News
ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai, Former Aide Over Alleged N8.68bn CCTV Contract Fraud
By Abigail David
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alongside his former Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor, Jimi Lawal, and five others over an alleged N8.68 billion CCTV surveillance contract awarded during his administration.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, stating that the defendants were arraigned before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, in Charge No. FHC/KD/93C/2026.
According to the ICPC, the amended 11-count charge involves allegations of corruption, money laundering and related offences.
Others listed in the charge include Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited.
The commission alleged that the defendants received and possessed funds exceeding N2 billion between 2017 and 2022 through transactions involving the companies named in the charge. It further claimed that the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In one of the counts, the ICPC alleged that El-Rufai, while serving as governor, approved the award of a CCTV procurement, design and installation contract valued at N8.68 billion to a company it claimed lacked the requisite experience and that the award violated procurement regulations.
El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following their arraignment, Justice Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the bail applications filed by the defendants.
The former governor is also facing a separate case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations relating to the unlawful interception of communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
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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