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African, Asian Anglican Churches Form New Global Council, Split From Church of England.

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Conservative Anglican churches across Africa and Asia have formed a new leadership council to oversee the global Anglican Communion, distancing themselves from the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury just weeks before the incoming leader assumes office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) announced on Thursday that it had created the council as a replacement for what it described as outdated leadership structures. The group says it represents the majority of the world’s 85 million Anglicans spread across 165 countries.

GAFCON elected Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, a former Rwandan refugee who later studied in the United States, as chairman of the newly established council. According to the group, Mbanda’s leadership will be shared collectively rather than operating under the traditional “first among equals” model.

The council’s secretary general, Bishop Paul Donison, told attendees at the conference in Abuja, Nigeria, that the current leadership framework of the Anglican Communion no longer reflects the needs of most Anglicans globally.

“Believing the current instruments of communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans around the world, the global Anglican Communion is to be led by a conciliar structure,” Donison said.

Reports indicate that the council will comprise bishops, priests and lay members, with each member granted voting rights.

The development directly challenges Sarah Mullally, who was appointed by the Church of England last October as its first female Archbishop of Canterbury. Mullally is expected to be enthroned as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25.

GAFCON Spokesman Says Group Recognises New Leader

GAFCON is made up largely of conservative Anglican churches from Africa and Asia. The group has consistently opposed what it describes as liberal shifts within parts of the Anglican Communion, including the ordination of women as priests and bishops and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ members.

When asked whether GAFCON still recognises the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the group’s spokesman, Justin Murff, gave a firm response.

“The Global Anglican Council recognises Archbishop Laurent Mbanda as its leader,” Murff said.

Reacting to the development, a spokesperson for the Anglican Communion Office in London expressed concern about the growing division.

“It hurts the body of Christ when some churches express a desire to separate, not associate, or otherwise renounce any association with those with whom they disagree,” the spokesperson said.

Historically, the Church of England itself broke away from the Roman Catholic Church nearly 500 years ago under King Henry VIII. Since then, the Archbishop of Canterbury has served as the symbolic head of the Anglican Communion, which expanded globally through missionary work.

GAFCON, established in 2008, insists it is not leaving the Anglican Communion but rather restructuring it around what it describes as Biblical authority. In October, Mbanda said the group had “not left the Anglican Communion; we are the Anglican Communion.”

During prayers on Thursday, Mbanda also signalled what he described as the beginning of a new chapter for the church.

“The future has arrived, no turning back,” he declared.

Anglican communities in Africa and Asia—regions where the church has seen the fastest growth in recent decades—have increasingly opposed progressive developments they associate with England and other Western nations. Disagreements over women’s ordination and LGBTQ+ inclusion have intensified tensions within the global communion, pushing the church toward what many leaders describe as a critical breaking point.

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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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