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Natasha broke penal code in attacks on Akpabio, Bello –AGF

Published

6 months ago

October 28, 2025

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has said the defamation charges it filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan were in order because her conduct and actions against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello contravened the penal code.

The AGF stated this in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s preliminary objection to three counts bordering on harmful imputation and defamation filed against her.

The charges stemmed from complaints by Akpabio and Bello, referencing the senator’s allegation of an assassination attempt.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 19 before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, where she pleaded not guilty.

She subsequently filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the charges against her.

On Monday, Justice Chizoba Oji adjourned till December 1 to hear the preliminary objection after the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that although the matter was scheduled for the hearing of the objection, the prosecution had been unable to serve its response on the defence.

In a counter-affidavit filed by the AGF’s office, the prosecution urged the court to reject Akpoti-Uduaghan’s preliminary objection.

The prosecution stated, “The three counts were preferred against the defendant pursuant to the Penal Code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in the bona fide exercise of the prosecutorial powers of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and in the best interest of justice.

“The actions and conduct of the defendant/applicant contravened the Penal Code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The criminal charge against the defendant arose from the comprehensive and conclusive investigation of the case, including all petitions and parties involved, by the Nigeria Police Force.

“All the petitions filed by the defendant were duly investigated, and charges were filed at the FCT High Court against her colleague, a senator.

“The Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation filed the criminal charge against the defendant after due consideration of the public interest, the interest of justice, and the need to prevent abuse of legal process.

“The charge against the defendant is consistent with extant laws and does not constitute an abuse of the legal or prosecutorial powers of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation,” the prosecution stated.

In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of making harmful imputations that she allegedly knew would damage the reputation of Akpabio by claiming that he conspired with former governor Bello to kill her.

She was further accused of making similar imputations against Bello and another against Akpabio, allegedly linking him to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.

At the last sitting on September 23, defence counsel, Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN), informed the court that the defendant had filed a notice of preliminary objection, arguing that the Office of the Attorney-General had abused its prosecutorial powers.

According to him, the objection did not contest the substance of the charges but challenged their validity, describing it as a “threshold jurisdictional matter.”

He added that the preliminary objection had been served on the AGF’s office on September 18, but no response had been received.

At Monday’s resumed hearing, Kaswe explained to the court that the address where the prosecution’s counter-affidavit was served did not belong to any of the defence counsel, and he requested a short adjournment to enable proper service.

“It would not be fair for the prosecution to insist that the matter proceed when the defence team has indicated its intention to respond to our counter,” Kaswe said. “We are, therefore, asking for a short adjournment to enable us to effect proper service.”

Responding, West-Idahosa confirmed that the defence had not received the prosecution’s response, noting that none of the defendant’s lawyers had been served.

“The prosecution’s counter was not served on any of the defence lawyers. We intend to respond when we are properly served, as we have additional evidence to file,” the senior advocate stated.

He also appealed to the court to grant a long adjournment, explaining that members of the defence team planned to attend this year’s International Bar Association Conference in Canada.

After listening to both parties, Justice Oji adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection to December 1.

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Navy deploys ships, helicopters against maritime crimes

Published

15 hours ago

April 27, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Nigerian Navy has deployed 10 ships, two helicopters, and other assets in a special operation to stamp out maritime crimes, including piracy, sea robbery, and illegal trafficking within the Gulf of Guinea.

The Navy said the assets will engage in anti-illegal trafficking of arms and drugs, anti-crude oil theft operations, anti-illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, and search and seizure procedures, among others.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, disclosed this while flagging off the operation codenamed ‘Exercise Obangame Express 2026’ aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship KADA in Onne, Rivers State, on Sunday.

Abbas, who was represented by the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral P.E. Effah, said the exercise was initiated in 2010 by the United States Navy in collaboration with the navies of the Gulf of Guinea nations.

He said the annual exercise had served as a strategic platform for advancing coordinated maritime security operations in the region over the years.

The CNS stated, “It remains a critical instrument for fostering unity of effort, enhancing interoperability, and consolidating our shared resolve to secure our maritime domain against emerging and evolving threats.

“The core objectives of the exercise are clear and enduring. They include strengthening regional maritime security cooperation, enhancing information sharing and maritime domain awareness, and improving tactical and operational readiness.

“It also includes building the capacity of participating navies to effectively counter both national and transnational maritime crimes, including piracy, sea robbery, illegal trafficking, and other illicit activities at sea. The importance of this exercise cannot be overstated.”

Abbas further said the exercise had significantly contributed to improving diplomatic relations and strengthening naval partnerships across the region and beyond, thereby reinforcing the collective security architecture within the Gulf of Guinea.

“For this year’s exercise, the Nigerian Navy will deploy 10 ships, two helicopters, maritime domain awareness assets, and elements of the Special Boat Service.

“These assets will be engaged in a series of carefully designed scenarios, including anti-illegal trafficking of arms and drugs, anti-crude oil theft operations, anti-illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, visit, board, search and seizure procedures, as well as search and rescue exercises and simulation of hot pursuit.

“These activities are deliberately structured to sharpen our operational competence, test our readiness, and refine our collective response mechanisms to real-world maritime threats. The success of an exercise of this magnitude is underpinned by meticulous planning, robust logistics, and unwavering commitment.”

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support of the Armed Forces and lauded officers and personnel for their professionalism and dedication.

Abbas added, “Through sustained collaboration, we will not only consolidate the gains already achieved but also build a more secure, stable, and prosperous maritime domain for our nations.”

Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral C.D. Okehie, said the exercise is a major multinational maritime security operation conducted across West and Central Africa under the sponsorship of the United States Africa Command.

He noted that the Gulf of Guinea remains a vital global sea lane but is vulnerable to evolving maritime threats.

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Iran foreign minister arrives in Russia as US talks remain stalled

Published

15 hours ago

April 27, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Russia on Monday as peace efforts between Tehran and Washington hung in the balance, following a flurry of regional diplomacy and the collapse of planned talks in Pakistan.

Abbas Araghchi arrived in Saint Petersburg, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Telegram, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It comes after Araghchi visited Oman between trips to Pakistani capital, Islamabad, as mediators push to keep peace talks between Tehran and Washington alive.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

In a sign that efforts were ongoing, the Fars news agency said Iran had sent “written messages” to the Americans via mediator Pakistan outlining red lines, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.

Fars said the messages were not part of formal negotiations, however.

US media outlet Axios reported on Sunday that Iran had sent a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, with nuclear negotiations postponed for a later stage, citing a US official and two other sources with knowledge of the matter.

Iranian state news agency IRNA cited the report without denying it.

A ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran has so far held, but its economic shockwaves have continued to reverberate globally.

Iran has sealed off the strait, cutting flows of oil, gas and fertiliser and sending prices soaring, raising fears of food insecurity in developing countries. At the same time, a US blockade of the strait is in place.

Hopes for a second round of talks in Pakistan had centred on the planned visit by Witkoff and Kushner, but Trump cancelled the trip after Iranian state television said Araghchi had no plans to meet US officials there.

On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that if Iran wanted the talks, “they can come to us, or they can call us”.

Trump faces domestic pressure as fuel prices rise following Iran’s closure of Hormuz, with midterm elections due in November. Polls show the war is unpopular among Americans.

Safe transit

Asked whether cancelling signalled renewed fighting, Trump said: “No, it doesn’t mean that.”

On Saturday, Araghchi met Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, before travelling to Oman and returning to Islamabad.

He later left for Russia for talks with senior officials, his ministry said.

Russian and Iranian state media confirmed Araghchi’s talks with Putin, citing officials from their respective governments.

Araghchi himself posted on X that the talks in Oman had focused on ensuring safe transit through Hormuz, “to benefit of all dear neighbours and the world”.

“Our neighbours are our priority,” he added.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had no intention of lifting their blockade, which has roiled energy markets.

“Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America and the White House’s supporters in the region is the definitive strategy of Islamic Iran,” the Guards said on their official Telegram channel.

The United States has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in retaliation.

Israel strikes Lebanon

Israel and Hezbollah traded blame over violations of the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the military was “vigorously” targeting the Iran-backed militia as both sides claimed new attacks.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 by firing rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, with Israel responding with strikes and a ground invasion.

But claims that both sides have breached a 10-day ceasefire agreed earlier this month have continued.

Netanyahu told Sunday’s weekly cabinet meeting that Hezbollah’s actions were “dismantling the ceasefire” while Hezbollah said it would respond to Israeli violations and its “continued occupation”.

Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country’s south on Sunday killed 14 people, including two women and two children, and wounded 37.

The state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes had struck after evacuation warnings in Kfar Tibnit.

An Israeli strike on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, another of the flagged villages, destroyed a mosque and another religious building, the news agency said.

Israel, which reported a soldier killed in combat in south Lebanon, says it can act against “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks”.

“This means freedom of action not only to respond to attacks…but also to pre-empt immediate threats and even emerging threats,” Netanyahu said.

AFP

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News

PHOTOS: Newborn twins found abandoned in Benue bush

Published

17 hours ago

April 27, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A set of newborn twins were found abandoned by in a bush in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.

The babies, a boy and girl, were rescued on Saturday, April 25, 2026, by the LGA Task Force during a routine sanitation duty in Vandeikya Township.

The unidentified mother dumped the babies at a bushy slope in Vandeikya, located in Mbaaji, Ningev Council Ward, a place known in the Tiv dialect as “Wangbeen Jor.”

Chief Daniel Orhembega, Chairman of the Task Force, who confirmed the development explained that his men picked up the babies while on their way to dispose of refuse.

He said one of the task force agents heard a baby crying.

When they moved toward the direction of the sound, they saw the newborn twins wrapped in freshly plucked leaves along with the placenta and a gown believed to belong to the runaway mother.

At the time, one baby was crying while the other was deeply asleep.

The twins were immediately picked and handed over to nearby medical personnel, as they required urgent medical attention.

The babies are now under the care of the Vandeikya Local Government Welfare Department.

The Local Government Chairman appealed to the general public around the area to assist in finding the mother by providing any useful information that can lead to disclosure of her identity.