A coalition of civil society organisations under the umbrella of the Civil Society Alliance Against Corruption and Abuse of Office (CSAACAO) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately remove Surveyor Akande Moruf Adetunji from public office over what it described as grave allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and violations of public service ethics.

In an open letter jointly signed on Thursday in Abuja by the National Coordinator of CSAACAO, Comrade Gbenga Akande, and the National Secretary, Comrade Ishaya Abdullaziz, on behalf of 20 other civil society organisations, the coalition urged the President to order a comprehensive investigation into the allegations while emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the public service.

According to the coalition, the allegations against the public officer include alleged professional misconduct, abuse of official authority, intimidation, misuse of office for personal interests, sponsorship of defamatory publications against another public officer, unethical conduct, media manipulation, and alleged administrative and financial irregularities during his tenure.

The group also alleged that Surveyor Adetunji is involved in an ongoing court matter and claimed that a bench warrant was reportedly issued for his arrest. It argued that, if confirmed, such circumstances would be incompatible with continued service in public office.

CSAACAO further alleged that the official, despite reportedly reaching the statutory retirement age, has refused to process his retirement by allegedly failing to submit the necessary retirement documents and withholding official records.

The coalition claimed that these actions, if established, could amount to violations of the Public Service Rules, the Pension Reform Act, and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The coalition warned that allowing a public officer facing such allegations to remain in office could undermine public confidence in the administration’s anti-corruption agenda, weaken trust in the civil service disciplinary system, and create the impression that misconduct is tolerated.

While acknowledging the constitutional presumption of innocence, the coalition argued that public officers occupying sensitive positions should step aside whenever credible allegations arise pending the outcome of investigations.

Among its demands, CSAACAO urged President Tinubu to immediately remove Surveyor Adetunji from office in the public interest, direct a full-scale investigation into all allegations against him, mandate the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the reported court matter and any related issues, and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law.

The letter was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and the ICPC.

As of the time of filing this report, Surveyor Akande Moruf Adetunji had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the open letter, and the claims had not been independently verified. No official statement had also been issued by the Presidency regarding the petition.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.

The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.

When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.

At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.

The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.

The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.

The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.