Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court to Decide on Sowore’s Bail Restoration Request After Detention
Hearing set for Wednesday as activist seeks reinstatement of bail, with legal teams presenting arguments before Federal High Court
Hearing set for Wednesday as activist seeks reinstatement of bail, with legal teams presenting arguments before Federal High Court
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will deliver its ruling on a request for bail restoration filed by detained activist Omoyele Sowore on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. Sowore, a prominent rights campaigner and former presidential candidate, is seeking the reinstatement of his bail after being held in custody over alleged breaches of previous court conditions.
The legal proceedings resumed this week with both Sowore’s defence counsel and representatives of the federal government presenting their arguments before the presiding judge. The activist’s lawyers maintained that his continued detention contravenes existing court orders, while the prosecution insisted that Sowore had violated terms of his earlier bail, necessitating further judicial review.
Sowore’s case has drawn significant attention within Nigeria’s political and civil society circles, especially given his history as a vocal critic of government policies and organiser of protests. Many observers view the outcome as a test for the independence of the judiciary and the extent to which fundamental rights are protected under current legal frameworks.
Court officials have not made public statements regarding the specifics of the bail application. However, sources within the judiciary indicated that both sides were given opportunity to submit additional documents ahead of Wednesday’s ruling. Civil rights groups have urged authorities to respect due process regardless of the outcome.
If granted, restoration of bail would allow Sowore temporary freedom pending further hearings on the substantive charges against him. The ruling could also set a precedent for future cases involving activists and opposition figures facing detention under similar circumstances.
Nigeria News (Standard)
BOA MD Partners Women Affairs Ministry to Unlock ₦1.7trn Agriculture Potential for 30 Million Women Farmers
Ayodeji Sotinrin leads Bank of Agriculture team to Abuja, urges targeted financing for women to drive $1 trillion economy goal
Ayodeji Sotinrin leads Bank of Agriculture team to Abuja, urges targeted financing for women to drive $1 trillion economy goal
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Ayodeji Oludare Sotinrin, has called for increased investment in Nigeria’s over 30 million women farmers as part of efforts to build the nation’s projected $1 trillion economy. Sotinrin made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by the BOA management team to the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Sotinrin stated that women account for nearly half of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce, stressing their critical role in national food security and poverty reduction. He emphasised that empowering women through access to finance and support services is key to unlocking opportunities across the agricultural value chain. The meeting signalled a new partnership between BOA and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs aimed at providing targeted loans and investment products specifically designed for women farmers.
The BOA chief explained that supporting women in agriculture would not only enhance household incomes but also contribute significantly to achieving government’s economic diversification agenda. He noted that with proper financing, women can expand production, adopt modern farming techniques, and participate more actively in agribusiness ventures. “Our engagement with the Ministry is geared towards removing barriers for female farmers so they can contribute fully to Nigeria’s economic growth,” Sotinrin said.
Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely given current challenges around food inflation and rising unemployment. She assured the BOA management of her ministry’s readiness to collaborate on projects that will boost capacity-building, land access, and market linkages for women across all six geopolitical zones.
The two agencies are expected to develop joint programmes targeting improved financial inclusion for rural women farmers in the coming months. Stakeholders say such interventions could help drive Nigeria closer to its $1 trillion economy target while addressing long-standing gender gaps within the agriculture sector.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NCC Approves 9mobile’s Rebranding to T2 in Lagos as Subscriber Base Drops by 21 Million
New owner LH Telecommunications pledges $3bn investment after network shrinks from 23.5 million to 2.4 million users
New owner LH Telecommunications pledges $3bn investment after network shrinks from 23.5 million to 2.4 million users
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the rebranding of 9mobile to T2, following a dramatic fall in the telecom operator’s subscriber base from 23.5 million in 2015 to just 2.4 million as at June 2025. The announcement was made during an official event at the Marriott Hotel, Lagos, on August 8, where the company unveiled its new identity and outlined a four-year recovery plan.
Etisalat Nigeria, which launched operations in 2008 with strong backing from UAE-based Etisalat Group, grew rapidly to become a key player in the telecoms sector, attracting millions of young Nigerians with flexible data plans and innovative marketing. However, after securing a $1.2 billion loan from a consortium of Nigerian banks in 2013 for network expansion, the company struggled to service its debt by 2017 due to naira devaluation and rising operational costs during Nigeria’s recession.
As the naira weakened against the dollar, Etisalat’s repayment obligations soared beyond sustainable levels, leading its UAE parent company to withdraw and demand an end to use of the ‘Etisalat’ brand. This forced a hurried rebrand to ‘9mobile’ in July 2017 under NCC and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) supervision. Despite these interventions, network quality declined sharply after technical partners exited and promised investments failed to materialise. By end of 2024, the subscriber base had plummeted by over twenty million as MTN, Airtel and Globacom consolidated their dominance.
LH Telecommunications Limited, led by Thomas Etuh, acquired a controlling stake of 95.5% in July 2024 with regulatory approval from NCC. The company announced a $3 billion investment plan and entered a roaming partnership with MTN aimed at reviving network coverage and quality nationwide. At the rebranding event themed “Tech Meets Tenacity”, Chief Executive Officer Obafemi Banigbe acknowledged past challenges: “We have endured as a business… but like Nigeria, we always bounce back stronger,” he said.
Industry observers say T2’s comeback will depend on timely capital injection and improved service delivery as competition intensifies in Nigeria’s telecoms sector. The operator is targeting network modernisation over four years but faces scepticism after previous failed acquisition attempts and prolonged underinvestment. The NCC has reiterated its commitment to protecting subscribers’ interests during this transition.
Nigeria News (Standard)
UN Commission Alleges Israel Targets Palestinian Children in Gaza Since 2023
Report accuses Israeli forces of direct attacks on minors; Israel disputes findings as tensions persist in Middle East
Report accuses Israeli forces of direct attacks on minors; Israel disputes findings as tensions persist in Middle East
A United Nations commission has accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza since 2023, intensifying global scrutiny over the ongoing conflict in the region. The commission’s findings were released on Wednesday and have sparked fresh debates about the humanitarian cost of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian groups.
According to the report, the UN body documented several incidents where Israeli military operations allegedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of Palestinian minors. The commission claims these actions form part of a broader pattern of violence that has escalated since last year, with children being disproportionately affected by airstrikes and ground assaults in densely populated areas of Gaza.
The report comes amid heightened international attention on civilian casualties in the Middle East, with many Nigerians following developments due to longstanding diplomatic ties and humanitarian concerns. The commission said its investigation relied on testimonies from survivors, medical personnel, and independent observers on the ground. It argued that attacks on children may constitute violations of international law.
Israeli authorities have dismissed the UN commission’s allegations as “unfounded,” insisting their military operations are targeted at armed groups and infrastructure, not civilians. Officials maintain that measures are taken to minimise harm to non-combatants and accuse Palestinian factions of using residential zones as shields. No official response from Palestinian authorities was immediately available at press time.
The UN commission has called for urgent steps to protect children and ensure accountability for alleged violations. It urged the international community to press all parties to respect humanitarian law. The development is likely to add pressure on diplomatic channels as calls grow for an immediate ceasefire and renewed negotiations.
BOA MD Partners Women Affairs Ministry to Unlock ₦1.7trn Agriculture Potential for 30 Million Women Farmers
Ụlọ Akụ Nigeria Kwupụtara Mmezi Isi Ego, Mana Ụmụ Obodo Ka Na-enweta Ego Ọrụ Nfe
NCC Approves 9mobile’s Rebranding to T2 in Lagos as Subscriber Base Drops by 21 Million
UN Commission Alleges Israel Targets Palestinian Children in Gaza Since 2023
Lagos Shop Sparks Debate as Silicone Breast Prostheses Sell for ₦115,000
Bandits Abduct 50 Elders in Zamfara’s Maradun LGA During Peace Mission
Infantino Reveals How FIFA’s Hydration Breaks Stopped Coaches From Cheating in Major Tournaments
Ogun Police Kill Two Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Abducted Victim and Recover ₦2.2m
Actor Akin Olaiya’s Former Partner Breaks Silence on Split in Lagos
Ghanaian Witch Doctor Claims to Free England’s Harry Kane After Placing World Cup Curse
Environment Minister Urges Increased Investment in Nigeria’s Green Economy Ahead of Global Climate Summit
Gọvanmenti Nigeria Kwupụtara 53 Orù Anyanwụ Maka Ike Ọhụrụ N’iru Afọ 2050
Moniepoint Graduates Second DreamDevs Cohort in Lagos to Strengthen Nigeria’s Engineering Workforce
Lagos FMCG Giants Record ₦18.9bn Rise in Production Costs, Earnings Hit by Inflation in Q1
FG Launches $500m Abuja Formula 1 Bid, Targets Africa’s First Grand Prix Since 1993
Lagos Residents Spend Over ₦50bn on US Visa Applications Amid Tighter Entry Rules
Fresh Romance Rumours Trail Lando Norris as Alix Earle Sparks Drama in Monaco
Lagos Court Declares National Assembly’s ₦110bn Vehicle and Allowance Spending Unlawful
Lagos Police Arrest Doctor, Birth Attendant Over Alleged Sale of Newborn for ₦2.5m
