₦airaland Forum

The desperate propaganda that Nnamdi Kanu’s health is “deteriorating” is nothing but a tired tactic. This is the same strategy he used in 2017 when he was granted bail to Senator Abaribe, and instead of facing trial, he vanished. Nigerians must not be fooled again.

Dr. Nasir Mohammed and other DSS medical staff have given Kanu consistent, professional care. Even his doctors have been allowed to see him. If there was truly a plot to harm him, he would not be alive and well today. The so-called “overdose” claims and accusations of attempted murder are reckless lies, manufactured to discredit professionals who are simply doing their jobs.

The truth is clear: Kanu has never been denied medical attention in custody. The sudden noise about failing health is just another ploy to escape justice, nothing new. The court date is close, and rather than face the charges, his camp is trying to create excuses. Nigerians cannot afford a repeat of 2017; this time, there will be no disappearing act.

Amnesty Int’l, SERAP Beg The President They Tagged ‘Criminal’ to Order Charges Against Sowore Withdrawn


Amnesty International and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have begged President Bola Tinubu to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN” to withdraw the charges against activist Omoyele Sowore, X [formerly Twitter], over Mr Sowore’s posts on social media platforms calling the President a “criminal.”

SERAP and AI also begged the President to “direct” the Department of State Services DSS) to “immediately stop misusing the judicial processes to silence public criticism and violate Nigerians’ fundamental rights through the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) or similar forms of harassment.”
However, some groups have faulted AI and SERAP, saying it is wrong for groups that claim to champion the course of democracy and justice to beg the president to tamper with a matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA said it is dangerous for SERAP and AI to accuse the DSS of “misusing the judicial process,” saying their language paints a wrong picture that the DSS is dictating to the courts.
“It is said that both NGOs are encouraging the President, who is the head of the executive arm of government, to meddle in the internal affairs of the judiciary,” noted NEYGA, saying the request by SERAP and AI is capable of undermining democracy.
NEYGA spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Dan-Musa, in a statement he signed, took a swipe at AI and SERAP, saying “both NGOs ought to know better.”
He said, “AI and SERAP ought to know, like we all do, that there are three arms of government. It is a tragedy that the same NGOs that claim to promote the cause of democracy are the same ones trying to undermine it.
“When the DSS sued Omoyele Sowore, we joined many in hailing the secret police. Before now, the DSS would have hounded Sowore in detention. Remarkably, the new DSS leadership chose to embrace the rule of law for which we commend the leadership.
“That the DSS decided to turned its back on its previous jackboot stance and decided to tow a new path and test the judicial waters on the legality or otherwise of a citizen calling the President or any other person for that matter a criminal should be commended.
“We are therefore at a loss as to why AI and SERAP, rather than encourage and support Sowore to pursue his counter-suit against the DSS to its end, they are the same groups encouraging the President to illegally interfere with our judiciary,” noted NEYGA.
Another group, Northern Minorities Back Tinubu, expressed disappointment with the position taken by AI and SERAP.
Said the group, in a statement signed by it’s convener, Comrade Jacob Edi, “We are shocked and at the same time disappointed that SERAP and AI, NGOs that ordinarily should be championing the deepeening of democracy, are the same groups working overtime to destroy democracy.
“If the courts do not decide the suit by DSS, we shall never get to know if it is right or wrong to call the president a criminal. Had Peter Obi in 2007 not approached the courts to determine how long the tenure of a governor who came through the courts should be, it is certain we never would have had off cycle guber elections today,” the group declared.

Nnamdi Kanu's displays of emotion appear to be strategically aimed at discrediting the judiciary and, as a result, eroding public trust in the legal system which Justice Haruna Tsammani ought to acknowledge. The unauthorized recording of court proceedings by Linda Kanu, in conjunction with the misleading claims made by Barr. Aloy Ejimakor, exemplifies a pattern of contempt that has been consistent from his camp. The muted reaction to these actions reveals that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is taking a calculated approach to manipulate judges and prosecutors for the purposes of applying coercion and intimidation.

Following the failure of the IPOB's strategy of intimidation, the organization shifted its focus to propaganda. A recent request was made to Justice Kolawole Omotosho, requesting that the charges be dismissed on the grounds that they originate from the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act of 2013, which has since been repealed. The validity of this assertion is called into question, particularly when one takes into account the fact that the Supreme Court has previously upheld the continuation of Kanu's trial, despite earlier challenges that were related to his return from Kenya. The validity of their claims is called into question by this circumstance, which raises significant concerns.

IPOB has recently changed its strategy to include the use of health-related propaganda. To delay the trial and garner sympathy, one can anticipate allegations of illness, mistreatment, or even allegations of international conspiracies. The purpose of all these allegations is to prolong the trial. It would appear that this approach places a higher priority on undermining accountability and damaging the reputation of Nigeria's judiciary than it does on seeking justice.

As October 10th draws closer, it is imperative that Nigerians maintain a state of heightened vigilance. Some of the activities that are associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) include the dissemination of malicious reports, the harassment of judges, and the spread of disinformation. Kanu's past acknowledgment that decisions made by the Supreme Court are legally binding is noteworthy. This acknowledgement reinforces the idea that there are no more justifications for evading accountability.

The trial's outcome will have far-reaching effects. According to a report published by Amnesty International in 2025, more than 1,800 people lost their lives in the Southeast region between the years 2021 and 2023. The International People's Liberation Army (IPOB) and its armed wing, the ESN, have been linked to these deaths. Positive resolution of Kanu's case is crucial. It is the responsibility of the Nigerian judiciary to ensure that a fair trial is conducted in court, to uphold the rule of law, to be resistant to coercion, and to deliver justice to those who have passed away.

By Lewis Chukwuma

Arguably the poster-boy of Nigeria’s activism ecosystem, online publisher of SaharaReporters and rambunctious politician, Omoyele Sowore, has probably earned his epaulets, tracking his nimble interventions and a wide swathe of comic escapades he has scripted in the last two decades, often laced with quaint rhetorical violence.

But has the fire-eating activist derailed currently? Has he weaponized freedom of expression! Though he has never publicly claimed to be a candidate for sainthood awaiting final Papal proclamation, Sowore would appear to have goofed in his recent unfortunate and curious virulent attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. On his "X" handle page on August 25, 2025, Sowore had spawned a storm by calling out President Tinubu as a criminal.

In consequence, the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday initiated legal action against Omoyele Sowore for allegedly making false claim against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a criminal. The suit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja, trailed refusal of the defendants to pull down the said false and misleading message, as requested by the DSS.

It could be recalled that earlier the security agency had threatened legal action against X, formerly known as Twitter and Facebook, for offering their platforms to Sowore, who in a post called the Nigerian President a "criminal." In the separate letters to the social media platforms, the DSS had requested that the false statement against the president be pulled down or it would initiate legal action.

Defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, include; Sowore, Meta (Facebook) Incorp and X Incorp. In the five-count charge, the DSS is alleging that Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019 and 2023, and convener of the #RevolutionNow protest against the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, contravened the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Following the filing of the charge, Sowore is expected to be arraigned soon. One of the five-count charges read: "That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use your official X handle page, @Yele Sowore, to send out a message/tweet as:
"THIS CRIMINAL @ OFFICIAL PBAT ACTUALLY WENT TO BRAZIL TO STATE THAT THERE IS NO MORE CORRUPTION UNDER HIS REGIME IN NIGERIA. WHAT AUDACITY TO LIE SHAMELESSLY!," which you know the said message to be false but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals, who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

However, in a counter-suit, Sowore also took the DSS, social media giant Meta (owners of Facebook), and X Corp (formerly Twitter) to the Federal High Court in Abuja over what he described as a coordinated attempt to silence him and suppress free speech in Nigeria.

According to a statement issued by his lead counsel, Tope Temokun, on Tuesday Sowore filed two fundamental human rights enforcement suits, challenging what his legal team called “unconstitutional censorship” and attempts by state agencies to influence global tech platforms to restrict citizens’ speech. Temokun stressed that the suits were not just about Sowore personally but about the principle of free expression for all Nigerians. It is interesting that Sowore is now seeking refuge in the same judicial system he has, time and again, labelled "corrupt." There's literally no judge in Nigeria that Sowore has not denigrated, including past and serving judicial officers at the highest level. Well, that is a matter for another day.

Three instances, for the purpose of this analysis, illustrate that unlimited free speech doesn’t exist - even in well-known liberal democracies. Freedom of expression is not absolute and must be balanced against other fundamental rights. Such include the right to privacy, honor, and reputation. Making speeches that incites hatred, constitutes libel or slander, or causes serious offense may not be protected under freedom of expression. Nothing perhaps better conveys the weight of the consequences of freedom of expression than in the small East African country called Rwanda. Under the guise of freedom of expression, in April 1994, a seemingly harmless broadcast by one person was made on radio. This broadcast triggered the start of 100 days of genocide that left more than one million people dead.

Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences. For instance, you can't, banking on freedom of expression, say something that will cause other people harm- or kill them. One can't, for instance, under the guise of freedom of expression, barge into a crowded hall and yell "Fire!" In the same vein, one cannot under the guise of exercising his or her freedom of expression scream "I have a bomb" on an airplane. Worried by the need to balance freedom of expression with hate speech the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in May 2019, said, it was the duty of all to keep "hate speech from escalating into something more dangerous, particularly incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence, which is prohibited under international law."

Something remarkable recently happened in the n the UK that granted us independence. In the wake of the shooting to death in the US of President Trump's supporter, Charlie Kirk, President-elect of Oxford University Student Union, George Abaraonye, made a post on a Whatsapp chat group mocking Kirk's death. He also reportedly made a similar post on Instagram. Posted Abaronye, "Charlie Kirk got shot loool" - an elongated version of the phrase 'lol' which means 'laughing out loud'. The post appeared to welcome the incident. Upon realizing the backlash his comment on the shooting which - by the way- happened thousands of miles away in the US generated, Abaronye quickly deleted the post and apologized. The school authorities would have none of that. Oxford University insists Abaronye will be punished, saying free speech cannot and will not come at the expense of violence, intimidation or hate.

In a statement posted on X late on Thursday, the Oxford Union said it "unequivocally condemns the reported words and sentiments" expressed by Mr. Abaraonye, who was elected as the society's new president in June.
It is interesting to note that, even though Kirk was killed in faraway America, comments by a student in the UK were still considered offensive. The implications is that in the UK, as in everywhere, sometimes free speech has consequences.

In the US, in September 2022, Uju Anya, an associate professor of applied linguistics at Carnegie Mellon University, tweeted that the reign of Queen Elizabeth II was a period of suffering and colonization for many, a sentiment she also extended to the wealth amassed by individuals like Jeff Bezos. "I heard the chief monarch of a thieving, raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating," she tweeted. Bezos responded to Anya's tweet, which led to widespread public discussion and support for Anya from a large community of faculty and students.

Interestingly, without informing Anya, Twitter pulled down her tweet. It would be interesting to know why Twitter quickly pulled down Professor Anya's tweet on Queen Elizabeth, the late Head of State of the United Kingdom, but has failed to pull down Sowore's post on Tinubu, the sitting President of Nigeria. Even Prof. Anya's school, Carnegie Mellon, joined the fray by releasing a statement condemning her tweets. The ivory tower described her tweets as “offensive and objectionable." Stressed the school, "We do not condone the offensive and objectionable messages posted by Uju Anya today on her personal social media account. Freedom of expression is core to the mission of higher education; however, the views she shared absolutely do not represent the values of the institution, nor the standards of discourse we seek to foster."

In another case that is likely to stretch the freedom of expression to its limit, just this week, US President Donald Trump sued the New York Times, four of its reporters, and publisher Penguin Random House for at least $15 billion over alleged defamation and libel. Trump’s suit cites a series of New York Times articles, an editorial prior to the 2024 presidential election, which said he was unfit for office, and a 2024 book published by Penguin titled “Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success”.

“Defendants maliciously published the Book and the Articles knowing that these publications were filled with repugnant distortions and fabrications about President Trump,” Trump’s lawyers said in the filing lodged in the U.S. District Court, Middle District Florida, on Monday, September 15, 2025. The publications have harmed Trump’s business and personal reputation, thereby causing massive economic damage to his brand value and significant damage to his future financial prospects, Trump’s lawyers said in the filing.

“The harm to the value of TMTG (Trump Media and Technology Group) stock is one example of how the Defendants’ defamation has injured President Trump,” said his lawyers, citing “a precipitous decline in the stock price.” “Today, I have the Great Honor of bringing a $15 Billion Defamation and Libel Lawsuit against The New York Times. The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear and defame me for far too long, and that stops NOW.” Trump said earlier on Monday in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. There is more.
Like Trump, Tinubu, aside being a politician and Nigeria's president, is an accomplished businessman and is believed to have business interests spanning several countries.

In the same US, in response to the threats to peace and security that arise from violent extremism,
many states have adopted legislation to counter extremism and/or terrorism. These laws aim to stem violence resulting from extremist beliefs and counter the underlying ideology. In other words, Americans have come to realize that people cannot be allowed to hide behind the pillar of freedom of expression to promote religious extremism.

From the jungles of Guyana in the late 1980s where self-styled Reverend Jim Jones of the notorious Peoples Temple died alongside nearly 1000 cult members, to Osama bin Laden, instances abound where people have exploited freedom of expression to violently change the world.

Back home in Nigeria, through the lens of Boko Haram, we have witnessed and are still witnessing the harm that can become the lot of a nation when people are allowed to hide behind the pillar of freedom of expression to say anything they deem fit. We also are witnesses to the consequences of allowing people like Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa run their mouths. After all, aren't they entitled to enjoy their freedom of expression? That Finland, a first world country that is over 8,500 km away from Nigeria, waived Ekpa 's freedom of expression and convicted him, shows that such freedoms have consequences. Specifically, the the court said Ekpa exploited his extensive following on social media between August 2021 and November 2024 to promote violence and encourage unrest in the Southeast. In other words, his freedom of expression became a tool to unleash terror.

For context, democracy would lose its defining egalitarianism if it foreclosed the free expression of viewpoints by its adherents - including often seeming unreasonable perspectives by forces that seek to diminish and divide. But there is a caveat. Absolute freedom exists only in Utopia, certainly not in the real world. It should never be wielded like a cudgel. What played out from last week speaks to the consequence of pushing the much-touted freedom of expression to the extreme. As always, there are consequence. Both in Nigeria and abroad.

Despite democracy’s leniency, those that, in contrast, enlist intellectual pretensions to push often illogical, flawed, antagonistic positions that misinform, diminish and obfuscate certainly deserve to be confronted and faulted. The DSS is Nigeria's primary domestic intelligence agency, which plays a critical role in national security and intelligence gathering. Its main responsibilities are within Nigeria and include counter-intelligence, medical intelligence, economic intelligence, internal security, counter-terrorism, and surveillance as well as investigating some other types of serious crimes against the state.

It is also charged with the protection of senior government officials, particularly the president, vice president, state governors and visiting heads of state and governments with their respective families. In effect, any threat to the president - physical or psychological - as in this case, requires a specific action by the agency. To act otherwise would be shirking its responsibility, putting the President- and Nigeria- at risk. This is the line the DSS is towing, albeit, in a civil manner.

By its operational mandate, the DSS could easily have chosen to move roughshod against mischief and crises entrepreneurs who have wrongly opted to game the agency’s civility. But instructively, the DSS, under the administration of the new Director-General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, is towing a different engagement strategy with those who misalign with its objectives.

Plucky Funke Egbemode, a former president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, recently aptly captured the persona of the DSS boss: “This new Sheriff is a thoroughbred secret cop who rose through the ranks, not a politician or political appointee who got lucky.”
For good measure she added: “Ajayi started as a rookie, and after three decades-plus of service, he’s here determined to restore the dignity of the service. The mask must stay on and the masquerade must stay in the grove unless there is reason for it to visit the people.” In effect, this ‘masquerade’ visits people or organisations for specific reasons - assuredly not picnics.

Certainly, the matter between Sowore and the DSS is no picnic!

Omoyele Sowore continues to cloak himself with the label of “pro-democracy activist,” yet his actions tell a very different story. What emerges is not patriotism, but a troubling alignment with foreign powers intent on destabilizing Nigeria. His methods mirror the old intelligence playbook particularly that of the CIA, where reckless opportunistic individuals are preyed upon, to advance their agenda as tools to undermine sovereign nations. Sowore’s record of incitement, propaganda, and hostility towards security institutions reflects this pattern with disturbing accuracy.

His drive is not rooted in service to the people, but in personal ambition and the demands of his sponsors. By manipulating crises and turning disinformation into a weapon, he fuels division and unrest. Crucially, this behavior is also part of his desperate attempt to gain cheap popularity and revive a political ambition that Nigerians have long rejected at the polls. In effect, every act of provocation becomes less about democracy and more about his own relevance.

The recent trial in the United States of the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump serves as a stark lesson: unchecked recklessness escalates into violence. If Sowore’s pattern of agitation is ignored, it risks radicalizing his followers, creating the very real possibility of violent action more than what was experienced during and after the EndSARS protest in 2020, innocence lives may be loss, and even possible murder against Nigeria’s president.

This is why Nigeria must remain alert. Democratic dissent is legitimate, but treachery masked as activism cannot be normalised. Sowore’s betrayal disguised as activism cannot be tolerated, it is a time bomb that must be defused before it explodes into chaos.

In this context, the decisive steps taken by the Police and DSS to contain his excesses deserve recognition. Safeguarding peace and stability is not the job of security agencies alone; it is a collective responsibility of citizens who value the survival of their country above the theatrics of an individual chasing lost political relevance.

Omoyele SOWORE,​​​​​
Englewood, New Jersey,
United States of America.
omoyele_sowoyere@yahoo.com
editor@saharareporters.com
@YeleSoworeX.com

DEMAND FOR RETRACTION OF CRIMINAL, FALSE AND MALICIOUS POST PUBLICATION

You will recall that on 26th August, 2025, at 1138 pm (2338 hours) a comment you made on X (formerly Twitter) platform to wit: “This criminal actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!” in reference to Ahmed Bola TINUBU (GCFR), the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has infuriated a good number of Nigerian citizens, particularly the President’s supporters who are already becoming restive.
2.​You may wish to note, that your choice of words in the description of the President are false, malicious , and capable of inciting public disturbance, disunity and breakdown of law and order. To put this in proper perspective, these statements are to say the least capable of causing insurrection, as they are very odious, repugnant, derogatory and uncomplimentary towards a person occupying the highest office of this country. Those insidious statements have the effect of lowering the standing, estimation, and respect of Mr. President, before the citizens of Nigeria and the comity of Nations.
3. ​Against this backdrop, and in the interest of public order, security and to protect national integrity/unity, you are hereby invited to:
a. Make an immediate and unequivocal retraction of the false and repugnant post through the same platform and with the same prominence as the initial post;
b. Publish a public apology in at least two national dailies and two television stations with national spread; and
c. Send your representation within one week of receipt of this letter to the State Security Service Headquarters at No 1, Maitama Avenue, Three Arms Zone, Abuja or to dsspr@dss.gov.ng cc legalsat@nhss2.org.
4. ​Persons of your status who are campaigning to lead this country as critical stakeholders of democracy must be of high integrity and therefore should exercise restraint, and responsibility in their speech as well as action. Such individuals and organizations must in addition, tailor their comments towards promoting peace, security and good governance in the Country.
5.​ TAKE NOTICE that the DSS is a Security Intelligence Organisation that has its mandate, inter alia, to ensure that Nigerians are not deceived with false propaganda, as such, the Service shall explore all lawful means to achieve this. Consequently, if you fail to correct this false narrative, the Service shall, without further recourse to you, initiate measures it deems most appropriate within the ambit of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Yours faithfully,
Uwem DAVIES, fsi
For: DIRECTOR GENERAL, SS

CC:
- United States Embassy,
1075 Diplomatic Drive,
Central Business District,
Abuja.

A major victory for the Nigerian security forces was the downfall of Simon Ekpa. After claiming that Nigeria wouldn't be able to survive him, Ekpa is now serving time in a Finnish prison for supporting terrorists, encouraging violence, and treating IPOB/ESN as a criminal organization. While his sentencing is tragic on a personal level, it serves as a stark reminder that those who oppose the Nigerian government will face the consequences of their actions, regardless of how far away they may be.

The resolute DSS under DG Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, the courageous Nigerian Armed Forces under CDS Gen. Christopher Musa, and the valiant Federal Government all worked tirelessly to achieve this success. Trials for domestic terrorists, such as those responsible for the Owo church attack and the Yelwata invaders, are now moving at a faster pace, demonstrating that Nigeria's security system has improved. Those who attempt to undermine the country's stability will not succeed, according to the new DSS leadership.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Bayo Ojulari, has finally broken silence on SaharaReporters' recent publication that Adegboyega Fasasi, the President's Chief Security Officer (CSO), and Usman Shugaba, the Chief Personal Security Officer, accepted a $1.5 million bribe from him to facilitate access to Mr President. The GLNNPC boss described the reportage as wholly untrue, malicious, and devoid of any kind of reliable proof.

"These are unfounded allegations," he said. He and his associates never proposed, planned, or approved such a payment to the president's security aides. "The accusation is merely a smear campaign intended to mislead the public and cast doubt on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's leadership," he insisted.

"It is crucial to emphasize that the sensational claims attributed to anonymous "sources" have not been supported by any evidence. The alleged confessional stories are hearsay, cannot be verified, and do not meet any reliable journalistic standards." Ojulari does not need the permission of security details to contact Mr President when he can easily put a call through, another top official hinted.

SaharaReporters is known for publishing stories that haven't been checked out that are meant to make people distrustful, spread false information, and cause political strife. This latest lie follows the same old pattern of making things sound more exciting than they really are.

It is recommended that Nigerians view the report with the contempt it merits. There are already constitutional processes in place for investigative and security agencies to deal with accusations of corruption, so if true, let SaharaReporters publish the evidence to the claims or be sanction in line with legal processes.

Mr. Ojulari is steadfast in his commitment to upholding accountability and transparency within NNPC Limited, and he will not be sidetracked by politically driven lies meant to damage reputations and undermine government.

Read more........ https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/rebuttal-ojulari-breaks-silence-refutes-claims-of-paying-bribe.html

By Chineze Emelieze,

In its usual staged attempt to cause confusion and coerce presiding judges into arriving at rulings favourable to it, IPOB has once again resorted to demanding that Justice Kolawole Omotosho must strike out the ongoing charges against Nnamdi Kanu. Ridiculous! They have added that the current charges against Kanu amounted to a resurrection of the repealed Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013. Laughable, right? In IPOB’s short-sighted insinuation, acts of mass murder committed and charged by the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013 – repealed in 2022 by the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (TPPA) 2022 (Section 97) stand forgiven. And as usual, the powerful Emma signed and circulated the comical statement in the hopes that Justice Omotosho could be cowed by it.

This, by the way, is not a first; it is rather the group’s latest gimmick. Given that only days ago, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the federal government for the continuation of trial proceedings, despite IPOB’s cry against what they call an illegal rendition of Kanu from Kenya. For IPOB and this sustained delusion of wanting to cut Kanu loose from terrorism charges, everything is doable. Once Justice appears closer than ever, Kanu and his sympathisers resort to a circus of acts, attempting to insult Nigeria’s jurisprudence.

Akin to precedence, Kanu and his cohorts have also upped their antics from production of fake contents/graphics to spurn narratives in their favour in a bid to maintain leech on their remnant of gullible sympathisers, to adopting despicable levels of disinformation, malicious reports, in addition to outright defamation, to gain leverage in the courts of public opinion. Eventually, in desperation, they turned to harassing and embarrassing Judges in open Court to coerce or attempt to hoodwink them into letting Kanu go free. However, aside from the conspiracies of terrorism and the litany of terror-related offences against Kanu, there are several acts prejudicial to judicial processes that this group and its leader have contravened. The travails of the members of the Nigerian Judiciary in the course of Kanu’s trial only climaxed with many ignoble accusations. He, Kanu, does this with ease.

In open Court, Kanu called Justice Nyako shameful, disgraceful, and
accused her of hobnobbing with lawyers in the AGF’s office and collecting bribes in hundreds of millions. He added that she was only assigned to his case in exchange for freedom for her son and husband from corruption charges. Allegations that he or any member of his legal team is yet to verify. Such antics became so damning for his case that Kanu Agabi, SAN, his latest senior counsel, is said to have counselled Nnamdi Kanu and the other members of his team, to apologise for their misdeeds in Court. I am beyond certain that Kanu is already preparing a subterfuge against Justice Kolawole Omotosho. Before the endless drift to appealing for reassignment of Judges, even Justice John Tsoho, was not spared Kanu’s ridiculous on the claims suggestive of bias towards his trial. Ask Hon. Justice Haruna Tsammani, who knows quite well that no matter how well-intentioned one is, Nnamdi Kanu and his theatrics will certainly mudslide and defame every iota of sincerity one brings.

Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that despite several contemptuous actions,
all he and his cohorts have provoked is at best a slap on the wrist. For
instance, in June 2025, Barr. Aloy Ejimakor, after raising a false and reckless alarm on X with allegations that the DSS denied his client’s visitation rights, he, Aloy, got away with a simple warning to either retract the claim or risk being barred from attending future trials. Linda Kanu, despite making videos of court proceedings, which she posted across social media platforms to stir controversy and intimidate Judges, went scot-free. Without charge.

As the 10th October date draws near, it is expedient to caution public vigilance. For IPOB it is always well planned and orchestrated to malign and incite malicious actions, particularly hostile propaganda, against Judges and those on the prosecuting side. It shouldn't surprise if Kanu begins to feign illness, and begins to spread blackmail that the British government is conspiring with the Nigerian government. These antics are his stock in trade.

However, it should be known that the Supreme Court, in its judgment, held that the manner Kanu was brought back to the country should not be an issue; and therefore, ordered the continuation of Kanu’s trial. Kanu himself once stated in an interview with journalists on 24th September, 2024, that he fully commits to the constitutional provision that any determination made by the Supreme Court is binding and supercedes all rulings on the said subject by any lower Court.

Amnesty International (AI) in its report of 13th August 2025, A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in South -East Nigeria estimates that "between January 2021 and June 2023, about 1,844 people were killed in the South-East region of Nigeria.” The report also cites several attacks on security agents by gunmen, leading to the unlawful killing of security agents and residents. AI further documented several cases of killings in different areas in the South-East by so-called “unknown gunmen,” cult groups, IPOB, and its militant arm, the ESN.

Nnamdi Kanu cannot then absolve himself of bloodletting or innocent lost
souls, which by all standards in Nigeria, is a massive case to answer.
He might as well show up honourably on 10th October. This time, it’s a call for justice for scores of death and destruction of property caused by MNK in the South East, it is also a test of our dear nations judicial system. No amount of blackmail should sway justice for the slain. The judiciary must stand firm, and rule of law should be top most.

Emelizie writes from Owerri, Imo State

Contrary to media reports by the People's Gazette, speculation about the resignation of the group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited Company, NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, his office has debunked the rumor. Vigil360 reporter who is privy to Ojulari's office found out that the alleged involvement of President Tinubu's alleged mistress, Olatimbo Ayinde, in the removal of Bayo Ojulari as NNPC's chief executive is unfounded, sensationalized, and devoid of credible evidence.

Read more....
https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/breaking-news/nnpcl-gceo-bayo-ojulari-sighted-in-office.html?highlight=WyJvanVsYXJpIl0=

The safety and stability of our communities cannot be left to security agencies alone. Every citizen, regardless of background, has a role to play. Whether it’s by sharing useful information, promoting peace in our neighborhoods, holding leaders accountable, or simply being vigilant, our actions matter. Insecurity affects us all—rich or poor, young or old—so the fight against it must involve everyone. A safer society begins with unity, cooperation, and a shared sense of responsibility. Let’s work together to build a nation where everyone can live without fear.
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Auto Spare Parts & Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) has announced that any member caught selling fake engine oil or counterfeit spare parts will permanently forfeit their shops, buildings, or plazas.
The resolution was reached during an emergency general meeting held on Wednesday at the association’s hall inside the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex. The meeting follows recent raids by the Department of State Security (DSS), which led to the seizure of large quantities of counterfeit engine oil and the arrest of several traders allegedly involved in the illicit trade.

Read more: https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/news/aspmda-cracks-down-on-fake-engine-oil-dealers-offenders-to-forfeit-shops-and-plazas.html

Violence is not a way out. Security agencies should ensure safety for all.