By Adenike Lawal

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has declared that he remains the country’s legitimate president as he appeared before a federal court in New York following his arrest by United States forces.
Maduro, 63, pleaded not guilty on Monday to drug trafficking and related charges during his first court appearance in Manhattan. Speaking through an interpreter, he insisted he was innocent and said he had been unlawfully taken from Venezuela.
“I am the president of the Republic of Venezuela, and I was kidnapped from Caracas,” Maduro told the court, claiming his arrest violated the country’s sovereignty.
His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. The court ordered both to remain in custody and fixed March 17 for their next hearing.
Maduro’s arrest followed a surprise US military operation in Caracas that reportedly involved airstrikes and a heavy security presence. The operation sparked protests by his supporters, while his former deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as interim president.
US President Donald Trump later declared that Washington was now “in charge” in Venezuela and signaled plans to assert control over the country’s oil sector, dismissing calls for immediate elections.
Maduro, who assumed power in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez, has long been accused by the US and European Union of rigging elections and jailing opponents, allegations his government has denied.
The unfolding developments have plunged Venezuela into renewed uncertainty as legal proceedings against Maduro continue in the United States.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Ogun State Police Command has arraigned the driver involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of two close associates of former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, with the case adjourned until January 20, 2026.
The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was charged on Friday before a Sagamu Magistrate Court, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed in a statement in Abeokuta. The adjournment was to allow for further legal processes.
Kayode was arrested following the December 29, 2025 crash near Danco on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which killed Kevin Latif Ayodele, 36, a British-Nigerian, and Sina Ghami, 36, a British citizen—both members of Joshua’s training team.
Police said the Lexus SUV, allegedly speeding, suffered a tyre burst while overtaking and rammed into an illegally parked truck loaded with soya beans, killing the two passengers instantly. Joshua and Kayode sustained minor injuries.
Investigations are ongoing, with police yet to disclose the specific charges but indicating possible reckless driving. A manhunt has also been launched for the fleeing truck driver.
The next court sitting is expected to clarify the charges and further findings.

By Olokuta Rofiat

A Kano State High Court has upheld the suspension of Hashimu Suleiman-Dungurawa as chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state and barred him from acting in that capacity pending the determination of a substantive suit.
Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, in an interim order delivered on Friday, granted a motion filed by members of the NNPP Dawakin-Tofa ward, who challenged Dungurawa’s continued claim to the office after his suspension on December 30, 2025.
The court restrained him from parading himself as state chairman or interfering in party affairs and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo following his suspension.
The applicants accused Dungurawa of denigrating Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, fuelling internal divisions and failing to pay party dues, contrary to the NNPP constitution.
Following the ruling, the NNPP State Executive Committee affirmed Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as acting state chairman. The case was adjourned to January 19, 2026, for hearing of the substantive matter.