The Nigerian authorities have dropped charges of financing terrorism against a former justice minister and his son. Abubakar Malami, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, now faces a revised charge sheet focused solely on the alleged illegal possession of firearms. The amended charge states that weapons and live cartridges were recovered from Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi, north-west Nigeria. Malami, 58, was seen as one of the most influential figures in the previous administration and is married to Buhari’s daughter. He and his son, Abdulaziz, both pleaded not guilty to the amended charge during a…
Author: Montage Africa
By Rédaction Africanews Iranian state media reported Wednesday that the commander of Iran’s joint military command warned that Iran would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the United States did not lift its blockade on Iranian ports. “Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,” said Ali Abdollahi. He added that the U.S. blockade was “a prelude to violating the ceasefire.” Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz when Israel and the United States launched strikes against it more than a month…
Renowned African industrialist and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has been named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2026, reaffirming his standing as one of the most successful and iconic business leaders of his generation. Dangote joins global influential figures from multiple sectors, including political leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, revered Pope Leo XIV, current head of Catholic Church as well as business and technology leaders including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. The annual TIME100 list, published…
By Africanews with AFP The army on Wednesday buried officers and soldiers killed in attacks killed in recent Islamist militant attacks in the north east. The remains, including those of Brigadier General Omo Braimah, the most senior serviceman killed in the attacks, were interred at Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri state with full military honours. “The best way to honour General Braimah [Brigadier General Oseni Braimah] and these fallen heroes is to finish the task they gave their lives for,” said General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s defence minister said in a speech. Musa also defended a recent airstrike on a…
By Sarah Miansoni with AFP Gabon authorities have arrested main opposition leader and vocal government critic Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, his political party said in a statement on Thursday. Bilie-By-Nze was detained at his home late on Wednesday, his Together For Gabon (EPG) party said, adding that it was carried out in “conditions that we consider arbitrary, brutal and manifestly contrary to the fundamental principles of the rule of law.” The party said the arrest is linked to a 2008 event for which the politician was at the head of the organising committee. The case relates to “a debt that the Gabonese…
South African police say have they arrested “wanted fugitive” French-born Beninese activist Kemi Seba while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Europe through Zimbabwe. Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is wanted in Benin on charges of “inciting rebellion” after supporting last year’s foiled coup there. He was arrested on Monday alongside his 18-year-old son in a sting operation at a shopping centre in Pretoria. A “facilitator” who had allegedly been paid to help them illegally cross to Zimbabwe was also detained. Seba, 45, is known for opposing French influence in Africa, backing West Africa’s…
By Rédaction Africanews Nigerian airlines say they will suspend operations from April 20, 2026, citing the rising cost of aviation fuel and what they describe as exploitative pricing by fuel marketers. The decision, which could disrupt air travel nationwide, was communicated in a letter dated April 14 by the President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Abdulmunaf Sarina, according to sources familiar with the matter. Fuel prices push airlines to the brink Industry operators say the cost of Jet A1 fuel has climbed to unsustainable levels, making it increasingly difficult to maintain daily operations. Fuel expenses account for a significant…
By Africanews with AP Sudan has entered a fourth year of a devastating conflict widely described as an “abandoned crisis,” with global attention increasingly diverted by instability elsewhere, particularly in the Middle East. Yet the scale of suffering in the North African nation continues to deepen, with no end in sight to the war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has forced an estimated 13 million people from their homes, creating what aid agencies call the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. At least 59,000 people have been killed, while more than 11,000 remain missing,…
By Rédaction Africanews with agencies Pope Leo XIV has told Cameroon’s government to root out corruption during a forthright address on the second leg of his African tour. “In order for peace and justice to prevail, the chains of corruption – which disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility – must be broken,” he told those gathered at the presidential palace in the capital, Yaoundé, including President Paul Biya. The 93-year-old president won an eighth term last year in a disputed poll and his administration faces criticism over allegations of corruption, bad governance and a failure to tackle security.…
Leading South African opposition politician Julius Malema, 45, has been sentenced to five years after being found guilty of the illegal possession of a gun and firing it in public. But Magistrate Twanet Olivier allowed the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters and MP to appeal against the verdict and sentencing, meaning that he will not immediately be taken to prison. Earlier, standing in the East London court in a dark suit and red tie, Malema showed little emotion as Olivier read out the sentence even though his political future is at stake. Last year, he was convicted of five…