Author: Farouk Abbas

COALITION of civil society organisations in Kano on Thursday staged a solidarity walk against what they described as “the alarming harvest of corruption scandals” in the state, demanding transparency, accountability, and justice. Operating under the umbrella of the Forum of Kano Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Against Corruption, the protesters marched through key streets of Kano, brandishing placards and chanting slogans that called for an end to graft and support for anti-corruption agencies. In a joint statement signed by leaders of several civic groups, the CSOs declared that corruption was “killing Kano” and vowed to resist attempts by politicians to intimidate…

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a blistering attack on Nigerian lawmakers, branding their constituency projects as “daylight unarmed robbery” and accusing them of institutionalising corruption at unprecedented levels. Obasanjo made the remarks in his newly released book, “Nigeria Past and Future: Contemplations on Nigeria’s History and Vision for Tomorrow.” In Chapter Seven, titled “Lawmakers at Federal and State Levels,”, cited by News Point Nigeria the former president minced no words in accusing the National Assembly of distorting budgets, watering down critical anti-graft legislation, and enriching themselves in breach of the Constitution. “Constituency projects by lawmakers at national or state…

THE Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has rolled out regulations to curb harassment, data breaches, and other unethical practices by digital lenders in Nigeria. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu made available to News Point Nigeria, which quoted the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, as unveiling the new framework in Abuja on Wednesday. “For too long, Nigerians have endured harassment, data breaches, and unethical practices by unregulated digital lenders. “These regulations draw a clear line that innovation is welcome, but not at the expense of…

IN a landmark judgment that could reshape the Nigerian military’s terms of service, the National Industrial Court, Abuja, has voided the 15-year mandatory service rule imposed on officers before they are permitted to resign. News Point Nigeria reports that delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim described the provision of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces as oppressive, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The case was filed by Flight Lieutenant J.A. Akerele, who challenged the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) refusal to…

THE Nigeria Customs Service Board has approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptroller-Generals and 12 Assistant Comptroller-Generals, as well as the promotion of 3,312 senior officers across various ranks. The approvals were made at the 63rd regular meeting of the Board, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Tuesday in Abuja. A statement by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada made available to News Point Nigeria, said the appointments were made to fill vacancies created by recent retirements and to strengthen equitable representation. “These appointments were made to fill vacancies…

THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced that it will release the preliminary report into the August 26 derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna train within the next 23 days. News Point Nigeria reports that the accident, which occurred at Asham Station along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor, left several passengers injured, caused damage to rail infrastructure, and led to an indefinite suspension of train services on one of the nation’s busiest rail routes. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr, said the Bureau has already commenced a comprehensive technical investigation to determine…

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed that its elective National Convention will hold as scheduled on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite fresh opposition from a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Convention Committee at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, the PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, dismissed fears of disruption, declaring that detractors would not succeed in derailing the party’s democratic process. “The PDP is alive, strong, and ready to challenge the APC in 2027. Nothing…

THE Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, has assured Nigerians that the damaged portions of the Abuja-Kaduna railway line will be fully restored within 10 days, following last week’s derailment of a Kaduna-bound train. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday at Asham Station, left portions of the track and several coaches badly damaged. According to official reports, 618 persons were on board the train comprising 583 passengers, 15 Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) crew members, one medical personnel, eight cleaners and 11 catering staff. While the majority escaped unhurt, seven passengers sustained varying degrees of injury, receiving medical treatment shortly after…

KADUNA State Government has issued a stern and final warning to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of orchestrating a campaign of provocation, manipulation, and dangerous rhetoric aimed at destabilising the state’s fragile peace. In a strongly worded statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu, the government said El-Rufai’s recent activities amount to a deliberate attempt to drag Kaduna back into the cycle of ethno-religious violence, insecurity, and economic stagnation that plagued the state during his administration. “This government will not fold its arms and allow a discredited former leader, who left the…

THE Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced a pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison for terrorism offences. In a ruling delivered on Monday, the court found him guilty of inciting terrorism and participating in the activities of a terrorist group. The court said Ekpa had used his “significant social media following” to stoke tensions in the South-East region of Nigeria between August 2021 and November 2024, a Finnish newspaper, Yle, reported. According to the newspaper, the court also convicted him of aggravated tax fraud. The three-member panel of judges, in a unanimous ruling, also stated that…

FORUM of State Chief Executives of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies and Commissions, and the registered tour operators have passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman (Pakistan). The states and the tour operators are puzzled that over two months after the completion of 2025 Hajj, the Hajj commission is yet to pay some Saudi Arabian service providers and approved Hajj airlines. They said that both the states and the tour operators have fully paid for the services rendered to their pilgrims during the Hajj -…

ORMER First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has categorically ruled out any return to Aso Rock, saying she values her peace more than the pressures of political life. News Point Nigeria reports that a resurfaced video of her speech, recorded in May 2025 at an Abuja event where she was honoured with the Women Icon Leader of the Year Award by Accolades Dynamics Limited, has stirred renewed debate as speculations continue to swirl about her husband, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and the 2027 presidential elections. In the viral clip, Patience Jonathan spoke candidly about the toll of public office and her personal…

THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Sunday advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against fielding former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate in 2027. Keyamo stated on Sunday that the opposition risks serious consequences in the upcoming election if it relies on former Anambra governor Peter Obi as its candidate. He said the PDP remains in a “non-enviable position” after failing to zone its 2023 ticket to the South, a decision he said cost the PDP support in its traditional strongholds in the South-South and South-East. The minister stated that nominating Jonathan carries a constitutional danger…

A FORMER Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has died. News Point Nigeria learnt that Arase, 69, passed away on Sunday at the Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja, the nation’s capital. A family source confirmed the incident to News Point Nigeria on Sunday via a phone conversation. The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, also confirmed the death to Channels Television. He said the police authorities would soon issue a statement on the matter. Arase, who served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police, was later appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC). Before becoming IGP, he headed the Force Criminal…

MEMBERS of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics have issued a fresh 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address all lingering issues with the workers, or risk a nationwide industrial action. The 21-day ultimatum, which began on August 27, 2025, was contained in a communique issued at the end of the association’s 77th General Executive Council Meeting held at the Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Danbatta, Kano State. The polytechnic workers demanded the release of the new Scheme of Service, constitution of the Renegotiation of 2010 Agreement Committee, payment of all owed arrears and the release of the…

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has filed charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja against nine suspects linked to the recent deadly attacks on Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as well as in parts of Plateau State. The charge sheet stated that one Haruna Adamu, Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA of Nasarawa state, and others still at large, had on June 13th, 2025, allegedly carried out attacks against the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages. According to the DSS, the offence is contrary to, and punishable under section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition…

THE Kaduna State Government has dismissed a report ranking the state among the highest in kidnapping incidents nationwide, describing it as “false, mischievous and irresponsible.” A statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Information and signed by the Commissioner-Designate, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki made available to News Point Nigeria, faulted a report attributed to SB Morgen which alleged that 629 persons were abducted in Kaduna between July 2024 and June 2025. “The attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to recent reports and commentaries regarding the security situation in the state. The publication by SB Morgen alleging that…

THE Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Thursday, announced a landmark welfare policy approved by President Bola Tinubu, which guarantees lifetime salary benefits to senior officers retiring from the rank of Deputy Controller, Comptroller, or Commandant-General and above. News Point Nigeria reports that the minister made the announcement while speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Retreat in Abuja, where he presented the achievements of the Interior Ministry and reaffirmed its commitment to institutional reforms and capacity building across its agencies. The beneficiary paramilitary bodies under the Ministry of Interior are; the Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service,…

FORMER Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has been summoned to appear before the Federal Capital Territory Magistrate Court in Abuja over his alleged failure to pay over N509 million in Personal Income Tax for the years 2023 and 2024, alongside arrears from previous years. The summons, dated August 21, 2025, mandates Melaye to appear at the Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone II, Abuja, on September 5, 2025, to answer questions over the alleged tax defaults. According to documents from the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) obtined by News Point Nigeria, Melaye has consistently underpaid his statutory taxes despite…

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to admit into evidence statements made by three men accused of spying on American and Israeli interests in Nigeria on behalf of suspected Iranian handlers. News Point Nigeria reports that the accused persons; Haruna Ali Abbas, Ibrahim Hussaini Musa, and Adam Suleiman were arrested in Kano and Lagos in 2013 and subsequently charged with terrorism-related offences. They are standing trial on a 2014 charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/129/2014, which links them to espionage and terrorist activities allegedly carried out under instructions from Iran. At Wednesday’s proceedings, lawyers…