Legal and Judicial Affairs

Lagos State Government Plans $10 Million Investment to Regenerate Makoko Amid Protests The Lagos State Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest approximately $10 million in revitalizing Makoko, a densely populated waterfront community facing significant challenges. This announcement comes as residents and civil society groups express their outrage over recent demolitions, which have displaced families and ignited calls for accountability from both law enforcement and government officials. In this multifaceted…

Ghana Pauses Citizenship Applications to Enhance Accessibility for Diaspora Ghana has announced a temporary pause on citizenship applications for members of the African diaspora, aiming to simplify and make the process more user-friendly for applicants. Since 2016, individuals able to demonstrate African ancestry, particularly descendants of those impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, have been eligible to apply for Ghanaian nationality. This initiative has seen over 1,000 individuals, including notable figures like…

High Court Adjourns Prosecution of Ex-Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta The High Court in Ghana has formally adjourned the prosecution of former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta and nine co-accused individuals. The decision was made to facilitate the "service of summons" on several fugitives residing in the United States, highlighting the complexities of international legal proceedings. During a session held recently, the court announced that the next hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2026. The delay arises from…

Newly released U.S. Justice Department records in the growing cache of "Epstein files" include the name of former South African president Jacob Zuma and reference a dinner organized during a 2010 state visit, according to court documents made public this week. The tranche of documents contains emails mentioning a dinner at the Ritz Hotel in London on March 5, 2010, while Zuma was on an official visit to the U.K. The emails, the Justice Department release shows, identify a man who described himself as a friend of Jeffrey…

Return of Worshippers After Abduction in Kajuru In a significant development, 80 worshippers who escaped abduction during the attack on Kurmin Wali in the Kajuru Local Government Area have returned home after spending approximately two weeks hiding in neighboring villages. Village Head Ishaku Dan'azumi provided an update on the situation, revealing that while initial reports indicated 177 individuals were abducted, further investigations clarified that 80 had successfully fled to safety. Unfortunately, 86 worshippers…

Tragic Mine Collapse in Eastern Congo Claims Over 200 Lives At least 200 people were killed when a coltan mine collapsed after heavy rains in Rubaya, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident highlights not only the dangers associated with artisanal mining but also the broader implications of illegal resource exploitation in conflict zones. According to rebel authorities, women, children, and artisanal miners were among the victims of this catastrophe, with around 20 survivors receiving treatment in local…

Foiled Coup Attempt in Nigeria: A Deep Dive into Events of September 2025 A reported attempt to overthrow the Nigerian government, foiled in September 2025, has raised alarms about the stability of the country's leadership. This sinister plot allegedly included plans to assassinate senior government officials, potentially targeting President Bola Tinubu himself. The Premium Times has disclosed details surrounding this chilling event, which has unmasked deeper layers of political unrest within Nigeria. The Unraveling of…

Drone and Artillery Attack at Niamey Airport Raises Security Concerns Heavy security has been deployed around the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey following a suspected militia attack on Thursday. The incident, characterized by the use of drones and heavy artillery, has heightened tensions in a region already fraught with instability. Located approximately 10 kilometers from the presidential palace, the airport serves as a critical air force base and as the headquarters for the joint military force comprising…

At least five illegal miners were killed when an artisanal mine collapsed during heavy rains in Guruè district, Zambézia province, Mozambican authorities said Tuesday, underscoring growing safety and security concerns around unregulated mining across the country. District administrator Felisberto Ponta Vida said the landslide occurred amid torrential rainfall that swept through the area. Local officials have not released the identities of the deceased or provided details on whether more people were missing. The collapse in…

Prominent rights activist Sarah Bireete, detained on December 30 after questioning the accuracy of the voter register ahead of Uganda's January 15 general election, has been granted bail. Bireete, who leads the Centre for Constitutional Governance, faced charges for the alleged unlawful disclosure of voters' information. Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko approved Bireete's release after she met the necessary bail conditions. Her detention sparked widespread condemnation from both local and international human rights…