14/04/2026
Inside Nigeria
El-Rufai Court Proceedings (Kaduna)
Former Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai is back in the spotlight today.
The Federal High Court: A bail hearing is scheduled for today in the 10-count charge involving allegations of abuse of office and money laundering.
State High Court Update:
In a separate case, the ICPC filed a fresh 9-count charge against him yesterday, dropping previous money laundering counts to focus on corruption and procurement fraud. A ruling on his bail application in this state case is also expected today, April 14.
Security & Politics
Presidential Action: President Tinubu is reportedly intensifying moves against terrorist groups following recent military casualties.
ADC Crisis: Tensions have flared within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa, with reports of high-level suspensions as the party’s internal crisis deepens.
Economy & Energy
Petrol Prices: Fuel costs remain high, with prices hovering between ₦1,260 and ₦1,330 per litre, largely driven by global oil market volatility.
Naira Status:
The Naira showed slight signs of recovery in early Tuesday trading due to mid-month liquidity shifts and Central Bank interventions.
Gas Pipeline: The NUPRC has announced that gas delivery to Abuja via the AKK Pipeline is on track for July 2026.
Around the World 🌍
US Naval Blockade of Iran
The biggest global story is the U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports, which officially began yesterday at 14:00 GMT.
Strait of Hormuz: While the U.S. states it will not impede traffic to non-Iranian ports, the move has sent shockwaves through global energy markets.
Diplomatic Fallout: China has called for a "clear stand" against the blockade, while President Trump has remained firm, even amidst a public rift with the Pope regarding the conflict.
Middle East Peace Talks
Despite the blockade, high-level diplomacy continues in Washington today.
Israel-Lebanon Talks: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon for direct ceasefire negotiations.
Uranium Proposal: Reports indicate Iran has offered a 5-year suspension of uranium enrichment in exchange for a halt to U.S. demands.
Global Markets
Oil Prices: Crude prices (including Nigeria’s Bonny Light) have surged to over $110–$120 per barrel due to the conflict.
IMF-World Bank Meetings: Nigerian Finance Minister Wale Edun is in Washington for the Spring Meetings, seeking global support to buffer Nigeria against these international economic shocks.