The United Kingdom government has turned down the Federal Government of Nigeria’s request to transfer former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu back home to serve the remainder of his prison sentence.

Ekweremadu has been serving time in the UK following his conviction for organ trafficking. In May 2023, a British court sentenced him to nine years and eight months after finding him guilty of conspiring to exploit a young man for his kidney.

The Nigerian government had reportedly made a diplomatic request seeking his transfer under international prisoner exchange arrangements, but British authorities declined the appeal.

Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and a medical doctor had been found guilty under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, marking the first conviction of its kind involving a high-profile Nigerian politician.

With the UK rejecting the transfer request, the former lawmaker is expected to continue serving his sentence within the British correctional system.

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Paystack has terminated the appointment of its co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Ezra Olubi, following public allegations that he engaged in sexual activity with a junior employee.

Olubi disclosed his dismissal on Saturday, stating that the company took the decision before concluding its internal investigation into sexual harassment claims made against him.

The controversy erupted in mid-November after a social media post accused Olubi of abusive behaviour. The online conversation quickly escalated as users resurfaced several explicit tweets from his early career, prompting widespread criticism.

In response, Paystack suspended Olubi and announced a formal investigation, noting that it had set up a review process and planned to appoint an independent investigator to handle the matter.

However, Olubi said he was not allowed to defend himself before his contract was terminated.

He also alleged that the termination violated the terms of his suspension as well as the company’s internal procedures.

“My legal team is now reviewing the process that led to my purported termination, including its consistency with internal policies. They will take the steps they consider appropriate, and I will not be commenting further on this matter at this time,” he said.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, in a move aimed at strengthening police presence in underserved communities.

The directive was disclosed in a statement on Sunday, November 23, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, following a high-level security meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the statement, police personnel previously attached to VIPs will now be redeployed to frontline policing duties. VIPs requiring protection are henceforth to be assigned well-armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Onanuga explained that the decision was driven by the need to address severe manpower shortages in police stations, especially in remote parts of the country, where limited personnel have hindered effective protection of residents.

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” he said.

The presidential aide added that Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel as part of broader reforms to enhance national security. The Federal Government is also partnering with state governments to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.

Sunday’s security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

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All 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, have been rescued by Nigerian security forces, days after gunmen attacked the church premises, killing at least two people.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the successful rescue on Sunday, commending the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and intelligence agencies for what he described as a coordinated and effective operation. He also disclosed that he cancelled his planned visit to the G20 Compact with Africa Summit to personally monitor the rescue efforts.

The President added that the operation coincided with the escape of 51 abducted students in Niger State, praising security operatives for what he called “renewed synergy and determination” in tackling nationwide kidnapping cases.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also lauded the President’s intervention, noting that Tinubu maintained direct oversight throughout the rescue mission. He said the development signalled a new resolve to respond swiftly to security threats affecting rural and urban communities.

Meanwhile, congregants returned to the Christ Apostolic Church on Sunday morning for worship, drawing strength from one another despite lingering concerns over rising abductions across the country. Members described the reunion as a quiet but powerful moment of resilience.

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The Yobe State Government has directed the closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state in response to escalating security challenges.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by Mamman Mohammed, Director General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni. The statement did not provide a specific timeline for reopening, emphasizing that the decision aims to safeguard students and staff amid ongoing threats.

Details on affected schools and additional measures are expected to be released by the state government in the coming days.

Also the Niger State Government directed the immediate closure of all schools across the state following the abduction of more than 300 students by gunmen in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.

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