The Nigerian Table Tennis Federation have confirmed that the nation’s youth team scheduled to compete at the ITTF World Youth Championships in Romania holding Nov 23-30 have been denied visas.
Led by reigning West African champion, Kuti Matthew, the Nigerian squad secured its place by winning the U15 and U19 boys’ team categories at the 2025 ITTF-Africa Youth Championships in Lagos. Yet, despite their triumph, the team has now been replaced by Egypt and Tunisia in those events following this visa denial
UN Complex Bombing: Court Admits Evidence in DSS Case Against Al-Barnawi, Other Terror Suspects
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday admitted in evidence three video clips supplied by the DSS) to puncture claims of duress by five suspected masterminds of the 2011 bombing of the United Nations complex in Abuja facing trial.
The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, fixed December 5 for continuation of the trial-within-trial of five defendants, including Khalid Al‑Barnawi
The trial -within – trial, will involve the playback of video clips in the courtroom to determine the veracity of claims by the defendants that they made their extra-judicial statements before the DSS under duress.
The DSS accuse the five terror suspects led Al-Barnawi, of being the masterminds of the August 26, 2011, bombing of the United Nations Complex in Abuja. At least 20 people were killed and more than 70 others injured in the attack.
Captured in 2016, Al-Barnawi is facing trial alongside four other terror suspects – Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello aka Datti, Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu aka Bello Maishayi.
The trial suffered several delays due to legal and procedural challenges thrown up by the defendants, including the absence of legal representation on several occasions the suspects were brought to court. However, all that changed after Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi’s appointment as Director General, with him insisting on speedy trial for suspects he inherited as well as for those arrested under his watch.
The DSS recently requested the court to grant accelerated hearing in the case, a request Justice Nwite granted, same way judges trying DSS cases against terror suspects Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Mahmuda, Muhammed Usman aka Abu Bara’a, as well as those standing trial in the Yelwata and Benue massacres, have obliged the DSS DG’s request for speedy trial.
Following the conclusion of playing back the video clip of the first defendant, Justice Nwite fixed December 5 for the commencement of playing back the video clips of the on other defendants.
Earlier on Friday, Justice Nwite had admitted the extra-judicial statements made by three other persons charged by the DSS for alleged terrorism.
The trioka are being tried for allegedly spying on the US, and Israel s interests for certain individuals in Iran.
Haruna Ali Abbas, Ibrahim Hussaini Musa and Adam Sulaiman were accused of spying on the US, and Israel ‘s interests for individuals in Iran.
The case, which had been ongoing since 2014 and re-assigned multiple times, reached a point in August 2025 during a trial-within-trial to determine if the defendants’ alleged extra-judicial statements were made voluntarily or under duress.
While the defendants claimed that they were coerced, harassed and intimidated to make their statement, the prosecution held that the statements were made voluntarily.
The prosecution claimed that the accused persons read through the statements, through the cautionary words and signed, hence, should be admitted in evidence.
Justice Nwite who ordered a trial within trial allowed both parties to call witnesses who gave evidence.
The prosecution who called three witnesses said they conducted their operations within the best standard procedure, as they paid attention to the welfare of suspects in their custody in terms of food and medication while also allowing them access to their families.
The defendants on the other hand recounted their alleged torture in the DSS facility, alleging that they were beaten and given inhuman treatment.
After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense counsel, Justice Nwite ruled that the defendants statements be admitted in evidence.
The Judge held that the prosecution through the witnesses proved to the court that they were not forced to make their statements.
Justice Nwite after admitting the statements as exhibits adjourned the matter to January 22, 2026 for substantive hearing.
Yesterday, I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country.
Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists. Secretary of war, Pete Hegseth .
Babajide Sanwo-olu today, commissioned new 233-unit housing scheme in the Abraham Adesanya area of Eti-Osa This project, delivered with our partners at Urban Shelter Limited, adds another set of modern homes to Lagos and moves us closer to closing the housing gap.
Our goal has always been to use the strength of both government and private investment to create affordable homes for families who need them most. We have stayed consistent. Just last month, we handed over 420 apartments in Ajara, Badagry, and in the last six years we have added about 11,000 homes across Lagos.
To make these homes more accessible, we introduced flexible approvals, offered a 40 percent rebate on permits, and created tax incentives that keep prices within reach.
At the same time, I must be clear. Partners who fail to meet agreed timelines or quality standards are being reviewed. We cannot allow delays to hold back our housing goals.
To the new homeowners, I ask you to take pride in this community and protect the infrastructure around you.
We remain committed to giving more Lagosians a decent place to call home, one completed project at a time.
Concerned indigenes of the Orogun Oil Producing Community in Delta State, Nigeria, have accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, and the Managing Director of Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd (Nigeria subsidiary), Mr. Ado Oseragbaje, of conspiring to st£al over N4 billion (approximately £2 million) intended for the impoverished community
From commanding the USS Halsey as the first Nigerian-American to lead a guided-missile destroyer to now serving as Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60 & Task Force 65 in Spain 🇪🇸, his journey is pure inspiration and a true example of #AmericanExcellence! 🇺🇸🇳🇬
