FOURTH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL WAPO SEVEN MEMBER COORDINATING COUNCIL Communique The Coordinating Council of the West Africa Peoples Organization met in Accra on 10th December, 2023, to hold its Fourth Ordinary Session and mark the commemoration of the first anniversary of the formation of the organization in Winneba. All the members of the Coordinating Council were physically present, namely: Philippe NOUDJENOUME, President Martins EGBANUBI from Nigeria, First Deputy President Kadidja N'DIAYE from Senegal, Second Deputy President Kafui KAN-SENAYA from Ghana, Secretary General Ekissi ACHY from Côte d'Ivoire, Treasurer General Alassane ABOUBACAR from Niger, Imani na IMOJA from Guinea Bissau, Members In attendance were Kwesi Pratt Junior, General Secretary of the SMG and Mama Sanni from Niger who took part in the opening session and the debates on the

Shoprite Mall has announced its intention to cease operation in its Kano branch, Northwest Nigeria from January 14, 2024. This was contained in a circular signed by the management of the retail supermarket on Thursday, December 14, 2023. The mall, located in Bayero Kano State, said it would not continue its operations in the state due to the current financial situation of the mall in the state as well as the difficult business climate in the country. In the circular, the supermarket noted that the decision is regrettable, however necessary, hinting that all the employees working at the mall will be laid off once it ceases operation in the state. The circular reads; “I regret that our store in Ado Bayero Mall, Kano, will

Nnamdi Kanu Olakunle Olasanmi The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is to remain in detention. The Supreme Court, Friday, upheld the appeal by the federal government, challenging the Court of Appeal decision, which ordered Kanu’s release. The apex court ordered him to return to the Federal High Court, Abuja, to face his seven-count of terrorism. The apex court in October fixed the date after counsel for both the federal government and the detained IPOB leader adopted their final briefs of argument. Chief Mike Ozehkome, SAN, who argued the appeal prayed the court to not only order the immediate release of his client from detention but to equally award very heavy and punitive costs against the Federal Government. In his submission, however,

By Wycliffe Muia BBC News Zambia's government has withdrawn retirement benefits and privileges from former President Edgar Lungu following his decision to return to active politics. Mr Lungu lost the presidency to Hakainde Hichilema in 2021, after which he announced his retirement. After six years in office he left the country facing serious economic issues as Africa's most indebted nation. His return to politics sets a stage for a bruising 2026 presidential race. The former president has already been notified about the immediate withdrawal of his retirement benefits and privileges, according to government spokesman Cornelius Mweetwa. He said it was clearly stated in the law that former presidents who returned to politics would lose their benefits. As a retired president, Mr Lungu was entitled to three security officers,