Federal High Court orders accelerated trial for alleged coup plotters against Tinubu's administration
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated an accelerated hearing for six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for the trial's commencement and bail application hearings. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, confirmed the prosecution's readiness with witnesses. While defense counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, sought a bail hearing, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the trial would precede any bail considerations. Lawyers for the second, third, and sixth defendants, Paul Erokoro, A.I. Yeru, and N.S. Diri, expressed concerns about the short notice and case complexity. The judge instructed all parties to agree on suitable dates for a speedy trial. Earlier, journalists were barred from covering the proceedings by court officials and Department of State Services operatives. The six defendants, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, were arraigned last Wednesday on a 13-count charge including treason, terrorism, and money laundering, to which they pleaded not guilty. A former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, was mentioned in seven counts but is not listed as a defendant, with prosecutors stating he is at large. Previous reports indicated that at least 40 suspects, including military personnel and civilians, were arrested in connection with the alleged p
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Must ReadThe Nigerian Army is facing significant criticism following the death of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a National Youth Service Corps member, in the Dei-Dei area of Abuja. The Army, through Lieutenant Odunola Olawuyi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, stated that Jamiu was caught in a crossfire during a gun duel between troops responding to an armed robbery distress call and fleeing suspects. However, relatives and friends of Jamiu have challenged this account. A TikTok user, identified as #Zarah.2 and claiming to be Jamiu’s relative, alleged that soldiers scaled a fence, entered Jamiu's residence around 2:00 a.m., and shot him twice through his door, hitting his head. She also claimed soldiers cleaned blood from the floor. A friend, #Mohamazinggg on X, corroborated these details, stating that three armed military men forced their way into the house where Jamiu was with his younger siblings, shot through his locked door multiple times, hitting him in the head and stomach. The friend further alleged that soldiers prevented Jamiu’s sister from seeking help and called local vigilantes to clean the scene. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with protests demanding "Justice for Samad." A Community Note on the Army's official X post highlighted the contradiction between the Army's crossfire claim and witness accounts. The Nigerian Army has announced that a thorough investigation has commenced, and its findings will be made public.
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Transcorp Power Plc has declared a total dividend of N41.25 billion for the 2025 financial year, following improved earnings driven by higher generation output and operational efficiency. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Emmanuel Nnorom, announced this at the company’s 13th Annual General Meeting in Abuja, stating the payout reflects a commitment to shareholder value. The dividend comprises an interim dividend of N1.50 per share and a final dividend of N4.00 per share, totaling N5.50 per share. Nnorom highlighted the company's resilient performance in 2025 despite macroeconomic and sectoral pressures, with revenue rising from N305.9 billion in 2024 to N398 billion in 2025, and profit after tax increasing by 14.25 percent to N91.4 billion from N80 billion. He attributed this to stronger generation capacity and disciplined cost management amid challenges like elevated inflation and rising operating costs. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ikenga, noted the company consolidated its growth trajectory despite operational headwinds, including grid constraints, and increased available capacity from 505MW to 625MW. He also mentioned strengthening gas supply and advancing discussions to diversify fuel sources. Ikenga pointed to persistent challenges in the power sector, such as transmission constraints, but affirmed the company maintained stable electricity supply. Transcorp Power recorded gains from in-house execution and reduced downtime through lean operat
The new Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," has achieved a record-breaking global box office opening of $217 million, making it the highest-grossing debut for a biographical film. The movie, starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, surpassed previous records held by "Bohemian Rhapsody" $124 million and "Oppenheimer" $180 million. Adam Fogelson, Chairman of US distributor Lionsgate, attributed the success to strong turnout across diverse audiences. Despite a mixed critical reception, with a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has garnered a 97% audience rating. "Michael" continues a trend of successful musical biopics and incorporates Jackson's original vocals, focusing on his musical legacy. The film notably omits the child sexual abuse allegations against the singer, concluding its narrative in 1988, prior to the allegations becoming public. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the production faced challenges including costly reshoots for its reported $200 million budget.