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Gumi Speaks On Call To Arrest Him Over His Statements On Banditry

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Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has fired back at critics calling for his arrest over his long-standing engagement with bandits, describing them as “spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people.”

It was reports that Gumi, who shared a statement on Facebook on Sunday, has for years positioned himself as a mediator between the government and armed bandit groups. This role has drawn both praise and condemnation from Nigerians.

His critics accuse him of shielding terrorists by urging government dialogue rather than a military crackdown.

The cleric insisted he has broken no law and said the loudest voices demanding his arrest are motivated by bigotry and ignorance.

He wrote, “ARREST HIM!!! These are the only words some spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people can utter.”

According to him, these individuals prefer outrage to reasoned debate, choosing to politicise his peace initiatives rather than address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Gumi recalled one of his major interventions in January 2021 in the Sabon Garin Yadi forest, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He said the mission was conducted with the full knowledge and approval of security agencies.

“I was at Sabon Garin Yadi forest, accompanied by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police… This meeting was part of a peace initiative where we preached to over 600 bandits and their commanders, who agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for security and basic amenities,” he said.

He added that the negotiation was legitimate, transparent and aimed at de-escalating violence.

The cleric said the agreement collapsed after government authorities failed to honour the conditions presented by the armed groups, including access to basic amenities, assurances of safety and protection from arbitrary arrests.

He argued that instead of holding officials accountable for the breakdown of the peace process, some Nigerians have targeted him unfairly.

Gumi said, “The outcome was that over 600 bandits agreed to lay down their arms. They presented conditions… None fulfilled.”

He questioned why efforts aimed at persuading bandits to surrender their weapons should provoke the kind of public anger now directed at him.

He asked, “So, what is there to arrest for? For calling them to lay arms or amenities for them, or to educate the nation on their side of the story?”

He further argued that the calls for his arrest amount to intolerance and disregard for free expression.

Gumi stated, “Is free speech no longer part of our constitutional right? Is their call for arrest not also prejudiced and an incitement to more violence?”

Gumi urged Nigerians to rise above emotional reactions and support practical, long-term solutions to insecurity.

He warned that silencing voices advocating dialogue will not address the deep-rooted socioeconomic and security failures driving banditry across the country.

The cleric concluded with a prayer for unity, saying, “May Allah protect our nation from bigotry, stubborn and complete intolerance of contrary views and opinions.”

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Sowore Demands Arrest Of Senator Ned Nwoko Over Alleged Human Rights Abuses

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Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of the Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, over allegations ranging from cross-border sex trafficking to unlawful detention and misuse of state security agencies.

Sowore made the demand in a video posted on his 𝕏 account on Sunday, insisting that the controversy extended far beyond the alleged illegal detention of Regina Daniels’ brother, Samuel Ojeogwu, popularly known as Sammy West.

He said, “The outcry surrounding Senator Ned Nwoko goes far beyond the unlawful detention of his now-estranged wife, Regina Daniels’ brother, Sammy West. What we are witnessing is part of a larger, troubling pattern involving the exploitation of underage girls across borders and the misuse of state power.”

Sowore alleged that Nwoko had a long-standing history of human rights abuses aided by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, whom he described as “now-disgraced” officers acting as the lawmaker’s “private enforcers.”

According to him, “This so-called billionaire was just throwing people in prison. When we got to prison, we found nine people who had been put in prison by the same Ned Nwoko from his village.”

Sowore further claimed that Nwoko once “hijacked” a woman’s father following a dispute, adding that several families had publicly accused the Senator of using the police to oppress them.

He warned, “Anybody who is a public figure, who is in political office, our duty, first and foremost, is to hold them to account, no matter how powerful they are.”

The activist also accused the Senator of being involved in “international sex trafficking crimes,” alleging that he brought underage girls from Morocco and other countries into Nigeria.

He clarified that his intervention was not about defending Regina Daniels but about confronting what he described as systematic abuse of political and police power.

Sowore said, “I’m not fighting for Regina Daniels. I’m fighting against the abuse of office by a Nigerian Senator who is colluding with the Nigerian police and has had a history of using the police to oppress people.”

He cited the arrest of TikToker Timothy Gabriel (Turmar), who was detained after making claims about Regina Daniels’ children.

He alleged, “The Senator procured the Nigerian police, got Turmar arrested and sent him to prison. When he came out, he had been battered so badly and was forced to apologize.”

He also recounted his own experience in 2021, when he met nine detainees allegedly jailed at Nwoko’s behest over a land dispute related to the Senator’s Sports University project.

Sowore criticised the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly enabling Nwoko’s actions.

He said, “Ned has got a huge amount of support from the Nigerian police. They go to his house to eat every day. Shame on the Nigerian police for selling the police force for free.”

The activist noted that his call for accountability stemmed from a broader struggle against impunity and human rights violations entrenched in Nigeria’s political and security institutions.

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Lagos AG Debunks Claim That Baba Ijesha Was Cleared

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The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has dismissed claims circulating online that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was freed after being “cleared” by the Court of Appeal.

Pedro, who spoke with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, described the reports — originally shared by actor Yomi Fabiyi and later reproduced by an online medium as “false, misleading and irresponsible.”

He said the claims amounted to a distortion of judicial records and were capable of misleading the public

Pedro clarified that, contrary to social media insinuations, the Court of Appeal did not exonerate Baba Ijesha of the sexual offences for which he was convicted in 2022.

He said, “Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.”

The Attorney-General noted that the clarification followed Fabiyi’s assertion that the appellate court had declared the entire case a “charade.”

Pedro outlined the complete judicial trail of the case, July 14, 2022: The Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over incidents that occurred in 2021. He received sentences of five years and three years, to run concurrently.

June 28, 2024: The Court of Appeal set aside convictions related to alleged offences from 2013–2014, but upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault.

May 29, 2025: Baba Ijesha’s appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out for incompetence.

October 9, 2025: His motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed, leaving the Court of Appeal judgment intact.

Pedro emphasised that the actor’s release was solely due to completing his term of imprisonment, not from any acquittal.

He criticised Yomi Fabiyi and others spreading the misinformation, warning that such actions could cause unnecessary fear and public confusion.

He said the Office of the Attorney-General would not hesitate to prosecute the publication of false news intended to alarm the public, citing Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.

He urged the public to disregard the misleading reports and emphasised the state’s unwavering commitment to child protection and proper enforcement of criminal convictions.

Pedro reiterated that Lagos would continue to safeguard minors and ensure that judicial outcomes are accurately represented.

He added that no individual or platform should trivialise offences against children by circulating unverified claims.

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‘You Are Forgiven’ – Obasanjo Ends Rifts With Fayose

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Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has publicly declared that he has forgiven former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, effectively drawing a line under their long-standing political feud.

It was reports that Obasanjo made the remarks on Saturday at Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration held in Lagos.

The former president’s comments, captured in a viral video, drew loud applause from guests at the event.

Obasanjo said the event provided an opportunity for “celebration, reflection and correction,” before recalling the circumstances under which he agreed to attend.

The former President of Nigeria said, “You are not the best of my political children, but you have made achievements that must not be ignored.”

The former president revealed that Fayose did not reach out to him directly but sent former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka to “sound him out.”

Obasanjo recounted, “When Osita, who also is a political child, came, I said, ‘Well, if he (Fayose) has sent you and you have delivered the message, then tell him that you have delivered the message.’”

He added that Fayose had privately sought forgiveness.

“So, you have asked for forgiveness, and as far as I’m concerned, you are forgiven. But the right lessons must be learnt,” Obasanjo said.

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