The Department of State Services (DSS) has taken a stand against the controversial arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), insisting that its activities are only limited to those of Nigeria’s territorial borders.
This became apparent when a prosecution witness, who was a DSS intelligence officer, was being cross-examined.
Paul Erokoro, who was the defense’s attorney, resumed the cross-examination of the prosecution witness shortly after. The witness stated that the DSS is run by the National Security Advisor and that it can be influenced by politicians or ministers. Additionally, he made it clear that the DSS’s operation is not teleguised by the Attorney General.
READ ALSO: As Nnamdi Kanu’s trial draws to a close, the court accepts important evidence. The witness noted that the sources of intelligence collected by the DSS are numerous, including human and social media, among others. The witness added that DSS employees are able to obtain information when needed because of their level of training. Further investigation revealed that the witness claimed that Nnamdi Kanu had told him that he had been “snapped” from Kenya and had come back to Nigeria in 2021. Mr. BBB argued that the agency lacks the authority to make arrests outside of Nigeria’s borders in response to allegations that the dss committed the act. The witness then reaffirmed Kanu’s claim that he incited violence, including during the 2020 EndSARS protests, through his Radio Biafra broadcasts. The defendant, according to the witness, stated that he was willing to use all means, including war, to bring about Bbiafra. Mr. BBB argued that the IPOB leader’s inciting remarks caused the Lagos state high court, the Lagos state police station, and the Lagos-based Murtala Mohammed Airport’s cargo shed to burn. Paul Erokoro requested an adjournment at some point during cross-examination and informed the court that a video clip the defense wants to present. He requested that that be made possible for some time. In addition, the court acknowledged as evidence the validity of the three nnamdi kanu-filed fundamental rights enforcement lawsuits. These include those of the Abia State High Court, the federal high court, the Umuahia division, and another Enugu State high court court decision.
The trial judge issued a warning about the use of social media and live streaming of court proceedings, as well as a note of caution against Aloy Ejimakor, a member of the defense team, and other individuals who regularly post live streams and court documents on social media just before the cross examination began.
The court was informed of a letter from the prosecution’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, regarding the illegal live streaming of court proceedings by the defense’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, the day’s proceedings began.
A professional footballer has admitted to being a part of a 600,000-pound smuggling operation from Thailand to the UK.
After 60 kg (9.44 t) of cannabis was discovered in suitcases arriving at London Stansted Airport in Essex on September 2, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 34, was detained.
After being charged, he had previously played for Arsenal, Aberdeen, Ipswich Town, England, and Greenock Morton in Scotland.
NCA
In May, Emmanuel-Thomas, a resident of Gourock near Glasgow, admitted guilt. On Wednesday, the reporting requirements were lifted.
Rosie Rowland, 28, of Southend Road, Chelmsford, and Yasmin Piotrowska, 33, of Purves Road, north-west London, were both charged with having been dropped by the prosecution, he told the court.
They wept as they were allowed to leave the dock after earlier, at the dock’s earlier hearings, they had denied importing cannabis between July 1 and September.
After Emmanuel-Thomas’s mobile phone was analyzed, Mr. Josse claimed that the investigation into their involvement was ended.
Emmanuel-Thomas made one first-team appearance for Arsenal before joining the Thai-based PTT Rayong, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, MK Dons, and other teams in 2019.
After being detained at his home on September 18th, Greenock Morton FC fired him.
The drugs were previously reported to have arrived in Dubai-bound suitcases from Bangkok.
According to the most recent “Petrol) Price Watch” released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday, the average retail price paid by consumers for premium motor spirits (PMS) or gasoline increased to N1, 239.33 in April 2025.
Despite recent initiatives aimed at stabilizing the downstream petroleum sector, the NBS report demonstrates how volatile fuel prices are across regions.
In contrast to the N701.24 recorded in April 2024, the increase indicates a year-over-year increase of 76.73%.
However, the average price decreased by 1.77% from the N1 price of N1 (261.65) as reported in March 2025.
Imo State, followed by Jigawa and Sokoto States, where the average retail price of PMS was N1, 588.50, with N1, 567.84 and N1, 550.00, respectively, was the state’s highest average retail price, N1, 588.50.
Yobe’s average cost was N970.00, followed by Kwara and Osun States, who followed, with N1, 014.85, and N1, 042.49, respectively.
The retail price of gasoline in Lagos and Abuja is currently N935 per litre, or N880 per litre.
According to the report, the South East had the highest average price of N1, 341.71, while the South West had the lowest average, which was N1, 138.64.
A breakdown of zonal averages is as follows:  , South East: N1, 341.71, North West: N1, 325.90, North Central: N1, 242.94, South South: N1, 222.54, North East: N1, 166.27, and South West: N1, 138.64.
The move comes after Dangote Refinery reduced the ex-depot price of gasoline to N835 per litre in the middle of April, which is its second price reduction in a week. The refinery in Lagos sold gasoline for N890 per liter, down from N920, while Abuja and the refinery experienced a similar trend.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) identified exchange rates, transportation costs, energy prices, interest rates, and security concerns as the top five factors influencing inflation perception in April 2025 in its most recent Inflation Expectation Survey Report.
According to the report, 91% of respondents cited energy prices as a major factor, with gasoline, diesel, and electricity as having the biggest influence on inflation perception.
Throughout April, gas prices fluctuated between N870 and N920 per litre.
Third place were transportation costs, including those for road, air, water, and rail travel, with 86.7% of respondents citing them as being a significant factor in inflation perception.
READ ALSO: In April, UK Inflation Increases To 3.5%.
President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies, which slowed inflation to around 24.66% on May 29, 2023, helped to stop the trend of rising gasoline prices.
In April 2025, inflation eased to 23.71%, compared to the most recent NBS data, which was 24.23%.
Tony Elumelu, the chairman of Heirs Holdings, has argued that both improving security and improving access to electricity are essential to attracting investment.
Elumelu, who addressed the Taraba International Investment Summit in Jalingo on Wednesday, also emphasized the value of simple business practices in attracting investors.
“Investing in and supporting investments in the country requires a better access to electricity. At the summit organized by the Taraba State government, Elumelu stated that improving security also makes things easier and, most importantly, makes it easier to conduct business.
READ MORE: Without Local Investors, Foreigners Can’t Make Investments in Nigeria-Dangete.
He claimed that because of its numerous advantages, one of which is engaging the youth, he loves and preaches investment everywhere he goes.
He claimed that leaving school without being able to find employment is one of the best ways to empower young people. He also claimed that it is a betrayal for the younger generation.
Elumelu also praised the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu for maintaining currency stability, but emphasized the need to stabilize the currency further.
“I must add that one of the questions they posed to me yesterday in Doha was about money. I praised President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government for maintaining stability, not just that the rate is high but stable.
And investors enjoy having stability to make their own decisions. Elumelu stated, “I want to see us perform well and help lower the currency further.”
Aliko Dangote, the president of the Dangote Group, gave advice to the state and federal governments on how to promote local economic development.
According to the richest man in Africa, domestic investors are the ones who will draw foreign investors because, in his opinion, no foreign investors would enter a nation where local businesses are struggling.
United States President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he has selected a $175bn design for the multilayered Golden Dome missile defence programme aimed at countering aerial threats “even if they are launched from space”.
As part of the project, the US would deploy missile interceptors in space to shield against ballistic and hypersonic threats.
Here is more about the Golden Dome project.
What did Trump announce?
Trump on Tuesday announced $25bn initial funding for the project that will cost $175bn and be completed by the end of his current term in 2029.
“Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they are launched from space,” Trump said.
“This is very important for the success and even survival of our country.”
Trump also announced that US Space Force General Michael Guetlein would be the lead programme manager, responsible for overseeing the project’s progress.
“I promised the American people that I would build a cutting-edge missile defence shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attack,” said Trump.
Trump additionally announced: “Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it. So we’ll be talking to them.”
What is the Golden Dome project?
Trump said the Golden Dome was made to take down “hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles and advanced cruise missiles”, adding that the programme would have space-based interceptors and sensors.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, speaking alongside Trump, said the system is aimed at protecting “the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they’re conventional or nuclear”.
The announcement comes just months after January 27, when Trump signed an executive order to “immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defence shield, which will be able to protect Americans”.
The Iron Dome is Israel’s missile defence system which detects an incoming rocket, determines its path, and intercepts it. The development of the system was funded by a grant from the US.
Trump said existing defence capabilities will be used in the construction of the project, and predicted the total cost would be about $175bn.
The White House has not yet released further details about the project. While Trump said the system would be developed in the US, he has not named which companies will be involved.
A space-based defence system was first envisaged by Ronald Reagan, the Republican US president from 1981 to 1989. Amidst the Cold War, Reagan proposed a barrier to nuclear weapons that included space-based technology, as part of his Strategic Defense Initiative, or Star Wars project.
“We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland,” Trump said on Tuesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt looks on from behind posters depicting a ‘Golden Dome for America’ [Andrew Harnik /Getty Images via AFP]
Is the Golden Dome plan feasible?
Industry experts have questioned the timeline and budget of the plan.
Funding for the Golden Dome has not yet been secured. At Tuesday’s news conference, Trump confirmed that he was seeking $25bn for the system in a tax cut bill currently moving through Congress, although that sum could be cut amid ongoing negotiations.
Additionally, some variation is expected in the total cost of the project. The Associated Press quoted an unnamed government official as saying Trump had been given three versions of the plan, described as “medium,” “high”, and “extra high”. These versions correspond to the number of satellites, sensors and interceptors that will be placed in space. AP reported that Trump picked the “high” version, which has an initial cost ranging between $30bn and $100bn.
“The new data point is the $175 billion, but the question remains, over what period of time. It’s probably 10 years,” Tom Karako, a senior fellow with the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told the Reuters news agency.
On May 1, 42 Democratic members of the US Congress signed a letter questioning the possible involvement of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which is among the top technology companies seeking to build key components of the Golden Dome.
“If Mr Musk were to exercise improper influence over the Golden Dome contract, it would be another example of a disturbing pattern of Mr Musk flouting conflict of interest rules,” the letter says.
How did China and Russia – the US’s biggest rivals – react?
The US sees a growing threat from China and Russia, its main adversaries.
Over the past decades, China has greatly advanced its ballistic and hypersonic missile technology, while Moscow boasts one of the most advanced intercontinental-range missile systems in the world. Russia and the US have amassed the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads worldwide.
The threat of drones has also grown amid advancements in technology.
China denounced the Golden Dome as a threat to international security and accused the US of prompting an arms race.
“The United States puts its own interests first and is obsessed with seeking its own absolute security, which violates the principle that no country’s security should come at the expense of others,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing.
“(The plan) heightens the risk of space becoming a battlefield, fuels an arms race, and undermines international security,” he said.
The Kremlin said the Golden Dome missile shield plan was a “sovereign matter” for the US.
“This is a sovereign matter for the United States. If the United States believes that there is a missile threat, then of course it will develop a missile defence system,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, on Wednesday.
Casemiro, a midfielder for Manchester United, describes this season as “one of his most successful years.”
During his nine-year spell at Real Madrid, Casemiro won 18 titles, including five Champions League victories.
Since joining United for £70 million in 2022, the 33-year-old has only won the FA Cup and League Cup.
With just one game left, United is 16th in the Premier League, but if they defeat Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday, they can still win the title.
Casemiro has praised himself for working his way back into the team despite the club’s disappointing league season.
After conceding two goals in a 3-0 defeat by rivals Liverpool in September, the Brazil international split with former boss Erik ten Hag.
Casemiro was a unused substitute in nine of Ruben Amorim’s first 13 games in charge when he took over as manager in November.
Casemiro told ESPN Brasil, “One of the seasons I think I feel most proud of myself.”
“You keep working, keep doing things well, it’s been a long time since I’ve been through this,” the coach said.
Casemiro has scored 12 goals in United’s Europa League games against Athletic Bilbao and a slow start under Amorim.
