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Trump lauds Nigerian, American armed forces for ‘eliminating’ ISIS second-in-command

Mustapha USMAN
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Trump lauds Nigerian, American armed forces for ‘eliminating’ ISIS second-in-command

UNITED States President Donald Trump has claimed that American forces, working alongside the Nigerian military, carried out a joint operation that killed a senior commander of the Islamic State group in Africa.

Trump announced this in a statement posted on his Truth Social handle Friday night, identifying the slain figure as Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the “second in command of ISIS globally.”

“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote.

According to him, the operation was carried out in Africa with support from intelligence sources tracking the activities of the terror leader.

“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” he added.

Trump noted that the killing would significantly weaken the global operations of the Islamic State group.

He also thanked the Nigerian government for what he described as its partnership in the operation.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian government and the Nigerian military had yet to confirm the operation or the identity of the terror suspect mentioned by Trump.

The development came days after Nigeria deepened its counterterrorism engagement with the United States following a high-level meeting in Washington between the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and top US officials led by Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

According to a statement shared by Secure Nigeria, the meeting reinforced what it described as a “decisive U.S.-Nigeria partnership to confront terrorism in West Africa” amid growing extremist threats across the region.

The statement said Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had expressed appreciation to Trump for continued American intelligence sharing, military training, and counterterrorism support to Nigerian forces.

“@officialABAT is grateful for @realDonaldTrump’s partnership and continued U.S. training and intelligence support as Nigerian forces intensify operations to dismantle terrorist networks, protect Nigerian Christians, and defend all vulnerable communities,” it stated.

It added that Nigeria remained a frontline ally of the US in efforts to combat extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), whose activities have spread across the Sahel region.

The latest claim by Trump also followed a similar announcement he made in December 2025, when he said the US carried out “powerful and deadly strikes” against ISIS militants operating in northwestern Nigeria.

At the time, Trump alleged that the strikes targeted militants responsible for attacks on Christians and said the operation was conducted “at my direction as Commander in Chief.”

Shortly after that announcement, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the country was cooperating with international partners, including the US, on counterterrorism operations involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.

The ministry said the collaboration had resulted in precision strikes targeting terrorist groups in northwestern Nigeria, while stressing that such cooperation was based on mutual respect for sovereignty and international law.

Nigeria has battled Boko Haram and its splinter groups, including ISWAP, for more than a decade, particularly in the North-East. In recent years, extremist violence has expanded across parts of the North-West, North-Central and the wider Sahel region, worsening insecurity in countries including Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Dangote ‘sues’ Nigerian government over petrol import licences

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Dangote ‘sues’ Nigerian government over petrol import licences

DANGOTE Petroleum Refinery has filed a fresh lawsuit seeking to halt the continued importation of petrol into Nigeria.

Based on documents seen by Reuters, the refinery sued the Attorney General of the Federation, challenging fuel import licences issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to oil marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeks to nullify recently issued or renewed import permits, with the refinery arguing that the approvals violate an existing court order directing parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter.

The latest legal action comes nearly a year after Dangote Refinery withdrew a similar suit challenging the issuance of fuel import licences to the NNPCL and several fuel trading firms.

Dangote, in its filing, argued that the continued issuance of import licences undermined its operations and breached provisions of the law, which it said only permitted petroleum imports when local production could not meet national demand.

However, regulators and fuel marketers have consistently defended the continued issuance of import licences, insisting that imports was necessary to ensure adequate fuel supply and prevent shortages across the country.

Nigeria has historically relied on imported petrol due to the poor performance of its state-owned refineries. The $20 billion Dangote Refinery, with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was expected to significantly cut the country’s dependence on imported refined products.

Despite the commencement of operations at the facility, petrol imports have continued, with industry stakeholders arguing that imported products were still needed to bridge supply gaps while the refinery scales up output.

The court action is expected to further intensify debate over fuel market competition, local refining capacity and the implementation of Nigeria’s petroleum laws amid expectations that domestic refineries should gradually meet the country’s fuel demand.

The development adds to existing friction between Dangote Refinery and players in the oil sector.

The refinery had accused Nigerian upstream oil producers of failing to supply crude oil to the facility as required under the Petroleum Industry Act, forcing it to rely heavily on international traders at higher costs.

In a statement, the refinery said the situation had significantly raised its operational costs and affected efforts to maintain stable fuel supply in the country.

It added that Nigerian crude continued to trade above global benchmark prices, making procurement more expensive.

‘I’m sorry, my daddy’, Desmond Elliot apologises to Gbajabiamila

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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‘I’m sorry, my daddy’, Desmond Elliot apologises to Gbajabiamila

LAGOS lawmaker and Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, has apologised to his political mentor and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over actions that might have strained their relationship during recent political developments in the state.

Speaking on Friday, while featuring on TVC’s Your View, Elliot said any perceived offence was unintentional, stressing that he remained committed to party unity and the development of his constituency.

“To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I’m sorry, my daddy, if I’ve offended you in any way,” he pleaded.

Elliot explained that he grew into politics under the guidance of a “senior colleague” he described as his ‘egbon’ (elder), adding that emotions and misunderstandings might have contributed to past friction between them. He noted that human error could not be ruled out in political relationships.

Elliot, who seeks to represent the Surulere Constituency I in the state Assembly for the fourth time, also extended his apology to a woman he described as the “matriarch of Surulere”, saying he regretted any offence caused.

“To the matriarch of Surulere, mama, I’m sorry if I’ve offended you,” he said.

Despite the apology, he said he remained committed to strengthening the party and fulfilling his responsibilities to constituents.

The apology followed Gbajabiamila’s recent revelation that he nearly lost his job as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu over allegations surrounding Elliot’s activities in the turmoil that greeted planned removal of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa in 2025. 

The ICIR reported that Obasa was replaced by the House Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, after majority of members opposed his leadership. He eventually returned as the Speaker after leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) mediated in the crisis.

On Thursday, May 14, this organisation reported that the speaker announced his intention to quit the Assembly after 23 years and contest for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Addressing a forum of APC stakeholders in Lagos on Thursday, Gbajabiamila said Tinubu confronted him over intelligence reports alleging Elliot’s role in the Assembly speakership crisis.

“I almost lost my job as Chief of Staff last year because of Desmond Elliot. He is alive today; you can verify from him,” Gbajabiamila said.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives explained that Tinubu summoned him to Abuja during the crisis and mentioned Elliot among those allegedly linked to impasse at the Assembly. He said he initially defended the lawmaker before later cautioning him to distance himself from the controversy if he were involved.

According to him, the situation escalated when the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) allegedly informed him of claims that he was backing Elliot in the impeachment move.

The controversy comes amid fresh allegations by some APC stakeholders in Surulere, who recently accused Gbajabiamila of attempting to impose a preferred female candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat.

In January 2025, Mudashiru Obasa was impeached as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly after lawmakers accused him of gross misconduct and abuse of office.Obasa was removed while outside the country, paving the way for then-Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda to emerge as the first female Speaker of the Assembly.

However, upon his return, Obasa rejected the impeachment and challenged the process in court. After 49 days in office, Meranda stepped down, while Obasa was reinstated following reported intervention by Tinubu.

Children feared abducted as suspected Boko Haram fighters raid Borno school

Esther Tomo
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Children feared abducted as suspected Boko Haram fighters raid Borno school

AN UNSPECIFIED number of pupils are feared abducted after armed Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State in the early hours of Friday.

The attack reportedly occurred in Mussa, a remote settlement close to the Sambisa Forest, known to serve as a hideout for insurgents.

According to local accounts, the armed men arrived at the school on motorcycles shortly after soldiers who had been patrolling the area left the community. The timing of the attack has raised concern among residents, who believe the attackers might have been monitoring troop movements before striking.

Daily Trust reported a resident confirming the attack and abduction. “Yes, the attacked happened early hours of today (Friday) and it was discovered that many children were abducted,” the resident said.

The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, who represents the area, also confirmed that the school was invaded by suspected terrorists, although he noted that full details were still unclear at the time he spoke with the newspapers.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that some suspected terrorists riding on motorcycles invaded primary and junior secondary schools in Mussa village this morning. Information at my disposal was that many of the students fled into the bush, but I don’t have details of those abducted yet.

“It is also disheartening that the incident took place barely some few minutes after troops on patrol left the community; this signifies that the insurgents or the attackers were spying on the movement of troops before they struck,” he said.

He added that more information would be released as authorities continue to assess the situation.

Meanwhile, attempts to get a reaction from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Keneth Daso, an assistant superintendent of police, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls to his phone line as of the time of filing this report.

 

Court remands Blessing CEO over ₦36m ‘fraud’

Esther Tomo
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Court remands Blessing CEO over ₦36m ‘fraud’

A FEDERAL High Court in Lagos State has remanded self-styled relationship coach, Blessing CEO, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly defrauding a litigant N36 million.

Blessing was arraigned before a judge in the court, D.I. Dipeolu on Friday, May 15.

The accused, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, is facing a two-count charge relating to obtaining money by false pretence and alleged theft.

Court documents presented by the EFCC claim that between July 14 and 17, 2024, she received N36 million from a woman, Ifeyinwa Okoye. The money was reportedly paid for the lease of a six-bedroom detached house located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road in the Lekki area of Lagos. She is also accused of converting the funds for personal use.

During the hearing, her lawyer, P.I. Nwafor, told the court that part of the money had already been returned. According to him, there were ongoing efforts to settle the remaining balance with the complainant.

“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million.

“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case.”

The prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed any move to delay the arraignment, stressing that the matter was a criminal case involving the Federal Government and not just a private agreement between individuals.

“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment. We urge that the defendant take her plea, as that is the business of the day,” he said.

In his ruling, Dipeolu noted that any discussions between both parties could continue outside the courtroom but would not stop the case from proceeding.

“The defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court. The defendant will take her plea,” the judge ruled.

Blessing pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following her plea, the prosecution requested that she be remanded in a correctional facility while awaiting trial. Her lawyer, however, informed the court that they had just been served the charges and needed time to file a bail application.

He further asked that she remain in EFCC custody until her bail conditions were completed, a request the court approved. The judge subsequently ordered her remand in EFCC custody.

The case has been adjourned to June 5, 2026, for the hearing to commence.

GIJN invites applications for AI training in data-driven investigations

Blessing OTOIBHI
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GIJN invites applications for AI training in data-driven investigations

THE Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) is seeking applications for its training on the Introduction to AI for Data-Driven Investigations for journalists.

This workshop offers a practical introduction to using AI for investigative journalism, focusing on real-world reporting applications.

It covers workflows for extracting structure from text, cleaning data, identifying patterns, and checking findings with greater speed and depth, with demonstrations drawn from reporting on audit reports, public budgets, climate spending, and ad library data.

It also shows how investigative journalists can use AI tools to explore complex information and develop story ideas.

Date for the programme is May 21, 2026, and time is 9:30 am EDT

Interested applicants can register here for the training on Zoom.

Energy Commission announces DG’s return after EFCC arrest

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Energy Commission announces DG’s return after EFCC arrest

THE Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has announced the return of its Director General, Mustapha Abdullahi, to office following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering offences.

The commission announced this on its official X handle on Thursday, describing Abdullahi as its “capacity DG.”

“Our Capacity DG is back!” the commission caption the post accompanied by a video showing Abdullahi walking into the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The commission also explained that the director-general had officially resumed duties at the agency’s headquarters and expressed gratitude to God and President Bola Tinubu.

“The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the (ECN), Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha, has officially resumed duty at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He expresses gratitude to God almighty,  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” it added.

The ICIR reported that EFCC operatives arrested Mustapha on Wednesday in Abuja over alleged money laundering offences involving more than N500 billion.

ECN debunked the arrest in a statement, stating that Mustapha only honoured an invitation to the EFCC, in line with due process and his respect for constituted authorities. 

“It is important to clarify that he was not arrested but attended the engagement voluntarily as a responsible public servant committed to transparency and accountability,” it read.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Abdullahi as DG and chief executive officer of the commission on October 24, 2023, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s energy transition and renewable energy drive.

Abdullahi is a mechanical engineer and energy expert. He hails from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, although he was born in Kano State in January 1985. Before his appointment as the commission’s DG, he served as senior technical adviser and chief of staff to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Before his appointment, Abdullahi had worked for more than 10 years at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

In December 2025, the Network Against Corruption and Drug Trafficking (NACAT) petitioned Tinubu, the EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption within the commission.

The group accused Abdullahi of involvement in what it described as a coordinated scheme involving the award and payment of solar streetlight contracts worth hundreds of millions of naira to five companies allegedly linked to the same individuals.

NACAT alleged that the companies were registered within the same period, shared similar addresses in Abuja, and had common directors.

The organisation also alleged that procurement laws were violated in the award of the contracts.

Rufai Oseni amplifies misleading claim about Pantami crying over APC ticket

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Rufai Oseni amplifies misleading claim about Pantami crying over APC ticket

Arise News anchor, Oseni Rufai, on Tuesday, May 12, posted a video on X showing former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, shedding tears.

He claimed the video showed Pantami’s reaction after he was denied the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Gombe State.

The video, first published by a news blog, @daily_newspaper_headlines, on Instagram, was shared by Rufai without verification.

As of 14:44pm (GMT) of that day, his post had garnered over 10,000 views, 100 likes, and 42 reposts, with many commenters believing the claim to be true.

READ: Oseni Rufai shares false claim about underdosed paracetamol tablets in Nigeria

CLAIM

Isa Ali Pantami was crying because he was denied governorship ticket by the APC.

Screenshot of the viral post on x

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The post gained traction amid Pantami’s governorship ambition on the ruling APC platform in Gombe State.

In recent public appearances, he has projected himself as a strong contender, citing his federal experience and technical background as qualifications to lead the state.

However, despite his clear interest in the race, he was recently denied the party’s ticket following the APC’s adoption of Jamilu Gwamna as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The FactCheckHub subjected keyframes in the video shared by Rufai to Google Reverse Image Search, and the result shows that the video is not recent and has no connection with the party’s decision to deny him the ticket.

The original footage was posted by Pantami on his official TikTok account on April 18, 2024. The video captures the former minister delivering a religious lecture during a Ramadan sermon at the Al-Noor Mosque in Abuja.

His emotional state was a response to the message regarding the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the mercy of Allah.

Despite the clear religious context of the original footage, the video was stripped of its background by the platform to fit a political narrative and reposted by Rufai without verification.

READ ALSO: News anchor makes false claim about commissioning status of Kugbo Bus Terminal

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Pantami shedding tears after being denied the APC governorship ticket is MISLEADING. The footage predates the current political development and shows Pantami becoming emotional during a religious sermon in 2024, not reacting to the APC’s governorship ticket decision.

Makinde declares 2027 presidential bid under APM amid PDP crisis

Mustapha USMAN
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Makinde declares 2027 presidential bid under APM amid PDP crisis

OYO State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement amid growing coalition talks among opposition parties.

Makinde made the declaration on Thursday, May  14, during a rally at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, where leaders of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and the APM formalised a political alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Addressing supporters at the event, the governor formally unveiled his bid for Nigeria’s top office.

“I, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, Excellency, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the governor said at the event.

The announcement followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the APM and the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP.

The agreement was signed in Ibadan by representatives of both parties, including Seyi Bamidele for the PDP faction and Oladele Oyadeji for the APM. Makinde and APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, also signed the pact on behalf of their respective political camps.

Speaking earlier on the alliance, the spokesperson for the Turaki-led PDP faction, Ini Ememobong, reportedly said the partnership emerged from opposition meetings held during the All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit in Ibadan in April.

The ICIR reported that on Saturday, April 25, leaders of major opposition political parties in Nigeria resolved to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general election as part of efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The resolution was announced at the end of the National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where key opposition figures gathered to discuss coalition-building and preparations ahead of the next general election.

Among those present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Rauf Aregbesola, among others.

Speaking at the summit, Makinde warned against one-party dominance, invoking the memory of the violent political crisis known as “Operation Wetie,” which rocked the old Western Region in the 1960s.

Since then, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has conducted its primary elections, while some political actors, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, have moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to pursue their presidential ambitions.

The ICIR reports that the latest development came against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP, which has deepened since the fallout from the party’s 2023 presidential primary.

The internal dispute began after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the PDP presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 election, defeating former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and other aspirants. The outcome triggered divisions within the party over zoning arrangements and leadership control.

The disagreement later evolved into a wider power struggle between camps loyal to Wike and those aligned with governors including Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

By late 2025, the crisis worsened after rival conventions and parallel National Executive Committee meetings produced opposing leadership structures within the party. A faction backed by Wike installed a caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and recognised Samuel Anyanwu as its national secretary, while another bloc elected Kabiru Turaki as national chairman during a separate convention in Ibadan.

The conflict subsequently led to suspensions, expulsions and court battles between both camps.

Recently the Supreme Court nullified the Ibadan convention organised by Makinde-backed faction of the PDP in November 2025. The court had lampooned the faction for disobeying subsisting court orders.

The convention produced a National Working Committee led by Turaki. The court also struck out the majority judgment of the Court of Appeal, which in December had upheld the removal of Anyanwu as the PDP’s national secretary.

Following the judgment, both Makinde and Wike-aligned blocs have continued to assert control over the PDP, with each side interpreting the ruling in its favour.

While the Makinde faction has insisted on restructuring the party through its organs, the camp loyal to the minister maintained that the Supreme Court decision validated its control and structures.

Alleged cybercrime: court strikes out Justice Chidiebere’s bail application

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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0
Alleged cybercrime: court strikes out Justice Chidiebere’s bail application

The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the bail application filed by detained podcaster Justice Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack.

Chidiebere is facing charges bothering on allegations of inciting soldiers to create discontent within the Nigerian Army.

A judge , Joyce Abdulmalik, made the decision following a disagreement among the defendant’s lawyers over legal representation during Thursday’s proceedings.

He consequently adjourned the case to May 18 for hearing of a fresh bail application.

The decision followed an application from a former counsel to Chidiebere, Marshall Abubakar, to withdraw the bail application earlier filed on behalf of the defendant.

The ICIR reported that Chidiebere was arraigned by the State State Services (SSS) last week in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/253/2026, as the SSS accused him of alleged cybercrime offences linked to a viral video concerning the Nigerian Army.

Chidiebere was accused of circulating false information and publishing materials capable of causing public unrest, and was reportedly arrested by the Nigerian Army before being handed over for prosecution.

The video was said to have been accompanied by statements posted on his X handle, alleging inadequate feeding of Nigerian soldiers.

The court had, on May 4, scheduled May 14 for the hearing of his bail application after he was arraigned by the DSS and pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge.

When the case was called on Thursday, Leyii Abueh, from the Federal Ministry of Justice, informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had taken over the matter from the SSS in line with the relevant section of the law.

However, lawyers Femi Balogun and Abubakar both announced appearances for the defendant, with Balogun informing the court that he had been briefed by Chidiebere’s family to take over the bail application already before the court.

Abubakar, however, insisted that he remained the defendant’s counsel, stating that he had been appearing in the case and had not been formally disengaged.

The judge thereafter asked the defendant to identify his counsel, and the accused pointed to Balogun, a development that made Abubakar applied to withdraw all processes he had filed in the case, including the bail application relied upon by Balogun.

The judge struck out the applications filed by Abubakar and adjourned the matter until May 18 for hearing of a fresh bail application.

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