MATTERS ARISING 6060

  The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the gates of the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding the immediate removal of Justice Peter Odo Lifu over what it described as alleged judicial misconduct in a case involving the party's registration. Led by the ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, the protesters barricaded the court entrance while carrying placards with the slogan #JusticeLifuMustGo, insisting that the judiciary must remain impartial and independent. The protesters accused Justice Lifu of delivering what they described as a politically motivated ruling in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, which reportedly ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other opposition political parties. According to Rufai, the judgment was delivered despite an existing order of the Court of Appeal staying further proceedings in the matter. He further alleged that there were irreg...

  The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set for a crucial legal showdown after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja adjourned a suit involving the party's Board of Trustees (BoT) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications and the substantive originating summons. The case, which was heard on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, is before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Following the adjournment, supporters of the PDP Interim National Working Committee (NWC) led by Turaki expressed optimism, noting that the court indicated judgment would be delivered before July 11, 2026. If the timeline is maintained, the court's decision on the disputed leadership of the PDP is expected between Wednesday, July 8, and Thursday, July 9, 2026. The judgment is widely anticipated as a major milestone in the protracted struggle over the party's authentic national leadersh...

  Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations of bribery and what he described as a credibility crisis surrounding the 2026 national budget. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Atiku Media Office, the former Vice President said President Tinubu must demonstrate genuine commitment to transparency and accountability by allowing an independent investigation into allegations that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million in connection with an appointment. The call follows allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who identified himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), claiming he paid ₦400 million to secure his appointment. Atiku argued that Gbajabiamila's reported defence—that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council does not exist—has only dee...

      The Association of Qur'anic Teachers (Alarammomi) in Gombe State has condemned alleged remarks made by the Governor of Abdullahi Sule concerning Almajirai and the Tsangaya system, describing the comments as unfair and capable of damaging the reputation of a long-standing Islamic educational institution. Speaking on behalf of the association, its leader, Gwani Musa Mu'azu, expressed dissatisfaction with what he said was an attempt to link Almajirai with criminality and insecurity. He also criticized the governor for reportedly calling on the Federal Government to dismantle the traditional Almajiri and Tsangaya system. In a statement, the association insisted that the Tsangaya system has existed for centuries as a respected institution for Islamic education, discipline and moral development. It argued that portraying Almajirai as a source of insecurity unfairly stigmatizes thousands of students and Qur'anic teachers across the country. The group therefore called on Go...

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restored the bail of activist, publisher and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, after previously revoking it over his failure to appear in court. In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Mohammed Umar granted Sowore fresh bail in the sum of ₦200 million and set aside the earlier order that led to his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The court, however, imposed stringent conditions for his release. It directed the activist to produce two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from his community, while the other must own a verifiable property in Abuja. Sowore's bail was revoked on June 16 after he failed to appear before the court for the continuation of his trial. Justice Umar held that although the defendant had applied for an adjournment, the application did not provide sufficient justification for his absence. The court subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest, leading to his re...

 Professor Hajara Ibrahim Makes History as Northern Nigeria's First Female Professor of Pharmacy Professor Hajara Ibrahim has etched her name in Nigeria's academic history as the first female Professor of Pharmacy in Northern Nigeria, breaking barriers and inspiring generations of women pursuing careers in science, research, and higher education. Born on 15 August 1962 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Professor Ibrahim built an outstanding academic career through dedication and excellence. She obtained her Bachelor of Pharmacy, Master's degree in Pharmacognosy, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmacognosy from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, completing her doctoral studies in 1998. She joined the academic staff of ABU in 1987 and steadily rose through the ranks. In 2006, she was promoted to the rank of Professor, becoming the first female Professor of Pharmacy in Northern Nigeria—a landmark achievement that opened doors for more women in pharmaceutical sciences and academia...

Chukwuma Okafor  Lists Security Challenges During Peter Obi's Tenure as Anambra Governor, Questions His Record A public affairs commentator, Chukwuma Okafor , has questioned the security record of former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, citing a series of kidnapping, armed robbery, and violent crime incidents that occurred during Obi's administration between March 2006 and March 2014. In a lengthy commentary, Okafor argued that Anambra witnessed a significant rise in insecurity, particularly in the last two years of Obi's administration, claiming that more than 200 kidnapping cases were recorded between 2012 and March 2014. According to him, several prominent traditional rulers were abducted during the period, including the traditional ruler of Ukpo, Igwe Robert Eze; the traditional ruler of Abagana, HRH Igwe Patrick Okeke; the traditional ruler of Adazi-Nnukwu, Igwe Lawrence Oragwu; and the traditional ruler of Ihembosi, Igwe Jer...

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is once again under intense scrutiny following explosive allegations by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims he paid ₦600 million to secure an appointment to head a federal agency that the Presidency now insists does not exist. According to Adeyemi, he allegedly paid ₦400 million upfront and was expected to pay another ₦200 million later before his appointment could be completed. He further claimed that he later came under pressure to surrender 48 percent of a proposed ₦24 billion take-off grant earmarked for the agency, a demand he said he refused. The allegations have been categorically denied by the Presidency. Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has distanced himself from Adeyemi and declared that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) is not a government agency and does not exist under the Tinubu administration. However, the controversy did not end there. Adeyemi insists the agency i...

The leadership and members of Fulani pastoralist communities across Nigeria have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other top government officials to intervene in the continued detention of Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, urging his unconditional release. In a statement signed by Alhaji Nasiru Liman Jalbu, Northeast Zonal Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Sociocultural Association, the group called on the President, the National Security Adviser, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other relevant authorities to ensure that justice is done in accordance with the law. The association recalled that Bodejo was first arrested on January 23, 2024, in connection with the establishment of a nomadic vigilante outfit, which it said was fully sponsored by the Nasarawa State Government. According to the statement, following several months of legal proceedings, Bodejo was released af...

Abuja, Nigeria – June 27, 2026 – Distinguished Senator Mohammed Sani Musa has announced the commencement of applications for the International Undergraduate Scholarship Programme to Morocco, offering qualified students from the Niger East Senatorial District the opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies in various academic disciplines. According to the Scholarship Committee, the programme is designed to support outstanding students from the district by providing access to quality higher education in Moroccan universities. Eligibility Criteria Interested applicants must satisfy the following conditions: Be a bona fide indigene of Niger East Senatorial District, comprising Bosso, Chanchaga, Gurara, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Shiroro, Suleja, and Tafa Local Government Areas. Be 22 years old or younger at the time of application. Possess a minimum of seven credits in WAEC or NECO, including English Language and Mathematics. Present 2025 WAEC or NECO results, in line with Morocco's admissi...

A public affairs commentator, Dr. Uche Diala, has questioned the manner in which the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) presented its criminal case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, arguing that only one of the 11 counts in the amended charge directly names the former governor. In a statement titled "The New ICPC Charges Against El-Rufai: Looking Beyond the Facade," Diala reacted to the ICPC's announcement that it had arraigned El-Rufai alongside his former Senior Special Adviser, Jimi Lawal, and five others before the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The anti-corruption agency had announced that the defendants were facing an 11-count amended charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences. According to Diala, while the ICPC publicly identified El-Rufai as the first defendant and highlighted the first count of the charge, it did not disclose that the remaining 10 counts did not d...

      Abuja, Nigeria — June 27, 2026 The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside its earlier decision recognising the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), describing the ruling as part of a growing pattern of actions that threaten Nigeria's democracy ahead of the 2026 general election. In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that opposition political parties have increasingly been subjected to legal disputes and administrative actions aimed at weakening them and shrinking the country's democratic space. According to the party, the development goes beyond the interests of any single political party and poses a serious challenge to Nigeria's constitutional democracy. The ADC argued that sustained legal battles involving opposition parties undermine the ability of Nigerians to freely choose among credible p...

  Abuja, Nigeria – 2026 Political commentator Uche Diala has responded to criticisms that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, would have “used” Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, had he remained in the party.  The reply, titled #RightOfReply, was posted in response to a comment by Okeh Onyekachi Chukwuemeka, who said: “It would have been generationally wrong for ADC to have used Mr. Peter Obi the way you all were about to use him.” “He joined ADC on his own volition” Diala said he was directly involved in Obi’s move to the ADC and dismissed claims of coercion.  “No one forced Peter Obi into the ADC. He came on his own volition. I was involved and I know,” he stated.  According to Diala, Obi was aware of two key party positions before joining: the ADC would not zone its presidential ticket, and all aspirants would support whoever emerged from the primaries. “Peter Obi himself agreed to that,” he said. Membership numbers and direct primaries D...

 Peter Obi Describes Lokoja Court Judgment as Setback for Nigerian Democracy   Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has described the recent court rulings delivered in Lokoja as a serious setback for Nigeria's democracy, warning that the country's democratic institutions are gradually losing their independence and credibility. Obi made the remarks on Friday after receiving news of the Lokoja court judgment while attending an engagement at Madonna University, following a series of official activities in Imo State. According to him, the day began with a visit to the School of Nursing Sciences in Emekuku, where he inspected projects executed through his previous interventions, including a computer laboratory. He also attended the 80th birthday celebration of the Emeritus Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Obinna, before proceeding to Madonna University. The former Anambra State governor said he was informed of the Lokoja court rulings by form...

  The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, has called on the Federal Government to provide the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) with modern, state-of-the-art equipment to enhance national security and improve the agency's operational effectiveness. The Sultan made the appeal on Thursday while receiving participants of the 13th Staff Course of the Nigeria Immigration Command and Staff College, Sokoto, during a courtesy visit to his palace. He commended the Nigeria Immigration Service for its dedication to safeguarding Nigeria's borders and responding to evolving security threats across the country. According to him, the provision of modern equipment, alongside continuous training and capacity building, is crucial to improving professionalism and ensuring effective service delivery. The revered monarch also condemned the activities of bandits and other c...

  Abuja, Nigeria – The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has adjourned until July 8, 2026, the hearing into a petition against the Nigerian Navy over allegations of criminal trespass, intimidation, and the unlawful acquisition of ancestral lands in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The decision was announced by the committee's chairman, Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus La'ori, following proceedings involving the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), the Nigerian Navy, and representatives of affected indigenous communities. The dispute centres on more than 7,400 hectares of land stretching from the Abuja Airport corridor to Giri and Zuba. The petition was brought on behalf of the indigenous communities of Tungamaje, Tungamdaki, and Idoseriki, who allege that the Nigerian Navy unlawfully occupied their ancestral lands. Representing the communities, the PCC's Director of Investigation, Mrs. Adenike Adebisi, and the Commission's Assistant Director of Legal Services...

  The Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 89 distinguished legal professionals to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for 2026. The newly elevated recipients comprise 77 legal practitioners and 12 law professors, all of whom were found to have met the requirements for the country's highest professional honour in the legal profession following the LPPC's screening and assessment process. The SAN title is the highest distinction conferred on lawyers in Nigeria, recognizing exceptional excellence in legal practice, advocacy, legal scholarship, and contributions to the development of the justice system. Full List of 2026 SAN Recipients Advocates Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu, Esq. Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor, Esq. Godwill Achibong Umoh, Esq. Sunday Samuel Obende, Esq. Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe, Esq. Jimson Ejovi Okodaso, Esq. Olaotan Thomas Olusegun, Esq. Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq. Adenrele David Adegboriye, Esq. James Eromos...

              Jos, Nigeria – Renowned Nigerian Islamic scholar, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has received widespread commendation from students, scholars, and followers following the launch of a major project translating and explaining the Holy Qur’an in the Ajami writing system. The initiative, which focuses on making the meanings and teachings of the Qur’an more accessible to Hausa-speaking Muslims who read and write Ajami, has been described as a significant contribution to Islamic scholarship and religious education in Nigeria and across West Africa. Supporters of the project say the translation and commentary will help bridge language barriers and enable thousands of Muslims to gain a deeper understanding of the Qur’anic message in a script that has long been familiar to many Hausa communities. They believe the work will simplify access to Islamic knowledge and strengthen religious literacy among readers who are more comfortable with Ajami than with...

   Abuja, Nigeria – 2026 The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has condemned bail conditions imposed on former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai as “punitive,” saying courts and security agencies now grant bail with the intention that suspects “should not enjoy it.” NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, made the remarks during a meeting with Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu. “Bail has become punitive,” NBA president says   Osigwe accused law enforcement and judicial institutions of using bail to deny liberty by pretense.  “Bail has become a punitive thing, that in our police stations, in our courts, in EFCC offices, ICPC offices, bail is being given with the intention that the people should not enjoy it. So we deny bail by pretending to give it,” he said. He faulted the frequent demand for directors or senior civil servants as sureties.  “The worst part of it is that it seems to be becoming normal that in some police stations, when bail is granted, they...

  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of money laundering and financing terrorism. According to reports, the anti-graft agency has filed a 12-count charge against Bodejo, accusing him of receiving about $2.53 million allegedly linked to unlawful activities. The charges allege that Bodejo received large sums of money from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, through cash transactions that allegedly bypassed banking channels and violated financial regulations. Among the allegations, the EFCC claims that Bodejo received $100,000 in January 2022 and later accepted an additional $200,000 from the same source. The commission further alleges that he collected $980,000 in February 2024 and another $500,000 in March 2024, all in cash and outside the procedures prescribed by law. The anti-corruption agency also accused th...

  The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land has distanced itself from individuals and groups allegedly organizing fundraising programmes, launches, and other activities while falsely claiming to represent or act on behalf of the organization. In a statement signed by top Islamic leaders across the South-West, the League described such claims as misleading and unauthorized, warning members of the Muslim community and the general public to be cautious when dealing with persons presenting themselves as affiliates or representatives of the body without official approval. The organization emphasized that it remains the apex Islamic body in South-West Nigeria, established in 1964 by renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory and other founding fathers across the former Western Region. According to the statement, the League has no connection whatsoever with the fundraising activities being carried out by the individuals and groups in question. The League noted that it cont...

  Abuja, June 24, 2026 — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled another large-scale clandestine methamphetamine production facility hidden deep within a forest in Oyo State, arresting five suspects, including a Mexican national believed to be a methamphetamine production expert. The operation, which took place in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, marks a major breakthrough in the agency's ongoing crackdown on transnational drug trafficking syndicates operating in Nigeria. Addressing journalists at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, described the discovery as a significant victory against organized drug cartels. According to Marwa, tactical operatives stormed the heavily fortified facility on June 17, following intelligence reports that a sophisticated dr...

Abuja, Nigeria – June 24, 2026 Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has issued a legal demand to popular cleric Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, seeking an immediate retraction and apology over alleged defamatory statements made against him. The demand was contained in a letter dated June 11, 2026, written by Magaji Mato Ibrahim SAN & Co., legal representatives to Kwankwaso, and addressed to the founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos. According to the letter, Kwankwaso's lawyers accused Primate Ayodele of making “false, malicious and derogatory” comments during a public address that was allegedly recorded and broadcast to a wide audience through social media and live-streaming platforms. The legal team stated that the comments portrayed Kwankwaso as politically unreliable and dishonest, citing remarks allegedly suggesting that he would betray his political ally and had ...

  Abuja, June 23, 2026 — The Labour Party (LP) has strongly criticized recent judicial decisions delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, describing them as a “miscarriage of justice” and warning that they pose a threat to Nigeria’s democratic system. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the party had been vindicated by the controversy surrounding Justice Lifu’s recent ruling ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress and other political parties. According to Ifoh, the Labour Party had previously raised concerns over Justice Lifu’s handling of a leadership dispute involving the party but claimed that those concerns were ignored until similar rulings began affecting other political parties. “The problem with many Nigerians is that when injustice happens to one person, others remain silent until it affects them directly,” Ifoh stated. “When Justice Peter Lifu deliv...

  Kaduna, Nigeria – June 2026 The Islamiyya Schools Association of Nigeria (ISAN) has strongly condemned the brutal killing of an innocent Islamiyya teacher in Kaduna State, describing the act as barbaric, unlawful, and contrary to the teachings of Islam. In a public statement released on Tuesday, the association expressed deep concern over the incident and called on the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute all individuals involved in the killing. According to ISAN, the victim was an innocent teacher whose death has sparked outrage among members of the Islamic education community and the wider public. The association stressed that taking the law into one's own hands through mob action or jungle justice is both illegal and un-Islamic. “Jungle justice is un-Islamic and illegal. We demand justice and protection for all Islamiyya teachers,” the statement read. The association emphasized that the safety of teachers and educators must be guara...

Lagos, Nigeria – 2026 The Lagos State Police Command has intercepted an unregistered MAN diesel truck carrying 47 sacks of military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of substances suspected to be illicit drugs during an intelligence-led operation. Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure. Police identified them as Chinedu David, 29; Ezeagwu Chukwuma, 38; Ifeanyi Ogbeanyi, 45; and Ndidiamaka Emeka. Uniforms allegedly headed for South-East   Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, disclosed that preliminary investigations indicate the military uniforms were allegedly being transported to the South-East region. CP Tijani said investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the items, ownership of the consignment, intended recipients, and other individuals connected to the shipment. The suspected illicit drugs have also been sent for forensic analysis to confirm their composition. Police link uniforms to organized crime The Command said the recovery ...

  Ibadan, Oyo State – Security agencies have arrested a pastor in Oyo State over allegations of supplying weapons, illicit drugs, and logistical support to bandit groups operating in parts of the country. According to reports, the cleric, who had long been regarded as a respected religious leader within his community, is currently in custody and facing investigation over his alleged involvement in criminal activities linked to banditry and violent attacks. The arrest has generated widespread reactions across social media and among members of the public, with many expressing shock that a religious figure could allegedly be connected to activities that have contributed to insecurity, kidnappings, and loss of lives in several communities. Residents who knew the pastor described him as a regular preacher who often delivered sermons on peace, faith, and divine protection. The allegations against him have therefore raised concerns about the abuse of public trust by individuals occupying ...

Abuja, June 23, 2026 — A prominent supporter of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on Nigerians to stand firmly behind the detained politician, describing his continued incarceration as unjust and politically motivated. In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, political activist Shafiu Balarabe expressed concern over what he termed the persecution of El-Rufai, arguing that the former governor's detention was not based on any proven criminal wrongdoing but on his influence and popularity among Nigerian youths. According to Balarabe, the continued detention of El-Rufai despite court proceedings and legal applications has raised questions about respect for the rule of law and due process in the country. He lamented that court orders and bail considerations were allegedly being disregarded, insisting that such actions undermine public confidence in democratic institutions. The supporter praised El-Rufai's record in public service, highlighting his ten...