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Why El-Rufai’s Bail Application Was Denied

Published

5 months ago

April 23, 2026

A Kaduna State High Court has denied bail to former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, in an ongoing trial over alleged financial misconduct.

Delivering a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Darius Khobo held that it was in the interest of justice for the defendant to remain in custody to ensure his availability for trial.

El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on a nine-count charge bordering on the alleged conferment of benefits under false pretences and dishonest disposal of loan funds.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to the court, the bail application was supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit, in which the former governor argued that the offences were non-capital.

He also cited his status as a former governor, his strong community ties, and his voluntary return to Nigeria from Egypt.

El-Rufai further claimed that he had underlying health conditions requiring specialist care.

The anti-corruption agency opposed the bail request, filing a counter-affidavit.

The ICPC argued that the offences were “economically sabotaging” and raised concerns about possible interference with witnesses and ongoing investigations.

It also described the defendant as a “flight risk with the means to evade trial due to his high standing in society.” The commission added that no medical evidence was provided to support claims of ill health.

In his ruling, Justice Khobo said the bail application relied heavily on El-Rufai’s status, describing it as “a double-edged sword.”

He noted that concerns raised by the ICPC about interference with investigations were significant.

According to the certified true copy (CTC) of the ruling delivered on April 21, obtained by The Cable, the judge held that the prosecution made “weighty depositions” justifying the refusal of bail, adding that the defence failed to counter them with further evidence.

The judge said, “It is, however, noteworthy here that in spite of these weighty depositions in the Prosecution/Respondent’s counter affidavit, which sought to controvert the depositions in the Applicant’s supporting affidavit, the Applicant never deemed it fit to file a further and better affidavit to further controvert the said weighty depositions in the Prosecution/Respondent’s counter affidavit.

“In the instant case, therefore, failure to file a further affidavit by the applicant to further controvert the above-outlined weighty depositions in the Respondent’s counter affidavit leaves the said weighty depositions in the counter affidavit unchallenged and deemed to be admitted as being correct, and I so hold.

“The law is trite: if in an application for bail pending trial there is good reason to believe or strongly suspect that the accused will jump bail, thereby making himself unavailable to stand his trial, and/or will interfere with the witnesses, thereby constituting an obstacle in the way of justice, the Court will be acting within its undoubted discretion to refuse bail.

“In the instant application, the applicant alluded to facts that he has health conditions requiring specialist monitoring, but the applicant did not attach any medical evidence to substantiate his claim of ill-health.

“The law is settled that where an application for bail seeks to lay claim to ill-health, credible evidence in that branch of medicine ought to be made available before the court by the Applicant.

“Accordingly, the Defendant/Applicant’s application for bail pending trial fails and is hereby REFUSED.

“The Defendant/Applicant shall remain in the custody of the Respondent (ICPC) pending the commencement of the trial.

“The Respondent/Prosecution is hereby ordered to ensure the trial of the Defendant commences expeditiously and shall be given an accelerated hearing by this Court on a day-to-day basis where practicable.”

Afterwards, the prosecutor and el-Rufai’s counsel agreed that the trial should commence the first week of June.

The case was then adjourned to June 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2026.

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Nigeria to promote national interest at UNGA — Shettima

Published

8 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria will be guided by its national interest and commitment to multilateralism as it engages world leaders at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Shettima stated this after arriving in New York on Monday to represent President Bola Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level gathering.

He said Nigeria would also advance the President’s call for reforms to global institutions to reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).

“Our message in New York is clear. Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable, and responsive to the realities of today,” Shettima said.

The Vice President added that Nigeria would engage its international partners from the standpoint of the country’s national interest while advocating a stronger voice and fairer opportunities for developing countries.

“We will engage our partners firmly from the standpoint of Nigeria’s national interest while advancing President Tinubu’s call for a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice and a fairer opportunity to prosper,” he said.

The 81st UN General Assembly’s high-level General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 26 and September 28 at the UN headquarters in New York. The theme of the session is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”

During the General Debate, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s positions on international issues relating to peace and security, development, economic growth and global cooperation.

The Vice President is also scheduled to participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

According to the State House, Nigeria will use the engagements to advance its positions on the reform of the international financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance, technology access and stronger African representation in global decision-making.

Shettima arrived in New York with the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara; Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite; and other senior government officials.

Those who received him in New York included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The UN says the General Debate provides an opportunity for heads of state, government and other high-level representatives to outline their positions and priorities on global challenges.

Source: punchng.com

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FG reveals 8,000 communities, 4,500 schools at flood risk

Published

10 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states are at risk of flooding between September 19 and 25, according to the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

The agency warned that rising river levels could trigger flooding in vulnerable communities, exposing schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands to possible inundation.

The warning was contained in the agency’s National Flood Advisory issued on Saturday by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed.

The affected states include Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.

Mohammed said rising river levels were expected to trigger flooding in several communities, putting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms and religious buildings at risk.

He urged affected state governments to urgently relocate residents living in vulnerable communities to safer locations ahead of the forecast.

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He said, “High riverine flood risk is forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River and 13 other states.

Rising river stages are expected to cause flooding.

“Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground. Stations include Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River.”

In Imo State, NiHSA listed Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru local government areas as being at risk.

The agency said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings were exposed in the state.

In Cross River State, the affected LGAs are Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra.

NiHSA identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as exposed to the flood risk.

In Ebonyi State, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs were identified as vulnerable.

The agency said 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland were exposed.

In Benue State, the affected LGAs are Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum, with 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland exposed.

NiHSA also identified Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum local government areas in Anambra State as vulnerable.

It listed 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland as exposed.

In Akwa Ibom State, Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono LGAs were listed among the affected areas.

The agency identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed in the state.

The agency advised residents in flood-prone areas, particularly communities located on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and move to higher ground where necessary.

Source: punchng.com

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LASTMA warns against using rolling skate shoes on Lagos highways

Published

24 hours ago

September 20, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has warned children, teenagers and young adults against using rolling skate shoes, wheeled footwear and similar recreational devices on public highways and other roads used by vehicles.

A statement by the Authority said the practice exposes users to serious and avoidable traffic hazards, particularly when they glide alongside moving vehicles, cross roads without proper care or move through traffic without adequate protective equipment and adult supervision.

LASTMA noted that the growing use of footwear fitted with concealed or retractable wheels on roads meant mainly for motorised traffic had become a safety concern.

It explained that public highways differ from designated recreational facilities because vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and other road users move through them at the same time, making traffic conditions unpredictable.

According to the Authority, using wheeled recreational devices in such places can make it difficult for users to react properly to sudden movements by vehicles and other road users, increasing the risk of collisions and serious injuries.

“The introduction of wheeled recreational devices into such spaces can significantly diminish a user’s ability to respond appropriately to sudden vehicular movements, creating circumstances capable of culminating in devastating collisions and life-altering injuries,” LASTMA said.

The agency urged parents, guardians, schools and caregivers to discourage children and other vulnerable road users from using rolling skate shoes for recreational activities on highways, expressways, bridges, service lanes and other areas open to vehicular traffic.

The Authority also appealed to users of the footwear to restrict skating activities to designated recreational areas, private compounds and other safe locations suitable for such activities.

It further advised users to wear appropriate protective equipment, including helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and other safety gear.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reiterated that road safety is a collective responsibility that requires constant vigilance, discipline and respect for the risks associated with public roads.

He stressed that protecting human life must remain the priority, adding that no recreational activity should expose users or other road users to avoidable danger.

LASTMA also called on motorists to exercise greater caution around children and young persons using wheeled footwear, particularly in residential areas, estates, school zones and other places where vulnerable road users could suddenly enter the road.

The Authority urged members of the public to promptly report dangerous traffic situations, road obstructions, crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other incidents requiring urgent traffic-management intervention through the LASTMA toll-free short code.

It said timely reports would help facilitate intervention by relevant responders.

LASTMA reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, promoting responsible behaviour among road users and maintaining a safer and more orderly transportation environment across Lagos State.

“Safety on Lagos roads is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a shared civic responsibility,” the agency added.

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