The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman, Danladi Umar, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Justice Peter Kekemeke issued this order on Thursday following Umar’s arraignment by the federal government on four corruption-related counts.

• Prosecutors allege that Umar abused his official position to obtain undue advantages, including receiving ₦5.5 million from a painting contractor in 2021 and ₦6 million from a digitalization contractor in 2024 through his wife’s bank account.

• Additionally, he is accused of compelling a contractor to pay ₦2.43 million toward his daughter’s tuition at Baze University.

• Umar entered a plea of not guilty, and the court has adjourned the hearing for his bail application until July 15.

Background on Senate Removal

• In 2024, the Senate voted to remove Danladi Umar from his position as CCT Chairman, with over 84 lawmakers supporting the decision.

• The removal was executed under section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the Senate to remove heads of statutory bodies for gross misconduct and misdemeanour upon a two-thirds majority vote.

• The motion for his removal, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, followed numerous petitions and corruption allegations, with lawmakers concluding that Umar failed to meet the standards required of a public official.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has stated that the decision regarding the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate for 2027 belongs entirely to the party’s gubernatorial nominee, Mustapha Gubio.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Governor Zulum announced this during a visit to the Emir of Biu’s palace in the Biu Local Government Area.

• Gubio is expected to make his choice for a running mate public next week.

• While 27 individuals have expressed interest in the position, the Governor emphasized that he and other party leaders will only provide guidance during the selection, leaving the final authority to Gubio.

Selection Criteria and Background

• Zulum urged that the selection should prioritize competence, fairness, and the collective well-being of Borno State, rather than sectional interests.

• The Governor asked the public to pray for a peaceful outcome in selecting a suitable candidate.

• Reflecting on his own experience, Zulum noted that when he chose his deputy, he was advised by former Governor Kashim Shettima but was not pressured to accept an imposed candidate, making the final decision himself.

• This development occurs amid reports of various candidate changes occurring within the ruling party nationwide.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stated that President Bola Tinubu has given a clear directive that no existing or old projects should be abandoned in favor of new ones.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• During a monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike emphasized that a significant portion of the projects completed under his leadership were originally awarded 15 to 16 years ago but had been stalled.

• He reported that over the last three years, 60 percent of the FCT’s completed works were these previously abandoned projects.

• Wike explained that the administration prioritized finishing these old projects—achieving a completion rate of at least 70 percent—to ensure that new developments would not be overshadowed by a landscape of unfinished infrastructure.

Ebonyi Government Denies Threat Allegations

• The Ebonyi State Government has refuted claims that Governor Francis Nwifuru threatened Minister Nyesom Wike during a political rally in Abakaliki.

• In a statement released on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, declared that Governor Nwifuru never issued any threats against Wike at the event held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium.

• The state government accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of attempting to twist the governor’s remarks to create a political rift between Nwifuru and Wike ahead of the 2027 general elections.