A United Kingdom court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Adedapo Adegbola, to life imprisonment for the murder of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old Stephanie Irons, following the end of their relationship.

Adegbola was sentenced on Thursday at Nottingham Crown Court and ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charge last month.

The court heard that Adegbola and Irons met as colleagues and were briefly in a relationship, which later ended due to what the trial judge described as Adegbola’s controlling behaviour. Prosecutors said he became fixated on Irons and planned the attack after she broke off the relationship.

On 21 October, Adegbola went to Irons’s residence in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, where she was killed. He fled the scene but surrendered himself to the police in Hull the following day.

During sentencing, members of Irons’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as compassionate and kind-hearted. Her mother told the court she was devastated by the loss, saying her daughter had a warm personality and always sought to make others happy.

Delivering judgment, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said Adegbola’s refusal to accept the end of the relationship ultimately led to the fatal incident.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barson commended the victim’s family for their strength throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that a 40-year-old woman, Mary Onolunosen, has been charged with assisting an offender. She is scheduled to appear before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on March 6.

A Finnish court on Monday sentenced Nigerian-born Finnish politician Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences.

The Päijät-Häme District Court found the 40-year-old former Lahti municipal councillor guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.

Prosecutors said that between 2021 and 2024, Ekpa promoted the independence of the so-called Biafra region in Nigeria through illegal means, using social media to influence followers and support armed groups the court classified as terrorist organisations.

The court ruled that Ekpa provided weapons and explosives through his contacts and urged his supporters on X, formerly Twitter, to commit crimes in Nigeria. He denied all charges.

Ekpa was arrested in December 2024 and tried over 12 sessions earlier this year. A three-judge panel delivered the unanimous verdict, ordering him to remain in custody.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s development, with a focus on technology, food security, and innovation.

Speaking to Nigerians in Brazil on Wednesday, Tinubu described his visit as a strategic step to deepen bilateral ties and learn from the South American country’s rapid development.

“Once upon a time, Nigeria and Brazil stood on the same level. Look at Brazil today — its technology, its food systems. We must ask ourselves: what do they have that we don’t? We have the brains, the energy, and the youth. We have everything we need. Now, we must act,” he said.

The President stressed that his government is laying the foundation for partnerships in manufacturing, technology, and cultural exchange, with the goal of unlocking Nigeria’s potential.

Acknowledging the difficulties citizens face due to ongoing economic reforms, Tinubu insisted that the measures are necessary for long-term prosperity.

“Yes, the reforms are tough — like bitter medicine. But once the fever is gone, you know the cure was worth it,” he said.

He commended the Nigerian diaspora community in Brazil, urging them to see themselves as critical stakeholders in building a new Nigeria.

“You are the pride of our nation. Your diversity, your commitment — it reflects the Nigeria we are working to build. I salute you all,” Tinubu stated.

The President further called for unity and resilience among Nigerians, adding that the dream of a prosperous nation must be pursued with urgency.

“If Wole Soyinka, at over 90, can still dream and act, then we have no excuse. The dream must be realised. The time is now,” he said.