Category Nigeria News

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court Abuja, has adjourned the N1.2 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other defendants, to March 10 for a definite hearing.

Sowore had sued the IGP and others over his arrest, detention, and arraignment by the police in Abuja.

At the day’s proceedings, his counsel, Marshal Abubakar, informed the court that the matter was slated for mention and all the defendants, who had been served with hearing notice, were not in court; they gave no reason for their absence.

He prayed the court that the matter be deemed mentioned and a date be fixed for a definite hearing and adoption of processes.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, adjourned the matter till March 10 for a definite hearing and directed that the hearing notice be served on all the defendants.

Sowore is seeking multiple declarations that his arrest, harassment, restraint, and subsequent arraignment on October 23 and 24, 2025, were “illegal, oppressive, and unlawful.”

In the originating motion, Sowore, through his team of lawyers led by Marshal Abubakar, accused the police of flagrant abuse of power and blatant violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights to liberty, dignity, and movement.

The motion, brought pursuant to Sections 34, 35, 37, 41, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 2, 5, 6, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, seeks several reliefs, including a declaration that:

“The arrest of the applicant by the agents of the respondents on 23rd October, 2025, is illegal, oppressive, unlawful, and constitutes a blatant violation of the applicant’s fundamental right to personal liberty as enshrined in Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Sowore is also asking the court to declare that his harassment, restraint, and detention on the same date violated his freedom of movement under Section 41(1) of the Constitution and Article 12 of the African Charter.

“The harassment, restraint, arrest, and detention of the applicant by the agents of the respondents on 23rd October, 2025, is illegal, oppressive, unlawful, and constitutes a blatant violation of the applicant’s fundamental right to freedom of movement,” the court document reads in part.

He further described his arraignment on October 24, 2025, as a continuation of the constitutional violations, saying it breached his right to dignity and freedom from arbitrary detention.

In his supporting affidavit, he narrated how he was arrested within the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja, while attending to legal proceedings, allegedly on accusations related to a peaceful protest.

“I was arrested on the 23rd October, 2025, within the vicinity of this honourable court over allegations that I took part in a peaceful protest”, the affidavit stated and accused the police of resorting to “self-help rather than due process.”

He asked the court to order the AGF to initiate disciplinary actions against the IGP and the FCT Commissioner of Police under relevant laws, including the Anti-Torture Act of 2017 and the Violence Against Persons Act.

The suit seeks an order mandating the 1st to 3rd respondents (IGP, Nigeria Police, and FCT Commissioner) to tender a public apology to Sowore in at least three national newspapers for violating his rights.

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It also seeks an order compelling the respondents to jointly and severally pay N200 million as general damages for the unlawful arrest and detention, and an additional N1 billion as punitive and exemplary damages for the “illegal violation” of his fundamental human rights.

The document further stated that the activist was entitled to compensation and a public apology, as the police actions “amounted to oppression, abuse of power, and a violation of human dignity.

The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has admitted that the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, resulted from medical negligence at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, Kano, following a surgical procedure.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, said a preliminary investigation confirmed that surgical scissors were mistakenly left inside the patient’s body during surgery.

“The preliminary findings of the investigation ordered by the Executive Secretary, Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed clear medical negligence, as surgical scissors were left inside the patient after the procedure,” Suleiman said.

Following the findings, the Board announced the immediate suspension of three hospital personnel directly involved in the surgery, pending the outcome of further investigations.

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“As an immediate step, the Board has suspended three personnel directly involved in the case from carrying out any clinical responsibilities,” the statement added.

The Board further disclosed that the matter has been referred to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee for a comprehensive investigation and possible disciplinary action in line with professional standards and existing laws.

“The case has been referred to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee for thorough investigation and appropriate disciplinary measures,” Suleiman stated.

While expressing sympathy to the bereaved family, the Board extended its condolences and assured the public that negligence would not be tolerated in the state’s healthcare facilities.

“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathises with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.

Aishatu Umar reportedly died after doctors allegedly left surgical scissors in her abdomen during an operation at the government-owned urology centre. Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she began experiencing severe complications shortly after the surgery.

“My wife kept complaining of severe pain and discomfort after the operation,” Muhammad said. “We returned to the hospital several times, but her condition kept worsening until she eventually died.”

The incident has sparked widespread outrage among residents of Kano State, with many raising concerns over poor oversight and accountability in public healthcare facilities. Nigerians on social media have also called for justice for the deceased and urgent reforms to prevent similar occurrences.

The Niger State Government has issued a two-month ultimatum to residents of hamlets around Kainji Lake to vacate the area for resettlement, as part of renewed efforts to flush out criminals operating within the axis.

Governor Umaru Bago disclosed this during a condolence visit to the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, at his palace in New Bussa, following a recent terrorist attack in the Emirate.

He explained that the planned resettlement, to be coordinated by the Emirate Council, has become necessary to prevent collateral damage.

Bago added that the move became necessary, as the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, is intensifying efforts to clear forests and dislodge criminal elements using the Kainji Lake area as hideouts.

He noted with concern the influx of unprofiled individuals into the Emirate, describing it as a major security threat, while also lamenting the activities of informants who, according to him, have continued to undermine security operations in the area.

Bago charged the Emirate Council to rise to its responsibility by working closely with security agencies and governments at all levels to tackle all forms of insecurity within the Emirate.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the Emir and the people of Borgu Emirate, particularly the families of those who lost their lives in the attack, and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and comfort for their loved ones.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, assured that the Federal Government remains committed to restoring peace and security across the country and would support all initiatives aimed at achieving lasting security.

According to him, “It will be a welcome development if concrete actions are taken to relocate the affected communities, reclaim the forest, and deploy it for productive community use.”

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Responding, the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, pledged the Emirate’s full cooperation with relevant authorities to identify and prosecute informants, stressing that the security of lives and property remains a top priority.

The UK no longer plans to make a new digital ID card mandatory to work in Britain, finance minister Rachel Reeves confirmed Wednesday, in the latest U-turn by her embattled government.

The climbdown follows an intense backlash to contentious plans to introduce a free digital ID for both nationals and those residing in the country in a bid to curb illegal migration.

After officials briefed British media late Tuesday that the new ID would no longer be mandatory for employment, Reeves insisted the right to work would still become contingent on providing a form of digital verification.

“We are saying that you will need mandatory digital ID to be able to work in the UK,” she told the BBC.

“Now the difference is whether that has to be one piece of ID — a digital ID card — or whether it could be an e-visa or an e-passport,” Reeves added.

“We’re pretty relaxed about what form that takes.”

The mandatory digital ID policy, unveiled by Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September, had sparked fierce opposition from rival political parties and public concern.

Some criticism, including from far-right figures, promoted unproven claims that it will be used to boost government control over people’s lives.

They included fearmongering that digital ID will be used to store data on vaccinations and carbon footprint and limit access to flying and food, which the government has vehemently denied.

Starmer said in September that the ID card would be introduced by 2029 and while it would not be mandatory, it would be required to prove the right to work.

Opposition politicians seized on the latest government reversal, which follows around a dozen other U-turns on various policies since centre-left Labour won power in July 2024.

“This is a victory for individual liberty against a ghastly, authoritarian government,” Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, said.

He vowed to scrap the ID “altogether” if it wins power.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said “good riddance” to “a terrible policy”.

A government spokesman said it is “committed to mandatory digital right to work checks”.

“Currently right to work checks include a hodge podge of paper-based systems with no record of checks ever taking place,” he added, calling them “open to fraud and abuse”.

The spokesman also noted the digital ID scheme will be set out “following a full public consultation which will launch shortly”.

The Ondo State government has indefinitely shut down St. Louis Primary School in the state over what it described as non-compliance.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, handed down the order to the school located in the Ondo West Local Government Area, on behalf of the state government.

According to him, the drastic measure became necessary following the school’s “persistent non-compliance and flagrant disregard” for state guidelines governing private educational institutions.

He noted that the decision was part of the ongoing commitment of the government to ensure that all private schools operate within the legal framework of the state.

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Prof. Ajibefun emphasised that the closure will remain in effect until the school demonstrates full compliance with government regulations and acknowledges the state’s oversight authority.

The Kebbi State Government on Tuesday explained the ₦10 billion Hajj intervention released to the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency.

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The government’s reaction followed criticism from Muslim Rights Concern, which urged the state to redirect the funds to education and healthcare.

Speaking at a press conference, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed, stated that the funds released to the agency were a repayable loan intended to meet the deadline for securing Hajj slots for intending pilgrims from the state.

“We recognise MURIC as a responsible organisation that stands for truth, but it appears they did not have sufficient information regarding the intervention.

“For the record, the ₦10 billion was a loan from the Kebbi State Government to the agency, to be repaid through the sale of Hajj seats, and the money has since been returned to the state’s account,” Ahmed said.

On healthcare delivery, the commissioner explained that Governor Nasir Idris had addressed remuneration disparities between state and federal doctors to curb the migration of medical personnel in search of better opportunities.

He added that hospitals across the state had been rehabilitated and equipped with modern facilities to meet the healthcare needs of residents.

Ahmed also noted that the education sector had received significant attention, with special interventions including school renovations and the provision of furniture to enhance learning across the state.

MURIC had faulted the state government for approving a ₦10 billion loan to secure an additional 1,300 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, described the decision as a misplacement of priorities, urging the government to focus on critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation.