News
Group Demands ICC Arrest Putin for ‘Wartime Art Theft’

On July 11, 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) received a formal complaint from the advocacy group For Ukraine, Their Freedom and Ours!.
The organization urged the ICC to issue immediate arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and eight other senior Russian officials.
The complaint accuses them of orchestrating the systematic plundering of Ukrainian museums, an act that international law classifies as a war crime.
Context: The Largest Cultural Plunder in Europe Since WWII
The advocacy group’s complaint highlights the unprecedented scale of cultural theft committed by Russia during its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
According to the association, Russia’s military aggression has resulted in “the largest spoliation of cultural heritage in Europe during an international armed conflict since World War II.”
The group describes this as part of a broader “cultural war” launched by Russia since its initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity and heritage.
The complaint emphasizes that the looting is not random or incidental but rather “systematic, widespread and organized,” with directives coming from the highest echelons of the Russian government.
This assertion underscores the gravity of the allegations and the scale of the cultural destruction and theft.
Legal and Political Framework Behind the Looting
A key element cited in the complaint is the Russian federal law passed on March 18, 2023.
It legalized the incorporation of collections from 77 Ukrainian museums into Russian museum catalogs.
This law applies to territories under Moscow’s control, including the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions, and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture reports that as of July 2024, fewer than 1.2 million museum artifacts remain in Crimea, suggesting a massive depletion of cultural assets from the peninsula.
This depletion reflects a broader pattern of cultural appropriation and theft across the occupied territories.
The International Legal Perspective: War Crimes and Cultural Heritage
Under international law, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the pillaging of cultural property during war is prohibited and can constitute a war crime.
The ICC has jurisdiction over such crimes, and the complaint calls for urgent legal action to hold the perpetrators accountable.
The petition argues that the deliberate removal and appropriation of Ukrainian cultural artifacts not only violates international humanitarian law but also represents an attempt to erase the cultural identity of the Ukrainian people.
This form of cultural genocide carries profound implications for Ukraine’s national heritage and collective memory.
Broader Implications for Ukraine and Global Cultural Heritage
The complaint to the ICC is part of a growing international effort to document and respond to the cultural destruction caused by the war in Ukraine.
Museums, cultural institutions, and governments worldwide have condemned the looting and called for the return of stolen artifacts.
The systematic theft of cultural property undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to preserve and celebrate its history and identity.
Moreover, it sets a dangerous precedent for conflicts globally, where cultural heritage becomes a target for political and military objectives.
Challenges and Prospects for Justice
While the ICC’s involvement represents a critical step toward accountability, prosecuting such crimes poses significant challenges.
Gathering evidence in active conflict zones, securing cooperation from states, and navigating complex international legal frameworks require sustained diplomatic and judicial efforts.
Nonetheless, the complaint by For Ukraine, Their Freedom and Ours! signals a determined push by civil society and international actors to ensure that cultural crimes do not go unpunished.
Arrest warrants for top Russian officials would mark a strong message that the international community condemns not only the physical violence of war but also the destruction of cultural heritage.
Conclusion
The formal complaint submitted to the ICC on July 11, 2025, underscores the urgent need to address the systematic looting of Ukrainian museums by Russian forces.
By calling for the arrest of President Putin and other senior officials, the advocacy group highlights the scale and severity of this cultural plunder.
It frames it as a war crime of unprecedented magnitude in Europe since World War II.
This action reflects broader efforts to protect cultural heritage amid conflict and to uphold international law.
As the war in Ukraine continues, safeguarding the country’s cultural identity remains a critical front in the struggle for justice and historical preservation.
The international community’s response will be pivotal in determining whether these crimes are effectively challenged and whether stolen heritage can be restored to its rightful place.
News
VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives

A viral video circulating on social media has captured former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello making newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.
The meeting took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, where he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss party unity and responsibilities.
Shado, who won the Dekina-Okura II State Constituency by-election on August 16, was formally presented to the former governor.
INEC declared Shado the winner after he polled 55,073 votes, defeating Godwin Meliga of the PDP, who garnered 1,038 votes.
During the session, Bello emphasized that Shado must strictly obey the directives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in all legislative matters.
He drew his ear to stress the importance of cooperation, warning the lawmaker to align with Assembly decisions even when he did not fully understand them.
Bello said, “Go and cooperate with the Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. Support Governor Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly, even if you don’t understand it.”
Bello also reminded Shado that political victories are collective achievements.
He stated, “No candidate wins an election alone. Your people worked tirelessly from nomination to election day. Do not let them down.”
He urged inclusivity, consultation, and collective leadership, emphasizing that unity remains the key to APC’s continued success in Kogi State.
The former governor praised the people of Kogi East for demonstrating unity, which he said had been lacking in the past.
He further expressed confidence that APC would retain all major political positions in upcoming elections, declaring, “Our President, Bola Tinubu, will be re-elected.
Governor Ododo will be re-elected. All our candidates will continue to win on our great party’s platform.”
Bello’s post-governorship period has been marked by controversy.
The EFCC accused him of diverting over N110 billion from Kogi State coffers during his tenure.
He evaded multiple court summons and even a failed arrest in Abuja that led to a shootout. Ultimately, Bello surrendered to the EFCC on November 26, 2024, after months of avoiding legal proceedings.
Despite his legal troubles, Bello maintains influence over APC lawmakers in Kogi and continues to assert political authority, as shown in the recent video with Shado.
Watch the video below.
Africa
Why Every Nigerian Should Learn Combat Skills — CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to acquire combat skills such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo to protect themselves in the face of increasing danger.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 21, General Musa likened learning martial arts to other essential survival skills, including driving and swimming.
“That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim.
Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct,” he said.
He added that in Europe, swimming and basic security education are compulsory because citizens must understand and practice personal safety.
The defence chief emphasised that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its programme to prepare graduates for real-world threats.
He explained, “That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. Self-defence is very important.
Unarmed combat, swimming, driving these are critical aspects of human survival. We should never take them for granted because they prepare us for the future.”
General Musa further encouraged Nigerians to remain situationally aware of their environment, alerting authorities to any suspicious activities or individuals.
He said, “The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason.”
Highlighting evolving threats, General Musa disclosed that terrorists increasingly use gold to finance their operations.
He noted that complex international networks make it difficult to immediately expose or prosecute these financiers. “Gold is the main source.
They circulate it through various channels, including foreign links, which complicates intervention,” he explained.
General Musa acknowledged that bad roads and challenging terrains hinder rapid military response to attacks.
He said, “Many Nigerians expect immediate intervention from the Armed Forces without understanding the logistical challenges. By the time information reaches us, terrorists have already struck and vanished because they move more quickly in these regions.”
He added that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the North-East further slow troop movement.
Regarding the Southeast, General Musa noted that the arrest of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland in November 2024 has improved security in the region.
He said, “Troops are actively pursuing Ekpa’s lieutenants in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia states. We will continue operations until all threats are neutralised.”
The CDS also praised the synergy among the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which led to the arrest of Ansaru terrorist leaders, describing it as a major success in the fight against terrorism.
General Musa concluded by announcing an African Chiefs of Defence Staff conference to foster continental collaboration and enhance regional security efforts.
Health
Police Arrest Fake Doctor as Woman Dies During Abortion

Detectives from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a man posing as a medical doctor following the death of a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, during an alleged illegal abortion.
The suspect, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, reportedly owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre (FLMC) in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Police Command, revealed that police launched a search for the victim after receiving a distress call from her mother.
DSP John stated that operatives acted quickly following the report, which indicated that Blessing had gone to work at the FLMC and never returned.
According to police reports, the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of the victim’s body in her room.
A co-tenant, who witnessed the act, raised an alarm, forcing the suspect to abandon the corpse and flee the scene.
Police quickly arrived at the scene, where detectives discovered a premature foetus, confirming the occurrence of an illegal abortion.
Police traced and arrested Sunday Okon Akpan, a resident of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom LGA.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is not a licensed medical doctor or nurse but a community health practitioner who allegedly used his clinic to perform illegal medical procedures, including abortions.
The health centre has since been found abandoned.
DSP John confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover more details surrounding the incident.
She also promised to update the public as the probe progresses.
This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics and offering illegal procedures.
Police authorities are warning residents to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services and to report suspicious activities to prevent similar tragedies.
As the investigation unfolds, Akwa Ibom police have vowed to ensure that justice is served, and the public remains safe from unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.
News
Trump Orders Review of 55 Million US Visa Holders in Mega Crackdown

The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million foreigners holding US visas, aiming to identify potential violations that could trigger visa revocation or deportation.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting.”
Officials will examine any indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorism, or support for terrorist organisations.
If authorities find evidence of such violations, they will revoke the visa, and individuals already in the US could face immediate deportation.
Officials stressed that the review targets both individuals residing in the United States and those holding multiple-entry visas abroad.
Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, targeting not only undocumented migrants but also holders of student and visitor exchange visas.
The current vetting process extends far beyond prior reviews, potentially affecting individuals who initially received approval to stay in the US.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, last year the US had 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.
Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals living abroad with tourist or business visas. She questioned whether allocating resources to review people unlikely to return justifies the scale of the initiative.
Alongside the review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety risks and threats to American jobs.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.
The administration recently strengthened English proficiency requirements for foreign truckers following incidents where language barriers contributed to accidents. State Department officials confirmed they are pausing the processing of new work visas to reassess screening and vetting protocols.
“Ensuring that every driver meets the highest standards protects American workers and maintains a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department added.
Experts warn the broader implications of the review could ripple across the US economy. Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained that the administration’s policies aim to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from employing foreign workers.
“The economic consequences will extend far beyond individual visas,” Alden said, emphasizing that employers risk compliance issues if they continue hiring foreign staff.
The review represents the most comprehensive enforcement action in recent US history and signals that the administration will aggressively monitor both legal and temporary visa holders to maintain national security and prioritize domestic employment.
News
2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.
“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.
“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.
“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.
I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.
The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.
-
Featured4 days ago
Your Attacks on Peter Obi Are Petty, Stop It! Chekwas Rebukes Soludo
-
News4 days ago
Tension in Anambra community as senior police officer shoots kinsman dead
Colleagues, others try cover-up; victim's family fights back
-
News7 days ago
Anambra South Bye-Election: APC Chief Rescues Deputy Gov Caught In Vote Buying From Angry Youths
By Chuks Collins, Awka
-
Celebrity/Entertainment24 hours ago
How Nigerian TikToker Geh Geh Made ₦45 Million in One Night
-
News5 days ago
Nigerian visa applicants must provide 5-yr social media history — US embassy
-
Analysis6 days ago
Systemic Sabotage: How APC, INEC Colluded To Undermine Amamgbo’s Senatorial Bid
By Arthur Ezechukwu
-
News3 days ago
Terrorist Organisation: APC, PDP Members in US, UK, France Risk Deportation
-
Celebrity/Entertainment5 days ago
Why single mothers can’t raise boys into proper men — Jim Iyke
-
News7 days ago
BREAKING: Troops arrest Nigeria’s most wanted terror kingpin
-
News2 days ago
Vandal electrocuted while vandalizing Aba power infrastructure