By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, over allegations that he made false statements following the former governor’s hospital visit.

The commission announced the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Okor Odey, who also accused el-Rufai and his physician of violating the conditions attached to a court-approved medical consultation.

According to the statement, the ICPC approved el-Rufai’s request to receive medical treatment under security supervision.

Odey said, “During the hospital visit on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT, officers of the Commission’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy.”

He added, “At the request of members of his family, the officers remained outside the consultation room while the attending oncologist was purportedly examining him.”

The commission said that at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Isa Ashiru Kudan, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, shared photographs on Facebook. The post stated that he had concluded a meeting with el-Rufai.

Odey said, “The picture posted on Facebook also had Professor Abubakar, Isa Kudan, and three others with El Rufai at a time he was supposedly having a medical consultation.”

He further alleged that the meeting went beyond the purpose for which the court granted the medical visit.

According to him, “The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order!”

The ICPC spokesperson also claimed that the commission’s goodwill had been repeatedly taken for granted.

He said, “Professor Bello Abubakar has been arrested for making false statements. At this moment, Professor Bello Abubakar, El Rufai’s personal physician, has been taken into custody for further investigation.”

The development follows a ruling by the Kaduna State High Court on July 2, which rejected el-Rufai’s third application for bail in the ongoing trial over a nine-count charge filed by the ICPC.

Justice Darius Khobo held that the medical report presented by the former governor could not support his request because the National Hospital, Abuja, had disowned the document.

The court, however, directed the ICPC to grant el-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and allow them to take him to any specialised diagnostic or clinical facility of his choice within Nigeria while the trial continues.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Five people lost their lives in 30 fire outbreaks recorded across Kano State in June, according to the Kano State Fire Service.

The agency said the incidents also destroyed property valued at more than N120.4 million during the month. It added that its emergency response efforts prevented the loss of property estimated at N481.8 million.

The figures appeared in the Fire Service’s operational report for June, which the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Saminu Abdullahi, released on Monday.

Apart from responding to fire outbreaks, the report stated that the service handled seven rescue operations during the period. It also recorded one false alarm and successfully rescued three people from separate emergency situations.

The Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, urged residents to be more careful when handling fire in order to reduce preventable incidents.

He said, “We urge members of the public to exercise caution when using fire and ensure that all sources of fire are completely extinguished after use to prevent avoidable fire outbreaks.”

Anas also called on parents and guardians to keep a close watch on their children to prevent drowning incidents.

He added, “Parents and guardians should closely supervise their children and prevent them from playing near puddles, ponds, rivers, or uncovered wells in order to reduce incidents of drowning, particularly among children and young people.”

The fire service director also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through timely emergency response, public safety campaigns, and cooperation with communities.

By Uzair Adam

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed four senior police officers and sanctioned 31 others over various cases of misconduct.

The commission said the dismissed officers were found guilty of gross misconduct, unprofessional conduct, and acts unbecoming of public officers.

PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Argungu, disclosed the decisions on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Abuja after the commission’s plenary meeting.

Argungu said the disciplinary measures included the demotion of 10 senior officers. Three Superintendents of Police were reduced to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, while two Deputy Superintendents of Police were demoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police.

Five Assistant Superintendents of Police were also reduced to the rank of Inspector.

He added that two officers were compulsorily retired in the public interest, stressing that the commission would continue to take firm action against personnel who violate the rules of the Nigeria Police Force.

Other sanctions approved by the commission included severe reprimands for 10 officers, reprimands for five officers, warning letters for three officers, and a letter of advice issued to one officer.

Argungu also revealed that seven officers were exonerated after investigations cleared them of any wrongdoing.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to discipline within the police force, saying the current board would not tolerate misconduct by any officer.

“The current Board of the PSC under my watch will not condone any form of misconduct by police officers,” he said.

According to him, the commission will continue to uphold discipline by ensuring that every act of misconduct attracts appropriate sanctions while rewarding officers who demonstrate professionalism and dedication through its established reward system.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who are seeking re-election for a second term convened a private meeting on Tuesday at the Kebbi State Government House in Birnin Kebbi.

According to a report by Punch newspaper, the closed-door session focused on critical national issues and party policies aimed at strengthening the APC’s position ahead of future elections.

Among the governors in attendance were those from Kaduna, Plateau, Ekiti, Delta, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Edo, Ondo, Kogi, Sokoto, and Benue states. They were received by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Speaking on the purpose of the gathering, Abuzaidu Yari, the Special Assistant to the Kebbi Governor on New Media, explained that the meeting would center on discussions regarding national development, strengthening inter-governmental cooperation, promoting good governance, fostering sustainable economic growth, and enhancing national cohesion.

The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum is expected to brief journalists on the outcomes of the meeting following its conclusion today.

By Uzair Adam

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 150 suspected criminals during a coordinated operation targeting notorious criminal hideouts in the Igando-Idimu area of the state.

The raid, conducted in the early hours of Sunday under the Command’s ongoing Operation KO S’AYE, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected hoodlums operating within the Area M axis.

Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said officers drawn from various formations stormed identified criminal hideouts at Boolar, Okofilling Bus Stop, Igando, and other black spots to dislodge criminal elements and improve public safety.

She said the operation led to the recovery of one double-barrel gun, two single-barrel guns, one locally fabricated double-barrel short gun, 100 unregistered motorcycles, 54 mobile phones, two military camouflage uniforms, six generators suspected to have been stolen, assorted charms, and substances believed to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs.

According to Adebisi, all 150 suspects are currently in police custody while investigations continue to determine their level of involvement in various criminal activities. She added that those found culpable would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining Operation KO S’AYE to dismantle criminal networks and deny offenders safe haven across the state.

He also urged residents to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information to strengthen efforts aimed at combating crime and improving security in Lagos.

By Prince Daniel Aboki

Every Nigerian has the constitutional right to support any political party or candidate of their choice. That right is guaranteed by the Constitution and should always be respected.

However, an industry cannot thrive when, every election cycle, a few individuals position themselves as speaking on behalf of everyone, mobilising groups to endorse politicians and, in the process, reducing the industry’s engagement with government to the pursuit of personal benefits.

When this becomes the dominant culture, the industry risks not being taken seriously. Government and development partners are beginning to see the industry not as a strategic economic sector but as a collection of individuals seeking patronage every four years. More often than not, the distribution of cash gifts, vehicles, and other favours also creates avoidable divisions within the industry, as practitioners become aligned with competing political interests. Instead of fostering unity around the collective growth of Kannywood, election seasons too often leave the industry fragmented long after the campaigns have ended.

Politicians understand the influence that Kannywood celebrities command, particularly in Kano and across Northern Nigeria. They know these personalities can shape public opinion, mobilise supporters, and amplify campaign messages during elections. That influence is valuable, but it should be used as a bargaining tool to secure lasting benefits for the entire industry—not for personal aggrandisement. Our collective influence should translate into meaningful negotiations for better policies, sustainable funding, stronger institutions, improved infrastructure, and greater opportunities for everyone in Kannywood, rather than short-term personal gains for a few individuals.

Kannywood is far bigger than election campaigns. It is one of Northern Nigeria’s greatest cultural and economic assets. It has the capacity to create thousands of jobs, preserve and promote our culture, strengthen social values, attract tourism, earn foreign exchange, stimulate investment, and project Northern Nigeria to the world.

What makes this even more compelling is that Kannywood has already demonstrated its commercial strength. Some of its producers operate some of the biggest and most successful YouTube channels in Nigeria, attracting millions of views and building significant audiences worldwide. That success should not remain the achievement of a few individuals. It should be consolidated into an industry-wide strategy that creates opportunities for younger filmmakers, actors, writers, directors, editors, cinematographers, musicians, and other creative professionals.

This is the conversation we should be having with those in office and those seeking public office.

Rather than seeking cash gifts, vehicles, or personal favours, we should be demanding policies that strengthen the entire industry: film villages, production funds, affordable financing, stronger copyright protection, modern cinema infrastructure, professional training, international partnerships, tax incentives, and support for participation in global film markets and festivals. That is how enduring creative industries are built.

Over the years, Nollywood has increasingly engaged government and development partners on issues that strengthen the industry’s ecosystem. The conversation has largely centred on policy, investment, institutional support, skills development, financing, and international collaboration. Individual practitioners may support political candidates—as they are entitled to—but the industry’s long-term development has remained a central focus.

This does not mean Nollywood is a perfect congregation. There have also been individuals within Nollywood who have pursued personal interests above the collective interest of the industry. However, when the two industries are compared, Nollywood has, on balance, positioned itself more effectively as a strategic partner in industry development, policy engagement, and institutional growth. Kannywood can do the same.

We must stop approaching politicians with a cap in hand every election season. An industry with this much talent, influence, and economic potential should not present itself as a sector waiting for handouts. It should present itself as a partner in development—one capable of creating jobs, generating revenue, attracting investment, promoting tourism, preserving culture, and contributing meaningfully to the economy of Northern Nigeria.

Politicians will respect Kannywood when Kannywood first respects its own value. This is not a criticism of anyone’s constitutional right to participate in politics or support a candidate. Rather, it is a call for Kannywood to recognise its collective economic power and organise itself as an industry worthy of sustained investment, strategic partnerships, and long-term development.

The question should no longer be, “Who is giving us what?” The question should be, “What policies, investments, and partnerships will transform Kannywood into one of Africa’s most competitive creative industries?”

The future of Kannywood will not be determined by what a handful of individuals receive during an election season. It will be determined by what the entire industry builds together for generations to come.

The choice before us is simple: we can continue chasing political patronage every four years, or we can build an industry that creates wealth, creates jobs, attracts investment, shapes culture, and becomes impossible for governments and the rest of the world to ignore.

Prince Daniel is “A Concerned Citizen” and a filmmaker. He can be reached via blackvillemedia@gmail.com.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

What makes other countries continue to develop and achieve sustainable success is their ability to pursue collective and common goals across all socioeconomic sectors. When the people and their leaders share a clear national vision and work towards common objectives, the country naturally excels in development, whether in education, human capital, infrastructure, technology, innovation, or national pride.

Many countries are made up of people from different cultures, races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. Yet, when it comes to national goals and objectives, they stand united as one nation, driven by a shared sense of purpose and commitment to progress. Their diversity becomes a source of strength rather than division because the national interest comes first.

One of Nigeria’s greatest challenges is the absence of strong national goals and objectives that are genuinely shared by all citizens. As a nation, we often struggle to build consensus around long-term priorities that transcend politics, ethnicity, religion, and regional interests.

Ironically, one of the few areas where Nigerians consistently demonstrate unity is sports, especially football. If Nigeria could cultivate the same level of collective commitment, patriotism, and shared purpose in education, human capital development, innovation, infrastructure, and economic growth as it does in football, the country would make remarkable progress and achieve far greater national development.

Another irony of Nigeria’s politics is that many leaders champion national unity while they occupy positions at the centre of government. They speak the language of inclusion, national cohesion, and collective progress because they represent the entire federation. However, the moment many of them leave office or slip out of public view, they often retreat into ethnic or regional politics, becoming champions of sectional interests rather than national ones. This inconsistency weakens nation-building, deepens divisions, and makes it difficult to sustain a truly national agenda.

Nigeria’s progress depends not only on good leadership but also on a shared national consciousness. The country needs leaders and followers who will remain committed to national unity and development regardless of whether they hold public office. Likewise, citizens must place the Nigerian project above ethnic, religious, and regional considerations. Only when our collective interest consistently outweighs our individual or sectional interests can Nigeria unlock its immense potential and achieve the level of sustainable development seen in many successful nations.

 Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff has criticised Peter Obi’s call for President Bola Tinubu to resign over Nigeria’s security challenges. He alleged that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate supports the Biafra cause and therefore lacks the moral standing to make such a demand.

Sheriff made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme. He reacted to Obi’s recent call on President Tinubu to resign or step aside over the country’s worsening insecurity.

The former governor alleged that Obi had never condemned the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or its ideology. He argued that Obi’s position on the issue makes him “the most unqualified person” to call for the president’s resignation.

“This country, Nigeria, fought a civil war. Our leaders sacrificed their lives to fight that war to keep the country together, both leaders from the north and the south,” the former governor said.

“The cause of the war was Ojukwu’s demand to secede. Peter Obi, up to this moment, is pursuing the division of Nigeria.

“How? Because he believes in Biafra. He never condemned Biafra. He never condemned IPOB.

“Biafra is secession. Our leaders fought to keep the country together. He wants to divide Nigeria.”

When asked how a politician seeking Nigeria’s presidency could also seek to divide the country, Sheriff challenged Obi to publicly reject the allegation.

“He should deny it,” the former Borno governor said.

“He should come to this station and say he doesn’t believe in dividing the country.

“He should deny it. I am confronting him, telling him this is what he stands for.”

Sheriff maintained that anyone aspiring to lead Nigeria must be committed to preserving the country’s unity.

“People like Obasanjo, General Yakubu Gowon, T.Y. Danjuma, General Shua, and General Abacha all have bullet wounds on their bodies because they fought to keep Nigeria together,” he said.

“Anybody aspiring to lead Nigeria must be someone who stands for Nigeria, not for any section.”

Obi has repeatedly called on President Tinubu to resign in recent weeks. On June 22, the former Anambra State governor described the administration as a “monumental failure” and urged the president to leave office. He said his position was influenced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation speech, which addressed public dissatisfaction over economic conditions and unfulfilled campaign promises.

On Sunday, Obi renewed the demand after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reportedly stated that Nigeria failed to record some public spending in various budgets. He said the development raised fresh concerns about what he described as widespread corruption under the Tinubu administration.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has warned that rising religious intolerance, hate speech and fake news pose serious threats to Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence.

The Sultan made the remarks on Monday in Abuja through the NSCIA Deputy Secretary-General, Salisu Shehu, after receiving Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations.

He said the meeting centred on strengthening cooperation between Muslim and Catholic leaders, promoting mutual understanding and using dialogue to address insecurity and other national challenges.

“The essence of the visit was to promote mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation across religious communities in advancing peace, peaceful coexistence and improved security, not only in Nigeria but globally,” he said.

The Sultan expressed concern that hate speech has continued to deepen divisions among religious groups. He said the trend has weakened trust and damaged relationships between faith communities. He also condemned the growing practice of insulting respected religious leaders, irrespective of their faith.

“Hate speech has been most injurious to peaceful coexistence in the country. It has created perceptual and relational crises among faith communities,” he said.

He also identified fake news as a major factor behind many of the country’s tensions and conflicts.

“Fake news is another evil that is being used in the country to precipitate a lot of troubles, and therefore this is something that we need to fight.”

According to the Sultan, discussions during the meeting also covered concerns about declining moral values and what he described as the growing rejection of religion among young Muslims and Christians.

He said both delegations agreed that continuous dialogue, mutual respect and stronger collaboration through interfaith platforms remain essential for preserving national unity and addressing divisive narratives.

Gallagher described the meeting as productive and expressed confidence that religious leaders could play an important role in promoting national cohesion.

“We had a very frank and illuminating conversation, and it was good to hear that many of our positions regarding the role of religious leaders, both on the Catholic side and the Muslim side, coincide,” he said.

“For me, this is a reason for optimism regarding the religious cohesion of the country and our shared commitment to working for the good of all Nigerians.”

Gallagher added that Muslim and Christian leaders have a shared responsibility to work together in advancing peace and promoting the welfare of all Nigerians.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The father of Adeyemi Adeniyi, the man who claims to be the director-general of the purported Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council (PFIPC), has been arrested by police officers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, according to human rights lawyer Femi Falana.

Falana disclosed the development during a telephone interview with journalists on Monday. He alleged that security operatives raided the family residence and arrested Adeniyi’s father as well as a family friend who was visiting the home.

“Police have now stormed the house of the parents of Prince Adeyemi Adeniyi, Plot 3, Adeniyi Dynasty, behind Technical College, Road Safety Area, Ogbomoso,” Falana said.

“The father has been arrested. There is no legal basis for substituted arrests. The young man has promised to show up in court, so why arrest his father?”

Residents of the area also confirmed the incident. One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the officers arrived in four vehicles before taking the elderly man away.

“They came with four vehicles, and they started harassing them and eventually took the father away,” the resident said.

“They didn’t allow the neighbours to intervene before they took him away. At the moment, there is a man in blue clothes patrolling the area.”

Another resident said the officers also arrested a visitor who was at the family home. The source added that Adeniyi’s mother was left traumatised after the operation.

“Baba was taken away with someone who came to visit them this morning. They left the mother, who is currently in shock, but we have moved her away,” the resident said.

The arrest comes amid the controversy surrounding the PFIPC, which the Presidency has described as a fictitious agency.

Adeyemi is currently facing charges of alleged forgery, impersonation and other related offences over his claimed appointment as director-general of the council. The matter is before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Falana has consistently maintained that the allegations against Adeyemi should be determined through the judicial process. He has also argued that only the courts have the constitutional authority to establish criminal liability.