News
ICPC Alleges El-Rufai Breached Court-Approved Medical Visit, Arrests Personal Doctor
By Abigail David
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has alleged that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai violated the conditions of a court-approved medical visit while in its custody, announcing the arrest of his personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, John Odey, the commission said it facilitated El-Rufai’s hospital visit in compliance with a court order and its obligation to safeguard the welfare of persons in custody.
According to the ICPC, El-Rufai failed to appear before the Kaduna State High Court on the first day of his scheduled trial after declining to accompany operatives to court, insisting on seeing his personal doctor despite reportedly informing the commission’s medical team that he had no immediate health complaints.
The anti-graft agency said it approved the medical consultation despite the adjournment of the case but later discovered photographs allegedly showing El-Rufai receiving several visitors during the hospital visit, which it claimed exceeded the scope of the court-approved medical appointment.
The commission described the development as a violation of the court’s directive and said it would bring the matter to the court’s attention. It also confirmed that Prof. Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation.
Earlier, Justice Darius Khobo adjourned proceedings until July 15 to await the decision of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on an application seeking the transfer of El-Rufai’s case to another judge.
El-Rufai is facing a nine-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, fraud, money laundering, irregular contract awards and unlawful handling of public funds during his tenure as governor. He has pleaded not guilty and maintains that the charges are politically motivated.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the Federal Government of politically persecuting the former governor, alleging that ICPC officials denied him adequate medical treatment, arrested his personal physician and assaulted his wife during the hospital visit.
The party called for unrestricted access to medical care, family members and legal representatives, insisting that El-Rufai’s constitutional rights should be respected.
Speaking separately, El-Rufai’s wife, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure her husband receives fair treatment. She said the family was not asking the President to interfere with the judicial process but to ensure that El-Rufai enjoys his constitutional rights, including access to medical care, legal counsel and reasonable bail conditions pending the conclusion of his trial.
News
Group Lists Tinubu’s Achievements, Reaffirms Support For Renewed Hope Agenda
Supporters of Team Gbaja on Friday held a sensitisation and mobilisation rally for Nigeria’s North Central Zone, where they reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for what they described as his commitment to public service.
Addressing participants at the rally, the National Spokesperson of Team Gbaja, Tabuko Kennedy, said the gathering was aimed at promoting democratic participation, peaceful engagement, and national development.
Kennedy said supporters of the Tinubu administration believe the government’s performance should be assessed based on “measurable actions and visible results,” highlighting several initiatives and developments they said demonstrate progress under the current administration.
Among the achievements cited were the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State through what he described as a coordinated multi-agency security operation without the payment of ransom.
He also pointed to the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as one of Nigeria’s largest infrastructure projects intended to improve transportation, trade, and economic growth.
Other initiatives highlighted included the implementation of the Student Loan Scheme to improve access to higher education, increased investment in federal road infrastructure across the country’s six geopolitical zones, reforms in the oil and gas sector aimed at boosting local refining capacity, enhanced collaboration among security agencies to address insecurity, and
ongoing economic reforms focusing on agriculture, investment, digital innovation, and social intervention programmes.
According to Kennedy, these initiatives have strengthened the confidence of many supporters in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and justify continued public support.
He urged participants to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the rally, stressing that the event was intended to exercise citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.
“We are not here to insult anyone. We are not here to threaten anyone. We are here to demonstrate our constitutional right to freedom of expression and association,” he said.
Kennedy also encouraged supporters to continue engaging their communities through peaceful mobilisation, civic participation, voter education, and constructive dialogue aimed at promoting national unity, security, and development.
The rally concluded with calls for continued support for Team Gbaja, the North Central Zone, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
News
Group Rallies Support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Lauds Gbajabiamila
Supporters of Team Gbaja on Friday held a sensitisation and mobilisation rally for Nigeria’s North Central Zone, where they reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for what they described as his commitment to public service.
Addressing participants at the rally, the National Spokesperson of Team Gbaja, Tabuko Kennedy, said the gathering was aimed at promoting democratic participation, peaceful engagement, and national development.
Kennedy said supporters of the Tinubu administration believe the government’s performance should be assessed based on “measurable actions and visible results,” highlighting several initiatives and developments they said demonstrate progress under the current administration.
Among the achievements cited were the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State through what he described as a coordinated multi-agency security operation without the payment of ransom.
He also pointed to the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as one of Nigeria’s largest infrastructure projects intended to improve transportation, trade, and economic growth.
Other initiatives highlighted included the implementation of the Student Loan Scheme to improve access to higher education, increased investment in federal road infrastructure across the country’s six geopolitical zones, reforms in the oil and gas sector aimed at boosting local refining capacity, enhanced collaboration among security agencies to address insecurity, and ongoing economic reforms focusing on agriculture, investment, digital innovation, and social intervention programmes.
According to Kennedy, these initiatives have strengthened the confidence of many supporters in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and justify continued public support.
He urged participants to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the rally, stressing that the event was intended to exercise citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.
“We are not here to insult anyone. We are not here to threaten anyone. We are here to demonstrate our constitutional right to freedom of expression and association,” he said.
Kennedy also encouraged supporters to continue engaging their communities through peaceful mobilisation, civic participation, voter education, and constructive dialogue aimed at promoting national unity, security, and development.
The rally concluded with calls for continued support for Team Gbaja, the North Central Zone, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
News
FG to Launch Military Medical College for Armed Forces in 2026
By Abigail David
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences, with the first set of military medical cadets expected to begin training during the 2026 academic session.
Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, announced the initiative in Abuja while inaugurating a Technical Working Group tasked with accelerating the college’s establishment. According to a statement from the ministry, the institution is intended to provide a dedicated pipeline of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals trained specifically for military service.
Alausa said the project would reduce the Armed Forces’ reliance on civilian universities for medical personnel and strengthen healthcare support for military operations. He noted that the college would focus on producing professionals equipped to meet the unique demands of military and battlefield medicine.
The minister also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to expand medical education nationwide, stating that admissions into Medicine and Dentistry have increased to over 10,000 annually, while nursing enrolment has risen significantly.
The Technical Working Group, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Education and Defence, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders, has been directed to develop the curriculum, secure accreditation and ensure the institution is ready for the 2026 academic session.
Chairman of the committee, Major General Idris Babatunde Solebo, said the college would operate from the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna and follow a model similar to the Uniformed Services University in the United States. He added that medical cadets would receive both academic and military training, including battlefield medicine and Tactical Combat Casualty Care.
According to Solebo, the Armed Forces currently face a significant shortage of medical personnel, making the new institution a key step toward strengthening military healthcare capacity.
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