Author: News Room

A court in Katsina has sentenced a woman to death by hanging after convicting her of terrorism-related offences involving the transportation of 438 rounds of ammunition allegedly destined for a suspected bandit commander operating in North-west Nigeria. Hauwa’u Mukhtar was tried in Suit No. KTH/65C/2023 before High Court No. 3, Katsina, presided over by Justice A.B. Bawale. The court found her guilty on two counts of conspiracy to commit terrorism and aiding and abetting terrorist activities. Justice Bawale held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through witness testimonies and exhibits tendered during the trial. The death sentence…

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said discussions on Nigeria’s nuclear power programme remain alive, amid continuous technical engagements with concerned authorities in the West African country. Mr Grossi disclosed the progress made on the nuclear power arrangement with Nigeria while responding to a PREMIUM TIMES’ enquiry at an IAEA programme in Vienna, Austria. The IAEA DG said the agency continues to work with Nigeria on its nuclear power plan and IAEA officials had held visits and technical meetings with relevant stakeholders to actualise the dream. In May 2024, while on a visit to…

The Abia State Government has commenced the enforcement of its new centralised transport system in Umuahia, with the phased relocation of transport operators to the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal, Umuahia. The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made this known at Government House, Umuahia, on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. The commissioner disclosed that, in order to ensure compliance by transport operators, the state government took time to hold a series of meetings with transport stakeholders, during which their concerns were addressed. Kanu added that,…

The Nigerian Air Force says it has taken into custody all personnel suspected to be involved in the death of a commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, who allegedly died after being assaulted by a group of military officers along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos. This was disclosed exclusively to PUNCH Metro on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame. Our correspondent had earlier reported that the 43-year-old driver died a few hours after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of the detained officers following a minor traffic incident involving their vehicle. The incident,…

A fresh battle over the control of Nigeria’s electricity sector is brewing, as state electricity regulators have accused the National Assembly of attempting to claw back powers already devolved to states under the Constitution and the Electricity Act 2023. In a strongly worded memorandum submitted to the Senate Committee on Power and obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday, electricity regulatory commissions and bureaus from 16 states warned that the proposed Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 could reverse one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s power sector. The regulators argued that the amendment bill, rather than strengthening the electricity market,…

Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournament’s joint all-time top scorer on Tuesday as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a dazzling 3-0 rout of Algeria. On a magical night at Kansas City’s 69,045-capacity Arrowhead Stadium, Messi delivered an electrifying individual display to join Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scorers charts with 16 goals. The 38-year-old had started an unforgettable occasion — his 200th international appearance — by claiming a piece of history, becoming the first man to play in six World Cups as he…

The US House and Senate have reached a deal to move forward with a housing bill that includes a ban on the Federal Reserve creating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) until 2030.A bipartisan group of House and Senate leaders released an updated version of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act on Tuesday, which aims to address housing affordability and bans institutional investors from buying existing single-family homes to rent out.The bill has included a CBDC ban since the Senate passed it in March. The House also passed its version of the bill with strong support in May, but…

Rapper Mystikal has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to rape. Local ABC affiliate WBRZ reported that Mystikal (real name Michael Tyler) appeared in court on Tuesday, June 16, to receive his sentencing. The rapper, 55, was accused of raping a woman in his Prairieville, Louisiana, home back in 2022, to which he pleaded guilty. The victim, whose name has not been publicly revealed, appeared in court on Tuesday, asking the court to impose the maximum sentence. While addressing the judge, the woman claimed that Mystikal “choked her, pulled braids out of her hair and forcibly…

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said that his administration will continue to provide the necessary camp infrastructure to ensure a safe and conducive environment for corps members posted to the state. Mr Otti spoke at Monday’s swearing-in ceremony of the 1,584 corps members for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna in Bende Local Government Area. He described the corps members as “ambassadors of hope” whose service year would help to deepen national cohesion and drive grassroots development. The governor, represented by his Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to…

Nigerian boxers Elizabeth Oshoba, Ike Ibeabuchi and Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje lead the list of nominees for the 2026 Fight Gist Media Boxing Awards, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the National Institute for Sports Conference Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of boxers, coaches and promoters across 14 voting categories, continuing an initiative that has, since its inception last year, sought to spotlight Nigerian boxing talent on the global stage and document the growth of the sport locally. Oshoba features prominently among nominees for the Female Social Media Influencer award, alongside…