
News
Schools, banks, others shut as Supreme Court decides Kano governor
. . . Nasarawa women protesters embark on 24hrs prayer
There is tension in Kano State, especially the capital, as residents await the verdict that will decide their lawful governor today. Schools and financial institutions have announced closed, anticipating violence after the ruling.
After his eight months in power, the Supreme Court is set to issue a final judgment that will determine whether or not Abba Yusuf of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) will remain the governor of Kano.
The embattled governor is challenging the verdicts of the tribunal and Court of Appeal that favoured Nasiru Gawuna of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the apex court, which decision would finally lay the eight-month legal battle to rest.
Nevertheless, the much-awaited judgment has triggered palpable anxiety in the city following visible sign of volatility occasioned by the utterances of members of both APC and NNPP.
Already, private schools in the city have suspended their regular activities for safety reasons following the rising tension and security risk. Although, government has not announced closure of schools on Friday, our reporter received messages sent to parents by private schools to confirm closure.
Meanwhile, the Police Command in the state has reassured protection of life and property during and after the judgment.

Addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters at the end of the joint security consultative emergency meeting yesterday, Commissioner of Police (CP), Mohammed Gumel, said the security apparatus in the state put in place measures to ensure peace and tranquility.
The police boss allayed fears in town and urged the residents to go about their lawful business without fear of harassment or molestation.
In Nasarawa State, ‘Women For Justice’ have resolved to hold 24 hours prayer chain in their quest for David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The step, according to the women, is necessary to seek God’s intervention in the affairs of the state in relation to the Supreme Court judgment.
One of the women, Mrs James Ahmed, who spoke to our reporter in Lafia, said: “As women, we believe in prayers because God answers genuine prayers of faith made to him by people who are aggrieved.
“We, the women of Nasarawa, comprising Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers believe in the sovereignty of God in the affairs of humans, that is why we remained united in our prayers to the supreme God.”
Since March 19, 2023, the women had been on peaceful protest and prayers seeking “’heir stolen mandate’ to be restored.
The women, however, called on President Bola Tinubu to end the prevailing insecurity in the state, noting that they were also praying God for the President to succeed and lead the nation out the economic woes.
They also called on women across the country to join them in prayers as they continue to intercede for peace and security in the country.
The Guardian

News
OAU medical student collapses, dies before final exam
Adewole Emmanuel, a 400-level medical student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has died after reportedly collapsing moments before his final session examination.
Emmanuel’s death was announced on Thursday in a statement by the Ife University Medical Students Association.
The association lamented the sudden departure, describing Emmanuel as a solid pillar of his class.
The statement read in part, “Under the cover of dark clouds, we write to you with the heaviest of hearts to inform you of the passing of one of our own, an integral part of the association and a solid pillar of his class.
While describing the deceased as “a colleague, friend, roommate, and a Part 4 medical student with an undeniably bright future until the time of his passing”, the association added that “This incident is not only sad, but crucially painful as we lost a rising star and a loving member of the IFUMSA family.”
“In honoring his dearest memories, we kindly ask the general public to do without speculations and respect the privacy of the family during this vulnerable period.”

Speaking under condition of anonymity, a senior member of the association said the student died on Wednesday without an underlying ailment.
“He died yesterday. But he hadn’t been sick. He just collapsed and couldn’t be resuscitated,” the source said.
“We were about to write our final exam for the session. And during the process of waiting for the exam, he suddenly collapsed in the college and died.
“It’s just unfortunate as he didn’t have any underlying medical condition. We have contacted his family already.”

News
Misdemeanor: Senator Jim Nwobodo’s wife, Patricia loses at Enugu Magistrate Court
..As court srikes out charges against CEO, Energy FM Enugu, Pastor Ogbuanu, 3 others, Awards N1m cost against her
An Enugu State Magistrate Court has struck out a four-count criminal charge brought against a Lagos-based cleric and Chief Executive Officer, Energy FM Enugu, Pastor Basil Ogbuanu, and three of his workers.
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The court also awarded a N1m cost against Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo, the wife of a former governor of Old Anambra State, Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, for her failure to prosecute the case.
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The ruling, delivered by His Worship D.K. Ekoh at the Enugu South Magisterial District, followed the persistent absence of the complainants since the inception of the matter in January 2026.
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The defendants, Ezeh Patrick Muoneke, 46; Arinze Onoja, 26; Sedro Theodore, 28; and Basil Ogbuanu, 56, were arraigned on January 20, 2026, on charges bordering on conspiracy, deprivation of liberty, and assault.
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The four- count charge levelled against them read:
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“That you Eze Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Only a ‘m’, on the 16th day of January, 2026 at about 1300hours at Patin-Son Estate, Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu within Enugu Magisterial District did conspire among themselves to commit misdemeanor to wit: Deprivation of Liberty and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 496(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
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Count 11: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore ‘m’ and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully confine the movement and detain Mrs Patricia M. Nwobodo ‘f’ against her will from 11hours to 13hours and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State 2004.
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Count 111: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’, Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore ‘m’ and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully confine the movement and detain Police Constable Ugwu Emmanuel ‘m’ against his will from 1100hours to 1300hours and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
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Count IV: That you Ede Patrick Muoneke ‘m’ Arinze Onoja ‘m’, Sedro Theodore and Ogbuanu Basil ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully assault Police Constable Ugwu Emmanuel ‘m’ by beating him all over his body and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 252 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. 11 the Revise Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
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However, during the proceedings on April 15, 2026, the police prosecutor, B.C. Nnadozie, admitted that he had not seen the complainants since the matter started.
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Nnadozie told the court that he could not “manufacture oath” or serve witness statements on the defence as he had no contact with the nominal complainants.
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Counsel for the defendants, Emeka Oko, urged the court to dismiss the charge, noting that his clients, who are busy artisans and a Lagos resident, had suffered by traveling to Enugu for a case the complainants were not interested in pursuing.
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Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Ekoh lambasted the conduct of the complainants, describing it as a clear indication of their lack of desire to prosecute the matter.
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“A complainant whose complaint was investigated and to her knowledge is aware of the charge proffered against the defendants decides to stay in her luxury home without prosecuting her complaint, should as well pay damages to the person(s) she wrongfully complained against”, he said
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The court subsequently struck out the charge and ordered that the defendants must not be re-arrested on the strength of the same complaint.
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The trial Magistrate also granted the application for N1m cost against the complainant to be paid to the defendants.

News
Ojukwu was fighter for justice, Man of ideas — Bianca
Wife of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said that the ex-Biafra leader was not just synonymous with fight for justice but also a strong believer in the power of knowledge.
This is as the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, called for climate action, pointing out that it was more detrimental to do nothing.
He delivered the guest lecture on the theme- “Sustainable and Climate Resilience Future: Beyond Rhetorics,” on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the 4th Annual Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Memorial Lecture.
The event was organised by the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, on its Founders’ Day as part of the 16th convocation ceremony.
The minister said the event was not a mere ceremony but a convergence of history, intellect, and legacy.
She said: “We gather to honour and reflect on the life of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a towering figure whose contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution and whose unwavering commitment to the dignity of his people remain indelible. He was not only a soldier and statesman, but also a man of ideas, a leader who believed in the power of knowledge, justice, and principled leadership.

“Dim Ojukwu’s legacy compels us to ask difficult questions about nationhood, equity, inclusion, and the responsibilities of leadership. His life reminds us that leadership is not defined by convenience, but by courage, sacrifice, and the willingness to stand for what is just, even in the face of overwhelming odds.”
The minister stated that the university was promoting climate resilience, the same way Odumegwu-Ojukwu did.
According to her, the Igbo leader loved planting trees, and understood long before many others, even before climate action became more amplified, that respecting nature’s balance was important and that “trees were the silent guardians of our air, our soil and our future.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we reflect on the life and legacy of Dim Ojukwu, let us recommit ourselves to building a Nigeria anchored on justice, unity, and shared prosperity. Let us invest in education, empower our youth, and strengthen our institutions, for these are the pillars upon which sustainable development rests.”
She also charged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution, urging them to see the knowledge they had acquired as mere foundation because their character, resilience, and integrity will define their journey.
“Be ambassadors of this great institution, uphold its values, and contribute meaningfully to national and global development,” she stated while further highlighting the importance of strengthening the nexus between academia and policy.
The minister said that universities must continue to serve as think tanks, generating ideas and research that can inform government policies, particularly in areas of foreign relations, economic diplomacy, and national development strategies.
She said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would remain open to such collaborations, as they work towards projecting Nigeria’s image positively on the global stage.
She wished the University and its brand new Governing Council, a highly successful founders’ day celebrations.
The EU Ambassador, Mignot described the minister as a major promoter of Nigeria-EU partnership.
The Vice Chancellor of COOU, Prof Kate Omenugha extolled the Minister for the leverage she had given the university by facilitating their reach especially in the diplomatic community.

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