The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday informed the Federal High Court that he would be representing himself in his ongoing trial after his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), withdrew from the case.

Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, told the court that the entire defence team was stepping down, explaining that the defendant had decided to personally take over the conduct of his case.

“All counsel in the defence have agreed to withdraw as the defendant has chosen to represent himself,” Agabi announced before the presiding judge.

Confirming the development in open court, Kanu stated that he had opted to handle his own defence “for now,” though he might reconsider that decision at a later stage. When asked by the judge whether he wanted the court to assign him another lawyer, Kanu declined, insisting he would proceed on his own terms.

In his brief oral argument, the IPOB leader maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him, reiterating his long-standing position on the matter.

Meanwhile, confirming Kanu’s presence in court, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore shared an update on his X (formerly Twitter) account, saying he met with the separatist leader in person.

Sowore wrote:

“Finally, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and I met at the Federal High Court today. The man is powerful and unrelenting. We greeted and hugged and the bond is strong!”

Thursday’s proceedings mark another dramatic twist in the long-running legal battle between the Nigerian government and Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody facing charges related to treasonable felony and separatist activities.

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Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali have been nominated for top honours at the 2025 CAF Awards, even as Nigeria’s national team failed to make the shortlist for the National Team of the Year category.

CAF unveiled the nominations on Wednesday, confirming Osimhen’s place among the final ten-man shortlist for the Men’s Player of the Year award. The Galatasaray striker will face stiff competition from some of Africa’s biggest names, including Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Achraf Hakimi and Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Fiston Mayele (Congo), Frank Anguissa (Cameroon), Denis Bouanga (Gabon), and Senegalese duo Illimane Ndiaye and Pape Sarr.

Osimhen, who previously won the award in 2023, enjoyed another spectacular campaign in Turkey, scoring 26 league goals to fire Galatasaray to the Super Lig title. His performances also earned him a record-breaking €75 million transfer from Napoli, setting a new benchmark as the most expensive signing in Turkish football history.

In the goalkeeping category, Stanley Nwabali was recognised for his remarkable consistency at both club and international levels, earning a spot among the nominees for Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year. The Chippa United shot-stopper will contest the award with Yassine Bounou (Morocco), Ronwen Williams (South Africa), and Andre Onana (Cameroon).

Nigeria’s strong representation continues with Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi, who made the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year award after an impressive season leading the national U-20 side.

On the women’s front, Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo have both been nominated for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, highlighting Nigeria’s continued presence among Africa’s football elite.

However, the Super Eagles were notably snubbed in the National Team of the Year category despite their encouraging performances during the 2025 World Cup qualifiers a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts.

The 2025 CAF Awards ceremony is expected to take place later this year, celebrating the continent’s best footballers, coaches, and teams for their achievements over the past season.

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It was an inspiring moment at the State House in Abuja on Monday as 16-year-old Joy Ogah symbolically took over the seat of Vice President Kashim Shettima, serving as Nigeria’s Vice President for a day in a ceremony organized to promote girls’ education and leadership.

The event was part of activities marking the International Day of the Girl Child, organized by Plan International, a global development organization advocating for girls’ rights and empowerment.

‘Educate the Girl Child, Empower the Nation’

Taking her seat at the Vice President’s desk, Joy Ogah called on Nigerian authorities to invest in safe, inclusive schools and to enforce laws protecting girls.

She highlighted the alarming statistic that 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school, most of them girls, and urged the government to provide free sanitary products and better sanitation facilities in schools to support girls’ education.

“When girls are educated, they become leaders, innovators, and change-makers. We must make our schools safe and accessible for every girl,” she said.

Shettima Praises Initiative

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who warmly invited Joy to take his seat, commended the symbolic gesture and reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to empowering the girl child through education.

He emphasized that the Tinubu administration is gender-inclusive, highlighting First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a model of female leadership and national service.

“Our administration believes in empowering women and girls. Educating the girl child is investing in the nation’s future,” Shettima said.

The brief but impactful event drew applause from education advocates, policymakers, and development partners, symbolizing hope for a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria.

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A Magistrate Court sitting in Kuje, Abuja, has ordered the remand of Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, alongside eleven other individuals.

The court’s decision follows their participation in Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja, which called for the immediate release of the IPOB leader currently standing trial at the Federal High Court.

Court Proceedings and Charges

The suspects were arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday on multiple charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace — offences contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.

According to the charge sheet filed before the court, the accused were alleged to have “denied other citizens the freedom of movement, disrupted free flow of traffic, and chanted war songs requesting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu in a manner that threatened national security.”

Those named in the charge include:

1. Barr. Aloy Ejimakor
2. Prince Emmanuel Kanu
3. Joshua Emmanuel
4. Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi
5. Barr. Okere Kingdom Nnamdi
6. Clinton Chimeneze
7. Gabriel Joshua
8. Isiaka Husseini
9. Onyekachi Ferdinand
10. Amadi Prince
11. Edison Ojisom
12. Godwill Obiama

The charge document was made public by former National Human Rights Commission Chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, who shared it via his X handle on Tuesday.

Police Justification

Earlier on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, had confirmed during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today that several protesters, including Ejimakor and Prince Kanu, were arrested for breaching a court order restricting demonstrations in certain areas of the Federal Capital Territory.

He stated:

“We arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and his lawyer because they insisted on entering restricted areas. Along with them, six others were arrested around the Transcorp area. Once we concluded our investigation, we charged them to court as promised.”

Ejimakor Speaks from Kuje Prison

Following the court’s decision, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor confirmed via his verified X account that he and others had been remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the next hearing on Friday.

“I am safe and sound but still under custody at Kuje prison. The magistrate refused to listen to our submissions and insisted on remanding us till Friday,” he wrote.

Ejimakor also alleged that the authorities deliberately took the case to a magistrate court in Kuje instead of other available courts in Abuja.

“Keep in mind that they bypassed several magistrate courts in town and headed to this one in Kuje,” he added.

Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest drew large crowds in Abuja, calling for the release of the IPOB leader who has been in detention since his re-arrest in 2021. The presidency had earlier criticized Ejimakor’s participation in the protest, with calls for disciplinary action against him.

The remanded individuals are expected to reappear in court later this week as legal teams continue to push for their release.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the name of Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro to the Senate for confirmation as a ministerial nominee representing Plateau State.

Doro’s nomination comes as a replacement for former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who recently emerged as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

The appointment was announced in a statement on Tuesday by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the President had already transmitted Doro’s details to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Born on January 23, 1969, in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Dr. Doro is expected to bring extensive experience to his new role.

It remains unclear whether he will be assigned to the same ministry previously overseen by Prof. Yilwatda.

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