By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has condemned the arrest of a Muslim cleric who hosted him over the weekend, describing the incident as a sign of deepening threats to civil liberties in Nigeria.

In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Obi said he was notified that Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar was taken into custody by security operatives shortly after their meeting in Kaduna on Sunday.

“This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecution,” Obi wrote.

The former Anambra governor warned that such actions risk eroding Nigeria’s democratic foundations if left unchecked. He urged authorities to uphold the rule of law and refrain from tactics that intimidate dissent.

“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society. Suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand in a democratic society, and this Nigerian government must understand this fact,” he added.

Obi called on those “bent on undermining our already fragile democracy” to desist and adhere to democratic principles in dealing with citizens.

As of Tuesday morning, security agencies had not issued an official statement regarding the cleric’s arrest or the circumstances leading to it. Sheikh Umar, a respected religious figure in Kaduna, has not been publicly charged.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will on Tuesday arraign former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.

The ICPC Spokesperson, John Odey, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, El-Rufa’i will be arraigned alongside Joel Adoga in a case marked FHC/KD/73/2026.

He said that the charges filed against them included alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.

Odey said that the anti-graft agency had also filed a separate case before the Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufa’i and Amadu Sule (LEDA).

“The case, with charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, borders on allegations of abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

“Both cases were filed on March 18, 2026. While the Federal High Court arraignment is scheduled for March 24, the date for the State High Court proceedings will be communicated in due course.

“The ICPC confirmed that El-Rufa’i has been duly served with the charges.”

He reiterated the commission’s commitment to due process and adherence to the rule of law in the prosecution of corruption-related offences.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A federal high court in Abuja has sentenced Anamekwe Nwabuoku, former acting accountant-general of the federation, to 72 years imprisonment for money laundering.

Delivering judgment on Monday, James Omotosho, presiding judge, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proved its case against Nwabuoku.

Nwabuoku was arraigned on a nine-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and fraud to the tune of N868.4 million.

He was granted bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, the anti-graft agency accused Nwabuoku of conspiring with several companies, including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, to convert funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The alleged offence, according to the EFCC, contravenes section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012), and is punishable under section 15(3) of the Act.

The commission said Nwabuoku committed the offences while serving as the director of finance and accounts in the ministry of defence between 2019 and 2021.

The former acting accountant general had filed a no-case submission which was dismissed by the court in November 2025.

Nwabuoku was appointed acting accountant-general of the federation on May 20, 2022, by the then President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over alleged N80 billion fraud.

But Nwabuoku was removed from the position in July 2022, barely weeks after assuming office, following reports that he was under EFCC investigation.