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Supreme Court Declines To Free Nnamdi Kanu, Orders Continuation Of The IPOB Leader’s Trial

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The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the continuation of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on terrorism charges.

The case which started in 2015 had been put on hold at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the Court of Appeal dismissed the charges in a judgement delivered in October 2022.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had anchored its decision dismissing the charges on the illegality of the “extraordinary rendition” of Mr Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 to continue his trial.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun declared on Friday that Mr Kanu’s forcible repatriation from Kenya to Nigeria is illegal.

However, the court, in the lead judgement prepared by Tijjani Abubakar, ruled that there is no Nigerian law that prohibits the use of “illegally obtained evidence for the trial of a defendant.”

The lead judgement of the Supreme Court was prepared by Mr Abubakar but was read on his behalf by Emmanuel Agim.

“The Court of Appeal was wrong to say that the Federal High Court can no longer try Mr Kanu,” the court held.

“The appeal is allowed and the cross-appeal is dismissed.”

In the unanimous decision, the Supreme Court said Mr Kanu’s forcible repatriation from Kenya in June 2021 by the Nigerian government did not rob the trial court of jurisdiction to entertain the IPOB leader’s trial.

“Our law is that evidence illegality obtained is valid before the court. A violation of Mr Kanu’s right should have been by way of civil proceedings. That is not our law for now,” Mr Abubakar declared.

He also ruled that there is no legislation that provides in Nigeria that trial should stop where the prosecution does something illegal against the defendant while standing trial. “There is a civil remedy,” Mr Abubakar said.

The judgement also implies an effective reversal of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal ordering the release of Mr Kanu from detention.

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Nasarawa ADC Suspends State Chairman Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities, Sets Up Disciplinary Committee

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nasarawa State has suspended its State Chairman, Godwin Alaku Williams, over alleged involvement in anti-party activities.
The suspension was approved by the party’s Transitional Leadership Team (TLT) following a petition accusing Williams of actions deemed harmful to the unity and progress of the party in the state.
The decision was taken at a TLT meeting held on Wednesday at Otunsha Hotel, Keffi, and presided over by the party leader, Chief John Michael Abdul.
In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Comrade Idris Ojoko, the suspension will last for 14 days, pending investigation and the outcome of proceedings by a disciplinary committee constituted by the TLT.
Ojoko also announced the appointment of Barrister Paul Magaji Ajeh, formerly the State Secretary, as Acting State Chairman, while Umar A. Babayaro has been named Acting Secretary.
According to the statement, the allegations against Williams include his alleged refusal to recognise the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by Senator David Mark, and his failure to integrate coalition members into the ADC party structure in Nasarawa State.
Other accusations include allegedly reporting some party leaders to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police, describing them as impostors.
Williams is also accused of constituting parallel party organs at various levels within the state, interfering with the establishment of party offices at the state, local government, and ward levels contrary to NWC directives, and disrupting the ongoing membership registration and revalidation exercise.
Meanwhile, Ojoko announced the formation of a disciplinary committee chaired by Barrister Hassan Yakubu. Other members include Amina Zanwa, Mamman Sunday, and Yunus Abdullahi Sidi, with Gaza Mark Auta serving as Secretary.

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Tears as Chief Imam of Ilorin Laid to Rest, Fidau Scheduled for Sunday

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Tears flowed freely on Tuesday as thousands of Muslim faithful gathered at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace for the final burial of the Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu.
The solemn funeral prayer (Janazah) began at 10:00 a.m., led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed. The palace forecourt was filled to capacity, with security personnel managing the massive crowd that had come to pay their last respects to the revered Islamic scholar.
The event drew prominent figures from political, religious, and social spheres, including former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former PDP National Secretary Alhaji Kawu Baraje, former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Professor Ali Ahmad, former Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency Engineer Bolakale Kawu, and the Kwara State Governor’s representative, Saadu Salaudeen.
Notable Islamic scholars and traditional rulers also attended, including Balogun Alanamu, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos, Chief Imam of Offa Sheikh Muhyidin Salman Hussein Al-Imam, Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin Sheikh Mujtabah Yusuf Bature, Chief of Ogbomoso Alhaji Dr. Imam Yunus Teliat Olushina Ayilara II, and Grand Mufti of Ilorin Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa, among others.
Sheikh Soliu passed away on Monday at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of Islamic scholarship, leadership, and service to the Ilorin Emirate and the broader Muslim community.
Following the Janazah, his body was conveyed to his residence in Egbejila, which also houses his Arabic school, where thousands gathered for the final rites and prayers. At the graveside, clerics offered heartfelt supplications for the forgiveness of his soul and entry into Al-Jannah Firdaus, as mourners wept openly, remembering him as a spiritual father, teacher, and moral compass.
Sheikh Soliu is remembered for his humility, deep knowledge of Islam, and unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and religious guidance in Kwara State and beyond.
As part of post-burial rites, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, announced that the Fidau prayer for the late Chief Imam will hold on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ilorin Central Mosque. The prayer will be led by Imam Imale Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhamid, alongside other clerics from within and outside the Emirate.
In a statement, the Emir urged Muslims across the region to intensify prayers for the departed Imam Agba of Ilorin, asking Allah to grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

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Alaafin Should Avoid Confrontation With Oyo Govt — Eselu of Iselu

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The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has advised the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, to avoid a direct confrontation with the Oyo State Government over the proposed rotational chairmanship of the state’s Council of Obas.
Oba Akinyemi warned that open defiance of the government’s decision could attract serious consequences, noting that state governments possess the constitutional powers to install or depose traditional rulers in cases of insubordination or disobedience.
According to the monarch, the governor’s decision is not unusual, as similar rotational arrangements are practiced in other states across the country. He added that the situation could have been handled differently, stressing that the Alaafin should not have publicly challenged the policy, particularly as he was not consulted before its announcement.
Meanwhile, the Alaafin of Oyo has denied claims that he met with Governor Seyi Makinde or endorsed the rotational chairmanship. He maintained that his opposition to the move had already been formally communicated to the governor through a memo submitted by the Oyo Council of Elders.
The controversy has continued to spark reactions, with groups such as the Oyo Scholars Congress and the Oyo Global Forum throwing their weight behind the Alaafin. The groups argue that the rotational system distorts Yoruba history and undermines the traditional status and authority of the Alaafin of Oyo.

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