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Nigerian govt files new charges against ex-NSA Dasuki, wants masked witnesses
The Nigerian government has filed fresh charges of alleged money laundering against a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who was arraigned in September on a single count charge of illegal possession of firearms.
The government also requested that witnesses against Mr. Dasuki be given special cover, including use of facial mask.
Mr. Dasuki was arrested in August by the State Security Services, shortly after he was removed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
On September 1, the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, told the court that Mr. Dasuki was charged with the unlawful possession of firearms without a licence. The former NSA pleaded not guilty.
The judge granted Mr. Dasuki bail on self-recognition but ordered that his passport and other travel documents be deposited with the deputy court registrar while the case was adjourned to October 26 and 27 for definite hearing.
On resumed hearing Monday, M.S. Labaran, appearing for the prosecution, announced that the one-count charge against Mr. Dasuki had been expanded to include charges bordering on illegal possession of various amounts of local and foreign currency in his Abuja residence and family house in Sokoto.
He said keeping the various amount of foreign currencies was contrary to Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
He also requested that the trial be conducted in secrecy by providing special cover for witnesses from using public routes.
He requested the use of private witness room, use of facial masks, and also urged the court to allow only accredited members of the media to cover the trial.
In a counter motion, one of the counsels to Mr. Dasuki and former president of the Nigeria Bar Association, Joseph Daudu, objected to the request for special cover for prosecution witnesses in the case on the ground that the case was harmless within a democratic setting.
Mr. Daudu said even during military rule, such trials were held openly.
He said in a democracy, rule of law would be the greatest casualty if such trials are made in secret.
“In a criminal trial, the ability of the defence counsel to confront the prosecution witness is pivotal,” he told the court.
He said the identity of the witnesses which the prosecution sought to hide was already in the public domain.
“We consider the trial as harmless to the witnesses. If you make the witnesses anonymous then we may lack the ability to conduct background checks. Even trial of treasonable felony and coup d’état the witnesses are not hidden and we are in a democracy.
“Also for the fact that there has not been cases in this court where witnesses are being molested and in this case it will be a case of injustice if the defence counsel and witnesses are known and the prosecution witnesses who are armed and can protect themselves are shielded. I think all the motions and counter-affidavit have been charged and this is purely an academic exercise,” he argued.
Mr. Daudu also asked the court to release the travel documents of the accused to him so that he would be able to travel abroad for medical check-up.
According to him, Mr. Dasuki was billed to travel a day before his arrest for medical treatment but the arrest and trial had so far prevented him from doing so.
Mr. Labaran, who appeared for the prosecution, therefore requested for adjournment to be able to react to the motion for the release of Mr. Dasuki’s travel documents.
Justice Ademola Adeniyi, who expressed surprise at the new charges, adjourned the case to Wednesday, October 28, 2015 for ruling on prosecution’s request for secret trial and Dasuki’s request for his travel documents to be released to him.
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Benue, Kwara Killings: Primate Ayodele Warned But They Never Listened
When Nigerians started celebrating after the United States launched an attack against terrorists in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, Primate Ayodele stood out when he said the nation shouldn’t celebrate yet because there would be reprisal attacks.
Many quickly lashed out at him, calling him all sort of names like prophet of doom, fake prophet, bet9ja prophet, to mention but a few. However, the prophet stood his ground and continued to warn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team that terrorists are planning to attack some Nigerian states.
His words after the US-led attack were:
“Nigerians shouldn’t celebrate yet, and President Tinubu shouldn’t celebrate either, because the powerlessness of his government is getting exposed, and America can come up with anything against him. This won’t stop kidnapping or insecurity in Nigeria.
“The government of Nigeria must work on it because the US cannot do it without the Nigerian government.
“Another bombing is coming up, and these bandits are ready for the consequences. They are also ready to counter-attack heavily; the government must get prepared for the outcome.”
Many didn’t know that Primate Ayodele isn’t a prophet that just speaks for attention sake, he speaks as directed by the most high God and that’s why he is always fearless in his approaches. Despite the fact that even the presidency celebrated it, he called their attention to some plans of terrorists across the country.
It’s been barely two months after the attack of the United States, and the country is back to more folds of insecurity across the country. Bandits have launched full-fledged attacks on the nation, killing several innocent souls without getting checked or arrested.
If only security operatives listens to Primate Ayodele’s warning, he vividly mentioned some of the states that bandits or terrorist would be visiting. He shared them in a prophet at least twice, including in video recordings but we wonder what these security operatives do with sensitive messages like this.
In one of the prophetic moment, he mentioned about eight states that will be attacked by terrorists if care isn’t taken.
“These states, Nasarawa, Abuja, Ondo, Kaduna, Sokoto, Benue, Katsina, Yobe, should be paid close attention to. They should deploy more soldiers to these states.”
Just yesterday in Benue, In Benue State, 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, were killed when gunmen attacked the Abande market in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area. Gunmen opened fire on traders and residents, killing many on the spot. Police spokesperson in Benue State, Udeme Edet confirmed the attack.
In Katsina, In Katsina State, at least 20 residents were killed when bandits stormed Doma community in Tafoki Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.
Witnesses said the attackers moved unhindered, shooting villagers and setting houses and vehicles ablaze before fleeing. Faskari Local Government Chairman Surajo Aliyu confirmed the incident, describing it as a deadly reprisal and the worst in recent months.
In Kwara too, Primate Ayodele had said earlier before now, just after the Eruku incident, that he still sees attacks in the state.
In fulfilment of this, bandits killed at least 10 villagers in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. The attackers, reportedly operating from the Borgu National Park forest in neighboring Niger State, invaded the communities around 6.00 pm, firing sporadically and setting houses ablaze.
Sincerely, all of these could have been avoided by they failed to listen.
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Former Pension Reform Task Team Chairman, Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, Hospitalised After Sudden Collapse in Abuja
Former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, on Tuesday evening slumped while attempting to access his office premises in Abuja and was immediately rushed to a private hospital for urgent medical care.
The incident occurred after complications arising from an untreated knee injury reportedly caused him to lose balance and fall on a staircase, resulting in a head impact that required immediate medical attention from personnel at the scene.
Confirming the development in an official statement, Emmanuel Umahi Ekwe, Esq., Media Assistant to Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, speaking on behalf of his family, said the former pension reform chief was promptly stabilised and transferred to a private medical facility in the Federal Capital Territory, where he is currently under close supervision by a team of doctors.
According to the statement, preliminary medical evaluations indicate that Dr. Maina remains under observation, while specialists have advised that arrangements for a possible air ambulance evacuation may be considered should his condition require advanced or specialised treatment.
The situation has drawn concern from associates, professional colleagues, and well-wishers across the country, given Dr. Maina’s prominent role in Nigeria’s public sector and pension reform initiatives.
His family has appealed to the public for prayers, understanding, and respect for privacy during this critical period, assuring that further updates will be communicated as developments unfold.
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President Tinubu in Turkey: Guard of Honor and Strategic Agreements Signal New Era in Bilateral Relations
By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was accorded a full guard of honor during his official state visit to Turkey, a ceremonial reception reserved for world leaders and a strong signal of the respect Nigeria commands on the global stage.
The ceremony, held at the Turkish Presidential Complex in Ankara, featured military pageantry, national anthems, and formal protocol before high-level bilateral talks commenced.
The Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu briefly stumbled due to a camera cable while proceeding to the presidential lodge but stood up immediately and continued his engagements without interruption, stressing that the incident had no impact on the visit or his health.
More importantly, the visit delivered substantive diplomatic and economic outcomes. During talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on January 27, 2026, Nigeria and Turkey signed nine cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, covering military cooperation, higher education, diaspora policy, media and communication, halal accreditation, diplomatic training, and the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).
At a joint press conference, President Tinubu emphasized the need to deepen cooperation in security, trade, and economic development, while President Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and commitment to strengthening strategic ties.
With Turkey’s strengths in defense technology, intelligence, education, and industrial capacity, the agreements open new opportunities for technology transfer, security collaboration, trade expansion, and human capital development.
In essence, the Turkey visit stands as a diplomatic success, defined not by a fleeting moment, but by honor, respect, and concrete agreements that advance Nigeria’s security, economy, and international standing.
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