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Wike Acted Within His Rights To Inspect Disputed Land, Military Officers Overstepped Their Authority Says Falana

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Falana Challenges FG

Wike Acted Within His Rights To Inspect Disputed Land, Military Officers Overstepped Their Authority Says Falana

Wike acted within his rights to inspect disputed land, military officers overstepped their authority says Falana. Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), was within his legal rights to inspect a disputed land in Abuja.
On Tuesday, viral videos showed Wike being stopped by military personnel from accessing the site, sparking a heated argument with an officer.

In the footage, Wike was seen stepping in to defuse the situation, separating his security detail from the soldiers as tensions escalated.
Speaking with the officers, the minister demanded to see the approval granted to the owners of the land.

A soldier, who led the group, told Wike that his men were not intimidating anyone, stating that the landowner had all the necessary documents.
Speaking at an event at the University of Abuja on Thursday, Falana condemned the minister’s public insult of the military officer, saying no public official has the right to ridicule any Nigerian.

“The president must direct the minister to apologise. That is what is done in civilised societies,” Falana said, citing a similar incident in Ghana where a deputy minister was compelled to withdraw offensive remarks.

Falana criticised the military officers who prevented the minister from carrying out his statutory duty, describing their actions as an overreach of authority.

He recalled that under section 11 of the Land Use Act, the FCT minister and state governors have unquestionable powers to enter and inspect any land within their jurisdiction.
The human right activist said the military officer who stopped Wike was acting illegally, reportedly on orders from above.
“The minister was performing his statutory duty. Any occupier of land must allow the minister or governor to enter and inspect the property,” Falana said.

He added that if the minister was prevented from performing his duty, the proper course of action would have been to withdraw and seek redress through legal channels, such as filing a petition or obtaining a court order.

“On no ground can the minister take the law into his own hands by forcing himself and abusing a military officer,” he said.
Falana dismissed claims that insulting a military officer in uniform constitutes a threat to national security, emphasising that a uniform is merely clothing and does not confer superiority.
The senior lawyer also criticised US President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria to protect Christians, highlighting America’s own struggles with gun violence.

Falana Challenges FG

Falana

“In the last five years, about 280,000 Americans have been killed by gunmen, including school children and worshippers. Trump cannot stop that because of the powerful influence of weapons manufacturers,” he said.

He urged Nigerians, especially the youth and lawyers, to unite and insist that every Nigerian’s life matters.

“Are you prepared to go to arms to save the life of every Nigerian? The time is now,” he said. At the event, law students of the University of Abuja conferred the honorary title of “senior advocate of the masses” on Falana in recognition of his decades-long commitment to justice and public interest litigation.

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IGP Disu Receives INEC Chairman, Pledges Robust Partnership, Security For All Electorates

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IGP Disu Receives INEC Chairman

IGP Disu Receives INEC Chairman, Pledges Robust Partnership, Security For All Electorates

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, today hosted the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, and his delegation at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, to formalize a strategic roadmap for peaceful elections.

The meeting which had in attendance, the Force Management Team, other notable delegates from the commission, including the National commissioner, North-Central Region, Professor Sanni Muhammed; the National Commissioners, North-East Region, Mrs. Jamila Abubakar Malafa and Dr. Baba Bila, the National Commissioner, South-South Region, Rear Admiral Rhoda Gumus, National Commissioner, South-West Region, Professor Kunle Ajayi, and very senior Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, focused on the security architecture required for the upcoming electoral cycle, specifically addressing the impacts of current national security challenges on the fast-approaching Ekiti and Osun off-cycle elections, the upcoming bye-elections and the 2027 General Elections.

Eereporter.com
In his remarks, Professor Amupitan, SAN, underscored the urgent need for proactive security measures and specialized training for personnel. He particularly advocated for a secure environment that ensures Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) can exercise their constitutional franchise without fear or hindrance.

In his response, IGP Olatunji Disu described the visit as a timely intervention for democratic stability. He disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force has already activated strategic measures, including precision intelligence mapping to neutralize political violence, cult-related activities, and intimidation; Robust planning for a secured movement of electoral materials and personnel; Harmonized communication with sister security agencies to ensure a seamless operational front; and Counter-Misinformation.

The IGP further assured the delegation that all officers deployed for election duty will be strictly guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.

He emphasized that personnel are currently undergoing rigorous training on the rules of engagement and the protection of human rights. As the lead agency in election management, IGP Disu stated that the Force is committed to maintaining public order with a policy of zero tolerance for professional misconduct.

He further assured that any officer found wanting in their duties or engaging in acts that undermine the credibility of the polls will be disciplined in accordance with the law.

IGP Disu Receives INEC Chairman

IGP Disu Receives INEC Chairman

In his closing remarks, the IGP reiterated his commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for all citizens, with particular attention to the IDPs and PWDs.

While pledging the full support of the Nigeria Police Force to INEC, he called for unfiltered cooperation from the Commission and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful transition for the nation.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+), mnipr, mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
6th May, 2026

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NNPC Retail’s Oleum Scratch & Win Promo Ends, As Port Harcourt Customer Clinches Grand Prize of SUV

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NNPC

NNPC Retail’s Oleum Scratch & Win Promo Ends, As Port Harcourt Customer Clinches Grand Prize of SUV

NNPC Retail Limited’s Oleum Scratch & Win Promo, which began on 20 December 2025, recently came to a grand finale on 22 April 2026, with Uroko Chidera Samson, an Oleum customer from Port Harcourt, clinching the top prize of a brand-new GAC Gas Sport Utility Vehicle.

Eereporter.com
The promotion, which reached over 100,000 customers, retailers, distributors, and dealers across the NNPC Retail network, saw more than 1,000 winners walking away with prizes including cash rewards, smartphones, generators, refrigerators, branded tricycles, and one-year Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) plans.

NNPC

NNPC

Considered one of NNPC Retail’s most widely reaching customer appreciation programmes to date, the promotion affirmed the Company’s commitment to rewarding customer loyalty and advancing its trade network, which remains central to the company’s growth nationwide.

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High Court Grants El-Rufai Access To Medical Facilities

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El-Rufai, ICPC

High Court Grants El-Rufai Access To Medical Facilities

The Federal High Court, Kaduna Division, has granted former Governor Nasir El-Rufai access to medical facilities in Abuja whenever needed.

Mr El-Rufai was arraigned before the court on Wednesday.

“In the course of proceedings, the defence counsel also made a compassionate plea urging the court to direct the Commission to allow the defendant access to medical treatment, specifically for dental and eye care, at designated facilities in Abuja.

“Ruling on this application, the court granted the request and directed the ICPC to convey Mallam El-Rufai, under strict supervision, to medical facilities of his choice, including Mile Dental Clinic and Skipper Eye-Q Hospital, Abuja, whenever the need arises, and to return him to custody immediately after such treatment,” a statement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s spokesperson, Okor Odey, said on Wednesday.

Eereporter.com
At the previous court hearing, Mr El-Rufai was granted bail of ₦200 million with two sureties in like sum, while the administrative bail earlier granted to the second defendant, Joel Adoga, was adopted by the court.

El-Rufai, ICPC

El-Rufai, ICPC

Wednesday’s proceedings were for the hearing of Mr El-Rufai’s motion seeking a variation of the bail conditions earlier granted by the court.

During the proceedings, Agada Akogwu appeared for the prosecution, while Oluwole Olaniyan led the defence team and adopted the motion to vary the bail conditions. The prosecution counsel, in turn, adopted a counter-affidavit opposing the application.

Following arguments from both sides, the court adjourned the matter until Thursday (today) for a ruling.

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