News
ADC Tells FG On El-Rufai, Malami: Justice Must Not Be Selective
ADC Tells FG On El-Rufai, Malami: Justice Must Not Be Selective
ADC tells FG on El-Rufai, Malami: Justice must not be selective – says party will stand by its members.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the Federal Government of applying justice selectively in the ongoing legal cases involving, former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), both members of the opposition party.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the contrasted their treatment with a separate high-profile case involving allegations of passport forgery and international conspiracy, where the accused were granted bail and proceedings are moving swiftly.
The full statement read:
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has been monitoring the ongoing legal cases involving two of our leaders, Mr. Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from Kebbi State, and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State.
As a law-abiding party, it is important to state for the record that the ADC believes no citizen, regardless of stature or past office, is above the law. However, in a constitutional democracy where the law is seen to operate selectively, it becomes imperative to insist, firmly and without apology, that justice must be applied evenly, transparently, and without political calculation, particularly in cases such as those involving Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai, where the manner, speed, and sequence of enforcement actions have understandably raised serious public concern about consistency and fairness.
The movement of Malami and El-Rufai from the custody of one law enforcement agency to another, in rapid succession, while investigations appear ongoing, has raised profound public concern. When a citizen is transferred from one detention facility to another before investigations are demonstrably concluded, it inevitably begs the question: is detention being used as an investigative shortcut, or as an instrument of pressure to keep these opposition leaders out of circulation? In a democracy that is supposed to be governed by the rule of law, custody must follow credible, well-prepared charges, not precede them in a manner that creates the appearance of pre-trial punishment.
If there is evidence against Abubakar Malami, prosecute him transparently. If there is evidence against Nasir El-Rufai, present it before the court and allow the law to take its course. But Nigeria and Nigerians will not accept a situation where the coercive instruments of the Bola Tinubu-led federal government are perceived to move with unusual speed against opposition figures, while similar matters elsewhere travel at a gentler pace.
Nigerians should consider a recent high-profile case. At its center are grave allegations of passport forgery, international conspiracy, impersonation, and the alleged use of a disputed international passport in support of a property claim in London. These are not minor procedural questions. They touch on issues of national integrity and international credibility. Yet, in that case, the accused persons pleaded not guilty, were granted bail, and the matter is proceeding with dispatch before the court.
Yet, in the cases involving Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai, we have witnessed prolonged custodial movements, inter-agency transfers, and processes that appear to precede, rather than follow, fully crystallized prosecution.
At the same time, let there be no ambiguity about our position. Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai are first citizens of Nigeria before they are opposition leaders or members of the African Democratic Congress. They are therefore presumed innocent under the Constitution until proven otherwise in a fair and competent court of law. That presumption should not be treated as a courtesy, but as a constitutional guarantee.
ADC, Tinubu
We will continue to stand by our members as they assert their legal rights. We will ensure that they are not isolated, intimidated, or denied the protections that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to under the law. We will never abandon our people in moments of trial. We will never leave any of our members behind. To stand by them is not to obstruct justice, it is to insist that justice be done properly.
Accordingly, ADC calls for immediate public clarification from the relevant authorities on the precise status and stage of investigations concerning Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai, strict adherence to constitutional safeguards protecting against arbitrary or prolonged detention, transparent and time-bound prosecution of any charges supported by credible evidence, and equal application of the law without discrimination based on political alignment.
In moments such as this, nations define themselves. ADC chooses to define Nigeria as a country that is founded on the equal application of the law, not a country that is governed by the whims of the executive branch.
As a party, we also choose to insist that justice must be impartial, consistent, and immune from any political mathematics and machinations.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress
Pensioners Threaten Nationwide Protest, Demand Governors Urgently Review Payment
The National Association of Retirees of State Governments has threatened a nationwide protest unless state governors urgently review pension payments in line with existing labour laws.
Simon Anchaver, president of the union, made the call in Yenagoa at the inauguration of the Bayelsa interim executive of the newly registered union.
The union demanded that the 36 state governors prioritise pension payments.
They equally called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a ministry for pension affairs to guarantee annual budgetary allocations for pensioners’ welfare.
Eereporter.com
The union bemoaned the arbitrary payment of pensions by some governors, and commended the Nasarawa state governor for releasing N7 billion to clear pension arrears and gratuity.
Its national secretary, Bipre Ndiomu, said the union was newly registered and currently inaugurating state executives. He urged state governors to put in place the modalities to guarantee the welfare of pensioners across the country.
Protest Demolition
Bayelsa’s head of service, Wisdom Sawyer, urged the executive to serve as a bridge between retirees and the government, adding that the state government was open to engagement on outstanding issues.
The newly inaugurated state chairman, Bazigha Tanwei, accepted the mandate and promised an open-door policy, regular consultations with members, and sustained advocacy with the state government to clear arrears.
Financial Literacy: NNPC Foundation Trains Batch A Stream 2 Corps Members
In continuation of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives on financial literacy, the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte has conducted its second 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) skills empowerment training for Batch A, Stream 2 corps members at the FCT NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja, over the weekend.
Delivered in partnership with the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) scheme, the programme covers financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business development. Its training structure also includes a financial literacy test, a “Kick Start My Business” course, and business proposal pitching.
Eereporter.com
Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, who was represented by the Head, Programme Management, Rose Okonkwo, noted that over one million corps members have been trained nationwide through the programme.
Acting Director of SAED, Usman Yahaya, commended the NNPC Foundation for its consistent support, urging the corps members to acquire multiple skills during their service year in order to position themselves as job creators and not job seekers.
NNPC, NYSC
It would be recalled that last year, 531 youths received Starter Packs and financial support to help them launch their businesses, with most beneficiaries recording measurable progress across their various enterprises.
The NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte has, through the financial literacy programme, sustained its commitment to preparing young Nigerians towards sustainable careers and self-reliance, contributing to national economic growth and development.
News
CAS Reaffirms Commitment To Aircraft Safety, Operational Excellence At NAF Airworthiness Seminar
CAS Reaffirms Commitment To Aircraft Safety, Operational Excellence At NAF Airworthiness Seminar
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has restated his unwavering commitment to enhancing operational safety and sustaining peak combat readiness through rigorous training, strict adherence to airworthiness standards, and the continuous modernisation of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Air Marshal Aneke made this known on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, while declaring open a two-day Airworthiness Seminar organised by the Aircraft Engineering Branch at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja. The seminar brought together senior engineering officers, maintenance commanders, logistics experts, and key aviation stakeholders to deliberate on strategies aimed at improving aircraft safety, fleet sustainability, and operational readiness across the Service.
Speaking at the event, the CAS, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal AY Abdullahi, emphasised that airworthiness remains non-negotiable in the effective projection of decisive air power, stressing that the safety and reliability of NAF platforms are critical to mission success in ongoing counter-terrorism and internal security operations nationwide. He noted that the seminar aligns with his command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Air Force into a more capable, professional, and mission-ready fighting force through innovation, discipline, and high operational standards.
Eereporter.com
Air Marshal Aneke further stated that the institutionalisation of stringent maintenance procedures, continuous capacity development, and a strong culture of professionalism, anchored on purposeful lethality, mission effectiveness, and sustained combat capability, will remain enduring principles guiding the Service into the future.
NAF Airworthiness Seminar
A major highlight of the seminar was a technical presentation delivered by Mr Clementi Giorgio, Executive Chairman, Chief Technology Officer, Experienced Test Pilot, Flight Test Engineer, and Flight Test Instructor from the International Test Pilot School, Ontario, Canada.
During his presentation, Mr Giorgio shared global best practices on flight test safety, airworthiness certification, and emerging technologies in aircraft maintenance management.
The seminar is expected to further strengthen the NAF’s maintenance culture, operational efficiency, and readiness to meet contemporary air power demands in defence of the nation.
-
Crime12 months 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
-
Economy12 months agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?