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Niger Coup: Group Drags ECOWAS, Tinubu Before Regional Court, Warns Against Military Action
An International Group, Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA) has dragged President Bola Tínubu of Nigeria before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, seeking order of the court to stop the planned military action against the Republic of Niger.
The group in the suit instituted on its behalf by a Nigerian lawyer, Dr Oluwakayode Ajulo, is praying the Regional Court to invoke relevant ECOWAS treaties and international laws to stop the military invasion of Niger Republic being spearheaded by the Nigerian Government.
The grouse of the Civil group, among others, is that the planned military action or invasion will run foul of the obligations in the ECOWAS treaties and therefore amount to illegality.
The suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/3/23 emphasized categorically that ECOWAS treaties prohibit aggression among member States.
Apart from the Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), other plaintiffs in the matter are a former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Internal Affairs (NIIA), Professor Bola Akinterinwa and a Nigerian Northern Region lawyer, Hamza Nuhu Dantani.
The defendants are ECOWAS, Heads of ECOWAS Mission, President of ECOWAS Mission, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Niger.
A military group had on July 26 toppled the civilian and democratic government of President Mohammed Bazoun who has since been clamped into unlawful military detention.
Although the three plaintiffs in the regional suit described the coup d’etat as most unfortunate, they, however, warned that Nigeria should not travel the dangerous road of military hostilities that may further escalate the crisis in Niger Republic.
According to them, over 300,000 refugees, mainly Nigerian citizens, have already fled Niger Republic, adding that military action against Niger Republic would lead to breach of fundamental rights to life, right to dignity of human persons and liberty to life.
The plaintiffs, therefore, prayed the ECOWAS Court of Justice for a restraining order against any form of military action that may undermine the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Niger Republic.
Besides the Court action, the plaintiffs through Ajulo wrote a strongly worded letter to President Tinubu, notifying him of pendency of the suit and the need to respect and obey the rule of law.
The letter dated August 8, 2023 is entitled “NOTIFICATION OF PENDENCY OF CASE BEFORE THE ECOWAS COMMUNITY COURT OF JUSTICE; CALL FOR STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE PROTOCOL OF THE HONOURABLE COURT THE ECOWAS COMMUNITY COURT OF JUSTICE”.
It read in part, “We are Counsel to the Plaintiffs/Applicants in the above case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and it is on their firm and unequivocal instructions that we write.
“Sequel to the Resolution and several sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS in the aftermath of the unfortunate and unconstitutional takeover of the democratically elected Government of the Republic of Niger, we have lodged a Case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in an application for reliefs as the proposed military intervention in the Republic of Niger would be tantamount to aggression between ECOWAS Member States.
“The intervention will specifically violate Articles 1, 5, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 & 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Articles 1 (2), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 & 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Articles 1, 3, 22, 23 (3), 25 (1) & 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948; Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 of the Declaration on the Right to Development 1986; Articles 6, 15, 31, 63 & 64 of the Revised Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States; Article 10 of the Supplementary Protocol (A/SP.1/01/05) amending the Protocol (A/P.I/7/91) relating to the Community Court of Justice and Articles 10 (c), 22, 26, 27, 28, 56 of the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peace– Keeping and Security 1999.
“The Case, an official copy of which has been duly served on your Excellency through the ECOWAS Secretariat, 101, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja, has invoked the jurisdiction of the International Court to consider conventions, treaties, Protocols and regulations to which your Excellency and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are signatories and which override the resolutions, sanctions, domestic law and practices and which the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has been called upon to declare illegal. Another copy of the Case is attached for your informed action.
“We wish to further draw your attention to Article 22(2) of the Protocol on the Community Court of Justice which mandates that “When a dispute is brought before the Court, Member states or institutions of the Community shall refrain from any action likely to aggravate or militate against its settlement”
“In the Case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Authority of Heads of State and Government (of which your Excellency is the Chairman), President, ECOWAS Commission, The Federal Republic of Nigeria (of which your Excellency is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces) have been sued as sovereign legal representatives of respective institutions including the Republic of Niger.
“It is your Excellency’s sacred duty as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria under your hand to bring the institution of the Case before ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to the attention of the other Defendants/Respondents and to insist, particularly in your Excellences’ subsequent meetings, that the Defendants/Respondents, refrain from taking any action in respect of the subject matter pending the determination of the case, in view of your Excellency and Nigeria’s protocol obligation under the Article above quoted.
“Your Excellency, it is our firm confidence that by your enviable knowledge of high international standard of due adherence to the rule of law and respect for the supranational judicial process obtainable in a Case of this nature, we need not further stress the need to ensure that all the Defendants/Respondents concerned maintain the status quo presently obtaining, and restrain themselves from taking any step susceptible to being regarded by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and international Community as prejudicial to the interest of our client or any of the parties in court.
“Your Excellency would agree with us that as the law stands presently, the Resolution on proposed military actions be discontinued pending the determination of the Case by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria and other Defendants/Respondents have never been known to confront the international judicial system nor subject themselves to international ridicule and is beyond mischievously foisting a fait accompli on an International Court to which charter or protocol she is a High Contracting party.
“It is without any reservation that we proceed on the common ground that your Excellency would use your good offices as the Chairman, Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and President & Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to adhere and advise compliance on the part of the afore-listed defendants.
“While thanking you for your adherence to the rule of law, please accept the assurance of our warmest professional regards.”
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EXPLOSIVE: How Titan Trust Bank allegedly used Union Bank’s assets to secure $300m takeover deal
What was sold to Nigerians in May 2022 as a clean and powerful takeover is now looking like something far more troubling.
When Titan Trust Bank announced it had acquired Union Bank of Nigeria, a 100+ year-old institution, the story was simple: a young bank buying a legacy giant. But fresh documents are now pointing to a shocking twist that raises serious questions about how the deal was actually done.
According to findings, Titan Trust Bank allegedly secured a $300 million loan from African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to fund the acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria. On paper, Titan Trust Bank was the borrower. But in reality, the collateral reportedly included shares, treasury bills, and assets belonging to Union Bank itself.
Let that sink in: the bank being acquired was allegedly used to secure the loan that bought it. Titan Trust Bank—linked to Rahul Savara and Cornelius Vink— is believed to have engineered a scheme so bold it’s almost unbelievable. The plan? Have Union Bank allegedly repay the very illegal loan used to purchase it—using depositors’ funds! If allowed to succeed, the outcome is stark: TitanTrust Bank’s shareholders would end up owning one of Nigeria’s oldest banks for free!
Even more alarming is the alleged complicity of Godwin Emefiele, then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who is said to have turned a wilful blind eye to a deal that flew in the face of the CBN’s strict rules against using borrowed funds to acquire Nigerian banks.
It is unbelievable that Godwin Emefiele would allow an inconsequential bank like Titan Trust Bank to plunge a legacy and systemically important bank like Union Bank into a huge and needless debt – just to satisfy the greed of the owners of Titan Trust Bank.
The Afreximbank loan is reportedly structured in a manner that will force Union Bank to keep using its depositors’ funds to repay the unlawful loan.
By the third quarter of 2025, the situation had reportedly worsened. Exchange rate shocks and rising interest costs pushed the total exposure to over ₦500 billion. What started as a $300 million facility ballooned into a massive financial burden.
It gets deeper. An audit later allegedly described the acquisition/loan arrangement as “unethical financial engineering.” The audit allegedly pointed to possible misuse of foreign loans, questionable financial reporting and improper withdrawals from customer funds.
The fallout has already begun. Following leadership changes at the CBN, the board and management of Union Bank were removed in January 2024. That decision is now being contested in court, adding another layer of controversy to an already explosive situation.
Behind the scenes, ownership of Titan Trust Bank also raises eyebrows. The bank, incorporated in 2018, is largely owned by Dubai-based firms linked to powerful business interests, including individuals such as Rahul Savara and Cornelius Vink.
This is no longer just a banking story. It is a test of transparency, regulation and accountability. If these allegations hold true, then one question refuses to go away: Who really paid for the takeover of Union Bank and at what cost to depositors?
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
EXPLOSIVE: How Titan Trust Bank allegedly used Union Bank’s assets to secure $300m takeover deal
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Mass Burial For 30 ISWAP Insurgents Following Lethal NAF Strikes In Borno
No Solar Permits Needed For Private Homes In Lagos, SSA Confirms
Lagos Sets Rules, Penalties For April 25 Sanitation Relaunch
Court Sentences Dismissed NECO Employee To 24 Years Over Fake Diploma
Tinubu Appoints New Ministers, Sacks Edun, Dangiwa In Minor Shake-Up
Tinubu Okays ₦15bn For New Ogun Police Academy Campus
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News3 hours agoEXPLOSIVE: How Titan Trust Bank allegedly used Union Bank’s assets to secure $300m takeover deal