NEWS
Coalition of Geopolitical Youth Associations of Nigeria, CSOs Kick Against Trial of Ozekhome
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Coalition of Geopolitical Youth Associations of Nigeria and Civil Society Organisations have expresses their profound outrage, disappointment and categorical rejection of “unjust criminalisation of a matter fundamentally civil in nature” involving one of Nigeria’s foremost legal minds, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN.
The CSOs comprise youth leaders drawn from the six geo-political zones, including but not limited to the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Oodua Youth Parliament, Concerned Ndibo Youth Movement, North Central Youths Assembly of Nigeria, Nigeria Youth Advocacy for good governance and allied civil society organisations.
In a statement jointly issued by the to groups, they said they are “deeply concerned by the actions of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation using the instrumentality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in pursuing a criminal prosecution over a property gift transaction reportedly intended for registration in London, an issue that, by every reasonable legal standard, falls within the realm of civil dispute resolution.”
According to them, “The transformation of such a matter into a criminal prosecution raises serious questions about proportionality, fairness, and adherence to due process. It sends a troubling signal to Nigerians and the international community that legal interpretation may be stretched beyond reason in matters that require civil adjudication, not criminal sanction,especially as the UK adjudicatory tribunal found Prof Ozekhome blameless in it’s judgment.
“Professor Mike Ozekhome is not just a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); he is a towering symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle and evolution. For decades, he has stood fearlessly against military dictatorship, constitutional infractions, executive recklessness, and human rights violations.
“His sacrifices both personal and professional have helped shape Nigeria’s legal and democratic jurisprudence and strengthened the rule of law.
“It is therefore most painful and highly unacceptable that a man whose legacy is intertwined with Nigeria’s democratic struggles could be subjected to what appears to be a needless and avoidable prosecution, particularly after an earlier case on the same subject matter had been withdrawn by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in a competent court of law.
“On behalf of Nigerian youths and civil society organisations nationwide, we acknowledge the intervention of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, for assuming later oversight of the matter.
“We had recognized this as a step towards restoring institutional balance and reaffirming constitutional authority within the prosecutorial framework under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“However, we firmly state that oversight alone is not enough. We,as well as most Nigerians, had expected him to terminate the proceedings that appear targeted at him alone since none of the other lawyers mentioned in the case has been arraigned.”
The groups demanded the following: “Immediate and Unconditional Withdrawal of the Charges; call upon the Honourable Attorney-General to exercise his constitutional powers under Section 174 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to discontinue this needless prosecution forthwith. Justice delayed in this context is justice denied.
“Prosecutorial powers must never be used in a manner that blurs the line between civil and criminal jurisprudence. We demand a clear reaffirmation of this distinction to prevent future abuse.
“Investigative and prosecuting agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC that had initially rushed to court and given the case wide publicity, must operate strictly within the bounds of the law and avoid sensational actions that may erode public trust and confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
“The continued prosecution of a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria over a matter widely perceived as civil risks undermining confidence in Nigeria’s justice system and diminishing the standing of the legal profession.
“Nigeria’s global image must not be compromised by prosecutorial decisions that appear excessive or legally questionable, particularly when they involve individuals of international legal repute.
“Nigerian youths demand a justice system that is impartial, principled, and immune from perceptions of intimidation or selective application of the law.
“Let it be clearly stated : our call is not for immunity from the law.
“No Nigerian is above the law. However, the law itself must not be stretched beyond logic or fairness ot targeted at specific critical individuals in pursuit of outcomes that could have been resolved through civil mechanisms.
“Justice must never be weaponised. Justice must never be selective. Justice must never be perceived as retaliatory. Justice must never been seen as persecutory.
“We therefore urge the Honourable Attorney-General to act decisively and courageously in defence of constitutionalism, fairness and national interest by discontinuing these charges in their entirely.
“Nigeria’s democracy was built on sacrifices made by Nigerians amongst whom Ozekhome’s name resonates clearly. It must not be weakened by prosecutorial excesses of retaliatory measures.
Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.”
The joint statement was signed by Amb. Olasunkanmi Kolawole,
Convener & President
North Central Youths Assembly of Nigeria; Dr. Isah Abubakar,
Co-Convener & President
Northern Youth Council of Nigeria; Comrade Tochukwu Okoye, President
Concerned Ndibo Youth Movement of Nigeria; Activist Olamilekan Oladimeji,
President Odu’a Youth Parliament,Malam Lukman Lawal, National Coordinator
Youth Alliance for National Transformation and Comrade. Alabi Akeem Abiodun, National Coordinator
Nigeria Youth Advocacy for good governance.
NEWS
Justin Bieber Headlines Coachella with Nostalgia-fuelled Set
Justin Bieber made a nostalgia-fuelled return to the major stage as Coachella’s much-anticipated headline act.
The 32-year-old spent much of Saturday night’s gig sitting in front of a laptop and singing to YouTube music videos of his older hits, such as Baby and Never say Never – delighting the crowd in an apparent tribute to the platform on which he was discovered.
He also played some of the home videos that had brought him to the industry’s attention aged 12, pulling them up on the big screen, and appeared to interact with the live comments on the YouTube stream of his set.
It marked the star’s biggest live show in four years, having cancelled his Justice World tour following health issues.
He opened the gig alone on an otherwise empty stage, performing tracks from his 2025 albums Swag and Swag II – before telling the crowd he wanted to take them “on a journey” and reaching back into his archive.
He repeatedly asked the audience: “How far back do you go?”
Bieber also played the clip for which he most recently went viral – and which prompted speculation about his mental state – in which he confronted a photographer and said: “It’s not clocking to you, I’m standing on business.”
Dressed in a hoodie and shorts on a stripped-back stage, Bieber was joined by musical guests including The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, Tems and Dijon.
The star’s wife Hailey Bieber was spotted in the crowd, alongside celebrity couple Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.
Bieber cancelled his world tour after revealing he was suffering from facial paralysis, after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome – a complication from contracting shingles – in 2022.
He released his surprise album Swag in July 2025, and in February performed live at the Grammy Awards.
His Coachella set marked a starker departure from the previous night’s headline act, Sabrina Carpenter, whose Hollywood-themed gig included costume changes, choreography and elaborate stage design.
Colombian pop star Karol G will be Sunday’s headliner at the festival, which takes place over two weekends in the California desert.
It draws more than 100,000 people daily, according to police from the city of Indio, and has been running at Indio’s Empire Polo Club since 2002.
Education
Sule Rewards First-Class Graduates, Honours Tanzania’s President at NSUK 8th Convocation
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Nasarawa State University, Keffi over the weekend celebrated its 25th silver jubilee anniversary and combined 8th convocation ceremony, where over 25,000 students were awarded with various academic degrees.
The grand event, held over the weekend at the school main Campus Keffi, was confirmed and honoured with Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs), Master’s degrees, First Degrees, and Postgraduate Diplomas on graduating students across different faculties.
The ceremony also confirmed honorary doctorate degrees on prominent personalities for their contributions to global leadership, business, and development.
Among the prominent personalities honoured were the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan; Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group; and Mahmood Ahmad.
The awards recognised their outstanding contributions to global leadership, development, and their roles in advancing socio-economic development both within Africa and globally.
During the ceremony, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, awarded a cash prize of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) each to 82 first-class graduates, while the overall best graduating student was awarded N1 million.
The governor explained that the initiative was designed to promote excellence among students and aligns with the state government’s broader agenda of investing in education and human capital development. According to him, recognising academic achievement is essential in inspiring younger generations to pursue excellence.
Sule emphasised that rewarding hard work and dedication would encourage students across the state to strive for distinction in their academic pursuits. He noted that such incentives serve as a catalyst for improved performance and a stronger educational system.
As part of activities marking the institution’s 8th convocation and 25th anniversary celebrations, the governor commissioned several infrastructure projects at the University.
The newly inaugurated projects include the Alumni Secretariat, the Department of Accounting Postgraduate E-Library, as well as the university’s second gate and access road. He commended the university management for its commitment to infrastructural development and academic excellence.
The two-day celebration attracted a wide array of dignitaries from across Nigeria, including Governors, Ambassadors, Vice-chancellors, professors, traditional rulers, Business Men, and key stakeholders in the education sector.
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, warmly welcomed guests and expressed appreciation to the university’s leadership for their continued support.
She specifically acknowledged the Chancellor, HRH. Shehu Chindo Yamusa the Emir of Keffi, as well as the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Atahiru Jiga, and members of the governing council for their impactful leadership.
Liman credited the institution’s progress to strong governance and visionary leadership, noting that both staff and students have benefitted from an enabling academic environment.
“I have acquired knowledge and experience in this institution due to impactful and good leadership,” she said.
She further urged students to prioritise their education and draw inspiration from the leadership and values upheld by the university. According to her, such commitment is essential for contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s academic advancement and global competitiveness.
“Apply your knowledge positively, contributing to the advancement and educational success of Nigeria and the global community,” she appealed.
NEWS
OPay Named Nigeria’s Most Trusted Digital Financial Company at 2026 ISO Awards
OPay, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has been awarded The Most Trusted Quality Mobile Money and Digital Financial Services Company of the Year at the 2026 ISO World Corporate Brand of the Year Award. This recognition reaffirms OPay’s strong reputation and the trust tens of millions of Nigerians have in its services.
The award ceremony, held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together leading companies making a positive impact across different industries.The organisers, ISO World Consult, noted that the selection was based on an outstanding 4.6 from online referrer rating and also highlighted OPay’s strong track record and its role in improving financial services across Nigeria.
This recognition further shows that OPay continues to make financial services simple, secure and reliable for everyday
Nigerians. From sending money to paying bills and supporting businesses, OPay has become a trusted part of daily life.
Chukwudinma Okafor, Chief Compliance Officer, OPay, said: “This award is a strong validation of the trust our customers and partners place in us. We are committed to maintaining high standards in compliance, risk management, and service delivery. Our goal is to keep building a platform that supports growth, protects users, and contributes positively to the financial system.”
OPay remains focused on expanding access to financial services and helping more Nigerians take part in the digital economy.
About OPay
OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customer’s funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

