President Donald Trump of the United States is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban.

According to an internal memo regarding the move, a total of 41 countries divided into three separate groups would be affected.

The first group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea among others, would be set for a full visa suspension.

In the second group, five countries, including Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar and South Sudan, would face partial suspensions that would impact tourist and student visas as well as other immigrant visas, with some exceptions.

According to the memo, in the third group, a total of 26 countries that includes Belarus, Pakistan and Turkmenistan among others would be considered for a partial suspension of US visa issuance if their governments do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days.

The move harkens back to President Donald Trump’s first term ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

It could be recalled that Trump issued an executive order on January 20 immediately after his inauguration requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the US to detect national security threats.

That order mandated several cabinet members to submit by March 21 a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their vetting and screening information is so deficient.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu will appear before a new judge on March 21, 2025.

Ekwutosblog learnt that Kanu will appear before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Speaking with Ekwutosblog, Kanu’s lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, said the legal team is primed and ready.

Ejimakor, however, disclosed that Kanu’s legal team has not been served with the charges he would face before Justice Omotosho.

Kanu has been facing charges over his pursuit for the actualization of Biafra.

In September 2024, Kanu had challenged Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja to recuse herself from his trial.

Following his call, Justice Nyako recused herself but the Chief Judge of the Abuja Federal High Court rejected her decision.

In December, Justice Nyako adjourned Kanu’s case indefinitely.

Against this backdrop, Kanu vowed never to appear in court until an impartial judge is appointed to preside over his case.

Ejimakor said: “It’s now official that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu shall appear before a new Judge on 21st March 2025. It’s a milestone; and we are primed & ready.

“He will appear before Justice James Omotosho of Federal High Court in court 7.

“The case will start new like it has never held before. Everything that was done from 2015 when he was arrested to the last time that he appeared before Justice Binta Nyako are gone including the appeals that are pending, they are gone out of the window.

“He would be rearraigned on charges that we have not seen, we can mention that we received a hearing notice but no charges have been sent to us.

“We really don’t know the charges we are facing on March 24. The government has a trick they always do, they will serve you a day before the hearing so that you don’t have time to study the charges.

“Sometimes they serve you will you are in court but the charges would have been in the court registry and we can’t start asking the court to give us copy.”

The Osun Amotekun Corps has debunked claims of fatalities during the recruitment training, affirming that all applicants who experienced health issues were treated and are currently recovering.

The security outfit also refuted allegations of political bias in its recent recruitment exercise, describing the claims as malicious and baseless.

Speaking at a press conference at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Ede, Osun State, on Friday, the Board Chairman of the Corps, AIG Wale Abass (Rtd), revealed that those who were unconscious during the training are now recovering.

Abass also insisted that the recruitment process was transparent and merit-based, with no consideration for political affiliations.

He further stated that the allegations were the result of certain individuals trying to exploit the situation for political gain.

The security outfit’s response follows the circulation of a video online containing various allegations against it.

In the video, which was viewed by a Ekwutosblog reporter, some individuals claimed that three Amotekun cadets had died and that their names had been replaced with those of cronies, who then chased them out of the recruitment venue at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Ede, Osun State.

Abass clarified: “It’s not true that three people died in the camp. Those who were unconscious during the training are now recovering. These false claims are attempts to exploit the situation for political gain.”

He also addressed a widely circulated video featuring a woman arriving at the camp with a breastfeeding infant, describing it as a clear violation of paramilitary training policies.

“Paramilitary training does not permit individuals with health conditions or those caring for young children to remain in camp. This is standard practice aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of our operations.

“These unfounded allegations claim that the selection process favored a particular political party. Let me state categorically that the Osun Amotekun Corps has always adhered to the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and fairness,” Abass said.

According to him, the recruitment exercise involved a rigorous multi-stage process, beginning with an online application, followed by submission and verification of academic credentials, physical screening, and fitness tests.

“The 1,000 cadets invited to the training camp were those who successfully passed these assessments. It is, therefore, untrue that political considerations influenced the selection,” he added.

Abass also addressed reports that some unqualified individuals had gained access to the camp, clarifying that immediate steps were taken to rectify the situation.

“Some individuals who were not selected for training gained entry to the camp, and some chosen candidates failed to arrive on time. We ensured that those who had not been selected were sent home, and those with health issues were disqualified for their safety and the integrity of the training,” he stated.

Abass expressed concern over what he described as a “deliberate campaign” to damage the Corps’ reputation, driven by individuals who had been disqualified from the programme.

“It is deeply unfortunate that these applicants, who were rightfully discharged due to health concerns, have chosen to spread false information about the Corps,” he said.

He called on the public to disregard the misleading reports and trust in the integrity of the Amotekun Corps, assuring citizens that the organisation remains committed to serving Osun State without bias.

“We remain dedicated to our mission of protecting and serving the people of Osun State. We will not be distracted by the malicious actions of a few individuals seeking to damage our reputation,” Abass added.