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BREAKING: DSS Arraigns Former AGF Abubakar Malami, Son Over Alleged Terrorism Financing and Illegal Firearms


By Otobong Gabriel,  Abuja 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his son, Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism-related offences.

The father and son were brought before the court on Tuesday on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, aiding and abetting terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Details of the Charges

According to the prosecution, Malami allegedly failed to act on intelligence and case files relating to suspected terrorism financiers during his time in office as the nation’s chief law officer. Authorities claim that this refusal amounted to abetting terrorism financing.

In addition, both defendants are accused of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition without proper licensing.
Security operatives reportedly recovered:
One firearm, Several live cartridges

Multiple expended rounds of ammunition
The prosecution argued that the possession of these items without lawful authority could constitute preparatory acts linked to terrorism under Nigerian law.

Court Proceedings

When the charges were read in court, Malami and his son pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The prosecution urged the court to remand them in DSS custody pending trial, citing the seriousness of the allegations and national security concerns.

Defence lawyers made an oral request for bail, but the presiding judge declined, stating that bail applications must be properly filed through written motions.
Adjournment
The court subsequently adjourned the case to a later date to hear the formal bail application and begin trial proceedings.

Why This Case Matters

The arraignment marks one of the most significant legal actions involving a former top government official in recent years. As a former Attorney-General, Malami once oversaw the country’s justice system, making the charges particularly high-profile.

Legal observers say the case could test the government’s commitment to accountability and the fight against terrorism financing.
More updates are expected as the matter returns to court.

FCT Workers Suspend Strike After Late-Night Deal with Wike, Resume Work in Abuja



Organised labour unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called off their strike action following a breakthrough meeting with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, bringing relief to workers and residents across Abuja.

The decision to suspend the industrial action was announced in a circular issued on Tuesday to all affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) under the FCT Administration.

The circular, jointly signed by TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro and Acting NLC General Secretary Benson Upah, confirmed that both sides reached a truce after hours of negotiations.

Late-Night Talks Yield Agreement

According to labour leaders, the meeting — convened by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi — began around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday and stretched into the early hours of Monday, ending about 3:51 a.m.

During the session, representatives of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) presented key concerns affecting workers, including welfare issues, alleged high-handedness in labour management, and poor consultation with union leaders.

Minister Wike reportedly assured the unions of continuous dialogue and stronger engagement on labour matters going forward.

Key Agreements Reached

As part of the resolution:

No worker will face victimisation for participating in the strike

All pending court cases related to the dispute at the National Industrial Court will be withdrawn

Labour and the FCT Administration will continue discussions to address outstanding issues

Following the agreement, the NLC and TUC directed all affected workers to immediately return to duty.

Backstory

The strike, which began on January 19, disrupted several services in Abuja after unions accused the FCT Administration of neglecting longstanding grievances.

Before agreeing to suspend the action, labour leaders had demanded direct engagement with authorities, guarantees against retaliation, and a clear commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.

A Step Toward Industrial Peace

Union leaders have now urged workers to comply with the return-to-work directive, stressing that the agreement marks a fresh start for improved industrial harmony within the FCT.

For many residents and businesses in Abuja, the suspension of the strike comes as welcome news, restoring normal operations across the capital.

NECO Releases 2025 SSCE External Results, 71.6% Score Five Credits Including English, Maths


By Otobong Gabriel,  Abuja 

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for external candidates, with more than 70 per cent of candidates securing the key benchmark of five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Danlami Wushishi, announced the results on Tuesday, revealing that 71.63 per cent of candidates met the minimum requirement for admission into higher institutions.

Registration and Participation
According to NECO, 96,979 candidates registered for the examination nationwide.
Male: 51,823 (53.43%)
Female: 45,156 (46.56%)
Out of the total registered, 95,160 candidates eventually sat for the exams, including:
50,785 males (53.36%)
44,375 females (46.63%)

Subject Performance

Performance across core subjects was largely impressive.
English Language: 73,167 out of 93,425 candidates (78.32%) earned credit passes and above
Mathematics: 85,256 out of 93,330 candidates (91.35%) earned credit passes and above

Overall:

68,166 candidates (71.63%) obtained five credits including English and Mathematics
82,082 candidates (86.26%) secured five credits and above, regardless of English and Maths

Rise in Examination Malpractice
Despite the strong performance, malpractice cases increased.
Wushishi disclosed that 9,016 candidates were caught for various forms of examination malpractice, compared to 6,160 cases recorded in 2024 — representing a 31.7% rise.

Several officials and centres were also sanctioned:

Two supervisors in the FCT
One supervisor each in Kano and Lagos
Four centres recommended for de-recognition (two in Niger, one in Yobe, one in Lagos) over whole-centre malpractice

NECO’s Warning

The NECO boss reaffirmed the council’s commitment to protecting the credibility of its examinations and warned candidates, supervisors, and stakeholders against engaging in any form of malpractice.

He stressed that strict monitoring and sanctions will continue to ensure fairness and integrity in the system.

Alleged Coup: Soldiers Must Face Civilian Trial, Not Court-Martial — Falana


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has said that any military officer accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration cannot be tried through a court-martial under Nigeria’s democratic system.

Falana insisted that such suspects must be prosecuted in civilian courts in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.

Speaking during an interview on national television, the legal expert addressed the growing debate over how alleged coup plots should be handled in a democratic government, stressing that Nigeria’s legal framework no longer permits military tribunals for crimes against an elected administration.

According to him, court-martial proceedings are meant strictly for internal military discipline and not for constitutional offences like treason or attempts to overthrow a democratic government.

“We are under a democratic government, and as far as the constitution is concerned, we have to take them to a high court,” Falana said.

“The soldiers cannot be court-martialed. They are not trying to remove a military dictator. It’s an attempt to remove an elected government, a constitutional government, to disrupt the constitutional arrangement,” he added.

Falana explained that once an alleged offence goes beyond military misconduct and becomes an attack on the state or constitutional order, it must be handled by civilian courts.

He warned that trying such cases through military tribunals would contradict democratic principles and weaken the supremacy of the constitution.

The senior lawyer maintained that upholding due process through the regular court system remains essential to protecting Nigeria’s democracy and rule of law.

APC Sets Up 73-Member Committee for 2026 National Convention, Names Uzodimma Chairman

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has constituted a 73-member Central Coordination Committee to oversee preparations for its 2026 National Convention, appointing Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, as chairman.

Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, will serve as vice chairman, while Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has been named secretary of the committee.

The committee, approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), will supervise the planning, coordination and conduct of the APC’s ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, leading up to the national convention scheduled for March 2026.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, the APC said details regarding the committee’s inauguration would be announced later.

Congress Timetable Released

Alongside the committee’s inauguration, the ruling party unveiled an updated timetable for its congresses nationwide.

Membership e-registration will begin on January 31 and end on February 8, 2026. Ward congresses are fixed for February 18, followed by local government congresses on February 21.

State congresses will take place on March 3, while zonal congresses across the six geo-political zones are scheduled for March 25.

The APC National Convention will hold from March 27 to March 28, 2026.

Zonal Venues

The party also announced locations for the zonal congresses:

South-West – Ibadan

South-East – Enugu

South-South – Rivers/Cross River

North-West – Kaduna

North-East – Gombe/Bauchi

North-Central – Nasarawa


Forms and Fees for Aspirants

The APC released the cost of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for aspirants seeking party offices.

At the ward level, Expression of Interest forms cost ₦5,000, while nomination forms range between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000.

For local government offices, the Expression of Interest fee is ₦10,000, with chairmanship nomination forms priced at ₦100,000.

At the state level, chairmanship nomination forms cost ₦1 million, while other executive positions attract ₦500,000.

For national offices, aspirants for national chairman must pay ₦10 million, while other national positions range between ₦5 million and ₦7.5 million.

Concessions and Exemptions

The party granted concessions to female aspirants, youths and persons with disabilities, who will pay only the Expression of Interest fee and 50 percent of the nomination fee.

Ekiti, Osun, Rivers states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are excluded from the ward, local government and state congresses but will elect three delegates each to participate in the national convention.

All forms will be completed online after payment verification by the party’s national secretariat. Payments are to be made directly into the APC’s designated accounts with Zenith Bank and UBA.


Ademola Lookman Seals Big Move to Atletico Madrid


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

Nigeria’s sensational winger Ademola Lookman has officially completed his transfer to Atletico Madrid, bringing a thrilling chapter to a close in what has been one of the most talked-about moves of the season.

The 28-year-old arrived in Madrid on Sunday for his medicals, and Atletico confirmed the deal on Monday — just hours before the European winter transfer window slammed shut.

Reports suggest the Spanish club shelled out around €35 million, with another €5 million in performance-related add-ons — valuing the transfer at roughly €40 million. That haul makes Lookman the second-most expensive Nigerian player of all time, only behind Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen.

Lookman has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract that ties him to the Wanda Metropolitano until June 2030 — a clear sign of Atletico’s long-term vision for him.

Under Diego Simeone, Atletico will be counting on Lookman’s pace, creativity and unpredictability in the final third as they vie for honours domestically and in Europe. His arrival adds a fresh attacking spark to a side known for its grit and tactical discipline.

The move ends a roller-coaster spell at Atalanta, where Lookman rose to European prominence — most memorably with a stunning hat-trick in the 2023 Europa League final, securing the Italian club’s first major continental trophy and announcing himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous wide forwards.

Linked with several clubs over the past months — including Fenerbahçe and even interest from Inter Milan — Lookman’s future had been the subject of constant speculation. But it was Atletico’s late-run push that finally won the race.

Now in Madrid, the Super Eagles star is expected to hit the ground running as Simeone reshapes his squad for the challenges ahead.

Fans everywhere will be watching closely to see if Lookman’s dynamic style can light up La Liga the way he did in Italy.

Wike’s PDP Faction Fixes March 2026 Convention to Elect New National Leaders


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has fixed March 28 and 29, 2026, for its national convention to elect a new set of party leaders.

The convention is scheduled to hold in Abuja and is expected to reshape the internal power structure of the opposition party amid lingering divisions between Wike’s loyalists and other blocs within the PDP.

Sources within the camp disclosed that the two-day gathering will produce new national executives and outline a fresh political direction for the faction as preparations gradually begin ahead of future elections.

The move signals a consolidation of Wike’s influence within the party, with his allies pushing to formalise their control through an organised leadership structure. 

Party insiders say consultations are ongoing across states to mobilise delegates and secure support for candidates loyal to the former Rivers State governor.

The development further exposes the widening cracks in the PDP, which has struggled with internal disputes since the 2023 general election. Analysts say the Abuja convention could deepen the rivalry between competing interests or force a decisive realignment within the party.

While the main PDP leadership has yet to officially react, political observers believe the parallel mobilisation may trigger fresh negotiations or intensify the battle for supremacy in the party.

With Abuja set to host the convention, attention now turns to how the party’s national hierarchy and other stakeholders will respond to what many see as a bold show of strength by Wike’s camp.