Connect with us

News

DAY 2: Cardinal-electors vote in historic conclave to choose next Pope

Published

on

400 Views

The Director of Public Communications, Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godono, on Thursday confirmed that the 133 Cardinal-electors for the new Pope would return to the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope after their first ballot on Wednesday failed to produce a new Pope.

Godono, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria described the process as flawless as the cardinals decisions were being directed by the Holy Spirit.

The Lagos archdiocesan communications director, spoke on the process, said that after the first ballot, no Pope elected that the trend has been for centuries.

“Today, May 8, the Cardinal-electors will return this morning to continue with voting until a Pope is elected.

The Cardinals are expected to have two rounds of votes this morning and two more in the evening if we do not have a Pope elected in this morning’s session.

“Black smoke emanated from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel yesterday evening, indicating no new pope was elected during the first round of voting.

“One hundred and thirty-three red-robed cardinals from around the world have filed into the Sistine Chapel to the strains of a choir backed by organ music, and the doors were sealed behind them.

“The papal conclave — a centuries-old tradition to elect a new head of the Catholic Church,” he said.

He said that the announcement of a new pope will be made with white smoke billowing from the Apostolic Palace. Soon after, the new pope will emerge onto the balcony to greet his flock.

The cardinal electors faced a stark choice to select a pope who would follow in the footsteps of late Pope Francis, an Argentine reformer who advocated for migrants and the environment, or one who would guide the Catholic Church down a more traditional path.

NAN reports that the meticulous selection process has kept the world in suspense for weeks after the demise of Pope Francis

(NAN)

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Northern Cleric Warns Christians Against Hostile Religious Exchanges on Social Media

Published

on

2 Views

The Northern Christian Association has cautioned Nigerians and believers against engaging in hostile religious arguments, saying no Christian can defend God through insults or abusive exchanges.

Chairman of the association, Joseph Hayab, gave the warning in a statement issued in Kaduna, urging Christians, especially youths and clergy, to exercise restraint amid growing religious provocations on social media.

He noted many online debates presented as defence of the faith are contrary to biblical teachings and risk deepening religious divisions.

Hayab described such engagements as vain and unprofitable arguments, warning that they often lead to strife and ungodliness.

The cleric further stressed that Christians must not respond to provocation with hostility, even when their faith is ridiculed.

He maintained that God, being omnipotent, does not require human defence through verbal attacks.

Hayab further warned that using abusive language in the name of defending the faith undermines the core message of love and peace in Christianity.

He added that such actions weaken the moral authority of the Christian faith and misrepresent its true values.

The Christian body insists that with social media platforms increasingly becoming arenas for religious confrontations, the association is urging Christians to shun divisive engagements and uphold peaceful coexistence.

Continue Reading

News

FG Drops Terrorism Financing Charges Against Malami and Son

At the Federal High Court in Abuja the prosecution formally withdrew the original five-count charge of alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms that was filed by the Department of State Services.‎‎

Published

on

By

21 Views

The Federal Government has withdrawn the allegations of terrorism financing against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami.‎‎

The charges were dropped Wednesday in court, leaving only counts related to unlawful possession of firearms.‎‎

At the Federal High Court in Abuja the prosecution formally withdrew the original five-count charge of alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms that was filed by the Department of State Services.‎‎

Prosecutor, Chief Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who is representing the current Attorney-General of the Federation, told the court that the government has filed a fresh amended five-count charge dated 14th April.‎‎

Former Minister Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, took a fresh plea before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the amended counts.‎‎

The court admitted them to bail on the same terms previously granted and adjourned the matter to the 26th of May and 15th of June for the commencement of trial.‎‎

This latest twist significantly narrows the case against the former chief law officer of the federation and his son.

In the former charge Malami was accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were forwarded to his office as AGF (around November 2022), in breach of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.‎‎

The other charges in the previous five counts:

In December 2025, at their home in Kebbi State, they allegedly possessed without a license a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges. This is framed as conduct in preparation for an act of terrorism under the Terrorism Act and Firearms Act.‎‎‎

AMENDED CHARGE‎‎S

COUNT ONE ‎

THAT YOU Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without license, a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.‎‎

COUNT TWO ‎

THAT YOU, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves in preparation to commit acts of terrorism by having in your possession and without a license a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar, contrary to Section 26 (1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022 and punishable under Section 26 (3) (a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition Act) 2022.

‎‎COUNT THREE

‎THAT YOU Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17 – 0101 firearm and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.‎‎

COUNT FOUR ‎

THAT YOU, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.‎‎

COUNT FIVE ‎

THAT YOU, Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, Adult, Male, sometime in December, 2025, at Geeze Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without a license, did have in your possession Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) (i) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Continue Reading

News

Gwer West LG Council Takes Stand Against Youth Violence

Published

on

28 Views

The Gwer West Local Government Council, in collaboration with the Tyoshin Traditional Council, has taken drastic measures to curb the rising tide of youth violence in the area, following the brutal murder of Local Government Youth Leader, Mr. Peter Iorkohol, and Mr. Tarbo Samson.

Our Correspondent Francis Terlumum tha the council took some far reaching decisions that All youth-related activities are suspended indefinitely.

Youth leaders at all levels are relieved of their duties with immediate effect, Security agencies are urged to intensify investigations and prosecute perpetrators, Parents and guardians are warned to take responsibility for their children’s action, Any individual found culpable will face strict sanctions, including expulsion from the community

The councils expressed grave concern over cultism and related violent offenses, which threaten peace and community cohesion. They vowed to take firm action to restore order and stability in the local government

Gwer West local government is one of the local councils in state that is worse hits by armed Fulani herders attacks for over 15 years leaving many residents in IDP camps.

In an interview with the Traditional ruler of the local government Chief Daniel Abomtse the local government has started witnessing relative peace following the efforts of Governor Hyacinth Alia and president Ahmad Tinibu efforts in bringing peace.

He was however worried while the Youths will chose the path of criminality when their communities are ran Sacked by Terrorist herders and call for a change of actutude.

Meanwhile normacy has returned to the area and business and human activities have resumed.

Continue Reading

Trending