General News
SHEIKH GUMI FILES CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST TWO FACEBOOK USERS FOR ALLEGED DEFAMATION
Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has approached the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna seeking a criminal direct complaint summons against two individuals over alleged criminal conspiracy, attempt to cause public disturbance, and criminal defamation. The application was filed before the court sitting on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, naming defendants George Udom and Bello Isiaka.
According to the complainant, the defendants allegedly published a false “Breaking News” statement on their respective Facebook pages on December 23, 2025, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The publication falsely attributed a threat to Sheikh Gumi that the family of the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, would be eliminated if military operations against bandits were not halted. Sheikh Gumi alleged that his photograph was used alongside the statement, giving the impression that he authored the threat.
Sheikh Gumi told the court, “Following the publication, I received numerous phone calls from concerned members of the public who believed I had made the statement and was attempting to intimidate the Minister of Defence in the performance of his official duties.” He maintained that the publication portrayed him as a troublemaker and a threat to public peace, contrary to his long-standing reputation. “I am a cleric known for preaching peace, tolerance, and harmonious coexistence within and outside Nigeria,” he stated.
He further argued that the alleged publication was capable of inciting public disorder in Kaduna State, particularly in Southern Kaduna. The scholar also expressed concern for his safety, stating the publication could “expose me to danger by presenting me as a prime suspect in the event of any attack on the Defence Minister’s family.” According to the complainant, the actions of the defendants amounted to an attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation of his character.
Sheikh Gumi stated that the alleged acts contravened Sections 59, 57, 372, 116, and 117 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017. The application, dated December 24, 2025, was filed by a legal team led by Suleiman Danlami Lere. The complainant is urging the court to summon the defendants to answer to the allegations.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced an urgent, coordinated strategy to safeguard food security across West Africa and the Sahel, as global economic disruptions and rising oil prices continue to threaten agricultural production.
The decision followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Agriculture held on March 23, 2026, where regional leaders assessed the growing risks to food systems.
The high-level meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture under Commissioner Kalilou Sylla, brought together key regional institutions, development partners, and financial stakeholders.
Participants—including representatives from the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel—reviewed the impact of rising fertiliser costs, driven by global market volatility and increasing energy prices, on agricultural productivity across the region.
Deliberations resulted in the adoption of a medium- to long-term operational framework aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and building resilience within regional food systems.
Key measures outlined in the plan include the immediate establishment of regional agreements to secure strategic fertiliser supplies, as well as the creation of emergency reserves to cushion the effects of future price shocks.
The ministers also approved the introduction of liquidity swap mechanisms through central banks to address foreign exchange constraints faced by importers—an intervention expected to improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Our collective response underscores the urgency of safeguarding food security in the face of external shocks,” Sylla said, noting that enhanced regional coordination and targeted interventions would help sustain agricultural production and protect vulnerable populations.
The initiative highlights ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and implementing sustainable solutions to emerging threats to food security across West Africa and the Sahel.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday paid a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
The visit formed part of activities marking the Sallah celebrations, as top government officials and political leaders paid courtesy calls to the President.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also received members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, a key political body in Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council
The engagements provided an opportunity for discussions on national issues and strengthened ties between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Sallah homage is a long-standing tradition in Nigeria, where political leaders and stakeholders visit the President and other top officials during major Islamic festivities.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over the reported arrest of a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, describing the development as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said he was informed that the cleric was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday. He described the situation as “deeply troubling,” warning that it reflects a growing pattern of intimidation and suppression of dissenting voices in the country.
Obi noted that such actions, if confirmed, undermine fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and movement, which he said are essential pillars of any democratic society.
He further stressed that harassment or persecution of citizens based on perceived political affiliations must not be tolerated, urging the government to uphold the rule of law in its dealings with Nigerians.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society,” Obi stated, adding that suppression and intimidation of dissent have no place in a functioning democracy.
The former Anambra State governor called on authorities and all relevant actors to refrain from actions capable of weakening the nation’s already fragile democratic system.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the alleged arrest.