Author: Vardiafrica

THE FEDERAL High Court sitting in Kaduna has remanded former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after adjourning the hearing of his bail application to April 14. The presiding judge, Rilwanu Aikawa, fixed the new date on Wednesday, April 1, following submissions from both the defence counsel and the prosecution in the ongoing case. El-Rufai was recently arraigned by the Commission on a 10-count criminal charge concerning allegations of the diversion of public assets and money laundering offences. The charges include claims that he unlawfully received…

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama on Wednesday rescinded the bench warrant earlier issued against Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kabiru Turaki, over his failure to appear in court in a case involving a lone charge of providing false information to the police. The court’s decision followed an oral application by Turaki’s counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu. Delivering the ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, said the purpose of the warrant had already been fulfilled with the defendant’s voluntary appearance. “The essence of the…

The Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), General Christopher Musa (rtd), alongside the Honourable Minister of State for Defence (HMOSD), Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, on 31 March 2026, conducted an operational visit to Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Maiduguri. The visit was aimed at appraising ongoing operations, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to the fight against terrorism, and engaging key stakeholders in the Theatre. The visit commenced with a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno at his palace, where the Honourable Ministers paid homage to the revered traditional ruler and expressed deep…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has commenced a strategic reset of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF), a key platform for facilitating information sharing and collaboration among key industry stakeholders and proposing interventions and policy changes. The goal of the reset is to deliver high-impact Nigerian content outcomes.At a two-day retreat and first half of the 2026 Steering Committee Meeting of the NCCF, the Board underscored the need for a clear, actionable roadmap to reposition the forum as a more effective driver of in-country capacity development in the oil and gas sector. Declaring the retreat open, the…

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday declared three senatorial seats vacant following the deaths of members of the 10th Senate. The vacancies affect Enugu North Senatorial District, Nasarawa North Senatorial District, and Rivers South-East Senatorial District. Akpabio made the announcement during plenary, noting that the development was necessitated by the demise of the affected lawmakers in line with constitutional provisions. “Due to the tragedies that have befallen the 10th Senate, vacancies have been created for midterm elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that we fill the vacancies created by the demise of our colleagues,”…

The Institute of Public Sector Management presented the International Public Service Excellence Award at the Parliament House in Westminster, London, to top NDDC officials, led by the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku. Other awardees from the Commission were the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; and the Director, Finance and Accounts, Mrs Kunemofa Asu. While the NDDC Managing Director, represented by his Chief of Staff, Rev. Obegha Oworibo, was honoured for his “strategic and transformational leadership,” the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, represented by the NDDC Director of Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue, was recognised for…

The Senate on Tuesday approved the 2026 Appropriation Bill, increasing the proposed budget to N68.323 trillion, an addition of over N9 trillion to the initial figure submitted by President Bola Tinubu. The upward revision is aimed at addressing legacy obligations, funding critical infrastructure, strengthening the judiciary, boosting healthcare interventions and supporting preparations for the 2027 general elections. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, while presenting the report, said the adjustment was necessary to regularise outstanding commitments from previous fiscal years, align the budget with current economic realities and maintain macroeconomic stability. President Tinubu had initially presented…

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning, threatening to target major United States technology companies operating in the Middle East, while urging employees and nearby residents to evacuate immediately. In a statement relayed by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the IRGC said American firms involved in technology and artificial intelligence would be considered legitimate targets “Since the main element in designing and tracking terrorist targets are American and ICT and AI companies … from now on, [these] main institutions will be our legitimate targets,” it said. The group warned that more than 15 companies could be affected, specifically naming…

Christopher Musa, minister of defence, has led a delegation to Borno to commiserate with the state government over the suicide bomb attacks which killed at least 23 persons earlier this month.  The delegation comprised Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, alongside the chiefs of operations of the defence headquarters (DHQ) and other service branch of the armed forces. The team visited to Abubakar el-Kanemi, the Shehu of Borno, and Babagana Zulum, the state governor, who was represented by Umar Kadafur, his deputy. Musa conveyed the heartfelt condolences of President Bola Tinubu and noted the assurances of the federal government in addressing…

The Senate mandates a full-scale investigation into the March 2026 attacks in Jos North and Kanam LGAs. The Senate has officially directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the recent surge of violence in Plateau State. The directive follows a tragic attack in the Anguwan Rukuba area of Jos North, which resulted in the deaths of at least 28 civilians. In a decisive move to address the escalating insecurity, the Senate resolved to dispatch a high-powered delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to visit the affected communities and commiserate with the…