Category: News

The court, presided over by Justice Abdulsalam Mohammed of Gombe State High Court No. 8, delivered the judgment after the defendants pleaded guilty to some of the charges brought against them.

The defendants are Mohammed Isah, also known as Chindo; Kawuni Sarki; Manu Saleh; Umar Jibrin, also known as Daddy; and Adamu Nasiru, all from Gadam village in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State.

A sixth defendant, Abdullahi Umar Dauda, was also arraigned in connection with the case.

The prosecution, led by state counsel, Ahmed Yakubu Gombe, told the court that the defendants were facing a 10-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, attempt to commit an offence, causing indignity to a corpse, unlawful entry into a graveyard, theft, destruction of public property, membership of an unlawful society, use of unlawful charms, and unlawful possession of a human head.

According to the prosecutor, the offences were committed on September 11, 2025, at the Gadam Muslim graveyard in Kwami Local Government Area.

Yakubu told the court that the defendants conspired with two other suspects, Aliyu Baka and Reuben, who are currently at large, to exhume the grave of a deceased person identified as Malam Manu Wanzam.

“They jointly exhumed the grave of the late Malam Manu Wanzam, unwrapped the burial shroud and brought out the fresh corpse. The defendants then removed the two eyes from the corpse,” the prosecutor told the court.

He added that one of the suspects, who is still at large, fled the scene with the plucked eyes, allegedly for ritual purposes.

“The accused persons unlawfully entered the Muslim graveyard at night, exhumed the corpse and removed the eyes of the deceased for ritual purposes, thereby causing indignity to the corpse and the grave,” Yakubu said.

The prosecutor further stated that the defendants also attempted to exhume another grave in the same cemetery on the same day.

He noted that the offences are punishable under Sections 96, 95, 218, 213, 286, 335, 306, 97A, 97B, 216 and 219 of the Penal Code Law.

During the proceedings, the defendants pleaded guilty to some of the charges after the court interpreter explained the charges to them.

Following their plea, the prosecution urged the court to summarily try them on the counts to which they admitted guilt, citing Sections 335(2) and 355(2) of the Gombe State Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

Delivering judgment, Justice Abdulsalam Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendants accordingly.

The court sentenced Mohammed Isah (Chindo), Kawuni Sarki, Manu Saleh, Umar Jibrin (Daddy), and Adamu Nasiru to six months’ imprisonment under Section 218 of the Penal Code.

They were also sentenced to one year’s imprisonment each on additional counts.

On the charge of theft, the court convicted Mohammed Isah, Kawuni Sarki, and Adamu Nasiru and sentenced them to two years’ imprisonment each.

Justice Mohammed ordered that the sentences should run consecutively.

Accordingly, Mohammed Isah was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment; Manu Saleh to two years and six months’ imprisonment; Umar Jibrin to two years and six months’ imprisonment; while Adamu Nasiru was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment.

In his ruling, the judge said, “Having pleaded guilty to some of the charges, the defendants are hereby convicted and sentenced as stated by the court.”

The court further ordered that the trial would continue on the remaining counts against the defendants.

Justice Mohammed subsequently adjourned the case to April 16, 2026, for continuation of the hearing. Punch

The Minister of Defense made the appeal on Thursday while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

General Musa led Service Chiefs to the meeting to give President Tinubu an update on the war against terrorism.

Checks revealed that over 100 women and children were abducted last weekend when terrorists stormed Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government of Borno State.

The terrorists belonging to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), in a coordinated attacks allegedly overran a military base belonging to the 82 Division Task Force Battalion before storming the community and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

The Minister of Defense maintained that the terrorists are taking more casualties but expressed concern that only pockets of attack on the men on theatre operations by the terrorists get mentioned in the media.

He said: “Our appeal to Nigerians is not to get tired, not to be discouraged because sometimes when you hear those news, you will think it is just what is happening, but it is not, it is far from that.

“The terrorists, the bandits, are taking more casualties; their commanders are being killed. We have lost a number of very courageous officers and men, highly regrettable, but we want to assure Nigerians that it is the commitment we are putting on ground to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secured.

“New things, the President has promised more equipment for us to be able to protect the country against the war and we are sure of victory.

“Like I said, it’s war, and you know war comes in and out and because again, it’s usual with the terrorists during the Ramadan period, they feel when they die they are going to heaven, so they are ready to commit any offence or to get killed because they have reward.”

The Minister of Defense maintained that the military has adjusted its strategies and expressed satisfaction that it is winning the war.

He further attributed the recent breakthrough to President Tinubu, whom he commended for giving adequate support in terms of arms and ammunition and other logistics needs to the men on theatre operations.

“But like I said, we have adjusted our strategies, you can see in the past few days we have taken over those locations, we have killed their commanders, we have taken over their assets, we will continue to do more.

“And I assure you, Mr President has approved many things are coming on our line and we are working together as a team, as you can see all members of the security forces are here to assure Nigerians and Mr President that we are on track and we will succeed.” Tribune

The LPDC panel held that the allegations bordering on NYSC participation, Nigerian Law School training, and enrolment at the Supreme Court fall entirely outside the LPDC’s jurisdiction as it dismissed the complaint for being fundamentally flawed both procedurally and substantively.

The panel noted that the Statement of Facts was erroneously addressed to the Chairman of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee rather than the Chairman of the LPDC, as required under Rule 4 of the LPDC Rules, 2020. While the panel chose to overlook this error, it could not rescue the complaint on merit.

The LPDC stressed that it is established solely to regulate the professional conduct of enrolled legal practitioners in the discharge of their duties to the public, as provided under Section 10 of the Legal Practitioners Act.

It will be recalled that the complaint was brought by one John Martins, who alleged that Representative Kalu, formerly known as Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu before a legal name change, had simultaneously participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme while attending the Nigerian Law School, in alleged violation of the NYSC Act. Channels TV

The high-level meeting was convened by the Minister of Defence and attended by all Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Speaking after the meeting, Christopher Musa confirmed that recent attacks had been carried out against military installations but stressed that insurgents suffered heavier casualties.

Gen. Musa said, “We acknowledge the recent attacks on some of our military installations, but casualties have been higher on the side of the terrorists.”

He urged Nigerians to remain confident in the capabilities of the military to restore security across affected regions.

“We want Nigerians to remain confident in the abilities of the Armed Forces. Our troops are committed to defeating all threats to national security,” he said.

The defence chief also issued a strong warning to individuals suspected of aiding insurgent groups.

“Those collaborating with terrorists or supplying them with logistics should desist immediately. They will be apprehended soonest,” Musa warned.

According to military authorities, operations have been intensified in several high-risk areas including the Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, the Mandara Mountains, and the Lake Chad Basin.

The strategy review follows a series of deadly insurgent attacks in Borno State, where the military lost at least three commanding officers leading forward operating bases within a seven-day period.

The attacks were reportedly carried out by fighters linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, two extremist groups that have carried out a prolonged insurgency in northeastern Nigeria. Arise News

The directive followed concerns over the surge in petrol and diesel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its ripple effects on global energy markets.

Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed the development to State House correspondents on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after a meeting with the President.

Ahmed said Tinubu is closely monitoring global developments and their implications for Nigeria’s energy costs, particularly the effect of the Middle East crisis on transportation expenses.

According to him, the President directed the initiative to accelerate the rollout of CNG infrastructure and alternative mobility solutions across the country in order to provide Nigerians with cheaper transportation options.

“The President, as usual, is always trying to get information on what is going on, especially with the war in the Middle East and the rising cost of petrol and diesel.

“He wanted to know what we are doing at Pi-CNG and EV to scale up the availability of gas and CNG everywhere in the country so that people would have less cost of transportation,” he said.

Ahmed explained that the government plans to deploy about 100,000 CNG conversion kits within the next two to three weeks to enable vehicle owners to convert their engines to run on gas.

The kits will be distributed in collaboration with several stakeholders and will target commercial transport operators, including tricycle and vehicle owners.

“So we have about 100,000 kits that we’re going to deploy in the next two to three weeks. The conversion centres will all be bustling with a lot of activities,” he said.

Ahmed added that the initiative will also fast-track the development of infrastructure to support CNG refuelling and electric vehicle charging across the country.

He said the President specifically directed that infrastructure expansion should focus on major transport corridors, particularly within the northern part of the country.

“We must be able to fast-track the infrastructure in bringing gas, CNG and electric mobility charging infrastructure to every part of the country, especially within the Northern Corridor,” Ahmed said.

He noted that about 77 CNG refilling stations are currently at various stages of development nationwide.

Ahmed cited Kano as an example where two Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas stations are already operational, while several additional facilities are under construction.

According to him, the government plans to establish a network of refuelling stations along key transport routes from Lokoja through Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano up to Maiduguri.

“These are all places that we are going to litter with a lot of refuelling units,” he said.

Ahmed further disclosed that the Pi-CNG initiative is working with local and international manufacturers to support vehicle conversion and the local assembly of CNG-powered and electric vehicles.

He said several manufacturers had already indicated interest in establishing assembly lines in Nigeria, a move expected to create jobs and strengthen the country’s automotive sector.

He added that the initiative is also collaborating with the Rural Electrification Agency to deploy solar-powered charging stations to support electric vehicles, especially in off-grid locations.

Ahmed noted that Nigerians were already importing electric vehicles and stressed that the government’s priority is to ensure adequate infrastructure to support their usage.

“People are already bringing in their electric vehicles regardless. What we have to do now is to ensure that there is enough infrastructure for them to work with, especially off-grid,” he said.

He added that the President expects rapid implementation of the programme to ensure Nigerians can quickly access cheaper and more sustainable transport alternatives.

Igwe was kidnapped last week Sunday on his way to church; his abductors later killed him after demanding a ransom.

The police had earlier arrested nine suspects, including the State Publicity Secretary of APC.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Joshua Ukandu, in a statement, said that one of the suspects led operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to his hideout, where the suspect was arrested.

He said that items recovered from the suspect include one SMG rifle, one pump-action rifle, three locally made Beretta pistols, eleven rounds of 9mm live ammunition, ten live cartridges, a machete, a shovel, and assorted charms.

“In furtherance of the Command’s ongoing investigation into the kidnapping and murder of HRH Eze Francis Igwe, on 7th March 2026, one of the suspects led operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to his lair.

“During a search of the location, officers recovered one SMG rifle, one pump-action rifle, three locally made Beretta pistols, eleven rounds of 9mm live ammunition, ten live cartridges, a machete, a shovel, and assorted charms.

“Furthermore, on 8th March 2026, operatives arrested one of the suspects and the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping and murder of the monarch, identified as Nwazunku Stephen, at his hideout in Ikwo after sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations. The suspect has since provided useful information and is currently assisting the command in the ongoing investigation.

“The Command assures the public that investigations are ongoing and all those connected to the crime will be apprehended and brought to justice,” Ukandu stated. Vanguard

Titled “Act to Give Effect to the Provisions of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria; and for Related Matters”, the bill which received presidential assent in February, 2026 stands in the name of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives as the lead sponsor alongside 6 other lawmakers which include Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Hon. Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, Hon. Blessing Onuh, Hon. Nasiru Shehu, Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke and Hon. Steve Fatoba as co-sponsors.

The piece of legislation previously passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives, ultimately seeks to domesticate and enforce in Nigeria the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons.

It also seeks to eliminate the root causes of internal displacement in Nigeria in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and other relevant laws and international instruments to which Nigeria is a party.

It will be recalled that Nigeria alongside other 32 African Union members launched into the ratification during the Kampala Convention in 2009.

The 32 countries included Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Rwanda, Saharawi Arab Republic, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, eSwatini, Togo, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The objectives of the legislation are to provide a legal and institutional framework for the prevention, mitigation and elimination of root causes of internal displacement; make provision for the protection, assistance and durable solutions for internally displaced persons in Nigeria; ensure the protection of the human rights of internally displaced persons in line with the provisions of the Constitution, relevant laws, and international instruments to which Nigeria is a party; provide for the obligations, responsibilities and roles of government agencies (“competent authorities”) and non-state actors; and provide a comprehensive and gender friendly framework for national response, coordination and collaboration for the protection, assistance and humanitarian interventions relating to internal displacement.

Others are to promote solidarity, cooperation, durable solutions and mutual support among State Parties to the Convention, State Parties and non-state actors, competent authorities, and non-state actors in collaboration with relevant agencies, in order to combat displacement and address its consequences.

Available report says that Nigeria is challenged by severe, long-term humanitarian crises with millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), struggling with extreme poverty, hunger, disease, and lack of security in mostly informal camps.

This is primarily due to Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, farmer-herder conflicts and natural disasters.

Essentially, the domestication of the Kampala Convention marks a significant step towards protecting IDPs in Nigeria as it is expected to check overcrowded, under-resourced shelters, limited access to healthcare and education.

In his reaction to the development, the Deputy Speaker, Kalu commended President Tinubu for signing the Act, stating that he has given a human face to the suffering of IDPs, demonstrating his commitment to addressing their plight.

He urged Nigerians to support the efforts of the government in implementing the Kampala Convention.

“We must work together to address the humanitarian crisis and provide durable solutions for IDPs. The international community is also called upon to partner with Nigeria in addressing the root causes of displacement”, he said.