The Independent National Electoral Commission has postponed its planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general elections.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Mohammed Haruna, the commission’s national commissioner and chairman of its information and voter education committee.

Haruna said the postponement followed deliberations at a meeting between the commission and resident electoral commissioners (RECs).

“Following deliberations, the commission resolved to postpone the exercise until after the 2027 General Election,” the statement read.

More details later…

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Google Pixel lineup of phones has built a reputation for delivering some of the best smartphone photography in the world. Thanks to powerful AI processing, features like Night Sight, and high-resolution sensors,

Pixel phones consistently produce sharp, natural-looking images—even in challenging lighting conditions.

If camera performance is your top priority, here are five of the best Pixel phones to consider.

1. Google Pixel 10 Pro

The Google Pixel 10 Pro sits at the top of Google’s lineup with one of the most advanced camera systems available.

It features a high-resolution main sensor, improved low-light performance, and powerful AI tools that enhance detail and color accuracy. The addition of a strong telephoto lens makes it ideal for zoom photography, while Google’s image processing ensures consistent results across all lighting conditions.

According to recent rankings, it’s widely regarded as the best Pixel for photography overall.

2. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

For those who want even more camera power, the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL takes things further.

It offers enhanced low-light photography and a larger sensor setup, making it perfect for night shots and detailed portraits. The improved zoom capabilities also allow you to capture distant subjects without losing clarity.

It’s often considered the top choice for camera enthusiasts, especially for night and portrait photography.

3. Google Pixel 10

The Google Pixel 10 strikes a balance between price and performance.

Despite being more affordable than the Pro models, it still delivers excellent image quality, including a 5x optical zoom and reliable AI enhancements. It’s a great option for everyday photography without sacrificing too much in terms of camera capability.

4. Google Pixel 10a

If you’re looking for strong camera performance on a budget, the Google Pixel 10a is a standout.

It retains many of Google’s AI-powered camera features and delivers impressive image quality for its price range. While it lacks some premium hardware, it still produces sharp photos with accurate colors, making it one of the best value camera phones available.

5. Google Pixel 9 Pro

The Google Pixel 9 Pro may not be the newest model, but it remains a strong contender.

It supports advanced camera controls like manual focus, ISO, and shutter speed, along with 50MP high-resolution shooting for detailed images.

Its combination of hardware and software still delivers excellent results, especially for users who want more control over their shots.

Vanguard News

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By Folarin Kehinde

Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has raised alarm over the compromise of her personal email account by hackers, warning members of the public to disregard any messages sent from the address.

In a statement shared via her official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that her email account, aodabiri@yahoo.com, had been breached by unknown cyber actors.

She cautioned that any correspondence purportedly originating from her email or any other address should be ignored pending the restoration of full control of the account.

In her tweet, she said: “Please be informed that my email account (aodabiri@yahoo.com) has been compromised by hackers.

“Kindly ignore any emails purportedly sent from me using this or any other address until I regain full control of the account. I will unfortunately not be able to respond to the thousands of emails that must have accumulated during this period.”

The NiDCOM boss also appealed for patience and understanding from associates, noting that the breach has disrupted her ability to attend to official and personal communications.

She assured that efforts are underway to secure the account and restore normal operations.

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in prison for selling petrol to Boko Haram terrorists.

Habeeb, who contested the 2015 election, was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on a one-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism.

Trial Justice Peter Lifu held that the Federal Government had successfully established its case against him.

The convict, a fuel dealer in Maiduguri, Borno State, admitted in open court that insurgents had obtained fuel from his station. However, he claimed his attendants had carried out the sales.

He knelt before the court throughout the proceedings, pleading for leniency.

According to Habeeb, he has two wives and six children who depend on him.

He added that he had been unable to see or communicate with any family members for over 10 years while in detention.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. David Kaswe, from the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed the convict’s plea for leniency.

Kaswe insisted that the logistical support Habeeb rendered to terrorists had led to the deaths of several people and the destruction of homes and properties.

While acknowledging that Habeeb had been in detention for over 10 years, the government lawyer urged the court to impose a 20-year jail term.

He maintained that Boko Haram would not have been able to use their motorcycles to launch attacks on innocent people and escape into the bush without fuel supplies.

In delivering judgment, Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence Habeeb was a Boko Haram member or had received weapons training.

The judge added that the sole accusation against him was the sale of fuel to the terrorists.

Justice Lifu further noted that the Federal Government did not refute Habeeb’s claim of having spent 10 years in pre-trial detention.

Consequently, he sentenced Habeeb to 10 years’ imprisonment, to run from the date of his arrest and detention.

The court ordered Habeeb’s release upon the signing of his release warrant, to enable him to undergo extensive rehabilitation.

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By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Ijaw and Ogoni ethnic nationalities of Rivers State on Friday disowned claims by the National Assembly regarding their involvement in a recent roundtable on crude oil theft and pipeline surveillance.

In a move that signals a deepening rift between the federal government and Niger Delta host communities, the Ijaw Youth Council IYC, the National Youth Council of Ogoni People NYCOP and other stakeholders insist they were completely excluded from the engagement.

To register their grievances, the groups staged a massive peaceful protest in Gokana Local Government Area, where leaders argued that sidelining primary actors in pipeline protection undermines the entire security apparatus of the region.

President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Dr Alaye Tari Theophilus in a statement, said the exclusion was “unacceptable.”

He called for an immediate intervention from the Presidency and the Office of the National Security Adviser ONSA, stressing that the only sustainable path forward is the total decentralization of pipeline surveillance contracts.

“Host communities possess deep knowledge of the terrain, creeks and local movement patterns,” Theophilus stated, arguing that local actors are in the best position to detect and prevent vandalism.

He explained that decentralization would “ensure faster response to security breaches, eliminate bureaucratic delays, and strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering.”

Speaking in the same vein, President of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People, Marcus Raymond Nwibani, warned that the current exclusion “erodes trust and weakens the fight against crude oil theft.”

Nwibani noted that decentralizing the contracts would do more than just secure infrastructure; it would “create employment opportunities for thousands of youths, reduce poverty, and discourage involvement in illegal oil activities.”

The protest also highlighted long-standing grievances regarding the marginalization of indigenous people.

President of the Ogoni Youths Federation, Emmanuel Bie, pointed out the irony of Ogoni land hosting over forty oil wells while indigenous participation in surveillance remains “significantly low.”

He maintained that involving host communities directly would “foster a sense of ownership, reduce sabotage and enhance accountability.”

The youth leaders collectively argued that moving away from centralized contracts is a “strategic necessity” that would promote transparency and reduce the corruption. 

They emphasized that as the primary victims of environmental degradation caused by oil spills, host communities have the strongest inherent commitment to safeguarding pipelines.

The statement declared that meaningful inclusion is not just a request for fairness but the most effective solution for lasting peace and stability in the Niger Delta, aligning with the principles of equity and true federalism.

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President Donald Trump said Friday that US warships are being reloaded with weaponry to strike Iran if talks in Pakistan fail to produce a deal, in an interview with the New York Post.

“We have a reset going. We’re loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made — even better than what we did previously and we blew them apart,” the Post quoted Trump as saying.

“And if we don’t have a deal, we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively.”

In a brief and cryptic message on his Truth Social network earlier, Trump had spoken of the “WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL RESET!!!”

Vice President JD Vance headed to Islamabad on Friday to lead the US delegation in this weekend’s talks with Iran, with a warning to Tehran not to “play” Washington.

AFP

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 14 for the hearing of a suit filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe seeking to stop the Sen. David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) from parading itself as the party’s leaders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date, following the hearing notices issued to parties in the suit.

Gombe, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, had sued ADC, Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Chief Ralph Nwosu as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

Justice Nwite had adjourned the case sine die (indefinitely) at the last hearing date to await the decision of the Court of Appeal.

The judge adjourned the matter indefinitely after counsel for the defendants informed the court of an appeal filed against the lower court order.

However, the Appeal Court, in its March 12 judgment, ordered the parties to return to the trial court and maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Against the appellate court’s judgment, INEC, on April 1, removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its official portal and website as ADC’s national chairman and national secretary respectively.

In reaction to INEC’s decision, the Mark-led leadership, in a motion on notice filed on April 7 by Sulaiman Usman, SAN, prayed the court to order the commission to restore their names as they were, prior to the institution of the suit by Gombe.

They also sought an order for an accelerated hearing.

Meanwhile, Mark and Aregbesola have urged the court “to dismiss the suit in limine for want of jurisdiction.”

The former Senate President, in his preliminary objection filed on April 7 by his lawyer, Usman, argued that Gombe lacked the locus standi to file the suit, having voluntarily resigned his position as deputy national chairman of ADC.

He argued that the suit is predicated on falsehood and suppression of material facts, particularly concerning the plaintiff’s resignation.

The embattled national chairman stated that the subject matter of the suit borders on internal affairs of a political party, which are non-justiciable.

According to him, the plaintiff has disclosed no reasonable cause of action.

“This honourable court lacks jurisdiction to entertain this suit.

“The suit constitutes a gross abuse of court process,” he added.

Aregbesola, in his consequential counter-affidavit deposed to by Anthonia Nwafor from the law firm of M.E. Sheriff & Co, equally urged the court to dismiss the suit.

He said Gombe, in his suit, seeks to approbate and reprobate at the same time because he is no longer a member of the National Executive Committee of ADC, having resigned his position as the deputy chairman of the committee to make way for smooth and effective coalition and restructuring.

He stated that the party communicated Gombe’s resignation to INEC in compliance with its standard rules and guidelines.

Aregbesola, who said the suit is unmeritorious, sought an order awarding him the sum of N50 million as costs for being discommoded by defending the suit.

On his part, Nwosu, in his preliminary objection filed on April 7 by his lawyer, P. I. Oyewole, equally prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

The ex-party’s national chairman, who argued that the case is premature, submitted that Gombe had failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism before filing the suit.

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Mikel Arteta challenged Arsenal to pile pressure on Manchester City by extending their lead at the top of the Premier League before their title rivals play 24 hours later.

Arteta’s side host Bournemouth on Saturday and second-placed City travel to Chelsea on Sunday as the title race approaches a pivotal moment.

The Gunners are nine points ahead of City, having played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s team.

That lead would increase to 12 points if Arsenal defeat Bournemouth, putting City under intense pressure to take maximum points from their tricky trip to Stamford Bridge.

Asked how important it would be to move further ahead of City, Arteta told reporters on Friday: “The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases, obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us.

“The players know it, our supporters know it, it’s early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, as you say in England, and let’s go all together for it because it has to be a big day.”

After losing to City in the League Cup final and to second tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal bounced back with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Tuesday.

The Gunners are chasing a first English title in 22 years, as well as their maiden Champions League crown.

And Arteta is convinced that they can finish the season with both trophies, which would finally end their six-year silverware drought since lifting the FA Cup.

“First of all, the capacity we have as a club and as a team, the will to win,” Arteta said to explain his belief.

“We recognise the opportunity ahead and we are going to do our best to achieve it.”

Arteta’s Arsenal contract expires in 2027 and the Spaniard remains fully committed to the club after reports of talks over a new deal.

“There’s no news on that. We have no time to discuss that now. The full focus is on what we have to do from here until the end of the season,” he said.

“I am fully committed and really happy and I feel good. My family is good and I still have so much ambition to do with this football club, and for now we are in a good place.

“This job is about the present and what you do on the day. Give your very best and feel that you are the person that can lead and inspire the group to achieve great things for the club.”

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Nigerian Breweries Plc says no casualties were recorded following a fire incident at an external warehouse facility in Aba, Abia.

The company disclosed this in a corporate filing signed by its Company Secretary, Mr Uaboi Agbebaku, and released to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Friday.

It said the incident occurred on Thursday at a leased warehouse located opposite its Aba brewery, noting that the facility was used for storing empty plastic crates.

According to the company, the fire was promptly contained through the coordinated efforts of its emergency response team, with support from relevant government agencies.

It also acknowledged the assistance of partners, including Oris Group and members of the host community, in managing the situation.

Nigerian Breweries said the immediate impact of the incident was largely limited to the empty crates stored in the facility.

It added that a detailed assessment and investigation into the cause of the fire were ongoing.

The company, however, assured that operations at its Aba brewery, including production, logistics and sales, remained stable and were not affected by the incident.

“No injuries or fatalities were recorded.

“Operations at Aba Brewery, including production, logistics and sales, remain stable and unaffected.

“Nigerian Breweries Plc remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence across its facilities,” it said.

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US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran on Friday against trying to “play” Washington, as he set off for talks in Islamabad aimed at transforming a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.

Despite the temporary truce struck between the foes, deep disagreements remain as to the way forward, and both sides have accused the other of failing to properly implement the current agreement.

“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand,” Vance told reporters before taking off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

But “if they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive”, he said.

Since the ceasefire took effect, US President Donald Trump has voiced displeasure at Iran’s handling of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was meant to be reopened, while Tehran has reacted angrily to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, insisting that it too falls under the agreement.

Official sources say the talks in Islamabad will cover several sensitive points, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment and the free flow of trade through the strait.

While Pakistan had said the discussions would start on Friday, Vance is not expected to arrive until Saturday.

Late Friday evening, all routes leading to the Serena Hotel, the expected venue, were blocked off with heavy security, while a large banner and digital signs along the expressway heralded the “Islamabad Talks”.

Iran has suggested that its participation could hinge on a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon: “The holding of talks to end the war is dependent on the US adhering to its ceasefire commitments on all fronts, especially in Lebanon,” said Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman.

Iranian officials have said the Israeli strikes had rendered the Pakistan talks “meaningless”.

Nevertheless, Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards signalled they were committing to the ceasefire and had “not launched anything at any country”, according to the state broadcaster.

In a barrage of social media posts that sparked fears for the shaky truce, Trump on Thursday accused Iran of doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil through the Strait of Hormuz and of breaching the terms of their ceasefire agreement.

But Vance, who is leading the US delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, told reporters: “We’re going to try to have a positive negotiation.”

– ‘Pure noise’ –

One 30-year-old resident of Tehran told AFP he was sceptical negotiations would be successful, describing most of what Trump says as “pure noise and nonsense”.

“He wants to manipulate the Islamic republic into getting a deal. I think that was his intention, if you can say there is an intention.”

A fifth of the world’s oil and vast quantities of natural gas and fertiliser pass through the Strait of Hormuz in peacetime, but only a small number of vessels have crossed since the truce was announced earlier this week.

The two-week ceasefire was agreed to allow time for negotiations aimed at ending a conflict that has already killed thousands and plunged the global economy into turmoil.

“I am scared of the war starting again, and at the same time I’m scared of the regime staying”, Tehran resident Sheida told AFP, withholding her last name out of concern for her safety.

– Parallel talks –

Hezbollah announced on Friday that it had targeted Israel’s Ashdod naval base with missiles “in response to the enemy’s violation of the ceasefire and its repeated attacks on Beirut”.

On Wednesday Israel carried out its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the Middle East war, killing more than 300 people.

Afterwards, Trump told NBC News that Israel was “scaling back” strikes in Lebanon and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had assured him its attacks would become more “low-key”.

A Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity that there was ongoing “pressure from European states, Gulf states and Egypt on Israel to prevent renewed Israeli airstrikes on Beirut after ‘Black Wednesday'”.

As of Friday afternoon, the Israeli army had not acted on warnings the day before that it would strike wide areas in Beirut’s south.

It did, however, carry out a strike near a government building in the southern city of Nabatiyeh that killed eight security personnel, Lebanon state media said.

Israel’s army, meanwhile, reported that more than 4,300 Hezbollah sites had been “dismantled” in Lebanon since the start of the war.

Washington has said the Lebanese front will be dealt with under separate talks next week, although neither Israel nor the Lebanese government have publicly confirmed these talks.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) warned Friday that food insecurity was on the rise in Lebanon with prices surging and supply chains disrupted.

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By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Senior Special Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication, Mr Phrank Shaibu on Friday said the World Bank Report on Nigeria’s worsening poverty rate is an indication of how low the country’s economy has sunk since President Bola Tinubu assumed office. 

According to him, the World Bank has officially indicted the economic trajectory of the president, confirming that a staggering 60% of Nigerians are now living in poverty. 

In a statement issued in Abuja, Shaibu described the surge from 40% as “regression on a monumental scale.”

Shaibu argued that the current economic hardship is no accident, but rather the “direct outcome of poorly conceived and harshly implemented policies.”

He cited the “abrupt removal of fuel subsidies” and the “chaotic devaluation of the naira,” asserting that these measures were “executed without adequate safeguards for the Nigerian people.”

According to the statement, the administration’s reliance on abstract macroeconomic indicators ignores the “far harsher reality” faced by the citizenry.

Shaibu noted that “food prices have spiralled out of control, inflation has wiped out incomes, small businesses are collapsing, and millions more Nigerians are being pushed into extreme poverty.” He described the government’s approach as “economic shock therapy imposed on a vulnerable population.”

“A government that presides over a situation where the majority of its people are poor, yet insists that progress is being made, has lost both moral authority and economic direction,” Shaibu stated.

He said the administration is “dangerously disconnected from the lived realities of its citizens.”

In contrast to the current “policy experiments,” the statement noted that Atiku Abubakar offers an alternative “rooted in experience, pragmatism, and compassion.” 

Shaibu detailed a vision where “reform must be carefully sequenced, not recklessly imposed,” and where “social protection must be real, targeted, and transparent, not symbolic.”

He said the Waziri Adamawa’s proposed strategy focuses on stabilizing the economy through the coordination of fiscal and monetary policy while “rebuilding productivity through support for small businesses, agriculture, and industry.”

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Delta North traditional rulers on Friday declared their support for the re-election of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori and the return of former Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa to the Senate in 2027.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that royal fathers made the declaration at a high-level meeting held at the palace of Obi Uche Irenuma II, the Obi and Paramount Ruler of Abavo Kingdom.

At the meeting, the traditional rulers passed a vote of confidence in the governor for his leadership and administration’s renewed inclusion, as well as his support for the State Traditional Rulers’ Council.

According to them, the governor’s leadership style has strengthened the relationship between the government and the traditional institution.

They added that the Oborevwori-led government had demonstrated responsiveness to the needs of the people and the traditional institution, thereby fostering peace, stability, and development across communities.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Obi Irenuma II expressed appreciation to the governor for his continuous support and recognition of the traditional institution across the state.

He particularly appreciated the governor for the car presented to the traditional rulers in the state.

He described the gesture as a clear demonstration of partnership and recognition of the important role played by traditional rulers in maintaining peace, unity and development at the grassroots level.

According to him, the governor has shown, through his actions, that he understands the importance of traditional rulers as critical stakeholders in governance and community development.

The royal fathers, who also called on Okowa  to contest the Delta North senatorial seat, said the call was based on recognition of his achievements while serving as governor and his continued relevance in the political and developmental journey of the senatorial district.

They highlighted what they called the numerous milestones recorded by Okowa during his tenure as governor, especially in infrastructure development, health care, education, and human capital development.

The traditional ruler said that Okowa’s administration brought visible transformation and laid a solid foundation for sustainable development across the state.

He also noted that the former governor’s experience in governance, understanding of the people’s needs, and strong legislative background placed him well to effectively represent Delta North at the National Assembly.

Okowa’s return to the state, he said, would further strengthen the voice of the senatorial district and attract more federal presence and opportunities to the region.

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cautions INEC against partisanship

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA– Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Friday decried what it described as the disturbing involvement of courts in the crisis rocking various political parties in the country.

NBA, the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, said it noted with concern that judges and lawyers have continued to meddle in the internal affairs of political parties, despite clear provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Aside from condemning the indiscriminate granting of interim injunctions in domestic party disputes, the legal body stressed that Section 83 of the Electoral Act stipulates that no court in the country should assume jurisdiction over such cases. 

It added that the law equally precludes courts from issuing interim orders, even when a suit is filed in violation of the Act.

The legal body decried that recent developments—particularly those arising from the interpretation and potential application of provisions of the Electoral Act 2026—raised serious constitutional, democratic, and rule-of-law concerns that require immediate intervention.

“What we now see are situations where actions are not only instituted in Courts by lawyers in clear violation of the Act, but Courts purportedly grant interim and/or interlocutory injunctions in clear contempt of statutory provisions of the law. This does not augur well for our democracy. 

“Democracy will not thrive in a situation where lawyers and courts take actions and decisions that not only negate our laws but also do violence to them,”  the NBA warned.

While vowing to initiate disciplinary action against lawyers who deliberately file actions aimed at procuring judicial interference in intra-party affairs, or who seek interlocutory orders in clear violation of statutory provisions, the NBA warned that the Nigerian judiciary must stay vigilant and resist being drawn into political theatrics.

The NBA called on the National Judicial Council to make regulations that will sanction any judge who knowingly assumes jurisdiction in matters clearly barred by law, grants orders in respect of intra-party disputes in violation of statutory provisions, or lends the authority of the court to partisan political maneuvering. 

It further implored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exercise its expanded supervisory powers with utmost neutrality, independence, and fidelity to democratic values, saying the commission must not be perceived as a participant in political engineering or as an institution whose regulatory authority is deployed in a manner that weakens political pluralism.

A statement the legal body issued through its National President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, on Friday, which was titled “Our laws and Democracy Must Be Protected At All Times,” read: “The Nigerian Bar Association has closely monitored recent political and legal developments as the nation gradually approaches the 2027 General Elections.

 “These developments, particularly those arising from the interpretation and potential application of provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, raise serious constitutional, democratic, and rule-of-law concerns that require immediate intervention.

“We particularly deprecate the disturbing involvement by lawyers and courts in the internal affairs of political parties despite the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which stipulates in Section 83 of the Act that ‘No court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party.’

“Not only are courts denied jurisdiction to entertain any matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party, but they are also precluded from granting any interim or interlocutory injunction even where any action has been brought in violation of the Act. 

“The section further provides that ‘Where such an action is brought in negation of this provision, no interim or interlocutory injunction shall be entertained by the Court, but the Court shall suspend its ruling and deliver it at the stage of final judgment and shall give accelerated hearing to the matter.’

“What we now see are situations where actions are not only instituted in Courts by lawyers in clear violation of the Act, but Courts purportedly grant interim and/or interlocutory injunctions in clear contempt of statutory provisions of the law. 

“This does not augur well for our democracy. Democracy will not thrive in a situation where lawyers and courts take actions and decisions that not only negate our laws but also do violence to them. 

“This emerging trend of subverting the clear letters of the Electoral Act and dragging courts into the internal affairs of political parties through disingenuous litigation, forum shopping, and malafide applications designed to secure undemocratic political advantage, bodes no good for our democracy. 

“Such practices, if not immediately curbed, would directly contradict the clear intendment of the Electoral Act and risk transforming the judicial processes into avenues for political score-settling or electoral manipulation.

“We must reiterate that these provisions were clearly designed to curb abuse of court processes and discourage forum shopping in political disputes.

“This is therefore why the NBA is concerned that the abuse, misapplication, or selective deployment of these provisions may create opportunities for manipulation capable of undermining democratic competition and shrinking the political space.

“Members of the Bar are reminded that they are Ministers in the Temple of Justice and not political agents seeking judicial endorsement of partisan objectives. The filing of actions intended to draw courts into internal political party disputes, particularly where jurisdiction is expressly excluded, constitutes an abuse of court process and a violation of professional responsibility.

“The NBA will take firm steps to deter such conduct. Lawyers who deliberately file actions aimed at procuring judicial interference in intra-party affairs, or who seek ex parte or interlocutory orders in clear violation of statutory provisions, risk facing disciplinary proceedings. 

“We will not hesitate to present petitions before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against any Legal Practitioner found to be engaging in such conduct. This will be pursued decisively to serve as a deterrent and to preserve the sanctity of the judicial process.

“The Nigerian judiciary must stay vigilant and resist being drawn into political theatrics. Courts should firmly decline invitations, no matter how artfully crafted, to intervene in matters the law explicitly bars them from. When statutes limit judicial meddling in party affairs, judges must show restraint, adhere to the law, and focus on cases properly before them.

“We call on the National Judicial Council to make regulations that will sanction any judge who knowingly assumes jurisdiction in matters clearly barred by law, grants orders in respect of intra-party disputes in violation of statutory provisions, or lends the authority of the court to partisan political maneuvering.

“The NBA will not shy away from drawing the NJC’s attention to the actions of any judicial officer found to have acted in a manner inconsistent with the judicial oath, constitutional responsibilities, and the preservation of public confidence in the courts. The NBA will not hesitate to activate its constitutional responsibility to protect the integrity of the justice system.

“The NBA calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission to exercise its expanded supervisory powers with utmost neutrality, independence, and fidelity to democratic values. The Commission must not, under any circumstances, be perceived as a participant in political engineering or as an institution whose regulatory authority is deployed in a manner that weakens political pluralism.

“The Chairman of INEC, being a distinguished Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is uniquely positioned to appreciate the constitutional implications of these developments. The NBA expects that the Commission, under his leadership, will ensure that its actions reflect independence, fairness, and strict adherence to democratic norms. 

“The Bar is closely watching the conduct of the Commission and expects that its regulatory role will strengthen, not diminish, confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“The Bar will deploy all lawful mechanisms, engagement, advisory opinions, strategic litigation, and disciplinary processes, to ensure that lawyers do not weaponize the legal process so that the judiciary is not misused.

“Lawyers must remain officers of the court, not architects of procedural manipulation. Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by legal maneuvering, institutional capture, or the misuse of judicial authority. The courts must remain arbiters of justice, not instruments of political advantage. Electoral institutions must remain neutral umpires, not participants in political contests.

“The electoral institutions must operate within the bounds of constitutional democracy,” the statement further read. 

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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior said that Enzo Fernandez remains dropped for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City despite apologising for comments that cast doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge.

The Argentina midfielder, linked with Real Madrid, fuelled speculation by telling a podcast during the recent international break that he would like to live in the Spanish capital.

It followed remarks he made last month casting doubt about whether he would still be at Chelsea next season after the club’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Fernandez, 25, who has a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032, was dropped for last week’s thumping 7-0 win against Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals and this Sunday’s home Premier League fixture against City.

“He’s apologised to me, he’s apologised to the club,” Rosenior told reporters on Friday.

“It’s a serious meeting about something very serious,” he added. “I said every single step along this way, I’m not questioning Enzo’s character, I’m not questioning who he is as a person.

“I believe people make mistakes, and you can’t overstep the punishment for the mistake.

“I think we’ve made a sanction, we made a decision, I made a decision, and what I want for Enzo is for him to go on here and have an outstanding career.”

Rosenior said that the internal club sanction would remain in place despite the apology from Fernandez, who is the club’s vice-captain.

“He won’t play on Sunday but hopefully after that he’ll be a massive part of the group moving forward,” he said.

“There’s still a few hurdles that need to be overcome that I won’t go into. But at the same time I want every player really, really focused now on a huge run-in.”

Rosenior denied that the club, currently sixth in the table, were hurting themselves by omitting Fernandez against City, who are second in the Premier League.

“Football is a team sport, it’s not about individuals,” he said. “It’s not about shooting yourself in the foot.

“There are certain values and cultures that I believe in, that this club believes in, that makes the team stronger if you get that right.”

Chelsea have not beaten Pep Guardiola’s City since the two teams met in the 2021 Champions League final, when Thomas Tuchel, who is now the England boss, managed the Blues.

But Rosenior said that he was confident his men could win as they push for a top-five finish, which would guarantee Champions League football next season.

“We’re a very good team, we’ve gone through a difficult run, even though in that run we were punished for mistakes,” he said.

“There were good moments. When I actually analysed the games that we’ve had, we’ve caused every team we’ve played against problems, but haven’t had the results for that.”

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…Set up 7-man C’tte to resolve impasses

By Emem Idio, Yenagoa 

The National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITRE-INC) has suspended the Ijaw National Congress (INC) elections till further notice.  

The N-CITRE, after its meeting in Yenagoa deliberated extensively on all issues that led to the impasse in the INC elections, including petitions received.

The group, therefore, unanimously agreed to suspend the conduct of the INC elections and directed the electoral committee to stop all forms of electoral duties.

N-CITRE, which is empowered by the INC constitution to resolve all disputes, has also set up a seven-man Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) to investigate all petitions.

The resolutions read in part ‘’ That the elections into the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (NE-INC), which were rescheduled for Monday, 13th April, 2026, by the National Electoral Committee, Ijaw National Congress(N-ELECO-INC), have been temporarily suspended until N-CITRE directs further after all pending disputes have been settled. 

“N-CITRE-INC, as the appointing authority for N-ELECO-INC, also holds the constitutional power to resolve all disputes within the Congress, consequently, N-ELECO-INC has been directed to stop performing any electoral functions until otherwise subsequently directed by N-CITRE.’’

The N-CITRE has directed the DRC to resolve the lingering dispute and probe all petitions, including the petitions against the n-ELECO- INC.

 The DRC is headed by HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, and Chairman of N-CITRE.

Other members are HRM, King Dr. Brig-Gen Bright Ateke Fiboinumama (Rtd), Chief Dr. Silas Eneyo (representing Eastern Zone), Dr. Loveth Ige (representing Central Zone), HRM, Pere Luke Kalanama III, HRM, Dr. Ekiomi Oweigbe John (Gbisa I) representing Western Zone, and Zonal Chairman of N-CITRE.

N-CITRE, which reminded all stakeholders of the principle of honesty that guides the Ijaws, therefore appealed for cooperation to achieve peace.

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Despite the temporary truce struck between the foes, deep disagreements remain as to the way forward, and both sides have accused the other of failing to properly implement the current agreement.

“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand,” Vance told reporters before taking off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

But “if they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive”, he said.

Since the ceasefire took effect, US President Donald Trump has voiced displeasure at Iran’s handling of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was meant to be reopened, while Tehran has reacted angrily to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, insisting that it too falls under the agreement.

Official sources say the talks in Islamabad will cover several sensitive points, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment and the free flow of trade through the strait.

While Pakistan had said the discussions would start on Friday, Vance is not expected to arrive until Saturday.

Late Friday evening, all routes leading to the Serena Hotel, the expected venue, were blocked off with heavy security, while a large banner and digital signs along the expressway heralded the “Islamabad Talks”.

Iran has suggested that its participation could hinge on a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon: “The holding of talks to end the war is dependent on the US adhering to its ceasefire commitments on all fronts, especially in Lebanon,” said Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman.

Iranian officials have said the Israeli strikes had rendered the Pakistan talks “meaningless”.

Nevertheless, Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards signalled they were committing to the ceasefire and had “not launched anything at any country”, according to the state broadcaster.

In a barrage of social media posts that sparked fears for the shaky truce, Trump on Thursday accused Iran of doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil through the Strait of Hormuz and of breaching the terms of their ceasefire agreement.

But Vance, who is leading the US delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, told reporters: “We’re going to try to have a positive negotiation.”

– ‘Pure noise’ –

One 30-year-old resident of Tehran told AFP he was sceptical negotiations would be successful, describing most of what Trump says as “pure noise and nonsense”.

“He wants to manipulate the Islamic republic into getting a deal. I think that was his intention, if you can say there is an intention.”

A fifth of the world’s oil and vast quantities of natural gas and fertiliser pass through the Strait of Hormuz in peacetime, but only a small number of vessels have crossed since the truce was announced earlier this week.

The two-week ceasefire was agreed to allow time for negotiations aimed at ending a conflict that has already killed thousands and plunged the global economy into turmoil.

“I am scared of the war starting again, and at the same time I’m scared of the regime staying”, Tehran resident Sheida told AFP, withholding her last name out of concern for her safety.

– Parallel talks –

Hezbollah announced on Friday that it had targeted Israel’s Ashdod naval base with missiles “in response to the enemy’s violation of the ceasefire and its repeated attacks on Beirut”.

On Wednesday Israel carried out its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the Middle East war, killing more than 300 people.

Afterwards, Trump told NBC News that Israel was “scaling back” strikes in Lebanon and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had assured him its attacks would become more “low-key”.

A Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity that there was ongoing “pressure from European states, Gulf states and Egypt on Israel to prevent renewed Israeli airstrikes on Beirut after ‘Black Wednesday'”.

As of Friday afternoon, the Israeli army had not acted on warnings the day before that it would strike wide areas in Beirut’s south.

It did, however, carry out a strike near a government building in the southern city of Nabatiyeh that killed eight security personnel, Lebanon state media said.

Israel’s army, meanwhile, reported that more than 4,300 Hezbollah sites had been “dismantled” in Lebanon since the start of the war.

Washington has said the Lebanese front will be dealt with under separate talks next week, although neither Israel nor the Lebanese government have publicly confirmed these talks.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) warned Friday that food insecurity was on the rise in Lebanon with prices surging and supply chains disrupted.

bur-bfm/smw

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By Florencemary Nwabueze

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters during a raid on an alleged cybercrime training facility in the Federal Capital Territory.

The operation, carried out on Thursday, April 9, 2026, targeted a building located in Becki Estate, Karu, within Abuja. According to the anti-graft agency, the facility was being used as a so-called “Yahoo Academy,” where individuals were trained in internet fraud.

The suspects, said to include two alleged ringleaders and several trainees, were apprehended during an ongoing tutorial session.

Items recovered at the scene include multiple mobile phones, 18 laptop computers, and other electronic devices believed to have been used for fraudulent activities.

Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that some of the trainees had been lured from Benue State with promises of legitimate employment.

However, upon arrival, they were reportedly provided with digital tools and software and enrolled in cybercrime training programs.

The agency further disclosed that the recruits were confined within the premises, with their movements strictly restricted. Their mobile phones were allegedly confiscated, effectively isolating them from the outside world.

In addition, authorities reported that strict disciplinary measures were enforced, including physical punishment for those who failed to comply with instructions or showed reluctance during training.

The EFCC stated that the suspects will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

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Inflation in the United States rose sharply in March, government data showed Wednesday, as higher energy prices due to the war in the Middle East hit Americans hard.

The nationwide sticker shock put pressure on President Donald Trump, who has ordered peace talks with Iran and faces mid-term elections in November.

The rate of inflation rose to 3.3 percent year-on-year in March, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). By comparison, this same consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.4 percent year-on-year a month earlier.

Gasoline prices surged by 21.2 percent between February and March — the largest monthly increase since the government began publishing a related index in 1967, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said.

Excluding volatile energy and food prices, the inflation rate rose 2.6 percent compared to 2.5 a month earlier.

Markets had anticipated the surge, according to the consensus published by MarketWatch.

The United States and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28 and Tehran retaliated by blocking traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway used to carry a fifth of the world’s oil and gas deliveries.

Despite being the world’s top producer of crude oil, the United States also felt the pain, as prices at the gas pump shot up.

A gallon (3.78 liters) of regular gasoline currently costs an average of $4.15 in the United States, compared to approximately $3 just before the war.

– More price pain ahead –

The Trump administration — elected in part on a promise to quash inflation — maintains that the war’s economic disruptions will be temporary.

US Vice President JD Vance said Friday he hoped for a “positive” outcome as he departed Washington for US-Iran peace talks being held in Pakistan this weekend.

But experts predicted more economic pain ahead due to the war in Iran, especially for middle and lower-income households in the United States already squeezed by rising energy and airfare prices.

Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, said that inflation soared in March to the highest level in almost two years.

“This is only the beginning. Food prices, travel and shipping costs are all going up in April and will exacerbate the pain,” she said.

“March CPI was as expected, so no surprises. But there is a huge increase in fuel prices, boosting inflation” Christopher Low of FHN Financial told AFP.

“And we got the news last night that the ceasefire is not being honored by either side, apparently,” he said. “There’s still very little traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.”

When Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, inflation was falling, compared to a peak in the spring of 2022.

The war in Ukraine, which had started a few months earlier, had driven prices at the pump even higher than they are today.

The CPI index was rising by 2.3 percent year-over-year in April 2025 — coinciding with the US president’s announcement of a sharp increase in tariffs on imported goods.

Inflation started to creep up, though Washington refused to acknowledge this as a consequence of the tariff war.

Price growth slowed again late last year, largely thanks to gasoline prices, relatively moderate at the time.

During the Federal Reserve’s most recent meeting in mid-March, Chairman Jerome Powell explained that the war risked delaying efforts to bring inflation under control in the United States.

The US central bank’s target for inflation is two percent — an objective it has not met in five years due to a succession of shocks to the economy: the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and tariffs.

myl-ksb/dw

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday accused Spain of waging a diplomatic campaign against Israel after he barred Madrid from taking part in the work of a US‑led centre created to help stabilise post‑war Gaza.

Relations between Israel and Spain have deteriorated significantly since Madrid recognised a Palestinian state in 2024.

Both countries have withdrawn their ambassadors.

“I have instructed today to remove Spain’s representatives from the coordination centre in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.

“Those who attack the State of Israel instead of confronting terrorist regimes will not be our partners in shaping the region’s future.”

The Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, a US-led initiative, was set up after the Gaza ceasefire took effect on October 10, with the goal of monitoring the truce and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.

As part of the CMCC, military personnel and diplomats from several other countries including France, Britain and the United Arab Emirates are present and participate in meetings on security and humanitarian issues in Gaza, devastated by more than two years of war.

Representatives of Spain had also been taking part.

Earlier on Friday, Israel’s foreign ministry announced Israel had barred Spain from the centre.

“Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us,” Netanyahu said.

“I am not prepared to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility. I will not allow any country to conduct a diplomatic war against us without facing an immediate price,” he said, referring to the decision to bar Madrid from the CMCC.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s war on Gaza, which was sparked by Palestinian movement Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

He also opposed the US-Israeli war with Iran that began with strikes on February 28.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sarr has previously accused the Spanish government of “standing with tyrants” by opposing the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

He also accused Spain of being “complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes” after it recognised a Palestinian state

Spain only established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1986 following the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975.

Under Franco, Spain avoided recognising Israel and maintained closer diplomatic ties with Arab states.

AFP

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US First Lady Melania Trump made a surprise statement on Thursday denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, or that she herself was a victim of the convicted sex offender.

The 55-year-old’s rare on-camera remarks at the White House came out of the blue, in an extraordinary intervention in a scandal that has long haunted her husband President Donald Trump.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.”

It was not clear why the Slovenian-born former model decided to give the public statement, and she did not detail any specific allegations about her and the late, convicted sex offender.

Melania and Donald Trump had previously been photographed with Epstein, but she said that she had met her husband independently two years prior to meeting Epstein.

“I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump,” Melania Trump said.

She said “fake images and statements about Epstein and me” had been circulating on social media “for years now. Be cautious about what you believe: these images and stories are completely false.”

The first lady also urged Congress to hold a public hearing for survivors of Epstein’s abuse to “give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath.”

But some Epstein survivors and their families, including the brother of Epstein’s main accuser Virginia Giuffre, called the speech a “deflection of responsibility.”

“First Lady Melania Trump is now shifting the burden onto survivors under political conditions that protect those with power” including “the Trump Administration, which has still not fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” according to a joint statement posted on social media.

Two of Epstein’s accusers, sisters Maria and Annie Farmer told US media in a separate statement: “We can’t speak for other survivors, but what we want is accountability, transparency and justice.”

The sisters called for the release of “the remaining records held by the Department of Justice — including my complete FBI records from 1996.”

Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors, but the scandal has repeatedly overshadowed Trump’s second presidency.

– ‘Epstein’s abuse’ –

The US Justice Department has over the past year released huge tranches of files related to Epstein. Trump, 79, has also denied any link to Epstein’s crimes.

One widely-seen picture in the files showed Donald and Melania Trump at their Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida along with Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

“I have never had any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity. I was not a participant. Was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island,” Melania Trump said.

“I have never been legally accused or convicted of a crime in connection with Epstein sex trafficking, abuse of minors and other repulsive behavior.”

Democrat Suhas Subramanyam, who sits on the congressional committee probing Epstein, called on Melania Trump to “testify under oath.”

Speculation ran riot on social media about why the US first lady had decided to put the Epstein scandal back in the headlines after weeks of relative quiet.

It comes just two days after her husband announced a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran, which critics say has left the crucial Strait of Hormuz still largely shuttered by Tehran.

Melania Trump has long been an elusive and often mysterious presence at the White House, who only rarely gives public remarks of the kind she delivered on Thursday.

Donald Trump told MS Now that he didn’t “know anything about” the statement ahead of time.

The last time the first lady was seen with her husband was at an Easter Egg Roll with hundreds of children on Monday.

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