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Elon Musk has lost his lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI

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Elon Musk’s claim that he was mistreated by his OpenAI cofounders failed after nine California jurors returned a unanimous verdict that his lawsuits had been filed too late.

Musk accused Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, OpenAI and Microsoft of “stealing a charity” by creating a for-profit affiliate of the frontier AI lab. Jurors, however, found that any harms that Musk may have suffered came before the deadline for filing his claims under the law.

While the trial delved deeply into the melodramatic history of OpenAI and featured testimony from leading figures in Silicon Valley, it ultimately turned on fairly narrow questions of the law. The trial focused on whether and when Altman and the other defendants had made and broken promises to Musk, but his case failed to convince jurors that he had a valid claim.

In particular, OpenAI had advanced a statute of limitations defense, which sought to prove that any harms Musk sought to litigate had taken place before 2021. (The specific date varied by the charge: before August 5, 2021 for the first count; August 5, 2022, for the second count; and November 14, 2021, for the third count.) Ultimately, the jury found that argument persuasive, which made for a short deliberation period.

“There was a substantial amount of evidence to support the jury’s finding, which is why I was prepared to dismiss on the spot,” Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said after the verdict was delivered.

The end of the case means that one major threat to OpenAI — a possible restructuring — is now off the table ahead of its reported IPO.

“It did not take [the jury] two hours to conclude…that Mr. Musk’s lawsuit is nothing more than an after the fact contrivance that bears no relationship to reality,” OpenAI’s lead attorney, Bill Savitt, said after the verdict. “They kicked it exactly where it belongs—just to the side. This lawsuit is a hypocritical attempt to sabotage a competitor.”

Microsoft, which Musk sued for aiding and abetting OpenAI’s alleged breach of charitable trust, welcomed the verdict. A spokesperson for the company said it “remained committed to our work with OpenAI to advance and scale AI for people and organizations around the world.”

The verdict came in the middle of a hearing to determine the potential damages to Musk if the verdict had gone the other way. While that discussion is moot for now, the judge appeared unconvinced by the analogy Musk’s lawyers drew between his charitable contributions and investments in a for-profit startup.

“Your analysis seems to be devoid of connection to the underlying facts,” she told Dr. C. Paul Wazzan, the expert who came up with Musk’s estimate of OpenAI and Microsoft’s wrongful gains at his expense—some $78.8 billion to $135 billion.

Reached for comment by TechCrunch, Musk’s lead counsel Marc Toberoff said, “One word: Appeal.”

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Troops nab four suspected gunrunners in Plateau

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Troops of Enduring Peace have arrested four suspected illegal arms fabricators and gunrunners during coordinated intelligence-driven operations in the Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State. 

The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that the operation also led to the recovery of locally fabricated firearms, ammunition and other incriminating items.

It stated that the operation dealt a blow to suspected illegal arms supply networks fuelling insecurity in the state.

“Acting on credible intelligence received on 4 October 2026, troops of Sectors 8 and 4 conducted coordinated covert operations between 7 and 11 October 2026, leading to the arrest of the suspects,” it said. 

The arrested suspects include Ayuba Sunday Abot, a suspected illegal arms fabricator operating in Heipang, Barkin Ladi LGA, and three suspected gunrunners identified as Tangkat Danjuma, Kopdi Appollos and Nyam Nzang, who allegedly operated across Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs.

The statement explained that items recovered during the operations include one locally fabricated revolver rifle, one locally fabricated pistol, one fabricated AK-47 barrel, one AK-47 magazine and 42 rounds of 7.62 × 54mm ammunition, alongside other items suspected to be associated with the illegal activities. 

“The recoveries are expected to provide valuable leads in ongoing investigations aimed at uncovering illicit arms production and distribution networks.

“Preliminary interrogation reportedly revealed allegations that the recovered ammunition was purchased at ₦3,000 per round from an unidentified soldier,” it said. 

It noted that the allegation is being thoroughly investigated to establish its authenticity and identify any persons who may have been involved in the alleged transaction.

It added that the suspects and recovered items were in the custody of the troops’ headquarters for further investigation and necessary action. 

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2027: Enugu ADC condemns pre-election violence, urges impartiality

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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Enugu State chapter, has condemned reported attacks on opposition parties in the state, particularly incidents involving members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Speaking through the Obodoeze Media Project, the mouthpiece of the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Ocho Obodoeze Chukwuma, the ADC said the reported use of firearms in a political environment was deeply troubling and represented a serious threat to public safety, democratic participation and peaceful coexistence.

The party sympathised with the NDC, its leadership and members over the disturbing developments.

“We call on the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.

“While reports have circulated alleging that a life was lost, the Enugu State Government has disputed that claim, and the police have reported that a man sustained a suspected gunshot injury.

“We therefore urge the authorities to establish and publicly clarify the facts, while ensuring that the injured receive appropriate care and that justice is not compromised.

“We are equally concerned about the circumstances surrounding the restriction of NDC members who reportedly gathered at Akanu Ibiam International Airport to receive their party’s governorship candidate. Airports require appropriate security arrangements, and all applicable rules must be respected.

“However, those rules must be applied consistently, transparently and without political discrimination. Members of political parties and other groups are regularly seen welcoming associates and leaders at public arrival points.

“Any restriction imposed on one political party must therefore be supported by clear, consistently applied regulations rather than arbitrary or partisan considerations,” the statement said.

The party called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation to institute an independent and transparent inquiry, in conjunction with the appropriate airport authorities, to establish precisely what happened, the basis for the restrictions imposed on the NDC, and whether the same standards are applied to other political parties.

“Public institutions must remain impartial and must never create the impression that lawful civic participation is permitted for one group but denied to another on account of political affiliation.

“At this critical time, we urge all political parties, their supporters and relevant authorities to reject violence, uphold democratic principles and allow lawful political activities to take place in an atmosphere of peace, fairness and mutual respect.

“Our position remains unequivocal: the rule of law must prevail, equality before the law must be upheld, and the dignity of every human person must be recognised and protected, irrespective of political affiliation.

“No individual or group should be above the law, and no citizen should be made to feel that their rights are inferior because of the political party they support.

“Enugu State belongs to all of us. Its peace, democratic institutions and public resources must serve everyone without discrimination,” the party further stated.

2027: Enugu ADC condemns pre-election violence, urges impartiality

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