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World Cup: Nigeria set to clash with Gobon in Morocco

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Nigeria have announced a 24-man squad for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-offs in Morocco, with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Chidera Ejuke among the notable returnees, PUNCH Online reports.

The Nigeria Football Federation across all its social media confirmed the list on Saturday ahead of the semi-final clash with Gabon at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on November 13.

The Super Eagles will need to win that match to reach the final three days later, where they could face either Cameroon or DR Congo for a place in the inter-confederation play-offs.

Among the goalkeepers, Okoye’s inclusion was widely anticipated. The Udinese shot-stopper is back in the national fold for the first time since June.

His recall follows sustained calls for his reinstatement after recent doubts surrounding Stanley Nwabali’s consistency.

The 26-year-old has re-established himself as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper, putting in several strong performances since returning from a two-month suspension in July for breaching sporting conduct rules.

His return to form, highlighted by a superb display that ended Atalanta’s unbeaten run last weekend, has been central to his comeback.

In defence, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chidozie Awaziem and Semi Ajayi were all named.

Osayi-Samuel returns after recovering from a muscle injury that sidelined him during the last international window.

The Birmingham City full-back has regained full fitness, featuring in recent Championship fixtures and offering Nigeria added stability down the right flank.

Ajayi, however, remains suspended for the semi-final against Gabon after picking up two yellow cards during the group stage against Lesotho and Benin but was still called up to the squad.

Nantes defender Awaziem also returns after missing recent windows, while captain William Troost-Ekong and Fulham’s Calvin Bassey maintain their places.

In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf and Alex Iwobi retain their positions, joined by Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, who returns after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old featured for Brugge in their 2-1 win over Dender and impressed against Barcelona in a six-goal thriller that earned him a standing ovation. His return offers Nigeria a technically sound and defensively assured option in midfield, particularly with Christantus Uche and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru unavailable as backup options.

Ejuke’s inclusion marks his first return to the national team since October 2024. The Sevilla winger last played for the Super Eagles in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea-Bissau.

Since then, he has rebuilt his career in Spain, registering one assist in eight La Liga appearances for Sevilla this season.

His creativity and dribbling could add dynamism to Nigeria’s attack, which will again be led by Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.

The attack also includes current African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and Olusegun Olakunle, providing depth across wide and central areas.

Notable omissions include Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu and young midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.

Onuachu, who has scored seven league goals this season and recently won the Turkish Super Lig Player of the Month award for October, was widely expected to make the squad.

His absence, despite being the top-scoring Nigerian in Europe’s major leagues, comes as a surprise given Nigeria’s limited striking options beyond Osimhen.

Akinsanmiro, currently on loan at Pisa from Inter Milan, was also overlooked despite a string of fine performances in Serie A, where he has been praised for his energy, creativity and composure on the ball.

Nigeria are aiming to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2018 after missing out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The play-offs in Rabat will see four African teams — Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon and DR Congo — compete in two single-leg semi-finals and a one-match final from November 13 to 16.

The overall winner will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs for a final shot at securing a spot at the 2026 finals in North America.

 

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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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