Ikenna Enekweizu, the National Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that all of the party’s candidates will appear on the ballot for the 2027 elections, notwithstanding a recent court ruling that nullified the party’s registration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• A Federal High Court in Lokoja, presided over by Justice Isah Dashen, voided a previous judgment that had mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC.

• The court determined that the prior verdict, issued on December 10, 2025, was constitutionally defective because it was made without hearing from all necessary parties.

• In an interview on Channels Television, Enekweizu argued that the timing of the ruling was intended to prevent the party from obtaining the codes required to upload candidate names to the INEC portal.

• Enekweizu reassured party members and supporters that they have “nothing to fear,” asserting that the NDC will obtain the necessary codes, upload their candidates, and participate in the 2027 elections.

• He also expressed strong criticism of the current government, citing issues such as insecurity, hunger, and failure as reasons for his party’s determination to contest the elections.

MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas has denounced the ongoing intimidation of foreign nationals in South Africa. He asserts that the nation’s socio-economic crises are the result of governance failures rather than the presence of immigrants.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Jonas, speaking at the funeral of activist Thokozani Damasane, argued that politicians are scapegoating foreign nationals to exploit public frustration.

• He maintained that issues such as unemployment, corruption, and inequality are structural and would persist even if all foreigners were to leave the country.

• Jonas emphasized that the core issues are rooted in poor governance, specifically citing the state’s inability to manage borders, enforce laws, provide quality education, and handle immigration.

• He criticized politicians who lack credibility for leading anti-foreigner movements to divert attention from their own failure to address the country’s real challenges.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) maintains that former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele provided his extra-judicial statements voluntarily, as the Ikeja Special Offences Court prepares to deliver a ruling on their admissibility on July 9, 2026. Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the trial following legal arguments regarding whether these statements should be permitted as evidence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Emefiele and co-defendant Henry Omoile are currently facing trial for charges including abuse of office, corrupt demands, and alleged gratification involving approximately $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. Emefiele faces a 19-count charge, while Omoile is charged with three counts related to receiving unlawful gifts.

Arguments from the Defence

• Representing Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) argued that the statements were made under oppressive conditions while his client was held by the Department of State Services for over 157 days.

• Citing the Evidence Act and the Anti-Torture Act of 2017, Ojo insisted the statements were involuntary.

• Ojo argued that the lack of video recordings of the interrogations undermines their credibility, labeling them “poisoned fruits,” and maintained that any doubt concerning voluntariness should benefit the accused.

EFCC Response and Prosecution Stance

• Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), representing the prosecution, presented EFCC investigator Alvan Gurumnaan, who testified that Emefiele attended questioning voluntarily and had legal counsel present.

• The prosecution offered to withdraw the statement dated October 26, 2023, while maintaining that it intends to present others recorded on October 27, October 30, November 1, and November 2, 2023.

• Oyedepo argued that a trial-within-trial is not necessary because the remaining statements do not constitute a confession, and urged the court to reject the defence’s objections.

Additionally, Justice Oshodi granted an application from the second defendant’s counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), for leave to appeal a previous court ruling. Following the upcoming ruling on July 9, the court has scheduled dates for the continuation of the trial in October and November 2026.