Compilation of Top 10 latest updates that you might have missed this Thursday evening, 20 November, 2025
Igbo Community In Abuja Condemns Nnamdi Kanu’s Conviction While Nigerian Govt ‘Extends Brotherliness To Boko Haram Members
The Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, has strongly criticised the conviction of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing the judgment as unfair, destabilising, and a threat to the fragile peace in the South-East.
The group noted that the court blind its eyes to the killings by the Nigerian security agencies when IPOB was only protesting with flags.
It added that international human rights organisations had documented well over 150 Igbo youths who were massacred in Abia and Anambra states.
In a statement signed by its President-General, Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, the group said the ruling — delivered without what it considers an adequate opportunity for Kanu to defend himself — “does not speak well for the judiciary and for the Tinubu administration.”
According to Ellis-Ezenekwe, the decision could undermine the relative calm recently restored in the region.
“The judiciary may have decided on its own to unravel the painstaking peace achieved in the South East by its singular act of declaring Mazi Nnamdi Kanu guilty without affording him the opportunity to defend himself,” he said.
FCT Administration Under Wike Sets November 26 To Begin Enforcement Of Ground Rent, Land Use Fees In Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced that from November 26, it will begin enforcement actions against defaulters of Ground Rent, Land Use Change/Conversion fees, and outstanding Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.
The FCT Minister Wike said this in a statement on Thursday adding that the crackdown would also target property purchasers who had not registered their interests with the required Minister’s Consent or completed their Deeds of Assignment.
He recalled that, following intervention by President Bola Tinubu, the Minister had earlier granted defaulters a 14-day grace period to pay outstanding ground rent, stating, “The 14-day grace expired on June 9, over five months ago.”
Nnamdi Kanu’s Legal Team Rejects Life Sentence By Justice Omotosho, Vows Immediate Appeal
Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team has condemned the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which on Thursday convicted and sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to life imprisonment on terrorism charges.
The lawyers described the verdict delivered by Justice James Omotosho as “a travesty of justice” and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, Kanu’s special counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, said the ruling marked a dark day in Nigeria’s judicial history.
“Today will forever be in Nigeria history.
Today is the only day I have witnessed a man being convicted for just what he said from his mouth, not what he did with his own hands,” Ejimakor said.
EFCC dismisses claims of targeting only internet fraudsters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has dismissed public claims that its focus is solely on hunting internet fraudsters in Nigeria, citing cases of five former governors and five former ministers it has investigated and taken to court.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday at a one-day capacity-building workshop for civil society organisations and journalists on cryptocurrency in Maiduguri, Borno State.
EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, described the claim as a “stubborn perception,” while clarifying that the agency’s work is broad-based and not limited to any single type of crime.
He said,
“It is a stubborn perception that has refused to go, but I can tell you that it is just a perception issue.
Last year alone, the commission arraigned five former governors and five former ministers before the court.
FG seeks death penalty for Nnamdi Kanu
Following the conviction of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, the Federal Government, on Thursday, applied for him to be sentenced to death.
The federal government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, made the application shortly after the court found Kanu guilty on all seven-count terrorism charges that were preferred against him.
The prosecution insisted that Kanu’s incitement led to the death of several security operatives and the destruction of public infrastructure, alleging that both the IPOB and the Eastern Security Network, ESN, which he identified as its armed wing, took steps to destabilise the country.
He maintained that imposing the maximum sentence on the defendant was the only way to give justice to victims of Kanu’s terrorist acts.
Kwara Church Attack: Bandits place N100m ransom on each of 38 abductees
Bandits who abducted 38 worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State have reportedly demanded ₦100 million ransom for each victim.
The armed men stormed the church during a service on Tuesday and seized dozens of congregants, including families worshipping together.
Community sources said the attackers contacted relatives on Thursday, insisting on a total ransom amounting to billions of naira.
A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, said four of his relatives were among those taken.
He explained that he had been in the church with five family members when the incident occurred but managed to escape with one of his wards through a window at about 6:06 p.m.
Regina Daniels fires back at Emeka Rollas over explosive claims about her marriage
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels has slammed Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president, Emeka Rollas after he openly sided with her estranged husband, Ned Nwoko, and claimed she is battling addiction and needs urgent help.
What started as subtle tension has now exploded into a full-blown war of words, with both sides making damning accusations.
Regina took to her Instagram story to fiercely reject Rollas’ claims, accusing him of accepting money to tarnish her image.
She didn’t hold back as she questioned his integrity and motives. In her words, she wrote:
“What happened to the fatherly figure I admired solely because of the respect and devotion my mum had for you?
I already know, so I can say for a fact that you were paid chicken change to speak nonsense about a child who benefited nothing under your administration, yet gave you the biggest honor you have — through my ex-husband.”
2027: If you vote for Peter Obi, you’re voting for Nnamdi Kanu’s presidential pardon – Reno Omokri
Reno Omokri has issued a strong warning to Nigerians against supporting Peter Obi in the 2027 election after the court sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.
Omokri, a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu, made the comment on his official X page.He claimed that voting for Obi in any capacity would translate to supporting a presidential pardon for the IPOB leader.
In his post, he wrote:
“If you vote for Peter Obi as either President or Vice President in 2027, you are automatically voting for a Presidential pardon for Nnamdi Kanu!”
His statement has triggered wide reactions online as Nigerians debate the political and legal implications.
Court Orders Protective Custody for Kanu
Meanwhile, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that Kanu remain in protective custody following his life imprisonment sentence.
The judge gave the ruling after an hour-long judgement in which Kanu was convicted on all terrorism charges filed by the DSS on behalf of the Federal Government.
Pastor stages solo protest after Kwara church attack, sends message to President Bola Tinubu.
Following the tragic incident in Kwara State, a Nigerian pastor has staged a solo protest, issuing a heartfelt message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The incident on November 18, 2025 involved gunmen storming the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, killing at least two people and kidnapping the pastor along with several worshippers.
According to the clergyman, Apostle Harrison Ayintele on TikTok, he emphasized that security has severely declined under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Citing a suggestion from the General Overseer of the Redeemer Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, on insecurity, he urged Bola Ahmed Tinubu to eradicate terrorism in the country.
”We have seen a decline in security from that time, and it worsens under your administration sir.
We live in fear, we are traumatized, we are really traumatized sir, the genocide in the North.
Daddy Adeboye suggested a swift action on this I am not in your shoes, I don’t know what you know, I know leadership can be difficult and we followers don’t always know the full weight of the responsibility“.
He stated in the post.
