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Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court has deferred the bail application of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the first week of June 2026.

El-Rufai is currently being prosecuted on several counts relating to alleged financial impropriety and abuse of office by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Speaking with journalists after the session, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ukpon Akpan, faulted the continued postponement of the bail hearing by the presiding judge, describing it as “politically motivated”.

The former governor reportedly arrived at the court around 9 a.m. in a convoy, accompanied by officials of the ICPC and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s supporters assembled outside the courtroom, while security agencies maintained order and restricted movement around the court vicinity.

The development means that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain will remain in custody till June, when the court will decide whether to grant him bail, or keep him in detention.

El-Rufai to remain in custody till June as court defers bail application

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have dismantled a suspected interstate car theft network, arresting suspects and recovering two stolen vehicles in coordinated operations across Minna and Bida.

The Police Public Relations, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Tuesday said the arrests made by the State Intelligence Department (SID), followed actionable intelligence.

According to him, one of the suspects, 49-year-old Abdulfatai Abdulganiyu from Kano, was tracked to a hotel along Mandela Road in Minna, where he was found in possession of a stolen Honda CR-V.

Police investigations revealed that the vehicle had been stolen in Kano and transported to Niger State for sale.

“The suspect allegedly received the car from an accomplice, identified as Musa Abdulrazak, and drove it to Minna in search of a buyer,” the police spokesman stated.

Further findings led to the arrest of a second suspect, Nura Umar, 28, in Bida.

The PRO disclosed that Umar was found with another suspected stolen vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, which he reportedly purchased for ₦1.1 million, while paying ₦700,000 upfront.

According to police sources, Umar admitted that the suspect had supplied him with the Corolla earlier in April and had promised to deliver another vehicle before his arrest.

SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

Police bust interstate car theft syndicate, recover stolen vehicles in Niger

British boxer Lawrence Okolie failed a doping test before his heavyweight fight against Tony Yoka.

The 33-year-old is scheduled to fight Frenchman Yoka, a 2016 Olympic champion, in Paris on Saturday, 25 April.

Fight promoter Queensberry said it was told on Monday night by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) that Okolie “returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted ahead of the show in Paris this Saturday”.

It said it would provide an update on whether the fight will go ahead “in due course”.

Former world champion Okolie said he hoped “sense prevails” as he explained the failed test came after treatment for an injury.

“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, following my bicep injury last year, I sustained an elbow injury on the same arm during this camp,” Okolie said in a statement posted on social media.

“I had a treatment on it and now we are here. I truly hope sense prevails.

“I will of course be fully co-operating with all relevant authorities and I’m confident any investigation will clear my name.”

Okolie won world titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight before moving up to heavyweight in 2024.

He is undefeated in three heavyweight fights and stopped Ebenezer Tetteh last December in his most recent outing.

Okolie Fails Doping Test Before Yoka Fight is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

An Oyo State High Court presided by Justice G. A. Opayinka has been asked to subpoena necessary parties to testify against the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Afam Osigwe, SAN, in a suit seeking to stop the bar election scheduled for July 2026.

In the suit numbered 1/221/2026, the plaintiffs, who are members of the NBA, had asked the court to halt all actions towards the conduct of the election, pending the determination of the matter.

The plaintiffs in the suit are Ibrahim Lawal, Esq, Raymond Oki, Esq, Omotan Olusola Ogunmodede, Esq, and Chief Gabriel Ojo Adekunle Ijalana, Esq. The Incorporated Trustees of the NBA, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the Body of Benchers, the Attorney General of the Federation (in his capacity as Chairman, General Council of the Bar), Aham Ejelam, SAN, Ibrahim Aliyu Nasarawa, Esq, Muhamad M. Nuhu, Esq, Uju Okafor, Esq, and Ume Maduka, Esq, are the 1st to 9th defendants, in that order.

In an exparte order dated March 4, 2026, Justice Opayinka had granted the reliefs sought in an exparte motion moved by the applicants

The judge ordered: “The 5th to 9th defendants/respondents are hereby restrained by themselves, their agents, privies or assigns from parading or holding themselves out as the chairman, secretary or members of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) or from performing, undertaking or participating in any acts, step or process whatsoever in furtherance of the conduct of the 2026 National Officers’ Election of the Nigerian Bar Association, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction dated 19th February, 2026.

“The 2nd defendant (NBA President) is restrained from taking any steps whatsoever towards the constitution and composition of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, or from participating in, supervising, influencing or otherwise interfering in any manner whatsoever with the conduct of the said 2026 NBA National Officers’ Election, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”

The suit is still pending before the court, which had, following the ex-parte order, adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for hearing of the motion for interlocutory injunction.

However, in a fresh twist in the matter, lawyers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Law Society, NLS, and the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, ALDRAP, through their counsel, Adetoun S. Akwarandu, have asked Justice Opayinka to subpoena some persons to “testify against the NBA President and his media team’s pattern of refusal to comply with Rule 33 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023”.

Rule 33 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, prohibits lawyers involved in pending or anticipated litigation from making extra-judicial statements that could prejudice or interfere with a fair trial, judgment, or sentence, ensuring the sub-judice rule is maintained.

Akwarandu, in an amicus curiae brief of argument addressed to Justice Opayinka, dated March 17, 2026, listed the parties to be summoned to give evidence as Rasheed Murtala Abdul-Rasheed, SAN, former NBA publicity secretary, Niko El-Farlo, Dr. Clinton Tonye Jaja, and Jimoh Hammed, Esq, Convener of the Advocacy for Bar License Freedom, ABLIF.

Parts of the amicus curiae brief read, “Our client, on behalf of several Nigerian lawyers, both individually and collectively, respectively requests your Lordship to invoke Order 41 Rule 16 of the Oyo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2022, and sections 20 and 83(3) of the Evidence Act, 2011, as amended to issue a subpoena for the under-listed necessary parties.

“Our client informed us that the testimonies of the above-mentioned lawyers are relevant to establish the fact that both the President of the NBA and his cronies are in the habit of violating the rule relating to matters that are sub-judice.

“Our client seeks this intervention, considering that if your Honourable Court does not apply the relevant laws and impose the necessary penalties and sanctions, the respect and reputation of your Honourable Court will forever be taken for granted.

“Our client makes this request on behalf of over 2,500 right-thinking lawyers, who are under the umbrella of the Nigerian Law Society, NLS, and the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, ALDRAP.”

In an addendum to the amicus curiae brief, dated April 7, 2026, ALDRAP sought the admission of a public statement allegedly made by NBA President “which is germane to the determination of the ongoing lawsuit”.

Referring to the said public statement, ALDRAP said the NBA President had admitted to nominating both the chairman and secretary of the NBA electoral committee as NBA nominees to occupy positions in the Body of Benchers.

Alleging that the move could influence the NBA election in favour of preferred candidates, ALDRAP noted that out of over 200,000 members of the NBA, individuals not saddled with the responsibility of conducting the election should have been nominated for the positions. The association stressed that the assignment of conducting the election requires neutrality and impartiality.

ALDRAP further noted that the pending lawsuit against the NBA election is asking the court to order the chairman and secretary of the electoral committee to step aside.

Bar election: ALDRAP, NLS ask court subpoena witnesses to testify in suit against NBA President, others

A woman identified as Oluwasola Victoria Adebayo has reportedly died under distressing circumstances while waiting for her daughter to complete the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Ondo State.

The incident occurred at Ilara-Mokin Junction in Ifedore Local Government Area, where the deceased had accompanied her daughter to a JAMB examination centre.

Eyewitnesses said that shortly after arriving at the venue, Adebayo complained of feeling unwell before suddenly collapsing. Bystanders immediately rushed to her aid in an attempt to revive her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the time the tragedy occurred, her daughter was inside the examination hall, unaware of the situation as she continued writing her paper.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, stated that the incident was reported to the authorities, adding that necessary procedures were followed before the body was released to her son after preliminary investigations.

Mother dies while waiting for daughter writing UTME in Ondo

A group of Awka indigenes in Anambra State, under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Awka, have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, over alleged abuse of police powers.

The group accused operatives of the Anambra Police Command of meddling in a decades-long land dispute between the Awka community and their neighbour, Nibo, which had been decided by a court.

In the petition to the IGP, which was signed by the coordinator, Mr Sunday Ezebunamadu, the group condemned what it called arbitrary arrests by police in the matter involving Chief Kenneth Afamefuna Ezekwesili of Umuike village, Awka.

The petitioner disclosed that the claimant to the disputed parcel of land, Chief Ezekwesili has been serially hounded by his co-claimants from Nibo, using police operatives from the Anambra Command, who they suspect to have been compromised.

They lamented that such actions are likely to cause communal war between both communities, when in essence, the police should be a neutral body which should promote peace.

Parts of the petition read: “We, the concerned citizens of Awka in Anambra State, respectfully bring to your attention a matter of grave concern involving alleged abuse of police powers and arbitrary interference in a long-standing land dispute.

“Police officers are taking sides in a civil land dispute already decided at appellate court. We think the law enforcement actions were being used to frustrate enforcement of valid court judgments.

“If these allegations are true, they represent a serious deviation from the constitutional role of the police, which is to maintain peace and not to adjudicate land ownership disputes.

“The people of Awka believe strongly in the rule of law. Allowing court decisions to stand without unlawful interference is essential to maintaining public trust in law enforcement and the justice system.”

Awka indigenes petition IGP over alleged abuse of powers by police operatives

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), zone 12, Bauchi, has intercepted a dangerously overloaded vehicle conveying passengers seated on top of piled goods, along the Bauchi–Kari route, in the Darazo Unit Command.

The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Mr Osondu Ohaeri, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ohaeri who described the action as a reckless endangerment of human lives, also said that the vehicle was in blatant violation of safety regulations.

He said that the development represented a grave safety breach, as the passengers were completely exposed to fatal risks in the event of a crash, sudden braking or loss of control.

According to him, overloading goes beyond a mere traffic offence and constitutes a life-threatening decision with potential fatal consequences.

”Overloading compromises vehicle stability, increases stopping distance, and puts both passengers and other road users in grave danger.”

The CPEO stressed that such practices significantly heightened the risk of road crashes and fatalities, warning that no journey was worth the loss of human life.

He urged drivers and vehicle owners to strictly comply with prescribed loading limits, insisting that human beings must never be treated as cargo under any circumstances.

Ohaeri reaffirmed the corps’ resolve to intensify enforcement against traffic violations and ensure the safety of all road users nationwide.

FRSC Intercepts ‘Dangerously’ Overloaded Vehicle In Bauchi is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Adamu Oyanki, has survived a car crash along the Keffi–Akwanga highway on Monday.

Pictures indicate the lawmaker’s vehicle which was evacuated to the Assembly complex in Lafia was badly damaged in the incident.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, accompanied by other lawmakers, visited the assembly complex to inspect the wrecked vehicle following the incident.

Reacting, Jatau described the crash as unfortunate but expressed gratitude that no life was lost.

“We thank Almighty God for saving the life of the Deputy Speaker from the auto crash. We are grateful that he is alive and safe,” he said.

There were no immediate details on the cause of the accident as of the time of filing this report.

Nasarawa Assembly Deputy Speaker involved in car crash

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has stated that the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out precise airstrikes within the Yuwe axis of the Sambisa Forest, leading to the killing of several terrorists on Monday.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, noting that the military has sustained intense pressure on terrorist elements in the North-East.

According to him, “The operation followed credible intelligence corroborated by Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, which confirmed the presence of active terrorist elements within fortified structures and bunkers.”

He stated that NAF air assets engaged the targets with precision munitions, destroying the structures, neutralising multiple terrorists, and eliminating key logistics facilities, as confirmed by subsequent battle damage assessments.

He added that the sustained tempo of air operations continues to degrade terrorist networks, leaving them increasingly exposed and disrupted, with mounting pressure forcing them into desperate and reactive actions.

The statement also quoted the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, as reaffirming the NAF’s resolve to sustain relentless, intelligence-driven air operations until terrorist elements are completely neutralised.

He stated that the NAF remains committed to the protection of its personnel, the security of the nation, and the safety of all citizens.

He further noted that the NAF would continue to intensify precision engagements across the theatre, maintaining decisive operational pressure while adhering strictly to rules of engagement and minimising civilian harm.

NAF insists on precise airstrike in Sambisa

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has again criticized former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott for comparing the 2008 Manchester United team to the current Arsenal side that is competing for the title.

In January, Walcott caused some excitement among Manchester United fans by asking Wayne Rooney before Arsenal’s Champions League match against Inter Milan if the 2008 Manchester United team could keep up with Mikel Arteta’s 2025/26 Arsenal squad.

Rooney did not hold back in his reply, saying his unstoppable United team of 2008 would ‘batter’ the current Gunners squad.

Evra, however, was even more direct when first asked about his thoughts on Walcott’s interaction with Rooney.

The ex-defender said Walcott was drunk when he tried to compare both teams and told him to stop commenting as a pundit.

During a recent conversation with former United teammates Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs, Ferdinand mentioned Walcott’s comments.

In response, Evra joked about leaving the show and said, “That’s the problem with Arsenal. Now he’s (Walcott) comparing this team to our 2008 team.

“I believe he is a threat to society. He should not be in the TV. Like comparing… No, he’s dangerous for the kids. That’s why I keep saying they are delusional.”

The Frenchman remembered one of his old videos where he strongly criticized the Gunners, saying their title race was like a Netflix show.

“And I know I speak from the heart, but they are acting on false beliefs,” he continued. “This is disrespect. He should never be on TV again if he starts asking questions like that.”

EPL: ‘This is disrespect’ – Evra slams Walcott for comparing 2008 Man United to Arteta’s side