News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgain

iA General Court Martial (GCM) in Enugu has sentenced Private Adamu Mohammed to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, Hauwa Ali, while Private Abubakar Yusuf received a 10-year jail term for robbery.

The court, convened by the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, found Mohammed guilty under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act.

Despite pleas for leniency, the panel upheld the death penalty, citing the need for justice.

Yusuf was convicted of robbing a mall in Enugu under Section 107(1)(b) of the same law. The court could not impose the maximum penalty due to a lack of unanimity, leading to a 10-year sentence instead. Both rulings await confirmation by higher authorities. The Army reaffirmed its commitment to discipline and justice, stating that misconduct by personnel would always be met with strict legal action.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Government has announced that it will not pay April salaries to its workers until each employee is physically verified in an effort to curb fraudulent salary payments.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruq Ibrahim, disclosed this during a press briefing on the government’s measures to address irregularities in salary payments, including payments to ghost workers and deceased or retired staff.

The report revealed that at least 247 individuals have been receiving salaries illegally every month, amounting to over ₦28 million in wasted funds.

According to Alhaji Umar, these fraudulent payments stem from local government areas and some state agencies.

“Starting from the end of April, every worker must present themselves physically and complete the necessary documentation before receiving their April salary,” he stated.

He noted the difficulties workers may face but urged patience and cooperation to ensure the process is successful.

The SSG added that salary payments for April will begin this week, but each employee must undergo verification using their National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).

He appealed to workers to understand the government’s position, adding that the new measures are not meant to punish employees but to correct systemic flaws and ensure transparency.

By Uzair AdamThe Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially launched the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for special needs candidates across the country.

The initiative is part of JAMB’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian student is excluded from pursuing higher education.

At a press briefing held at the BUK’s School of Continuing Education in Kano, Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, Coordinator of the Kano Centre for the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), explained that over 500 special needs candidates are participating in the exams at 11 centers nationwide.

The Daily Reality gathered that the Kano Centre alone is set to host 92 candidates from across Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and parts of Kaduna states.

Prof. Bello clarified that the examinations, while tailored to meet the needs of candidates with disabilities such as visual impairments, autism, Down syndrome, and albinism, are of the same standard as those for regular candidates.

“The goal is to ensure that these candidates are not disadvantaged when competing for university placements,” he said.For the first time this year, special needs candidates are writing Computer Studies as part of their UTME subjects, marking a significant step toward inclusivity.

“This is a major breakthrough, with candidates from Kano and Lagos leading the way,” Prof. Bello added.

JAMB’s commitment to inclusivity is further reflected in the special accommodations provided, including free accommodation, feeding, and transportation for the candidates.

Additionally, candidates who meet specific requirements, like uploading their O’ Level results with at least five credits, are eligible for a refund of their registration fees.

The initiative, which started in 2017, has steadily grown under the leadership of JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who emphasized that the examinations must maintain the same rigorous standards as those for regular candidates to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.

Prof. Bello also highlighted the support the Kano Centre receives from local institutions such as Bayero University and the Department of Special Education, which help to facilitate the smooth conduct of the examination process.

He added that the 2025 UTME for special needs candidates is yet another milestone in JAMB’s ongoing effort to promote an inclusive education system, ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of their condition, has a fair chance to succeed academically.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has suspended two court registrars and issued formal warnings to two Upper Sharia Court judges for various acts of misconduct.

This was announced in a statement by the spokesperson of the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, according to SolaceBase.

The statement said the disciplinary measures were approved during the Commission’s 80th meeting held on April 22, 2025, based on the recommendations of the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee.

Principal Registrar II of the High Court of Justice, Ibrahim Adamu, was suspended without pay for six months and had his promotion delayed after being found guilty of verbally assaulting and attempting to physically attack his superior — actions that violated the Kano State Civil Service Rules 2004 and Judicial Service Commission Regulations. 

The statement noted that this was his second appearance before an investigative panel for violence-related misconduct.

In a related case, Maigida Lawan, a Principal Registrar of the Sharia Court of Appeal, was found guilty of demanding and receiving improper gratification under false pretences. 

Consequently, he was demoted from GL-13 to GL-12 and suspended without pay for six months.

Meanwhile, Upper Sharia Court Judge Alkali Mansur Ibrahim was issued a formal warning after evidence showed he used abusive language toward a litigant. 

Similarly, Upper Sharia Court Judge Alkali Nasiru Ahmad received a caution for ordering the detention of a judgment debtor in circumstances that suggested a conflict of interest and compromised judicial impartiality.

The Commission reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and misconduct, warning that any court staff found guilty of such practices would face compulsory retirement. 

It stressed that judicial officers must uphold fairness, integrity, and respect for all court users to maintain public trust in the judiciary.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The power struggle within the Kano Emirate has escalated as both Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and reinstated Emir Muhammad Sanusi II have appointed different individuals to the prestigious Galadiman Kano title.

Emir Aminu Ado Bayero approved Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero, eldest son of the late Emir Ado Bayero, for the position, with his installation set for May 2, 2025.

Meanwhile, Emir Sanusi II had earlier named Alhaji Munir Sanusi Bayero as Galadiman Kano on April 9, filling the vacancy left by the late Alhaji Abbas Sanusi.

The conflicting appointments highlight the ongoing feud between the rival emirs, stemming from Sanusi II’s controversial reinstatement.

The situation raises concerns over further division in the historic emirate.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a biting and satirical letter that has quickly ignited debate across Nigeria’s political landscape, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has issued a mock apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him—without directly naming him—of promoting a culture of entitlement, favoritism, and personal gratification within the National Assembly.

The letter, which begins with exaggerated expressions of “theatrical regret,” ridicules what the senator describes as a system where “legislative success… is apparently not earned through merit, but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind.”

Her words appear to take aim at alleged improper advances and a patriarchal power structure within the Senate.

“I must apologize for prioritizing competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors,” she wrote, drawing sharp applause from supporters online and condemnation from some quarters within the political class.

In her sarcastic reflection on the consequences of her so-called defiance, she writes of “egos so large they require their own postcodes,” and ends the letter with a searing line: “Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.”

The statement, signed “Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken,” has been widely interpreted as a challenge to misogyny in Nigeria’s political system, with many calling it a rare act of public defiance against powerful male figures in government.

No official response has yet been issued by the office of Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the time of this report.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday advised opposition parties to accept responsibility for their internal crises rather than blame him for their inability to manage their affairs.

Tinubu said that political defections are neither new nor unique to Nigeria, citing examples from more advanced democracies where notable politicians have switched parties without controversy.

Speaking through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu dismissed allegations that his administration is tilting towards authoritarianism, describing such claims as baseless and exaggerated.

He insisted that democracy in Nigeria remains vibrant and under no threat.

The President questioned why defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), such as that of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), are celebrated, while defections to the APC are condemned.

In a statement titled, “Democracy strong and alive in Nigeria, ignore alarmists,” Tinubu said: “We have read the alarming claims of disgruntled opposition figures, some partisan human rights crusaders, and emergency defenders of democracy over recent defections of key members of opposition parties into the governing APC.”

He noted that recent political shifts, including Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno’s support for Tinubu, the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and former PDP vice presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, had unsettled the opposition.

“While the opposition elements are understandably heartbroken over the failure of their grand coalition, it is disturbing they are resorting to false claims of promoting a one-party state against President Tinubu, who is working hard to reverse decades of economic mismanagement,” the statement said.

It added that accusations of bribery, blackmail, and weaponisation of state institutions are mere fabrications from politicians who have failed in their roles as opposition.

Tinubu stressed that he bears no responsibility for the internal disorganisation and incompetence within opposition ranks, saying it is not his job to manage or strengthen their parties.

He also criticised what he described as hypocrisy, saying those celebrating the formation of an anti-Tinubu coalition now cry foul when politicians defect to the ruling party.

The statement further reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to freedom of association, freedom of speech, and democratic principles, asserting that Nigerians freely migrating to the APC do so because they believe in the reforms being implemented.

It concluded that under President Tinubu, democracy remains strong, and Nigeria’s multiparty system will continue to thrive.

“President Tinubu is an avowed democrat whose political activism and democratic credentials in galvanising opposition to defeat a sitting president stand as proof of his commitment to multiparty democracy,” it said.

Nigerians were urged to support the administration in defending democracy and disregard alarmists promoting baseless narratives.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted over two million pills of tramadol and arrested multiple suspects in a sweeping operation across Kano, Jigawa, and the Seme border.

In Jigawa, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle along Kano-Ringim road, Gumel town, in the early hours of Wednesday, April 23.

Two suspects, Abba Ibrahim, 28, and Shuaibu Umar, 29, were arrested with 200,000 pills of tramadol and 217,500 capsules of pregabalin. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the main supplier, Jamilu Muhammad, 41, in Kano. 

An additional 1,584,000 tramadol pills were found hidden in a Nissan bus and his residence, bringing the total haul to 2,001,500 pills.

Meanwhile, at the Seme border in Lagos, three Ghanaian women — Haziza Zubairu, 42; Samirat Mustapha, 43; and Jamila Salifu, 26 — were apprehended on Sunday, April 20, while attempting to smuggle 4.8 kilograms of “Ghana Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, into Nigeria.

In other operations, NDLEA officers uncovered 46 wraps of cocaine concealed in body cream heading to Saudi Arabia, seized drugs destined for Canada, and arrested a 60-year-old woman with 5.6 kilograms of skunk in Kano.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, praised the successful interdictions and the ongoing nationwide advocacy efforts under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided an 80-room hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, recovering illicit drugs valued at over one billion naira.

During the operation conducted between Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, 2025, operatives combed through The Hook Hotel, also known as Caesar Hotel and Caesar Lounge, located at 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse Street, Victoria Island. 

The operatives also recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud — a potent strain of cannabis — weighing a total of 417.3 kilograms and valued at ₦1,042,500,000 in street price.

Three suspects — Eze Ayitu, Ofuokwu Samuel, and Emmanuel Ameh — were arrested during the operation, while two others, identified as Noble Philip and his partner Kenneth, are currently at large.

Items suspected to be proceeds from the drug trade, including five vehicles (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser, Jeep, Toyota Sienna, Volkswagen Delivery Van, Kia Cerato, and a Grand Caravan Dodge), 74 new TV sets, 10 used TVs, and 13 refrigerators, were also recovered from the premises.

The chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the operatives for the successful operation and urged them to sustain the momentum in the ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).

By Uzair Adam 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered a full crackdown on unregistered hospitals and quack medical personnel operating within the territory.

The minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, following the death of a pregnant woman at a private facility in Durumi, Abuja, after undergoing a caesarean section.

According to the statement, Wike warned that anyone found operating an illegal health facility or working in an unregistered hospital would be arrested and prosecuted.

He described the incident as regrettable, especially given that vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, are eligible for free registration under the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS). 

He noted that despite this opportunity, many pregnant women were still patronising unlicensed and unsafe facilities.

“In the FCT, vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, enjoy free enrollment into the FHIS, granting them free access to services covered under the basic minimum health package through primary healthcare centres,” he said.

Olayinka added that, in support of the federal government’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ and the FCT Administration’s zero tolerance for maternal mortality, several hospitals—including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals—have been designated as comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care centres, offering free cesarean sections.

He urged pregnant women to utilise these government services instead of risking their lives by seeking care from quacks and unregistered facilities.

The statement also recalled that on Friday, 35-year-old Chekwube Chinagorom was brought dead to the Asokoro District Hospital after a caesarean section at the unregistered facility in Durumi. 

Although the baby survived and was referred for further care at the Asokoro hospital, the incident raised alarm over the activities of illegal operators.

The Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee (PHERMC) investigated and confirmed that the hospital was unregistered. 

Only one staff member, Mr. Simon Godiya, a junior community health extension worker, was found on duty during an inspection.

Godiya informed officials that Murtala Jumma performed the surgery alongside another unidentified person. Efforts to reach Jumma have so far been unsuccessful.

The PHERMC team, accompanied by police officers from the Durumi Divisional Headquarters, subsequently handed over the case to the police for further investigation.