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Explosive Revelation: Villa Staff Implicated In Alleged 2025 Coup Against President Tinubu.

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One of the defendants standing trial over the alleged attempt to violently overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu, Zekeri Umoru, has admitted to becoming involved in the purported coup plot in 2025 while working inside the Presidential Villa.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Umoru, the fourth defendant and an employee in the maintenance department at the Presidential Villa under Julius Berger Nigeria, said he was introduced into the alleged plot by Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who is attached to the Presidential Clinic.

In a recorded extra-judicial statement played in court, Umoru detailed how his interaction with the alleged conspirators began in May 2025 through Inspector Ibrahim, identified as the third defendant.

He explained that Ibrahim introduced him to a man known as Hassan Mohammed, later identified as Colonel Mohammed “Ma’aji,” under the guise of offering him electrical work at a construction site.

Umoru said he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman, especially after receiving bank transfers in his name.

He told investigators that he received several payments from Ma’aji, sometimes in Ibrahim’s presence, and also met other associates, including one identified as Usman, whom he later learned were military personnel.

According to his statement, at one meeting at a location known as “Tiger Bar,” Ma’aji reportedly gave him between ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 after buying drinks and making inquiries about their professions.

He further revealed that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji allegedly handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag containing cash, which he later deposited at a Zenith Bank branch where it was counted as ₦8.8 million.

Umoru added that the next day, he met Ma’aji again alongside Inspector Ibrahim, during which an additional ₦2 million was allegedly handed over, with Ibrahim promising to brief him further.

He said he became suspicious due to the continuous flow of money and confronted Ibrahim, who allegedly claimed that Ma’aji was unhappy with the state of the country and intended to “sanitize the government” with the help of unnamed associates.

Umoru also alleged that Ibrahim mentioned a plan involving an ambulance driver to gain access into the Presidential Villa, with expectations of financial benefit.

However, he insisted he was unaware of any organised coup plan and maintained that he never knowingly participated in any attempt to overthrow the government.

He also described escorting Usman into the Villa, saying security officers allowed entry after he confirmed the visitor was there to see him. He added that he later found Usman taking photographs in his office and warned him against it.

Throughout his statement, Umoru maintained that he was misled by Ibrahim and had no knowledge of any coup plot, adding that he would have distanced himself had he known the true intentions of those involved.

He expressed regret over the incident, apologised to his employers, and reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration.

The court also reviewed a separate video involving an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who said he relocated to Abuja after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri.

Goni denied involvement in the alleged plot, insisting that funds he received from Colonel Ma’aji were strictly for prayers and charitable purposes.

However, investigators pointed to financial records suggesting multiple transactions dating back to 2023, including a ₦10 million transfer in October 2024, raising questions about his claims.

They also noted discrepancies in his explanation regarding the purpose of the funds, although he maintained that all payments were linked to religious activities.

Following the video evidence, counsel to the sixth defendant, Senior Advocate Michael Numa, requested additional time to review the materials.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 11, 12, and 13 for continuation of the trial.

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Inside Prison Corruption: NCoS Moves Against 147 Officers Caught in Contraband Scandal.

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The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disciplined no fewer than 147 personnel over various forms of misconduct, including alleged involvement in the smuggling of contraband into custodial centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, made this known on Tuesday, May 5, in Abuja, reaffirming the agency’s determination to cleanse the correctional system.

In a separate operation, the service also destroyed 1,167 mobile phones, including iPhones, Android devices, feature phones, and other electronic gadgets illegally brought into correctional facilities nationwide.

The destruction exercise was carried out at the NCoS headquarters in Abuja and personally supervised by Nwakuche.

According to the Controller-General, the sanctions and destruction exercise are part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving discipline, professionalism, and security within Nigeria’s correctional institutions.

He described the move as a clear demonstration of the agency’s commitment to eliminating threats to order and safety in custodial centres.

Nwakuche explained that the destroyed items were recovered from various facilities across the country within the past eight months.

He said, “These items are prohibited materials recovered from custodial centres across the country within the last eight months. They include mobile phones, SIM cards, and other unauthorised materials. Their presence within our facilities is unacceptable. They compromise security, disrupt discipline, and create channels through which criminal activities are sustained from within custody.”

The Controller-General also disclosed that ₦2,569,000 seized from inmates during the operations had been remitted to the government treasury in line with financial regulations.

He stated that the agency maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline and warned that any officer found guilty would face serious disciplinary action, including dismissal.

Nwakuche stressed that internal compromise often enables contraband trafficking, adding that any officer involved is violating their oath of service.

He said, “Let me state clearly: the trafficking of contraband into our custodial centres cannot occur without some level of internal compromise. Any officer who aids, ignores, or facilitates this act is in direct violation of their oath and a threat to the integrity of this Service.”

He further warned that offenders would face full legal consequences, adding that past disciplinary actions should serve as a deterrent to others.

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PDP Chieftain Fires Shot At Wike: ‘He Has No Say In Party Decisions Anymore’.

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adetokunbo Pearse, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as a threat to democratic governance in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Pearse made the claim during an appearance on Breakfast Central on News Central TV, amid the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP.

He alleged that Wike had previously insisted there would only be peace within the party if it refrained from presenting a presidential candidate and allowed President Bola Tinubu to run unopposed.

According to him, such a demand reflects a broader attempt to weaken opposition politics in the country.

“This Wike and co, so anxious for reconciliation, it shows you that they know that they don’t have a say anymore.

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Fresh Strategy: ADC Adjusts Presidential Primaries, Reduces Nomination Price.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced a revised timetable for its 2026 primary elections while also slashing the cost of nomination forms for aspirants across various positions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, after consultations with party leaders, aspirants, and key stakeholders.

According to the updated schedule, the sale and submission of nomination forms will run from May 6 to May 13, while screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 14. The results of the screening exercise will be released on May 17.

The party said appeals arising from the screening process will be entertained between May 18 and May 19, with the final list of successful aspirants to be published on May 20.

Primaries for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate positions are slated for May 21, while governorship primaries will hold on May 22.

The presidential primary has been fixed for May 23, followed by a National Executive Committee meeting on May 25 and a Special National Convention on May 26.

In addition to the new timetable, the ADC also reviewed downward the prices of its nomination forms.

Under the new pricing structure, the presidential nomination form now costs ₦90 million, while the governorship form is pegged at ₦30 million. Senate aspirants will pay ₦10 million, House of Representatives aspirants ₦5 million, and State Assembly aspirants ₦2 million.

The revised fees represent a reduction from the previous rates, where presidential forms sold for ₦100 million, governorship forms for ₦50 million, Senate forms for ₦20 million, and House of Representatives forms for ₦10 million.

The party also retained its concession policy, offering a 50 percent discount to youth aspirants aged 18 to 35, as well as a 25 percent discount for women and persons living with disabilities.

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