Fidelity Bank Empowers 100 women With Vocational Tools At “Give Her Power” Initiative

April 15, 2026

In a bold demonstration of its commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc has extended its recently launched “Give Her Power” initiative to Ogun State, empowering 100 women with vocational tools designed to strengthen their economic independence and boost household income.

The outreach is part of the Bank’s nationwide rollout of the initiative, which was unveiled earlier in March during the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with partner organisations to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day.

The event, which was held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, featured the distribution of 50 sewing machines and 50 grinding machines to women engaged in microbusinesses across the state. It attracted market leaders, community stakeholders, and government officials, including the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye‑Oladapo.

Speaking at the event, the Regional Bank Head, Southwest 1, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Folaranmi Jemirin, reaffirmed that the Ogun outreach aligns with the Bank’s broader commitment to delivering practical, measurable empowerment interventions through the Give Her Power initiative.

“At Fidelity Bank, our approach to empowerment is simple; it must be practical, inclusive, and sustainable. When you empower a woman economically, the benefits extend to her family, her business, and the wider community. This outreach in Abeokuta is a continuation of the momentum created with the launch of the ‘Give Her Power’ initiative earlier in March,” Jemirin stated.

He explained that the “Give Her Power” initiative is anchored on HerFidelity, the Bank’s women-focused proposition, which provides financial literacy, business support, vocational training, mentorship, and wellness initiatives for women-led enterprises.

Jemirin further revealed that the bank had scaled its women-focused interventions nationwide, including the distribution of 1,000 sewing and grinding machines, the rollout of the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0, financial literacy sessions for girls, mentorship engagements, and hands-on skills training.

“This is more than a donation, it’s our vote of confidence in your ability to earn, grow, and create value within your communities,” he added, urging beneficiaries to make productive use of the items.

Commending the initiative, the state commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adeleye-Oladapo, described the programme as a meaningful shift from symbolic celebrations to tangible empowerment.

“This initiative goes beyond celebrating International Women’s Day. It delivers real opportunities for transformation. When you empower a woman, you empower a family and, ultimately, society,” she stated.

She further praised Fidelity Bank for complementing the efforts of the Ogun State Government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun in advancing women’s economic empowerment.

She urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the equipment, stressing that the true value of the initiative lies in its long-term impact on livelihoods and community development.

The “Give Her Power” initiative stands out as a prime example of Fidelity Bank’s sustained commitment to building pathways for individuals to thrive, businesses to grow, and communities to prosper through inclusive empowerment programmes.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Presidency To Aregbesola: Reflect On Your Time In Public Office, Insists ADC Lacks Nat. Agenda

Ayodele Oni

April 15, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidency has reminded the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, of his failed eight years as Governor of Osun state and unproductive four years as Minister of Interior.

Reacting to comments by Aregbesola during the ADC convention that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s Government is a scam, the Presidency pointed out that the people of Osun State, especially, civil servants will not quickly forget the hardship they were subjected to due to prolonged non payment of salaries by the administration of Aregbesola.

Special Adviser of President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his X, dismissed the ADC as a gathering of “desperate politicians” without a clear national agenda.

Aregbesola had described the APC-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a “classic scam”.

But Onanuga, in response, wrote: “No, Rauf. The real scammers are the politicians inside the SPV called ADC.”

Onanuga accused Aregbesola of repeating opposition talking points and attempting to distort the Government’s record.

He said: “At the event, Aregbesola reportedly called on his former boss, mentor, and benefactor to resign, parroting the opposition’s warped narratives about the economy and orchestrated reports of terrorist attacks in some parts of the country.”

He also criticised Aregbesola for what he described as a refusal to reflect on his own time in public office.

“His eight years as governor of Osun State were characterised by unmitigated hardship for the people. Civil servants went unpaid for months, and pensioners suffered greatly.”

Speaking on Aregbesola tenure as Minister of Interior, Onanuga said: “During his four years, obtaining a Nigerian passport became a nightmarish process, and there were multiple jailbreaks, including the infamous Kuje prison escape.”

He argued that it was “ironic” for Aregbesola to now speak on insecurity, saying: “For someone who failed so woefully to secure our correctional centres, it is ironic that Aregbesola now seeks to lecture others on insecurity.”

Defending the current administration, Onanuga stated: “The Tinubu administration has never shied away from acknowledging that policy reforms have brought unintended consequences, but we have introduced numerous relief measures, including cash transfers and support for small businesses.”

He further added that economic indicators were improving under the reforms. “We have seen increased GDP, stronger foreign reserves, and a bullish stock market reflecting growing investor confidence.”

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a scam,” Onanuga insisted.

Alarming Mental Cases: Ondo Exco Approves New Psychiatric Hospital

Ayodele Oni

April 15, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Worried by the increase in cases of mental illness in Ondo state, government has concluded arrangement to build new psychiatric hospital in the State.

This was among decisions reached at this week’s meeting of the state executive council presided over by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure on Tuesday.

The commissioner for health, Dr Banji Ajaka, while briefing journalists, revealed that the council approved the construction of a new neuropsychiatric hospital, as well as the upgrading of the existing Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Akure.

According to him, the move was necessitated by the growing burden of mental health challenges and drug abuse, which has placed considerable pressure on existing facilities.

Ajaka noted that the current psychiatric hospital is overstretched, with patients often waiting for months for admission, adding that the new and upgraded facilities would provide modern treatment conditions and improved privacy.

The Council also has approved the construction of 500-bedded hospital buildings across the state, and infrastructure upgrade.

Dr Ajaka, stated that the government had embarked on a comprehensive expansion of healthcare infrastructure through the approval of several 100-bedded and 50-bedded hospital buildings.

He disclosed that the projects include 100-bedded hospital buildings in Ikare-Akoko, Ore and Okitipupa, as well as additional 100-bedded facilities for the state specialist hospital and another specialist hospital in Igbokoda.

Ajaka further announced that 50-bedded hospital buildings were approved for Irele and Igbokoda, alongside two general hospitals structured as “one-stop shop” facilities where laboratory, X-ray, consultation and pharmacy services would be provided within a single building.

He explained that the cumulative capacity of the approved projects stands at 500 beds, noting that the development is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare services across the state.

According to him, the one-stop shop model is designed to streamline service delivery and eliminate the need for patients to move between different units before receiving treatment.

He added that the council approved a revised cost for the contributory health commission building to enable expansion, as well as the procurement and installation of modern medical equipment for the Government House clinic.

The commissioner further stated that plans were underway to install advanced diagnostic equipment, including CT scan, MRI and mammography machines, at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.

Alarming Mental Cases

Oyo Impeachment Rumour: Ibadan Club Warns, Seeks Respect For Olubadan Throne

Ayodele Oni

April 15, 2026

Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja - Olubadan of Ibadanland — Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland

By Ayodele Oni

Ibadan socio cultural group, Ibile Club, has sued for restraint as allegation of planned impeachment of Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde continues to spread.

The Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, wife of ex Governor, Florence Ajimobi and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly Adebowale Ogundoyin, have all been linked with the plot.

While Oba Ladoja and Mrs Ajimobi have declared their innocence, the Speaker insisted that he was actually mobilized to impeach the Governor.

Already, attempt is being made to remove Ogundoyin as Speaker as report revealed that Legislators are being rallied to that effect.

The Ibadan Club, in a terse statement, signed by the President, Lanre Ogundipe, expressed concern that the revered throne of Olubadan is being dragged into the political issue.

“We are concerned by the rising wave of speculation, allegations, and political narratives currently dominating public discourse in Oyo State.

“Let it be clear: these are signs of frail nerves, not established facts. Serious issues of governance and finance must be addressed with evidence—not social media arithmetic or insinuation.

“More troubling is the growing attempt to drag the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Ibadan Traditional Institution into partisan politics.

The throne must not be reduced to a political tool.

“We call on all political actors—within and outside Oyo State—to refrain from diluting facts and dragging the Olubadan institution into their desperate pursuits.

“Governance issues should be handled through proper constitutional and investigative channels—not noise and speculation. Respect the throne. Respect the facts.”

Rufai Oseni: “The High Chief Lied, I’m Not On Suspension From Work”

Adesina Soyooye

April 15, 2026

By Adesina Soyooye

Rufai Oseni, Arise News Anchor, has put a lie to an Online post that he has been suspended from work by the Management of Arise Television.

In response to the post by one High Chief Lawrence Igbins Okoro which sparked the rumour, Oseni dismissed it as lies from the pit of hell.

In the past few days, Oseni, one of the Anchors of Arise Television’s popular programme, The Morning Show, has been absent from the programme. While it is not unusual, and could have been caused by a number of reasons, including outside assignments, Okoro’s post on the Social Media attributed it to a suspension slammed on him for being rude to a superior Staff.

According to the post, Oseni engaged in a heated argument with his superior in the office, and banged his hand on the table. The action, the post alleged, shocked not a few, and thus, earned him a suspension.

But in a swift reaction on his X page, Oseni refuted both rumours of his unruliness in office and subsequent suspension as fake. He is facing no disciplinary action from his employers, he clarified.

On the contrary, he disclosed, he is on a working visit to Germany.

Oseni: “This is a lie. The man is lying. I am on a working visit to Germany. This is fake news. Kindly report that account.”

Foreign: Iran To Hang Couple, 2 Others Over Anti-government Protests

James Orji

April 14, 2026

The Islamic Republic of Iran have sentenced four people to death, including a woman BitaHemmati, her husband Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl, along with two other men, Behrouz Zamaninejad and Kourosh Zamaninejad, believed to be her relations, over the January anti- government protest.

The four were said to be living in the same building in Tehran, Iran’s capital during the protest that lasted for days before the government forcefully put it down.

The sentenced was handed down by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court under Judge Iman Afshari. The sentence must now be approved by a higher body headed by Mojitaba Khamenei, the nation’s Supreme Leader before the execution can be carried out.

They were convicted on charges, including carrying out actions on behalf of the United states and Israel, as well as throwing concrete blocks from a residential building into security forces in the capital during the protest.

Global human rights groups have however criticized the convictions, accusing the Iranian government of forcing the accused to confess publicly, video of which was later aired to the public.

A human rights body, the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center said it believed that Hemmati was the woman who appeared in a video broadcast on state television in January, being personally interrogated by judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

‘The recording and broadcasting of forced confessions from defendants in an opaque process… constitutes a blatant violation of the defendant’s rights,’ the centre said.

Rights groups accuse the Islamic Republic of using the death penalty as a tool of repression to instil fear in society, and fear it will ramp up capital punishment in the wake of the war against Israel

and the United States.

Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) said on Monday in their joint annual report on the death penalty in Iran that at least 1,639 people have been executed in 2025, including 48 women.

Of these, 21 women were executed for the murder of their husbands or fiancés, the report said. Rights groups have said women executed for killing spouses or relatives were often in abusive relationships.

The number of executions represented an increase of 68 per cent on the 975 people Iranian authorities put to death in 2024.

The figure amounted to an average of more than four executions per day.

The report said the number of executions was by far the highest since IHR began tracking it in 2008, and was the most reported since 1989, in the earlier years of the Islamic revolution.

Earlier this month, Iran hanged a teenage musician in the notorious Ghezel Hesar prison outside the capital, despite hopes he would be spared because of his age.

Amirhossein Hatami, 18, was arrested on January 8 and accused of committing arson against the feared Basij paramilitary’s base in Tehran during anti-regime protests.

Amirhossein was convicted of ‘Moharebeh’ (‘Enmity Against God’) and sentenced to death on February 7.

On April 2, the judiciary announced he had been ‘hanged at dawn’.

Earlier this month, Iran hanged a teenage musician in the notorious Ghezel Hesar prison outside the capital, despite hopes he would be spared because of his ageBiglari and Kalour’s family were not granted final visits or allowed to say goodbye before they were put to death (pictured is Mohammadamin Biglari, 19)

Both were convicted of ‘Moharaebeh’, or ‘enmity against God’, and sentenced to death by ‘Death Judge’ Abolghassem Salavati (pictured is Shahin Vahedparast Kalour, 30)

Two days later, Mohammadamin Biglari, 19, and Shahin Vahedparast Kalour, 30, were executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison.

Biglari and Kalour’s family were not granted final visits or allowed to say goodbye before they were put to death.

The young men had been seized during the protests on January 8 and accused of arson over a fire at the base of the feared Basij paramilitary base.

They ‘confessed’ after weeks held in prison, where there are extensive reports of torture, before being brought before the feared Revolutionary Court in Tehran on February 6.

Both were also convicted of ‘Moharaebeh’ and sentenced to death by ‘Death Judge’ Abolghassem Salavati.

Also convicted of the capital charge by Salavati that day were Abolfazl Siavashani, 51, Shahab Zohdi, 38, Ali Fahim, 23, Yaser Rajaifar, and Hatami.

As well as the seven already executed, death sentences have been issued against at least 26 other people arrested over the January protests, and several hundred more are facing charges that could see them executed, IHR warned.

‘Dozens of individuals arrested during the January 2026 protests have been sentenced to death following grossly unfair, fast-tracked trials conducted without due process, access to independent counsel and reliance on torture-tainted forced ‘confessions’ as evidence,’ said the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran.

Supreme Court To Give Accelerated Hearing To ADC, PDP Appeals; Set April 22, Hearing Date

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 14, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has adjourned the hearing of appeals filed by factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, till April 22, 2026.

The apex court had, originally, scheduled to commence hearing of the appeals filed by the Senator David Mark-led faction of the ADC, and the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, challenging the Court of Appeal judgments in matters relating to the leadership tussle within the two parties.

While the Mark-led ADC leadership is challenging the Appallate Court’s verdict of March 12, ordering parties to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings in the application filed by the Bala Nafiu Gombe-faction of the ADC, disputing the Mark-led National Executive Committee NEC, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP also filed an appeal against the Court of Appeal verdict of March 9, 2026, nullifying its Ibadan National Convention, as well as affirming the trial Court’s ruling recognizing the Nyesom Wike-backed Abdulraham Mohammed-led PDP leadership.

Similarly, Mark, in his appeal, is seeking the order of the Supreme Court for an order of stay of execution of the Court of Appeal ruling ordering parties in the leadership crisis to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice filed by Nafiu Gombe before Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court Abuja.

However, a five-member panel of the country’s Apex Court led by Justice Mohammed Garba after taking appeals from both parties, directed the David Mark-led faction to formally file and serve all relevant court processes on all the respondents within the next 24 hours.

Similarly, the respondents, upon the receipt of the legal processes are to file their responses, within the next 72 hours.

The panel of jurists noted that all filings of legal processes, as well as exchange of briefs among parties must be concluded on or before April 20,2026 to enable the Court commence accelerated hearing of the appeal by April 22, 2026.

With the position of the Supreme Court to give an accelerated hearing to the matter, the Mark-led NEC, which was on April 1, derecognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, purportedly on the strength of the Court of Appeal judgment of March 12, applied to withdraw its earlier relief- a stay of execution of the Appallate court’s order for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum.

Counsel to the Mark-led leadership Jibrin Okutepa argued that there was no longer the need to pursue the relief in the face of the Supreme Court’s resolve to expedite the hearing of the appeal.

The Supreme Court, in the absence of objections from the respondents, consequently struck out the stay of execution relief.

Before adjourning proceedings to April 22, the panel had expressed its readiness to commence immediate hearing if parties were ready.

“If parties were ready, we would have taken this appeal today. We need to deal with the appeal and not the motion. Ordinarily, this Court does not grant an order of stay.

“But the Court is willing to deal with the case as soon as possible if the parties are ready,” Garba, the panel Chairman stated.

Similarly, the panel also ruled to grant an application for an accelerated hearing filed by the Turaki-led PDP, with an order for the respondents to file a reply within the next five days while the applicants are to file a reply where necessary within the next 48 hours.

The Source reports that all the appeals are expected to be dispensed with by the Apex Court in record time to enable parties meet the May 10 ,2026 dateline for the filing of all relevant electoral documents at INEC ,in relation to the 2027 Polls.

AYDM Berates MURIC, Says Islamic Body Should Not Bring Religion Into Politics In Yorubaland

Akinwale Kasali

April 14, 2026

By Akinwale Kasali

The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, has warned an Islamic Body, Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC, and its leader, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, not to bring religious bigotry into politics.

AYDM, a coalition of over 130 Civil Society and Self Determination Groups made this assertion in response to MURIC’s demands that only Muslims should emerge as Governors in Osun, Oyo, Lagos and Ogun State.

Berating Akintola and his Group, AYDM said that Yoruba voters are liberal minded and far more intelligent than religious bigots, whose main mission is to divide the South West along fractured faithlines.

In a statement by the Group, it stated that Akintola is a divisive, rash and riotous character who is determined to leave a legacy of blood, pain and anguish in Yorubaland.

It added that MURIC forgot that an average Yoruba person is far more intelligent than it.

In the statement signed by AYDM, General Secretary, Popoola Ajay and Secretary for Mobilisation, Suleiman Sanusi, AYDM said Akintola is working for enemies of Yoruba Nation and that his philosophy appears to be fueled by a passion for chaos and disorder.

“We are shocked by what looked like a teleguided statement coming from one Akintola asking Yoruba Muslims to vote for only Muslim Governors in Osun, Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States.

“This is a highly irresponsible statement coming from an old man with a very little mind and a warped sense of reasoning”, AYDM said.

The coalition said Akintola usually behaves as if he never attended any school “and as if his DNA has nothing to do with Yoruba.”

The group said if Akintola was intelligent he would have known that asking voters to vote only for Muslim candidates in those states is an indirect call for non Muslim voters to vote against Muslim candidates.

The group said what would happen if Christains and Traditional worshipers also aks their members to vote for candidates of their faith in Yorubaland?

The AYDM said Akintola has tried in vain to polarise Yoruba land with his volatile and senseless rhetoric.

“Akintola does not speak or write like someone who has primary education.He speaks like a stark illetarate with no sense of history. He is on a veageance mission against Muslims, traditional worshipers and Christians in Yorubaland.

The group asked Akintola to learn from NASFAT, Ansarudeen and other responsible Muslim groups in Yorubaland who for decades have contributed to the development of Yoruba people without consideration for faith.

It added that Akintola lacks morals and behaves like someone with mental and personality disorder who should be reminded in an asylum.

“Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshipers in Yorubaland are one family. They have shared history, common ancestry and the same destiny aimed at building a strong, peaceful and prosperous Yoruba Nation.”

The group said at a time, both Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos were Muslims, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Jafojo, nothing happened, and the Christias took it in good faith.

It also added that presently, President Bola Tinubu, a Muslim was succeeded by another Muslim, Mr Babatunde Fashola in Lagos State and nothing happened.

“The Governor of Osun State in 1999, Chief Bisi Akande was a Muslim and his succesor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola was removed, and another Muslim in person of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola assumed office. He however handed over power to another Muslim, Gboyega Oyetola.

“In Kwara State, a Yoruba State, no Christian has ruled the state since 1999. Whereas Yoruba Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshipers all voted for the late Chief M.K.O Abiola and also in 2023, they all voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu even with a Muslim-Muslim ticket”.

AYDM described Akintola as a violent character who is driven by terror, a disgrace to intellectual and rational thinking.

AYDM urged Akintola to learn from what is going on in the Middle East where Muslim and Christian Nations unite with Israel to fight a fellow Muslim country of Iran which confirms that what matters most in local and international political economy is not religion but permanent economic interests.

“Akintola behaves like a despot. He has been the supreme leader of MURIC for decades. He has no Secretary, no treasurer and no deputy. His organisation had never in almost half a century conduct any election. He is the life leader of MURIC. How can a dictator speak on democratic tradition and norms?.”

The coalition said Akintola had never for once condemned the mass killings of Yoruba Muslims and Christians by terrorists while he has been irresponsibly silent on the killings of Yoruba traditional rulers, the rape, murder and kidnap of both Yoruba Muslims and Christians across the country by terrorists.

AYDM said, “He is quick to claim Muslim persecution in Yorubaland but silent on the attempts to overthrow President Tinubu by some Muslim officers from the North, while he was mute when ovet 160 Yoruba Muslims and Christians were killed in Kwara State,” the AYDM said.

It also added that Akintola is using Islamic extremism for base extortion for personal gains by promoting and inciting violence.

The AYDM urged the security agencies to investigate Akintola and find out his real sponsors and to establish his possible link with terrorism.

We Can Never Be Intimidated Or Succumb To Tyranny – David Mark

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 14, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National Chairman of the opposition Coalition platform, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark, a retired Army Brigadier-General, has vowed that the party, under his watch, will not succumb to orchestrated blackmail, tyranny and political pressure, allegedly, from the ruling All Progressive Congress APC.

This is as he enjoined party stalwarts, supporters and sympathizers to remain steadfast and committed to the task of liberating the country from the clutches of oppressive rule and gross misgovernance.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ADC’s 8th National Convention in Abuja on Tuesday April 14, 2026, Mark averred that the party will not sit by, idly, and watch Nigeria slide into the abyss of dictatorship, through what he described as ” systemic erosion of democracy, and weakening of democratic institutions ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Democracy will not die on our watch. We will not be intimidated by manipulation or political manoeuvrings, targeted at our party ,and indeed Nigerians”, Mark stated.

While appreciating party leaders, supporters, and indeed well-meaning Nigerians for their show of resilience, doggedness and commitment, even in the face of what he described as sustained harassment, intimidation from the Government of the day, leading to some political set- backs, Mark called for patience and more sacrifices to ensure victory in the end.

Referencing the obstacles placed on the way of the party, allegedly, by the establishment, including denying it the use of the Eagle Square ,the National Stadium Velodrome ,as well as moves made even to stop private entities from hosting the Convention, the ADC National Chairman urged members to remain focused, resolute and united in the task of building a new Nigeria.

The ADC National Chairman warned that party leaders and supporters can ill-afford to be complacent at this point when all hands must be on deck to retrieve the country from the principice.

The Source reports that the ADC National Convention was preceded by a leadership crisis precipitated by the sudden decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to withdraw recognition for the Mark-led NEC ,on the strength of a Court of Appeal judgment directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a motion on notice filed by a rival faction of the party led by Bala Nafiu Gombe at an Abuja Federal High Court.

Foreign Legal Team Threatens Action Over Conviction Of IPOB Leader Kanu

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

International pressure is continuing to mount on Nigeria over the conviction of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Now, a group of international legal experts under the banner of Pan African Forum Ltd & Associates, based in London, United Kingdom (UK), has issued legal notice, warning Nigeria that it would commence a legal action in UK Court on the matter.

Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services since his controversial rendition in June 2021.

In November 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him on seven terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

He has since filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging both his conviction and sentence, with the appeal process currently ongoing.

The group vowed to commence court proceedings, if the government does not immediately and unconditionally release the leader of the IPOB, Kanu, and provide compensation.

The notice, dated April 14, 2026 and signed by Dr. David Nyekorach-Matsanga, describes itself as a final opportunity for the Federal Government to comply with a 2022 United Nations directive before legal enforcement proceedings begin abroad.

The group base its demand on Opinion No. 25/2022 issued on July 20, 2022 by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which found that Kanu’s arrest and alleged extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 was unlawful and ruled that his continued detention is arbitrary.

The UN body further recommended that Nigeria should immediately release him and grant him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations in line with international law.

The legal experts argue that the UN opinion is binding on Nigeria as a member state that has ratified key human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

They also cite Nigerian Supreme Court precedents to support their position that ratified international treaties create enforceable domestic obligations.

According to the notice, this obligation did not end with the failure of the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari to comply, but remains a continuing and unequivocal duty now binding on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The legal team warned that failure to comply will trigger international legal action, unless immediate steps are taken to ensure full compliance with the United Nations directive.

This include his unconditional release and provision of appropriate reparations, or else it will initiate enforcement proceedings in competent jurisdictions, including courts in London, to compel compliance and seek redress.

The legal described the notice as the final opportunity to resolve the matter without what they called heavy litigation and insisted that no rights or remedies under international law have been waived.

The case continues to attract international attention, with critics raising concerns over extraordinary rendition, prolonged detention without trial in the early stages, and broader human rights implications.

The Nigerian government has consistently maintained that Kanu is facing serious terrorism and security-related charges and that due judicial process must be allowed to run its course.

Whether a court in London would accept jurisdiction to enforce a United Nations Working Group opinion against a sovereign state remains legally complex, involving questions of state immunity and the non-binding nature of such opinions, which carry moral and political weight, but are not equivalent to enforceable judgments of international courts.

The development comes amid ongoing domestic appeals and continued calls from various stakeholders, including some leaders from Nigeria’s Southeast region, for a political resolution to the matter, while further updates are expected as the government responds and the appeal process continues.

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