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Owo Bombing: Court Approves Protection for Witnesses

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……As court sets September 10 for bail ruling.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has approved protection measures for witnesses expected to testify in the trial of five suspects linked to the June 5, 2022 bombing at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The ruling followed an ex parte application by the prosecution, led by Calistus Eze, under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2022.

The accused—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—face a nine-count terrorism charge related to their alleged ties to the East African terrorist group Al-Shabab. The attack resulted in over 40 deaths.

Prosecutor Eze emphasized the severity of the charges in support of witness protection. The defendants’ counsel, Abdullahi Muhammad, raised no objections.

Separately, Abdullahi Muhammad filed bail applications for the suspects, which the prosecution opposed. Eze argued that due to the suspects’ suspected foreign terrorist links, there was a high risk they might abscond if granted bail. He also cited concerns about potential threats to the six witnesses and doubts over the reliability of any sureties.

The prosecutor informed the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) has approved visitation rights for the suspects’ families while in custody.

During the hearing, Eze also notified the court of the Attorney General’s appointment of Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ayodeji Adedipe as the new lead prosecutor. The case file transfer is ongoing.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until September 10 for a ruling on the bail application.

Crime

Ibadan, Ojoo Tensed After Tricycle Rider Stabbing Triggers Clashes (Images)

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Tension remains high in the Ojoo area of Ibadan following a violent clash sparked by the alleged stabbing death of a tricycle rider, which later escalated into retaliatory attacks, gunshots, and destruction of property.

The violence reportedly began after a disagreement the previous night. According to residents and eyewitnesses, the tricycle operator was chased and stabbed to death by suspected Hausa scrap collectors. The incident quickly triggered widespread outrage.

The killing prompted some Yoruba youths to launch retaliatory attacks while demanding justice for the deceased. The unrest led to sporadic gunfire and significant damage to properties in the area.

Security operatives have been deployed to the scene to restore order. As of the latest reports, many shops remain closed and residents are staying indoors as authorities work to prevent further violence and calm the situation.

Local security agencies are investigating the initial stabbing and the subsequent clashes, with appeals for calm from all sides. Community leaders are expected to engage in efforts to promote peace and prevent escalation in Ojoo and surrounding neighborhoods.

Developments are being closely monitored as the situation remains tense.

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Crime

Tinubu Orders ICPC to Probe PFIPC over Fake Government Body

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of a fake government body known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The President gave the anti-graft agency a 30-day deadline to complete the probe and submit a detailed report. The directive was announced on Tuesday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the Presidency, the PFIPC is entirely fictitious and was never established by the Federal Government. It has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful government act.

One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly posed as the Director-General of the non-existent council and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee. The investigation will focus on several key issues, including:

  • The alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents.
  • The use of false claims of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support, and visa facilitation.
  • The opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using forged documents.

President Tinubu has instructed the ICPC to examine not only the actions of the principal suspect and his collaborators but also the broader circumstances that allowed the fake entity to gain an appearance of legitimacy. This includes probing the origin and use of forged documents, the source and movement of any funds involved, and the role of any public officers, private individuals, financial institutions, or intermediaries who may have facilitated the scheme.

The move underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing fraud involving impersonation of official institutions and misuse of government identity. All ministries, departments, and agencies have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC.

Further updates on the investigation are expected as the probe progresses.

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Crime

BREAKING: Court Grants Sowore N200 Million Bail, With Fresh Conditions

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted bail to online publisher and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, but imposed stringent fresh conditions for his release.

Justice Umar Mohammed ruled that Sowore must provide two sureties, each executing a ₦200 million bail bond. One of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from Sowore’s community in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, while the second surety must own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sowore is also required to surrender his international passport to the court’s deputy registrar for safekeeping. The court further directed that both sureties must be verified by counsel to the prosecution, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN.

The ruling comes after Sowore’s absence from court proceedings. On June 16, 2026, Justice Umar revoked the self-recognisance bail earlier granted to Sowore in December and issued a bench warrant for his arrest over allegations of cybercrime and criminal defamation.

Last Tuesday, the judge ordered that Sowore be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his motion seeking a stay of execution of the revocation order and bench warrant. The court also dismissed Sowore’s application requesting that the judge recuse himself from the trial on grounds of alleged bias.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over alleged criminal defamation stemming from social media posts on his official X and Facebook accounts in which he reportedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

Sowore’s lead counsel, R.O. Adakole, appealed to the court to release his client to him temporarily to enable the retrieval of Sowore’s passport from the US Embassy in Lagos.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter to July 6, 2026, for the continuation of hearing.

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