Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The wives of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what they described as their family’s ordeal, following recent developments in the corruption case involving the former governor.

One of his wives, Asiya el-Rufai, made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday while reacting to the arrest of Professor Bello Abubakar, el-Rufai’s personal physician, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Addressing journalists alongside another wife of the former governor, Aichatou, Asiya said the family was not asking the president to stop the ongoing prosecution or interfere with the judicial process. Instead, she said they wanted el-Rufai to enjoy the constitutional rights available to every Nigerian, including access to medical care, family members, legal counsel and bail on reasonable terms.

Recalling their support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, Asiya said, “Mr. President sir, I campaigned for you. I stood up and went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna state for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?”

She also appealed directly to the president, saying, “The ball is in your court, Mr. President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe that you are a father and we know you can empathise.”

Asiya maintained that the family was not asking for special treatment.

She said, “Please let him go free. I am not asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow him the basic human rights that the constitution you swore to uphold and defend guarantees.”

She added, “Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court decide.”

Asiya also alleged that the former governor, whom she said suffers from high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels, had not received adequate medical attention.

According to her, the family’s emotional condition has worsened because of his continued detention and the restrictions placed on access to him.

She said, “We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news.”

She further alleged, “I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Mallam and against his family.”

Asiya added, “If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that affects Mallam.”

She also questioned the reported restriction placed on the former governor’s physician, saying, “We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?”

The family further expressed concern over what they described as increasing restrictions on visits by relatives. They also called for an investigation into the medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, through the consultant whose name appeared on the document.

Asiya argued that the restrictions had affected el-Rufai’s ability to prepare his defence.

She said, “We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard.”

She continued, “Mallam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers.”

Repeating the family’s appeal, she said, “We are only asking that he be given the basic human rights guaranteed by the constitution. Let him be granted bail on reasonable terms. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide.”

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 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

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.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has opened an investigation into 34 tertiary institutions over allegations that they failed to refund students whose tuition fees were paid twice under the Federal Government’s student loan programme.

The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television on Sunday. He said the agency had deployed a five-member investigative team, which includes officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and NELFUND’s internal auditors, to examine the complaints.

According to Sawyerr, the investigation followed numerous petitions from students who claimed they had not received refunds after duplicate tuition payments.

“As of right now, there are 34 institutions that we are looking at closely with respect to this issue,” Sawyerr said.

He explained that the problem arose because President Bola Tinubu directed that the student loan scheme should begin in the middle of an academic session instead of waiting for a new session. As a result, many students paid their tuition fees while waiting for their loan applications to be processed.

“What happened is that a lot of schools got double payment. Some from the students, some from us,” Sawyerr said.

“The refund process is entirely out of our hands. It is the recipient of the double payments that is obliged to make refunds to the students.”

Sawyerr noted that many students borrowed money to pay their school fees before registration deadlines. They expected to recover the money after NELFUND settled the same tuition charges. He said several institutions had returned the excess payments, but others had not.

“Some have been very good at this. Others haven’t been so good at it,” Sawyerr said.

“I reserve judgement on the intentionality around it because, for some of them, they just didn’t have the process to make refunds.”

He also revealed that NELFUND is considering a tokenised payment system that would allow students to authorise tuition payments directly to their institutions. He said the measure would help prevent duplicate payments.

“We chose in our setting up of this not to pay students directly for the loans because that would take us into an entirely new area,” he said.

“Paying the funds to the students, rather, quite significantly, could really lead to the temptation for them to divert and do other things.”

Despite the ongoing investigation, Sawyerr admitted that NELFUND does not have the legal authority to compel institutions to refund students or prosecute officials involved in any wrongdoing.

He added that many of the complaints had also been forwarded to anti-corruption agencies by the affected students.

“Students who are frustrated and unable to get their refunds write to us, but they also write to the EFCC, to the ICPC,” he said.

Sawyerr also raised concerns over increases in tuition fees after the launch of the student loan programme. He said NELFUND declined to pay institutions that raised their fees beyond what the agency considered acceptable.

“Some schools, because they get paid easily, started to put up their fees. We refused, point blank, to pay institutions who had hiked their fees beyond a certain level,” he said.

He said NELFUND would continue to investigate reports of irregularities as it strengthens the implementation of the student loan scheme.

“We tend to take the view that perhaps it’s not intentional,” he said.

“We institute many investigations, we generate many reports. Any small hint of anything going wrong, we set up a small committee to look at it because we’re trying to learn.”