The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 18 for the commencement of trial of a man, Innocent Chukwuma, accused of using social media to call on the military to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter on Monday following a request by the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, who asked the court for more time to study the case file.

Kaswe told the court during the resumed hearing that he had only recently been briefed on the matter after the Department of State Services (DSS) transferred the case file to his office.

He therefore requested an adjournment to enable him properly review the file before proceeding with the trial.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to May 18 and May 19 for trial.

Chukwuma had earlier been arraigned before the court over an alleged post on social media considered to be inciting.

Reports indicate that operatives of the Department of State Services tracked him to Oyigbo in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was arrested.

The charge before the court, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/610/2025, is between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume.

According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly posted on his X handle, “@TheAgroman,” calling for a coup in Nigeria and urging the military to suspend the current government.

Part of the post reportedly read: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.”

The trial is expected to begin on the next adjourned date.

Students of a primary and comprehensive college in the Ogba area of Lagos have shared their terrifying experience after a section of a classroom block collapsed within the school premises on Monday.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m., sending panic across the school as students and teachers rushed for safety when the structure suddenly came down.

Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were recorded. However, the collapse caused confusion within the school compound as students hurriedly fled the area.

The affected building is located along Adudatu Street, behind County Hospital in the Aguda area of Ogba.

Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said the incident happened during a controlled demolition exercise on the already distressed building. Despite this explanation, some eyewitnesses described the moment as chaotic, with students screaming and running out of the premises.

A fire service official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the students had been evacuated from the building before the demolition began.

Some students, however, said they heard a loud cracking sound before the structure collapsed.

One of the students, Emmanuel, said he was in class when he suddenly heard the alarming sound.

“I was in class when I heard a loud cracking sound. The next thing we saw was dust everywhere. We were out for lunch when it happened and I ran quickly into another classroom block,” he said.

Another student, 14-year-old Blessing, said the collapse caused thick dust to fill the air, heightening panic among students.

“I thought the collapse might affect other classrooms, so I ran out of the school compound as fast as I could,” she said.

The school population is estimated to be between 600 and 800 students.

Following the incident, members of the state emergency response team secured the premises and restricted access to the affected area.

Residents in the neighbourhood said concerns had previously been raised about the condition of the building after parts of its roof reportedly began to fall off.

Shakiru Amodu of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the building had earlier shown signs of structural distress and was marked for demolition.

According to him, all students had been evacuated before the demolition process began, which prevented casualties.

“The affected building had earlier shown signs of distress and was marked for demolition. All the students had been evacuated before the exercise began, so no one was injured and no life was lost,” Amodu said.

He added that the agency later secured the scene and restricted movement around the area.

Dangote Refinery has increased the gantry price of petrol to N1,175 per litre, while diesel has been raised to N1,620 per litre, in a move expected to have ripple effects across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.

Industry sources said the new pricing applies to fuel lifted directly from the refinery’s loading gantry by petroleum marketers. The adjustment marks one of the latest price reviews by the refinery as operators continue to respond to market conditions and operational costs.

The refinery, located in Lagos, is Africa’s largest oil refinery and has become a major supplier of refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market since it began large-scale production.

Petroleum marketers say the increase in gantry prices could influence pump prices across the country, as retail fuel stations typically adjust their prices based on depot rates, transportation costs, and market demand.

Analysts note that fluctuations in global crude oil prices, foreign exchange pressures, and logistics costs continue to shape fuel pricing dynamics in Nigeria’s deregulated petroleum sector.

While the refinery has not publicly provided detailed reasons for the latest adjustment, industry observers believe the price change reflects prevailing market realities and the need to maintain operational sustainability.

The development comes at a time when consumers and businesses across Nigeria are already grappling with rising energy costs, raising concerns that the adjustment could lead to further increases in transportation and commodity prices nationwide.

Energy experts say the long-term impact will depend on broader market competition, supply levels, and government policies affecting the petroleum sector.