Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has disclosed that his United States of America visa has been revoked, meaning he cannot enter the country.

Soyinka made the revelation on Tuesday, while addressing journalists at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States, who are expecting me for this event or that event, do not waste their time,” the literary icon said.

“I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me.”

Soyinka said that he was informed of the development by the U.S. Consulate through an official letter dated October 23, 2025, noting that he was unaware of any reason for the decision.

The letter read in part, “This letter serves as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.

”Soyinka stressed that he had never engaged in any criminal activity or violated U.S. laws to warrant such action.

“I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any criminal record or even a misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation,” he said.

“I keep asking myself — have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Have I gone against the law anywhere?”

He did not specify whether he had applied for a new visa or challenged the decision.

………..Judge Advises Kanu to Consult Expert on Criminal Law

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declined to open his defence in his ongoing trial, insisting that the Federal Government has no valid charges against him.

At Monday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kanu informed the court that, after finally receiving and reviewing his case file, he found no basis for the charges brought against him. He therefore requested one week to file a written address instead of calling witnesses as earlier planned.

However, lead prosecutor Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, strongly objected to the request, noting that the court had already granted the defendant six days to conclude his defence—two of which had elapsed. Awomolo argued that Kanu was fully aware of the charges since his plea was taken and witnesses were cross-examined, stressing that the matter could not be allowed to drag indefinitely.

The prosecution urged the court to deem Kanu’s refusal to open his defence as a conclusion of the case and to proceed to judgment.

Justice Omotosho cautioned Kanu about the risks of representing himself, describing him as a “layman” in legal practice and advising him to seek counsel from someone versed in criminal law. The court also reminded him that the issue of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya had already been resolved and was no longer relevant to the current trial.

In the interest of justice, Justice Omotosho granted Kanu’s request and adjourned the case until Tuesday, November 4, for either the opening of his defence or the adoption of his written address on his claim that the Federal Government has no case to answer.

………Vows to Continue Legal and Democratic Struggle

In a significant turn of events, pro-democracy activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has regained his freedom from prison custody today, October 27, 2025, following his controversial detention by police officers last Friday.

Sowore’s arrest came under contentious circumstances — despite being granted bail by a competent court, he was allegedly forcibly removed from the court premises and transferred to prison custody. The incident, which sparked nationwide outrage, was widely condemned by human rights organizations, civil society groups, and media practitioners as a blatant violation of due process and an affront to judicial authority.

In a statement released shortly after his release, Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, Esq., described the development as a victory for justice and constitutional order. “The court spoke. The Constitution spoke. Today, freedom has spoken!” he said. Temokun praised Nigerians who stood in solidarity throughout the ordeal, emphasizing that the widespread public pressure and persistent advocacy played a key role in ensuring Sowore’s eventual release.

“The resilience of Nigerians, civil society organizations, and media advocates in the face of tyranny is commendable,” Temokun continued. “This moment reminds us that the rule of law can still prevail when citizens refuse to remain silent.”

However, he also cautioned that Sowore’s legal troubles are not yet over. “The struggle is not over. The charges remain in court, and we will continue to confront them with the full force of law and truth,” the lawyer added, reaffirming the legal team’s commitment to defending Sowore’s rights and ensuring that justice is served.

Sowore, a long-time advocate for democratic reforms and government accountability, has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions in recent years over his activism and outspoken criticism of government policies. His most recent detention reignited debates over the shrinking civic space, press freedom, and the misuse of state power to silence dissenting voices in Nigeria.

In concluding remarks, Temokun issued a powerful reminder about the broader implications of Sowore’s case: “Nigeria must never become a country where our voice becomes our crime.”

Sowore’s release has since attracted widespread reactions across social media and from the international community, with many calling for renewed commitment to judicial independence, human rights, and the protection of civic freedoms.

As the legal proceedings continue, many observers see Sowore’s case as a litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy and its adherence to the rule of law in an increasingly challenging political climate.