Month: October 2026

By Hassana Abdullahi

South African jurist Navi Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her contributions to international law, human rights and the prosecution of war crimes and genocide.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on October 9, praising Pillay’s role in advancing international justice and strengthening the global rule of law.

Pillay, 85, previously served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court.

Her judicial work contributed to establishing that rape and sexual violence could constitute crimes against humanity and genocide. She also chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which concluded in September 2025 that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the commission’s findings.

The Nobel Committee recognised Pillay’s longstanding efforts to hold individuals and states accountable for international crimes and to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts through international law.

Born in Durban during apartheid, Pillay built a distinguished legal career defending human rights and challenging discrimination. Her award highlights the role of international justice institutions in addressing atrocities and protecting human dignity.

By Salmanu Isah

A retired Sharia Court judge in Bauchi State, Umar Baba Wali, 55, has been arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 6 in Bauchi over allegations of judicial misconduct, abuse of office and involvement in a matrimonial dispute involving a woman he allegedly later married.

Wali, from Kesala in Misau Local Government Area, formerly presided over Sharia Court II in Azare.

The allegations centre on a matrimonial case brought before him by Rukayya Yakubu Gurama, the wife of Abdulkadir Idris. The retired judge is accused of allowing an alleged personal relationship with Gurama to influence proceedings in the case.

According to the allegations, Wali allegedly became personally involved with the woman while the matrimonial dispute was still before him, raising questions about judicial impartiality, conflict of interest and the possible misuse of judicial authority.

He is also accused of marrying Gurama without the dissolution of her existing marriage in accordance with the law, despite having presided over proceedings relating to the matrimonial dispute.

The prosecution alleges that the conduct amounted to a breach of judicial ethics and an abuse of the public trust attached to his former position.

Wali is facing charges under Sections 384, 125, 124 and 126 of the Bauchi State Penal Code Law, 2022.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody. The court adjourned the case until Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for a ruling on his bail application.

The case has raised concerns about the importance of impartiality, integrity and the avoidance of conflicts of interest in judicial proceedings, particularly in sensitive matrimonial disputes.

The central issue is whether the accused used the authority of his former office to influence proceedings involving a woman with whom he allegedly later established a marital relationship.

The allegations have yet to be proved in court. Wali remains presumed innocent unless the prosecution establishes his guilt beyond reasonable doubt, in accordance with the law.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, arguing that the country’s economy is on a stronger footing nearly three years into the administration.

Idris spoke on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference on the state of the economy and the government’s next phase of economic policies.

He said measures introduced by the administration, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, were necessary to tackle longstanding economic challenges and improve the country’s financial position.

“Three years into the Renewed Hope Agenda, results are increasingly evident. The economy is on stronger footing, stability is creating greater room for investment and enterprise,” Idris said.

The minister said the government was moving beyond its initial reform phase towards a new period focused on economic growth, investment, job creation and improved living standards.

He described the next stage of the administration’s economic programme as “From Reform to Prosperity,” a phrase he said reflected the government’s renewed focus on translating its policies into better outcomes for Nigerians.

According to Idris, the administration intends to prioritise employment opportunities, support businesses, strengthen enterprise and improve household incomes.

The minister’s remarks come amid continued public debate over the impact of the government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and its implications for the cost of living.

While the government maintains that the measures are intended to strengthen the economy and create conditions for investment, the minister’s comments represent the administration’s assessment of its economic performance and future priorities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Adewale Ogoemi Arojah, over allegations that he impersonated a popular cleric on Facebook and defrauded victims of more than N18 million by offering fake prophecies and spiritual services.

The suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Ilaro Divisional Police Headquarters following a complaint by Muyiwa Akogun, a cleric popularly known on Facebook as “Prophet Dr Muyiwa Akogun.”

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to Babaseyi, Akogun reported the matter to the police on October 3, 2026, after members of the public alerted him to fraudulent activities allegedly carried out through a duplicate Facebook account bearing his identity.

The complaint prompted the Divisional Police Officer in Ilaro to deploy intelligence and detective operatives to investigate the case and locate the suspect.

Babaseyi said, “Upon receipt of the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer, Ilaro Division, immediately detailed intelligence and detective operatives to track down the perpetrator.

“Through sustained technological monitoring and intelligence-led analysis, the suspect was tracked to a nearby village in Ajegunle, via the Ilaro-Ibogun axis, where he was successfully apprehended.

“During a rigorous interrogation, the suspect confessed to impersonating the real Prophet Akogun on Facebook. He admitted to using the cleric’s identity to deliver fake prophecies and offer prayer services to vulnerable individuals, thereby defrauding victims residing both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect systematically targeted victims seeking spiritual assistance on the said prophet’s Facebook page, gained their trust and swindled them of funds amounting to over N18m.”

The police spokesperson said the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The investigation is expected to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify possible accomplices and clarify the circumstances surrounding the transactions.

Babaseyi said the arrest reflected the command’s determination to tackle online fraud, identity theft and other forms of cybercrime in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ilaro operatives for their vigilance and swift response. He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents against digital and physical threats.

The police urged members of the public to verify social media accounts before sending money or sharing personal information, particularly when dealing with religious leaders and other public figures.

Residents were also advised to report suspected cybercrime, impersonation and other suspicious activities through the Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, or the numbers 09164859299 and 09154293464.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has urged voters in Edo State to reject President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, describing those who vote for him as “mad.”

Amaechi made the remarks during an ADC stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Edo State, where he also accused Tinubu of prioritising financial interests over the welfare and economic needs of Nigerians.

“Only mad people will vote for Tinubu. If Edo people vote for President Tinubu, that means Edo people are mad. If you’re not mad, Tinubu should not win here,” Amaechi said.

The former Minister of Transportation also questioned the Federal Government’s decision to support the construction of another seaport in Ogun State, alleging that the project was motivated by the financial benefits it could generate rather than the state’s economic needs.

“So, Tinubu just hates you. No, I’m not joking. If Tinubu does not hate you, why is he building another seaport?” he asked.

“In Ogun, what are the goods we are producing? What goods are we producing to have as many as that number of seaports?

“It is not because he likes Ogun people. It is the money he will make out of the construction.”

Amaechi called on ADC supporters and other Nigerians opposed to Tinubu’s re-election bid to return to their communities and participate actively in the electoral process.

He cautioned that opposing the president would not be enough if voters failed to protect their votes during the elections.

“If you want Tinubu to go, please go home. Go home. Go home,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the conduct of election officials, arguing that voters should remain vigilant during the collation and announcement of results.

“Because all the returning officers are human beings. They are Nigerians. Those who take bribes and return fake results and suffer for four years,” Amaechi said.

His comments come as political parties and opposition figures intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the ADC among the platforms seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Amaechi served as Rivers State governor from 2007 to 2015 before becoming Minister of Transportation. He is now a prominent figure in the ADC-led opposition coalition.

The coming elections are expected to feature debates over economic conditions, insecurity, unemployment, public spending and electoral integrity as parties seek to mobilise support across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Gombe State Government has commenced the disbursement of N10.32 billion in gratuities to 6,665 retired workers across state and local government services.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya announced the payment on Thursday during the launch of the sixth tranche of gratuity payments by his administration since 2019.

According to the governor, N6.24 billion was approved for 2,354 state government retirees covering 2024 and 2025, while N4.08 billion was allocated to settle outstanding gratuities for 4,311 local government retirees.

Yahaya said his administration inherited N21 billion in unpaid gratuities when it took office in 2019. The arrears covered local government retirees from 2012 to 2019 and state government retirees from 2014 to 2019.

“When we assumed office in 2019, we inherited a gratuity backlog of N21bn owed to state and local government retirees,” he said.

He explained that the state and local government finances were under pressure at the time, adding that local councils had borrowed N1.3 billion monthly between 2013 and 2019 to meet salary obligations.

“From the outset, we recognised that the welfare of retirees is not a privilege but a right, and that every worker who has served faithfully deserves to retire with dignity and financial security,” Yahaya said.

The governor said his administration continued to pay gratuities despite economic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, recessions, the Russia-Ukraine war, fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira.

“Yet through prudent management of scarce resources, we had paid a total of N33.283bn in gratuities before today,” he said.

He added that the latest disbursement had raised the total gratuities paid since 2019 to N44.134 billion.

“With today’s disbursement, our cumulative gratuity payment since 2019 has reached a historic N44.134bn,” the governor said.

Yahaya stated that the latest payment had cleared state government gratuity obligations up to December 2025, while payments for entitlements accruing from January 2026 were scheduled for early 2027.

He also disclosed plans to establish a sustainable arrangement to prevent future accumulation of gratuity arrears. Options under consideration include a contributory pension scheme or deductions from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Our objective is simple: gratuity obligations must never again be allowed to accumulate and become an unbearable burden to the state and our retirees,” he said.

The governor further announced the release of N299 million in gratuities to former employees of the Gombe Investment and Property Development Company, following its dissolution and the creation of the Gombe State Investment Promotion Agency.

He said approval had also been granted to settle outstanding gratuities owed to former local government chairmen and councillors from previous administrations up to the present period.

Yahaya said his government had implemented the new minimum wage for state and local government workers, alongside the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and Consolidated Health Salary Structure for doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

He maintained that salaries and pensions had been paid promptly throughout his tenure, including during periods of economic recession.

The governor said the need to address inherited gratuity arrears and an already overstaffed public service had influenced the administration’s decision to delay large-scale recruitment.

“The moral burden of clearing billions in gratuity arrears, together with an inherited service that was already overstaffed, compelled us to delay large-scale recruitment,” he said.

However, he noted that the government had employed 1,000 teachers, more than 440 health workers and hundreds of other personnel to meet staffing needs across ministries, departments and agencies.

“With the inherited backlog now cleared, Gombe State is in a stronger position to recruit new workers sustainably and strategically, aligned with the real needs of our public service and economy,” Yahaya said.

He appealed to retirees, civil servants and organised labour to support the government’s development efforts.

“We expect a renewed commitment and support from our retirees, civil servants and trade union groups to repay the support extended to them by our administration,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Muhammadu Magaji, described the commencement of the payments as a significant development in the management of pensions and gratuities in the state.

Magaji praised retirees for their contributions to Gombe’s development through their years of public service.

“You have taught our children, you treated the sick, you administered our institutions, maintained infrastructure and kept the machinery of government functioning,” he said.

He stressed that the payment represented the government’s fulfilment of its responsibility to former workers.

“The payment being commenced today therefore is not a favour, but a fulfilment of obligation of government which is being upheld strongly by His Excellency, our dear governor,” Magaji said.

The commissioner described the disbursement as “a restoration of hope, a fulfilment of an obligation, and a demonstration that responsible governance can make a tangible difference in the lives of our people.”

He also commended the administration’s efforts to improve internally generated revenue, strengthen budget credibility and promote transparency and accountability in public finance.

Magaji cited the state’s participation in fiscal and governance reform programmes, including SIFTAS, SABER and HOPE, as part of its efforts to improve public financial management and institutional performance.

“Permit me, on behalf of the government and people of the state, to sincerely acknowledge and appreciate Your Excellency for this effort towards our pensioners and retirees,” he said.

He urged the beneficiaries to recognise the government’s efforts to settle the inherited obligations and prayed for continued strength and wisdom for the governor.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force, North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have repelled an attack by the Lakurawa Terrorist Group on Forward Operating Base Maiyama in Kebbi State, recovering weapons, ammunition and 17 motorcycles.

In a statement on Thursday, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, said the incident occurred in the early hours of 7 October 2026, when a large number of terrorists, operating on over 100 motorcycles and armed with assorted weapons including General Purpose Machine Guns and Rocket-Propelled Grenades, launched an attack on the base.

The troops responded swiftly and effectively, repelling the attack and preventing the terrorists from achieving their objective. The terrorists subsequently withdrew, abandoning weapons, equipment and other logistics in their haste to escape.

Following the engagement, troops conducted exploitation and pursuit operations in the surrounding area, leading to the recovery of 17 motorcycles, a PKT machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, assorted ammunition and a communication device believed to have been used by the terrorists during the attack.

The statement said the recovery represented a significant setback to the terrorists’ operational capability in the area, adding that the general area remained firmly under troops’ control.

It added that aggressive patrols, clearance and dominance operations were continuing to track and neutralize fleeing members of the terrorist group.

The Theatre Command, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, restated its commitment to maintaining the security of communities and denying terrorists the freedom to operate within the Joint Operations Area.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government on Thursday announced that NNPC Retail will forgo its petrol retail profit margin and sell at cost for the next 30 days as part of measures to cushion Nigerian households from global crude oil price shocks.

In a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the government said NNPC Retail, which already sells petrol at the lowest price in the market, will offer the discount within the next 30 days. It explained that if NNPC’s landing cost is N1,300 per litre, it will sell at the same price to Nigerians, especially commercial vehicles.

The move, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was announced by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele alongside other measures.

Oyedele said he hoped other marketers would follow NNPC’s lead, noting that the sharp rise in crude and petrol prices is not expected to last long. He stressed that NNPC’s decision must not be misinterpreted as a return to petrol subsidy, which ended on May 29, 2023.

He also announced forward sales of crude to domestic refineries. According to him, as production rises and previously committed crude is freed up, pump prices should be shielded from global market volatility.

The government, Oyedele said, is negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol to keep pump prices stable. Where costs rise above the ceiling, refiners and importers will carry the shortfall and recover it later when crude prices or the exchange rate allow, without breaching the cap.

“This is neither a subsidy nor a price control: it is designed to smooth prices over time rather than suppressing them,” Oyedele said. “N1,400 a litre today and N1,400 tomorrow is better than N1,500 today and N1,300 tomorrow, because volatility itself adds to uncertainty and cost. And when fares rise sharply, they rarely fall as fast.”

He said the ceiling would be reviewed monthly, reset as costs require, and the figures published for transparency.

Under the 2025 tax reform laws, Oyedele said the Federal Government, in collaboration with states and security agencies, is reining in road taxes and levies that inflate fares and logistics costs. Funding is also being increased for cash transfers to vulnerable households and subsidised credit for small businesses and consumers.

Other measures announced include:

1· A faster CNG rollout, with the government expecting transporters to pass savings on to passengers. CNG is 60–70 per cent cheaper than petrol.

2· Consideration of an excess profit tax for operators who take undue advantage of consumers along the energy value chain. Proceeds would be used exclusively to cushion fuel prices through transport support or vouchers for urban minimum-wage earners. The government will also work with the National Assembly on enhanced tax relief for low-income earners under the 2027 Finance Bill.

3· Cuts to regulatory costs that feed into the cost of doing business and, indirectly, higher prices of goods and services.

4· Investment in a National Strategic Fuel Reserve. Refined products would be released under clear, published rules whenever global disruption or hoarding threatens supply and price stability. The government said this is not a subsidy and does not fix prices, but secures supply and reduces volatility.

5· Better traffic and logistics management, including improved traffic flow in major urban centres to reduce fuel consumption, and the use of NIPOST’s newly launched address codes to make logistics more efficient and cheaper.

The Presidency said none of the measures restores a blanket subsidy, warning that doing so would create longer-term harm for a short-term cure. It acknowledged the hardship Nigerians face over the high cost of fuel.

“Removing the fuel subsidy came at a price. But the alternative has been tried. Nigeria has already lived through that cycle: scarcity, smuggling, a collapsing currency and a fiscal crisis. We cannot afford to live through it again, least of all in response to a temporary disruption, and at the very moment the results of reform are gathering pace,” it said.

The government said it was not reversing a necessary reform, but ensuring its gains reach more Nigerians faster and in more tangible ways. It added that it is working on a comprehensive package of fiscal measures to bring inflation down to single digits sustainably in the near term.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has suspended the implementation of its recently revised student charges following mounting demands and complaints from the Student Representative Council (SRC).

The decision, announced in a special bulletin signed by the university’s management, aims to allow for further consultations with students and other relevant stakeholders. The suspension comes just as the implementation of the revised fees was about to commence.

According to the bulletin, the initial review of the charges was necessitated by a pressing financial challenge, compounded by a loss of nearly N2.5 billion following a court ruling in March 2026.

The management stated that the revised charges were introduced to bridge the gap between available resources and the rising cost of essential services, including welfare, security, transportation, and utilities.

However, the move sparked additional demands from the student body. “Management has carefully considered the submissions made to it by the students and Management found them to be legitimate, responsible and deserving of further consideration,” the statement read.

In the spirit of mutual respect and responsible governance, management has opted to halt the implementation. The university praised the students for their mature and constructive approach to the matter, describing the suspension as “a demonstration of Management’s commitment to listening to its students and ensuring that decisions with significant implications for them are subjected to the fullest possible consideration.”

While acknowledging the institution’s financial realities and the urgent need to strengthen resources for essential services, management emphasized the importance of balancing these constraints with the need to provide a conducive environment for teaching, learning, and research.

The management reiterated its commitment to student welfare and appealed for calm and cooperation as the consultation process continues. The university expressed confidence that a responsible and sustainable resolution will be reached through constructive engagement with the SRC. Further communication on the outcome of the consultations will be issued in due course.

By Hajara Abdullahi

A nine-year-old boy has allegedly set his family home on fire in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing two women and two girls.

Police said the incident occurred on 21 August 2026 at Rugan Badali Fulani. The victims were trapped inside the house and sustained severe injuries, which led to their deaths.

The police said investigation revealed that the nine-year-old son of Idi was suspected of starting the fire. The command added that the boy confessed to setting the house ablaze, saying he did it for revenge after his father beat him over an allegation that he stole a chicken.