News
ADC Demans Access To El-Rufai, Warns ICPC Against Further Intimidation
ADC Demans Access To El-Rufai, Warns ICPC Against Further Intimidation
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Friday accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of obstructing access to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, after a delegation comprising the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; and Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, was denied access to him at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a strongly worded statement, the party said it had previously written to the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights for El-Rufai amid concerns raised by his family over the alleged denial of access to doctors and food. The ADC warned that “Nigeria and the world are watching,” insisting that the former governor was being subjected to intimidation and political persecution, while threatening to mobilise party members nationwide if access to him continues to be denied.
Eereporter.com
The full statement read:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to express its concern over the refusal of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to grant senior leaders of our party access to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a prominent leader of our party, who remains in the custody of the Commission.
Earlier today, alongside the National Secretary of our party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, we visited the headquarters of the ICPC in Abuja to see Mallam El-Rufai. Despite prior communication and formal requests, we were denied access without any reasonable explanation.
While we were at the premises awaiting a response to our request, the atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense after no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility. The heavy deployment, which appeared entirely unnecessary and disproportionate to the peaceful presence of unarmed political leaders, created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared that the mere presence of opposition leaders at the Commission could trigger public outrage.
It is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force more suited to the suppression of civil unrest. At no point did members of our delegation threaten disorder, incite confrontation, or mobilise supporters to the premises. Yet the response of the state suggested panic, fear, and an attempt to intimidate not only our party leaders, but also any Nigerian who may dare to question the treatment being meted out to opposition figures.
Such actions only reinforce growing public concern that state institutions are increasingly being used, not merely for law enforcement, but as instruments of political pressure and psychological intimidation against dissenting voices.
It is important to state that the National Secretary of the ADC had previously written officially to the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights to Mallam El-Rufai, especially in light of growing public concerns regarding his wellbeing and reports that he has faced repeated restrictions on access to family members and medical personnel.
Only days ago, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai publicly alleged that her husband was denied access to his doctor and that she was prevented from delivering food to him while in custody after arriving at the facility in the evening. Members of his family have similarly raised concerns that even court-ordered medical access was being frustrated through administrative obstruction and arbitrary protocols.
While the ICPC has publicly denied these allegations and insisted that access protocols were followed, the continued refusal to allow leaders of his political party to see him only deepens suspicion and raises further questions about the true nature of his detention.
ADC
Let it be clear: Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is not a fugitive. He voluntarily submitted himself to the authorities. Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is entitled to dignity, medical care, family access, and fair treatment under the law. What we are witnessing increasingly appears to be punishment by process, intimidation through isolation, and an attempt to break the spirit of a leading opposition figure.
The ADC will not stand by and watch one of its leaders subjected to this pattern of harassment and calculated humiliation. Nigeria is watching. The international community is watching. The world is watching.
We therefore demand that the ICPC immediately grant unrestricted access to Mallam El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party. Anything short of this will only reinforce public perception that state institutions are being weaponised against opposition voices.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress.
Eereporter.com
LG Council Chairman Construct Ultra-Modern Market Complex In Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno set to the inaugurate an ultra modern market complex constructed by the Chairman of Nsit Ubium local government area, Mr Alfred Charles.
Eereporter.com
The market comprises 3 blocks containing 36 lock- up stores, 28 open sheds with 378 partitions and 6 multipurpose sheds without partitions, market office, modern lavatory, is located at Ubium South part of the area.
The Chairman who broke the news to journalists, said Governor Umo Eno’s imprint in Nsit Ubium local government area has inspired him precipitate good governance in the grassroots.
He said the market meant to be inaugurated on Tuesday, comes with a solar powered lighting, water and modern lavatory, meant to meat the challenges of contemporary society.
Hon. Alfred Charles, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving residents’ welfare through strategic infrastructure development, said the market was an answer to years of agitation by traders in the area.
Hon. Charles who also highlighted key achievements recorded by his administration in digital technology, youth and women empowerment, said the projects were designed to improve living standards, stimulate economic activities, and expand access to essential public services.
A major milestone of the administration, he noted, is the upgrade of the council’s ICT Centre into a fully accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre.
According to him, additional computer systems were procured to meet accreditation requirements, enabling the facility to host Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations while generating revenue for the local government.
He explained that the centre which has eliminated the need for many candidates to travel to Uyo or Eket to sit for their examinations, will complement the Youth Friendly Center of the State Government, nearing completion.
“Beyond JAMB, the facility also serves as a hub for digital literacy and computer training, particularly for secondary school students.”
On infrastructure, the chairman commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for ongoing developmental projects across Nsit Ubium.
He cited the model secondary school, the General Hospital at Ikot Obio Ndo, the model farm, and several major and internal road projects as landmark interventions driving growth and improving livelihoods.
On his part, Hon. Charles also disclosed that access roads leading to the council secretariat and internal roads have been rehabilitated, bringing an end to the perennial flooding and muddy conditions that previously hindered movement during the rainy season.
He said the intervention has significantly improved accessibility for staff and visitors.
Market
Speaking on leadership, the chairman described public office as a call to service, stressing that the true measure of leadership lies in the positive impact made on the lives of the people.
He further acknowledged the contributions of his wife in mobilising women for community development initiatives and called on residents to remain united and continue supporting the administration through cooperation and prayers.
Eereporter.com
News
Alleged N27b Fraud: Witness Reveals How N1.8b Meant For Christmas Grains In Taraba Was Siphoned
Alleged N27b Fraud: Witness Reveals How N1.8b Meant For Christmas Grains In Taraba Was Siphoned
A third Prosecution Witness, PW3, in the trial l of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku alongside the former permanent Secretary in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, on Monday, July 13, 2026, informed Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory , FCT, High Court Abuja, how N1, 800, 000, 000, 000 (One Billion, Eight Hundred Million Naira), meant for the purchase of Christmas grains in Taraba State, was transferred into his company account from one of the Local Government Salary Transmission Accounts.
Eereporter.com
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ishaku and Yero on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27,000,000,000.00 (Twenty-Seven Billion Naira).
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the PW3, Taiwo Johns, informed the court that the money was deposited into his P3 Cornerstone International Nigeria Limited account, based on the Directive of his boss, the second defendant; the Director of Finance and the Chief Cashier.
“All the money paid to P3 Cornerstone was based on the directive of my boss, Alhaji Bello Yero, the permanent Secretary; Babangida Hassan, the Director of Finance and John Columba, the Chief Cashier, my immediate boss”, he said.
He disclosed that the defendants transferred funds to his accounts sixty-nine times adding that “there are serial number, date of transaction, account number debited and account name, beneficiary account number, beneficiary account name and the amount.”
He added that all the sixty-nine times the money was sent to his company account was from Gassol local government in the state.
When asked by the prosecution counsel, if he had an idea of the amount the local government transferred into his account, the witness responded “the amount will be roughly about N1.7b to N1.8billion. On instruction of the Permanent Secretary, Bello Yero, Babangida Hassan, the Director of Finance and John Columba, the Chief Cashier.”
“What did you do with the money?”, the prosecution counsel asked.
“I reported back to them that some money entered my account, then they gave me further directives either to send it to Mr. Prince, that is PW2 or to withdraw some and after the withdrawal they came with Dare Lawal, PW1, he will confirm the money, and they will go with the money. Sometimes, Alhaji Bello Yero, the Permanent Secretary will come and take it to the government house.
“How do you know he took the money to the government house?”, the counsel further asked
“Sometimes I will carry him, the second defendant and drop him at the government house with the money in a Ghana Must Go bag, drop him and then go”, the witness responded.
He added that the money credited sixty-nine times into his account was from Gassol Local Government Salary Transmission Account adding that they always used the account for salary, projects, revenue and other purposes.
He said that they paid N100m into his P3 Cornerstone account on December 24, 2018, prepared by the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and authorised by the two signatories; the permanent Secretary and Director of Finance.
The PW3 informed the court that the narration on the E-payment is for the payment of purchase of assorted grains to be distributed during Christmas and New Year on December 24, 2018.
“Look at exhibit 9, see the last transaction on page 11 of exhibit 9, see the transaction on the 24 12 2018 what is it for?”, Jacob asked.
“The last transaction is N100m, for the purchase of assorted grains for distribution during Christmas. Some of the money was withdrawn cash. My lord, you may wish to know that the account is a business account, I wait for instruction, so when the money came in, the N100 million was withdrawn by me all in cash, it was handed over to Dare Lawal by me”, the witness said.
EFCC
He added that there was a cheque of N30m on page 3 of Exhibit 11 which is also paid to his company, P3 Cornerstone Account adding that the money was not used for the purpose of buying assorted grains for distribution during Christmas.
“Did you buy any grain?”, the prosecution counsel asked.
“No Sir”, he responded
Justice Oriji thereafter adjourned the matter to July 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Eereporter.com
ADC Urges Members To Remain Calm, Says “Appeal Court Judgment Does Not Affect Primaries”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the Court of Appeal judgment on its ward, local government and state congresses has no effect on the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged for the 2027 elections.
Eereporter.com
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the ruling as legally unsustainable, confirmed it has commenced an appeal to the Supreme Court, and said the dissenting judgment better reflects the law and its position. ADC urged members and supporters to remain calm, insisting it remains committed to providing Nigerians with a credible alternative in line with the Constitution and the rule of law.
The full statement read:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) notes the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday in a matter relating to party congresses for the election of ward, local government and state executive committees of the Party.
We wish to assure members of the Party and the general public that this judgment has no effect whatsoever on the direct primaries through which the Party’s candidates have emerged at all levels.
The Party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable.
We also note the dissenting judgment of the presiding Justice, which, in our view, more accurately reflects the settled position of the law and the Party’s position.
We urge all Party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused.
ADC
The African Democratic Congress remains committed to the task of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative and will continue to pursue that mission in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Eereporter.com
-
Crime1 year agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News1 year agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime1 year agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News1 year agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News1 year agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy1 year agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?