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Court Orders Accelerated Trial Of Alleged Coup Plot Suspects.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial of six individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling on Monday, approved a fast-track trial procedure and fixed April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for the commencement of proceedings and consideration of bail applications.

The court, however, ruled that the trial would begin before any bail applications are heard.

The defendants include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired Major-General; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired Navy Captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa; as well as Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, a cleric based in Zaria.

They are facing a 13-count charge involving treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering, all of which they denied.

Prosecutors alleged that the accused conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, informed the court that the prosecution was fully prepared with witnesses ready to testify.

However, defence lawyers, including Mohammed Ilayepo, Paul Erokoro, A.I. Yeru, and N.S. Diri, raised objections, citing the complexity of the case and short notice.

Despite their concerns, the court insisted that all parties align their schedules to ensure a speedy trial process.

The proceedings were held under tight security, with journalists barred from covering the session after court officials, backed by Department of State Services operatives, ordered them out before the judge entered the courtroom.

Meanwhile, a separate court martial involving 36 serving military officers linked to the alleged plot is scheduled to resume on May 8 in Abuja.

The Defence Headquarters confirmed that the officers are being tried under military law in a parallel proceeding.

The simultaneous civilian and military trials highlight the breadth of the alleged conspiracy, which authorities say involved both civilians and serving security personnel.

A former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who was mentioned in some of the charges but not listed as a defendant, is reportedly at large.

The six civilian suspects had earlier been remanded in DSS custody as investigations into the alleged plot continue.

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Presidency Declares Tinubu’s Achievements Will Soon Be Clear to All.

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The Presidency on Monday said President Bola Tinubu has recorded significant progress in reshaping Nigeria, insisting that his administration is delivering projects that Nigerians can be proud of.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known while briefing journalists ahead of a planned nationwide inspection tour of projects executed under the current administration.

Onanuga, who spoke alongside other presidential media aides, explained that the projects cut across all 36 states and cover key sectors such as infrastructure, human capital development, and economic growth.

He said the inspection tour is designed to verify and showcase the administration’s achievements so far.

“The purpose of this tour is to showcase in full what the administration has been able to do so far in order to show its seriousness and commitment to the transformation of the whole country. These projects cut across all sectors of the economy and are in all the states of the federation,” he said.

The presidential spokesman expressed confidence that Nigerians would better appreciate the scale of progress once the projects are unveiled.

“By the time these projects are unveiled to Nigerians, it would be very clear to all that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has changed the landscape of Nigeria and has indeed renewed the hope of Nigerians,” Onanuga added.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Tunde Rahman, said the media would soon begin tracking projects executed across the country to highlight the administration’s efforts.

He explained that the initiative would help showcase policies aimed at improving citizens’ welfare and giving the nation a new direction.

Officials from the ministries of health, transport, and information also highlighted key achievements so far, saying reforms have repositioned critical sectors to better serve Nigerians.

In the health sector, Nasiru Mohammed pointed to the Presidential Initiative to unlock the industry, noting that it has boosted local drug production, reduced costs, and attracted interest from international pharmaceutical companies.

In education, Rabiu Musa from the Information Ministry cited the National Education Loans Fund as a major milestone, saying it has made funding accessible to students and eased financial pressure on families.

He described the scheme as a significant step toward expanding access to higher education in the country.

The Presidency reiterated that ongoing projects and reforms reflect its commitment to fulfilling campaign promises and addressing national challenges, expressing optimism that the initiatives will continue to improve living standards across the country.

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Supercomputer Gives Arsenal, Man City Edge In Champions League Race.

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Opta’s Supercomputer has predicted the teams most likely to finish in the top five of this season’s English Premier League, with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa strongly favoured to secure Champions League qualification.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

For the second straight season, England is expected to have five representatives in Europe’s premier club competition, raising the intensity of the battle for top-five finishes.

According to the projection, title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City have already locked in their places among the top five, effectively securing two of the available Champions League slots.

Both sides have maintained impressive consistency throughout the season, leaving little doubt about their qualification chances.

Opta’s data further places Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa as strong favourites for the remaining three positions.

The model indicates that each of the trio has a 97 per cent chance of finishing in the top five, highlighting their clear advantage over other challengers.

Despite these projections, the competition among the three clubs remains tight, with just three points separating them on the league table.

Aston Villa and Liverpool currently sit in fourth and fifth place respectively, while maintaining an eight-point gap over sixth-placed Brighton.

This cushion gives the trio a strong position as the season approaches its decisive phase.

With the expanded Champions League format allowing five English clubs to qualify again, the Premier League continues to dominate European football representation.

If the predictions come true, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa will all feature in next season’s Champions League.

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Makoko Protest Case: Court Adjourns Judgment To New Date.

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A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos, on Monday, April 27, 2026, has adjourned the trial of activist Hassan “Soweto” Taiwo and Dele Frank to May 8, 2026, over their alleged role in the January 28 protest against demolitions in Makoko.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Magistrate I.O. Alaka also reserved ruling on an application seeking the release of items confiscated during the protest.

 News reports that the case arose from demonstrations organised by residents and activists opposing the Lagos State Government’s demolition of homes in Makoko and other waterfront communities.

The defendants are facing charges linked to the protest, but they maintain they were exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression.

At the resumed hearing, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), appeared with Tomi Olagunju for the defence and urged the court to order the release of items seized by the police during the protest, including a generator, DJ equipment, a first aid box, cash, and flight tickets.

Falana argued that the application was supported by provisions of the Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, insisting the court had the power to order their release on bond.

He also noted that the prosecution had not properly accounted for the seized items and said some of them, including ₦15,000 and two flight tickets valued at ₦30,000 each, were not properly documented.

He further argued that since the items had not been tendered as evidence, they should be released with an undertaking to present them when required.

However, the police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Anthony Ihiehie, opposed the request, arguing that the items formed part of the evidence and releasing them could compromise the case.

He maintained that exhibits cannot be released on bond unless they have been tendered in court, warning that doing so could lead to tampering.

Falana disagreed, pointing out that the earlier release of a seized vehicle weakened the prosecution’s argument for continued detention of other items.

During the proceedings, Magistrate Alaka also cautioned a defence lawyer over his green tie, saying it did not conform to the approved court dress code. Falana apologised on his behalf.

After the hearing, Soweto addressed supporters outside the court, urging continued solidarity with Makoko residents and describing the case as unjust and politically motivated.

He insisted the protest was peaceful and said the charges were an attempt to silence dissent over demolition activities.

Other activists and observers present also described the prosecution as unnecessary, arguing that the case should not have been filed.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to May 8 for ruling on the application and continuation of the trial.

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