Compilations of top 10 key latest stories that you need to know this Saturday morning, 31st January, 2026
Crusade row rattles CAN, PFN
Allegations of compromise and partiality have rocked the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the two major Christian bodies in Nigeria.
Reverend Yinka Yusuf, the lead pastor of a Lagos-based church, Household of Love Churches, alleged that he was forced to cancel a one-million-man crusade by the two associations despite investing millions of naira in transporting equipment to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the planned venue of the event.
While apologising to the 5,000 evangelists he claimed were heading to Nigeria from the United States of America, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Namibia, he said the Christian bodies also compelled the Akwa Ibom State Government to withdraw approval for the use of a venue he already paid for.
But the Akwa Ibom State Government, in a rebuttal, accused Yusuf of hate speech, threatening to take legal action against him and demanding proof of the invitees.
Annulled PDP convention: Turaki fumes, Wike’s camp celebrates
The Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has appealed the Federal High Court ruling that voided the party’s November 2025 convention and recognised a caretaker committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Addressing journalists on Friday, Turaki said, despite the court verdict, the party remained legally intact and unshaken as it awaits the pronouncement of the appellate courts.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan had, earlier on Friday, invalidated the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025.
The court also directed Turaki and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the PDP.
Justice Uche Agomoh further ruled that the caretaker committee headed by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu remains the only recognised National Working Committee of the PDP until a valid national convention is held
Nigerians self-deport amid Trump’s deadly ICE raids
Some Nigerians have gone into hiding and others are returning home secretly over the intensified deportation campaign led by President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that many immigrants had stopped going to work as Trump reiterated his support for ICE actions.
The sweeping actions, which include house-to-house enforcement raids, have stirred panic, debate and protest, particularly following a series of high-profile deadly incidents involving the federal immigration officers.
The US president kick-started an immigration policy to arrest and remove illegal immigrants immediately after he was inaugurated into office in January 2025.
Jowever, his policy has been met with criticisms by many people in the US and other countries over the cruelty which ICE meted out to immigrants
People who spoke to Saturday PUNCH from the US, said some Nigerians had abandoned places of work and many were secretly returning to their home country.
2027: Omo-Agege closes rank with Oborevwori, attends APC meeting in Govt House
NINE months after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State led stakeholders and the entire structure of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC, former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, attended a stakeholders meeting of the party for the first time on Friday 23, January, 2026
The meeting held at Government House, Asaba, was convened by Governor Oborevwori to deliberate on unity, party cohesion, e-registration and the forthcoming congress.
It also had in attendance, the immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Felix Morka, members of the National and State Assemblies and other notable leaders and stakeholders of the party in the State
Osun LG Accounts: Court issues arrest warrants against bank
A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has issued arrest warrants against the United Bank for Africa Plc and four of its senior officials over the alleged illegal operation and maintenance of bank accounts in the name of the 30 local government councils in the state.
The case, marked MOS/601c/2025 and filed by the Osun State Government, was heard on Friday in Osogbo.
In a Certified True Copy of the order titled “Warrant for Arrest of Defendant Who Has Disobeyed Summons (General Title – Form No. 1)”, addressed to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the court stated in part,
“Complaint has been made that the defendant(s) did allow unauthorised persons to operate and maintain 30 accounts opened in favour of the 30 Local Government Councils in Osun State with UBA Bank Plc.“
And the defendant(s) were thereupon summoned to appear before the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Osogbo. An oath has been made that the defendant(s) were duly served with the summons but did not appear, and that such complaint is true.
Court upholds death sentences for five Offa robbery convicts
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Friday dismissed the appeals of five men convicted over the 2018 Offa bank robbery, upholding their death sentences.
According to PUNCH Online, the appellate court, in a unanimous verdict delivered by Justices Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, Gabriel Kolawole, and Abdul Dogo, affirmed the judgement of the Kwara State High Court, which sentenced the convicts to death by hanging.
The five men — Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun, and Adeola Abraham — were found guilty of armed robbery, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of firearms in connection with coordinated attacks on five commercial banks in Offa Local Government Area in April 2018.
In a statement on Saturday, the Kwara State Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Akande, said the Court of Appeal found no reason to interfere with the trial court’s judgement.
Lady apologises for falsely attributing postpartum comment to Priscilla Ojo
A social media user with the X handle, _elite_girl, has apologised to Nigerian influencer, Priscilla Ojo, after falsely attributing to her an insensitive remark on postpartum depression, a claim that sparked backlash across social media.
The controversy began on Thursday when the user wrote on X that Priscilla said she never experienced postpartum depression after childbirth because her love for her husband had “tripled,” adding that postpartum depression was “an illusion caused by poverty.”
The post read,
“Priscilla Ojo was asked about marriage after childbirth.
She said she never experienced postpartum depression; instead, her love for her husband tripled.“
She believes postpartum depression is an illusion caused by poverty.
I believe her, do you think so?”
15 Ondo varsity students expelled over sex tapes
The Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, has expelled no fewer than 15 female students over involvement in sex video offences.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, disclosed this at the university’s matriculation ceremony on Friday.
A total of 936 students took the matriculation oath at the ceremony.
He advised the students to shun all acts that could lead to the loss of their studentship, declaring that the university has zero tolerance for indiscipline and that any student caught would be dealt with.
He said,
“You put your phone before you and you’re dancing naked, and you put Achievers University there, I will dismiss you. Use social media for positive things.
“One of them, who would have graduated, was caught threatening that if Boko Haram came to Achievers University, he would deal with them, inviting Boko Haram.
We refunded his N2.3m and dismissed him.
“Use the money you’re paying here well, not to be doing sex videos or taking drugs.
We have dismissed more than 15 female students over sex video offences.
IPOB declares February 2 sit-at-home across S’East, faults Soludo
The Indigenous People of Biafra has declared Monday, February 2, 2026, a sit-at-home across the South-East, comprising Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states, saying the action is in solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market.
PUNCH Online reports that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week, citing continued observance of the sit-at-home declared by IPOB since July 30, 2021.
The governor had said the sit-at-home was crippling the state’s economy and warned against further compliance with the order.
However, traders at the market said the sit-at-home was in solidarity with the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial on charges related to separatist agitation.
Jide Kosoko: Oloja of Lagos selection is a ‘call to service’
Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has described his selection as the Oloja of Lagos-elect as “a call to service” with exceptional responsibilities.
The 72-year-old actor was announced as the Oloja of Lagos-elect on January 24, following his presentation at the palace of the Elereko.In a telephone chat, Kosoko expressed excitement and felt he merited the selection.
It’s unclear if his new role will affect his acting career
