Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure her husband receives what she described as his constitutional rights while facing prosecution.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday alongside El-Rufai’s second wife, Aichatou, Asiya said the family was not asking the president to stop the legal case against the former governor but to ensure he is treated fairly.

Her remarks followed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, an action the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed on Tuesday.

Asiya alleged that her husband, who she said is being treated for High Blood Pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied proper medical attention while in custody.

“We are not asking you to stop the prosecution. We are only asking that he be allowed to enjoy the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including access to medical care, his family, lawyers and bail on reasonable terms,” she said.

She reminded Tinubu of the support she and her husband gave him during the 2023 presidential election campaign.

“Mr. President, I campaigned for you across Kaduna State. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?” she asked.

Asiya also urged the president to intervene to ensure El-Rufai is granted bail if he qualifies under the law.

“If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide. Please let him have the rights every Nigerian is entitled to.”

The former governor’s wife claimed that the family’s inability to regularly see him has caused emotional distress.

“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.

She further alleged that El-Rufai’s personal doctor had been denied access to him and questioned who gave the directive preventing the physician from seeing his patient.

Asiya also raised concerns over a medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, saying its authenticity and the circumstances surrounding its release should be investigated.

According to her, the restrictions placed on El-Rufai have made it difficult for him to prepare his legal defence.

“We want a fair trial. Malam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers,” she said.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has announced new measures to address growing security concerns in Osun State’s mining sector.

This is includes the establishment of a mining community intelligence architecture aimed at preventing the infiltration of suspected bandits into mining communities.

The governor made the announcement during a stakeholders’ conference in Osogbo on Tuesday, where security chiefs, traditional rulers, mining firms, environmental activists and community representatives gathered to discuss security challenges in the mining sector.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Samuel Ojo, Adeleke said the conference was convened because peace and security in Osun State, particularly within the Ife-Ijesa axis, faced emerging threats that required urgent intervention.

According to the governor, “the state government had become increasingly concerned about what it described as a sudden and unregulated influx of individuals from several northern states into mining communities across Osun.

“The government is concerned about the sudden and unregulated influx of persons from states like Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi into our mining communities. While we do not discriminate against Nigerians seeking legitimate work, intelligence shows that this movement is not just about mining.”

He added that intelligence reports suggested that some of the newcomers were introducing criminal activities that had previously affected communities in parts of north-western Nigeria.

“Some of these elements are bringing with them the same criminal templates that have destroyed communities in the North West: armed camps, illegal taxation, recruitment of youths, and creation of parallel authority. If we do not act now, the peace Osun is known for will be sacrificed on the altar of gold,” the governor stated.

Adeleke commended security agencies and community-based actors for their efforts in monitoring activities within the mining sector, noting that his administration was now placing greater emphasis on emerging threats linked to mining operations.

He disclosed that authorities had received credible intelligence regarding the presence of suspected bandit elements around the Ibodi forests and reports of suspicious armed individuals moving within the Ilesa corridor.

The governor also expressed concern over the alleged infiltration of some communities by foreign nationals and non-Nigerians operating under false identities.

“We have also observed that some foreign nationals and non-Nigerians are infiltrating our communities. They speak local languages, carry fake IDs, and pretend to be from other Nigerian states. Their mission is not mining. Their mission is to establish a base. Community leaders, you must help us profile everyone,” he said.

As part of the new security framework, Adeleke announced the creation of a mining community intelligence architecture for the Ife-Ijesa area, linking mining sites, community security committees, traditional rulers, divisional police officers and the State Security Council under the governor’s supervision.

He directed that every major mining community should establish a seven-member Community Security Committee within 14 days.

The governor urged stakeholders to cooperate fully with the military, police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Amotekun Corps.

“Osun State will not be a hiding place for bandits. Our gold will not be used to fund terrorism. Let us build this intelligence architecture together. Let us secure our land together,” he said.

The Labour Party has commended the ruling issued by the Court of Appeal, Owerri Judicial Division, on July 2, 2026, describing it as a reaffirmation of the legitimacy of its recognized national leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman to initiate and manage legal proceedings on behalf of the party.

This ruling was delivered in Appeal No. CA/OW/104/2026: Labour Party & 14 Others v. Abia State Independent Electoral Commission & 4 Others, which addresses a pre-election dispute arising from earlier proceedings at the Federal High Court.

According to a statement released on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the appeal had been filed in the name of the Labour Party without the knowledge, consent, or authorization of the party’s recognized national leadership.

The statement further explained that upon discovering the appeal, the National Legal Adviser, Mrs. Taiwo Mary Ajayi, Esq., instructed Mr. C. Okoroafor through a formal letter dated June 22, 2026, to represent the party and take the necessary steps to withdraw the case.

During the proceedings at the Court of Appeal, two different attorneys appeared on behalf of the Labour Party, prompting the court to request documentary evidence confirming their authority to represent the party.

While Mrs. A. Oteh, who initiated the appeal, presented a letter allegedly issued by Mr. C. K. Igara, who claimed to be the Labour Party’s South-East Vice Chairman, Mr. Okoroafor relied on a formal authorization letter from the National Legal Adviser representing the party’s recognized national leadership.

After reviewing the documents, the appellate court acknowledged the authority granted through the Office of the National Legal Adviser as the legitimate representation of the Labour Party.

As a result, Mrs. Oteh withdrew both her representation for the party and the counter-affidavit previously submitted against the application for the withdrawal of the appeal. The court subsequently rejected the appeal and imposed costs of N100,000 against the counsel who acted under the alleged authority of Mr. Igara.

In response to the ruling, the Labour Party stated that the decision reinforces the legal principle that only the officially recognized national leadership of the party, through authorized representatives, has the right to engage legal counsel and to initiate, defend, or maintain legal actions in the name of the party.

The party further asserted that the ruling effectively reaffirmed Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership as the legitimate and legally recognized authority of the Labour Party.

Additionally, it pledged to persist in contesting what it termed as efforts by unauthorized individuals, including Barrister Julius Abure and Mr. C. K. Igara, to represent the party or conduct legal proceedings on its behalf without proper authority.

Reiterating its dedication to democratic principles, the Labour Party committed to upholding the rule of law, constitutional order, internal party discipline, respect for judicial decisions, and the safeguarding of its corporate identity and institutional integrity.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nkemakolam Ukandu, to pay a total of N100 million in damages to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu over a suit the court struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, who delivered the ruling on Monday, ordered Ukandu to pay N50 million each to Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu within 14 days.

The order followed an oral application by counsel to the two judges, Mr J. U. K. Igwe, SAN.

Earlier, Justice Ibrahim struck out Ukandu’s suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1165/2026, after finding that the plaintiff had failed to diligently prosecute the matter.

Ukandu had sued the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu over allegations of judicial bias and disobedience to court orders. He sought an order compelling the NJC to investigate claims of corruption, abuse of judicial powers, and bias allegedly committed by the two judges.

However, the plaintiff and his lawyer repeatedly failed to appear before Justice Ibrahim after the case was assigned to him.

The judge had, on June 30, warned that the suit could be dismissed if neither Ukandu nor his counsel appeared at subsequent proceedings.

The case arose from the ongoing leadership dispute within the ADC involving an aggrieved party member, Nafiu-Bala Gombe, whose substantive suit is pending before Justice Lifu.

Gombe is seeking a court order restraining the leadership of the party, led by former Senate President David Mark, from presenting themselves as the legitimate leaders of the ADC.

Ukandu, who is seeking to be joined in that case, accused Justice Tsoho and Justice Lifu of manifest bias and alleged that they were acting in the interest of certain individuals against the party.

In his originating suit, Ukandu challenged the decision of the Chief Judge to reassign the leadership dispute from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Lifu, arguing that the reassignment violated both an earlier order of Justice Nwite and a decision of the Supreme Court.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Monday evening paid a courtesy visit to the Candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the just concluded governorship election, Ambassador Dare Bejide at his residence in Ado-Ekiti.

The visit was in fulfillment of the Governor’s decision to reach out to all the contestants in the election, and seek their cooperation and input in the governance of the State.

Governor Oyebanji, who was accompanied on the visit by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Jide Awe, was received by Ambassador Bejide.

The two leaders had some discussions on the development of the State.

Recall that Governor Oyebanji had shortly after the official announcement of the June 20 election reached out to the candidates of the PDP and ADC, Dr Wole Oluyede and Ambasasor Bejide respectively on the phone with a promise to follow up with a personal visit.

The Governor has since visited Dr Oluyede at his residence together with some leaders of the party, before Monday’s visit to the ADC Candidate’s residence.

Governor Oyebanji’s policy of inclusion is geared towards promoting unity, peace, understanding and mutual respect among the citizens as a major enabler for sustainable development and growth.

The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Olufemi Oluyede, has said the Nigerian Army is strengthening its investment in technology, intelligence and modern combat equipment to address the country’s evolving security challenges.

Oluyede made the remarks on Monday at the grand finale of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, NADCEL, and the African Land Forces Forum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said the changing nature of security threats requires a military that is professionally trained and equipped with modern technologies capable of responding to contemporary warfare.

According to the Army Chief, the Nigerian Army has continued to adapt its operational strategies by modernising its capabilities and strengthening collaboration with other security agencies.

He noted that sustained military operations, improved intelligence gathering and the deployment of modern military assets had enhanced the Army’s efforts against insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other security threats.

Oluyede said intelligence and technology have become central to the Army’s operations, enabling troops to identify threats more accurately, respond swiftly and conduct operations with greater precision.

He added that the Army would continue to acquire and deploy modern combat equipment and other force enablers to improve operational effectiveness and enhance the safety of personnel.

The COAS said the Army’s modernisation programme also focuses on training officers and soldiers to operate advanced military platforms and adapt to emerging security challenges.

He stressed that recently acquired equipment would be fully integrated into counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and other internal security operations across the country.

Oluyede underscored the importance of intelligence-driven operations, saying the growing complexity of terrorism and organised crime requires timely intelligence, inter-agency collaboration and the application of emerging technologies.

He said the Nigerian Army would continue to work closely with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to improve intelligence sharing and coordinate joint operations.

The Army Chief noted that innovation, intelligence and rapid decision-making have become critical elements of modern warfare, adding that technology must be complemented by professionalism, discipline and adherence to ethical standards.

He also called for continued public support, urging Nigerians to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to strengthen efforts to combat insecurity.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed that his administration has expanded the state’s emergency response infrastructure with the establishment of 11 new fire stations, the deployment of 62 state-of-the-art firefighting vehicles, the reconstruction of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service headquarters, and the recruitment of 150 additional firefighters currently undergoing training at the upgraded Fire Academy.

The governor also disclosed that emergency response agencies in the state rescued more than 1,900 people and prevented property losses estimated at N118 billion in 2025.

Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure on Monday at the opening of the third edition of the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference in Ikeja, themed “Preventing the Preventable: Strengthening Fire Safety in Buildings and Business Hubs.” He was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.

According to the governor, the state government remains committed to strengthening emergency response capabilities while placing greater emphasis on preventive measures, regulatory enforcement, public awareness campaigns and strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

He noted that the state had intensified the enforcement of fire safety regulations through stricter inspections and the implementation of the Fire Safety Levy.

“The compliance must go beyond obtaining certificates to ensuring that safety equipment and systems remain fully functional,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor explained that the latest interventions have increased the number of fire stations across Lagos to 29, with additional facilities currently under construction in Yaba, Ikotun and Oworonshoki.

He added that the expansion demonstrates the effectiveness of the state’s integrated emergency management framework.

Sanwo-Olu also announced the introduction of the Fire Marshal Programme, an initiative designed to train volunteers in homes, schools, markets, offices, worship centres and industrial facilities to detect fire hazards early, coordinate emergency evacuations and work closely with professional responders before incidents escalate.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the governor pledged sustained investment in personnel, equipment and emergency response systems.

He also urged property developers, business owners and residents to embrace a culture of fire prevention, stressing that proactive safety measures remain more effective than dealing with the consequences of disasters.

Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has declared that it has constituted a reconciliation committee ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The committee is expected to pacify all the aggrieved members of the party who are not happy with recent developments in the party across the state.

The party made the assertion via a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare.

The statement was made available to DAILY POST on Sunday in Ibadan, the state capital.

DAILY POST reports that primary elections of the party have been held in the state.

It was learnt that some stakeholders within the party are not happy with the outcomes of the elections.

The party, in the statement issued on Sunday, explained that it has set up the committee to resolve the issues.

Sadare, in the statement, noted that the committee consists of elders, chieftains, and leaders of the party.

Members of the committee, according to Sadare, are Senators Olufemi Lanlehin, Brimo Yusuf and Hosea Agboola; Chief Akin Oke; former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Professor Afolabi Oladapo; Engineer Idris Adeoye; Pa Timothy Jolaoso; Chief Olukemi Alao-Akala; Dr. Adebayo Adewusi; Hon. Gunju Ojo; and Dr. Adekemi Opatunde.

The rest are Aare Abisoye Fagade, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, Abu Gbadamosi, Isiaka Alimi, Prince Niran Adeyoju, Alhaji Yinka Folarin, Chief Emmanuel Olaoye, Alhaji Mufutau Adisa, Alhaji Sule Ajibade, Prof. Abideen Olaiya, Engr. Dayo Lawal, Hon. Ibrahim Bolomope, Mrs. Mabel Williams, Hon. Jelili Agboola, Hon. Kehinde Oloya, Chief Goke Oyetunji, Hon. Ramota Okemakinde, Hon. Raji Rasaki, Dr. Segun Ajanaku, Hon. Shakiru Fagunwa, Barrister Abduwaheed Lawal, Hon. Esther Adedokun, and Hon. Obatunde Oladapo.

Sadare, in the statement, added that the committee members are to find ways to ensure peace and harmony within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said that the major mandate of the committee is to address grievances and complaints being raised by some of the aspirants and other key stakeholders of the party.

Sadare also disclosed that the committee, which is expected to be inaugurated next week by the state chairman of the party, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, will be mandated to reach out to all those who obtained expression of interest and nomination forms of the party but were unable to secure the party’s tickets.

Sadare said, “The Reconciliation Committee, upon its inauguration later this week, would be given the task to meet with all relevant stakeholders, including aspirants who feel dissatisfied by the outcome of the recent primaries which produced APC candidates for the next general elections, and it is hoped that this effort would bring about the desired peace and unity for our great party to win big at the polls next year.”