Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged northerners to reconsider their opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, which have sparked significant concerns among northern leaders. The reforms, currently under consideration by the National Assembly, have drawn criticism for potentially imposing a disproportionate burden on the region. The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), representing 19 states, amplified these concerns after consultations with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, calling for a thorough review of the bills. Speaking during a Channels Television town hall meeting on the reforms, Dogara appealed to northern governors and elites to adopt a forward-looking perspective, highlighting the....Read Full Article>>

Simon Ekpa, the self- proclaimed leader of the factional Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been denied bail by Finnish authorities, and will remain in prison for the next six months as he awaits his trial in May 2025. This shocking development has stirred mixed reactions globally, especially in relation to his arrest on November 21, 2024. Ekpa, who leads the Auto Pilot faction of IPOB, has been accused of financing terrorism and inciting violence in Nigeria’ s southeastern region, including attacks on security agencies. Finnish police have detained him as part of an investigation into his alleged involvement in international terrorism and terrorism financing. The crime is said to have been committed between August 23, 2021, and November 18, 2024, in Lahti, Finland. A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’ s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, explained that due to the severity of the....Read Full Article>>

Nigeria’ s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has defended the decisions he made during the Nigerian Civil War (1967- 1970), stating he has no regrets about his actions. Obasanjo, a retired Army General, played a pivotal role in the federal government’ s military campaign against the Biafran forces, which ultimately ended the war. Speaking at a reception organized by the Peoples Democratic Party in his honor, Obasanjo reiterated that his choices during the war were in the country’ s best interest. ” I don’ t have any regret over some actions or decisions taken then, and I don’ t have any apology over that, because it was in the interest of all, ” he said. The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the....Read Full Article>>

In a startling turn of events, Simon Ekpa, the so- called ” autopilot leader” of the Biafran independence movement, has made serious allegations concerning the circumstances surrounding his arrest in Finland. According to recent reports, Ekpa has accused his Chief of Staff of orchestrating his detention. He revealed these accusations during a visit from his council members while he was incarcerated in a Finnish prison. This shocking claim has raised eyebrows and intensified discussions regarding the internal dynamics of his leadership and the ongoing struggles within the movement. Meanwhile, The Finnish police have announced that Simon Ekpa, who has declared himself the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will remain in custody until his trial. According to authorities, the....Read Full Article>>

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and founder of the Kukah Centre, Most Reverend Mathew Kukah, shared his views regarding the the controversial tax reform bills of Bola Tinubu’ s administration. The impassioned cleric claimed that the legislation were what the country needed to propel it into economic success. The law, which has passed the Senate’ s second reading, has received strong opposition from several sources, particularly Northern Nigerian elites. Notable northern groups and figures, including the Northern Governors Forum, the Northern Elders Forum, the National Economic Council, and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, have openly expressed their opposition to the measure and called for its withdrawal.
According to them, the bill’ s contents do not reflect the region’ s interests and....Read Full Article>>

A report has surfaced on social media alleging that the Finnish government is planning to sue the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.....Read Full Article>>

The reported lawsuit pertains to accusations against Simon Ekpa, the self- proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE).

The claim, which has sparked widespread reactions online, was cited by the LATEST_NEWS Blog on X (formerly Twitter). According to the post, it is alleged that Finland intends to sue Nigeria at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for falsely accusing Ekpa of terrorism and for alleged atrocities committed against humanity.

The viral statement reads: ” BREAKING NEWS. FINLAND TO SUE NIGERIA IN THE INT’ L COURT OF JUSTICE FOR WRONGLY ACCUSING THEIR HIGH- PROFILE CITIZEN OF TERRORISM AND ALSO ON THE INJUSTICE AND ATROCITIES COMMITTED AGAINST HUMANITY. The table is getting set. ”

A thorough review of Finnish government media platforms and official statements reveals no confirmation of such legal action. No Finnish official or agency has issued a statement supporting the viral claim.

This suggests that the report may have been fabricated, possibly to garner sympathy or attention for Simon Ekpa, who remains in custody.

Simon Ekpa, a dual Nigerian- Finnish citizen, was arrested on November 21, 2024, by Finnish authorities. The charges include allegations of terrorism, promoting economic instability, and orchestrating security breaches in Nigeria’ s southeastern region. Following his arrest, Ekpa was remanded in custody by a Finnish court.

The court also announced that his trial would commence in May 2025, ruling out the possibility of bail due to Finland’ s judicial system regulations.
Since his arrest, Ekpa’ s supporters have engaged in efforts to dispute the narrative of his detention.

Some have circulated old videos, falsely claiming that he continues to participate in BRGIE activities. These attempts appear to be aimed at undermining the credibility of the charges and creating an alternative narrative around his case.

Barely 48 hours after the purported declaration of the United States of Biafra (USB) by certain Igbo individuals in Finland, a South- Eastern Nigerian man has publicly renounced his Nigerian citizenship.....Read Full Article>>

In a viral post shared on X (formerly Twitter) and cited by the LATEST_NEWS Blog, a user identified as @ChinoOnuh tore his Nigerian international passport in a dramatic show of defiance.

He openly denounced his ties to Nigeria, warning against being referred to as a Nigerian. In his post, @ChinoOnuh vehemently declared:” If u ever call me a Nigeria… Ekwesu kpo gi oku… It will never be well with you. ” This development follows escalating tensions surrounding the Biafra independence movement, which gained renewed attention in recent weeks.

Simon Ekpa, a self- proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, had earlier announced that Biafra independence would be declared on December 2, 2024. However, days before the scheduled declaration, Ekpa was arrested by Finnish authorities on charges of terrorism, economic sabotage, and security breaches linked to the unrest in Nigeria’ s southeast region.

Ekpa’ s arrest on November 21st led to an immediate court ruling in Finland, where he was denied bail and sent to prison. Reports suggest he may remain in custody throughout the festive season and into the new year.

Meanwhile, the actions of @ChinoOnuh and others denouncing Nigerian citizenship highlight the deep divisions and frustrations among parts of the Igbo population. The controversy surrounding Simon Ekpa, the USB declaration, and its implications for Nigeria’ s unity continues to unfold, raising questions about the future of the South- Eastern region.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced a new price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which will affect marketers looking to source fuel from its refineries.....Read Full Article>>

This latest adjustment is expected to lead pump prices down at filling stations just in time for the festive season, benefiting consumers who are likely to travel more during this period. ”

As reported by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), NNPCL has decreased the price of PMS from N1, 045 per litre to N1, 030 per litre for marketers.” Billy Harry, the National President of PETROAN, made this announcement during a strategic meeting and award ceremony held in Abuja.

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He conveyed optimism regarding the new pricing, stating, ” Today, NNPCL has reduced their price to N1, 030.”

Despite this reduction, he noted that marketers are continuing to press the state- owned firm to lower prices further, expressing hope that additional cuts may be forthcoming.

Notably, the price set by NNPCL remains higher than that offered by Dangote Refinery, which recently cut its petrol price to N970 per litre.

This price disparity highlights the competitive landscape within the fuel market. Harry emphasized that the competition generated by such pricing is likely to help reduce fuel costs in the long run, fostering a more favorable environment for consumers.

Furthermore, Harry pointed out that the pricing structure of NNPCL makes it advantageous for retail outlet owners, allowing them to purchase smaller quantities of fuel with greater ease.

He explained, ” We are very close to NNPC because we can go there, buy one product, sell it quickly, and then come back.

But if we have to buy two million litres, we must do so collectively. ” This flexibility could play a crucial role in ensuring that marketers can respond promptly to market demands and maintain competitive pricing for consumers.

As the festive season approaches, the impact of these pricing changes will be closely monitored by both marketers and consumers alike.

In 2020, a horrifying case emerged in Ogun State, Nigeria, when a 48- year- old native doctor, identified as Ogunkoya, was arrested for killing Pastor Ezekiel Kalejaiye and using his body parts for rituals.....Read Full Article>>

The chilling incident was uncovered by the Ogun State Police Command during a routine stop- and- search operation along Isoyin Road. DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the State Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed the disturbing details of the crime.

According to Ogunkoya’ s confession, the pastor had visited him seeking spiritual powers to attract a larger congregation to his church. However, the native doctor saw an opportunity to use the pastor for his own sinister purposes.

Ogunkoya admitted that he prepared a sleeping solution, which he gave to the pastor. Once the pastor fell into a deep sleep, Ogunkoya used a knife to kill him. He then harvested specific body parts required for a concoction he was preparing for another client.

In his statement, Ogunkoya explained, ” The pastor came to me for power so his church could grow. I used the opportunity to use him for my personal job. I know I have done wrong, but I ask for forgiveness. This one just happened the way it did. ” He claimed to have assisted many people, including other pastors, in the past.

The native doctor’ s arrest sparked outrage and horror among the local community. Pastor Ezekiel Kalejaiye was a respected figure, and his brutal murder shocked those who knew him.

DSP Oyeyemi assured the public that thorough investigations were underway. He stated that Ogunkoya would face murder charges in court once the investigation was completed.

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of desperation and blind trust in unscrupulous individuals. The police have urged the public to be cautious and report any suspicious activities to prevent similar occurrences. Pastor Kalejaiye’ s death serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of engaging with deceitful practices in the pursuit of power or success.