The wife of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, has dismissed reports claiming she has filed for divorce, describing the story as false and misleading.   In a statement published on her verified X account on Friday, Okwu-Kanu said she had not initiated any divorce proceedings against her husband and urged the public to disregard the reports. “For the avoidance of doubt, I have not filed for divorce. The publication is entirely false and should be treated as misinformation,” she stated. She criticised those responsible for spreading what she described as fabricated stories about her family without proper verification, saying such actions undermine responsible journalism. Okwu-Kanu urged members of the public to rely only on information released by her or her authorised representatives. She also thanked those who contacted her to verify the claim before sharing it. According to Punch, the denial follows the circulation of online reports alleging that she had sought to end her marriage to the IPOB leader. Nnamdi Kanu and Uchechi Okwu-Kanu were married in 2009. Kanu is currently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Custodial Centre after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025. He was found guilty on seven counts and received life sentences on five counts, alongside 20 years on one count and five years on another, with all sentences running concurrently. Kanu has appealed the conviction, filing a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeal on February 4, 2026.

The Federal Government has completed its fourth repatriation flight for Nigerians returning from South Africa, with 282 evacuees arriving at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos aboard an Air Peace flight.   The latest operation brings the total number of Nigerians repatriated since the evacuation exercise began on June 11 to 1,141, according to TheCable. The repatriation programme was launched after more than 1,000 Nigerians indicated their willingness to return home amid rising anti-migrant tensions in South Africa. Last week, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged Nigerians still in South Africa to take advantage of the government-backed evacuation before the exercise ends. Her appeal followed reports that two more Nigerians had been killed in South Africa, raising the official death toll linked to the recent xenophobic violence to four. Some returnees, however, have claimed the actual number of fatalities is higher. Although South African rights groups had set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, the Nigerian government continued the evacuation programme beyond that date. Odumegwu-Ojukwu assured Nigerians that no citizen who registered for the repatriation exercise would be left behind. Foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the fifth and final evacuation flight is expected to arrive in Nigeria next week, marking the conclusion of the government’s repatriation operation.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately keeping former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai in detention until after the 2027 general elections.   Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi claimed the opposition believes the Federal Government has no intention of releasing El-Rufai before the elections despite the charges against him being bailable. According to Abdullahi, the ADC is not opposed to the prosecution of anyone facing legitimate criminal charges. However, he argued that the continued detention of El-Rufai and what he described as stringent bail conditions suggest a deliberate attempt to keep the former governor in custody. He alleged that the ruling party fears El-Rufai’s release would strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. Abdullahi also expressed concern over El-Rufai’s health, citing reports from his family that he recently received treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja, where doctors allegedly recommended close medical monitoring. The ADC spokesperson said President Bola Tinubu would be held responsible if anything happened to the former Kaduna governor while in detention, describing El-Rufai as a “political prisoner”. He further alleged that legal actions against opposition figures were aimed at limiting political competition ahead of the 2027 elections. Abdullahi criticised the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a slogan that had failed to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges. He added that the formation of the ADC coalition reflected the opposition’s desire to pursue a different style of politics. El-Rufai is currently facing charges of alleged financial misconduct during his time as Kaduna State governor in a case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Federal High Court. He is also standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of illegal wire-tapping in a case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS). The allegations by the ADC reflect the party’s position. No response from the APC or the Federal Government was included in the Channels Television report.

Former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has died at the age of 69.   The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria announced on Thursday that Archbishop Akubeze passed away on July 9, 2026. In a statement signed by the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Fr. Michael Banjo, the Church said the late cleric dedicated his life to the spiritual and human development of the faithful. According to the statement, Archbishop Akubeze’s leadership transformed the Archdiocese of Benin City through sustained pastoral care and development initiatives. The Secretariat said he believed the Church’s mission extended beyond spiritual renewal to the holistic growth of its members. The Church also highlighted his commitment to the welfare and formation of priests, noting that he considered well-trained clergy essential to the future of the Catholic Church. As a former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Akubeze was recognised for defending the teachings of the Church and upholding orthodox Catholic doctrine throughout his tenure. The Secretariat described him as a humble and compassionate leader whose ministry was defined by service, patience and generosity. It added that his episcopal motto, “Ut Testimonium perhibeam veritati” (“That I may bear witness to the Truth”), reflected his lifelong commitment to proclaiming the Gospel. The Catholic Secretariat concluded by praying for the repose of his soul and asking God to grant him eternal rest.