Category Nigeria News

Former US president Bill Clinton faces a grilling from a Congressional panel on Friday on his well-documented links to Jeffrey Epstein, as Democrats seek to shift focus onto Donald Trump’s own ties to the convicted sex offender.

Clinton features prominently throughout the latest Epstein files disclosures, with the former president insisting that he broke ties with him well before the disgraced billionaire’s 2008 conviction for sex offences.

Mere mention in the files released by the US Department of Justice does not imply wrongdoing, and Clinton has not been accused of a crime or formally investigated.

READ ALSO: Bill Gates Admits Affairs But Denies Involvement In Epstein Crimes

He follows his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who testified Thursday, defiantly calling for President Trump — who, like Bill Clinton, had ties with Epstein — to appear before the panel.

“If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein’s trafficking crimes… it would ask (Trump) directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files,” she said in an opening statement published online.

The depositions under oath are being held behind closed doors, with Bill Clinton likening the proceedings to a “kangaroo court.” The couple has called for them to be open and televised.

The grilling comes with greater peril for the former president than for his wife, as he has acknowledged extensive interactions with Epstein, but said he never visited the shady financier’s private Caribbean island.

Epstein mingled with the world’s rich, famous and powerful, and was convicted in 2008 for soliciting sex from girls as young as 14.

He died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while facing trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

The Republican-led House Oversight Committee is probing those who were linked to Epstein, particularly in light of the Justice Department’s disclosures of millions of new documents related to its investigation of him.

Hillary insisted that she had neither flown on Epstein’s plane nor visited his island.

The Clintons had initially rejected subpoenas ordering them to testify in the panel’s probe, but the Democratic power couple agreed to do so after House Republicans threatened to hold them in contempt of Congress.

– Newly released pictures –

Hillary Clinton said in her opening statement to the panel that it “justified its subpoena to me based on its assumption that I have information regarding the investigations into the criminal activities of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.”

“Let me be as clear as I can. I do not.”

Democrats say the investigation is being weaponised to attack Trump’s political opponents rather than to conduct legitimate oversight.

Bill Clinton features prominently in the trove of investigative files related to Epstein released by the Justice Department, but has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Previously unseen photographs from the files include one showing the former president reclining in a hot tub, part of the image obscured by a stark black rectangle.

In another, Clinton is pictured swimming alongside a dark-haired woman who appears to be Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private plane several times in the early 2000s for Clinton Foundation-related humanitarian work.

David Markus, an attorney for Maxwell, said recently that Clinton and Trump are “innocent of any wrongdoing.”

The depositions are being held in Chappaqua, New York, where the Clintons reside.

Dozens of journalists have converged on the wealthy hamlet, and the Secret Service erected metal barricades around the arts centre where the depositions are happening.

The Plateau State Government has held an emergency security council meeting following a spate of security incidents that heightened tension in Jos, the state capital, and parts of the state.

The meeting was chaired by Governor Caleb Mutfwang and attended by the Deputy Governor, senior government officials and heads of security agencies in the state.

Speaking after the meeting on Friday, Governor Mutfwang said the council reviewed security developments recorded within the last two weeks, including a mining-related incident in Wase Local Government Area and several attacks that claimed lives in different parts of the state.

He expressed the government’s condolences to the families of the victims, describing many of the deaths as avoidable.

“We have just finished a very high-level security council meeting where we examined all that has happened on the Plateau in recent days,” the governor said, adding that the government had put measures in place to prevent a recurrence.

He commended security agencies for their response to recent incidents and assured that efforts were ongoing to improve response time to distress calls.

READ ALSO: Four Killed, Two Soldiers Missing In Plateau Attack

Governor Mutfwang condemned attacks on travellers and communities, stressing that the government would not tolerate unlawful actions.

“Every life on the Plateau is sacred, and the government will not sit idle and allow people to take the law into their hands,” he said.

He announced that henceforth, only authorised law enforcement agencies would be allowed to block highways, warning that any unauthorised roadblocks would not be tolerated.

The governor also cautioned communities against harming travellers, stating that community leadership would be held responsible where such incidents occur.

He dismissed claims that Plateau roads were unsafe, describing them as attempts to mischaracterise isolated incidents, and urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant.

On the use of social media, Governor Mutfwang warned against the spread of misinformation and incitement, noting that the government would take action against individuals who use online platforms to fuel violence.

He commended youths in the state for exercising restraint despite recent provocations.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, said security agencies were adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to reassure residents and restore confidence.

“Where the need arises, the law will be applied without prejudice to anybody,” he said.

Youth leaders and stakeholders from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District have held a rally to demand the transparent prosecution of the eight-year tenure of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The group also publicly distanced itself from a group that recently declared solidarity with the former governor.

At a press briefing held in Kafanchan on Thursday, the headquarters of Jemaa local government area, the coalition described the pro–El-Rufai gathering as unrepresentative of the region.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the former Youth leader of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, Nasiru Jagaba, and the Chairman of Southern Kaduna Peace and Security Network, Christopher Derek, said the individuals involved in the solidarity meeting do not speak for the people of Southern Kaduna and should be disregarded by the public.

In a series of demands, the youth leaders called on federal anti-corruption and security agencies — including the Department of State Services, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to continue investigations into the alleged ₦432 billion under scrutiny in Kaduna State.

They also demanded full public disclosure regarding statements allegedly attributed to the former governor concerning payments of public funds to armed bandits during his tenure.

“We insist on detailed information consistent with Kaduna State’s commitments under this global transparency initiative. Any undisclosed security-related payments would directly contradict those publicly declared principles. Kaduna cannot subscribe to openness internationally while operating secrecy domestically,” he said.

The youth leaders also alleged that the group failed to acknowledge what they described as painful experiences endured by communities in Southern Kaduna during El-Rufai’s administration, including killings, displacement, and destruction of property.

READ ALSO: FG Sues El-Rufai Over NSA Phone-Tapping Claims

They specifically referenced the arrest and detention of the late Chief of Kurama, Dr Ishaku Damina, stating that the incident remains a painful memory within the community.

“We wish to make it unequivocally clear that those individuals are unknown and do not represent the people of Southern Kaduna and cannot speak on behalf of our communities. And we urge the general public to disregard the statements of these aliens with southern Kaduna vibes.

“They are a group of young men who, out of personal and financial interests, have chosen to ignore the painful experiences endured by the people of Southern Kaduna during the administration of Malam Nasiru El-Rufai.

“For personal gain, they have suddenly forgotten the killings, the rapes, the destruction of properties, and the merciless murder of children, including infants in their mothers’ wombs, that occurred during that period. The scars of those tragic years remain fresh in the hearts of our people.

“As just one example of what many consider cruelty and abuse of power: the former Governor ordered the arrest of the Chief of Kurama, Dr Ishaku Damina, who was detained for months without trial. Even when he became critically ill, he was allegedly denied release for proper medical attention. When he was eventually released, he died shortly thereafter. This incident remains a painful memory for many in our communities,” Derek stated.

Real Madrid and Manchester City will face off in a Champions League knockout tie for the fifth season running after being drawn Friday to play each other in the last 16, while reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain will take on Chelsea.

The Spanish giants, record 15-time European champions, will host City in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next month before travelling to England for the return the following week.

The clubs have already played each other this season, with Pep Guardiola’s City winning 2-1 in Madrid in December during the league phase, in which the Premier League club finished eighth and Real ninth.

That allowed City, Champions League winners in 2023, to advance straight to the last 16 while Madrid had to come through the knockout phase play-offs, in which they beat Benfica 3-1 on aggregate.

This is the eighth season in which the teams have played each other since 2012. Real beat City in the knockout phase play-offs last season, and in the quarter-finals on the way to winning the trophy in 2024. They also emerged victorious in the semi-finals in 2022 with City winning at the same stage the following year.

READ ALSO: Aston Villa Meet Lille Again In Europa League Last 16

PSG will be at home to Chelsea in the first leg after qualifying for this stage with a 5-4 aggregate win over Ligue 1 rivals Monaco in the play-offs. Chelsea progressed straight to the last 16 after finishing sixth in the league phase.

The sides played each other in the knockout stages in three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016, with Chelsea winning the first of those confrontations in the quarter-finals and PSG triumphing in the last 16 in the following two.

Their last encounter came in July’s Club World Cup final in the United States, when Chelsea won 3-0 against last season’s European champions.

“The draw is fascinating, as usual,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique. “It will be fascinating to play against one of the best English teams, who we know well, but it will not be about revenge. These are two different competitions.”

Chelsea have been coached since January by Liam Rosenior, who had previously come up against PSG in Ligue 1 as coach of Strasbourg.

Arsenal face Leverkusen, Newcastle play Barcelona

There is a record total of six English clubs in the last 16. None will play each other in the last 16 but there are two potential all-English quarter-finals.

Liverpool will have a last-16 rematch against Galatasaray, the Turkish giants having defeated the Anfield club 1-0 in September in the league phase.

The winner of that tie will play either PSG or Chelsea in the quarter-finals, meaning there is a chance Liverpool will get the opportunity to avenge their defeat by the Parisians on penalties a year ago.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United will take on Barcelona with the first leg at St James’ Park — the Spanish side won 2-1 there during the league phase in September.

Barcelona’s only other possible opponents were holders PSG, but their coach Hansi Flick insisted: “We are not celebrating not getting PSG. We must respect our opponents. Everyone wants to reach the final and Newcastle will also be eager to win the Champions League.”

Tottenham Hotspur were drawn to play Atletico Madrid, with the winners of that tie then facing Newcastle or Barcelona in the last eight.

Arsenal, who finished first in the league phase, will come up against Bayer Leverkusen and if they win that would then be huge favourites in a quarter-final against Bodo/Glimt or Sporting of Portugal.

The last-16 meeting with Sporting is the Norwegian upstarts’ reward for knocking out last season’s beaten finalists Inter Milan in the play-offs.

German champions Bayern Munich will play Atalanta, the sole Italian club left in the competition.

The first legs will take place on March 10 and 11, with the second legs a week later. The teams who qualified directly for this stage after finishing in the top eight in the league phase will all be at home in the return matches.

This season’s Champions League final will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30.

Justice Chizoba Orji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, has granted bail at ₦10 million each to Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and his co-defendant shortly after their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge brought against them by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, pleaded not guilty to the charge in which they are, among others, accused of forging documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney to lay claim to a property in London allegedly procured unlawfully by the late General Jeremiah Useni.

Counsel to the AGF,  Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose bail for the defendants when Ozekhome’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and F. R. Onoja (SAN), for Useni, applied for bail on behalf of the defendants.

⌈READ ALSO⌋ Alleged Forgery: FG Files Criminal Charges Against Ozekhome Over UK Property Case

Ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji granted each of them bail at ₦10m with a surety each who must have a property in the FCT.

Justice Oji ordered them to deposit their international passports with the court.

She noted that since the proceedings took place on Friday, the defendants can go to their houses should they be unable to meet the bail conditions, but must return on Monday to do so, failing which they would be sent to prison.

Christian leaders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory have formally adopted a new identity, unveiling the Forum of Northern Christians.

The FNC is also known as the Northern Christian Association, in a move aimed at clarifying its mandate while maintaining loyalty to the national Christian body.

The decision was reached on Thursday in Kaduna during a stakeholders’ meeting of chairmen from the northern states and the FCT, alongside their secretaries and representatives of youth and women wings.

The gathering also marked the first anniversary in office of the northern chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab.

Previously referred to as Northern CAN, the leaders said the description often created misunderstandings about its relationship with the national structure of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Hayab explained that the change represents a return to history rather than a breakaway.

READ ALSO: CAN Condemns Niger School Attack, Children’s Abduction

He traced the association’s roots to 1964 in Kaduna, when it operated as the Northern Christian Association before evolving into the national body in 1976.

He noted that the revived name restores the original identity while maintaining full allegiance to CAN under its President, Daniel Okoh.

“We are CAN. We are Christians, and we remain members of CAN,” Hayab said, emphasising that the forum simply seeks a clearer regional identity when addressing issues affecting Christians in Northern Nigeria.

He noted that the word “Nigeria” was deliberately excluded from the revived name to avoid confusion with the national structure and to show respect to the mother body.

The Forum, he said, has been fully registered and incorporated as the Forum of Northern Christians and the FCT.

Hayab also outlined key concerns the body intends to focus on, including religious freedom, access to education, shortages of Christian Religious Knowledge teachers, and what he described as limited admission opportunities for Christian children in some parts of the North.

He said the priority is to ensure equal citizenship, respect, and opportunities for Christians in Northern Nigeria.

Providing historical context, Samuel Salifu, identified as the first General Secretary of Northern CAN, recalled that the Northern Christian Association was founded in 1964 and later became the national Christian umbrella body in 1976 during the military administration of Olusegun Obasanjo.

He noted that the late Interior Minister, Shehu Shagari, formalised the registration process at the time.

Salifu said the present name change was largely prompted by misconceptions that the regional body operated in opposition to the national CAN.

“There was never a Northern CAN as a separate entity from CAN,” he stated, adding that the new registration clarifies its position within the national framework.

Elder cleric Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau described the 1964 formation as a survival response by Christians in the region, urging current leaders to remain committed to justice and equity.

In a virtual address, one of the speakers, Yusuf Turaki, highlighted insecurity across Northern Nigeria, citing kidnappings, displacement, and destruction of livelihoods affecting many Christian communities.

He urged the Forum to continue advocating for lawful and constitutional measures to protect vulnerable groups.

Stakeholders at the meeting reaffirmed their loyalty to the national CAN leadership and pledged continued collaboration with the central body while maintaining a clearly defined regional structure.

They also expressed appreciation to past leaders for their contributions to Christian leadership in Northern Nigeria.