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Pakistani Man Claims Iran Forced Him Into Plot To Kill Trump And Other U.S. Officials During Trial.

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A Pakistani citizen, Asif Merchant, told a U.S. court on Wednesday that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pressured him into a plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other senior American political figures.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Merchant faces terrorism and murder-for-hire charges in a case brought by the U.S. Justice Department in 2024. The trial, which began last week, has drawn international attention due to its connection to highly sensitive geopolitical events.

According to court reports, Merchant testified that he did not join the alleged plot willingly or out of loyalty to Iran. He told jurors that his cooperation with the IRGC was driven by fear for his family in Tehran, rather than ideological motivation or personal intent.

Merchant said his Iranian handler never issued a direct order to kill a specific individual but mentioned three targets during discussions in Tehran: Trump, then-President Joe Biden, and former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who had lost her bid for the 2024 GOP nomination. He told the court, “I did not want to do this so willingly,” a statement central to his coercion defence.

Prosecutors Reject Coercion Claim
The U.S. Justice Department quickly challenged Merchant’s claim. In a letter to the presiding judge on Tuesday, prosecutors said there was a “lack of evidentiary support for a true duress or coercion,” rejecting his account.

The government argued that Merchant actively recruited individuals in the U.S. for the plot, which prosecutors said was designed by the IRGC in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed top Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 during Trump’s first term.

The IRGC wields vast influence in Iran, controlling military operations, economic interests, and intelligence networks extending beyond the country. Its involvement highlights the seriousness with which U.S. authorities are treating the case.

Trial Timing Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions
The trial began just days before Trump authorised joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. Trump told ABC News, “I got him before he got me,” linking the alleged assassination plot to his decision to order the strikes.

Iran has consistently denied targeting Trump or any American officials and has not issued a new statement in response to the trial proceedings.

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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

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An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.

Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.

He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.

“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.

The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.

Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.

He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.

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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

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Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.

The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.

Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.

He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.

Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.

Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.

In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.

The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.

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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.

However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.

When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.

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