metro
Finland charges Simon Ekpa with inciting terrorism
Finland charges Simon Ekpa with inciting terrorism
Finnish prosecutors on Friday said they had charged a man with inciting terrorism online who a media report identified as Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa.
Finland’s National Prosecution Authority said in a statement that it had charged “a Finnish individual in a case involving suspected public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.”
It added that the alleged crimes had been committed in the city of Lahti between 2021 and 2024 and were related to the suspect’s efforts to establish Nigeria’s Biafra region as an independent state.
The prosecution authority did not name the accused but Finnish public broadcaster YLE identified him as separatist leader Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa — who claims to lead the Biafra Republic’s government in exile — was detained in November.
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According to the prosecution authority, the accused remained in custody and denied the charges.
Ekpa is known as a self-proclaimed leader of a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is pushing for the independence of Nigeria’s southeast, where a bloody civil war was fought in the late 1960s.
The dual Finnish-Nigerian national has also been a local representative for Finland’s conservative National Coalition Party in the city of Lahti, north of Helsinki, where he has served on a public transport committee.
When Ekpa was arrested, Finnish authorities also requested that four other people be remanded in custody on suspicion of financing Ekpa’s activities.
On Friday, the prosecution authority said the prosecutor had decided to drop charges against four others in the case due to a lack of evidence.
Ekpa has been the subject of several of AFP’s fact checks in recent years over false claims and disinformation he has made in independence campaigning.
Finland charges Simon Ekpa with inciting terrorism
AFP
metro
VIDEO: Man Storms Church Vigil in Abia With Cutlass Over Noise Pollution
VIDEO: Man Storms Church Vigil in Abia With Cutlass Over Noise Pollution
A resident in Umuahia, Abia State, caused a scene at a church night vigil after storming the premises wielding a cutlass, protesting excessive noise pollution from loud prayers and music. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has sparked discussions on community rights, public safety, and noise regulations in Nigeria.
The viral clip shows the man entering the church compound, angrily gesturing at worshippers while attempting to halt the service. No injuries were reported during the disruption, though members of the congregation appeared shocked. Netizens have reacted strongly, with some sympathising with his frustration over persistent loud noise, while others condemned his approach as unsafe and unlawful.
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This incident reflects a broader problem across Nigeria, where loud church programs in residential areas often generate complaints. Experts emphasise that while freedom of worship is guaranteed, it must coexist with residents’ rights to peace and quiet, with regulatory bodies like NESREA enforcing noise limits to protect public health.
Authorities are reviewing the video footage to determine if any legal action is warranted, while local church and community leaders plan discussions to prevent future confrontations. The episode highlights the need for effective conflict resolution between religious institutions and neighbouring residents over noise complaints.
Man Storms Church Vigil in Abia With Cutlass Over Noise Pollution
Davolee | Anthony Joshua | Ratel | Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo | Rain in January | CAF and FIFA | Chief Imam of Ilorin | Destiny Boy pic.twitter.com/WlOdC3OzLF
— Newstrends.Ng (@Newstrends_ng) January 20, 2026
VIDEO: Man Storms Church Vigil in Abia With Cutlass Over Noise Pollution
metro
FCT Residents Applaud FG’s Efforts as Food Prices Drop Across Abuja Markets
FCT Residents Applaud FG’s Efforts as Food Prices Drop Across Abuja Markets
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have praised the Federal Government (FG) for measures that have led to a noticeable drop in food prices, offering relief to families grappling with high living costs.
Market surveys in Abuja’s major markets, including Garki, Wuse, and Lugbe, indicate that prices of staple items such as rice, beans, yam flour, and gari have fallen significantly. For instance, a bag of rice now sells for around ₦55,000, down from ₦76,000 in previous months, while beans and gari have also seen substantial price reductions.
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Traders and residents credited the price decline to government interventions, including support for farmers, import waivers on key commodities, and improved security in farming regions, which have boosted food supply in the markets. The ongoing harvest season has further contributed to increased availability of staple foods, helping to stabilize costs.
While the reduction has been welcomed, many consumers urge the government to ensure the sustainability of lower prices, noting previous cycles where food costs surged again after temporary dips. Economists stress that consistent policies on agriculture, distribution, and market monitoring will be crucial to maintain affordability for low- and middle-income households.
FCT Residents Applaud FG’s Efforts as Food Prices Drop Across Abuja Markets
metro
Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears in London Court Ahead of £100,000 Bribery Trial
Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears in London Court Ahead of £100,000 Bribery Trial
Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared in a London court on Monday for preliminary proceedings in her £100,000 bribery case, one of the most high-profile corruption trials involving a former Nigerian government official.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015 and was the first woman to lead OPEC, attended Southwark Crown Court before Justice Thornton as the court prepared for jury selection and other formalities ahead of the full trial, scheduled to begin January 26, 2026.
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The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) alleges that Alison-Madueke accepted £100,000 in cash, luxury vehicles, private jet flights, designer goods, and other benefits in exchange for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts while in office. She has denied all charges, and has been on bail since 2015.
Two co-defendants, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also facing bribery charges linked to the case. Agama appeared via video link, while Ayinde was present in the dock. The trial is expected to last 10–12 weeks.
This latest hearing comes amid continued international scrutiny of Diezani’s assets. In January 2025, Nigeria and the United States secured the repatriation of $52.88 million in assets tied to her, while the EFCC continues to pursue related funds within Nigeria. Legal analysts say the case underscores the increasing cross-border efforts to fight corruption and hold former public officials accountable.
Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears in London Court Ahead of £100,000 Bribery Trial
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