South Korean ex-president, Yoon Suk-yeol sentenced to life in prison

Published

2 months ago

February 19, 2026

Former South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of leading an insurrection during his declaration of martial law in December 2024.

The ruling, delivered by Seoul Central District Court Judge Jee Kui-youn, was lighter than the death penalty prosecutors sought at the trial’s final hearing in January. The ruling was aired live on South Korea’s major broadcasters.

Jee said in the verdict that Yoon led an insurrection and committed acts to subvert the country’s constitutional order.

The court added that Yoon “took the lead in planning the crime and involved a large number of people,” and that it was “difficult to see any sign of remorse from the defendant, who also refused to appear in court.”

Yoon had previously reportedly refused to appear in court for questioning last year.

The court also found Yoon had ordered South Korea’s military to capture individuals during the martial law declaration, including the current president Lee Jae Myung.

Yoon also had the intention to “paralyze” the country’s parliament by deploying troops to blockade the National Assembly and arrest key politicians, Jee said.

Five others were also sentenced, including former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The defendants may appeal the ruling within a week.

The sentence follows a separate ruling on Jan. 16, when Yoon was given a five-year prison term for attempting to obstruct his arrest after he was impeached and suspended from office.

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Abuja hotel collapse: Wike orders arrest of owner, to convert land to public use

Published

4 days ago

April 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-story hotel that collapsed in Jikwoyi, Abuja last Friday, April 4 and announced that the land would be seized for public use.

LIB had reported that the building crumbled while workers were on site, triggering an emergency response from relevant authorities.

Visiting the site today April 7, Wike said the building was constructed without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control and that all the stop-work notices sent to the builders were ignored by the developer.

Wike confirmed that while there were no fatalities, several people sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. He warned that the outcome could have been far worse.

Announcing the government’s plans for the land, Wike said the FCT Administration will take over the land for public use, noting that those responsible for the illegal construction will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

He added that the local community would be consulted to determine a suitable public-purpose project for the reclaimed site.

Ex-INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega Loses Wife

Published

5 days ago

April 5, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega, wife of former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega, has passed away.

Her family confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, April 5, 2026, announcing that her Janaiza prayer would be held after the Zuhr prayer at 1:30 p.m. at the National Mosque Abuja.