By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday struck out an eight-count forgery charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly posed as the Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charge following an application by the Federal Government, represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

At the hearing, Oyedepo told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had reviewed the case file and identified gaps that informed the decision to withdraw the charge.

He said the government planned to take the case to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for a fresh arraignment.

Adeyemi, who has been in detention since July 14 following his arrest on a bench warrant issued by the court, was arraigned over allegations of forgery, fraud and impersonation.

The defendant later applied for bail, citing health concerns. He told the court that he was suffering from a contagious ailment that required urgent medical attention from his personal doctors.

The prosecution opposed the application, insisting that government medical facilities were available to cater for his health needs. 

The bail hearing, however, could not proceed following the withdrawal of the charge.

Those listed as potential witnesses in the case included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel; Jeremiah Imoukhede; and Ituah Sylvester.

Other proposed witnesses included Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, civil servants with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Yahoo Mail: Search, organise, conquer

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Councillor representing Tattara/Kondoro Electoral Ward and Chief Whip of the Karu Legislative Council, Hon. Barr. Ninda Yona, has urged constituents to support All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing what she described as the party’s positive impact on the ward.

Yona made the appeal during the unveiling of an APC campaign banner featuring the party’s candidates, describing the event as a significant demonstration of her commitment to the party and its leadership.

She said the APC-led government had contributed to the development of the ward through infrastructure projects, women’s empowerment programmes and improvement in workers’ welfare.

According to her, the ongoing empowerment of women, alongside plans for another round of support, had strengthened her resolve to mobilise grassroots support for the party.

She explained that the banner was intended to showcase APC candidates across different levels of government, from the presidency to the State House of Assembly, while promoting party unity and increasing their visibility among residents.

Appealing to the electorate, Yona urged residents of Tattara/Kondoro to reciprocate what she described as the government’s contributions to their welfare by voting for APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

“My plea to my electorate is that they should remember that one good turn deserves another. Having enjoyed the benefits of this government, we should also work to give back by supporting the APC at the polls,” she said.

She expressed optimism that Tattara/Kondoro would demonstrate its support for the party during the 2027 elections.

The council also expressed delight over the presence of party candidates and other stakeholders at the event, particularly Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, Hon. Abraham Habu Ekpo, Hon. Bawa Rabo and Hon. Samson Muntari.

According to her, their presence was encouraging and reflected the solidarity among party members as preparations for the elections continue.

Yona expressed appreciation for the support shown by residents during the event and reaffirmed her commitment to grassroots mobilisation.

She urged constituents to remain engaged in the political process as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Pope Leo XIV has announced he will be operated “in the coming days” after a nodule was found on his lung during a medical checkup.

“The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” he told the public during his weekly Sunday prayers in St Peter’s Square in Rome.

The 71-year-old pontiff said his medical team “believe it would be right to intervene” and he had agreed to the operation.

Pope Leo reassured pilgrims that the mass was “well-contained” and caught “at an early stage”.

He concluded his Angelus prayer by thanking everyone for their “spiritual closeness” and said he entrusted himself to their prayers.

Holy See Press Office spokesperson Matteo Bruni told the media that “the operation is scheduled for the first days of next week”.

Bruni added that the Pope is expected to take about a week to recover.

Vatican News, the Holy See’s news portal, said the operation will take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

The hospital set up a special Papal suite following the failed assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II’s life in May 1981, which is still in use today.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “personal solidarity” to the Pope in a post on X as he “faces the ordeal ahead in the coming days”.

Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Provost, succeeded Pope Francis in 2025. He is the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter – and is the first American.

He was ordained in 1982 and spent years as a missionary in Peru, where he is remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges.

During Sunday’s service, the Pope confirmed his visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru later in October will still go ahead.