Author: Citynews

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to the Federal Government. Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe, moved an ex parte motion. Although the ruling was delivered on April 24, the enrolled order was sighted on Wednesday, May 6. The affected properties are located in high-value areas of Abuja. They include four blocks of terraces at Dakibiyu; a duplex with penthouse and office complex at No. 3, Niger Street, MStreet; one…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially waived the screening requirements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. CityNews reports that the decision clears President Tinubu to participate in the party’s upcoming presidential primary elections without appearing before a screening committee. At its 188th meeting held on Wednesday, the NWC resolved to deem President Tinubu as duly screened in line with the APC Constitution. The decision was taken under the powers vested in the committee by Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv), which allow it to organise primaries and grant waivers in special circumstances when it serves the best interest of the…

The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III, has dismissed fears of a religious agenda in Nigeria, saying Muslims are not planning to wipe out Christians. CityNews reports that the Sultan spoke on Wednesday at the first triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in Abuja. The meeting was attended by religious and government leaders, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume. The Sultan, who co-chairs NIREC, said many violent incidents described as religious conflicts were being misunderstood, thereby deepening suspicion and mistrust among Nigerians.…

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has claimed that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, does not want to take part in competitive primary elections. Okonkwo stated this during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday. According to him, Obi’s political decisions are often driven by a reluctance to face open contests. According to him, Obi’s departure from the ADC was not due to ideological differences or internal party challenges, but rather a preference to avoid primary elections. “Peter Obi is afraid of free and fair primary elections. He gave reasons of challenges, but…

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced July 10, 2026, as the final date for eligible Nigerians to register for voting ahead of the 2027 general elections. The electoral body said the third and last phase of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise will begin on Monday, May 11, 2026, across the country. The announcement was contained in a statement released by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna. According to the Commission, the exercise is part of efforts to ensure that all qualified Nigerians are captured in the voter register before preparations for…

An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Bukar Kashim Goni, who was accused of complicity in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration has stated that the ₦10 million transferred to his account was for prayers. CityNews reports that Goni is one of the six defendants facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the botched coup plot. Other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, which was filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, are retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; and two others,…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has filed a counter-affidavit in opposition to a fresh bail application filed by the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing case before the Kaduna State High Court. At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, counsel to the defendant, Mr. Ubong Akpang, informed the court of a pending bail application, emphasising that it concerns the defendant’s liberty. He further stated that all necessary processes had been duly filed and served, expressing readiness to proceed with the hearing. However, counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Ibrahim…

A fresh twist has emerged in the legal dispute over the status of the African Democratic Congress, as the Independent National Electoral Commission has opposed efforts seeking the party’s deregistration. Court documents obtained by this correspondent show that INEC, in its filing before the court, rejected the application, insisting that it failed to meet constitutional and legal requirements for deregistering a political party. The commission argued that the power to deregister political parties is strictly regulated by law and cannot be exercised arbitrarily or under political influence. INEC stated that none of the constitutionally recognised grounds for deregistration, such as…

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Engr. Mustafa Bello as the Chairman of its Board of Directors. The appointment, which takes immediate effect, has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and ratified by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on May 5, 2026. Engr. Bello’s appointment represents a strategic step to ensure the continuity, stability, and sustained effectiveness of the Board, while reinforcing the high standards of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight for which Zenith Bank is widely respected. He joined the Board of Zenith Bank Plc on 29 December 2017 and…

Several female members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lautech, Ogbomoso have publicly accused a pastor identified as Pastor Tayo Sobowale of alleged s+xual a§sault during a church gathering. The allegation reportedly came to light when one of the women addressed the congregation, narrating her experience in detail and claiming the incident occurred after she was invited to the pastor’s residence. https://twitter.com/i/status/2051602569668010131 Details later….