By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says the Nigerian Correctional Service must immediately stop the alleged degrading treatment of detained businessman, Mr Ufoma Joseph Immanuel, who is currently receiving medical treatment in a Lagos hospital.
HURIWA condemns the reported decision by correctional officials to handcuff Immanuel’s legs to his hospital bed, describing the action as excessive, degrading and unacceptable, particularly against a detainee undergoing treatment.
HURIWA says it earlier intervened after the Correctional Service failed to promptly enforce a Federal High Court order directing that Immanuel be taken to a standard medical facility.
Following that intervention, the Correctional Service eventually moved Immanuel to hospital, where he has now spent one week receiving treatment.
HURIWA says it is deeply disturbed that the same correctional authorities are now allegedly restricting his movement, preventing family visits and placing him in physical restraints while he remains under medical care.
HURIWA investigator, Femi Ajala, visited the hospital and interviewed members of Immanuel’s family. The family confirmed that correctional officials have maintained a heavy security presence around the detainee.
HURIWA says the family initially accepted the security arrangements because their immediate priority was to ensure that Immanuel received the medical treatment ordered by the court.
HURIWA says the situation has now become unacceptable.
The association says Immanuel is reportedly being confined to his hospital room and prevented from moving around despite medical advice that he should be allowed appropriate movement during treatment.
HURIWA says it is particularly alarmed that his sister was reportedly informed that no visitors would be allowed to see him, while Immanuel was subsequently found handcuffed to his hospital bed.
HURIWA demands that the handcuffs be removed immediately.
HURIWA also demands that Immanuel be allowed reasonable movement in accordance with the advice of his doctors and that his immediate family members, particularly his sisters, be granted reasonable access to him.
HURIWA calls on the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to immediately investigate the conduct of the officers assigned to the hospital and explain the legal and medical basis for handcuffing a hospitalised detainee to his bed.
HURIWA equally calls on the Minister of Interior to intervene immediately and ensure that the Correctional Service obeys the court order and respects Immanuel’s fundamental rights while he remains in custody.
HURIWA says the presence of armed correctional officers must not be allowed to undermine medical treatment, family contact or the dignity of a hospitalised detainee.
HURIWA further demands that Immanuel be allowed appropriate privacy during consultations with his doctors and that custodial officers do not unnecessarily interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.
HURIWA stresses that this intervention has nothing to do with determining Immanuel’s guilt or innocence in the criminal proceedings before the courts. The courts will determine that matter.
HURIWA says its concern is the conduct of the Correctional Service and the treatment of a detainee who is currently in hospital under a court-directed medical arrangement.
HURIWA says detention does not cancel human dignity.
HURIWA says custody does not authorise degrading treatment.
HURIWA says a hospital bed must not become a place of unnecessary restraint and punishment.
HURIWA therefore demands, with immediate effect:
Removal of the handcuffs from Immanuel’s hospital bed;
Freedom of movement consistent with medical advice;
Reasonable access for his immediate family members;
Respect for doctor-patient confidentiality; and
Full compliance with the relevant court order.
HURIWA warns that continued restrictions that have no clear lawful or medical justification would amount to a serious human rights concern requiring the intervention of relevant constitutional and human rights institutions.
HURIWA will continue to monitor the situation and hold the appropriate authorities accountable for the welfare and fundamental rights of Mr Ufoma Joseph Immanuel.

By George Mgbeleke

The Northern Senators Forum has received with profound sadness the news of the passing of Distinguished Senator Bello Mandiya, former Senator representing Katsina South Senatorial District in the Ninth National Assembly, who died at the age of 62.

His death is a painful loss to his family, the people of Katsina State, the people of Katsina South and the nation at large. Senator Mandiya lived a life devoted to public service, and his passing has deprived Nigeria of a committed administrator and legislator whose contributions will remain part of the political history of Katsina State and the Ninth Senate.

Before his election to the Senate in 2019, he served as Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Aminu Bello Masari, His years in Katsina politics reflected his qualities of loyalty, political maturity, patience and commitment to public service. He was a team player who understood the importance of consultation, dialogue and building consensus even when political interests differed.

As a member of the Ninth Senate, Senator Mandiya distinguished himself as a diligent and responsible legislator. He was a dependable colleague and bridge-builder who consistently promoted cooperation among senators and advocated policies that would strengthen national development. He believed strongly in the unity, stability and progress of Nigeria and approached public service with the understanding that political office must ultimately be used to improve the lives of the people.

The Northern Senators Forum extends its deepest condolences to Senator Mandiya’s immediate family, the government and people of Katsina State, the people of Katsina South, his political associates and his former colleagues in the National Assembly .We pray that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus, while granting his family and loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss.

By Our Correspondent

In dramatic twice the All Progressives Congress (APC) has filed an application seeking to withdraw the petition challenging the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The withdrawal came amid conflicting positions within the party’s legal team over whether the
APC had authorised the petition challenging the outcome of the August 15 governorship election.

Daily Champion reports that the APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenged the outcome of the August 15, 2026, Osun Gubernatorial elections.

The APC’s petition, marked EPT/OS/GOV/01/2026, which was filed by its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, listed Adeleke, the Accord, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as respondents in the petition challenging the election outcome.

Meanwhile, a Notice of Motion to Withdraw Petition dated September 8, 2026, filed by a counsel for APC, Barrister Oluseyi Oyagbile, before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, indicated the petitioners’ decision to discontinue the case.

The document seeks an order of the tribunal permitting the petitioners to withdraw the election petition.

However, an APC legal team led by Abiodun Layonu, SAN, had earlier disowned the petition, insisting that the party and its candidate had decided not to challenge Adeleke’s victory at the tribunal.

Also, the APC campaign council distanced itself from reports claiming that its governorship candidate, Oyebamiji (AMBO), filed a petition challenging the outcome of the August 15, 2026 governorship election at the Election Petition Tribunal.

A statement made available by the campaign spokesperson, said, “We state categorically that neither the All Progressives Congress ( APC) nor its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) filed any petition at the tribunal challenging the outcome of the August 15 governorship election.

“The purported claim is therefore completely untrue and should be regarded as nothing more than a rumour being circulated by individuals seeking to mislead members of the public and create unnecessary tension.

“We urge members of the public, supporters of our great party and the media to discountenance the claim and refrain from giving credibility to unverified information designed to cause confusion.

“The APC and Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji remain committed to lawful and democratic processes and will continue to act responsibly in the interest of peace, stability and the good people of Osun State.

“We urge the public to rely only on official statements from the APC and the Campaign Council on matters concerning the party, its candidate and the outcome of the August 15 governorship election.”