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Naija Trend Hub, Ibadan (2026)

25/05/2026

INEC asks court to annul judgment voiding its timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the Federal High Court judgment which nullified its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

INEC, in a notice of appeal dated and filed on May 25 through its lawyer, Alex Izinyon, SAN, filed a motion for stay of ex*****on of the judgement, pending the hearing and determination of its appeal at the Court of Appeal.
The electoral umpire, which gave nine grounds for its appeal, argued that the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, erred in law when he failed to pronounce on the jurisdictional issue of the suit being hypothetic and academic which failure occasioned denial of fair hearing to the commission.

It argued that the trial judge’s interpretation of Section 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026 did not permit the restricted narrow interpretation accorded by the court.

INEC further argued that the trial court misdirected itself in law when it failed to apply the provision of Section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2026 to the appellant’s case, among other grounds.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC, the appellant, had named Youth Party (YP) as respondent in appeal.

The commission sought two orders, including an order allowing its appeal and setting aside the judgement delivered by Justice Umar on May 20 in suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 between Youth Party and INEC.

It also sought an order striking out the suit as the respondent (YP) lacked the locus standi to institute and maintain same and that the suit is academic.
In a related development, INEC, in a motion on notice also filed on May 25 at the FHC, sought an order staying the ex*****on and/or further ex*****on of the judgement pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by it.

Justice Umar of FHC in Abuja had, on May 20, voided the 2027 election timetable issued by INEC.

The judge, in a judgment delivered on a suit brought by YP, held that INEC’s action imposed restrictive timeframes on political parties for the conduct of primaries and other pre-election activities contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

He held that INEC lacked the statutory power to fix or prescribe the timeframe within which political parties must conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections.(NAN)

25/05/2026

Emir escapes as bandits torch Kwara palace, abduct women, children

Bandits have launched a coordinated midnight assault on Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, targeting both a police divisional headquarters and the palace of the Emir, which was partially razed.

The attack left residents in panic and shook the traditional institution.
The incident reportedly occurred around 2:00am on Monday.

The attackers stormed the community in large numbers, striking simultaneously at the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Emir of Yashikira Palace.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants operated for several minutes under heavy gunfire, forcing residents to flee into surrounding bushes for safety as the sound of sporadic shooting echoed across the community.

During the raid, about ten persons were abducted and taken to an unknown destination by the armed group.
However, the Emir of Yashikira was said to have escaped the attack unharmed, even as confusion spread briefly within the palace during the invasion.

The attack has deepened fears in Baruten LGA, a border area that has repeatedly come under pressure from armed groups exploiting its difficult terrain and proximity to inter-state routes.

Local authorities confirmed that some women and children were among those affected, though exact figures were still being compiled as of press time.

Speaking on the incident, the Baruten local government chairman, Issa Jubril, said “the monarch was able to escape during the incident”.

Queried that some women and children from the Palace were also abducted, Issa said “Yes, but I will not be able to give you the exact figures and identities of the victims now.

“But our Emir is safe and the town is calm now. We immediately put in a lot of efforts to alert the relevant security agencies and they are on top of the situation”, he said.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Police Command said the attack was carried out by suspected bandits who operated in a coordinated manner during the early hours of the day.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale intelligence-driven operation involving police tactical units, the military, forest guards, and vigilante groups to rescue the abducted victims and track down the attackers.

24/05/2026

NDLEA Arrests 63-Year-Old Chinese Woman at Lagos Airport Over 31kg Cannabis Haul, Seizes N2.1bn Opioids

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 63-year-old Chinese woman, Ting Hung Kiong, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 31 kilograms of “Canadian Loud”, a synthetic strain of cannabis, into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The suspect, said to be a Chinese national naturalised in Malaysia, was apprehended on 17 May 2026 upon arrival in Lagos from Thailand via Dubai aboard an Emirates Airline flight. According to the agency, NDLEA operatives attached to the Terminal 2 Arrival Hall intercepted her with two large suitcases containing the illicit substance.

Investigations by the anti-narcotics agency revealed that the suspect travelled from Malaysia to Thailand before proceeding to Nigeria through the United Arab Emirates.
During interrogation, she reportedly claimed to be a caregiver in Malaysia and disclosed that her daughter financed the trip. She further told investigators that she spent two weeks in Thailand before being handed the drug consignment at the airport for delivery in Nigeria.
In a related operation, the NDLEA said it recovered 1,825,710 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg valued at over N2.19 billion at the import shed of the Lagos airport.

The consignment, which arrived from India aboard an Emirates Cargo flight, was monitored by NDLEA operatives before being handed over by the Nigeria Customs Service on 22 May.

The agency also recorded arrests and seizures at other airports across the country.

At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, operatives intercepted Onyeka Valentine Emeka arriving from Sierra Leone via Addis Ababa.

24/05/2026

N10Billion Scandal: Labour Unions Accuse ICPC Of Suppressing Corruption Case Against National Librarian

The Coalition of the Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria Research Institutes and Allied Institutions (ASURI) at the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of refusing to prosecute the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, despite evidence of corruption uncovered during investigations.

The unions stated that for more than two and a half years, several petitions submitted to the anti-graft agency and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) over alleged corruption, abuse of office, illegal sales of government properties, recruitment fraud and financial mismanagement running into billions of naira have remained unresolved.
Speaking with SaharaReporters, Comrade Odufuwa S.O, Chairman of NUPSRAW, alongside Comrade Adepoju S., Chairperson of ASURI, accused the ICPC of deliberately suppressing corruption allegations involving the apex library’s management.

According to the unions, one of the latest petitions before the ICPC involves the alleged illegal sale of government properties by the management of the National Library of Nigeria without due process and without approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The unions noted that proceeds from the sales were traced to personal accounts during investigations by the ICPC.
The unions said, “As a follow-up to an earlier story on corruption allegations in the apex library, we are yet to get a response from the management of NLN, the supervisory ministry FME or the ICPC who have been treating series of petitions from the institution's in-house unions for two and half years without conclusion.

“The most recent of the petitions anchors on sales of government properties without due process, with proceeds traced to personal accounts by ICPC.

23/05/2026

BREAKING: Sowore Leads Hundreds Of Abuja Protesters On ‘Save Jabi Lake’, Condemns Land Grabbing By FCT Minister Wike

Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore on Saturday led hundreds of protesters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, in a demonstration against large-scale land grabbing allegedly facilitated by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The protesters, who trooped out in significant numbers across key parts of the capital, accused the FCT administration of hijacking legitimately acquired lands in Abuja and reallocating them to political associates and cronies.

Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the demonstrators repeatedly called for the protection of public spaces, particularly Jabi Lake and Jabi Park, insisting that the areas must not be encroached upon or privatized.

Some of the inscriptions on banners read: “Save Jabi Lake Now,” “Save Jabi Park Now,” and “Stop Land Grabbing in Abuja.”

As the protest gained momentum, chants echoed through the streets with demonstrators alleging: “Wike is a land thief,” and “Tinubu is a land thief,” referencing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under which the FCT ministry currently operates.

22/05/2026

‘Very Dull Man’ – Wike’s Aide Attacks Verydarkman

Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised social media commentator, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, over claims linking Kingsley Chinda to alleged land grabbing in Abuja.

Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, recently emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 election.

In a video shared on his page on Friday, VeryDarkMan referred to a clip he had earlier posted on December 11, 2024, where he accused Wike of revoking an estate in the Life Camp area of the FCT and allegedly allocating it to his kinsmen.

In the old video, VeryDarkMan alleged that Chinda had a major interest in the disputed property.

Wike woke up one morning and said he had revoked it. One of those who has a big share in the whole of this thing is the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, in the name of Kingsley Chinda,” he said.
Reacting to Chinda’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, VDM said, “This same Chinda? Rivers State is finished.”

‘Very Dull Man’
Responding in a Facebook post, Olayinka dismissed the allegation and described the social media critic as a “very dull man.”

He alleged that VDM had promoted the claim after allegedly receiving money from the supposed owner of the property.

Olayinka said the critic and those behind the claim went silent after facts were presented showing that the land in question was never allocated to the claimant.

He said VDM was advertising his ignorance after he must have collected money from the alleged property owner.

Olayinka further accused VDM of misleading the public and failing to apologise after the facts were made public.

He said VDM and his alleged instigator “became silent when we brought out facts that the said land was never allocated” to the claimant.

“Instead of Very Dull Man to apologise for misleading the public, he simply went dumb, moved on to other issues and continued with his game,” Olayinka added.

21/05/2026

2027 Presidency: Obi downplays Jonathan factor, says Nigeria is his focus

Former Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has described the screening conducted by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as “democracy in action.”

Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday after appearing before the screening committee, chaired by Sam Egwu, Obi, said that the exercise reflected the party’s commitment to due process and accountability.
“This is democracy in action because NDC chooses to do things properly. So when we say this is going to be screening, it has to be done right.

Nigerians want to know whether you meet the stipulated constitutional qualification and provide relevant documents to back them.

“This is the way to know whether everything you have said or declared is the truth and if you can answer questions posed about your commitment to building a united, secure and prosperous Nigeria. That’s why the screening took over two hours,” he said.

Obi dismissed speculations that he had emerged as the party’s consensus presidential candidate, insisting that the process remained open and democratic.

“How can it be based on consensus? The party opened up the expression of interest forms for people to buy. I bought the form. As the party said, I’m the only one who expressed interest. That’s it,” he said.

Obi commended the NDC for conducting what he described as a transparent screening process.

Reacting to reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan may join the presidential race, Obi said he was not preoccupied with potential opponents but focused on rebuilding the country.

“Democracy is about people offering themselves for service and being voted for. I’m not in any way going around looking for who is contesting. I’m concentrating on how to build a better Nigeria,” he said.

Obi said his priority ahead of the 2027 general elections was to build a united, secure and prosperous Nigeria through inclusive governance anchored on the constitutional principle of federal character.
According to him, Nigeria must become secure enough for citizens to move freely without fear, while families should no longer live in anxiety over insecurity and killings.

The former governor of Anambra also stressed the need to address hunger, poverty and corruption, noting that public resources must work for the benefit of all Nigerians rather than a privileged few,” Obi added.
Daily Trust reports that Jonathan appointed Obi as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2015, the last known political appointment of Obi as the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over power about a month after the appointment.

18/05/2026

Alleged Cybercrime: Abuja Court Grants N5Million Bail To Blogger 'Justice Crack'

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to blogger Chidiebere Justice Mark, also known as “Justice Crack,” in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum.

Chidiebere is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to a viral video concerning the Nigerian Army.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, while ruling on the bail application filed by the defendant, ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and must have maintained a fixed residential address for at least four years.

The court further directed that the surety must provide proof of residence through either a tenancy agreement or a certificate of occupancy to be deposited at the court registry.

In addition, the surety is required to be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15, with evidence of at least three months’ salary payment, a letter of authentication from the immediate head of department, and proof of pensionable employment.

18/05/2026

You Were Not Arrested For Criticising Jonathan – Sowore Blasts Adekunle Gold

Nigerian activist, Omoyele Sowore, has berated singer Adekunle Gold over the predicament of a young man identified as Adeboye Samuel.

Naija News understands that Adeboye was dragged to court after posting a claim on social media concerning the singer’s daughter.

Reacting to the development, Sowore recounted how Adekunle had made a controversial post against former president Goodluck Jonathan.

He stated that it had spread without repercussions because of freedom of speech.

The post, shared around the time Nigerians protested heavily against the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s removal of fuel subsidy in 2012, reads, “Dear God, if you give us Dagrin back, we will give you Jonathan in return.”

Sowore shared on 𝕏, “ in 2012 openly criticising then-President . Back then, it was rightly called free speech, and if he had been arrested for those tweets, we would have been on the streets demanding his immediate release.

“How then does someone who benefited from freedom of expression turn around years later to use the police, courts, and the brutal cybercrime framework against ordinary Nigerians over online banter and social media exchanges?
“You cannot enjoy free speech when you are powerless, and criminalise it the moment you become influential. Freedom of expression must apply to everyone, celebrities, politicians, activists, and poor young Nigerians on social media alike.”

Sowore urged the Nigeria Police Force to stop acting as a private army for the rich and famous. He also urged the judiciary to stop handing down outrageous punishments for internet speech that should never be criminal matters in the first place.

13/05/2026

Kuje Prison Looks Like NYSC Camp, I Was Given VIP Treatment – Blord

Nigerian social media personality, Linus Williams, popularly known as Blord, has opened up on his experience at the Kuje Correctional Centre, describing parts of the facility as organised and comfortable.
Naija News reports that Blord made the revelation during a recent interview shared online, where he spoke about the treatment he allegedly received while in custody.

The cryptocurrency entrepreneur and influencer also compared the environment within the correctional facility to special sections of the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp.

‘Kuje Looks Like NYSC Camp’
According to Blord, the correctional centre has designated sections for high-profile individuals, adding that he was accommodated in one of the VIP areas during his stay.

“Kuje looks like NYSC camp. Inside the camp they have VIP sections and that was where I was kept,” he said.
He further claimed that the section where he stayed was equipped with several home appliances and other conveniences.

“It was like a vacation. I sleep, wake up and eat. I even had a chef,” he stated.

Blord also referenced his recent clash with social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, alleging that their experiences at the facility were not the same.

Though he did not provide further details, the social media personality suggested that his treatment differed significantly from what others may have experienced while in custody.

Speaking further, Blord said inmates at the facility received him warmly and engaged him in recreational activities during his stay.

According to him, the inmates organised football games and other activities for him.

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