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Court Orders Sowore’s Arrest Over Cyber Case With Tinubu

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, following his failure to attend his trial.

 

Sowore was billed to open his defence to a two-count cybercrime charge the Department of State Services (DSS) filed against him for calling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in a social media post.

The defendant opted to represent himself before the court after his legal team withdrew from the case.

However, at the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, he failed to appear before the court, even though he sent a letter explaining that he had travelled to Lagos in search of lawyers to defend him.

Following an application from the DSS, Justice Mohammed Umar revoked the bail that had been earlier granted to the defendant and issued a warrant for his arrest.

Sowore had earlier asked the trial judge to recuse himself from the trial and remit the case file to the chief judge for reassignment to another judge.

In the application, anchored on Section 36(1)(5)(6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Sowore accused Justice Umar of bias, referencing an incident where his lawyer was ordered to kneel before the court.

Sowore said his lawyers had been scared off by the court’s decision to hear the case on a day-to-day basis, as well as by what he described as the judge’s high-handedness.

“My lawyers indicated to me that they are afraid to appear before you and will no longer appear because of the humiliation they suffered before this court.

“Pending the time I am able to reconstitute a new legal team, I shall be representing myself before your lordship,” he added.

Sowore had, on December 2, 2025, when he was arraigned in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, pleaded not guilty.

The charges allege offences under Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The posts, dated August 25, 2025, were made in response to President Tinubu’s claim in Brazil that his administration had ended corruption in Nigeria.

Angered by the posts, the DSS demanded that X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta Platforms Inc. ban Sowore’s accounts and remove the posts.

The security agency also wrote to Sowore, asking him to delete the posts from all platforms.

Non-compliance with the request led to the charges.

The prosecution claims the defamatory posts were intended to cause a breakdown of law and order and to tarnish the president’s reputation.

Exhibits include printouts of the posts and DSS letters.

X Inc. and Meta were initially co-defendants but were delisted in the amended charge, which states the following:

“That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult male, on or about August 25, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly or intentionally sent a message by means of a computer system or network—to wit, your official X (formerly Twitter) handle @YeleSowore—stating, ‘This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!’ – a message you knew to be false and posted to cause a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria, posing a threat to life, thereby committing cyberstalking contrary to Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, punishable under the same section.

“That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult male, on or about August 25, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly or intentionally sent a message by means of a computer system or network—to wit, your official Facebook handle @YeleSowore—stating, ‘This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!’ which message you knew to be false and posted to cause a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria, posing a threat to life, thereby committing cyberstalking contrary to Sections 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(a), (b), and (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, punishable under the same section.”

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3 Killed As Gunmen Attack NIPSS

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Suspected gunmen on Monday night attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, killing three security operatives in an attempt to breach the nation’s foremost policy institution.

 

Report quoted sources as saying the attackers stormed the institute at about 11:40 p.m. and opened fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire with security personnel stationed at the facility.

A staff member of the institute, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and said the attackers launched the assault unexpectedly.

According to the source, security operatives engaged the assailants in a fierce confrontation to prevent them from gaining access to the institution.

The staff member disclosed that three security personnel lost their lives during the attack, including two soldiers and one police officer attached to the institute’s security detail.

He added that the swift response of security forces prevented the gunmen from penetrating deeper into the facility and causing further damage.

The source, however, said the motive behind the attack remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Also speaking, Bulus Haruna, a resident of Kuru in Jos South Local Government Area, told our correspondent that residents of surrounding communities were thrown into panic following the sound of sustained gunfire that lasted several minutes.

Meanwhile, the NIPSS has confirmed the incident, assuring that it has been brought under control.

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Lagos Seals 12 Outfits Over Noise Pollution, Environmental Offences

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The Lagos State Government has sealed 12 establishments across different parts of the state over various environmental offences, including noise pollution, air pollution, obstruction of official duties, and persistent failure to comply with environmental regulations.

 

A statement by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, said the enforcement exercise was carried out on Monday, June 15, 2026, in collaboration with the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI).

The operation led to the closure of Westgate Arena Club, located at Apostolic Church Close, Olowora, Lagos, over persistent noise pollution.

According to the agency, the exercise was conducted on the directive of the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, as part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Government to enforce environmental laws and protect residents from environmental disturbances.

LASEPA said the affected facilities were sealed after repeated warnings, abatement notices and continuous disregard for environmental regulations.

The agency explained that the operation targeted establishments found to be violating environmental standards through activities such as excessive noise generation, air pollution, obstruction of enforcement officers and non-compliance with regulatory directives.

Other establishments affected during the exercise include Golden Click Hotel on Cados Road, Baruwa, which was sealed for failing to comply with the agency’s directives, and 14:02 Lounge and Bar located on Command Road, Aralamo Bus Stop, Ipaja, which was shut down over noise pollution.

Also sealed was the Cherubim and Seraphim Church on Olumuyiwa Jacobs Street, Aguda, Surulere, for noise pollution, while Kilo Hotel on Adeniyi Adefioye Street, Kilo, Surulere, was closed for non-compliance with environmental directives.

Max Lounge on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, was sealed over noise and air pollution, while The Hotel Macs on Enitan Street, Aguda, Surulere, was shut down for failure to comply with the agency’s directives.

Hotel Bel Am on Agbebi Street, Ijesha, was also sealed for noise pollution, while Fecomillion Hotel on Salami Bashorun Street, Ijesha, Surulere, was closed for non-compliance with environmental regulations.

The enforcement team further sealed PetroSafe Gas Station on Ijesha Road for obstruction of duty and non-compliance with the agency’s directives.

Serena Hotel and Suites on Ashoge Street, off Cele Bus Stop, Surulere, was also shut down for non-compliance, while CitiLounge on Mobe Street, Ishaga, was sealed over noise pollution.

Gariot, located on Ogunlana Drive, was equally affected during the operation for obstruction of duty and failure to comply with environmental directives.

Speaking on the exercise, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting public health and maintaining a clean and safe environment across the state.

“Environmental compliance is a collective responsibility. Individuals and corporate organisations must adhere strictly to environmental laws and regulations. LASEPA will continue to intensify enforcement actions against violators to curb environmental nuisances and protect residents from the harmful effects of pollution,” the statement said.

Ajayi urged residents and business owners to adopt environmentally friendly practices and work with regulatory authorities to promote a cleaner and healthier Lagos.

He stressed that the agency would continue to enforce environmental standards across the state without compromise.

LASEPA also reiterated its determination to deploy all lawful measures necessary to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and create a safer, healthier and more sustainable environment for residents.

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W/C: Tunisia Head Coach Sacked After Opening Game Defeat

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Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi has been sacked after defeat on World Cup opening game against Sweden.

 

Plans are under way ‌to appoint ‌Mondher Kebaier as the new national team ‌coach on an interim basis, Federation confirm.

A statement released on the Tunisian FA Instagram read:

“An agreement has been officially reached to dismiss coach Sabri Lamouch.

“Plans are under way ‌to appoint ‌Mondher Kebaier as the national team ‌coach [on an interim basis].”

Tunisia play Japan in their second group game on Saturday before facing the Netherlands.

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