By: Fabian Apechihin

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The decision follows reports that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, granted Jonathan a waiver and endorsed him as its preferred presidential candidate for 2027.

An Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, had filed a suit seeking to stop Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate for the election. He also asked the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s nomination.

The plaintiff argued that the court should determine Jonathan’s eligibility under Sections 1(1), (2), (3), and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the former president remains constitutionally qualified to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspected illegal miners for allegedly transporting solid minerals believed to be lithium ore without valid documents.

The suspects, identified as Musa Abdullahi, 45yrs, Aliyu Ibrahim, 20yrs and Ishaq Ibrahim, 51yrs, all from Keffi in Nasarawa State, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Mines and Steel Unit attached to the Command’s Special Patrol Team.

Speaking during a media briefing at the NSCDC Command Headquarters in Ilorin, the State Commandant, Abbas Nda Mohammed, said the operation formed part of the Corps’ renewed crackdown on illegal mining and economic sabotage in the State.

According to him, the suspects were arrested at about 10pm on Friday, May 22, 2026, along Jebba Expressway in Okolowo area of Ilorin.

Commandant Abbas disclosed that operatives intercepted a truck bearing registration number DKA 990 XJ, Kaduna State, conveying about 36 tonnes of substances suspected to be lithium ore.

He added that preliminary investigations showed that the suspects failed to provide valid mining licences, waybills or any legal documents authorising the possession and transportation of the mineral resources.

The NSCDC boss further revealed that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the actual source and ownership of the minerals, identify other persons connected to the transaction and determine the mining company involved.

“The suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon conclusion of investigation,” he stated.

Commandant Abbas reaffirmed the commitment of the Corps to safeguarding critical national assets, stressing that the Command would intensify operations against illegal mining and other criminal activities across Kwara State.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the interim attachment of a lounge and a four-bedroom bungalow located in Ado-Ekiti.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin, while granting the application for the interim attachment of the properties, held that the Commission had fulfilled all the legal requirements necessary for the court to grant the application.

The interim attached properties are: Town Tavern Lounge, located at No. 1, Ikere Road, off Florence Court School, Ado-Ekiti, and a four-bedroom bungalow located along Florence Court, Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti.

The properties were said to belong to a 43-year-old man, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, who allegedly defrauded one Lady Anazia Colina Kenechukwu of the sum of N1,980,000,000 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty Million Naira only).

The petitioner alleged that Olorunbukunmi claimed he had secured a road construction contract from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and approached her to finance the project.

Kenechukwu further stated that she realised she had been scammed when the suspect stopped answering her calls, ignored her text messages, and refused to refund the money.

Moving the application on Monday, May 25, 2026, counsel to the EFCC, Cosmas Ugwu, urged the judge to be persuaded by his arguments and grant the prayers for interim attachment.

Justice Awogboro, in her ruling found merit in the application of the applicant, and consequently granted the interim attachment of the properties.