The Kano State Government has issued a sweeping executive order banning the formation and operation of any unauthorized Hisbah-like groups, particularly targeting a self-styled body known as the “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi.

The order, titled “Kano State Government (Prohibition of the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi) Order 2025,” was signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and publicly read by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during a press briefing

He said the executive order draws its authority from Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which vests executive powers in the state governor, including the responsibility to maintain public order and enforce state laws.

The Commissioner said government expressed deep concern over the emergence of individuals and groups who have been “undertaking recruitment, mobilization and organisation of persons into a body described as ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’, without lawful authority and in contravention of the Laws of Kano State.”

According to the order, Waiya added, such activities amount to the creation of “parallel, unauthorised enforcement structures within the State,” which the government deems “an unlawful act capable of disturbing the peace” and undermining the statutory functions of the Kano State Hisbah Board.

He maintained that the order unequivocally declares that “the formation of Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi is unlawful and it is prohibited from operating or carrying out any activity in the state.”

Reinforcing the exclusive mandate of the Kano State Hisbah Board, the government emphasized that it “shall remain the sole legally recognized institution in the State” for coordinating Hisbah-related functions. Any impersonation of the Board’s authority, uniforms, symbols, or activities is now officially prohibited.

He pointed out that the order further directs all relevant security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the outlawed group, halt all related activities, and take lawful measures to prevent any breach of peace.

In a stern warning to the public, Commissioner Waiya explained that “participation in, support for, or affiliation with the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi constitutes violation of the laws of Kano State.” Individuals who have already been recruited or approached for recruitment are urged to “disengage immediately and report to the nearest Security Agencies Division, Hisbah Office or Local Government Authority.”

According to him also, violators of the order face prosecution under applicable laws for offences including unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities, and the establishment of unauthorized enforcement groups. The term “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi” is broadly defined to include “any group, unit, committee, movement or body organised for the purpose of performing Hisbah-like enforcement functions outside the statutory Hisbah Board.”

“The executive order takes immediate effect and is to be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signed the order on December 8, 2025, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to centralize religious enforcement under lawful authority and prevent the rise of parallel vigilante structures

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.

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.

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.

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.