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“We Are Not A Political Tool” — EFCC Rejects Opposition’s Selective Justice Claims.

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According to Nivo News, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has firmly rejected allegations that it is being used by the ruling class to intimidate or persecute opposition politicians, insisting that it remains committed solely to its statutory mandate of fighting corruption.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement issued on Monday, the anti-graft agency said its operations are guided strictly by the provisions of its Establishment Act and are carried out without regard to political affiliation, status or influence. The Commission stressed that it treats all suspects equally, whether they belong to the ruling party, opposition parties or have no political ties.

The EFCC’s response follows a joint statement by several opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who accused the Commission, alongside other state institutions, of engaging in selective justice. The opposition leaders alleged that such actions were aimed at weakening dissenting voices and undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the claims, the EFCC described the accusations as a deliberate misrepresentation of its responsibilities, maintaining that its sole obligation is to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes. The Commission explained that its only limitation is the constitutional immunity enjoyed by certain political office holders while in office, noting that all other suspects are subject to investigation and prosecution regardless of party alignment.

The agency further stated that records of arrests and prosecutions carried out in the last two years show that individuals from both the ruling party and opposition parties, including former governors and ministers, have been investigated and charged alongside non-political actors.

Emphasising its position, the EFCC said corruption knows no boundaries of party, religion, tribe or gender, and questioned why calls for accountability are being framed as persecution. It argued that demanding explanations for alleged cases of embezzlement, fraud, money laundering and other financial crimes cannot be equated with political witch-hunting.

The Commission warned that attempts to intimidate or blackmail it into abandoning investigations pose a greater threat to democracy than its ongoing anti-corruption efforts. It added that efforts to portray its work as selective were aimed at shielding certain politicians from accountability simply because they now belong to the opposition.

Reaffirming its resolve, the EFCC declared that it would not bow to pressure or be drawn into compromising investigations for the sake of public perception. The agency also urged Nigerians to support its mandate, describing the fight against corruption as essential to national integrity and development.

The statement concluded with a call on well-meaning and patriotic citizens to collaborate with the Commission in sustaining its efforts to restore dignity and accountability in public life.

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Federal High Court Declares Christmas Break, Names Judges To Handle Cases – Full List.

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The Federal High Court has announced that its 2026 Christmas vacation will begin on Monday, December 21, and end on Tuesday, January 5, 2027.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The court is expected to resume regular sittings on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Information of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher.

According to the statement, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, approved the vacation arrangement and the appointment of judges who will handle cases during the period.

Christopher explained that only designated judicial divisions would remain operational throughout the vacation to provide essential judicial services.

She added that the vacation judges would handle only matters involving the enforcement of fundamental human rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and other issues of urgent national importance, including the trial of pre-election cases.

The statement read:

“Pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil) Procedure Rules, 2019, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, KSS, OFR, FCIArb. (UK), has approved the Christmas Vacation of the Court for the year 2026 and the roster of Judges designated to sit during the vacation period.

“The Christmas Vacation shall commence on Monday, 21st December 2026, and end on Tuesday, 5th January, 2027.

“Regular court sittings shall resume on Wednesday, 6th January 2027.

“During the vacation period, only the designated Judicial Divisions shall remain operational to provide judicial services to the litigating public.

“It is important to note that, during the vacation period, the Vacation Judges shall entertain only matters relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and other matters of urgent national importance such as trial of pre-election cases.”

Full List Of Federal High Court Vacation Judges

The judges designated to handle cases during the Christmas vacation are as follows:

Abuja Judicial Division

  1. Justice I. E. Ekwo

  2. Justice O. A. Egwuatu

Lagos Judicial Division

  1. Justice Akintayo Aluko

  2. Justice Ogazi F. Nkemakonam

Port Harcourt Judicial Division

  1. Justice P. M. Ayua

  2. Justice A. T. Mohammed

Enugu Judicial Division

  1. Justice F. O. G. Ogunbanjo

  2. Justice M. T. Segun-Bello

The statement added that the Chief Judge extended Christmas and New Year greetings to all judges and members of the court.

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Eric Chelle Makes Surprise Exit From Nigeria U-23 Camp Ahead Of Tanzania Clash.

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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has departed Nigeria’s U-23 team camp to concentrate on the senior national team’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Chelle, who also supervises the Olympic Eagles, will be unavailable for Nigeria’s two-legged U-23 AFCON qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) because both teams have matches scheduled during the same international window.

The Olympic Eagles are scheduled to travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo on Friday, November 13. The encounter will take place on the same day the Super Eagles host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The return leg is slated for Tuesday, November 17, in Ikenne, coinciding with Nigeria’s second meeting with Tanzania.

In Chelle’s absence, assistant coach Deniran Ortega will oversee the Olympic Eagles, working alongside Ikorodu City head coach Bright Ozebagbe.

Ortega reportedly conducted most of the team’s training sessions on Thursday and led the technical crew during their friendly victory over Grassrunners on Friday, ahead of the squad’s departure for the first leg.

Meanwhile, Chelle has selected 23 players for the Super Eagles’ AFCON qualifying matches against Tanzania. Among the notable inclusions are Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and Molde FC midfielder Daniel Daga.

Goalkeeper Michael Atata and junior international Abdulmuiz Adeleke have also earned places in the squad. Atata will compete for the goalkeeping position alongside Samuel James of SJK FC and Clinton Andy.

Other notable selections include defenders Victory Akpe, Vince Osuji and Emmanuel Ochobi, as well as midfielders Chibuzor Nwoko and Aderemi Adeoye.

The attacking options also feature Peter Edokpolor and Umar Abubakar.

The seven home-based players in the squad are expected to depart Nigeria on Tuesday for the Olympic Eagles’ first-leg encounter against DR Congo at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.

Full Nigeria U-23 Squad

Goalkeepers: Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Clinton Andy (Rivers United); Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).

Defenders: Christian Akpan (Genk FC, Belgium); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Vince Osuji (Tromsø IL FC, Norway); Emmanuel Godwin (Pardubice FC, Czechia); Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United); Aliu Sugau (Barau FC).

Midfielders: John Otomewo (Reims FC, France); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Wilfred George (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Chibuzor Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City); Sadiq Saleh (FC Metta, Latvia); Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).

Forwards: Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Sulaiman Sani (Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia); Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia); Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme).

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“Behave Yourself!” – Seyi Tinubu Fires Back At Isaac Fayose Over Port Harcourt ‘City Boy’ Walk.

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Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has criticised political commentator Isaac Fayose over his remarks about the City Boy movement’s walk in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fayose had taken to social media to question the gathering, describing it as a waste of time and expressing doubts about the number of people who attended the event.

Responding in the comment section of the post, Seyi urged the businessman to conduct himself properly instead of criticising the group’s activities.

He defended the Port Harcourt walk, describing it as a successful and peaceful gathering organised by young Nigerians in support of President Tinubu and his administration.

Seyi wrote: “My content creator Egbon e behave ara yin o. You and I both know that those gallant men and women were there for the city boy walk in PH, which was a success by the way. Vote APC.”

In a related development, Fayose has alleged that he is being targeted with false accusations because of his support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, made the allegation in a video shared on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.

He was reacting to a post by an unnamed blogger linking him to a rape allegation, which he denied, describing it as a fabrication intended to damage his reputation because of his refusal to withdraw support for Obi.

Fayose further alleged that individuals who turn down offers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) are often subjected to smear campaigns.

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