Kano State High Court has issued an order restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) from withholding the monthly allocations due to the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kano State.

The order was granted following an Ex-Parte Motion filed on November 1, 2024, by the Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ibrahim Muhammed, and five other concerned residents of the state.

The motion raised concerns over the potential withholding or delay of the essential funds, which are crucial for local government administration.

The additional applicants named in the suit include Ibrahim Shehu, Ibrahim Abubakar, Usman Isa, Sarki Kurawa, and Malam Usman Imam.

The motion was presented by the applicants’ legal representatives, Mr. Bashir Yusuf-Muhammad and Usman Bala-Salisu.

In response to the motion, Justice Ibrahim Musa-Muhammad granted an interim injunction, preventing the 45th, 46th, and 47th respondents—namely the Accountant-General, CBN, and RMAFC—from interfering with the disbursement of the allocations for the 44 Kano LGAs.

The court’s order prohibits the respondents, their agents, or representatives from withholding, delaying, deferring, or suspending the release of the funds from the Federation Account to the LGAs.

The court further directed that the respondents be served the court processes via Red Star Express Plc, a courier service, ensuring proper notification of the case.

The case has been adjourned until November 21, 2024, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice, which will address the matter in greater detail.

The trial of 27 individuals associated with the Oodua Republic movement, under the banner of the Yoruba Nation Agitators, officially began on Wednesday at the Oyo State High Court.

The accused were present in court, with proceedings adjourned until November 13, 2024, for further hearings.

According to reports, the accused are facing charges related to the April 13, 2024, incident in which they allegedly stormed the Oyo State government Secretariat with the intent of declaring the sovereign Republic of Yoruba Nation (Oodua Republic).

The case, designated as suit number I/51c/2024, is being heard before Justice K.B. Olawoyin at Court 3 of the Oyo State High Court, located in Ibadan.

The 27 defendants, who are being tried for offenses including conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason, include notable names such as Adeyemo Peter, Adeyemo Joseph, Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji, Ayanwale Rofiat, Olalere Mathew, and Ismaila Malomo Peter.

Other accused persons are: Fatoki Anthony, Murittala Abefe, Ismaila Adepoju, Fatunmbi Wasiu, Isaac Friday, Ayanwale Saburi, Adeola Elegbede, Ademola Adeniyi, Ogundeji Alabi, Ojo Olufemi, Ajani Ezekiel, Adejumo Lateef, Ayoola David, Adesokan Hameed, Abiona Esther, Omoyajowo Funsho, Tola Olufemi, Oritola Alabi, Kayode Fakeye, and Taiwo Titilayo.

The accused are facing a five-count charge, which includes conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, unlawful assembly, treasonable felony, and treason.

Gunmen have kidnapped Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Azubuike, the parish priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish in Obollo, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

The priest was taken on Tuesday evening in the Ayayi community, located within Obollo, while he was returning to his parish after completing an assignment.

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Rev. Fr. Azubuike, who was ordained on September 27, 2014, by the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, was kidnapped around 6 pm.

The Catholic Diocese of Okigwe has issued a statement calling on both clergy and laity to pray for his safe release.

Very Rev. Fr. Princewill Iwuanyanwu, Chancellor of the Diocese, in his statement, urged the faithful to join in prayers for the priest’s swift and safe return.

The diocese expressed hope and trust in the support of the community in this challenging time.

The councillor of Obollo Ward, David Ajaero, confirmed the abduction, describing the priest as a respected and kind individual.

He called on the community and the public to pray for his safe return.

The Imo State Police Command, through spokesperson Henry Okoye, has confirmed that a special investigation team has been established to rescue the priest and apprehend the perpetrators.

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Efforts are ongoing to secure his release.

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has passed away at the age of 56.

The sad news was confirmed by President Bola Tinubu in a statement released on Wednesday.

The statement, issued by President Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in Lagos following a prolonged illness.