By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

A security expert, Dr. Jackson Lekan-Ojo, has warned that Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho does not have the professional training or maturity required to manage a 50,000-man regional security outfit.

Igboho is seeking presidential approval for “Iru Ekun Security Network”, also called “Ija Ekun” or “Tiger Force”, a force he said would flush out criminal elements in Yoruba land.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Lekan-Ojo faulted the proposal, saying Igboho’s background makes him unsuitable to coordinate a security network of that scale.

“Igboho lacks the security training and maturity to coordinate a security network of the magnitude he is advocating.

“Floating regional security outfits to tackle security challenges in any region requires the expertise of people who are knowledgeable in security matters. An ex-agitator is not the ideal person to moot the idea of a regional security network,” he said.

The expert said the proposal also raises serious operational and command concerns.

He added: “Igboho is talking about 500,000 soldiers. What type of arms are they going to bear? 500,000 soldiers with dane guns cannot confront 200 bandits that bear AK-47s and other sophisticated weapons. Who is going to train them?”

Lekan-Ojo added that Igboho’s style of public engagement further undermines his credibility for such a role.

“Igboho is an agitator for the Republic of Oduduwa, and he is too loquacious, so people are not going to take him seriously. But whether he is taken seriously or not, a local security outfit coming from him cannot work.”

The security expert said the right process must involve the National Assembly and Ministry of Defence, not just presidential approval.

“Seeking the president’s approval is not enough without presenting it before the National Assembly or without the input of the Ministry of Defence,” he advised, urging the federal government to strengthen the national security architecture instead of backing regional outfits led by non-professionals.

He added that “the best thing for Mr. President is to rejig the nation’s security architecture so that the arrangement can spread around the country.”

By Our Correspondent

A coalition operating under the banner of the Legion of Mary Social Justice Organization in Nigeria on Thursday staged protests at the Federal High Court, the United States Embassy, and the European Union Office in Abuja, demanding urgent judicial action in a controversial lawsuit and calling for the reassignment of the presiding judge.

The protesters, led by Comrade Tijani Usman, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), accused the court of delaying proceedings in the matter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US Visa Fraud and Treason in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1774/2025, between Adaeeze Ireoma Nwosu and Mr George Edokpe Et’al.

The suit is filed by Mrs. Adaeze Ireoma Nwosu against several defendants, including officials linked to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the United States.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Usman said the group was seeking the intervention of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to ensure what it described as a fair and timely hearing of the matter.

According to him, the case raises issues relating to constitutional rights, fair hearing, national sovereignty, and concerns, which the group believes are of public importance.

“We are here to speak on a matter pending before the Federal High Court which, in our view, affects the interests of Nigerians. We are calling for urgent judicial action and a fair hearing in the interest of justice,” he said.

The protest followed a petition submitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court by K.C. Ukaegbu & Co., solicitors to the claimant, seeking the recusal of Justice M.G. Umar from the case and its reassignment to another judge.

In the application, the lawyers alleged that the claimant could be denied a fair hearing if the matter remained before the current court.

They argued that despite what they described as proper service of court processes on certain defendants, there had been no appearance by those parties and that an application for entry of default had not been granted.

The law firm contended that the court’s decision to adjourn the matter to June 30, 2026, without granting the requested relief, had raised concerns about impartiality.

The petition also referenced previous letters allegedly written by the claimant to the Chief Judge, urging intervention on issues she described as relating to national security and Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Western nations.

Court documents associated with the suit contain a wide range of allegations and requests directed at foreign governments, international institutions, multinational corporations, and some Nigerian public officials.

Among other reliefs, the claimant is seeking judicial declarations touching on foreign policy, visa arrangements, diplomatic relations, trade agreements, and the activities of foreign entities operating in Nigeria.

The claimant also alleges discrimination, foreign interference, and economic exploitation, claims that have not been independently verified and remain subjects of litigation before the court.

Speaking during the protest, members of the group insisted that their primary demand was the protection of the claimant’s constitutional right to fair hearing.

Usman urged judicial authorities to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done, stressing that public confidence in the judiciary depends on transparency, impartiality, and timely adjudication of cases

The protesters also submitted letters at the U.S. Embassy and the European Union Office, where they reiterated concerns about Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements with Western countries and called for what they described as greater respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal High Court, Justice M.G. Umar, the United States Embassy, nor the European Union delegation in Nigeria had issued official responses to the protesters’ demands.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also not commented on the allegations contained in the court filings.

Applications seeking the recusal of judges are recognized under the law but are typically determined on the basis of evidence demonstrating actual or perceived bias.

The case is expected to come up again on June 30, 2026, when the court may address pending applications and determine the next stage of proceedings.

By George Mgbeleke

Finally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has bowed to the autonomy of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), by implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court by uploading the name of Professor Sadid Umar Abubakar Gombe to replace Shehu Musa Gabam, the expelled former national chairman, who was wrongly restored by the Commission, on account according to it, of the earlier judgement of the Court of Appeal.

In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary of SDP, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba,INEC removed the name of the former chairman and expelled members of the party on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

Arabe noted that having finally overcome and laid to rest, the externally induced leadership crisis, the party now stands on a strong pedestal of sustainable stability to be strongly positioned for the 2027 general elections, with its very popular Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, whom Nigerians comfortably relate with as possessing the requisite capacity and competence to take the country out of the woods.

“The decision of INEC to respect the rule of law and judicial authorities, particularly in this instance, is widely commended by not a few Nigerians, especially within the ranks of the SDP faithful nationwide.

“It is pertinent to note that this new stance of INEC to recognise and respect the autonomy of the SDP to choose its leadership and discipline and conduct its internal affairs solely in accordance with its constitution as moderated by the constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2026, is in line with the express guardian of the Supreme Court, that neither the courses nor INEC has authority or power to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.

“It is our expectation that INEC will use this momwnt to turn a new leaf and work cooperative and respectively with mot only the SDP, but all political parties, in the manner that will show that the word ‘independent’ that is the first name of INEC is not a hollow term.”

Continuing he said, “On our part, the SDP is poised to working with all Nigerians and democratic institutions to deepen our democracy and provide a platform for all Nigerians who want to bid farewell to poverty and insecurity in our land, by ensuring that we lead Nigerians to form a government that will implement Chapter 2 of the Constitution, fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as reflected in the SDP manifesto.

“The National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe and the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) assured the members of the party across the country, and the Nigerian public, that the SDP will continue to promote the true interests of Nigeria and work for democratic consolidation, for the good of our nation.”