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Court Tension Rises As ICPC Blocks El-Rufai’s Attempt To Regain Freedom
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a counter-affidavit opposing a renewed bail application submitted by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The application forms part of an ongoing case before the Kaduna State High Court.
During the resumed hearing on Tuesday, defence counsel Ubong Akpang informed the court that a fresh bail request was pending, stressing that the issue relates to the liberty of his client. He added that all relevant documents had been filed and served, and that the defence was ready to proceed.
However, ICPC counsel, Ibrahim Mukhtar, told the court he had only just been served with the defendant’s further affidavit supporting the bail request, and therefore needed time to review the documents.
Following the development, the court adjourned the matter until May 13, 2026, for hearing of the bail application.
Earlier, the court had denied El-Rufai bail, ruling that he failed to file a further affidavit to counter the ICPC’s submission, which contained new allegations.
These allegations included concerns that he might be a flight risk due to his influence and resources, claims of obstruction during an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, refusal to surrender travel documents and electronic devices, and fears of interference with witnesses and evidence.
Justice D.H. Khobo had held that bail is discretionary and must be granted in the interest of justice, noting that the defendant’s position could potentially hinder ongoing investigations, especially as some suspects remain at large.
The court also observed that El-Rufai did not challenge key allegations raised in the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, which were therefore taken as admitted. His health claims were dismissed for lack of supporting evidence.
Consequently, bail was refused and he was ordered to remain in ICPC custody pending trial, with the court directing an accelerated hearing of the case.
Despite the earlier ruling, the defence proceeded to file a fresh bail application, while the ICPC maintained its commitment to prosecuting corruption cases and ensuring due process is followed.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disciplined no fewer than 147 personnel over various forms of misconduct, including alleged involvement in the smuggling of contraband into custodial centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, made this known on Tuesday, May 5, in Abuja, reaffirming the agency’s determination to cleanse the correctional system.
In a separate operation, the service also destroyed 1,167 mobile phones, including iPhones, Android devices, feature phones, and other electronic gadgets illegally brought into correctional facilities nationwide.
The destruction exercise was carried out at the NCoS headquarters in Abuja and personally supervised by Nwakuche.
According to the Controller-General, the sanctions and destruction exercise are part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving discipline, professionalism, and security within Nigeria’s correctional institutions.
He described the move as a clear demonstration of the agency’s commitment to eliminating threats to order and safety in custodial centres.
Nwakuche explained that the destroyed items were recovered from various facilities across the country within the past eight months.
He said, “These items are prohibited materials recovered from custodial centres across the country within the last eight months. They include mobile phones, SIM cards, and other unauthorised materials. Their presence within our facilities is unacceptable. They compromise security, disrupt discipline, and create channels through which criminal activities are sustained from within custody.”
The Controller-General also disclosed that ₦2,569,000 seized from inmates during the operations had been remitted to the government treasury in line with financial regulations.
He stated that the agency maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline and warned that any officer found guilty would face serious disciplinary action, including dismissal.
Nwakuche stressed that internal compromise often enables contraband trafficking, adding that any officer involved is violating their oath of service.
He said, “Let me state clearly: the trafficking of contraband into our custodial centres cannot occur without some level of internal compromise. Any officer who aids, ignores, or facilitates this act is in direct violation of their oath and a threat to the integrity of this Service.”
He further warned that offenders would face full legal consequences, adding that past disciplinary actions should serve as a deterrent to others.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adetokunbo Pearse, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as a threat to democratic governance in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Pearse made the claim during an appearance on Breakfast Central on News Central TV, amid the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP. He alleged that Wike had previously insisted there would only be peace within the party if it refrained from presenting a presidential candidate and allowed President Bola Tinubu to run unopposed. According to him, such a demand reflects a broader attempt to weaken opposition politics in the country. “This Wike and co, so anxious for reconciliation, it shows you that they know that they don’t have a say anymore.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced a revised timetable for its 2026 primary elections while also slashing the cost of nomination forms for aspirants across various positions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The party disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, after consultations with party leaders, aspirants, and key stakeholders. According to the updated schedule, the sale and submission of nomination forms will run from May 6 to May 13, while screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 14. The results of the screening exercise will be released on May 17. The party said appeals arising from the screening process will be entertained between May 18 and May 19, with the final list of successful aspirants to be published on May 20. Primaries for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate positions are slated for May 21, while governorship primaries will hold on May 22. The presidential primary has been fixed for May 23, followed by a National Executive Committee meeting on May 25 and a Special National Convention on May 26. In addition to the new timetable, the ADC also reviewed downward the prices of its nomination forms. Under the new pricing structure, the presidential nomination form now costs ₦90 million, while the governorship form is pegged at ₦30 million. Senate aspirants will pay ₦10 million, House of Representatives aspirants ₦5 million, and State Assembly aspirants ₦2 million. The revised fees represent a reduction from the previous rates, where presidential forms sold for ₦100 million, governorship forms for ₦50 million, Senate forms for ₦20 million, and House of Representatives forms for ₦10 million. The party also retained its concession policy, offering a 50 percent discount to youth aspirants aged 18 to 35, as well as a 25 percent discount for women and persons living with disabilities.
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