MBY UTHMAN BABA- NASEER,MINNA

The newly deployed Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, to Niger State Command CC Ogunleye Seyi Oladipupo has embarked on the inspection of Correctional Custodies in the State.

The State Controller who assumed duty in the state,on the 15th, April 2026 took over the leadership of the Command from CC Ponyak Nandang who retired from the Service, visited the Minna new and Old Medium Security Custodial centres with a call to officers and men of the two facilities to take proactive step to ensure the security of the custodial facilities in the state.

CC Ogunleye posited that he was at the two major Custodial centres to see the staff and inmates in custody with a view to assessing and evaluating the state of the facilities focusing on their welfare, well-being and also the level of security measures put in place to forestall any security breach or threat.

CC Seyi Ogunleye at a separate visit to Minna Old and New Custodial centres, personally interacted with inmates in their various cells, calling on them to obey and cooperate with the constituted authority to improve their well-being.

He further urged them to be of good conduct and grab the available vocational skills and educational programs opportunities provided by the service so as to become better and self-reliant persons after their discharge.

The newly posted controller who assumed duty in the state barely one week ago took time to inspect kitchens, clinics, ICT centres and other sensitive sectors of the facilities to ensure strict compliance to operational standards.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and applauded the incharges for their commitment and dedication in maintaining a clean and hygienic environment urging them to sustain the tempo.

Similarly, the controller also inspected the staff barracks to see areas of intervention that will boost their morale for effective and efficient service delivery.

In his interface with the officers and men, CC Ogunleye told them that he is posted to the command by the Controller General of Corrections, (CGC) Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni to implement his policy direction of Discipline, Professionalism and zero tolerance to unethical conduct.

Adding that under the present leadership of the able CGC Sylvester anybody caught indulging in trafficking of illicit items such handsets, hard drugs and other acts capable of jeopardizing the security of our Custodial Centre will face the full wrath of the law. CC Seyi Ogunleye added that every hand must be on deck to ensure maximum safety and security of our correctional formations especially at this time of insecurity that is bedeviling some parts of Niger State. He urged them to be on high alert and ensure they uphold the red zone declaration of all custodial centres.

CC Ogunleye lastly, screened and thoroughly perused all records of correctional books before departing for the continuation of his visit to other Custodial centres under his watch.

By Our Correspondent

State Chairman Elect, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Enugu State Chapter,Prof. Augustine Akubue, has described as false,baseless and malicious forgery allegation against his person by a group under the aegis of “Concerned ADC Stakeholders” in the state.

In a statement signed by by himself and made available to Journalists Prof Akubue said ” my attention has been drawn to a spurious publication by a group parading itself as “Concerned ADC Stakeholders” led by one Raphael Idoko, wherein they made unfounded allegations of forgery and conspiracy against my person.

“I categorically state that the said allegations are false, baseless, malicious, and a calculated attempt at political bullying by disgruntled elements who lost out in the recently concluded, free and fair ADC State Congress in Enugu State.

“For the record, there was indeed a civil matter arising from a property transaction at Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, which I lawfully bought through a legal practitioner. In the course of that transaction, an issue of alleged irregular signature arose and the matter was submitted to court for adjudication.

“Upon diligent inquiry and judicial review, it was established that there was no wrongdoing on my part. Consequently, parties voluntarily opted for an out-of-court settlement, and a Memorandum of Understanding was duly executed by all parties concerned.”

The statement further added,”Any subsequent attempt to impugn the authenticity of the said Memorandum of Understanding was appropriately discountenanced by a High Court of competent jurisdiction, which upheld the settlement. The certified records of the Memorandum of Understanding and the relevant judicial pronouncements are extant and available for verification, and they conclusively establish my innocence.

“Ordinarily, I would not dignify such mischief with a response. However, for the sake of the unsuspecting public and the integrity of our great party, it has become necessary to set the records straight: I, Prof. Augustine Akubue, have never been involved in any act of forgery or conspiracy.

“This contrived allegation is nothing but the handiwork of political detractors seeking to acquire power through the back door, having failed at the ballot during the Congress.

“I therefore advise Mr. Raphael Idoko and his co-travelers to desist from further acts of defamation and political brigandage, and to join hands with the duly elected leadership to build a strong, united, and victorious ADC in Enugu State.

“I remain committed to the rule of law, due process, and the democratic ideals upon which our party is founded.”

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The Niger State Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal has upheld the lower Judgement of the election petition Tribunal of Suleja local government chairmanship

The three members of the Appeal tribunal led by Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf who ruled that the election should be reconducted the two other members of the tribunal over ruled her decision in a very dramatic and confusing manner.

Justice Usman Ishyaku and Justice Salisu Majindadi in their both decision agreed with the lower tribunal decision striking out the petition as filed by the counsel of the Shehu Abdukadir of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),

Shehu Abdukadir, had approached the Chief Magistrate Maryam King local government election petition Tribunal,challenging the election of Shaibu Bawa Naibi of the All Progressive Congress (APC), claiming that the election was engulfed with irregularities.

The SDP Candidate has approached the tribunal through his Attorney Abdulrahaman Siraj Esq,to challenge the election of Shaibu Bawa Naibi alleging that he did not attend primary school claiming that the primary school Certificate he forwarded to the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) was forged.

While delivering her judgement,the Chairman of the three members tribunal Chief Magistrate Mariam King struck out the petition and dismissed it in eternity for lack of merit.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the lower tribunal, the Attorney to the petitioner Abdulrahaman Siraj Esq, approached the Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf, Appeal tribunal for further redress in the decision of the Chief Magistrate Mariam King led local government election petition tribunal

However,the three members Appeal tribunal,after the Chairman of the Appeal tribunal Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf delivered her lead Judgement,directing for the reconduct of the election into the office of the Chairman Suleja local government, she nullified the decision of the lower tribunal.

At this point Justice Usman Ishyaku and Justice Salisu Majindadi distanced themselves from her decision and collectively nullified her decision and upheld the decision of the lower tribunal as delivered by Chief Magistrate Mariam King.

A mild drama and confusion erupted after the judgement as both the Attorney of the petitioner and the respondent engaged themselves in a hot argument on the decision of the two members of the Appeal tribunal Justice Usman Ishyaku and Justice Salisu Majindadi describing their judgement as an alien to the Justice system.

It was observed that the Attorney to the petitioner Mohammed B. Adamu Esq,who held brief for Abdulrahaman Siraj Esq,raised some fundamental issues within the ambit of the law,the Chairman of the Appeal tribunal Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf objected to his point and they rose and entered their Chamber.