On April 25, 2025, Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the remand of musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, known professionally as Terry Apala, to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. This order stems from allegations of Naira note mutilation, a charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr. Ejeh is accused of trampling on Naira notes while dancing at a social event on January 5, 2025, an act deemed to contravene Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

While the defense counsel requested bail and offered assurances of Mr. Ejeh’s compliance, the prosecution opposed the application. Justice Aluko subsequently dismissed the defense’s request and adjourned the matter to May 5, 2025, for a formal hearing of the bail application. Until then, Mr. Ejeh remains in custody.

Following his attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to voice strong criticism of the American judiciary. In a post presumably written aboard Air Force One, Trump accused courts of obstructing his immigration agenda and perpetuating what he describes as an immigration crisis stemming from President Biden’s policies.

Trump stated that the courts were preventing actions “allowed to do for 250 years,” suggesting this interference could fundamentally alter the nation. He further blamed President Biden for “Open Border MADNESS” and alleged that it allows dangerous individuals, including criminals and the mentally ill, to enter the country unchecked. He also expressed concerns about the logistical impossibility of processing millions of immigrants through the court system.

These comments come amidst recent rulings where federal judges have blocked or limited several of Trump’s executive actions related to immigration and deportations. The former president’s statements underscore the continued intensity and contentiousness surrounding immigration policy within the United States, and the ongoing friction between the executive and judicial branches regarding its implementation.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected a reported proposal from the United States suggesting the cession of Crimea to Russia. Speaking in South Africa, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s unwavering stance on the peninsula, emphasizing that such a concession is incompatible with Ukrainian law and its constitution, which designates Crimea as an integral part of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy’s statement follows criticism from former President Trump, who has accused the Ukrainian leader of intransigence in negotiating a peace settlement. The timing also coincides with a recent escalation of hostilities, including deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv that prompted Zelenskyy to cut short his African tour.

Addressing the ongoing conflict, Zelenskyy lamented the lack of international pressure on Russia to pursue a peaceful resolution, emphasizing the devastating toll on Ukrainian civilians. He underscored Ukraine’s willingness to engage in negotiations within the bounds of its legal and constitutional framework. The future of Crimea remains a key point of contention, highlighting the complex challenges in achieving a lasting peace.