By Joy Eze,Gombe

The Gombe State Government has secured a court judgment ordering Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Emmanuel Agene, to pay N3.6 million in outstanding accommodation bills owed to Gombe International Hotel, a government-owned facility.

The judgment followed a suit instituted by the state Ministry of Justice after Agene allegedly occupied a furnished two-bedroom apartment at the hotel for several months without paying for the accommodation.

Barrister Haruna Yelma, Director of Legal Drafting at the Gombe State Ministry of Justice, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Gombe.

Yelma explained that Agene, who was posted to Gombe State in February 2026 and is in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), approached the hotel management for accommodation shortly after his arrival.

He said that considering Agene’s position, the management offered him a furnished two-bedroom apartment at a discounted rate of between N40,000 and N50,000 per night, instead of the normal rate of about N120,000.

According to him, the AIG allegedly occupied the apartment for between two and three months without settling the bills, prompting the hotel management to make several attempts to recover the outstanding payment.

Yelma said the management initially approached Agene to settle the debt but alleged that he became uncooperative and declined to entertain their requests.

He added that letters were also sent to him through the post, but he allegedly refused to receive the correspondence.

The legal director said the hotel management subsequently approached the state government, which authorised it to seek the intervention of the Ministry of Justice to recover the money, being public revenue belonging to the people of Gombe State.

He disclosed that the ministry issued a formal demand notice to Agene, with the outstanding accommodation bill standing at N3,653,000 as of June 2026.

Yelma said when efforts to serve him with the demand notice proved unsuccessful, the ministry approached the court for an order permitting substituted service.

The court granted the application, authorising the ministry to paste the relevant court processes at the premises of the apartment occupied by the AIG.

He explained that the ministry subsequently effected the service and allowed the statutory 30-day period to elapse, but Agene allegedly failed to enter an appearance or respond to the suit.

According to him, despite being afforded several opportunities to defend himself, the AIG did not take advantage of the opportunities, prompting the court to enter judgment in favour of the state government in October 2026.

Yelma said the ministry had also sought N800,000 in damages, but the court declined to grant the claim, as well as any additional costs.

He noted that the judgment covered the outstanding accommodation charges between February and June 2026, although the debt reportedly remained unpaid until the judgment was delivered.

The legal director further disclosed that Agene vacated the apartment following the judgment.

However, he said the hotel management subsequently reported that the AIG allegedly left with some of its property, including duvets, bedsheets, cups, kettles and other kitchen utensils.

Yelma clarified that the ministry had yet to independently verify the allegations concerning the missing items.

He said the ministry had obtained the approval of the state Attorney-General to formally write to the AIG, demanding payment of the outstanding debt and the return of the hotel’s property.

According to him, the ministry would consider further legal action, including criminal proceedings, if sufficient evidence emerged to establish a prima facie case of theft against Agene.

He warned that failure to comply with the demand could compel the government to take further steps to recover its property and protect public revenue.

By George Mgbeleke, Abuja
As the awaits the outcome of Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment invalidating Sen. David Mark led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ( ADC), a Forum of the African Democratic Congress gubernatorial candidates has condemned the ruling and sought the intervention of International community.

Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court ,Abuja had in its judgment invalidated Sen. David Mark led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The Forum had at a Press Conference on thursday at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja , described the judgment as a dangerous assault on multi party democracy and a threat to Nigetian’ s 2027 electoral process.

A former member of the house of Representatives and ADC kwara state gubernatorial candidates, Hon Zakari Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the forum urged the international Community to monitor the development and process leading to the 2027 general election.

He said ” We Call on the International Community, African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, Commonwealth and Democratic Institutions Worldwide to Intervene Against the Growing Threat to Opposition Politics in Nigeria.
Distinguished members of the press, fellow Nigerians, representatives of the international community, ladies and gentlemen.
We address you today on behalf of the Forum of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Gubernatorial Candidates across Nigeria, at a defining moment in the history of our democracy.

“We are compelled to speak out against the November 5, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the ADC under Senator David Mark and invalidated decisions taken under that leadership,
This judgment has profound implications beyond the internal affairs of the ADC. It raises fundamental questions about judicial consistency, political participation, the independence of democratic institutions and the future of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.

“We consider the decision a grave assault on democratic freedoms and a development capable of destabilising the 2027 electoral process if its implications are not urgently addressed through lawful constitutional remedies.

“We hereby formally draw the attention of the international community to the unfolding developments in Nigeria.
We call on:
The United Nations Secretary-General and relevant democratic institutions of the United Nations.
The African Union Commission and its Peace and Security Council.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Commonwealth Secretariat.
The European Union and European Parliament.
The United States Government and the United Kingdom Government.
International human rights organisations and democracy-monitoring institutions.
International election observation organisations.

“We urge these institutions to closely monitor developments surrounding opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
We specifically call on them to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant Nigerian authorities on the need to guarantee political pluralism, judicial independence, freedom of association and equal opportunities for all political parties.

“We are not inviting foreign governments to dictate Nigeria’s political choices or interfere in the legitimate judicial process.
Rather, we are asking the international community to uphold the democratic commitments Nigeria has voluntarily undertaken and to ensure that the rights of Nigerian citizens to participate in free and competitive elections are protected.
Nigeria cannot sign international democratic instruments, make commitments to democratic governance and subsequently treat those obligations as ceremonial documents”

The Forum called on the appellate courts to urgently examine the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu and determine the issues raised in accordance with the Constitution, established judicial precedents and the rule of law.

It urged President Tinubu to create the environment that will guarantee free participation than harassment and muzzling of the opposition .

“You cannot demand democratic legitimacy while allowing an environment in which opposition parties face persistent uncertainty over their ability to organise and contest elections.
If you seek another mandate, face the Nigerian people.
Present your achievements, defend your policies and submit yourself to the judgment of the electorate.
That is the essence of democracy.
The opposition is not an enemy of Nigeria. Political disagreement is not treason. Competition for public office is not an act of hostility against the state”

BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA

The Niger State Police Command has assured the management of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, of sustained police patrols and enhanced security around the university to protect students, staff and property.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, gave the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adamu Faruk Kuta, and his entourage during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Dutsen-kura, Minna.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Police for their prompt response to distress calls and security requests, as well as their continued support in maintaining safety within and around the university environment.

Professor Kuta said the institution, which is approaching its 44th anniversary, has a growing population of about 40,000 students from different parts of the country, making sustained collaboration with the Police necessary to ensure the safety of students, staff and university facilities.

He disclosed that the university had recently commenced medical programmes and sought the support of the Police Command in providing opportunities for students to undertake practical training where necessary.

The Vice-Chancellor also praised the commitment and visibility of police patrol teams around the institution, while requesting sustained and increased deployment to address security challenges associated with its growing population.

Responding, CP Elleman described the university’s requests as part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the institution.

He assured the Vice-Chancellor of improved collaboration, sustained police presence and enhanced patrols around the university, particularly at night, to protect students engaged in legitimate academic activities and prevent criminal activities.

The Commissioner urged the university management to promptly report security concerns to the Police, assuring them of the Command’s readiness to respond appropriately.

He further assured the delegation that all the requests presented would receive adequate attention, while expressing appreciation for the visit and reaffirming the Command’s commitment to maintaining a cordial and productive relationship with the university management.