Legal and Judicial Affairs

In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has permitted a prosecution witness to testify under protective conditions during the trial of a retired army general and five co-defendants accused of orchestrating a failed coup against President Bola Tinubu. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the ruling following requests from the prosecution, which highlighted the necessity of such measures for security reasons as the proceedings unfold. The federal government has brought forth 13 charges, including treason,…

In a decisive move to bolster national security, Burkina Faso's Council of Ministers approved a draft law on April 24 aiming to establish a military reserve comprising 100,000 personnel by 2026. Defense Minister Célestin Simporé emphasized the initiative as a means to engage citizens actively in safeguarding the nation, stating it would "embed Patriotic Defense within a logic of citizen participation." The government has long relied on a significant number of civilian volunteers known as the Volunteers for the Defense of…

In a shocking incident, eight children are still unaccounted for following an armed assault on an unregistered orphanage in Kogi State. Kingsley Fanwo, the state's information commissioner, reported that 15 children were successfully rescued thanks to a "prompt and coordinated response" from security forces. While no group has officially claimed responsibility for this violent act, security officials suggest that a functional Boko Haram cell operates within the region, citing a history of violent incidents there. Fanwo…

A quarrel over access to a water well has spiraled into deadly interethnic violence in eastern Chad, leaving at least 42 people dead and 10 others injured. Such clashes, often rooted in farmer-herder tensions over scarce resources, are a recurring challenge across the country. Authorities said a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Limane Mahamat was dispatched to the area and that the situation is now under control. Conflicts over water and grazing land have become more frequent in Chad, with extreme weather…

In a gathering that could signal a shift in Liberia's political landscape, opposition leaders convened at the private residence of former President George M. Weah for the reburial ceremony of his late father. This event was attended by notable figures, including Senator Amara Konneh, a prominent supporter of the ruling Unity Party, alongside other influential lawmakers. The ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of growing discontent with the government, particularly in light of its recent demolition operations, soaring…

Fifteen Latin American migrants have become the first group deported by the United States to the Democratic Republic of Congo, landing in Kinshasa under a contentious third-country removal program. On arrival, they described feeling fearful and uncertain about what awaits them. The group—nationals of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru—is being accommodated at Venus Village, a dilapidated hotel complex on the outskirts of the capital. They received one-week entry visas at the airport and now face a stark choice: arrange travel back…

Humanitarian operations in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado are being stretched thin as communities contend with both militant violence and extreme weather, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGD) has warned. Marques Naba, the INGC Cabo Delgado delegate, said aid efforts must be reshaped to meet “a complex and simultaneous scenario'. He noted that in the current rainy season alone, 4,570 houses were affected, including 1,316 that were destroyed. Conflict continues to uproot civilians: at least 434,000 people…

In a stark warning, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has highlighted a troubling decline in democratic principles within the nation, particularly focusing on increasing threats to freedom of speech and expression. Their recent statement reflects a mounting public unease regarding potential repercussions for those who dare to voice their opinions. "Currently, a considerable number of Liberians—comprising journalists, students, activists, and everyday citizens—are growing increasingly apprehensive about their ability to speak…

President Cyril Ramaphosa, moving decisively amid scrutiny of police procurement, has placed National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension. Masemola faces charges under the Public Finance Management Act for allegedly failing to properly oversee a contested $21 million police health services contract. He has denied the allegations. The charges are tied to a 2024 tender awarded to controversial businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala’s Medicare24 Tshwane District to provide health services to police…

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has lodged a formal protest with his South African counterpart after widely shared videos purportedly showing xenophobic assaults on Ghanaian nationals sparked outrage online. Calling the footage “extremely disturbing,” Ablakwa pressed South African authorities to act swiftly. “The South African Foreign Minister has expressed empathy with the victims and promised full-scale investigations into these depressing incidents,” Ablakwa said on social media. He added that…