By Our Correspondent

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr James Ogwu Onoja has warned social media commentators and bloggers to stop dishing out false narratives in a $2.1 million civil suit instituted against Barrister Jordan Nyesom Wike by one Safwan Garba in respect of Abuja land matter.

The lawyer warned that any commentator and blogger who continued the false narration in respect of court proceedings in the matter, would be susceptible to both criminal and civil actions for malicious falsehood, cyberbullying, slander and libel.

The reaction of Onoja SAN, lead counsel to Jordan Nyesom Wike was provoked by an interview granted by I. G Wuru, a lawyer to Safwan Garba, where he reportedly insinuated that Jordan Nyesom Wike admitted receiving the disputed $2.1 million from the plaintiff.

Social media commentators, especially Martins Vincent Otse known as Very Darkman (VDM) and bloggers were said to have been feasting on the falsehood, spreading it to unsuspecting members of the public.

In a statement on Friday in Abuja, Ogwu Onoja SAN, in setting the record straight, explained that his client (Jordan Nyesom Wike) never at any time admitted receiving any money from Safwan Garba as alleged by lawyer Wuru.

He warned that those who have made publications, conclusions, insinuations and casted aspersions that have drawn attention subject of the court case should take down that such publications, statements and conclusions as same are palpably unfounded

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to stories on series of blogs, comments and conclusions on social media by mischief makers and promoters of falsehood, attributed to the media briefing and interview granted by I.G. Waru, Esq., the lawyer to Safwan Garba, in respect of the suit he instituted against Jordan Wike presently pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/008/2026 and the court proceedings in relation thereto.

‘In the unverified reports, blog posts and commentaries as stated above, it was aired most maliciously that Jordan Wike admitted receiving $2.1 million for Abuja property. This particular story circulated by Sahara Reporters and Very Darkman (VDM) is most reprehensible.

“It is also sad that other media platforms such as Port Harcourt Specials, The Cable, Ogoni Times, Magic FM Aba, Information Nigeria, Kalabari TV, Sorosoye Gossip, Edo Updates and many more, on a daily basis continue to peddle this falsehood thereby tarnishing the reputation and image of Jordan Wike.

“This haze of lies and malicious fabrication appears to be an orchestrated media campaign intended to whip up sentiments, compromise the mind of the public and intimidate the judge.

“For the records, Jordan Wike in his defence before the court stated in an unequivocal terms that he has never met Safwan Garba G.Y. or any of his agents at any time. He maintained this line of defence while giving evidence in court on the 28th and 30th September, 2026.

“One therefore wonders why a lawyer would grant interviews to misrepresent what transpired in stop false narrative weeks after the court proceedings.

“It is baffling that this interview by I.G. Waru was granted this week at the Federal High Court, Abuja close to a month of the court proceedings at the FCT High Court and is clearly the source of defamatory comments, unfounded claims and unproven conclusions being made on social media by ignorant members of the public.

“As lawyers to Mr. Jordan Wike, we hitherto refrained from making any statement since the matter is subjudice. However, after taking a critical look at the daily name calling of this young man and the barrage of lies and misrepresentation by gullible people who believe anything without verifying the facts, it therefore becomes most cogent and imperative to clear the air on these poignant issues.

“Safwan Garba G.Y, instituted this action in court but it appears he is not contented with letting the court determine the matter. It is our opinion that in view of the pending proceedings in court, it behoves the lawyers representing both parties to maintain proper professional posture rather than resort to underhand measures using the media to craft false narratives intended to paint a different picture from what has so far transpired in court in order to mislead the public.

“One key point to note is that, contrary to the news making the rounds regarding the petition to the EFCC, we as lawyers to Jordan Nyesom-Wike exhibited the said letter to unearth the inconsistencies in the stories and claims of Safwan Garba G.Y and his lawyers.

“This is because Safwan Garba G.Y kept that vital documents away from the court by not referring to same in his pleadings. He also failed to follow up with the EFCC having realized that the lies he told in the said letter were too conspicuous even for the blind to see.

“In view of the above, we urge the general public to disregard the vicious and barefaced lies of Safwan Garba G.Y. and flagrant misrepresentation of his lawyer, I.G. Waru, Esq. whose conduct is apart from being contemptuous is copiously unethical.

“Any member of the public, bloggers or media houses who continue to propagate this blatant falsehood against the person of Jordan Nyesom-Wike will be susceptible to both criminal and civil actions for malicious falsehood, cyberbullying, slander and libel.

“Those who have made publications, conclusions, insinuations and casted aspersions that have drawn attention subject of this piece should take down with alacrity such publications, statements and conclusions as same are palpably unfounded.

“The general public is to take note and be guided accordingly.”

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The head of detention facility of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), ASC Usman Isah Ndamaka openly broke into tears while testifying before the ongoing Justice Mohammed Mohammed Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Minna stating that lack of enough personnel and the fear being overpowered by the late miners prevented him from opening their detention cell.

His testimony is coming as personnel of the Corp who were arrested on the order of the Commandant General of the Corp CG Ahmed Abubakar Audi in connection with the death of the 37 persons in the custody of the NSCDC,continued to testify before the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the unfortunate tragedy of the 17th September,2026 at the NSCDC custody.

He stated that a total of fifty eight suspects were brought to the Command comprising of twenty five female and thirty thirty three male.

He told the Commission that the detention facility is to accommodate between twenty eight to thirty suspects “but we separated female to the other facility”

Twenty two of the personnel including the state suspended Commandant of the Corp Siayaka Zubeiru Aniriviye were ordered to be arrested by CG Ahmed Abubakar Audi and taken to the Corp’s headquarters in Abuja.

So far, eight of the personnel have testified before the Commission of Inquiry within the commencement of the sitting of the Commission.

SC Isah Ndamaka who could not control his tears while testifying admitted that he took responsibility of the unfortunate incident and tendered his apology to the bereaved parents and the people of the State for the death of the Miners in the custody where he was heading as officer in-charge of the detention facility.

“ An error is already committed. I’m very sorry Sir,for the death of the miners under my custody. It is unfortunate that this happened under my watch.

“I’m pained and it is very unfortunate it happened,I’m very sorry I
admitted my mistake” Isah Ndamaka told the Commission in an emotional laden tune

He maintained that the fear of being overpowered by detainees prevented him from opening the cell door despite hearing their screaming and shouting while in the cell as a result of their overcrowding and heat in their cell.

Ndamaka apologised to the bereaved families and the Niger State Government over his actions, describing them as a grave mistake.

According to him, the detainees arrived late in the evening amid a heavy downpour, while the need to separate the male and female suspects made it difficult to accommodate them in the available cells as efforts to transfer some of them to old command failed as they were rejected by the mining Marshal.

Head of Investigation unit Chief Superintendent of Corps Sunday Oluwadere also told the Commission that on the arrest of the late miners,he profiled and investigated them and seizure of some exhibits was made.

Responding to a question from the Niger State head of the Nigeria Legal Aid Council (NLAC),Mrs Bolanle Jibogun Esq, CSC Dare Sunday admitted that he was very sorry for his shortcomings

Earlier Chief Consultant Pathologist at the General Hospital, Minna, Doctor Alfa Sule, told the Commission that he informed security personnel of the need to conduct post-mortem examinations on the bodies of the deceased to establish the cause of their death.

He added that conducting the post-mortem examinations required the approval of a coroner, and the deceased family consent for samples to be taken for toxicology and histology for forensic laboratory reference in Lagos.

The outcome of the postmortem examination is expected after the forensic laboratory reference which is said to be available in two weeks.

By George Mgbeleke
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to extend the tenures of the heads of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service by 18 months, warning that the move could undermine institutional growth, block career progression and fuel suspicions of nepotism.

HURIWA says the Federal Government should allow serving heads of paramilitary agencies to leave office when their tenures expire and give qualified officers within the services the opportunity to take over.

The association argues that repeatedly extending the tenures of serving chiefs discourages innovation, weakens succession planning and demoralises officers who have spent years building their careers in anticipation of promotion to leadership positions.

President Tinubu approved the extensions for the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap.

Under the arrangement, Nwakuche will remain in office until May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure will end on June 30, 2028.

The presidency said the extensions followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address a succession gap and give the governing boards of the two agencies sufficient time to appoint successors.

However, HURIWA says the explanation raises questions about the government’s preparedness for leadership transitions and its commitment to established service rules.

The association insists that the government should prepare successors ahead of time rather than extend the tenures of incumbents after their expected exit dates.

HURIWA: No officer is indispensable

HURIWA says Nigeria has enough competent and well-trained personnel to sustain the leadership of its correctional and immigration services without resorting to prolonged tenure extensions.

The association urges the Interior Minister to identify qualified officers within the services and facilitate a transparent succession process.

It adds that, where an urgent leadership gap arises, the government could explore lawful interim arrangements, including the deployment of qualified professional military officers where the relevant laws permit, pending the appointment of substantive heads.

HURIWA warns that keeping serving chiefs in office beyond their established tenures could stall promotions, frustrate deserving officers and create the impression that advancement in public service depends more on privileged access than merit.

The association says continuity should not become an excuse for weakening institutional rules, adding that no public officer should be treated as indispensable.

HURIWA raises nepotism concerns

HURIWA says repeated tenure extensions across security and paramilitary institutions under the Tinubu administration risk fuelling suspicions of favouritism and nepotism, particularly when the government fails to provide sufficiently transparent explanations for its decisions.

The association calls on the Federal Government to clarify the legal basis for the extensions and demonstrate that they comply with the laws and regulations governing the two services.

It stresses that the government must apply service rules consistently and ensure that decisions affecting senior appointments do not unfairly disadvantage other qualified officers.

HURIWA says public institutions cannot develop strong succession systems if the government repeatedly changes leadership timelines to retain incumbents instead of allowing established processes to produce their successors.

HURIWA demands transparent succession

The association calls on the Minister of Interior to strengthen succession planning and ensure that qualified officers are prepared to assume leadership before serving chiefs complete their tenures.

It also urges the government to protect the career progression of senior personnel and make leadership appointments through transparent, merit-based procedures.

HURIWA maintains that effective governance requires strong institutions, predictable rules and orderly transitions rather than arrangements that could create uncertainty or perceptions of preferential treatment.

The association says the Tinubu administration must demonstrate that its decisions on public appointments serve institutional interests and national development rather than the interests of individual officeholders.

HURIWA reiterates that no officer is indispensable and that the strength of any public institution lies in its ability to develop capable successors and sustain effective leadership without compromising established rules.