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Nigeria engages Brazil towards stronger military cooperation

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The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Monday, 25 August 2025, held a high-level bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart, Mr José Múcio Monteiro Filho, in Brasília on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil.

Also present in attendance was General Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces. The meeting focused on strengthening defence relations, advancing defence-industrial cooperation, and enhancing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, among other defence-related issues.

The Minister underscored Nigeria’s commitment to the full implementation of the Nigeria-Brazil Defence Agreement signed on 24 June 2025. He described the agreement as a strategic instrument for expanding collaboration, deepening technology transfer, and building industrial partnerships. He stressed that effective implementation is essential for both nations to maximise the value of the partnership, particularly in developing Nigeria’s local defence production capacity.

He also underscored that closer collaboration on maritime awareness, joint exercises, and interoperability will help both countries protect vital sea routes and grow their blue economies.

Speaking during the meeting, Minister Badaru said: “Nigeria is determined to build a resilient defence industry that reduces dependence on imports and positions our country as the defence-industrial hub in Africa. He added. “Brazil’s experience and technological depth make it a trusted partner, but our priority is to move from agreements to action, with clear timelines and measurable results that benefit both nations.”

Badaru Abubakar also commended Brazil’s support in securing the Gulf of Guinea, a maritime corridor central to Nigeria’s economic lifeline, and acknowledged its constructive role in advancing the objectives of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS).

He highlighted that sustained cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism, and defence-industrial innovation aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places national security and self-reliance at the core of Nigeria’s development strategy. Both ministers agreed to establish a structured defence dialogue framework to ensure continuity, accountability, and tangible outcomes.

According to Mati Alli, Personal Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity, the engagement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a forward-looking partnership with Brazil, reinforcing bilateral ties and Nigeria’s leadership in regional and transatlantic security cooperation.

 

 

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Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.

While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.

 

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Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO

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President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.

Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.

Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.

Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.

The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.

He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.

If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.

Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.

 

 

 

 

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Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.

“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.

“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.

“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.

The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.

He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.

“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.

“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.

The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.

He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.

The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.

 

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