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Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has denied any involvement in the 2018 Offa armed robbery incident, accusing Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, of reviving “baseless” allegations to settle political scores.

Saraki, in a statement on Friday described the move to initiate criminal proceedings against him as “insidious,” insisting he had no connection – directly or indirectly – with the robbery or any criminal activity.

“Ordinarily, my attitude to this insidious move by the incumbent Governor of Kwara State… should be to shrug it off and say that we will meet in court since I know I have nothing to do with the incident,” he said.

He noted, however, that he was compelled to respond due to concerns raised by Nigerians. “For the benefit of the general public, let me categorically state that I have nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter, whatsoever,” Saraki added.

The former Senate President further alleged that the Offa robbery case was politically motivated, claiming it was orchestrated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to weaken his political influence ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“The Offa robbery incident was designed under the Buhari administration… as an instrument of blackmail to seize political power from our group in 2019,” he alleged.

Saraki cited legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, noting that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had twice found no evidence linking him to the crime.

Quoting from the reports, he said: “For the Senate President and the Kwara State Governor, this office is unable to establish… a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects.”

He added that a subsequent review reaffirmed the position, stating that “this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.”

According to Saraki, following the DPP’s advice, four suspects were prosecuted, convicted at trial, and their convictions upheld on appeal, with the matter now pending before the Supreme Court.

He accused Governor Abdulrazaq of attempting to “resurrect these baseless charges” after he granted a recent interview addressing insecurity in the state.

“I noticed that in his propaganda plan… he intentionally hid the DPP reports and other documents which put a lie to the charade he is perpetuating,” Saraki said, alleging efforts to mislead the media through “frivolous charges and skewed documents.”

Describing the development as an abuse of judicial process, Saraki vowed to challenge the move in court. “My legal team will definitely meet this governor in court,” he said.

He also alleged attempts to involve victims’ families in civil actions against him, claiming such efforts had failed. “He had tried to induce the families of the victims… but he seemed not to be making progress… because the families backed out,” he stated.

Saraki further criticised the governor, saying the allegations undermined the office of the governor. “A sitting governor who is accusing his two immediate predecessors of armed robbery is only making a mockery of the institution,” he said.

“This is an example of dirty politics taken too far and too low,” Saraki added, maintaining that the allegations against him lack credibility.

Offa Robbery: Saraki Denies Involvement, Accuses Kwara Governor Of Witch-Hunt is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

 

The Kwara State Government has filed a 20-count charge against former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over their alleged arming of suspects convicted in the April 2018 Offa bank robbery.

The charge, No. KWS/114C/26, was filed after the Court of Appeal upheld the convictions of suspects, including Ayo Akinnibosun, who had allegedly confessed during trial to being a “hitman” of Saraki’s political dynasty.

Saraki and others are to face charges, including culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy, among others. They will be arraigned before Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on June 4.

Saraki, however, has accused the state government of plotting to ruin him politically by linking him to the robbery.

Recall that vehicles and some exhibits allegedly traceable to the crime scenes were recovered from the Kwara State Government House and a state ministry in 2018, and they were used as exhibits leading to the conviction of the suspects.

Although Saraki has denied knowing Akinnibosun, the two were seen together in photographs taken during the wedding of Saraki’s child.

A contempt proceeding has been initiated against Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health over alleged disobedience to a court order.

Also joined as contemnor is the Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr Unaogu Ngozika.

The duo are said to have disobeyed an order of court which ordered the immediate reinstatement of Prof Monday Igwe as the Medical Director.

A judgement of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, had nullified the appointment of Dr. Unaogu as the Medical Director of the Hospital and ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director following the declaration that the earlier termination of his appointment is null and void.

Recall that Justice E. D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, had on 11th December 2025, delivered a judgment in which he ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe to office as the Medical Director after he declared the earlier termination of his appointment as null and void and also nullified the later appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi.

The court found that the termination of appointment of Prof. Monday Igwe’s appointment did not follow laid down disciplinary procedure.

It also held that the appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi during the pendency of the suit in which she was a party rendered it a nullity.

However, several months after the judgement was served on the Defendants, they have refused to comply with the judgment orders.

Lawyer to the plaintiff, Mr. Michael O. Okorie, Esq, had told the court that Ngozi Unaogu “has continued to perform the functions of office, including awarding contracts, bank transactions, staff appointments and other official functions despite her appointment having been declared a nullity with the legal effect that contractors and bankers dealing with her are doing such at their own peril, especially as the said judgment has not been stayed by any order for stay of execution.”

Okorie has consequently filed and served Form 48-Notice of consequence of disobedience of court orders-against the Minister of state, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Unaogu, the Medical Director.

According to the lawyer, “the Minister of State is the supervising minister who issues/conveys/signs appointment letters to the Medical Director of the Hospital on behalf of the President.

“It is time for the Minister of State to reassess his legal team at the Ministry so that they do not end up misleading him into running foul of the law which he has sworn to protect as public servant.”

Meanwhile, court documents obtained by our correspondent show that the contempt proceeding was initiated pursuant to Order IX, Rule 13(1-3) of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules, Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004, Order 63 of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure).

“TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained the order of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division delivered on the 11th December, 2025 which declared null and void the termination of appointment of the Applicant, Prof. Monday Igwe, nullified the appointment of DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA as the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and ordered the re-instatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and also, ordered the payment of the arrears of salary to Prof. Monday Igwe, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison. A copy of the said order of court earlier served on you is hereby annexed for your on-the-spot reference.

“This Court has been informed that as at today, Tuesday, 14th April, 2026 that DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA has continued to perform functions of the office of the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE while Prof. Monday Igwe has not been reinstated to office in utter disregards to the subsisting orders of this Honourable Court which execution has not been stayed,” the court notice already served on the alleged contemnors read.

Our correspondent reports that Unaogu is not new to contempt proceedings.

Last year, she was committed to prison by an Enugu State High Court presided over by Justice E.M. Egumgbe.

The court had among other things, granted a perpetual injunction against the hospital management from further scrutinising the credentials of the applicant, Mr. Afam Ndu, the suspended Acting Principal of the School of Basic Psychiatric Nursing of the hospital,The court, after deliberating on the case, ruled that Mr. ndu had his nysc and was properly employed and gave a perpetual injuction against further harassment or inquiry on the subject matter

It found that both the then Acting Medical Director, Unaogu and the Head of Clinical Services disobeyed the court order when the first contemptnor, the Acting Medical Director, Dr. Ngozi Unogu, constituted a senior staff committee headed by her to further scrutinize the NYSC discharge certificate which according to her, was a directive emanating from the office of the Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

The court in delivering the ruling, held that the Constitution of the senior staff committee by the Acting Medical Director was a fragrant disobedience to court order and therefore, committed the duo to prison and ordered that they be so detained until there is an absolute obedience to the court order contained in the judgment delivered on the 10 of December 2021.

Unaogu now faces a fresh risk of returning to prison following another alleged contempt of court.

Enugu Neuropsychiatric Hospital: Health minister, MD, risks jail over contempt

Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open to commercial ships as part of an ongoing ceasefire linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the decision follows the truce in Lebanon.

He explained that “the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire.”

However, he added that ships must follow a coordinated route set by Iran’s maritime authorities.

United States President Donald Trump welcomed the move, thanking Iran in a social media post.

Following the announcement, global oil prices fell sharply by more than 11 per cent.

The development comes after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, which began on Thursday evening.

Strait of Hormuz fully open – Iran

Ikorodu City forward, Joseph Arumala has said his priority is to help the club finish among the top teams in the 2025-26 season.

Arumala currently tops the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, top scorer’s chat with 12 goals.

He said he would not be carried away with his current goal scoring feat.

‎”I just want to enjoy the remaining games of the season,” Arumala told NPFL media.

“I am not targeting any number of goals but I just want to help my team do well so that we can finish the season very well. For me, it is a game at a time.”

Ikorodu City are aiming to win the NPFL title for the first time.

NPFL: Arumala focuses on Ikorodu City, not top scorer award

Factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Nafiu Bala Gombe, have criticised the David Mark-led faction over his purported suspension.

Addressing newsmen on Friday, Gombe said the faction does not have the authority to take disciplinary actions within the party.

According to him, the matter is already before the court.

Recall that the David Mark-led ADC has expelled Gombe, and a member of the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide.

Reacting to the purported suspension, Gombe said, “David Mark-led faction does not have any power to suspend me. Our matter is still in court.”

DAILY POST reports that the ADC has recently been faced with internal political wranglings with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, stripping David Mark off his position as the national chairman of the party.

ADC Crisis: Nafiu Gombe breaks silence over purported suspension

Ibrahim Abdulkarim, a political associate of fomer Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the presidential race ahead of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, primary, suggesting it would preserve his legacy and make way for a new political direction.

Speaking on Trust TV on Friday, Abdulkarim argued that Atiku’s long political career should be honoured with a dignified exit rather than another contest.

“Atiku will be 80 years old next year. We don’t want to defeat him. Considering his work from 1992 till this day, we know he is not going to win, so we are giving him a soft landing to withdraw from the ADC presidential primary so he can look good in the eyes of young Nigerians.”

He added that stepping aside would allow Atiku’s name to be remembered positively by future generations.

“That way, his name can be honoured by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Timing is everything in politics, and this is the time of the South. Age is not on his side.”

Abdulkarim further insisted that the party should rally behind a joint ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, citing the strength of their grassroots support bases.

“We have very strong movements the Obidient movement and the Kwankwassiyya movement. Those around him are not telling him what they are supposed to be telling him.”

He maintained that an Obi–Kwankwaso alliance would present a strong hold capable of mobilising young voters for the next general election.

2027: Withdraw from ADC presidential primaries – Ibrahim Abdulkarim tells Atiku

The Nigerian government banned the use of the title “Ambassador” by unauthorized individuals.

The federal government, by so doing, said the ambassador title is strictly for individuals formally appointed and accredited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.

Ebienfa raised concerns over what he described as growing confusion caused by individuals presenting themselves as ambassadors without official authorization.

He explained that the ministry had continued to receive inquiries from foreign diplomatic missions seeking to verify the status of Nigerians claiming ambassadorial credentials, a situation he said was straining official communication channels.

“The Ministry has been receiving inquiries from diplomatic missions asking us to verify the status of Nigerians parading themselves as ambassadors,” he said.

According to him, the trend is being driven by organizations that unlawfully confer such titles.

He noted that while some groups and private establishments legitimately appoint individuals as brand ambassadors for promotional purposes, many recipients wrongly elevate the designation into a formal diplomatic identity.

“All these categories of persons, more often than not, add the prefix ‘Ambassador’ to their names, and that is causing serious confusion,” he said.

Ebienfa further revealed that some Nigerians had fallen victim to schemes operated by groups offering so-called ambassadorial appointments in exchange for payments running into millions of naira.

He described such arrangements as fraudulent, noting that the packages allegedly include appointment letters, diplomatic passports, vehicle number plates, and identity cards falsely linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The package includes an appointment letter, diplomatic passport, vehicle number plates, and identity card. This is completely false and misleading,” he said.

The ministry stressed that such practices amount to impersonation and fraud, warning that offenders would face prosecution under relevant laws.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is only the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has the prerogative to appoint and accredit ambassadors,” Ebienfa stated.

Nigerian govt bans unauthorized use of ambassador title

Popular sports broadcast journalist with Classic FM 97.3, Temisan Okomi, has died.
A journalist with News Central, Olawale Adigun, confirmed his death in a statement shared on X on Friday.

He wrote on X, “The worst way to go into the weekend is hearing about Temisan Okomi’s passing. I’m so gutted and, at the same time, terrified. This man meant so much to me.”

DAILY POST reports that news of his death has since stirred reactions on X, with colleagues and fans expressing shock and grief.

The late journalist had worked with Lagos Television, HiTV, and other prominent media organizations in Nigeria.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that his last post on X was on April 14, 2026, when he wrote, “The Champions League is hard, man.”

SEE HERE

BREAKING: Popular Nigerian journalist Okomi is dead

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to domestic airline operators to suspend plans to ground flights next week over the sharp increase in the price of Jet A1 aviation fuel, warning that any shutdown would have serious economic and social consequences. The minister’s intervention followed threats by the Airline Operators of […]