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British government considers removing former Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession

The British government is considering formally removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession once the police investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office has concluded, a source familiar with the deliberations told NBC News.

Any such move would require an act of Parliament, a lengthy and politically uncertain process that would also likely have to be approved by other Commonwealth countries, such as Canada and Australia, where the British monarch is the head of state.

The former Prince Andrew became the first British royal in centuries to be arrested Thursday. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released “under investigation” hours later, meaning he has been neither charged nor exonerated.

The Thames Valley Police force earlier this month said it was looking into a claim that the former prince, while serving as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy in 2010, had shared confidential documents with the late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein but has made no comment on his arrest this week or allegations arising from the recent release of Epstein files.

Previously, the controversy swirling around Mountbatten-Windsor centered on the accusations of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleged that Epstein trafficked her to his powerful friends, including the former prince. In 2022, the royal reached a settlement in a sexual assault case brought by Giuffre for an undisclosed amount without admitting any wrongdoing. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied ever having met Guiffre, who died by suicide last year.

Despite being stripped of his remaining royal titles last year, Mountbatten-Windsor remains eighth in line to succeed his brother King Charles III, though it is highly unlikely he would ever be crowned.

At birth, he was second in line to succeed his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, behind Charles, but he has moved steadily down the line as Charles’ own family has grown.

Mountbatten-Windsor is now behind Prince William and his three children, as well as Prince Harry and his two children.

In October, amid a renewed storm of controversy over Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with Epstein, Charles stripped his brother of his princely title and ordered him to leave his Windsor residence, the Royal Lodge.

However, no action was taken to remove him from the royal line of succession, and Buckingham Palace also did not take other steps, such as seeking the formal abolition of Mountbatten-Windsor’s Duke of York title, that would have required cooperation from British lawmakers.

At the time, the palace cited concerns about taking up parliamentary time on the issue.

A poll by YouGov on Friday found 82% of Britons now believe that Mountbatten-Windsor should be removed from the line of succession.

A move to exclude a named royal from the line of succession is without precedent in modern times, with royal rule continuing largely unaltered since the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936.

Reforms to royal succession were passed in 2013 to give male and female royals an equal right to the throne in future, ending centuries of male-preference primogeniture. The reforms also abolished centuries-old rules that disqualified royals who married a Catholic from the line of succession. (NBC)

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Gunmen abduct four worshippers in Ondo church

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted four worshippers from a church in Uso, Owo Local Council Area of Ondo State.

The worshippers were kidnapped during a night service in the Celestial Church situated along the Owo/Akure highway when armed gunmen stormed the church.

The latest attack comes barely days after suspected bandits killed the Alagamo of Agamo, Oba Kehinde Jacob Falodun, in Akure North Local Government Area during a failed abduction attempt.

In the past few weeks, the state has been faced with increasing security challenges, with the weekly abduction and killing of residents.

According to a resident within the axis, who gave his name as Tomiwa, the kidnappers, who were fully armed, arrived at the church around 1:00 am in the early hours of Wednesday.

Tomiwa disclosed that one of the worshippers was able to escape while the abducted victims were moved to an unknown destination.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command revealed that a suspect who is connected to the abduction of the worshippers had been arrested.

The command in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, stated that police and other security agencies in the state have mobilised assets towards rescuing the victims and apprehending the suspects.

He said: “At approximately 12:50 a.m., six worshippers were abducted at a Celestial Church located along the Uso/Owo Expressway in Uso. The victims were reportedly taken to an unknown destination by the attackers.

“Upon receiving the report, the Operatives of the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilised to the scene and commenced coordinated rescue operations.

“As a result of sustained joint efforts, one of the kidnapped victims has been successfully rescued. Additionally, one suspect linked to the incident has been arrested and has made useful statements that are assisting with ongoing investigations.

“Security operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the apprehension of all perpetrators involved.

“Residents are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that may assist ongoing operations.” (Guardian)

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Coroner’s inquest into death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son to begin April 14

The Coroner sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court has adjourned till April 14, 2026, the commencement of the inquiry into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday when the matter came up before the court.

When the case was called, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, announced appearance for the family, while Adebola Rahman appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of Lagos State.

Cheluchi Onyemelukwe of Health Ethics and Law Consulting represented Atlantis Hospital, while another counsel represented Euracare.

In a preliminary meeting with the parties, Magistrate Adetunji stated that the court received an application from the Chief Coroner of Lagos State following a request by the Attorney-General of the state that an inquest be conducted.

She said that the Lagos State Government also considers itself bereaved.

“The Lagos State Government is also bereaved; that is why the Attorney-General has taken this step. It is not just the family of the deceased that is affected,” she said.

The magistrate further explained that the preliminary session was to determine whether a formal inquest would proceed.

She directed all parties to file their witness statements before the next adjourned date and cautioned them to approach the proceedings carefully, stressing that the court’s goal was to determine the cause of the incident.

Magistrate Adetunji also said that an autopsy is generally the starting point in every inquest.

“For every inquest, the starting point is that there must be an autopsy done to give us a professional report,” she said.

Pinheiro urged the court to proceed with the hearing, stating that the parents maintain that the child’s death was unnatural and occurred during medical intervention.

He said the family would present evidence alleging gross medical negligence, possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and wrongful diagnosis.

According to him, the family plans to call five independent medical professionals, including an anesthesiologist, a paediatric anaesthesia specialist, a radiologist, an intensivist, as well as the child’s father, who is also a medical doctor.

Pinheiro also urged the court to direct Euracare to preserve all physical and electronic evidence from January 6, 2026, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality reviews.

He suggested that Euracare should open the hearing, followed by the family, and then Atlantis Hospital.

The magistrate agreed that Euracare would proceed first, but ruled that the family would present its case next, followed by Atlantis.

Earlier, Onyemelukwe told the court that Atlantis would present its account of events.

She stated that she only became aware of the court appearance on Tuesday after receiving a letter.

Rahman, representing the Attorney-General, said that following news of the child’s death, the Lagos AG applied for an inquest.

“Since all the parties are here, we would be asking the court to open the hearing. We pray this court to commence with the hearing,” he said.

The court will reconvene on April 14, 2026, to commence the substantive hearing. (Channels)

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15 Adamawa lawmakers quit PDP amidst Fintiri’s planned defection

Fifteen lawmakers of the Adamawa State House of Assembly have resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing ongoing internal crises at the national level of the party.

The announcement was made on Wednesday during plenary by Speaker Bathiya Wesley, who also disclosed that he and his deputy, Buba Jijiwa, have quit the PDP.

“All the resignation letters conveyed the same message,” Wesley said. “The lawmakers pointed to the prolonged crisis at the national level of the PDP as the main reason for their decision. They also expressed gratitude to the party for the opportunity to contest and win elections on its platform.”

The departing lawmakers include Kefas Calvin, Bulus Geoffrey, Haruna Jilantikiri, Kefas Emmanuel, Ahmed Belel, Moses Zah, Kate Mamuno, Pwamwakeno Mackondo, Adun Alaba, Bulus Kantom, Musa Kallamu, and Japhet Hammanjabu.

Separately, Abubakar Abdullahi, representing Girei State Constituency, resigned from the PDP on Tuesday.

Reports indicate that the lawmakers are set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), though a formal announcement is yet to be made.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is also reportedly finalising plans to move to the APC. Last Saturday, he hosted APC leaders at an iftar ceremony (breaking of the Ramadan fast) at the Government House, Yola, describing the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen dialogue, foster cooperation, and reaffirm a shared commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development in Adamawa State. (Guardian)

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Champions League roundup: Atalanta oust Dortmund, Galatasaray thwart Juventus fightback

Lazar Samardzic slotted home a stoppage-time penalty to complete a dramatic 4-1 victory for Atalanta against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, sending the Italian side into the Champions League’s last 16 with a comeback 4-3 aggregate triumph.

Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini was sent off after his studs caught the head of Atalanta’s Nikola Krstovic in the penalty area and Samardzic converted the spot kick in the 98th minute to send the Italians through. Atalanta will now face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the round of 16, with the draw on Friday.

The hosts had to fight back following last week’s 2-0 loss in Germany, and Gianluca Scamacca tapped in at the far post to give them a fifth-minute lead as they got off to a dream start. Dortmund had their share of chances but it was their keeper, Gregor Kobel, who was busiest in the first half, twice denying Nicola Zalewski. He was beaten, however, on the stroke of half-time when Davide Zappacosta’s shot was deflected into the net off Bensebaini to make it 2-0.

The Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi made the save of the match when he tipped Serhou Guirassy’s low drive wide in the 49th minute, to protect their two-goal advantage. Dortmund went even closer in the 53rd with Maximilian Beier’s shot bouncing off the post. Instead it was the hosts who scored again thanks to Mario Pasalic’s header at the far post to go 3-0 up and take control of the tie.

Dortmund, however, hit back with the substitute Karim Adeyemi adding instant pace to their game and curling his 75th-minute shot into the top corner as the visitors pushed to take the contest into extra time.

But Bensebaini then tried to clear a cross in the box with a backheel, catching the head of Krstovic who went down bleeding. The hosts were awarded a penalty following a lengthy VAR review and Samardzic beat Kobel to send his team through with the last kick of the game.

The Atalanta defender Sead Kolasinac said he went through “a whirlwind of emotions” in the final seconds. “When the referee decided for a penalty, I didn’t know who would take it. All our penalty takers had been substituted, but luckily Lazar converted brilliantly,” Kolasinac told DAZN.

Emre Can, the Dortmund captain, said his error-prone side deserved their elimination. “If you make so many individual errors, it’s going to be difficult to progress… we were very unlucky, but to be honest we didn’t deserve to advance.”

Elsewhere Paris Saint-Germain, the holders, edged out 10-man Monaco to reach the last 16, a 2-2 draw giving Luis Enrique’s side a 5-4 aggregate victory.

PSG won 3-2 away in the first leg last week, but Maghnes Akliouche scored to give Monaco the lead on the night and level the tie on aggregate.

Mamadou Coulibaly’s second-half sending-off for the visitors then proved the catalyst for Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to score for PSG and seemingly finish off the tie, although Jordan Teze made it 2-2 late on.

“At the end, when they scored, we felt stressed and it was scary,” said Désiré Doué, who scored twice for PSG in the first leg. “The objective is to dominate the whole match, but you also have to know how to come back from behind. Next time, we’ll try not to concede a goal, that’s important.”

Galatasaray, meanwhile, fended off a rousing fightback by 10-man Juventus as Victor Osimhen struck in extra time to help earn the Turkish side a 7-5 aggregate victory.

Trailing 5-2 from the first leg, Juventus were given hope by Manuel Locatelli’s first-half penalty but they appeared doomed when the defender Lloyd Kelly was sent off on 48 minutes. Remarkably, the hosts forced extra time with goals from Federico Gatti and Weston McKennie but eventually ran out of steam, Osimhem and Baris Yilmaz scoring late to send Galatasaray through to a meeting with either Liverpool or Tottenham. (Guardian)

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Amupitan meets RECs, to investigate staffers responsible for shortfalls in Kuje, Kabusa

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has said that employees of the agency who were responsible for shortfalls recorded in Kuje and Kabusa during the Federal Capital Territory elections will be investigated.

He said the workers would be punished if found guilty.

According to him, the transporters who were responsible for the delay in the movement of logistics to the Kwali area council will also be blacklisted.

Amupitan stated this while reviewing the FCT polls at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

The meeting is being held exactly four days after the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano states on Saturday.

Apart from reviewing the outcomes of those elections, the meeting is expected to allow the INEC chairman to get feedback from the resident electoral commissioners about their concerns and preparations for the 2027 general election.

All resident electoral commissioners from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory were invited to the meeting.

Also attending the meeting is the forum of state independent electoral commissions, who are on a courtesy visit to the INEC chairman.

In Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), APC’s Christopher Maikalangu was returned elected after polling 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid votes cast.

In the Kwali Area Council, APC’s Daniel Nuhu secured 17,032 votes to defeat PDP’s Haruna Pai, who polled 8,575 votes.

In Gwagwalada Area Council, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate Mohammed Kasim won the chairmanship seat with 22,165 votes, defeating the APC’s Yahaya Shehu, who scored 17,788 votes. (Channels)

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UN marks fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The United Nations on Tuesday marked four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine with a high-level debate and renewed calls to end the war.

The General Assembly also passed a resolution reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Meeting in an emergency special session on Ukraine at UN Headquarters in New York, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution titled “Support for lasting peace in Ukraine.”

The General Assembly called for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

The text reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children.

The resolution was adopted by 107 votes in favour, including Nigeria, 12 against and 51 abstentions.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in a statement, said the invasion was a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.

“This devastating war is a stain on our collective consciousness and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security.

“The longer the war continues, the deadlier it becomes. Civilians bear the brunt of this conflict, with 2025 witnessing the largest number of civilians killed in Ukraine.

“This is simply unacceptable. I reiterate my call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace,” he said.

According to him, for peace to be just, it must be in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, respecting Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The United Nations remains ready to contribute to all efforts towards this end,” he added. (Punch)

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Tinubu decorates Disu as Acting IGP

President Bola Tinubu has decorated Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu with his new rank at the State House, Abuja.

The decoration ceremony, which followed his swearing-in, took place at the first floor office of the President during an expanded session attended by top government and security officials including National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

Tinubu, who pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform commended the outgoing IGP Egbetokun for his service to the nation.

Disu’s appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

However, under the amended Police Act, which allows Inspector-General of Police to serve a four year tenure regardless of age, Disu may remain for the next couple of years.

Until his elevation, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

He previously held strategic roles, including Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. (ThisDay)

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BBC sorry for airing racial slur shouted by guest with Tourette’s at Baftas

The BBC has apologised for not editing out a racial slur from its Bafta Film Awards coverage after a guest with Tourette’s syndrome shouted out when two black actors were on stage.

John Davidson, whose life story inspired the film I Swear, shouted the N-word as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of Sunday’s ceremony.

The moment was not edited out of the BBC One broadcast, which was shown on a two-hour delay, and remained on BBC iPlayer on Monday morning before the ceremony was removed.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”

The shout was audible in the broadcast, although many viewers would have struggled to make out the word.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the BBC had made “a horrible mistake” by not editing it out at the time, adding: “I think an apology is important, they need to explain why it wasn’t bleeped out.”

In its statement, the BBC said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.

“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.”

The corporation declined to comment further on why it wasn’t initially edited or bleeped out.

After the ceremony, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan “did what we had to do” as they carried on presenting the category, but also said he wished “someone from Bafta spoke to us afterward”.

In a statement, Bafta said it acknowledged the “harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all”.

Tourette’s is characterised by sudden, involuntary and repetitive movements or sounds, known as tics.

Between 10% and 30% of people with the condition have tics that produce socially unacceptable words such as swearing – known as coprolalia – according to the Tourette’s Action charity.

Davidson, a Tourette’s campaigner from Galashiels in Scotland, who was made an MBE in 2019, shouted loudly several times before and during the Bafta ceremony.

He said on Monday that he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning”.

“I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so,” he said in a statement.

“I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”

Bafta said it took the duty of care to all its guests seriously and had started “from a position of inclusion”, taking measures to inform attendees of Davidson’s presence and that they may hear strong language.

“Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room,” the statement said.

“Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”

Bafta also thanked Davidson for his “dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him”.

“We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all,” it added.

“We will learn from this and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.”

During the ceremony, host Alan Cumming referred to “some strong and offensive language” from someone with Tourette’s who therefore had “no control over their language”, adding: “We apologise if you were offended.”

Hannah Beachler, the production designer from the film Sinners, wrote on X: “The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.

“I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through.

“But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show. Of course we were offended.”

Jordan’s former co-star on The Wire, Wendell Pierce, posted: “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throated apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan.

“The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur.”

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx added in a comment posted on Instagram that the slur had been “unacceptable”. (BBC)

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Disu replaces Egbetokun as 23rd Inspector-General of Police

A source within the Police Service Commission has told The Guardian that Kayode Egbetokun has been removed as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu.

According to the source, Egbetokun is expected to be replaced by Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police recently posted to oversee the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

The source disclosed that Egbetokun was at the Presidential Villa on Monday, February 23, 2026, where he was reportedly directed to begin preparations for the handover of office.

Egbetokun’s tenure as Inspector-General was marked by a series of controversies, with his extended stay in office, despite statutory retirement provisions, forming the centrepiece of public criticism.

His tenure was extended beyond the mandatory retirement threshold of 60 years of age or 35 years in service, a move that drew sustained criticism from civil society groups, legal experts and commentators. Critics argued that the extension violated established police service rules and undermined institutional discipline.

Among the controversies that trailed his leadership were allegations surrounding the promotion of Bukola Kuti to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police. Critics alleged that her perceived closeness to the Inspector-General conferred undue advantage, fuelling accusations of favouritism and nepotism within the Nigeria Police Force. These allegations were denied by police authorities.

Further controversy arose following claims that ₦100 million from Anambra State’s security vote was traced to the bank account of Victor, Egbetokun’s son. The allegation sparked widespread public concern over the possible diversion of state security funds for personal benefit.

Rather than permitting an independent investigation into the claims, critics alleged that police authorities deployed institutional resources to pursue legal action against individuals and media platforms that reported the matter, deepening suspicions of corruption and abuse of office. Police authorities, however, maintained that the reports were defamatory.

During this period, Egbetokun’s office was repeatedly in the news over legal actions against journalists and activists. He initiated multiple charges against activist Omoyele Sowore and SaharaReporters after Sowore publicly described him as an “illegal IGP.”

The dispute escalated into protracted legal battles, with the Federal High Court issuing injunctions restricting further publications relating to Egbetokun and members of his family. Critics interpreted these court actions as attempts to stifle dissent and weaken press freedom.

Following additional reports on alleged promotions and financial improprieties, further court orders were issued restraining media organisations from publishing reports concerning Egbetokun, his son Victor, and Bukola Kuti.

Observers argued that, rather than addressing the allegations through transparent and independent investigations, the police leadership appeared more focused on legal countermeasures against critics—reinforcing public perceptions of an embattled Inspector-General relying on state authority to defend personal and professional interests. (Guardian)