• As Kwara PDP mocks AbdulRazaq

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Saliu Mustapha, has formally resigned his membership from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement in Ilorin, Mustapha, who is the Turaki of Ilorin, said: “Following careful considerations of the recent developments in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, I have formally resigned my membership of the party in the state

“This is not a decision I have taken lightly. It follows weeks of extensive consultations and engagements with relevant stakeholders, my supporters, constituents across Kwara Central Senatorial District, and well-meaning Kwarans.

“As a politician, I have always believed that politics must be about people, principles and purpose. Where the path of a political platform no longer sufficiently aligns with these convictions and the aspirations of the people one represents, the honourable thing to do is to chart a new course.

“To the leadership of the APC ably led by H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I express my deepest gratitude for the relationships and experiences I have been afforded over the years.

“To my constituents, supporters, political associates and stakeholders in Kwara State and beyond, I assure you that while my political platform may change, my principles, my purpose and my commitment to the people remain unchanged.

“I remain steadfast in my service to the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria at large.”

Meanwhile, the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the Senator’s resignation from the ruling party as “a devastating confirmation that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has failed both his party and the people of Kwara State”.

The PDP, in a reaction by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, said: “The exit of such a prominent serving Senator, founding APC figure and respected traditional title holder from the ruling party has further exposed the deepening crisis and leadership failure that Governor AbdulRazaq can no longer conceal with propaganda, social media optics and image laundering, noting that the APC in Kwara can now be perfectly described as a runaway car heading to doom, yet being controlled by a blind and deaf driver.

“The PDP noted that Senator Mustapha’s resignation came only days after another prominent APC figure and Haske of Lafiagi, Ambassador Kolo Baba Jiya, alongside several APC leaders from the Kwara North axis, also severed ties with the ruling party.

“Governor AbdulRazaq has failed his party just as he has failed the people of Kwara State. He now presides over a party that is fatally fractured, internally weakened and increasingly rejected by ordinary Kwarans. Beyond pretence and social media optics, the Kwara APC under Governor AbdulRazaq can no longer deny the obvious: its centre can no longer hold.

“The resignation of Senator Saliu Mustapha is not an ordinary political development; it is a loud confirmation that the leadership crisis in the APC has reached a dangerous and irreversible stage. A Governor who cannot unite and retain the prominent leaders within his own political household cannot be trusted with the larger responsibility of providing stable and inclusive leadership for a complex state like Kwara.”

“What is happening to the Kwara APC today is not just political migration. It is the inevitable collapse of a party built on lies, deceit, image laundering targeted at innocent families, and evil propaganda of 2019. When a house is built on quicksand, it does not take much for it to collapse.

“The tragedy of the AbdulRazaq-led APC is that it has been led by a Governor who appears uncomfortable with the political growth and stature of other prominent Kwara people, treating perceived political competitors as threats that must be eliminated from his political journey at all costs. The movement of key stakeholders, such as Ambassador Kolo Baba Jiya, now a serving Senator, is proof that even those who helped build the APC have lost faith in Governor AbdulRazaq’s leadership.

“The PDP therefore called on other distinguished Kwarans who remain in the APC merely out of shame associated with leaving the party to summon the courage to take a bold step before the situation becomes irredeemable. The party urged them to follow the example of Senator Saliu Mustapha and other prominent leaders who have chosen to reject what it described as a failing and skidding political vehicle.”

By Hassan Agboola

A lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza N. Dantani, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of allegedly exceeding its statutory mandate and subjecting suspects to media trials.

Dantani, in a statement, urged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to intervene and ensure that the commission operates within the limits of its enabling law, the 1999 Constitution and other relevant legislation.

He expressed concern over the reported prosecution of a person for defamation, arguing that the offence did not fall within the EFCC’s statutory mandate.
According to him, the commission should not assume jurisdiction over allegations simply because they are controversial, politically sensitive or attract public attention.

“The EFCC is not a general-purpose criminal prosecution agency. Its mandate is principally directed at economic and financial crimes and offences properly connected to that statutory mandate,” he said.

Dantani also criticised the alleged practice of publicly releasing photographs and mugshots of suspects before conviction, describing it as inconsistent with the constitutional presumption of innocence and the rights to human dignity and privacy.

He cited Sections 34(1), 36(5) and 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which protect the dignity of the human person, presumption of innocence and right to privacy.

He also referred to Sections 8 and 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, arguing that while law-enforcement agencies could take photographs of suspects for legitimate investigative and identification purposes, such powers should not be interpreted as authority to publicly parade or humiliate them.

Dantani said the publication of suspects’ mugshots could cause lasting reputational damage, particularly where the affected persons were subsequently discharged or acquitted.

“An allegation is not a conviction; an arrest is not guilt; and a charge is not proof,” he said.

The lawyer cited Supreme Court decisions, including Saude v. Abdullahi and Ransome-Kuti & Ors. v. Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors., to underscore the importance of fundamental rights in Nigeria’s legal system.

He also referred to Maryam Shehu v. EFCC, saying the case raised important questions concerning law-enforcement powers, presumption of innocence, human dignity and the public
dissemination of suspects’ photographs.

According to him, the EFCC should not simultaneously act as investigator, prosecutor and “judge in the court of public opinion.”
Dantani stressed that his criticism was not an opposition to the EFCC or the fight against corruption, but a call for the commission to discharge its responsibilities professionally and within the law.

He urged the AGF, as the nation’s chief law officer, to urgently examine the developments and take appropriate steps to ensure that the EFCC remained within its lawful jurisdiction.

He specifically called on the AGF to ensure that the commission restricted its investigations and prosecutions to offences within its statutory mandate, did not assume jurisdiction over matters belonging to other law-enforcement or prosecutorial authorities, and reviewed its policy on the publication of suspects’ photographs.

He further urged the EFCC to respect the constitutional rights to dignity, privacy and presumption of innocence at every stage of criminal proceedings.
“Good intentions cannot confer
jurisdiction where the law does not provide it, and the seriousness of an allegation cannot extinguish the constitutional rights of the accused,” Dantani said.

He added: “An allegation is not a conviction. A mugshot is not a judgment. Publicity is not evidence. And the EFCC is not above the law.”

Dantani urged the AGF to act decisively to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system and prevent what he described as the institutionalisation of abuse of powers by law-enforcement agencies.

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Joint Security Task Force, code-named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has relocated its tactical headquarters from Jos, the Plateau State capital, to Mangu Local Government Area in response to rising insecurity in the area.

The redeployment follows a series of attacks in Mangu, including the recent assault on Binper Village, where more than 25 people were reportedly killed.

Speaking with journalists during the relocation on Wednesday, the Commander of OPSH and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Williams Dangana, said the decision was aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and reducing response time to security threats.

“Establishing a physical presence in Mangu will enable leadership to maintain direct, real-time assessment of the security situation and ensure timely tactical responses,” Dangana said.

The GOC disclosed that the relocation was accompanied by additional troops, equipment and logistics approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.

“My being here is not just in person. I’m here with enablers, additional manpower and all the resources required to execute this mandate,” Dangana stated.

As part of efforts to address the worsening security situation, the military has also launched Operation Hard Nut, a new initiative aimed at dismantling armed groups and restoring peace in Mangu and neighbouring communities.

Dangana assured residents that troops would maintain a sustained presence in the area to “systematically clear hostile elements and guarantee long-term safety for citizens of Mangu and its environs.”

The latest development comes amid renewed violence in parts of Plateau State, which has reportedly left dozens dead and displaced many residents in recent weeks.

The relocation of the OPSH tactical headquarters to Mangu is expected to strengthen coordination among security agencies and local stakeholders as military operations intensify under Operation Hard Nut.