News
Ansaru Terrorists court trials adjourn until September 5 as Lawyers and Defendants absent today
The US government had placed a $5 million bounty on Mohammed Usman in 2012, designating him as one of three Nigerian “specially designated global terrorists.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has condemned the decision of a terrorism suspect to skip trial, describing the action as ‘unfortunate.’
This remark by the judge is in respect of Mohammed Usman also known as Khalid Al-barnawi, allegedly link to Ansaru the splinter group of Boko Haram.
Al-barnawi and four others-Mohammed Saleh, Umar Bello, Mohammed Salisu and Yakubu Nuhu- are alleged to have conspired to carry out terrorist activities between 2011 and 2013 in several northern Nigerian states, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, and Gombe.
During Tuesday’s court session, the prosecution, led by Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), informed the court that proceedings were due to continue with a trial-within-a-trial phase.
However, he noted with concern the absence of the first defendant, Mohammed Usman, and his counsel.
Lawyers for two other defendants were also not present.
Dr. Izinyon revealed that Usman’s lawyer claimed to be away in Enugu and had promised to send a representative, who did not appear.
He described the no-show and lack of communication as disrespectful and contrary to the court’s efforts to expedite the long-running case which has been on since 2017.
In response, Justice Nwite expressed his dissatisfaction with the absence, emphasizing the importance of an expeditious hearing.
He warned that the court would not tolerate defendants absence from the proceedings.
The judge instructed the parties to collaborate and clarify the reasons behind the absence to prevent further delays.
He then adjourned the case until September 5 and 12 for the continuation of evidence from the third prosecution witness and the playback of relevant videos as part of the trial within a trial.
The US government had placed a $5 million bounty on Mohammed Usman in 2012, designating him as one of three Nigerian “specially designated global terrorists.
“Ansaru, ideologically linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, is accused of targeting Westerners and carried out a notable attack on a maximum-security prison in Abuja in 2012, freeing dozens of inmates.
An angry mob has set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus on fire after it reportedly crushed a commercial motorcyclist to death at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicate that the motorcyclist was riding alone along the restricted BRT lane when the collision happened. He died at the scene.
Enraged residents and youths then attacked the bus driver and set the vehicle ablaze. Police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who were nearby, intervened promptly and rescued the driver unharmed.
The identity of the deceased motorcyclist and the exact circumstances of the crash had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the burning of the bus.
News
ARISE News Wins Seven Honours At Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
• ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female)
ARISE News has emerged as one of the major winners at the just ended Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA).
ARISE News won seven honours across television broadcasting, news reporting, presentation and production during the ceremony.
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
The network’s flagship breakfast programme, The Morning Show, also won the Best TV Talk Show award, further strengthening its recognition in television broadcasting.
ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female).
Rufai Oseni was named Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Male), while Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong received the Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Female) award.
The recognition extended to the network’s newsroom, with Ovieteme George winning Best TV News Reporter (Male) for his contributions to television news reporting.
Behind the camera, Sam Adeyemi received the Best Camera Operator/Cinematographer award, recognising his work in television production and visual storytelling.
News
Meta removes 3.7 million accounts in West Africa scam crackdown
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to suspected scam networks operating in West Africa.
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
The company announced the crackdown in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It involved 14 technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.
The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency coordinated the operation with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Nigerian authorities were involved.
Other countries included Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.Tech companies that took part included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe.
Meta said the partnership let participants share intelligence across digital platforms, countries and financial systems to identify criminal networks.
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