Nasiru Musa Idris has accused Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi of withholding his Moroccan wife for approximately 11 months after she was brought to him for counselling, though Gumi has strongly denied the claims and threatened a defamation lawsuit.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • The Husband’s Claims: Idris stated in an RFI Hausa interview that he introduced his wife—whom he legally married in Morocco with parental and embassy approval—to Gumi for counselling out of trust. He alleged that Gumi refused to return her, blocked communication, and insisted on obtaining an unnecessary new marriage certificate from a Malali Sharia Court despite existing official paperwork from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian embassy in Morocco. He also disputed accounts that the woman’s mother took her back to Morocco, calling on Gumi to cooperate with police investigations.

  • Gumi’s Response: Refuting the allegations, Gumi told Daily Trust that the woman is no longer in Nigeria and has safely returned to Morocco to live happily with her parents. While declining to elaborate on the dispute due to an active court case, the cleric confirmed he intends to sue Idris for defamation.

  • Aide’s Defense: Malam Nasiru Ayuba, Gumi’s personal assistant and Chairman of the Volunteers of Sultan Bello Mosque, also rejected Idris’ version, asserting that the woman independently sought out Gumi’s intervention for a personal problem rather than being kept by him. Ayuba accused Idris of trying to ruin the cleric’s reputation on social media and warned that their camp holds recorded evidence they are prepared to release if necessary to protect Gumi’s image.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has departed the club after two years to take up a new position with the Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Tenure and Background: Joining from Bournemouth in June 2024 with a contract slated to run until 2027, the 47-year-old managed Liverpool’s football operations and recruitment department during a significant transitional era.

  • Transfer Market Influence: Hughes directed approximately £200m in expenditure during his final summer window—bringing in Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain—and played a central role in landmark deals such as the club-record £125m acquisition of Alexander Isak and the £116m signing of Florian Wirtz.

  • Coaching Appointments: Following Jürgen Klopp’s exit, Hughes helped secure Arne Slot as manager, who delivered a Premier League title in his debut season before a fifth-place finish led to Slot’s replacement by Andoni Iraola.

  • Farewell Statements: In his official departure statement, Hughes expressed enduring affection and well-wishes for the Reds, while FSG president Mike Gordon acknowledged his vital contributions to recruitment and coaching support during a transformative chapter.

The Abia State Government has raised concerns over a sharp rise in drug addicts undergoing treatment at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) rehabilitation facility in Aba.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Government and Community Concerns: Speaking at an anti-drug workshop in Okwu Olokoro, Youth and Sports Development Commissioner Nwadinma Ananaba—represented by Ijeoma Ogbonna—lamented that substance abuse is destroying the potential of the state’s youth and fueling drug-induced crimes. Traditional ruler Eze Boniface Izuogu and village leader Nnamdi Nwosu also strongly condemned the destructive impact of drug peddlers and metal scrap dealers in the area.

  • Security and Criminal Links: Ubakala Police Division Divisional Crime Officer Osinachi Ahana warned that local crime rates have escalated due to substance abuse, highlighting a recent case where three young girls were trafficked to Burkina Faso for prostitution before one managed to escape and return.

  • Severe Overcapacity at Facility: NDLEA Assistant Commander of Narcotics Frank Nwaohamuo revealed that the rehabilitation centre in Aba—originally built to handle a maximum capacity of just 40 individuals—is currently overwhelmed with about 500 inmates seeking treatment, with some patients unfortunately suffering relapses after discharge.

  • Calls for Action and Engagement: Officials urged youths to steer clear of illicit substances and instead utilize skills acquisition and employment schemes introduced by President Bola Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti, while the NDLEA reaffirmed its dedication to partnering with local communities to combat the drug crisis.