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*You're Facilitating Blasphemy Laws, Sharia --Senator Cruz *You Lie, Christians Not Targeted, Religious Harmony Reigns Here -Presidency Nigeria's Presidency and a respected US lawmaker, Senator Ted Cruz, are at loggerheads over the latter's bill seeking "powerful sanctions and other tools" by the global superpower to punish government officials for what the American lawmaker called their ignoring or enabling of attacks on and mass murder of Christians. Reacting, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga urged the Texas senator to 'stop these malicious lies", insisting that Christians are not targeted in Nigeria. Senator Cruz's in-the-works legislation, titled 'Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025',…

By our reporter It was a case of being between the devil and the deep blue sea today as a former Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) with Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Garba Mohammed Duku, was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment on six-count charges of money laundering. Duku, now an old man, passionately pleaded for leniency before his conviction, with Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordering him, in lieu of serving time in gaol, to pay to government coffers the sum of about N1.6 billion as fine. The judge also ordered that the 24 years…

By Rosemary Ameh, Sokoto Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders in Sokoto State to step up efforts in mobilizing women and young people to register in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Umar Yusuf Garba, made the call during a sensitization event on promoting gender inclusivity in the electoral process. He stressed that closing the participation gap for women and youth is vital in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. Garba noted that several barriers ranging from limited access to information to socio-cultural restrictions and economic challenges, continue to exclude women, particularly those…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu As Nigeria commemorates its 65th Independence Day, Enugu South Local Government Area (LGA), Dr. Caleb Onyema Ani, has extended warm felicitations to the State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, and the people of Enugu South, Nkanuland, and Enugu State generally. In a statement issued on the historic occasion, the Chairman, popularly known as 'People’s Mayor', lauded the unyielding spirit, courage, and determination of Nigerians, particularly the indomitable residents of Enugu South, who continue to shine as beacons of hope amid challenging times. In his address, Ani reflected on the profound significance of the Independence Day milestone, describing…

*Tables Two Conditions By our reporter Former Vice President and prominent member of opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has promised to step down for a younger presidential aspirant ahead the 2027 general elections. He, however,issued two conditions for that: such aspirant must be widely accepted and vibrant. Abubakar,more popularly known as Atiku, disclosed these in an interview with BBC Hausa Service yesterday. The station is widely listened to in the far North of Nigeria. Atiku is among some political titans who have vowed to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, citing what they described as the latter's…

Fellow Nigerians, Today marks the 65th anniversary of our great nation’s Independence. As we reflect on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960, when our founding fathers accepted the instruments of self-government from colonial rule, let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world. Our founding heroes and heroines—Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Oyo State governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, yesterday beat his chest that the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) billed to hold in Ibadan, the state capital, in November, will be rancour-free. The state chapter of the party held its congress at Basketball Court of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba on Monday, 29 September under a rancour-free environment. Speaking during the event, shortly after casting his vote as a delegate, Makinde said a replica of the Monday exercise should be expected in the November national convention. Members of the party and state's delegates began arriving…

Troops and forest security are combing the forests in Oke-Ode, a community in Kwara State where 12 members of a local forest guard unit were killed by bandits yesterday. The State Police Command today confirmed the killings. Among those murdered was the traditional ruler of the community. The attack underscored the worsening insecurity in North-West and North-Central zones, where armed bandits have carried out mass killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities. State Police Command spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the gunmen stormed a Local Government building at about 0600 GMT on Sunday, firing at random. Four people were wounded in…

*Says Alleged Action By LG Bosses, Others Provocative By Emma Ogoigbe, Warri National President, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Taiga, has condemned what he described as the illegal boundary adjustment between Issele-Azagba and Okpanam in Delta State and demanded that justice be done on the worrisome issue. He called for judicial respect, government accountability and protection of community rights in the Okpanam and Issele-Azagba land dispute. “I strongly condemn in its entirety the unlawful and unconstitutional boundary adjustment, allegedly carried out by Hon. Innocent Esewezie, Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government and Hon. Emmanuel…

*With Crime Proceeds, Accused Bought Cars, Farm -Prosecution *The Togo Connection *How Law-abiding Fellow Nigerian Informed On Duo *Granted N240.3m Bail Two persons, identified as Nigerians, have been charged before the Accra Circuit Court in Ghana for allegedly defrauding an American and a Canadian of $715,000 (about N1.06billion). The court heard that they allegedly did so under the pretext of helping the two acquire a consignment of goods valued at over US$12 million through an online scheme. Both men, named as Solomon David King and Kingsley Okokon Etuk, both aged 48, were charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit…