The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) appeared to come under increasing pressure in the ongoing Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project trial after a series of admissions by its own witnesses handed the defence fresh ammunition to challenge the foundation of the prosecution’s case. What began as a trial focused on the controversial award of the $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract has increasingly evolved into a battle over the credibility of the documents upon which the prosecution relies. At the centre of the dispute are Federal Executive Council (FEC) records from May 21, 2003, which the EFCC has presented…
Author: National Update
By: Lamara Garba The Kano State Government is considering plans to establish a state-owned airline as part of efforts to expand its economic base, enhance transportation services and create new sources of revenue for the state. Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf disclosed this while addressing Kano pilgrims in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. According to the Governor, the proposal is informed by the strategic importance of the aviation industry in the global economy and its immense potential to contribute to the socio-economic development of Kano State. “We are thinking of floating an airline company for…
POWER BELONGS TO ALLAH, RE-ELECTION IS NOT A DO-OR-DIE AFFAIR — GOVERNOR ABBA KABIR YUSUF ……..Urges Electorate to Remain Peaceful, Prayerful and Law-Abiding By Lamara Garba The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has declared that his political future, including the question of re-election in 2027, rests entirely in the hands of Almighty Allah, stressing that political power is neither a matter of life and death nor something that any individual can permanently give or take away. Governor Yusuf made the remarks while addressing Kano pilgrims and Hajj officials in Makkah during a Sallah visit on Wednesday. Speaking…
Retired judge, respected legal scholar, and author, Hon. Justice (Professor) Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, is set to turn the spotlight from legal scholarship to educational empowerment with the launch of a foundation dedicated to supporting indigent students across Nigeria. The Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye Educational Foundation for Indigent Students will be officially unveiled on July 2, 2026, during the public presentation of two groundbreaking books on electronic evidence in Abuja. The event, scheduled to hold at the ultra-modern Conference Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Jabi, is expected to draw leading figures from the judiciary, academia, legal profession, government, technology…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The Executive Director of the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently publish maps of newly restored constituencies across affected states following a recent court judgment. Abdul made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Lokoja, stressing that the maps would facilitate the effective implementation of the judgment and serve as a guide for stakeholders ahead of future electoral activities in the affected areas. He urged INEC to ensure the full restoration of all previously suppressed constituencies, describing…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has pushed back strongly against the International Monetary Fund (IMF), describing its assessment that Nigeria’s economic reforms are working as a “logical contradiction” in the face of worsening poverty and hardship across the country. In a statement issued on June 11, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group said it was deeply concerned that international economic assessments are increasingly detached from the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians. HURIWA argued that it defies logic to describe any reform as successful when the majority of citizens are becoming…
The Senate on Thursday approved another extension of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, pushing its implementation deadline from June 30 to September 30, 2026, in what critics may see as a continuation of the government’s growing reliance on budget carryovers. The decision followed a closed-door executive session during which lawmakers confronted a familiar problem: billions of naira appropriated and released for projects under the 2025 budget remain unspent, while numerous projects are still awaiting completion. Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, who sponsored the motion, told lawmakers that procurement delays, administrative bottlenecks, and implementation challenges had slowed the…
By: Adamu Muhd Usman “Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need to succeed.” Recently, the media space has been flooded with commentaries, appraisals, and criticisms following a short video clip in which Governor Malam Umar Namadi (FCA), popularly known as Dan Modi, reacted to the actions and attitudes of Hon. Usman Ibrahim Kamfani Auyo, the member representing Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin-Hausa Federal Constituency of Jigawa State in the National Assembly. Though I am neither Governor Dan Modi’s spokesman nor a member of his cabinet, and not even a card-carrying member of the APC, as I…
By Douglas Baye-Osagie “If the stadiums are empty, the training pitches are poor, and even the airports feel like obstacles, then what are we really celebrating?” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa’s frustration still echoes. Everyone is complaining about poor facilities, organization, and logistics replacing the discussion about the superstars and football teams participating The fears of football fans for about a year have come alive. America’s visa measures have made it difficult for lovers of the game to enter, follow their teams, and enjoy the World Cup atmosphere. We just hope that when the football actually starts, the same won’t be…
The Niger State Government has debunked reports of alleged bandit kidnappings in parts of the state, describing the viral claims as false, misleading, and the handiwork of mischief makers seeking to create panic and discredit ongoing security efforts. The clarification followed widespread fear on Wednesday that led to the abrupt shutdown of schools in Minna and other parts of the state capital. In a statement on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Obed Nana, said there was “no cause for alarm,” assuring residents that Niger State remains safe, secure, and conducive for learning and business activities. He explained…