Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, seeking an order to set aside the bail granted to Lagos socialite, Fred Chijindu Ajudua.

The anti-graft agency lodged the appeal in Abuja on February 20, 2026. It is contesting the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which admitted Ajudua to bail on January 30, 2026.

Through its lawyer, S.K. Atteh, the EFCC argued that the appellate court made a legal error when it dismissed its preliminary objection and proceeded to grant bail to the defendant.

The Commission maintained that the Court of Appeal did not properly interpret an earlier judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on May 9, 2025 in related matters involving Ajudua. It insisted that the apex court had already settled the issue of bail when it directed that the defendant remain in custody pending the speedy trial of the case.

The EFCC also faulted the appellate court’s position that the Supreme Court did not order Ajudua’s continued detention. It described that view as inconsistent with the principle of judicial hierarchy and the binding nature of Supreme Court decisions.

At the centre of the dispute is the interpretation of aspects of the Supreme Court ruling, especially on the link between jurisdiction and bail. The Commission argued that the Court of Appeal ignored key parts of the judgment which, in its view, had conclusively resolved the issue of bail.

It further stated that the decision to grant fresh bail breached Sections 235 and 275(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which establish that rulings of the Supreme Court are final and binding on all lower courts.

The EFCC also challenged the medical grounds relied upon by the appellate court in granting bail. It argued that the medical report dated November 19, 2025 did not present new circumstances.

According to the Commission, Ajudua has had kidney-related health issues since 1987 and has repeatedly relied on that condition to delay proceedings since the charge was filed in 2005. It also pointed to inconsistencies in medical reports issued by the same consultant and said the appellate court did not properly assess the evidence before granting bail.

The agency warned that allowing the defendant to remain on bail could undermine the Supreme Court’s directive for a speedy trial. It referred to a previous instance where only one prosecution witness testified over a long period despite the defendant being on bail.

The EFCC is asking the apex court to revoke the bail granted on January 30, 2026 and to restore the trial court’s decision of November 20, 2025, which denied bail.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

Ajudua is currently facing trial over allegations that he defrauded a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1.043 million.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, seeking an order to set aside the bail granted to Lagos socialite, Fred Chijindu Ajudua.

The anti-graft agency lodged the appeal in Abuja on February 20, 2026. It is contesting the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which admitted Ajudua to bail on January 30, 2026.

Through its lawyer, S.K. Atteh, the EFCC argued that the appellate court made a legal error when it dismissed its preliminary objection and proceeded to grant bail to the defendant.

The Commission maintained that the Court of Appeal did not properly interpret an earlier judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on May 9, 2025 in related matters involving Ajudua. It insisted that the apex court had already settled the issue of bail when it directed that the defendant remain in custody pending the speedy trial of the case.

The EFCC also faulted the appellate court’s position that the Supreme Court did not order Ajudua’s continued detention. It described that view as inconsistent with the principle of judicial hierarchy and the binding nature of Supreme Court decisions.

At the centre of the dispute is the interpretation of aspects of the Supreme Court ruling, especially on the link between jurisdiction and bail. The Commission argued that the Court of Appeal ignored key parts of the judgment which, in its view, had conclusively resolved the issue of bail.

It further stated that the decision to grant fresh bail breached Sections 235 and 275(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which establish that rulings of the Supreme Court are final and binding on all lower courts.

The EFCC also challenged the medical grounds relied upon by the appellate court in granting bail. It argued that the medical report dated November 19, 2025 did not present new circumstances.

According to the Commission, Ajudua has had kidney-related health issues since 1987 and has repeatedly relied on that condition to delay proceedings since the charge was filed in 2005. It also pointed to inconsistencies in medical reports issued by the same consultant and said the appellate court did not properly assess the evidence before granting bail.

The agency warned that allowing the defendant to remain on bail could undermine the Supreme Court’s directive for a speedy trial. It referred to a previous instance where only one prosecution witness testified over a long period despite the defendant being on bail.

The EFCC is asking the apex court to revoke the bail granted on January 30, 2026 and to restore the trial court’s decision of November 20, 2025, which denied bail.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

Ajudua is currently facing trial over allegations that he defrauded a Palestinian businessman, Zad Abu Zalaf, of $1.043 million.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the remand of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and their son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, pending the hearing of their bail applications.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Friday, February 27, 2026. She directed that Malami and his son be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while Asabe is to be kept at the Suleja Medium Correctional Centre.

The defendants were re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the case was reassigned from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Abdulmalik.

They are facing an amended 16-count charge that borders on conspiracy, procurement, concealment, and laundering of alleged illicit funds totaling N8,713,923,759.49, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the start of proceedings, prosecution counsel, Chief J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was appearing before Justice Abdulmalik for the first time. He sought permission for the amended charges to be read. He also pointed out corrections in Counts 11 and 12 to align the numerical figures with the amounts already written in words.

Defence counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), did not oppose the corrections but asked the prosecution to make a formal application. The court granted the request to amend the figures.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you Abubakar Malami, SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, between July 2022 and June 2025, in Abuja, procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the sum of N1,014,848,500.00 (One Billion, Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) in a Sterling Bank Plc account, when they reasonably ought to have known that the sum constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act”.

Count five reads: “That you Abubakar Malami, SAN, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami and Hajia Bashir Asabe, an employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, sometime in September 2024, in Abuja, conspired to disguise the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N1,049,173,926.13 (One Billion, Forty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Six Naira, Thirteen Kobo) paid through the Union Bank Plc account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, between November 2022 and September 2024, contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Sections 18(2)(a) and 18(3) of the same Act”.

Count six reads: “That you Abubakar Malami, SAN, and Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, between November 2022 and October 2025, indirectly took control of the aggregate sum of N1,362,887,872.96 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira, Ninety-Six Kobo) paid through the Union Bank Plc savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, when they reasonably ought to have known that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The three defendants pleaded “not guilty” to all charges. The prosecution then asked the court to fix a trial date and remand them in custody.

The defence told the court that the defendants had earlier been granted bail by Justice Nwite and had complied with all conditions. Counsel said, “My Lord, the defendants were granted bail when they were first arraigned before Justice Nwite and the conditions were perfected. They have not flouted any of the conditions. The Federal High Court is one. We pray that the existing bail should continue.”

In response, the prosecution acknowledged the earlier bail but argued that the court could either adopt the previous terms or impose new ones. He said, “Your lordship has the discretion to either adopt the terms earlier granted or subject them to fresh bail conditions to ensure their attendance in court. The conditions can be transferred to this court since it is the same Federal High Court.”

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that the earlier bail no longer stood following the reassignment of the case. She said, “I am of the view that the earlier bail has been terminated. In that wise, I order that fresh bail applications be filed before this court.”

The court rejected an oral bail request by the defence and directed that a formal application be submitted due to the nature of the allegations.

Justice Abdulmalik also ordered the prosecution to allow defence counsel access to the defendants to prepare for trial. The case was adjourned to March 6, 2026, for hearing of bail applications and the commencement of trial.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops under the Joint Task Force South East, operating under Operation UDO KA, have carried out a major ground assault on a known stronghold of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Mother Valley, Nkwere area of Anambra State.

The operation took place on February 26, 2026. The force included personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Troops advanced on foot through difficult terrain for more than three hours. They encountered resistance but succeeded in taking control of the area.

Security sources said the armed group used locally made improvised explosive devices and opened heavy fire in an attempt to stop the advance. Troops pushed through the resistance. One suspected IPOB member was neutralised. Others fled the scene with gunshot wounds.

The operation also led to the recovery of weapons and supplies. Items recovered include two pump-action guns, a locally made firearm, a tear gas launcher, gas cylinders, and other equipment. Troops also destroyed structures identified as part of the group’s main base in the valley. These included power installations such as solar panels and a generator.

In a separate action linked to the operation, security operatives arrested two suspected members of the group. One suspect was reportedly caught while trying to plant an explosive device. The second suspect was accused of monitoring troop movements.

Troops also recovered two vehicles, including a saloon car and a black Toyota Sequoia, from a location described as a parking area used by the group.

The suspects are in custody and are expected to face further investigation. Security forces said clearance operations will continue in the area to prevent any regrouping.

Authorities said the operation reflects ongoing efforts by the military to dismantle armed groups in the South-East. They assured residents of continued security presence and urged law-abiding citizens to remain calm.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has affirmed that no external power can prevent Muslims from observing Shariah.

The Secretary-General of SCSN, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, made the statement in response to a report recently submitted to former President Donald Trump by a United States congressional committee.

The report, presented by Riley Moore, representative for West Virginia’s 2nd congressional district, and Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Sub-committee, investigated alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. It highlighted Shariah and blasphemy laws as key concerns.

According to the US lawmakers, “Blasphemy laws in Nigeria’s northern states are used to silence speech and dissent, target Christians and minorities, and justify so-called ‘convictions’ without due process.” The report also recommended repealing these laws, establishing a US–Nigeria security pact, and imposing penalties or visa bans on violators.

However, the Council rejected the claims, saying the report inaccurately portrayed Nigeria as a scene of “Christian genocide” and questioned the inherent rights of Muslims to practise Shariah.

“For clarity, Shariah constitutes a comprehensive way of life for Muslims, encompassing spiritual, moral, social, and legal dimensions. It is the divinely ordained framework through which Muslims regulate their personal and communal affairs,” the Council said in a statement.

The Council further emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, allowing citizens to conduct personal matters according to their faith. Shariah courts operate lawfully within constitutional limits, serving only Muslims. Any attempt to criminalize or dictate how Shariah is practised, it added, undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional order.

“The Council therefore rejects any external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs. Nigeria is a sovereign, multi-religious nation with a plural legal system and complex security challenges. Simplistic and bias driven narratives imported from abroad do not advance peace or justice; rather, they risk inflaming tensions, deepening mistrust, and undermining peaceful coexistence.”

The Council also condemned the notion of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, calling it false and misleading. “The violence confronting the nation stems from terrorism, banditry, organized criminality, and governance deficits. The government appears either indifferent or incapable of resolving the security problem which has claimed the lives of Muslims and Christians alike,” the statement said.

It reiterated its condemnation of all killings, regardless of the victims’ or perpetrators’ identity, urging the government to decisively tackle insecurity.

“Finally, as Muslims observe this blessed month of Ramadan, the council calls on the Ummah to intensify prayers, supplications, and acts of righteousness, seeking Allah’s intervention for peace, security, justice, and unity in Nigeria. We urge all Muslims to remain law-abiding, steadfast in faith, and committed to peaceful coexistence with all Nigerians.”

“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our faith is not negotiable, our Constitution is clear, and our sovereignty must be respected by other nations and protected by our government.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has dismissed a circular circulating on social media which claims to impose restrictions on male and female students during the Ramadan period.

In a statement signed by Tanimu Ibrahim Gambo, ACEO, Public Relations, on behalf of the Registrar, the school management said the document is false and did not originate from the Office of the Registrar or any official channel of the school.

“The attention of the Management of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has been drawn to a malicious and misleading circular currently circulating on social media platforms, said to have been issued from the Office of the Registrar of the Polytechnic.”

The statement also rejected the claims contained in the document, stressing that they are unfounded.

“The said circular, which makes spurious claims regarding restrictions on male and female students during the month of Ramadan, is entirely false, baseless, and did not emanate from the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi or any of its officials.”

The institution further clarified its position on student interactions and religious inclusiveness. It explained that it remains a co-educational federal institution that allows proper academic and social engagement within laid-down rules. It also noted that it accommodates people from different religious and cultural backgrounds and does not enforce any single religious practice in its policies.

Management added that neither the Registrar nor any official of the Polytechnic would issue such a directive. It urged members of the public, including students, parents, and stakeholders, to ignore the circular completely. The statement described it as the work of individuals who intend to damage the reputation of the institution.

It also advised the public to always confirm information through the Polytechnic’s official communication channels.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced January 16, 2027, as the new date for Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly elections. The commission also set February 6, 2027, for governorship and state houses of assembly polls.

The electoral body had earlier scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections were to hold on March 6, 2027. However, the timetable was adjusted after the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the introduction of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The development marks a significant shift in the country’s electoral calendar, as preparations are expected to align with the revised legal framework. More details are expected to follow.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Hundreds of youths in Kaduna State took to the streets on Tuesday, calling on the government to prosecute former Governor Nasir El-Rufai over allegations of financial misappropriation during his tenure.

The protesters, who gathered at major junctions in the state capital, specifically demanded that the former governor be held accountable for the diversion of public funds. Among the allegations cited was the mismanagement of a ₦350 million loan obtained by his administration, which the protesters claim was unaccounted for.

The demonstration, organized by youth groups under the auspices of concerned citizens, also called on security agencies to disregard what they described as a counter-protest staged by a faction of youths allegedly sponsored to distract from the ongoing probe.

The protesters specifically named Bashir Saidu, Jafaru, and Hafiz Bayero as individuals sponsoring a separate, smaller protest aimed at diverting public attention from the investigation into El-Rufai’s administration.

The calls come amid growing pressure on the Kaduna State Government to ensure thorough investigation and possible prosecution of officials accused of financial crimes in the last administration.

By Anas Abbas

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, on Wednesday admitted additional documentary evidence in the ongoing trial of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, over an alleged N90.4 million fraud.

Presiding judge, Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu, ruled that the documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were admissible in law, noting that there was no objection from the defence counsel, O.I. Habeeb, SAN.

The documents were presented through the second prosecution witness, James Balami, Director of Procurement at the NHIS, during earlier proceedings held on January 5, 2026. At Wednesday’s sitting, prosecution counsel Francis Usani formally applied for their admission in evidence.

Justice Nwecheonwu subsequently admitted and marked as exhibits of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of letters dated November 11, 2016, marked E1–E32. Also admitted were the CTC of the NHIS Procurement Plan for 2016, marked F1–F4; the CTC of the 2017 Procurement Plan, marked G1–G5; and the CTC of the NHIS Procurement Act 2016, marked H1–H2.

While being led to evidence, the witness told the court that he honoured an invitation by the EFCC and submitted relevant documents to the Commission. He added that he made five separate statements to investigators.
“After I took those documents to the Commission, I made statements. The statements were not made in one day. I can recognize the statements. There are five,” he said.

However, an attempt by the prosecution to tender the witness’s extra-judicial statements was opposed by the defence. Following arguments from both sides, the court adjourned proceedings to May 13 and 14, 2026, for a ruling on the admissibility of the statements and for continuation of trial.
Yusuf is facing a five-count charge filed by the EFCC bordering on alleged embezzlement, conferring undue advantage, and fraud amounting to N90,439,178.00. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial continues.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Out of the estimated 1.68 million registered voters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), only about 239,210 turned out to vote, representing roughly 14–15% voter participation. This figure is not only worrisome but also indicative of a deeper democratic challenge that cannot be ignored.

The 2026 FCT Area Councils elections, therefore, require a thorough post-mortem, an autopsy, so to speak, to uncover the root causes of this low turnout. Was it voter fatigue, dissatisfaction with political actors, lack of awareness, logistical shortcomings, security concerns, or a general loss of confidence in the electoral process? These questions must be carefully examined through data-driven analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Some observers believed the imposed restriction on movement contributed significantly to the low turnout, as it may have discouraged or inconvenienced many eligible voters. Others pointed to what they described as the ruling APC’s overwhelming posture, which some voters perceived as so dominant that their participation would not alter the outcome. In their view, even if they turned out to vote, the APC was certain to win, and their individual votes would not make a meaningful difference.

Addressing this level of voter apathy is critical, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, civil society organisations, and other relevant authorities, including students of politics, must take proactive steps to rebuild public trust, strengthen voter education, review election-day policies such as movement restrictions, improve logistics, and enhance transparency, as well as conduct an academic analysis of ‘Why’.

A democracy thrives on active citizen participation. If such low turnout persists, it risks weakening the legitimacy of elected officials and undermining public confidence in the democratic system. The lessons from the FCT elections should therefore serve as an urgent call to action to ensure broader voter mobilisation and participation in future electoral cycles.

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