The sister of Nigeria’s late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, has sought to put an end to lingering debates about his ancestral roots. Hajiya Balaraba Ramat Yakubu made the remarks at the launch of her new book, Unveiling the Ancestral Root of Nigerian General, organized by the Kano Patriotic Front in collaboration with Bayero University, Kano.

Speaking at the event, Hajiya Balaraba emphasized her direct family connection to the late leader, stating that they shared the same mother. She explained that since his assassination in 1976, Murtala’s heroism, patriotism, and enduring popularity have led some Nigerians to question his Kano origins. “Many Nigerians are saying he is not from Kano,” she said, adding that the book was written to debunk such claims and preserve the truth about their lineage.

Hajiya Balaraba stressed that false narratives about Murtala’s background had persisted for decades, making it necessary to document their family history. She traced their roots back to their great-grandfathers, underscoring the importance of preserving the family’s heritage for future generations.

Book reviewer and researcher Malam Ibrahim Ado Kurawa echoed this sentiment, noting that it was “pertinent to project and protect the ancestry of General Murtala Mohammed through documented writings.” Kurawa revealed that his research established Murtala’s grandfather, Alkali Suleiman, as the Chief Judge of Kano during the reign of Emir Alu, who was deposed by the British in 1903. This, he argued, firmly situates Murtala’s lineage within Kano’s historical leadership.

Sarkin Shanun Kano, who also serves as Vice President of the Barewa Old Boys Association, reflected on Murtala’s formative years at Barewa College between 1952 and 1957. He described him as a disciplined student, active in debates and athletics, and a natural mediator in disputes. “He lived briefly and intensely, leaving a leadership template that is still relevant today,” he said. “He showed that patriotism is action.”

Hasiya Mukhtar, sharing a personal recollection passed down from her father, who was a friend of Murtala, remembered his fondness for children. “He liked children; he used to carry me on his shoulders,” she said, painting a picture of a leader whose warmth complemented his fierce commitment to Nigeria.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Protesters on Monday, February 16, stormed the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC)

The demonstrators, comprising civil society organisations including Situation Room and ActionAid, insisted that manual collation of results be scrapped entirely to curb manipulation during the collation process.

The protest followed a five-day lull after lawmakers gave assurances during last Tuesday’s plenary that concerns around Clause 60(3) of the amendment bill would be revisited.

Security operatives mounted barricades at the entrances to the National Assembly complex, preventing the protesters from gaining access. The demonstrators subsequently staged their rally outside the main gates, chanting and displaying placards calling for transparency in the electoral process.

They argued that there was no justification for retaining manual backups, noting that election budgets already provide for technological infrastructure to support seamless electronic transmission.

Last Tuesday, the Senate reconvened in an emergency plenary to reconsider its earlier position on Clause 60(3). Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), moved a motion to delete the phrase “real-time” and replace the word “transmission” with “transfer.”

The proposal triggered heated debate on the floor, with senators including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) raising repeated points of order in opposition.

At the end of deliberations, the Senate approved electronic transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal but retained manual collation as a fallback option in the event of technical failure.

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, at 11 a.m., where further decisions on the bill and other national matters are expected.

Meanwhile, the protesters vowed to sustain pressure on lawmakers until real-time electronic transmission is made mandatory without exceptions.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged unlawful interception of communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The charge, marked C2/99/2026 and dated February 16, 2026, lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and El-Rufai as the sole defendant.

According to court documents obtained by our correspondent, the prosecution alleged that during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja on February 13, 2026, El-Rufai admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser.

In count one, the Federal Government contends that the alleged admission constitutes an offence under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count two accuses the former governor of stating during the same interview that he knew and associated with individuals involved in the alleged interception but failed to report them to appropriate security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.

The third count alleges that El-Rufai and others said to be at large, sometime in 2026 in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems to unlawfully intercept the National Security Adviser’s communications. The prosecution argues that the act compromised public safety and national security, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

As of press time, no date had been fixed for arraignment. Efforts to reach El-Rufai’s legal team for comment were ongoing.