Author: Farouk Abbas

THE Zamfara State Government has raised the alarm over what it described as the alleged abduction of one of its officials in Abuja, accusing federal security operatives of being used to harass and intimidate opposition figures within the state. The government claimed that Saleem Abubakar, a technical assistant in the office of the Zamfara State Governor, was allegedly abducted in the Federal Capital Territory by operatives linked to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Thursday, the spokesman to the Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the incident had…

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will continue the probe of a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk, despite the withdrawal of the petition by Aliko Dangote. News Point Nigeria reports that ICPC said it had received a “notice of withdrawal” of the petition against Ahmed, submitted by a legal counsel to Dangote. It, however, said that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling law, it would continue to investigate the matter in line with its statutory mandate…

A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties linked to a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and two of his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru-Rahman Malami, to the Federal Government. A statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Wednesday by the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday, following an ex-parte application filed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ekele Iheanacho. Oyewale said the properties, valued at about N213.2 billion, are located in Abuja as well as Kebbi,…

JUSTICE Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and two others, bail in the sum of ₦500 million with two sureties. News Point Nigeria reports that the sureties, according to the judge, must have landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, Gwarinpa. He added that they must submit their travelling documents to the court. The documents of the properties are to be verified by the deputy chief registrar of the court while the sureties are also to depose to affidavit of means. Malami was also ordered to deposit…

FORMER Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has taken a swipe at Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso over his criticism of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf amid growing speculation that the Kano governor may defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Shekarau insisted that party defection is a personal and political decision shaped by prevailing circumstances, consultations and historical precedent, arguing that no elected official should be compelled to relinquish a mandate for changing political platforms. Speaking in an interview with the online platform DCL Hausa monitored by News Point Nigeria, the former governor rejected Kwankwaso’s assertion that Governor Yusuf…

RESIDENTS of Zugurma area in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State were thrown into shock on Monday after a missile-like object was discovered in a bush near the community, prompting swift intervention by security agencies. According to local sources, the strange object was sighted by residents during routine activities in the area. Alarmed by its appearance and potential danger, the locals immediately alerted security authorities for urgent action. A source familiar with the development told this newspaper that the object was suspected to be a missile warhead, with preliminary speculation suggesting it could be a Tomahawk missile component believed…

BARELY days after a deadly market massacre in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, fear has returned to several border communities as terrorists reportedly issued fresh written threats, warning residents of renewed attacks and forcing many families to flee their homes. Residents of multiple villages in Agwara and Borgu local government areas told News Point Nigeria that suspected terrorists, believed to be operating from the Kainji Game Reserve axis, have sent messages threatening to continue the killings that claimed more than 50 lives last Saturday. The threats, according to locals, have sparked panic and mass displacement across vulnerable border…

PROMINENT stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, demanding an immediate retraction and public apology over what they described as “unwarranted and disrespectful” comments against the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday, the APC stakeholders described Wike’s remarks as a clear breach of protocol, stressing that such conduct would not be tolerated within the ruling party. According to the statement, which was signed by Umar D. Duhu, LLM, PhD, on behalf of concerned APC…

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reaffirmed that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, remains innocent of all fraud allegations until proven guilty by a competent court of law, stressing that his trial is still ongoing. The anti-graft agency made this clarification amid public debate and political reactions surrounding Bello’s prosecution, insisting that it is the exclusive responsibility of the judiciary not the EFCC to determine guilt or innocence. Speaking on Monday during an appearance on ARISE News’ “The Morning Show” monitored by News Point Nigeria, the EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwuajeren, explained that criminal prosecution…

NIGERIA’s opposition parties suffered another major setback on Friday following the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further consolidating the party’s dominance across the country. News Point Nigeria reports that Mutfwang’s move comes barely weeks after Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, defected to the APC on December 9, signalling an accelerating wave of high-profile defections ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political calculations suggest the ruling party’s influence may expand even further, as Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, is reportedly on the verge of joining the APC amid a lingering crisis within…

A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed January 7 to hear the bail application of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over alleged money laundering. News Point Nigeria reports that Malami is being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, his son Abdulaziz, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe, are standing trial predicated on a 16-count charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The trio, who are accused of laundering ₦8.7 billion, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned…

A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja has admitted the Bauchi State Commissioner of Finance, Yakubu Adamu, to a ₦500 million bail bond with two sureties in like sum. News Point Nigeria reports that ruling on the defendant’s bail application, Justice Emeka Nwite, who ordered that the two sureties must be land owners within Maitama, Asokoro or Gwarimpa District of Abuja, said the property documents shall be verified by the court registry. He added that the sureties must also depose to an affidavit of means. The judge further ruled that the defendant and the sureties shall deposit their passports with…

THE President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his legal team to withdraw all pending defamation lawsuits he filed against several individuals, following what he described as a deeply moving New Year sermon delivered by a Catholic priest in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. News Point Nigeria reports that Akpabio made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing worshippers at the Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, during a New Year’s Mass attended by prominent political leaders, clerics, and parishioners. According to the Senate President, he had instituted nearly nine separate court cases against individuals he accused of defaming, slandering, and spreading…

THE Nigeria Police Force has suspended the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy nationwide following an interim order of court restraining the move. News Point Nigeria reports that the Force had, on December 15, 2025, announced the resumption of enforcement of the policy with effect from January 2, 2026, citing its responsibility for public safety and internal security. However, in a statement signed by the Force PRO, Benjamin Hundeyin on Thursday, it said it was subsequently served with an interim order issued on December 17, 2025, in Suit No. HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, restraining it from proceeding with the enforcement pending the…

AFTER a year marked by economic challenges, political upheavals, deadly attacks, and victories in sports, especially from the Super Falcons and D’Tigress, Nigerians, like their counterparts across the world, welcomed 2026, ringing in the new year with fireworks, prayers and hopes for a better year. News Point Nigeria reports that across the country, fireworks adorned the skyline as the clock hit 12:00 am. Millions of people trooped into churches where they held prayers, praise and worship to welcome the new year. Others took to fun spots with families and friends as they heralded 2026 amid jubilant chants and funfare. From…

NATIONAL leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has issued a stern warning to party members contemplating defection, declaring that political betrayal has never produced lasting success and warning that history is unforgiving to those who abandon the movements that brought them to power. News Point Nigeria reports that Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, spoke at his residence during a meeting with supporters, where he reacted to growing reports that some key figures within the party are planning to defect to rival political…

THE Federal Government has strongly rejected claims that it is operating a clandestine multi-agency task force aimed at unlawfully arresting, detaining, or prosecuting prominent opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Tuesday, the government described a viral document circulating online as “fabricated”, “baseless”, and part of a deliberate disinformation campaign designed to mislead the public and undermine confidence in state institutions. The controversial document alleged the existence of a covert operation codenamed “ADP4VIP”, an acronym for Arrest, Detain, Prosecute for Very Important Persons. It further claimed that the supposed task…

A FEDERAL high court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application. News Point Nigeria reports that Emeka Nwite, presiding judge, also ordered the remand of Malami’s son, Abdulaziz, and an associate, Bashir Asabe, pending the determination of their bail. The defendants were arraigned on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering on Tuesday. All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. Thereafter, Ekele Iheanacho, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asked the court for a trial…

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has begun moves to sell stakes in some of its oil and gas assets, as part of efforts to optimise its portfolio and attract fresh investment into Nigeria’s energy sector, according to a report by Reuters. The development marks a significant step in the state-owned energy firm’s strategy to reposition itself amid mounting operational challenges, declining investment, and the need for increased capital to boost oil and gas production. According to an invitation document released on Monday sighted by News Point Nigeria, NNPC has formally called for bids from interested investors, although…

NIGERIA was plunged into widespread darkness on Monday afternoon following the collapse of the national electricity grid, resulting in a total shutdown of power supply across most parts of the country. Data obtained from the national grid and monitored by News Point Nigeria showed that electricity generation, which stood at 3,660 megawatts (MW) as of 6:38 pm on December 28, 2025, suffered a dramatic decline, crashing to zero megawatts by about 3:10 pm on Monday. The grid collapse, which occurred during peak daytime hours, effectively cut off electricity supply to almost all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) nationwide, disrupting homes, businesses,…