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TERRORISM: Drama as Judge Begs Nnamdi Kanu in ‘God’s Name’, Reason Emerges
Proceedings in the terrorism trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu took a dramatic turn on Monday, October 27, 2025
Justice James Omotosho begged the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in God’s name
Legit reports that Kanu, who is facing seven counts of terrorism, had sacked his lawyers to defend himself in court.
Legit journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja – Justice James Omotosho, the judge handling the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, begged the defendant “in the name of God Almighty to consult properly.” Legit recalls that the IPOB leader had earlier sacked his lawyers and opted to defend himself.
As reported by The Punch, the judge begged Kanu to consult properly before proceeding to defend himself.
Kanu is being prosecuted on seven counts of terrorism before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Omotosho noted that the IPOB leader needed to consult legal experts because “this is not economics; this is criminal prosecution.”
“I am begging you in the name of God Almighty to consult properly,” the judge pleaded. “I am inclined to granting you the adjournment you seek.”
“I know you are educated, but you are not a lawyer. You need to consult experts in the field. Please make adequate consultation. This is not economics; this is criminal prosecution. Please, my brother, make adequate consultation. Criminal cases are not like other cases. I took the opportunity to explain to the defendant because he is not a lawyer.”
Recall that Nnamdi Kanu again declined to open his defence in court in the terrorism case against him. The leader of the separatist group told the court there was no valid charge against him under any Nigerian law. The IPOB leader urged the court to release him unconditionally or grant him bail.
In a previous story, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Tinubu’s Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, expressed his readiness to stand as a witness in Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial.
However, the minister, in an interview on Friday, October 24, gave a condition before he could appear as a witness in the ongoing trial that Nnamdi Kanu had earlier mentioned.
Wike, Minister of Works, David Umahi, two APC governors, and several others, as his witnesses in the terrorism charges against him.
The Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached far-reaching resolutions at the conciliation meetings convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The meetings, held on 22nd and 27th October, 2026 at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Abuja, were sequel to the communique issued at the end of the Joint meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC.
The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, CON, with representatives of the Federal Government in attendance, while the NLC delegation was led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
After extensive deliberations on the issues raised, the meeting resolved as follows:
1. National Minimum Wage: It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. However, there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.
2. Reduction in Petroleum Pump Price and Palliatives:
i. Federal Government will pay a transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) across all levels for a period of six (6) months, commencing from November 2026.
ii. Peculiar Allowance has been approved by the Federal Government with effect from 1st May, 2026. Payment of arrears will commence in November 2026 in three equal monthly instalments.
iii. Nineteen (19) months arrears of allowances for health workers will be redeemed within three (3) months with effect from December 2026.
3. Tax Relief for Workers: As tax is a statutory matter, the issue of tax relief for workers will be taken to the National Executive Council (NEC).
4. Hazard Allowance for Agricultural Workers: The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and cost implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification. Verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the template for implementation will be issued by NSIWC.
5. CONHESS Adjustment: The NSIWC promised to complete the update of the cost implication within three (3) weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to take a decision on the CONHESS adjustment.
The meeting also urged State and Local Governments to key into the intervention process, while unions were enjoined to push for its implementation at their respective levels.
Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to appraise the level of implementation of the resolutions.
The meeting had in attendance the DG Budget, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu; Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, OHCSF, Dr. Garba Abdul S.U.; Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, CON; NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero; and National Secretary, JNPSNC, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga.
The National Assembly received a comprehensive list of proposed new local government areas (LGAs) across several states in Nigeria as of January, 2026.
The submission was reported to have included requests from multiple states, reflecting demands for administrative expansion and closer governance.
Nigerian federal workers are awaiting their salary payments following a social media post claiming that state government workers have received their salaries, with federal workers expected to be paid from Monday.
The update was shared by Naija Updates in the IPPIS Salary Discussion Group on Facebook, where the post announced that state workers had been paid and urged federal workers to anticipate their own payments.
The post generated engagement among Facebook users, attracting reactions and comments from members of the group interested in salary updates and workers’ welfare.
However, the claim that state workers have been paid and that federal salary payments will begin on Monday has not been independently confirmed. The post did not identify the specific states whose workers had received their salaries or provide an official statement from the Federal Government.
Federal workers are therefore advised to rely on official communications from their respective ministries, departments and agencies, as well as relevant government payroll authorities, for accurate information regarding salary disbursements.
The development comes amid continued public interest in salary payment schedules and the welfare of Nigerian workers.
MinimumWage: FG, NLC Reach Agreement At Conciliation Meeting, Details Emerge
Full List Of Proposed New Local Government Areas Submitted To National Assembly In 2026
