By Our Reporter

Segun Kayode, a forensic investigator with the Department of State Services (DSS), has alleged that Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna state governor, and some of his associates earmarked $600,000 to pay officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and intermediaries.

Kayode, the first prosecution witness in the ongoing trial, made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying before the Kaduna state high court sitting in Kawo and presided over by Justice Darius Khobo.

The witness told the court that $500,000 and $100,000 were allegedly set aside for the payments, adding that forensic audio recordings captured conversations involving el-Rufai and some of his suspected associates.

According to Kayode, the recorded conversations centred on alleged efforts to frustrate an EFCC investigation into a company identified as Singularity.

He said a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), another individual and Bashir el-Rufai, were among those allegedly mentioned in the conversations.

Kayode told the court that the SAN and the other individual were allegedly directed to meet one Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used to liquidate another company, with the intention of applying a similar process to Singularity.

The investigator further alleged that the discussions included plans to liquidate the company in Nigeria and Mauritius, where it was reportedly under investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

He also alleged that the recordings contained discussions about preventing the EFCC from investigating a company he said was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The allegations formed part of the prosecution’s evidence against the former governor and have yet to be established by the court.

Proceedings lasted nearly eight hours, from 12:26pm to 8:18pm, with about two hours devoted to playing the recorded conversations.

After Kayode submitted a hard copy of his findings to the court clerk, the defence objected, saying the document should have been served earlier to allow the legal team to study its contents.

The judge ruled that the defence could obtain a certified true copy of the document admitted as Exhibit One for examination.

The court adjourned the case until November 30 and December 1, 2026, for the continuation of cross-examination, following agreement by the prosecution and defence.

El-Rufai is facing trial over alleged money laundering and conversion of public property.

The DSS is also prosecuting the former governor before the federal high court in Abuja over allegations of wiretapping.

He has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 19, after being released by the EFCC.

On April 13, the ICPC arraigned the former governor at the Kaduna high court on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.

In May, the federal high court in Abuja granted bail to el-Rufai in the case pertaining to alleged access to a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA).

Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, granted el-Rufai bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in like sum.

In July, the el-Rufai family said the bail conditions being handed to the former governor are not “viable”.

***Council to be inaugurated today

*** Inclusion of non APC members, President’s efforts in actualising his re-election bid, says Wike

By Eze Nnadi

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, released a revised list of its 2027 Presidential Election Campaign Council, with few stakeholders from outside the party.

The new list, which included non APC members like former governor of Rivers State, currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, governors of Anambra and Osun states, Chukwuma Soludo and Ademola Adeleke respectively, also have former governors of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola and Akinwumi Ambode, as well as as Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, among its members.

The revised list which was made available on Tuesday, after it was earlier withdrawal last month, still retained President Bola Tinubu as head of the campaign council, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as vice-chairmen.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are also listed as vice-chairmen.

Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari retained his position as Director-General, with Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu remained as deputy directors-general. Senator Adams Oshiomhole is listed as Deputy Director-General, Mobilisation.

Similarly, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was named as the campaign council secretary with the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru as deputy secretary and Hadiza Bala Usman as assistant secretary.

Other officials include Femi Gbajabiamila, who will oversee administration; Ibrahim Kabir Masari, in charge of logistics and operations; former Speaker Aminu Masari, Deputy Director-General, Parliament Mobilisation; and David Umahi, who will oversee infrastructure mobilisation and sensitisation.

The council also listed zonal campaign coordinators and co-coordinators across the six geopolitical zones.

They include Governor Bassey Otu and Victor Giadom for the South-South; Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Ijeoma Arodiogbu for the South-East; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Prince Oladiran Iyantan for the South-West; Muazu Bawa Rijau and Niger State Governor Umar Bago for the North-Central; Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and Garba Datti Muhammad for the North-West; and former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and Idris Suhaibu for the North-East.

At the state level, the list names governors and other political figures as campaign coordinators. They include Ahmadu Fintiri for Adamawa, Umo Eno for Akwa Ibom, Chukwuma Soludo for Anambra, Babagana Zulum for Borno, Sheriff Oborevwori for Delta, Hope Uzodimma for Imo, Abba Kabir Yusuf for Kano, Dapo Abiodun for Ogun, Ademola Adeleke for Osun, Nyesom Wike for Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory, and Dauda Lawal for Zamfara.

Former APC national chairmen Adebisi Akande and Abdullahi Adamu; as well as former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; former Osun State Governor Iyiola Omisore; Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; Senator George Akume; former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba; and Wale Edun. Obafemi George are also listed as advisers

The Directorate of Election Planning, Coordination, Monitoring and Mobilisation, established ahead of the 2027 general election, has Faleke as Deputy Director-General, with Stella Okotete and Engr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat serving as Secretary I and Secretary II, respectively. Audu Maikori is also listed as a secretary.

Other members of the directorate include Soares Omotola, Bashir Dabo, Sheriff Mohammed Usman, Jibrin Bancir, Ayoola Peter Olajolo, Abubakar Sadiq Sada and Princess Folasade Ogunbiyi.

In the Directorate of General Logistics and Operations, Masari has been appointed Deputy Director-General, while Adeniyi Tinubu and Barr. Yakub Bashir Bello will serve as deputies. Prof. Kabiru Isa was named secretary.

Members of the logistics and operations directorate include Ekene Nwokoro Ogbonaya, Prof. Vincent Weli, Ambassador Olusola Iji, Amina Bello, Ahmed Zibiri, Annabel Isenyo, Terrence Kuanum, Prof. Latif Babatunde Ayeleru, Amarachi Ejike, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa and Prof. Shuaibu Abdullahi.

Others are Senator Bello Tukur, Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele, Taiwo Adebowale, Sunusi Muhammad Abdullahi, Wasiu Olaomo Ayeola, Chief Isaac Ijwo, Garba Gololo Mohammed, Biodun Ogunbi, Ayuba Ganiyu Adele, High Chief Edem Duke, Yusuf Capt. Buba, Oden Ewa, Prince Ademuviwa Adex, Makinde Peter Abiola, Chief Solomon Ogba, Senator Lawal Hassan Dan Iya, Ambassador Kelvin Peter, Maggadas Mohammed Muazu and Victor Agwu.

The revised campaign council will be insugursted today (Wednesday, 14 October, 2026, according to a statement by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka,

Morka said the inauguration will take place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marking a major step forward in the Party’s preparations for the presidential election.

Reacting to the new list, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, said Tinubu’s decision to accommodate individuals outside the ruling party showed that the president’s appreciation of efforts by some non APC members in actualising his re-election bid

Wike, who is the national leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said president Tinubu’s re – election campaign should not be restricted to APC members but also include supporters willing to contribute to his victory.

The minister who spoke during his monthly media parley on Tuesday in Abuja, emphasised that the president recognised that some individuals who were not members of the APC had contributions to make towards his re-election and decided to accommodate them.

“So my thinking is that the president said, look, there are those who are not members of our political parties, but have something to offer for his re-election, and it will be proper to accommodate them so that we are able to offer whatever they may call it,” he said.

Wike explained that the arrangement reflected cooperation between APC members and supporters of Tinubu, despite their different political affiliations.

“Some don’t want to see the word coalition, but if you see that word PBAT slash APC, were the members of the party, and supporters of Mr President working together to achieve one purpose

“You can see Professor Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, who is the coordinator for Anambra State. You can see Governor Adeleke, who is not a member of APC, but the coordinator for Mr President, and then my humble self, who is not a member of APC, but a strong coordinator for the president in Rivers and the FCT.

“It tells you that it’s not necessarily just APC. Like we are saying that the re-election of Mr President should not just be about the APC,” he said.

Wike added that the arrangement demonstrated that Tinubu had supporters across political divides who wanted him to remain in office.

Wike, who defended his nutured Rainbow Coalition backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, dismissed concerns that the initiative could create divisions within the All Progressives Congress.

He said the coalition was designed to strengthen Tinubu’s electoral chances by bringing together APC members and supporters of the President from other political parties, rather than undermining the ruling party as claimed by some APC governors

“If you see that word, PBT/APC, it means those who are supporting the president who are not members of the party, together with the party, are working together to achieve that purpose,” Wike said.

He cited Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as examples of political figures associated with the coalition’s state-level coordination, alongside himself.

“The major thing is Mr President. Whatever we are going to do, whoever has any idea or anything to contribute is to the success of Mr President. That is the whole thing,” he clarified.

*** Orders withdrawal of Priests, Reverend Sisters, teachers, medical workers, other personnel

From Henry Tyonongo, (Makurdi)

Education and health received a major blow at Ihugh, the home town of Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Allia, following the suspension and closing of all schools and hospitals operating in the Vandeikya Local Government Area community by the Catholic Church.

The decision, which was announced on Tuesday by the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Benue State, ordered the suspension of church institutions, including schools and hospitals, in the area over repeated attacks, arson, burglary and alleged harassment of its personnel.

The affected institutions are St Winifred Secondary School, St Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St Thomas Hospital, including Salus Mind Care Center and its chaplaincy, and St Winifred Parish.

The Diocese similarly directed the withdrawal of its personnel, including priests, Reverend Sisters, teachers, medical personnel and other workers from the institutions, effective October 12, 2026, until further notice.

The Gboko Catholic Diocese in a pastoral letter signed by the Bishop, Most Rev. William Avenya, and the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende, said the decision followed repeated attacks, including the burning of St Winifred Secondary School students’ hostels on October 28, 2025; May 10; May 15; and October 11, 2026.

It noted that “Over a considerable period, the Catholic institutions in Ihugh have suffered repeated disturbances, attacks and acts of destruction.

“Among these were the recent burning down of the students’ hostels of St Winifred Secondary School, Hugh, on October 28th, 2025; May 10th, 2026; May 15th, 2026; and October 11th, 2026, acts that have destroyed the shelter of young people entrusted to our care, wiped out the labour and sacrifices of many years, and placed the lives and safety of students, teachers, and staff in grave danger.

“The persistent burning down of St Winifred Secondary School students’ hostels was not an isolated event. The consistent burglary issues in St Winifred Parish, Ihugh, the repeated criminal incidents at St Thomas Hospital, Ihugh, and the hooliganism witnessed during the time of the reopening of St Thomas’ Hospital, Ihugh, on 21st June, 2024, wherein the people of Ihugh openly projected placards and chanting slogans that ‘They no longer want the Reverend Sisters to work in Ihugh’,” the letter stated.

The Diocese in it’s letter, described the incidents as “a systemic pattern of hostility and destruction directed at church-owned properties, alongside arson and harassment.” Each incident has left behind fear, loss and uncertainty among those who serve and are served by the Church.”

It regretted that its institutions, established to serve the public, had repeatedly been targeted, noting that

According to the Diocese, “the Church exists to bring life. Our schools, hospital and parish in Ihugh were established for the good of all, irrespective of creed or origin. It is therefore a source of profound grief that works meant for the common good have repeatedly become targets.”

The Diocese however stated that it had engaged the host community, traditional rulers, elders and security authorities in efforts to resolve the crisis.

“The Church does not take the path of withdrawal lightly, nor in haste. The Lord instructs us to be peacemakers, and we have laboured to be so. At every stage we sought dialogue rather than confrontation and reconciliation rather than recrimination.

“The Diocese has met with the host community, engaged the traditional rulers and elders of the land, and brought these grievances before the relevant civil and security authorities, all in the hope of finding a just and lasting peace.

“We have listened, we have appealed, and we have waited patiently. Sadly, these sincere efforts have not yielded the peace, security and guarantees that the continued presence of our institutions requires.

“The Church is a partner in development, not a victim to be repeatedly wounded. A partnership requires mutual respect, protection and good faith. When the very institutions that serve a community are burnt and their workers threatened, such a partnership cannot be sustained.

“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her priests, consecrated persons, teachers, medical personnel, students and patients to danger, nor continue to invest the resources of God’s people where they are not safe and are not valued.”

The Diocese stressed that the decision was not motivated by vengeance, saying, “We do so not in anger, nor in bitterness, nor in vengeance, but in sorrow, with prayer, and with the door of reconciliation left open.”

It assured that it’s students would be assisted to continue their education in other Catholic schools, while patients at St Thomas Hospital would be referred to other health facilities.

The Diocese similarly assured that its employees affected by the decision will be treated with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour.

“To the entire people of Ihugh, to its leaders and to its youth, we make no accusation against the innocent, and we hold no hatred in our hearts. We bear no ill will toward our brothers and sisters, many of whom have known only the good that these institutions brought.

“We say plainly that violence, arson and destruction are contrary to the Gospel, contrary to the dignity of the human person, and contrary to the good of the community itself. They impoverish the very people they claim to defend, depriving children of education, the sick of healing, and the faithful of worship.”

The Gboko Catholic Diosces however noted that the closure was not a final departure, adding, “This decision is a painful one, but it is not a final farewell. The Church leaves in sorrow, not in contempt.”

It said it would consider returning if there was “genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace, and credible lasting assurances of safety” for its personnel and property.