Author: Mohammad Adamu

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has upheld the bench warrant earlier issued against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, after she again failed to appear in court over charges of alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of $1.3 million and N746.7 million in public funds. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who presided over Tuesday’s proceedings, expressed visible frustration at what he described as deliberate attempts to delay the trial, warning that he would not tolerate further postponements. Farouq is being prosecuted alongside two co-defendants — Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed — by…

Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to China, has cautioned that the establishment of state police in Nigeria will only yield meaningful results if it is built on strict professionalism and shielded from political interference by state governors. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dambazau warned that placing state police under the direct control of governors risks turning the force into a tool for settling political scores, adding that this must be prevented through clear structural safeguards. He called for rigorous profiling, vetting, and training of personnel, as well as the adoption…

Arsenal moved to the brink of their first Premier League title since 2004 after grinding out a 1-0 victory over already-relegated Burnley on Monday, opening up a five-point lead at the summit.Kai Havertz proved the difference, powering home a header from Bukayo Saka’s corner delivery on 37 minutes — the Gunners’ 18th set-piece goal of the league campaign — to send an expectant Emirates crowd into raptures. The Gunners could be crowned champions as early as Tuesday night if Manchester City fail to beat Bournemouth, who are riding a 16-game unbeaten run. Even if City navigate that hurdle and defeat…

Nigerian filmmaker urges diaspora to move beyond goodwill, become witnesses to Africa’s untold stories For Precious Osuji, there exists a mission that is deeply personal, born from loss, shaped by responsibility, and fueled by an unshakable belief that the global African diaspora must become more than observers of the continent’s future…we must become the living architects of it. Today, through diaspora engagement, humanitarian advocacy, and a growing commitment to strengthening Africa’s creative and economic ecosystems, Osuji is building bridges between global influence and local impact. And on this journey, one of her first calls was to Michael Chineme Ike, the…

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has officially announced that the Standing at Mount Arafat — the spiritual climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage — will take place on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with Eid-al-Adha to follow the next day, Wednesday, May 27. The declaration came after the court confirmed Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, following the verified sighting of the crescent moon. “The Crescent Sighting Department of the Supreme Court reached the decision after reviewing testimonies submitted by witnesses regarding the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent,” the court stated. The official account of…

The World Health Organisation has declared the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), citing fears the crisis is far larger than official figures suggest. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the declaration on Sunday after consulting with both affected countries, confirming that the outbreak — caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus — does not, however, meet the threshold of a pandemic emergency. As of Saturday, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths had been recorded in DRC’s Ituri Province, spanning at least…

Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new men’s head coach, the Premier League club confirmed on Sunday, with the Spaniard signing a four-year contract ahead of taking charge on July 1, 2026. Alonso joins Stamford Bridge following a landmark stint at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German club to their first-ever Bundesliga title and cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches. In a statement, Chelsea said the appointment reflects confidence in Alonso’s tactical philosophy, leadership qualities and professional integrity, describing him as not only an elite coach but a proven leader whose approach aligns with…

Antoine Semenyo produced one of the great FA Cup final goals to hand Manchester City a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, securing the club’s eighth FA Cup title and Pep Guardiola’s third in the competition. The Ghana winger, signed from Bournemouth in January, settled a scrappy final with a moment of pure improvisation in the 72nd minute — deftly back-heeling Erling Haaland’s cut-back into the far corner to the delight of the City faithful. It was a finish worthy of winning any trophy, placing Semenyo alongside Ricky Villa, Michael Owen, Roberto Di Matteo and Steven Gerrard in…

United States President Donald Trump has announced the killing of a senior ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, in an operation carried out jointly by American forces and the Nigerian Armed Forces. Trump made the announcement in a post on X, describing Al-Minuki as the second-in-command of ISIS globally and confirming that the mission was executed at his direction. “Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote. The US President said intelligence sources had…

Michael Carrick has been confirmed as the permanent manager of Manchester United after agreeing terms on a long-term contract with the club. The decision, weeks in the making, has been finalised and approved by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and senior club executives. Carrick is set to sign a deal running for an initial two years, with an option to extend or convert to a three-year structure based on performance. The former United midfielder had been serving in an interim capacity before being handed the role on a full-time basis, following a strong run of results and growing internal support…