News April 25, 2026 Court fixes April 29 for arraignment of Umahi’s accuser, Ohiri, over alleged cyberstalking

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled 29 April for the arraignment of Tracynither Ohiri, accused of cyberstalking the Minister of Works, David Umahi

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Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Friday after the prosecution counsel, Wisdom Madaki, requested a brief adjournment to allow for proper service of court documents on the defendant, who was absent.

Earlier, on 16 April, the judge cautioned that the charges against Ms Ohiri could be struck out if the prosecution failed to produce her in court for arraignment.

Despite the matter being slated for arraignment on Friday, neither Ms Ohiri nor her legal representative appeared in court.

Mr Madaki informed the court that attempts to serve the charge and hearing notice on the defendant had been unsuccessful.

“What effort have you made? Don’t just come to tell me you have made all your efforts. You cannot abandon your case here,” the judge said.

In response, the prosecutor explained that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and his team travelled to Lagos on 20 April in a bid to locate her.

“But my lord, they could not find the defendant. They said her door was locked. They even spent three days in Lagos, my lord,” he said.

Following the explanation, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until 29 April for arraignment.

The police filed a 13-count charge against Ms Ohiri bordering on cyberstalking and defamation.

The charges, instituted by Mr Madaki of the Directorate of Legal Services at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, outline multiple allegations tied to social media publications.

In count one, she was accused of posting a video on TikTok around 16 October 2023 alleging that Mr Umahi threatened to kill her if she entered Ebonyi State.

The prosecution described the claim as false and harmful, stating it violated Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act.

Count three alleged that on 8 March 2024, she uploaded another TikTok video claiming that Mr Umahi victimised her for refusing sexual relations and abused his office to oppress women.

In count four, she was said to have posted on 3 May 2024 that the minister withheld her business capital for 10 years because she rejected alleged advances.

Count six accused her of publishing a statement on Sahara Reporters and circulating it across social media on 28 March 2025, alleging that Mr Umahi owed her over N200 million for campaign materials — a claim the prosecution said she knew to be false.

Count seven further alleged that she claimed the supposed debt was retaliation for refusing sexual advances, also described as false and damaging.

Count eight stated that in a Facebook video posted on 26 February, she alleged that Mr Umahi threatened that she would “not leave Ebonyi State alive and that he would do to you what happened to the NELAN Engineers.”

In count 10, the prosecution alleged that she deliberately amplified the reach of the publications across social media platforms with intent to cause “hatred, ill will, and reputational injury.”

The dispute between Ms Ohiri and Mr Umahi is rooted in claims by the businesswoman that the minister owes her N250 million for promotional and printing services related to his 2015 governorship campaign in Ebonyi State.

She maintained that repeated demands for payment were ignored, alleging that the situation later involved unwanted advances from the minister, which she rejected, and eventually escalated into threats and police intervention.

Ms Ohiri was subsequently arrested in Lagos over alleged cyberbullying linked to her online posts. She was later transferred to Abuja and detained at the Federal Capital Territory Police Command before being arraigned at a magistrate’s court in Wuse, where she was granted bail on a defamation charge.

The matter drew wider attention after activist Omoyele Sowore confronted Mr Umahi at the police headquarters, criticising what he called the criminalisation of a civil dispute.

Amid the controversy and Mr Umahi’s denial of the allegations, Ms Ohiri later released a video retracting her claims and apologising to the minister and his family following consultations with her relatives, friends, and lawyers.

The issue resurfaced after a viral video in which Ms Ohiri accused her lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, of mishandling the case and lacking transparency. She alleged she was pressured to withdraw her claims without receiving an agreed compensation.

Mr Abubakar, however, rejected the allegations, stating that Ms Ohiri withdrew her claims after failing to provide evidence of any contractual agreement with Mr Umahi. He added that she was given options to either continue the dispute or settle, and she chose to apologise.

He also noted that a third party later paid $70,000 as a peace gesture, not as compensation or admission of liability.

Mr Abubakar said he is considering legal action against Ms Ohiri over what he described as false claims and threats to his reputation.

(PREMIUM TIMES)

News April 25, 2026 Recruitment: Police announce date for written examination

The Police Service Commission (PSC), in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has fixed April 28 to 30, 2026, for the written examination of candidates applying for recruitment as Police Constables.

The examination, which covers both General Duty and Specialist cadres, will take place at designated centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid.

According to the statement, only candidates who successfully passed the physical and credentials screening will be allowed to sit for the examination.

“Only candidates who successfully passed the physical and credentials screening are eligible to participate in the examination. Qualified applicants are required to log on to npfapplication.psc.gov.ng (npfapplication.psc.gov.ng) from Friday, 24th April 2026, to print their Examination Invitation Card, which contains details of their specific date, time, and venue.

“Candidates are to present the following items at their respective examination centres:

1A pen

2National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph

3Printed Examination Invitation Card

“Dress Code: White shorts, white T-shirt, and white canvas shoes,” it said.

The commission also reiterated that the recruitment exercise is free and warned applicants to be wary of fraudsters.

“The Police Service Commission reiterated that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge and cautions applicants against any form of job racketeering, scam, or financial inducement.

” Any individual found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” it warned.

Opinion April 25, 2026 A coup trial without precedent, By Farooq Kperogi

I came of age in Nigeria during absolutist, totalitarian military regimes and was shaped by the anti-military rhetoric and activism that surrounded me.

Although democracy hasn’t lived up to its promises, which has fueled what I consider misguided and amnesiac nostalgia for military rule, I would rather we fix our badly deformed civilian system through trial and protest than return to the dark days of brutal military monocracy.

That is why news of an alleged abortive coup plot last year unsettled me, particularly because many of those implicated are northern Muslims. In a country riven by deep primordial fissures, I doubt we can recover from the northern-led overthrow of a civilian government headed by a southerner.

The Defence Headquarters initially denied it. It described reports of a coup attempt as not just “false and misleading,” “entirely false,” and “malicious” but as deliberately fabricated to “cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”

The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said what Sahara Reporters described as a coup was merely “indiscipline and breach of service regulations” by 16 officers who felt stymied by “perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.”

But news platforms such as Sahara Reporters, Premium Times, and Daily Trust quoted unnamed sources in the upper echelons of the military and the Tinubu administration who insisted the Defence Headquarters was being economical with the truth and that there had indeed been a real attempt to overthrow the government.

The confidence with which these reports were presented, despite the anonymity of the sources, led me to write my November 1, 2025, column titled “The Coup That Dare Not Speak Its Name,” in which I argued that the government owed the public transparency about what had happened.

I wrote: “Secrecy accelerates suspicion. Nigeria’s citizens have matured politically; they can process national challenges without descending into chaos. Shielding the public from reality infantilizes the electorate and breeds cynicism.”

On January 26 this year, the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier dismissed the reports as “false and misleading,” made a dramatic reversal and acknowledged that there had indeed been a plan to violently overturn the Tinubu government. It also said the implicated officers would face military tribunals.

After multiple peaceful protests by the wives and relatives of the accused, formal charges were eventually filed. Six suspects, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, were charged with terrorism and treason. In a 13-count charge sheet, the federal government alleged that they “conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the president of the Federal Republic.”

Although respected analysts such as Chidi Odinkalu have questioned the plausibility of the evidence cited in media reports to substantiate the alleged coup, I do not have sufficient information to independently assess the credibility of the claim.

What is not in dispute, however, is that what we are witnessing is uncharted territory. Since Nigeria’s independence, there is no clear record of military officers being tried for an alleged coup attempt under a civilian administration.

The closest parallel is the 2004 episode during the Obasanjo presidency, when the government announced that it had uncovered and foiled a coup plot. The Guardian quoted presidential spokeswoman Remi Oyo as saying that Hamza al-Mustapha, then in prison in Lagos, was suspected of involvement.

From what I recall, that episode produced neither a formal court-martial proceeding nor a full civilian trial. Instead, scores of senior and mid-level officers were detained, questioned and then retired or dismissed. What is unfolding now is therefore without precedent.

This is why the intervention of respected human rights lawyer Femi Falana deserves careful attention. In an April 23 statement, he called for the immediate suspension of the government’s secret court-martial of 36 soldiers accused of plotting a coup. He described the proceedings as unconstitutional, illegal and a violation of due process.

Falana argued that trying the soldiers behind closed doors undermines transparency and the right to a fair hearing, especially in light of the gravity of the charges against them. His central legal contention is that offences such as treason and terrorism fall within the jurisdiction of civilian courts, not military tribunals, even when the accused are soldiers.

He warned that subjecting some suspects to court martial while others implicated in the same alleged plot face civilian prosecution creates a two-track system of justice that affronts the principle of equality before the law.

He urged the Attorney-General to halt the military proceedings, transfer the case to the Federal High Court, and ensure that all suspects are tried openly and uniformly under civilian law.

Falana’s argument raises a deeper question that goes beyond this case. What does it mean to be governed by law in a democracy that still carries the institutional reflexes of military rule? A state that derives its legitimacy from and is bound by the constitution cannot choose opacity when transparency is inconvenient, nor can it apply different standards of justice to people accused of the same crime.

If the government is confident in the strength of its case, in the unimpeachability of its evidence against the accused, it should have no fear of public scrutiny. I know there is legitimate argument to be made about the risk of inspiring copycats if the trial is open, but coups are not crimes of imitation like bank robberies. They require coordination, access to arms, insider networks, and timing. Those conditions are not created by watching a public trial. If they exist, secrecy will not eliminate them.

Second, secrecy is more likely to breed suspicion than prevent instability. When the state hides proceedings, it invites rumors, conspiracy theories, and loss of trust, which can be more destabilizing than any supposed copycat risk.

Third, transparency is a deterrent. A public, evidence-based trial exposes the consequences of plotting against the state and demonstrates that institutions can respond lawfully. That is more likely to discourage would-be conspirators than embolden them.

Fourth, courts already have tools to protect genuinely sensitive information. Specific details can be redacted or heard in camera without turning the entire process into a secret proceeding.

But there is also a broader political risk. In a country with a long and traumatic history of coups, secrecy around allegations of military insurrection heightens suspicion. When the government first denied the existence of a coup and later admitted it, it created a credibility gap that only openness can close. Conducting trials behind closed doors only deepens that gap and invites speculation about what is being concealed.

If the accused are guilty, a transparent trial will expose their culpability and reinforce the legitimacy of the state. If they are not, secrecy will have compounded injustice. Either way, opacity serves no one except those who benefit from weakening public trust in institutions.

If the suspects are found guilty through a fair, transparent and evidence-based process, they should face the full consequences of their actions. I would never defend any attempt to seize power through violence. But guilt must be established beyond all shadows of doubt. It is not enough to allege; the government must prove its case in the open.

Kperogi is a renowned columnist and United States-based Professor of Journalism.

News April 25, 2026 Outrage as Nigerian man dies after police arrest in South Africa

The Nigerian Union South Africa has demanded a full autopsy on one of its members, Ekpenyong Andrew, whose body was later discovered in a mortuary following his alleged arrest by police officers in Pretoria.

Andrew, a Nigerian mechanic, was reportedly taken into custody by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police on Sunday in the Booysens area while returning from work.

According to the union’s president, Smart Nwobi, the deceased was found dead the next day at the Pretoria Central Morgue.

Nwobi disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to Diaspora Tales.

He added that Andrew’s partner, Ms Kuma Kaku, recounted that “police officers visited their home the same day (Sunday) to search for drugs, which yielded nothing incriminating.”

Expressing concern over the development, Nwobi said, “Most disturbingly, Mr Andrew’s body was discovered the following day (Monday) at Pretoria Central Morgue under circumstances that strongly suggest foul play.”

He further revealed that a murder case had been filed at the Hercules station of the South African Police Service in Pretoria.

“NUSA categorically condemns this alleged extra-judicial killing and calls for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Andrew’s death,” the statement read.

The union also called for additional measures, including “the immediate suspension of the four Tshwane Metro Police officers allegedly involved, a swift and unbiased investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, and justice for the deceased and appropriate compensation to the bereaved family.”

Highlighting broader concerns, the statement noted, “This incident is yet another troubling case in a pattern of alleged harassment and violations against Nigerian nationals by some members of South African law enforcement. NUSA reiterates that while we respect South African laws and institutions, the human rights of our citizens must be protected at all times.”

Nwobi said the matter had been reported to the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, adding that the union would collaborate with both Nigerian and South African authorities to ensure accountability.

He also appealed to Nigerians living in South Africa to remain calm and vigilant while legal processes take their course.

Crime News April 25, 2026 Gunmen kill traditional ruler, family members, 2 others in night attack

Gunmen have reportedly killed five people, among them a traditional ruler, his wife, their son, and two other residents in Olegabulu community of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State.

Residents said the incident took place on Thursday night when the attackers, who arrived on two motorcycles, invaded the monarch’s residence and began shooting at him and members of his household.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said four assailants carried out the attack.

According to him, the gunmen entered the community unnoticed and proceeded directly to the palace, where they shot the monarch, his wife, and their son.

He further stated that the attackers later went to a nearby compound, where they killed two more residents before escaping.

Other witnesses explained that the assailants initially mingled with residents, speaking in the local dialect and greeting people, which prevented suspicion.

“The attackers were not Fulani. When they arrived, they interacted freely with people in our dialect, so no one suspected that they were enemies.

“But immediately they entered the traditional ruler’s house, they opened fire and people started running for safety.

“They operated for about 20 minutes. After attacking the monarch’s residence, they moved to a nearby house and killed two more people. One person was injured before they fled,” a witness said.

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident, stating that five people were killed while one person sustained injuries.

“It is true the incident happened. Five people were killed and one person was injured during the attack,” he said.

Ejeh also disclosed that security operatives, including the police, have visited the scene of the incident.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive full details of the attack.

(DAILY TRUST)

Abuja Entertainment News April 24, 2026 “ABUJA SET FOR WAR!” — Gwarinpa Braces as ‘Battle of Gwarinpa’ Fight Night Promises Fireworks

Abuja is about to witness an explosion of adrenaline as the highly anticipated Battle of Gwarinpa takes center stage this weekend, turning the capital into a battleground for raw strength, fierce competition, and elite mixed martial arts action.

Organised by the *Marwa Self Defense System*, the event is already generating serious buzz among fight lovers and entertainment enthusiasts across the FCT, with many calling it one of the boldest MMA showcases the city has seen in recent times.

Set to hold at the iconic National Council for Arts and Culture, located behind the Musa Yar'Adua Centre, the venue will transform into a full-blown fight arena on Saturday, April 25, 2026. 

The red carpet kicks off by 5PM, while the main fights begin at exactly 6PM — and insiders say you don’t want to show up late.

From brutal cage-side clashes to high-energy entrances and a charged atmosphere, the event is being hyped as more than just a fight night — it’s a full entertainment experience. 

The “AKALAKA – Spirit of the Warrior” theme adds a cultural and energetic twist, blending combat sports with rhythm, vibe, and showmanship.

🎟️ Ticket Breakdown:

Regular access goes for ₦10,000, cage-side seats for ₦50,000, while premium tables are priced at ₦1 million and ₦2 million respectively — catering to both hardcore fans and high-end VIP guests looking to enjoy the action in style.

🔥 Key Highlights:

* Elite fighters ready to clash — no retreat, no surrender

* Premium cage-side experience for die-hard fans

* Luxury table bookings for Abuja’s big spenders

* Entertainment + combat = full experience package

With tickets selling fast and anticipation building, organisers are urging fans to secure their spots early to avoid last-minute disappointment. 

Abuja’s nightlife, sports, and entertainment scenes are about to collide in one explosive showdown.

One thing is clear — come Saturday night, Gwarinpa won’t just host a fight… it will host a WAR.

— Alex Reports  🎤🔥

#BattleOfGwarinpa #AbujaEvents #MMANigeria #FightNight #AlexReportsTV #AbujaNightlife #CombatSports #Gwarinpa #NaijaEvents

News Politics REPORT April 24, 2026 ICPC Petition Rocks ADC in Enugu as Nwodo’s Alleged Imposition Plot Sparks Fresh Crisis

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has been thrown into fresh political turmoil following serious allegations that former Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo is allegedly working behind the scenes to impose his preferred candidate, Augustine Akubue, on the party’s state leadership structure, despite strong resistance from party stakeholders and grassroots members who insist that such a move would undermine internal democracy and damage the credibility of the opposition party.

The controversy, which has continued to generate intense reactions across political circles in Enugu State, has now taken a more dramatic turn following claims that Augustine Akubue is facing a formal petition before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over allegations involving false claims of professorial status, an alleged fictitious inaugural lecture, and conduct said to be capable of misleading the public. These allegations have further deepened divisions within the party and sparked calls for transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to due process.

Speaking during a public function, a prominent chieftain of ADC in Enugu State, Chika Idoko, openly challenged what he described as an orchestrated attempt to hijack the party for personal and political interests. Idoko, who was the ADC Senatorial Candidate for Enugu North Zone during the 2023 general elections, did not hide his displeasure as he accused powerful forces within the party of attempting to frustrate the will of genuine stakeholders in favor of narrow political ambitions.

According to him, the alleged effort to install Augustine Akubue as the face of ADC leadership in Enugu represents a dangerous attempt to compromise the party’s integrity at a time when Nigerians are looking for credible alternatives to the ruling political establishment. He described the move as a desperate political calculation that could destroy years of trust-building and grassroots mobilization carried out by committed members of the party.

Idoko argued that a political party seeking public confidence cannot afford to place its leadership in the hands of an individual facing serious allegations bordering on impersonation, forgery, and public deception. He stressed that the petition before the ICPC raises major integrity concerns and should not be ignored by the party’s national leadership.

He questioned how the ADC, which presents itself as a platform of reform and democratic accountability, could justify the promotion of someone whose public image is already under serious ethical scrutiny. According to him, such a decision would send the wrong signal to party members, supporters, and the wider Nigerian electorate.

The ADC chieftain further accused Okwesilieze Nwodo of abandoning democratic principles and allegedly pushing a selfish political agenda that disregards the collective voice of party stakeholders across Enugu State. He claimed that rather than allowing due process and democratic procedures to determine leadership outcomes, there were deliberate efforts to impose a candidate who lacked both legitimacy and broad-based acceptance within the party structure.

In a more explosive allegation, Idoko also claimed that certain external political interests linked to the All Progressives Congress were allegedly being disguised under the political influence associated with Peter Obi. He suggested that some individuals were attempting to exploit Obi’s political popularity and reformist image as cover for political maneuvers that do not reflect the true values of the ADC.

According to Idoko, the legitimate chairman of ADC in Enugu State remains Major General Chris Owushi Eze (Rtd), whom he described as the June 12 unsung hero and a tested leader with proven credibility. He stated that Chris Eze emerged through the just concluded State Congress conducted in accordance with party procedures, constitutional provisions, and democratic principles.

He emphasized that Chris Eze did not emerge through political manipulation or external imposition, but through a transparent process that reflected the confidence and trust of party members across the state. According to him, the retired General earned his mandate through years of service, tested leadership capacity, grassroots support, and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals.

Idoko maintained that the mandate given to Chris Eze represents the authentic voice of Enugu ADC members and should not be undermined by elite political interference. He warned that any attempt by the party’s national leadership to legitimize what he described as an imposed arrangement would trigger deeper divisions and potentially weaken the party’s structure ahead of future political contests.

A strong warning was therefore directed at the ADC National Organizing Secretary, the National Working Committee, and the broader national leadership of the party. Stakeholders insisted that any move to override the outcome of the state congress would amount to a betrayal of party democracy and could spark a major internal rebellion.

Supporters of Chris Eze have also joined the growing resistance, insisting that ADC must remain a credible opposition platform built on transparency, fairness, and internal democracy rather than political imposition and controversy. Many of them argue that if the party fails to protect its internal democratic process, it risks losing moral authority to challenge the failures of other major political parties in Nigeria.

Across Enugu State, party members continue to express frustration over what they see as attempts to commercialize and personalize the leadership of a party meant to serve as a people-driven movement. The popular refrain among many loyalists has now become clear and forceful: “Enugu ADC is not for sale.”

As the crisis deepens, all eyes are now on the national leadership of the party to determine whether it will uphold the outcome of the state congress or bow to pressure from influential political actors. The decision could shape not only the future of ADC in Enugu but also its credibility as a national opposition platform.

For many observers, this unfolding drama is more than just a local leadership dispute—it is a test of whether the ADC can truly defend the principles it publicly preaches. DDM News gathered that party faithful across the state are watching closely, hoping that justice, transparency, and democratic values will prevail over political imposition and elite manipulation.

As the political temperature continues to rise, DDM News reports that the coming days may prove decisive in determining whether peace can return to Enugu ADC or whether the crisis will deepen into a full-scale political confrontation with far-reaching consequences for the party’s future.