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Khalid And The Crazy Commotion Caused By The Clerics

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Sheikh Nuru Khalid

 

By Bala Ibrahim.

By their calling, clerics are expected to be good ambassadors of the Prophets, through the preaching for peace, love and things that would bring greater unity among the people. Should any cleric choose to go in the reverse, he or she must be ready to be damned, and consequently condemned by God, with the likelihood of suffering eternal punishment in hell, God forbid.

Since last week, when the former chief Imam of Apo Juma’at Mosque in Abuja, Sheikh Nuru Khalid was suspended, pursuant to his slap-happy sermons, the airspace was thrown into a state of confusion, with comments and counter comments coming in chorus.

The commotion became more intense, when Senator Muhammadu Saidu Dansadau, Chairman of the mosque Committee announced that the mosque had finally expelled the Sheikh, for not being remorseful.

While the congregants are saying Khalid cannot lead them in prayers, because he is partisan, and a mosque is a place of worship and not an arena for politics, Khalid is adamant, insisting that, he would rather be carrying load for pay, than to stop telling the truth.

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The intention of this article therefore, is to arrive at the true meaning of the truth, or make the truth be seen in accordance with facts or realities on the ground, and juxtapose it with the preaching of an Imam. That’s the prism, through which I intend to peruse the pulpit, and the practice of people like Imam Khalid, alongside the character of people like Senator Saidu Dansadau.

I used to pray in Imam Nurah Khalid’s mosque, but from his sermons, I long concluded that he is more of a grandstander, than an Imam that can provide Islamic guidance. He picks good topics for his sermons quite alright, but almost always, because of the calibre of people in attendance, mostly high profile politicians of the opposition, he behaves in a way that is meant to attract their attention, or even impress them. Sometimes I even have the suspicion that he may be amongst the beneficiaries of the infamous Dasuki Armsgate scandal.

Such behaviour does not tally with that of a man intending on telling the truth.

To support the argument that Khalid’s behaviour does not tally with that of a man intending on telling the truth, the controversial sermon was condemned even by a fellow controversial cleric, and prominent Buhari critic that is based in kaduna, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who described it as sentiments overriding in intellect.

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This is a suggestion that Imam Khalid is not on the same page with the claimed truth.

To also buttress the lie in the assertion that Khalid was fired because he is critical of President Buhari, many have given names of sheiks and priests, that are critical of the President, including Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi, who described Imam Khalid as the PDP Imam on the pulpit, saying there’s Sheikh Bello Yabo of Sokoto, who is worse in terms of criticism of the President, but no one stopped or sacked him as Imam. He listed the uncommon transformation and support given to the military for the fight against insurhency by Buhari, which Imam Khalid refused to see.

Again this is a suggestion that Imam Khalid is not on the same page with the claimed truth.

As for the character of Senator Saidu Dansadau, the Chairman of the mosque Committee that sacked Imam Nurah, it may interest the reader to know that he is a front line politician that is adjudged with the strong virtue of integrity. Dansadau is a known critic of Buhari, and one that one time rejected a brand new car gift offered to him by then Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State.

Although a member of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, the then party of Buhari, he declined to return to the Senate in 2007, and together with like minds, formed the National Rescue Movement, NRM, with the intent to rescue Nigeria from misguidance.

So Imam Khalid and Dansadau may be pursuing the same objective of changing the change, but with a difference. While Imam Khalil is doing it from the pulpit, Dansadau is doing it on the platform of a political podium.

So Dansadau is closer to reflective reality, while Khalil can be said to be far way from the claimed truth.

This is not the first sermon of Imam Khalil that generated commotion, there was one particular one last year, where he showed his party affiliation on the pulpit, saying Buhari should return Nigeria to how he met it, impliedly Nigeria under PDP, or Allah will punish him.

I found the response of Cham Faliya Sharon appropriately suitable to the circumstances of the crazy commotion caused by clerics, and without his permission, which I would seek later, I hereby reproduce it:

WHEN ALLAH GRANTED HIM HIS WISH AND HE BECAME ANGRY!

In August last year, Sheik Nuru Khalil said Buhari should return Nigeria to how he met it (PDP Nigeria) or Allah will punish him. But because Allah doesn’t want to punish Buhari, He simply took us a little bit into how Buhari met Nigeria – acute fuel scarcity and the bombing of a train – yet the Sheik and his supporters became angry! Or is he going to tell lies against Allah that Buhari didn’t meet Nigeria with regular bombings and monthly fuel scarcities?

That was the Nigeria Buhari met, and that was exactly what Sheik Nuru Khalil wished for. But when it popped up briefly, he got mad instead of appreciating Allah for granting him his request. Which means he knows that the way Buhari met Nigeria was totally unpalatable. He couldn’t even make sermons criticising anyone in a mosque, and if he doubts me he should remember late Sheik Albany and others who were specifically targeted in their mosques and killed for daring to preach truth to power. That was the Nigeria Buhari met.

Once again, let’s ask Sheik Nuru Khalil whether he truly wants Buhari to return Nigeria to the way he met it. If so, then he may wish to install a whole new set of bomb detectors in his new mosque, because that’s how Buhari met Nigeria. And if not, then he owes us – those of us without short memories – a long apology.

And I add, a long apology for telling lies, which do not tally with the calling of a cleric.

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Supreme Court Nullifies Tinubu’s Pardon, Restores Maryam Sanda’s Death Sentence

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has set aside the presidential pardon granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Maryam Sanda, the Abuja woman convicted of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute.

In 2020, the Federal Capital Territory High Court sentenced Sanda to death by hanging, a verdict later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

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In contrast, President Tinubu had subsequently commuted the sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds.

However, in a narrow 4–1 judgment delivered on December 12, 2025, the Supreme Court restored the initial death sentence. The apex court dismissed Sanda’s final appeal, ruling that it lacked merit and failed to undermine the findings of the lower courts.

Reading the lead judgment, Justice Moore Adumein held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Sanda unlawfully caused the death of her husband.

He described the presidential pardon as an inappropriate exercise of executive power, particularly because the clemency was issued while the appeal process in a homicide case was still ongoing.

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Alleged Fraud: Late President Buhari’s Minister of Labour, Ngige, Landed in Kuje Prison

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

On Friday, an Abuja High Court remanded a former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the determination of his bail application.

The Nigerian Tracker News had earlier reported his arrest by the EFCC on Wednesday.

The Crime’s Commission arraigned Ngige on Friday over alleged N2.2 billion fraud.

The one-time governor of Anambra State and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige, is facing eight count charges of fraud and accepting bribes.

The defendant served as the governor of Anambra under platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from May 29, 2003, to March 17, 2006.

He served as minister under former and late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2023.

He is being prosecuted for fraud, which he allegedly committed during his tenure as Minister of Labour and Employment.

The EFCC accused him of awarding seven contracts worth over N366 million “for consultancy, training and supply by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)” to a company, Cezimo Nigeria Limited, belonging to his associate, Ezebinwa Charles.

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EFCC alleged that Ngige awarded eight contracts worth over N583 million to another company belonging to Mr Charles.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendant used his position to give preferential treatment, awarding eight contracts worth over N362 million to a company, Jeff & Xris Limited, belonging to Nwosu Chukwunwike.

Other companies he awarded contracts include Olde English Consolidated Limited and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, belonging to Uzoma Igbonwa to the sum of N668 million and N161million respectively.

According to the EFCC, these offences violate section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Also, the anti-graft agency accused Ngige of collecting gratifications from contractors of the NSITF through “his organization, called Senator (Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organization from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119).”

The EFCC further alleged that Ngige collected N38.6 million from Cezimo Nigeria Limited, N55 million from Zitacom Nigeria Limited and N26 million from Jeff & Xris Limited.

This according to EFCC contravened section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and is punishable under section 17(c) of the same Act.

He however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand Ngige at Kuje Custodial Centre.

However, counsel to Ngige, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, noted that they were only informed of the arraignment yesterday and could not file for his bail application.

Ikwueto urged the court to give Ngige a conditional bail on health grounds.

He also attempted to move for an oral bail application for the defendant on self-recognition.
Tahir noted that the court could not be presented with both a written and oral application.

He also noted that Ngige is yet to submit his international passport, which was part of his previous bail conditions.

Ikweto, however, noted that Ngige’s international passport was stolen, and the EFCC has been informed through a letter.

Tahir denied knowledge about the report.

Following their submissions, Justice, Maryam Hassan, ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Hassan adjourned the case until Monday for hearing and determination of his bail application.

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One Kano Agenda Announces Two-Day Economic and Political Conference

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The One Kano Agenda movement has announced plans to host a two-day economic and political conference in Kano State, reaffirming its commitment to unity, progress, and sustainable development.

In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Abubakar Dangambo, the group emphasized that the initiative is designed to bring together stakeholders from across the state to deliberate on strategies that will reposition Kano as a hub of economic growth and political stability.

Commitment to Unity and Progress
According to the statement, One Kano Agenda is rooted in inclusiveness, civic consciousness, and forward-thinking leadership. The movement stressed that its guiding principle remains simple: “Kano’s future must be built by all of us, and benefitted by all of us.”

Day One: Economic Summit
The first day of the conference will feature the Kano Economic Summit, focusing on:
– Repositioning Kano as a regional economic powerhouse
– Strengthening local industries, SMEs, and the commerce sector
– Attracting investment and rebuilding economic confidence
– Learning from successful models such as Lagos State’s long-term development vision
– Mapping out an actionable roadmap for Kano’s economic revival

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Organizers noted that the summit is expected to stimulate critical conversations and partnerships that will support job creation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, and broader wealth-creation opportunities for citizens.

Day Two: Political Dialogue
The second day will be dedicated to the Kano Political Dialogue, which will address:
– Strengthening political participation and leadership quality
– Promoting youth involvement and political re-orientation
– Reducing political manipulation and violence
– Encouraging issue-based politics grounded in development
– Building a united, peaceful, and politically stable Kano State

The dialogue aims to reshape mindsets, deepen democratic culture, and ensure that politics in Kano becomes a vehicle for progress rather than division.

Why the Conference Matters
The One Kano Agenda described the gathering as a “needed intervention at a decisive moment in the state’s history.” Kano, it said, stands at a crossroads, and the future desired by its people can only be achieved through deliberate planning, honest dialogue, and collaborative action.

“The conference will provide a platform for meaningful engagement, innovative ideas, and a united voice in charting Kano’s next chapter,” the statement read.

Call to Action
The movement called on professionals, youth, community leaders, religious institutions, business owners, and the general public to participate actively in the initiative.

“Together, we can redefine our future. Together, we are One Kano,” the statement concluded.

 

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