News
Popular Biafra Agitator, Simon Ekpa Warns Buhari Over Continued Detention of Nnamdi Kanu by DSS
Popular Biafra Agitator and Separatist Simon Ekpa has warned President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and the Department of State Security that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu must not die under detention.
The Finland-based lawyer and Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, BRGIE, called on Buhari, DSS, Malami to free Nnamdi Kanu over his deteriorating health.
Ekpa said the medical team of the Department of State Security, DSS confirmed that Nnamdi Kanu needs urgent medical attention, while lamenting that Kanu had been complaining of ear pain for over two years without proper medical attention.
Ekpa urged the Nigerian Government to either release Kanu immediately or allow his medical team to attend to him while in detention, while kicking against the DSS medical team performing surgery on Nnamdi Kanu.
Ekpa said:
“The information has revealed that the DSS Medical Unit has recommended urgent ear surgery for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra). With this letter, we are telling the DSS Medical Unit not to attempt any such manoeuvre.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been complaining of his deteriorating health for Over two years, and DSS refused to see his medical team. He has been without his reading eyeglasses since he was kidnapped and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria against his will; still, the DSS refused the courtesy of replacing his eyeglasses and having an optical reexamination. The competent court of any wrongdoing has discharged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, yet DSS keeps him captive.
“By recommending this urgent surgery for him after refusing access to his medical team, DSS has directly accepted that they have debased Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s health and are planning now to use an excuse of surgery to poison and kill him off.
“If DSS is sincere, they should allow Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the freedom to walk away from their dungeon and go and meet his medical team. His Life is not guaranteed under the DSS surgeons or the Nigeria healthcare system.
“In March 2022, Biafrans mourned DIG Joseph Egbunike, who died after medical surgery to remove a FISH BONE stuck in his throat. Hence, we are saying no to the DSS-recommended urgent surgery for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which we view as a “Trojan Horse” and insincere. Suppose the DSS medical unit insists that the surgery must be done in their captivity and must be done urgently. In that case, they should allow Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s medical team to come in and perform the surgery.
“All Biafrans must stand up now and say no to any wicked and inglorious DSS attempt to perform any surgery on our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. If anything happens to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from DSS surgery, be assured that Nigeria will be on flame, and many suspected of being part of this kidnapping will pay heavily”, his statement contained.
Recall that Kanu was re-arrested in 2019 by the Nigerian Government. Despite several court orders, Buhari’s Government refused to grant him bail.
In another development, Ekpa was awarded the honour of Ambassador of Peace at the African Day celebration in Helsinki, Finland, by the Universal Peace Federation, UPF.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has hinted that there are attempts by lawyers and litigants to influence the money laundering trial of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami scheduled to begin on 17 February.
The judge stated this after granting Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and wife Bashir Asabe, bail in the sum of N500million each.
In a stern warning shortly after delivering the ruling granting Malami and others bail, Justice Nwite said he would not take lightly any lawyer or litigant intent on ‘approaching’ him to influence the case.
He advised parties, to instead, engage the services of quality lawyers to help with their case. He threatens serious consequences for anyone who flouts his directive.
On the terms of bail for Malami and his co-defendants, the trial judge ordered that they present two sureties each who must be owners of properties, with proof, in either Maitama, Gwarimpa or Asokoro.
The defendants are also ordered to deposit their passports with the court registry, adding that travel out of the country must be by the express permission of the court.
Malami and his co-defendants will, meanwhile, remain in prison until they perfect the terms of bail. The trial is scheduled to begin on 17 February.
International
Trump Announces Venezuela to Turn Over Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to United States
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that interim authorities in Venezuela will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality sanctioned oil to the United States, following the recent U.S. military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 Million Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.
This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!
“The president added that he has directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan immediately, with the oil to be transported via storage ships directly to U.S. unloading docks.
The announcement comes amid ongoing developments in Venezuela, where the oil—previously held in storage due to U.S. sanctions—is estimated to be worth up to $2.8 billion at current market prices around $56 per barrel.
Analysts note that this volume represents a modest addition to global supply but could divert exports previously destined for China.U.S. crude futures dipped slightly following the news, closing lower by about 1.3%. Major U.S. oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, are reportedly monitoring the situation, with meetings planned between industry representatives and the administration to discuss future investments in Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
The deal marks a significant step in Trump’s stated goal of revitalizing Venezuela’s oil sector, which holds the world’s largest proven reserves but has seen production decline sharply in recent years due to sanctions, underinvestment, and mismanagement.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted a mix of hazy and sunny conditions across most parts of the country from Wednesday, January 8, to Friday, January 10, 2026.
In its weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja, NiMet stated that the northern region will experience sunny and hazy skies throughout the three-day period. By Friday, morning haze is expected to give way to dust haze in the afternoon and evening hours over parts of the North.
The central region is forecasted to remain predominantly hazy with sunny intervals during the period.
For the southern region, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated, along with chances of isolated thunderstorms. On Wednesday, thunderstorms may occur later in the day over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Imo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa states. Similar isolated thunderstorms with light rains are possible over coastal and inland southern states on subsequent days, including Anambra, Imo, Abia, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
NiMet warned that dust particles are currently in suspension, particularly in the northern areas, advising individuals with asthma and other respiratory issues to take necessary precautions.
The agency also urged motorists to drive cautiously during any rainfall and recommended that airline operators obtain updated airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for safe flight planning.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting NiMet’s official website at www.nimet.gov.ng for regular updates.
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