The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a N20 billion libel suit against the Nigeria Police Force Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The suit, initiated by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Aloy Ejimakor, was filed on Tuesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Kanu accused Adejobi of defaming his character by portraying him as a terrorist leader in a press statement issued on January 25, 2024.

The press release in question, which went viral, was titled, “Imo: Police neutralise six IPOB/ESN terrorists, recover arms.” It read:
“Operatives of the Imo Police Command’s tactical unit have neutralised three notorious kingpins of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).”

A copy of the suit cited further statements made by Adejobi:
“The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Owerri.

“Adejobi said following credible intelligence, the police operatives located and launched a coordinated operation on the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state on January 24.

“The Force PRO said five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along eight operational motorcycles used by the group, were recovered from the scene.

“According to him, prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Centre on April 5, 2021.

“Adejobi further hinted that the neutralised terrorists were involved in the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.”

Kanu claimed these statements were defamatory, stating in the suit:
“The defamatory statements read by his brother and circle of friends in Abuja and Nigeria at large were false and constitute a grave libel on his person, as the words in their natural and ordinary meaning portrayed him as a leader of a violent and terrorist group.”

He further alleged that the statements depicted him as:
“An associate of violent criminals and terrorists who allegedly engaged in terrorist acts in Imo State; an irresponsible and violent person that has no regard for the sanctity of human lives; and a person who does not deserve justice in his cases pending in court, bordering on whether the IPOB is a terrorist group or not.”

Kanu argued that the statements implied he was “a leader of a terrorist movement that is to be vicariously blamed for alleged acts of terrorism in Imo State.”

He further asserted:
“The words were meant to call into question the Claimant’s honesty, personal integrity, and reputation. These defamatory and libellous statements go far beyond fair comment and are malicious and are designed specifically to impugn his person and character and they were made in bad faith.”

The suit contended that Adejobi’s publications were circulated globally, causing significant damage to Kanu’s character, reputation, and credibility, particularly in relation to his ongoing court cases.

Kanu is seeking several reliefs, including:

• A retraction of the publications through the same media, via a fresh press statement.
• An unreserved letter of apology, to be published as a full-page feature in The Sun, Daily Trust, and Vanguard newspapers.
• A perpetual injunction preventing Adejobi from making further defamatory statements about him.
• N20 billion in general and exemplary damages.
• Coverage of all legal costs associated with the suit.

The IPOB leader also requested any additional reliefs the court may deem appropriate in the circumstances.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has provided a N50 million grant to 1,000 women petty traders in Kwara State.

The grant, aimed at supporting recapitalization, was announced during the commissioning of the NITDA/RHI Community ICT Centre in Ilorin on Tuesday. Each beneficiary will receive N50,000.

During her three-day official visit to Kwara State, Mrs. Tinubu inaugurated the ICT Centre, built in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), as well as other projects, including the Intensive Care Unit and Dr. Amuda Aluko Ward at the General Hospital, Ilorin.

Addressing the gathering, the First Lady revealed that another set of 1,000 women petty traders had been empowered earlier in August 2024 under the RHI Social Investment Programme.

She also highlighted grants distributed in December 2024 to 250 elderly citizens, each receiving N200,000.

As part of RHI’s Education Programme, Mrs. Tinubu announced plans to establish an Alternative High School for Girls in Kwara State, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

This initiative aims to provide educational opportunities for girls and women who dropped out due to early pregnancies, child marriages, or other socio-economic challenges.

Additionally, the state will benefit from an Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) Centre, while Kwara State University is set to receive an ICT Experience Centre under a partnership with TETFUND.

Mrs. Tinubu also unveiled an agricultural grant of N68.9 million from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The funds will support women and young farmers in Kwara State under RHI’s agriculture programmes, including the Women Agricultural Support Programme, Youth Agricultural Support Programme, and Young Farmers Club.

Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State Governor, commended the ICT initiative, stating that it would equip women and youths with essential digital skills and prepare them for opportunities in the global digital economy.

The First Lady’s visit includes a homage to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the distribution of food support to vulnerable groups.

On Wednesday, she is scheduled to inaugurate the newly constructed Unity Flyover in Ilorin, named after the Emir in recognition of his contributions to peace and development.

Dignitaries at the event include federal and state lawmakers, Progressives Governors Forum Chairman Hope Uzodinma, and wives of key political figures, among others.

Religious leaders, local council officials, and community stakeholders also graced the event.

Nurses and midwives in Katsina State have issued an ultimatum to the state government, threatening to withdraw their services from hospitals in high-risk areas if urgent measures are not taken to address rising insecurity.

Under the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the health workers gave the government until midnight on Thursday, January 30, to meet their demands or face a strike in security-prone council areas.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, NANNM Chairman in Katsina, Nurse Nura Mu’azu, highlighted the council areas most affected by insecurity.

These include Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Jibia, Dutsinma, Musawa, Malumfashi, Funtua, and Batagrawa.

According to Mu’azu, nurses and midwives working in these regions have suffered greatly, with several losing their lives, being injured, or abducted while performing their duties.

He cited a recent incident on January 15, when Nurse Yusuf Mairuwa and other health workers were abducted at the General Hospital in Kankara.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded hundreds of millions in ransom.

The association accused the state government of failing to act on earlier calls for enhanced security in hospitals and healthcare centers in these frontline areas.

Mu’azu acknowledged some progress in addressing insecurity across the state but stressed that more must be done to protect healthcare workers.

The association outlined its key demands, including:

Immediate deployment of 24/7 robust security to all hospitals in the affected areas.
Ensuring the safe release of Nurse Yusuf Mairuwa and other captives abducted while on duty.

Compensation for affected members who have suffered losses due to insecurity.
Improved remuneration to attract and retain more health workers for better healthcare delivery.

Mu’azu emphasized that failure to meet these demands would leave the association with no choice but to withdraw services from hospitals in the affected areas.

The strike threat comes amid growing concerns over the safety of healthcare workers in Katsina State, who face constant risks while striving to provide essential medical services in volatile regions.

A fuel-laden tanker exploded on Tuesday evening in Kusogbogi, a boundary area between Agaie and Lapai Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger State.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 6 pm when the tanker fell and caught fire while attempting to overtake another truck.

Fortunately, no lives were lost in the explosion.

Mallam Mahmud Abubakar, a resident of Lapai, confirmed the incident, attributing it to overspeeding and loss of control.

He also revealed that a similar explosion occurred at the same spot last week when a tanker collided with a stationary truck, leading to both vehicles being engulfed in flames.

This latest incident follows a more tragic fuel tanker explosion over a week ago in Dikko, Gurara LGA, where at least 98 people lost their lives and several others sustained severe injuries.

The explosion happened when residents gathered to collect spilled fuel, which ignited, causing a massive fire.

In the aftermath of the Dikko explosion, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the transfer of 20 victims to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for advanced medical treatment.

House of Representatives member Alex Ikwechegh has humorously embraced the nickname “the man who makes things disappear,” which arose from a widely publicized confrontation with a Bolt driver in Abuja in October 2024.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the lawmaker, who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), reflected on the incident, describing it as a learning experience.

“What happened was quite unfortunate, but I take it as an opportunity to build a relationship with the young man involved,” Ikwechegh said.

“Today, we are friends. The matter went to court, but it was struck out for lack of merit.”

Acknowledging the public attention the event brought him, he added, “The whole world now knows me as the man who makes things disappear. But that video doesn’t define who I am. I’ve been in public service for years without any scandal. This was a low moment, but it’s in the past now.”

Last October, Ikwechegh faced widespread backlash when a video surfaced online showing him assaulting a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, over a disagreement about the delivery of snails ordered by the lawmaker.

In the video, Ikwechegh was seen slapping the driver and issuing threats, saying, “Can you imagine this rat? I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria, and nothing will happen.”

The confrontation reportedly began when the Bolt driver arrived at the lawmaker’s residence and requested payment.

Ikwechegh accused the driver of disrespect for not stepping out of the car to deliver the goods.

The video sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many calling for justice.

The lawmaker was arrested, and the police arraigned him in court.

However, Ikwechegh later apologized to both the Inspector General of Police and the driver.

The matter was resolved out of court, with Ikwechegh compensating the victim.

He also revealed that he had since developed a friendship with the driver and even established connections with his pastor and bishop.

Reflecting on the incident, Ikwechegh said, “The part of the video everyone saw was a low moment for me, but it doesn’t capture the full story. Actions preempt reactions. However, I’ve learned from it, and we’ve all moved on.”

The Kano State High Court has issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force from arresting, inviting, harassing, or detaining Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).

The ruling followed an ex parte motion brought before the court by the plaintiffs: the Attorney General of Kano State, the PCACC, and Rimingado.

The defendants in the case include the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 1 Kano, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, ASP Ahmed M. Bello, and Bala Muhammad Inuwa.

Justice Sunusi Ado Ma’aji granted the order on Monday after reviewing the motion ex parte alongside a six-paragraph affidavit sworn by Abubakar Muhammad, a litigation secretary at the law firm of Messrs. A. K. Maude and Co., dated January 27, 2025.

The judge also considered the written address submitted by the applicants’ counsel.

The case has been adjourned to February 2, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

Rimingado was arrested on Friday evening by police operatives and detained at Zone 1 Police Headquarters in Kano, where he was interrogated for several hours.

He was later released on conditional bail around 11 pm the same day but was instructed to report to the police headquarters in Abuja on Monday for further questioning.

The restraining order now prohibits any further police action against Rimingado until the court hears the substantive motion.