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Terrorism, firearms charges: Wike’s public holiday stalls DSS move to re-arraign Malami, Son

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The public holiday declared by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday disrupted plans by the Department of State Services (DSS) to re-arraign former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, over alleged terrorism and illegal firearms offenses.

The re-arraignment was scheduled to take place on Friday, February 20, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. However, proceedings were halted after it became clear that court staff and other workers would observe the work-free directive issued by the FCT minister.

 

DSS operatives had reportedly taken control of security around the court premises as early as 7 a.m. in preparation for the hearing. By 9 a.m., when the defendants were expected to appear before Justice Peter Lifu, information emerged that court workers would not be on duty. The development prompted the DSS to suspend plans to produce the defendants in court.

 

Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and his son were earlier arraigned before a vacation judge, who subsequently returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment to a regular judge.

 

The matter was later reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu for fresh arraignment, but the judge declined to handle the case for personal reasons.

 

Sources indicated that the trial is now expected to commence on Monday, February 23, 2026.

 

In the five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, the former AGF is accused of allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers while serving as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

 

Malami and his son are also accused of unlawfully possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA live cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges at their residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

 

According to the DSS, Malami is charged in count one with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, contrary to Section 26(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Counts two to five relate to alleged unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, contrary to provisions of the Terrorism Act, 2022, and the Firearms Act, 2004.

 

At their earlier arraignment, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Southeast Plunged Into Darkness as EEDC Confirms Partial National Grid Collapse

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The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has announced a partial collapse of the national grid, leaving several parts of the Southeast without electricity.

EEDC spokesperson Emeka Ezeh disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the disturbance occurred at about 11:54 a.m.

 

According to the company, the partial system collapse triggered widespread power outages across its franchise areas.

 

“EEDC wishes to inform its customers across the Southeast that it experienced a partial system collapse today at about 11:54 a.m.

 

“This has resulted in the power outage currently being experienced by customers served by our subsidiary companies—MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand.

 

“The cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained. However, we are on standby, awaiting restoration of supply,” the statement read.

 

The development comes just days after electricity generation dropped nationwide following maintenance work by Seplat Energy and repair activities on a gas pipeline operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

 

Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, parts of Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi states were reported to still have electricity supply from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.

Alleged corruption: ICPC raids El-Rufai’s residence

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday searched the residence of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The development was disclosed by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye.

Reacting to the action, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the search, describing it as unlawful and a violation of due process and fundamental rights. He maintained that the operation did not follow proper legal procedures.

 

In a statement shared online, the aide confirmed that the ICPC carried out the search at the former governor’s residence earlier in the day.

 

The anti-corruption agency later confirmed that El-Rufai is currently in its custody.

 

The development comes a day after the former governor was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after he was granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

According to reports, DSS operatives re-arrested him in connection with allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

UK Police arrest Nigerian content creator Kolu

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Nigerian content creator Kolu, an associate of CarterEfe has reportedly been arrested in the United Kingdom following an alleged altercation with immigration officers.

The incident was disclosed by popular Nigerian musician Candy Bleakz in a video shared on her Instagram page. According to the rapper, Kolu had traveled to the UK under her sponsorship.

 

Candy Bleakz explained that the situation unfolded while they were preparing to board a return flight to Nigeria. She said Kolu was unable to locate his passport at the airport, prompting the need to inform immigration authorities.

 

However, she alleged that the matter escalated when Kolu engaged in a confrontation with officials instead of calmly addressing the issue.

 

“I already explained to Kolu that he is going to the UK in my name, and if he does not come back to Nigeria, it is going to have a huge effect on me,” she said.

 

Recounting the events, the singer stated that she urged him to remain calm and search thoroughly for the missing document.

 

“So we wanted to board a flight, but Kolu couldn’t find his passport. I said, “Okay, Kolu, just calm down and find everywhere for your passport.” “Okay, you didn’t see it; we needed to communicate this to the immigration, but instead Kolu started fighting,” she added.

 

She further revealed that Kolu was subsequently taken to a police station and that she had been there since morning attempting to resolve the matter.

 

“I told Kolu to calm down; he did not listen. He thought it was Nigeria. He has been taken to the station. I have been at the station since morning trying to communicate with them because I don’t want them to return Kolu to Nigeria through deportation because it’s going to have a negative effect on his passport,” she said.

 

As of the time of filing this report, UK authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

Rivers Senator Mpigi is dead as Nigerian Lawmaker Alabi reacts 

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Rivers State Senator representing the East senatorial district of Rivers, Barinada Mpigi, is dead.

A House of Representatives member, Akin Alabi, confirmed his death in a statement on Thursday on X.

He said that the senator, who until his death was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, died on Thursday at 64.

“Good night, my dear friend. Rest in peace, Senator Mpigi Barinada. Senator Mpigi represented Rivers South East in the Senate. He was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works,” Alabi, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Works, wrote on X.

Chelle demands $130,000 monthly deal, gives other conditions

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Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, is reportedly seeking a new contract that would see him earn up to $130,000 per month from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Chelle, who currently earns about $50,000 monthly, is said to have tabled fresh terms following a recent change of agents. The Malian tactician has also been linked with a potential move to Olympique de Marseille.

According to Shina Oludare of FlashScore, the proposed $130,000 monthly package is intended to cover the salaries of Chelle’s entire technical crew and his personal assistant, contrary to earlier reports suggesting a $100,000 demand.

Beyond salary, Chelle is reportedly requesting several benefits, including a private SUV with a chauffeur and security detail, accommodation in a well-secured area with 24-hour uninterrupted electricity, and a furnished office equipped with a projector for match analysis and internet access.

He is also said to be asking for business class flight tickets for himself and his wife, economy tickets for their two children, GPS provision, and the supply of adequate training equipment in line with his technical requirements.

On the sporting side, Chelle is reportedly seeking autonomy over the selection of international friendly matches and camping programs. He is also proposing to initiate youth development programs and requesting provisions to travel abroad to monitor Nigerian players, as well as attend domestic league matches to scout talents for integration into the senior national team and age-grade sides—U23, U20, and U17.

Other key demands include non-interference in team selection and player call-ups, formal working contracts for his backroom staff, prompt payment of salaries on or before the 30th of every month, and bonuses and allowances in line with the federation’s structure—with his personal assistant included in the bonus framework.

The proposed $130,000 monthly salary, which covers his technical staff and personal assistant, would also include regular monthly meetings with all national team coaches under the NFF structure.

 

 

Wike: Rivers Assembly stops impeachment move against Fubara, Deputy

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

The decision was taken on Thursday during plenary at the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, according to TVC News.

The development comes amid recent intervention by President Bola Tinubu, who met in Abuja with Governor Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and key members of the state legislature.

Observers say the latest move by the Assembly signals a possible resolution of the protracted political crisis that has gripped Rivers State in recent months.

EPL winner: Supercomputer makes fresh title prediction

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Opta’s supercomputer has predicted that Arsenal will emerge champions of the Premier League this season, despite their recent slip against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw at Molineux on Wednesday night, dropping two valuable points in the title race. Goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie ensured Arsenal secured a share of the spoils.

 

The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s men five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand.

 

Despite the setback, Opta’s supercomputer continues to favor the North London club in the title race. According to its latest projections, Arsenal is expected to finish the campaign with approximately 80.58 points and hold an 80.92 percent probability of lifting the Premier League trophy.

Naira to dollar exchange rate today

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The naira posted mixed performances against the United States dollar on Wednesday, February 18th 2026, depreciating at the official market while strengthening in the parallel segment.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria indicated that the local currency weakened to N1,338.11 per dollar on Wednesday, compared to N1,335.96 recorded on Tuesday. This represents a day-on-day decline of N2.15 at the official foreign exchange window.

In contrast, the naira appreciated at the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, gaining N20 to close at N1,470 per dollar from the N1,490 traded the previous day.

A Bureau De Change operator in Wuse Zone 4, Abubakar Bagazzi, linked the currency’s improved performance in the parallel market to reduced demand for the greenback.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s external reserves continued on an upward trend, rising to $48.50 billion as of February 17, from $48.37 billion recorded a day earlier.

Former South Korean president sentenced to life imprisonment 

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A South Korean court on Thursday sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of abuse of authority and masterminding an insurrection linked to his December 2024 attempt to impose martial law.

Prosecutors had pushed for the death penalty in the high-profile case, which has drawn intense public attention in a deeply divided nation. They argued that Yoon’s declaration of emergency martial law was unconstitutional and illegal and that it undermined the functions of the National Assembly and the Election Commission.

Under South Korean law, the offense of leading an insurrection carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment. Although the country last issued a death sentence in 2016, it has not carried out an execution since 1997.

Security was tightened around the Seoul Central District Court, where police buses formed a cordon as proceedings continued.

The court is also considering allegations that Yoon ordered troops to storm parliament to remove and detain political opponents. He is further accused of deploying soldiers and police officers to block and control access to key facilities, including an opposition party building.

The 65-year-old former leader has denied all charges. He remains in custody at the Seoul Detention Centre and is expected to stay there pending further legal proceedings.

According to prosecutors, Yoon is likely to appeal the verdict. If convicted on appeal, he may still challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.

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