Senate suspended her for six months. The suspension followed allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abus...

  Former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Resigns from APC, Joins SDP Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), citing irreconcilable differences with the party’s leadership.   In his resignation letter submitted on Monday to his ward in Kaduna State, El-Rufai expressed disappointment with the APC’s direction in recent years.   “I have diligently served the APC and contributed to its growth, but recent developments have shown a disregard for democratic principles and progressive values,” he stated.   A founding member of the APC, El-Rufai played a key role in the party’s victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023. He emphasized his commitment to governance reforms in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation during his tenure as governor.   “Given the current political landscape, I must seek another platform to uphold the prog...

 Protesters Oppose Benue Tribunal Relocation to Abuja, Demand Reversal A group of activists and concerned citizens staged a protest on Monday at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) headquarters in Abuja to oppose the relocation of the Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal to the Federal Capital Territory. The relocation, ordered by Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, was attributed to security concerns at tribunal venues in Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo. However, a Federal High Court in Makurdi has since issued an order restraining the tribunal from sitting outside Benue State until further legal proceedings. Led by Dr. Alfred Gbaja and Comrade David Okpanachi, the protesters accused the Chief Judge of subverting justice and violating legal procedures. Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, they vowed to continue demonstrating until the tribunal is restored to Benue State. Okpanachi criticized the relocation, arguing that it violates the Elec...

 Enugu High Court Jails Medical Director, Clinical Services Head for Contempt An Enugu High Court, presided over by Justice Ngozi Oji, has sentenced Dr. Ngozi Unaogu, the Acting Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, and the Director of Clinical Services to prison for contempt of court. The court ruled on Monday that the two officials would remain in custody until they fully comply with a judgment delivered on December 10, 2021, by Justice E. M. Egumgbe. Part of the earlier ruling had issued a perpetual injunction restraining the hospital’s management from further scrutinizing the credentials of Mr. Afam Ndu, the suspended Acting Principal of the School of Basic Psychiatric Nursing at the hospital. However, the court found that Dr. Ngozi Unaogu and the Head of Clinical Services violated the order when Unaogu constituted a senior staff committee—headed by herself—to further investigate the NYSC discharge certificate of Mr. Afam Ndu. Unaogu justified the mo...