Nigeria

By Uzair Adam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three persons living with disabilities, including a 60-year-old man, over alleged involvement in drug trafficking during separate operations in Anambra and Kwara states.

The agency also disclosed that it uncovered a cannabis stash house valued at N5.8 billion in Lekki, Lagos, and dismantled a skuchies production factory within the state.

This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, Romanus Nwabara, 60, was apprehended on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, after operatives tracked him to Akpaka Forest in Onitsha, Anambra State, where he was allegedly found in possession of 250 grams of skunk packaged in retail sachets.

Babafemi said in a separate operation at Ogbunike in the same state, NDLEA officers on Thursday, May 7, arrested another suspect, Amos Kenneth, 25, with 160.3 grams of Tramadol (225mg and 100mg), 80 tablets of Diazepam, 38.23 grams of Exol-5, and 176.93 grams of skunk.

He added that in Kwara State, operatives on patrol along Bode Saadu on Friday, May 8, intercepted a commercial vehicle, where a passenger identified as Usman Salisu was found with 6.3 kilograms of skunk concealed in a brown school bag.

In a major breakthrough, the NDLEA Special Operations Unit on Friday raided a mansion in Lekki, Lagos, allegedly used as a drug warehouse.

During the operation, 4,000 parcels of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis weighing 2,326 kilograms and valued at over N5.815 billion, were recovered.

The agency said two Mercedes-Benz buses and branded sachets used for packaging illicit drugs were also seized from the property located at 36 African Lane, Lekki Phase 1.

Elsewhere, Babafemi revealed that Emmanuel Osita Okeke, 38, was arrested with 129 kilograms of skunk at Nyanya in Karu, Nasarawa State, on Monday, May 4, 2026.

He further disclosed that operatives on patrol along the Okene–Lokoja highway in Kogi State on Friday intercepted a white commuter J5 bus heading to Abuja.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 76 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 766 kilograms, while three suspects — Mathew Omohove, Ebuka Desmond, and Babangida Musa — were taken into custody.

The statement also noted that NDLEA officers uncovered a skuchies production site, where suspects were caught processing cannabis mixed with other illicit substances.

A total of 270 litres of the substance and 106 grams of Tramadol (225mg) were recovered.

Babafemi added that NDLEA commands nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities during the week.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to maintain the agency’s momentum in drug supply reduction and public awareness efforts.

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

Education has long been seen as the backbone of national progress. Any country that hopes to compete in the modern world must invest in an education system that prepares its young people with relevant knowledge and practical skills. Yet the situation in Nigeria today shows a worrying gap between what students learn in school and what the realities of the 21st century require.

For many years, the country’s curriculum has remained largely theoretical and disconnected from real life. Students spend long hours memorising information for examinations, but many graduate without the ability to apply what they have learned to real-world problems. Certificates are awarded, but practical competence often remains weak. This situation raises serious questions about the direction of the education system.

One major issue is the outdated nature of many academic programs. While the global economy is rapidly shifting toward technology, innovation, and knowledge-based industries, a large portion of Nigeria’s curriculum still reflects ideas and priorities from decades ago. Digital literacy, modern research methods, and emerging technologies are not sufficiently integrated into many learning programs. As a result, Nigerian graduates often struggle to compete in an increasingly digital world.

Another concern is the weak connection between education and the labour market. Universities and other higher institutions frequently design courses without strong collaboration with industries that will eventually employ their graduates. Employers complain about a lack of practical skills, while graduates face rising unemployment despite years of schooling. This mismatch highlights the urgent need to align academic learning with real economic needs.

Infrastructure problems further complicate the situation. Across many parts of the country, schools operate with overcrowded classrooms, outdated laboratories, and limited learning materials. Teachers often do their best under difficult circumstances, but without adequate support, their efforts cannot produce the level of transformation the country needs. When the learning environment itself is weak, even the most dedicated educators struggle to deliver quality outcomes.

Reforming the curriculum is therefore not simply an academic debate. It is a national necessity. Education must move beyond rote memorisation and focus more on critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Students should be encouraged to explore ideas, question assumptions, and develop solutions to real challenges within their communities.

Technical and vocational education must also receive greater attention. For too long, society has treated vocational training as a lesser option compared to traditional academic degrees. Yet many developed economies thrive because they place a strong value on technical skills and practical training. If Nigeria hopes to reduce unemployment and stimulate economic growth, it must elevate the status of vocational education.

Entrepreneurship education is another area that deserves serious attention. Rather than preparing students only to search for jobs, schools should equip them with the knowledge and confidence to create their own opportunities. Basic business education, financial literacy, and innovation training can help young people develop the mindset needed to build sustainable ventures.

Teachers must also be central to any reform effort. No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers. Continuous training, improved working conditions, and access to modern teaching resources will empower educators to guide students more effectively. When teachers are supported, the entire learning process improves.

Ultimately, meaningful reform requires collaboration. Policymakers, educators, researchers, industry leaders, and communities must work together to rethink the priorities of the education system. A curriculum designed with broad consultation will be better equipped to respond to national development goals and global realities.

Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world. This demographic strength could become a powerful driver of development if the right investments are made in education. However, if the system continues to produce graduates who are not adequately prepared for the future, the country risks missing a critical opportunity.

Reforming the curriculum will not solve every challenge overnight, but it represents an important step toward building a more dynamic and productive society. Preparing young Nigerians for the demands of the modern world is not just an educational responsibility. It is a national imperative.

Muhammad Umar Shehu wrote from Gombe and can be reached via umarmuhammadshehu2@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Abubakar Tahir

Across many communities in northern Nigeria, malnutrition remains a quiet but devastating reality. In rural homes and crowded settlements alike, countless children grow up without the essential nutrients required for healthy development.

The signs are often visible, including stunted growth, frequent illness, low energy levels, and poor cognitive development—but the deeper consequences are far more profound. Malnutrition weakens family foundations, strains healthcare systems, and ultimately undermines society’s long-term development.

Jigawa State is not immune to this silent crisis. Despite various public health interventions over the years, malnutrition continues to affect children and vulnerable populations across the state. Poverty, food insecurity, low dietary diversity, and limited public awareness about proper nutrition all contribute to the persistence of the problem.

At this critical moment, one practical and impactful step the Jigawa State Government can take is to urgently recruit and deploy professional nutritionists across the state’s healthcare system.

Nutrition is the cornerstone of human development. A balanced diet supports healthy physical growth, strengthens the immune system, enhances brain development, and improves overall well-being.

When nutrition is inadequate, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Conditions such as stunting, wasting, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies continue to affect many children and women in Jigawa State, undermining not only their health but also the social and economic future of the state.

Health experts emphasise that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life—from conception to the age of two are the most critical for physical and cognitive development. Poor nutrition during this period can lead to irreversible damage, including impaired learning ability, weakened immunity, and increased vulnerability to disease throughout life. Ensuring proper nutrition during this early stage, therefore, requires professional guidance and sustained community engagement.

Unfortunately, Jigawa State is currently facing a growing shortage of professional nutritionists within its healthcare system. Many nutrition officers who previously served in hospitals and public health facilities have recently retired, leaving a significant gap that remains unfilled. As a result, several health facilities now operate without functional nutrition units, while in others, the departments have become largely inactive due to the absence of trained personnel.

This situation is both concerning and avoidable. Across Nigeria, universities and colleges continue to graduate qualified nutritionists every year. Yet many of these professionals remain unemployed or underutilised due to limited opportunities within the public health sector. Jigawa State, therefore, has an opportunity to strengthen its healthcare delivery system by recruiting these young professionals and deploying them to general hospitals, primary healthcare centres, and community health programmes.

Professional nutritionists play a critical role in disease prevention and health promotion. They guide families on proper dietary practices, support maternal and child nutrition, and educate communities on healthy eating habits using locally available foods. Their interventions can significantly reduce cases of malnutrition, improve patient recovery, and enhance the overall health profile of the population.

Beyond hospitals, nutritionists also play an essential role in schools. With the expansion of school feeding programmes in Nigeria, ensuring the nutritional quality of meals provided to pupils has become increasingly important. Qualified nutritionists can design balanced meal plans, monitor food preparation standards, and ensure that these programmes genuinely contribute to children’s physical and cognitive development.

Community-based nutrition education is another area where these professionals are urgently needed. Through outreach programmes, health campaigns, and grassroots engagement, nutritionists can educate rural families on the importance of balanced diets, food safety, proper infant feeding practices, and hygiene.

Crucially, they can also demonstrate how affordable, locally available foods—such as grains, legumes, vegetables, and animal products—can be combined to meet nutritional needs.

Given Jigawa State’s predominantly agrarian economy, nutritionists can also collaborate with agricultural extension services to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Encouraging households to cultivate diverse crops, improve food storage, and adopt better food preparation practices can significantly improve household nutrition and reduce dependency on expensive food items.

Meanwhile, a couple of visits to several hospitals across Jigawa State reveal a worrying reality. Many facilities operate without nutrition officers, leaving nurses and other health workers to manage cases that require specialised dietary expertise. In some institutions, nutrition departments have virtually ceased to function due to staff shortages. This weakens the health system’s ability to effectively address malnutrition and diet-related illnesses.

Equally concerning is the situation in higher institutions offering nutrition and dietetics programmes, where departments sometimes struggle with limited staffing and resources to train future professionals. Strengthening the nutrition workforce will therefore require both recruitment into the healthcare system and sustained support for training institutions.

It is important to acknowledge that the Jigawa State Government has made commendable progress in improving healthcare infrastructure and expanding primary healthcare services across the state. Investments in health facilities, maternal healthcare programmes, and immunisation services have improved health outcomes in many communities.

However, strengthening the nutrition workforce must become an essential component of these broader health reforms. Without trained professionals to address nutrition-related challenges, efforts to combat maternal and child mortality, infectious diseases, and poor health outcomes will remain incomplete.

Recruiting and deploying professional nutritionists is not merely a staffing decision—it is a strategic investment in public health, human capital development, and the long-term prosperity of Jigawa State. A healthier and well-nourished population is more productive, better educated, and more capable of contributing meaningfully to economic and social development.

Jigawa State, therefore, stands at an important crossroads. By prioritising the employment of nutritionists in hospitals, primary healthcare centres, schools, and community health programmes, the government can take a decisive step toward reducing malnutrition and improving the well-being of its citizens.

The fight against malnutrition requires commitment, expertise, and timely action. The time to act is now.

Muhammad Abubakar Tahir, a concerned citizen, writes from Hadejia, Jigawa State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate the alleged killing of a 16-year-old boy, Bishir Malam Dauda, who reportedly died in police custody in Katsina State.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Saturday, the human rights organisation alleged that the teenager was “tortured to death through severe beating with iron rod” at the ‘Yankara police outpost in Faskari Local Government Area.

According to Amnesty International, Bishir was taken from his tsangaya school on May 7, 2026, after another boy reportedly mentioned his name during an investigation into the alleged theft of a bag of soya beans.

The organisation claimed that the teenager was detained without the presence of any family member or adult guardian and was pressured to confess to the allegation.

“The victim was picked by police from his tsangaya school on 7 May 2026 after a friend mentioned his name in relation to an investigation of theft of a bag of soya beans,” Amnesty International stated.

“Unaccompanied and without the presence of any adult relation, Bishir was tied by the police and asked to make a confession. He refused. Then he was tortured more until he became lifeless.”

Amnesty International further alleged that police officers later deposited the boy’s body at the ‘Yankara Primary Healthcare Centre.

The organisation said the incident reflects what it described as a broader pattern of human rights violations by some members of the Nigeria Police Force.

“What happened to Bishir Malam Dauda exposes a pattern of ruthless human rights violations in which victims are arrested and tortured until they either make a ‘confession’ or pay officers a bribe to be released,” the statement added.

Amnesty International accused the police of operating with impunity and urged authorities not to ignore the incident.

“This incident must not be swept under the carpet. Police officers involved in this atrocity, directly and indirectly, must be held to account,” the organisation said.

The group also noted that its research since 2016 has documented cases of alleged police brutality and abuse across the country.

As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegations.

By Uzair Adam

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), in collaboration with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), has rewarded outstanding participants at the end of its North-West Regional Capacity Building Programme in Kano, following a competitive assessment designed to test their knowledge of financial management and business practices.

The programme, which focused on bridging the livestock agribusiness finance gap, concluded on Friday with participants drawn from Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Speaking at the closing session, the Capacity Building Manager of DBN, Fortune Tamunokuro Granville, said the assessment was conducted to evaluate participants’ understanding of key training modules, particularly financial literacy and financial management.

He explained that the test, which comprised 50 multiple-choice questions, was aimed at ensuring that livestock entrepreneurs acquire the knowledge required to formalise their businesses and become eligible for funding.

“The essence of the programme is to ensure access to credit for livestock farmers, and that can only happen when they understand financial management and properly structure their businesses,” he said.

Granville noted that the process was transparent, as scripts were independently marked without interference from project officials.

According to him, the top-performing participants from each of the four states received grants of one million naira each to support their businesses.

He added that two female participants who emerged among the highest scorers were also awarded N250,000 each, in line with DBN’s commitment to gender inclusion.

“In total, we had six winners. This is to encourage them to apply what they have learned and continue improving their businesses,” he said, adding that the bank is also considering a mentorship programme to support beneficiaries beyond the training.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Bashir Sunusi, who represented the Commissioner, Dr. Danjuma Mahmud, said the workshop had provided a platform to address critical financing challenges affecting the livestock sector.

He noted that discussions during the programme highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among government, financial institutions and private sector actors to unlock opportunities across the livestock value chain.

Sunusi reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to supporting agricultural transformation and creating an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive.

“The insights generated here must be translated into concrete actions that will benefit farmers, processors and other stakeholders,” he said.

On their parts, some of the participants described the training as impactful, noting that it had equipped them with practical knowledge to improve their businesses.

One of the winners, Dr. Mu’iz Bakari from Kaduna State, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying the training had exposed him to better ways of managing and expanding his livestock enterprise.

“What we have learned will be applied directly to our business. We will correct our mistakes and expand, especially in poultry production,” he said, adding that the grant would be used to grow his farm and create employment.

Similarly, Usman Abdullahi Usman from Kano State said emerging among the top participants out of over a hundred attendees was both surprising and motivating.

“This support will help me expand my business and should encourage others to take such opportunities seriously and work hard,” he said.

Other winners include Nasiru Lawal from Sokoto State and Idris Umar from Zamfara State, while the additional female awardees are Fatima Sani from Sokoto and Hafsat Ololade Akin from Kaduna.

The programme brought together stakeholders across the livestock value chain, including farmers, financial institutions and development partners, as part of efforts to improve access to finance and promote sustainable agribusiness growth in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered an investigation into allegations linking two senior police officers to the disappearance and alleged killing of social media activist and lecturer, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

The officers named in the allegations are CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba.

The directive followed petitions submitted on Friday by a Kano-based activist and human rights lawyer, Abba Hikima.

According to the petitions, Muhammad Musa Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle, accused the officers of making threats against him. Kamarawa also alleged that the officers claimed they killed Dadiyata and other persons in his presence at Operations Yaki in Kaduna.

The petitions urged the police authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the claims.

One of the petitions stated that if the accusations were untrue, the investigation would clear the officers involved.

However, the petition added that if the allegations were established to be true, justice should prevail “irrespective of rank, office or influence.”

The petitions also expressed concern over the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Dadiyata’s whereabouts. They called for the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the matter.

The IGP acknowledged receipt of the petitions through his Principal Staff Officer, CF Lateef Adio Ahmed.

In a response, the police leadership confirmed that the case had been transferred to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Monitoring Unit for immediate investigation.

The letter also assured the petitioners that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to justice and accountability.

Dadiyata was abducted from his residence in Barnawa area of Kaduna State in August 2019.

Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown. The case has continued to attract national attention and repeated calls for accountability.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has alleged that missing activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, was killed while in police custody.

Kamarawa made the allegation while accusing two senior police officers of intimidation, unlawful detention and abuse of office during an investigation conducted against him in 2021.

According to him, the officers threatened to kill him if he disclosed his relationship with Matawalle during interrogation.

He identified the officers as CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba and called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate them over alleged violations of his rights.

Kamarawa claimed the officers used Dadiyata’s alleged killing as a threat against him while he was in custody at Operations Yaki in Kaduna.

“In the course of investigation, I was coerced by them that I shouldn’t make any attempt to disclose my relationship with former Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Matawalle, current Minister of State for Defence,” Kamarawa said.

“That was the main reason in all the video clips they recorded on me under duress, I never disclosed our relationship with him because they threatened to kill me as they killed Dadiyata and Saminu S/Fada Gusau amongst others in my presence at Operations Yaki Kaduna.”

He also accused the officers of conducting a biased investigation against him and searching his residence without a valid warrant.

“The alleged police officers, CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba, have investigated me partially, looted my money, property and illegally searched my house without a valid search warrant,” he alleged.

Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media critic, was abducted from his residence in Barnawa area of Kaduna State in August 2019. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown.

The disappearance of the activist attracted national attention and sparked repeated demands from civil society groups and members of the public for answers about his fate.

Earlier this year, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai alleged during an interview on Arise News that former Kano State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had issues with Dadiyata over his criticisms of the Kano government.

“He (Dadiyata) is a critic of the Kano government, it was Ganduje that was his problem, go and check his timeline, I don’t even know him,” El-Rufai said.

He also claimed that a police officer allegedly confessed that operatives were sent from Kano to abduct the activist.

“Three days after Dadiyata’s abduction, a policeman posted from Kano to Ekiti confessed to someone that they were sent from Kano and abducted Dadiyata, and felt bad about it,” he said.

By Uzair Adam

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to improving foundational learning as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening literacy and numeracy among schoolchildren.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Professor Salisu Shehu, said this at the ongoing South-South Learning Symposium taking place from May 4 to 8 in New Delhi.

Speaking at the event, Shehu said Nigeria had, in the last three years, embarked on critical education reforms beginning from the foundational level to improve learning outcomes across the country.

He explained that the reforms are being implemented under the National Education Sector Reform Initiative (NESRI), a broad-based programme anchored on key pillars such as technical and vocational education expansion, STEMM development, reintegration of out-of-school children and Almajiri, girl-child education, data and digitisation, and quality assurance.

According to him, reforms in foundational learning are guided by two major national policy frameworks — the National Policy on Skills Development and the National Reading Framework — both aimed at strengthening early literacy and numeracy skills.

He noted that the initiatives were introduced to address persistent learning gaps in the country.

Professor Shehu said the policies are designed to “accelerate foundational skills of learners and reverse the situation in which about 70 per cent of children in Nigeria cannot read with meaning or solve simple mathematics problems.”

He added that achieving the targets of the policy frameworks requires a well-articulated curriculum reform programme, stressing that Nigeria has undertaken a holistic review of its curriculum to align with national development goals.

He said one of the key features of the reform is the introduction of foundational skills from the pre-primary level, with structured and sequenced learning content to ensure that learners acquire basic competencies before completing primary three.

Professor Shehu further explained that the reforms promote practical learning approaches, including learning by doing from the early stages, as well as aligning numeracy content with everyday experiences of learners.

On implementation, he said the use of structured pedagogy is being adopted to support learners’ development, while assessment systems are being reformed to cover both knowledge and practical application.

He, however, acknowledged challenges in implementing the reforms, particularly the shortage of adequately trained teachers and limited access to quality instructional materials aligned with the curriculum.

“To address these challenges, we are initiating a project with the British Council focused on providing quality instructional materials, building the capacity of teachers and ensuring a smooth transition from mother tongue to English as the medium of instruction at grade one,” he said.

He further emphasised the need for sustained collaboration with development partners to ensure long-term success of the reforms.

The symposium has brought together education stakeholders from across developing countries to share knowledge and strategies for improving learning outcomes.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up efforts to curb illicit financial activities and terrorism financing through a sensitisation programme on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). The event took place at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

The programme was held on Monday, 4 May 2026. It formed part of the agency’s first-quarter operational review and training exercise for officers attached to the AML/CFT Unit. The session focused on building capacity, promoting ethical conduct and improving cooperation with relevant agencies.

During the programme, the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shuaibu, said the initiative shows the rising importance of AML/CFT operations within the Service and across Nigeria’s financial and security system. He explained that the Unit’s work goes beyond ports and border points. He added that its performance in the past year has made it a key player in protecting the country’s financial system.

Shuaibu also pointed to recent progress in Nigeria’s financial sector. He said bank cards issued in Nigeria now function globally and allow users to carry out transactions abroad with automatic currency conversion.

“This is a major milestone. Nigerians can now travel and use their cards anywhere in the world, with transactions reflecting the local currency. This is a significant achievement for the nation,” he said.

He advised officers to view postings to the AML/CFT Unit as an opportunity for career development. He also mentioned ongoing collaboration with the World Customs Organization to ensure compliance with international standards.

In his remarks, the Acting Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Saulawa Sunusi, called for discipline and professionalism among officers.

“Officers must remain disciplined, professional, and committed to ethical conduct. Integrity remains the foundation of everything we do,” he said.

Sunusi urged personnel to improve their skills through regular training. He asked them to show leadership through good conduct and maintain fairness and punctuality in their duties. He also stressed the need for teamwork and proper conflict resolution within the Service.

Participants were advised to stay alert, maintain high morale and perform their duties without bias. They were warned against sharing sensitive information without authorisation and asked to follow official communication procedures strictly.

The programme also featured a lecture by Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Faisal Abubakar, who spoke on service correspondence and its role in official communication.

In a separate address, the National Coordinator of AML/CFT, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mas’ud Salihu, said financial crimes are becoming more complex. He noted that many illegal activities are now taking place in digital and virtual spaces.

Salihu explained that efforts are ongoing to strengthen enforcement, identify operational gaps and improve communication between field officers and management. He said sensitisation remains vital in tackling financial crimes and encouraged officers to stay proactive in detecting new threats.

He commended participants for their active involvement and thanked the Service leadership for its continued support in strengthening the AML/CFT framework.

By Uzair Adam

An Islamic cleric, Bukar Kashim Goni, accused of complicity in an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of Bola Tinubu, has told investigators that over N10 million paid into his bank account was meant for prayers.

Sheikh Goni is among six defendants standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged coup attempt.

Others listed in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; serving Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; and two civilians, Zekeri Umoru and Abdulkadir Sani.

At Tuesday’s resumed hearing, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted and viewed video evidence showing the cleric’s interaction with security operatives.

During questioning, investigators confronted Goni with financial records linking him to multiple transfers allegedly from the principal suspect, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.

He denied any involvement in a plot against the president, maintaining that the funds were for “prayers and charitable purposes.”

Goni explained that he relocated to Karu, Abuja, after fleeing insurgency in Maiduguri, adding that his relationship with Ma’aji was purely religious.

According to him, the officer sought spiritual support over delayed promotions and personal challenges.

However, investigators challenged his claims, pointing to transactions dating back to March 2023—before the alleged promotion issues—as well as a N10 million transfer in October 2024.

They also queried conversations referencing “access” and “work tools,” suggesting a broader operation.

Despite this, the cleric maintained he had no knowledge of any illegal plan and denied involvement in political or military activities.

In a separate video played in court, Umoru, a staff member of Julius Berger Nigeria attached to the Presidential Villa’s maintenance department, said he was “misled” into associating with Ma’aji and denied knowingly participating in any coup plot.

He, however, admitted receiving cash payments, including a “Ghana Must Go” bag said to contain N8.8 million, which he claimed were tied to business dealings.

Earlier evidence presented by the prosecution showed some defendants allegedly engaged in coded communications, meetings and reconnaissance around the Presidential Villa, though they denied any concrete attempt to overthrow the government.

The Federal Government alleged that the defendants, in September 2025, conspired to wage war against the state to overawe President Tinubu—an offence under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

Prosecutors further claimed the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving Ma’aji but failed to inform authorities, and instead assisted by withholding information and not taking steps to prevent the act.

Additional charges include terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with allegations that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism.

The defendants, who pleaded not guilty upon arraignment on April 22, remain in the custody of the Department of State Services pending the determination of the case.

Former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, was also named in the charge and is reportedly at large after leaving the country before the alleged plot was uncovered.

The charges against the defendants include treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence, and money laundering linked to terrorist activities.