Our correspondent reports that the trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger, was moves to the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja since the court is currently on Easter vacation.

The vacation, which commences on Tuesday, April 7, will end on April 13 and regular court sittings will resume on Tuesday, April 14, across all divisions of the court.

Another 20 suspected terrorists facing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday
NAN reports that the 13 courts at the Abuja FHC is currently busy with terrorist cases.

Some of the trial judges are Justice Binta Nyako, Justice Emeka Nwite, Justice Musa Liman, Akpan Ekerete, among others.

While Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, led the team of the Federal Government’s lawyers before Justice Nyako, Aliyu Abubakar, the Director General, Legal Aide Council, led the team of lawyers for the 20 suspected terrorists before Nyako.

Some of the suspected terrorists in Nyako’s cause list include Hamat Modu, Isah Ali, Awal Bello, Shehu Bukar, Alhaji Kulle,, Mohammed Abacha Hassan, Aminami Mallum, Tasiu Yakubu, Abdullahi Ali, among others.

Our correspondent reports that there were heavy security beef-up in and around the Abuja Federal High Court as all roads leading to the court were blocked by armed security personnel while police helicopter hovered around the Central Business District.

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Tijani said this in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on Friday in Lagos.

He assured residents of adequate security before, during, and after the festivities.

The CP said the command had put in place a comprehensive and proactive security architecture to ensure a peaceful, safe, and hitch-free celebration across the state.

He said officers and resources had been deployed to key locations, including worship centres, recreational facilities, major highways, transportation hubs, and other critical public infrastructure to guarantee maximum security coverage.

“Special attention has been given to riverine communities, with the Marine Police positioned for enhanced surveillance and patrol to prevent criminal activities and ensure safety along the waterways.

“The police is working closely with relevant agencies to implement effective traffic management measures aimed at ensuring the free flow of traffic throughout the festive period,” he said.

He wished Christians a happy Easter, urging them to reflect on the values of love, sacrifice, and peaceful coexistence that come with the season.

The CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, stressing the importance of community partnership in effective policing.

He also called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons or activities.

He advised residents to make use of the command’s emergency lines—0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0806 329 9264, 0803 934 4870, and 0916 863 0929—for distress calls and credible information sharing.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with disobedience to the direction of law and illegal acts causing injury to the public.

Eneanya was cross examined by the counsel for Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo SAN.

When asked to confirm that Exhibit N1, was the extra-judicial statement of Ahmed Halilu, managing director, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC).

The witness answered in the affirmative and added that he (Halilu) was invited to shed light on the subject matter of the charge.

He said that Halilu stated that NSPMC commenced and eventually produced the redesigned Naira notes locally.

The witness stated that in the cause of investigation, he did not come across any contradicting evidence in what was contained in Exhibit N1.

He said CBN paid NSPMC for the production.

When asked if Emefiele disobeyed presidential directive?

The witness said ” the investigation showed that defendant disobeyed the provisions of the CBN Act , 2007, Section 19, which stated that CBN board must recommend to the president before currency must be redesigned. “

He was asked to confirm to the court if that was the only ‘act’ of disobedience by the defendant.

The witness said the defendant memo to the president had the three samples of the new notes attached.

” The defendant in his 11 paged memo to the president attached three samples or sketches of the notes to be changed and the president approved the design and said, it should be produced locally “the witness said.

He however added that the investigation showed that what was produced later was different from the president’s approval.

Ojo asked the witness to confirm the company that designed the old notes which later was redesigned.

The witness told the court that it was DeLaRue of United Kingdom.

He stated further that Halilu said NSPMC was not the company that designed the currency even before the redesigned notes.

When asked if he obtained statements from the committee of governors or board of directors of CBN, he answered in the affirmative.

Asked if EFCC forwarded to him any petition from the members of the public, the witness answered:

” I do not know if the commission received any , I only investigated what was assigned to me. No my Lord no petition was forwarded to me

Asked to confirm to the court if the Naira notes were produced by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC)

Eneanya confirmed that De La Rue was the company that originally designed the Naira notes that became subject of redesign.

When being re-examined by A.O Mohammed, the prosecution counsel, the witness said:

” The design for the new notes were already attached to the memorandum to the presidency and he ordered that it should be produced locally “

The witness was then discharged.

Justice Maryann Anenih then adjourned the matter until May 11 for further hearing.

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Mr Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), who led the defence team, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after the court proceedings

Our correspondent reports that newsmen were not allowed into the courtroom to cover the day’s proceedings.

Iyamu said the bail application had been argued by both parties and the court subsequently adjourned for ruling.

“The bail application was argued and responded to, and the ruling on that bail has been fixed for the 14th of April,” he said.

The senior advocate expressed optimism that the court would deliver a fair decision.

“Any lawyer will be hopeful. We are hopeful. We have put our arguments before the court, and this is a court of justice. We look forward to the decision of the court,” he added.

On a separate matter scheduled for April 10 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Iyamu said the defence team is prepared.

“That’s a separate one. As lawyers, we are ready. We have filed the necessary papers and we will be there,” he said, noting that the case involved the Department of State Services (DSS).

Our correspondent reports that the court on Tuesday had adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by El-Rufai, until Wednesday.

The adjournment followed proceedings that took place under tight security, reflecting heightened public interest in the high-profile corruption trial.

El-Rufai is standing trial before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.

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Chile Okoroma, SAN, counsel for the EFCC, told Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja that the commission was still awaiting the response of the Chief Judge (CJ) , Justice John Tsoho, to its request.

Okoroma, who stated this shortly after the case was called for the re-arraignment of the defendants, said the application was in line with the Supreme Court order.

He said on the last adjourned date, the court was informed about a letter written to the CJ, seeking a fiat for Justice Ojukwu, who is in Calabar division of the court, to conclude the matter as directed by the apex court.

According to him, we wrote a letter to the chief judge why the order of the Supreme Court must be obeyed.

He said the prosecution, having gone far in the case by calling at least 17 witnesses, sought the application for the former trial judge to handle the case.

He then applied for an adjournment to await the official communication of the CJ.

Joe Agi, SAN, who appeared for the defendants, did not oppose Okoroma’s application.

Justice Lifu adjourned the matter until April 30 for re-arraignment or further proceedings.

“In the circumstances of this case and in the intetest of justice, the case is adjourned for re-arraignment and/or further proceedings,” the judge said.

Their re-arraignment, on March 13, was stalled due to the absence of the ex-govenor and his co-defendants in court.

Our correspondent recalls that the Supreme Court had, on Jan. 16, ordered a retrial of the defendants.

A five-member panel of the apex court issued the directive in two unanimous judgments delivered in the two appeals filed in the name of the Federal Government by the EFCC.

Both appeals were against the July 25, 2023 judgments by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which upheld the no-case submission made by Lamido and others and struck out the 37-count charge on which they were being prosecuted, on the grounds that the Federal High Court, Abuja lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.

In the lead judgments of the Supreme Court, Justice Abubakar Umar set aside the July 25, 2023 judgments of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the earlier decision by Justice Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja which overruled the no-case submissions of the defendants and ordered them to enter their defence.

The EFCC, in the 37-count charge, among others, accused Lamido of abusing his position as governor between 2007 and 2015.

He was alleged to have laundered sums of money received as kickbacks from companies that were awarded contracts by the Jigawa State Government under his leadership.

The other defendants charged alongside Lamido are: his two sons – Aminu and Mustapha; Aminu Wada Abubakar and their companies – Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.

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Ugochukwu Nnakwu, who appeared for the ex-governor, informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after the case was called to hear his motion ex-parte.

The withdrawal followed Justice Abdulmalik’s observation, on Wednesday, when the matter was heard.

Our correspondent reports that the judge picked holes in the suit for failure to specify the magistrate who was sued as 2nd defendant.

Nnakwu then sought an adjournment to properly identify the name of the magistrate being used.

Upon resumed hearing on Tuesday, Nnakwu informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the hearing of their motion ex-parte for substituted service of all court documents on the 2nd defendant (magistrate).

He, however, said that a motion to withdraw the suit against the 2nd defendant had been filed.

He said the motion, dated March 30, was filed same date.

“We urge my lord to strike out the name of the 2nd defendant as a party in this suit,” the lawyer prayed.

He equally asked the court to strike out their earlier motion ex-parte before the court.

Ezekiel Rimamsomte, who appeared for the police; Maimuna Shiru, who represented the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and Abdul Mohammed, SAN, counsel for Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), did not oppose the application.

Justice Abdulmalik, in a short ruling, struck out the magistrate’s name from the suit and also struck out the motion ex-parte.

Nnakwu then sought an adjournment to enable him amend the suit.

But Mohammed disagreed with the lawyer’s request to amend the suit.

Mohammed, who called the attention of the court to reliefs one, two and three in the former governor’s suit, said the prayers complained about the magistrate’s search warrant issued to the investigating agency.

According to the senior lawyer, having struck out the name of the 2nd defendant, it means there is no case before this court.

Responding, the judge told Mohammed to be patient to allow the plaintiff to do his case the way he wants.

“Counsel (addressing Mohammed), you are jumping the gun. You can respond to this by filing a counter affidavit,” she said.

Justice Abdulmalik consequently adjourned the matter until June 17 at the instance of Nnakwu to enable him file an amended process.

Our correspondent reports that El-Rufai is demanding a N1 billion in damages against ICPC, the Chief Magistrate at the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja; I-G and the AGF, named as 1st to 4th respondents respectively.

The former governor, in an originating motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, dated and filed Feb. 20 by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, sought seven reliefs.

He prayed the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on Feb. 19 at about 2pm by the and ICPC and I-G, amounts to a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights .

He said that it was a violation to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.”

He urged the court to declare that “any evidence obtained pursuant to the aforesaid invalid warrant and unlawful search is inadmissible in any proceedings against the applicant, as it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.”

El-Rufai, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further relying on, using, or tendering any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search in any investigation, prosecution, or proceedings involving him.

He sought an order directing the Ist and 3rd respondents (ICPC and I-G) to forthwith retum all items seized from the applicant’s premises during the unlawful search, together with a detailed inventory thereof.

He also sought an order awarding the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages, among others.

Responding, in its counter affidavit, the ICPC said it received a petition against El-Rufai and acting on the petition, it commenced an investigation, leading to the search at his residence.

It argued that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on Feb. 18 and executed on Feb. 19 between 1:37pm and 3:56pm at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

The commission said its officials were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, and that the exercise was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.

The ICPC, which urged the court to dismiss the suit, listed the items allegedly recovered from the residence.

The police, also in its counter affidavit deposed to by Insp Ewa Anthony, argued that it had the statutory power to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.

It argued that the search carried out at El-Rufai’s residence was executed pursuant to a search warrant issued by a competent court of law.

It disagreed with the ex-governor that that search warrant was invalid, insisting that it was a genuine court order.

It said that its officers who carried out the operation, complied with all applicable legal procedures in the execution of the search warrant.

According to the police, the applicant is trying to use the honourable court to shield him away from the security investigation and prosecution in the court of law.

It, therefore, prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

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Justice Joyce Abdulmalik made the order while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by a faction of the party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Justice Abdulmalik also ordered the security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), among others, to give adequate protection to Wike-led faction of the PDP while accessing the secretariat.

The judge held that the purported national convention held by the Turaki-led faction on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, 2025 in Ibadan and the election of party’s officials, against the valid court orders, was a nullity.

She said the convention violated Section 287(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), as well as the PDP’s constitution.

She described the expulsion of Wike and his allies from the party during the 2025 convention as an affront to the order of court.

“I considered the expulsion of the members of the plaintiffs as not only an affront to the subsisting judgement, but also a direct assault to a democratic and principled society,” the judge said.

She said such action had no place where the rule of law is in practice.

According to the judge, all proceedings, resolutions and decisions taken at the said convention, including the suspension of members of the 1st plaintiff, were unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void, and of no effect.

Our correspondent reports that a faction of the party in the camp of the FCT minister, led by its acting National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, had filed the suit.

In the suit, the PDP, Abdulrahman and Sen. Sameul Anyanwu, the factional National Secretary, had prayed the court to stop the police and DSS from allowing Turaki-led leadership (5th to 25th defendants) access to the party’s national secretariat at Wadara Plaza in Abuja.

They also sought an order of injunction, restraining INEC from accepting any other office address or any other address from the Turaki-led leadership as the PDP’s office address other than as already contained in the commission’s records.

They sought an order of injunction, restraining the Turaki leadership (5th to 25 defendants) from parading themselves as representatives of the PDP in any capacity whatsoever, among other reliefs.

Justice Abdulmalik had earlier granted an ex-parte motion brought by the plaintiffs directing parties not to take any action pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

Following the order, the Turaki-led chairman of the PDP challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal.

They also filed an application for the court to stay proceedings in the suit pending the decision of the Appeal Court.

The Turaki faction, through their lawyer, equally filed a motion on notice asking Justice Abdulmalik to recuse (withdraw) herself from the case.

They argued that there existed a reasonable and well-founded apprehension of likelihood of bias against them in the manner the suit had been handled by the judge.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Abduly held that, in line with the Constitution and other enabling statutes, including earlier judgments, it would not shy away from its duty to do what is just in the circumstances.

The judge said that the the main determinant of the case is Section 287(3) of the Constitution, which provides that the decisions of the Federal High Court and other courts established by the constitution shall be enforced by all authorities and persons across the federation.

She observed that “in spite of the judgments which have not been set aside, the 5th to 25th defendants went ahead and organised the convention.”

She added that those same judgments had also been affirmed by the Court of Appeal.

She further cited that a party’s constitution is meant to be followed by its members, hence, the issues raised in the originating summons by the plaintiffs were meritorious.

She, therefore, granted the declaratory and injunctive reliefs sought.

“The defendants are bound to comply with and give full effect to the subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court earlier referred to.

“The 1st to 4th defendants are not entitled to recognise or give effect, in any manner whatsoever, to the purported national convention held on 15 and 16 November, 2025 by the 5th to 25th defendants and their associates.

“The purported convention, including the election of officers and suspension of members, is unconstitutional, null and void, ” she ruled.

Justice Abdulmalik said the plaintiffs (Wike faction) are entitled to remain in office and continue to use the party’s national secretariat and properties.

On the application filed for the judge to recuse herself from the case, Justice Abdulmalik held that the Turaki-led faction failed to substantiate the argument with evidence that the court was biased.

She held that allegations of bias must be proven with credible evidence, not mere suspicion.

The judge observed that claims of a “likelihood of bias” are “a state of mind, incapable of precise definition,” and must be supported by “cogent and credible evidence.”

The judge said she found “no shred of evidence” to justify the allegation and stressed that the mere grant of ex-parte order did not amount to bias.

On the request to transfer the case back to the chief judge (CJ) for reassignment, she held that the power to assign cases lies with the CJ and that it is “not the place of counsel to determine which judge will hear and determine their case.”

Justice Abdulmalik further stated that any dissatisfaction with her decisions is a matter for appeal, not recusal, and consequently refused the application for lacking in merit.

On the motion challenging the competence of the suit, the judge also declined to strike out the case.

She rejected the arguments that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the plaintiffs had no locus standi.

NAN recalls that the defendants had argued that the dispute was purely an internal party affair, an abuse of court process, and that the plaintiffs lacked the legal right to institute the suit.

In her decision, the judge held that “jurisdiction is the lifewire and pillar upon which any matter can be determined” and must be assessed based on the originating processes.

She found that the claims involved the interpretation and enforcement of constitutional and statutory provisions, as well as compliance with earlier court judgments.

She, therefore, agreed with the plaintiffs that the suit was within the court’s jurisdiction.

The judge, who held that the objections raised by the defendants lacked merit, dismissed the application in its entirety.

Our correspondent recalls that the Wike-led PDP, on Sunday, held its own national convention where Abdulrahaman emerged as the substantive national chairman.

Justice James Omotosho and Justice Peter Lifu of the FHC in Abuja, had in separate judgments in 2025, barred the PDP leadership led by Turaki from holding its national convention.

There were also counter-decisions from the Oyo State High Court.

Despite these rulings, the Turaki-led faction proceeded with the convention which produced Turaki as national chairman of the party, alongside other national officers.

Apart from electing the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), the convention also suspended some allies of the FCT minister over alleged anti-party activities.

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Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the warrant, after Turaki failed to attend court for his arraignment.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) charged Turaki with giving false information to the police.

When the case was called, the prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu said the business of the court for the day was for Turaki to enter his plea.

Rabiu noted that the defendant was absent in court despite being served with the charge and also served with a hearing notice by the court, informing him about the day’s proceedings.

He then invoked the provision of Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The provision was to urge the court to issue an arrest warrant for the defendant to be produced before the court for the purpose of his arraignment.

Rabiu faulted the reference by the defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim SAN to a motion he filed for the defendant, seeking that the charge be quashed.

He argued that the defence could only challenge the validity of the charge only after the plea of the defendant has been taken.

Ibrahim argued otherwise and urged the court to give him five more days to file written addresses to convince the court that the defendant’s presence was not required until the motion was determined.

Ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that despite being aware of the day’s proceedings having been served with hearing notice and the charge, it was wrong for Turaki to fail to attend court without providing any reason.

He noted that the defence counsel did not deny that his client was served with hearing notice of today’s proceedings, but failed to provide any reason why the defendant was not in court.

Justice Kekemeke held that by the provision of Section 396(2) ACJA 2015 where a defendant, who is aware that a charge is pending against him in court but chose to stay away, the proper order to be made is for bench warrant to ensure the production of the defendant to answer to the charge.

The judge further held that the motion filed by the defendant seeking the quashing of the charge was not ripe for hearing.

He added that such a motion could only be heard after the defendant’s plea had been taken.

He therefore ordered that a bench warrant be issued on Turaki’s to compel him to attend court to answer to the pending charge .

Justice Kekemeke then adjourned until April 22 for Turaki’s arraignment.

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