Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has responded to reports alleging that he is shielding the convicted
leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

In an interview with Nevon News hosted by Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra Governor said he openly criticises every wrong done in Nigeria,
including the South East.

During the interview, Rufai told Obi that his critics are alleging that he does not criticise Kanu

Rufai said, ” Your critics allege that you don’t come out openly to criticise whatever is done wrong by Nnamdi Kanu because he is from
your place.”

But Obi responded saying, “that is nonsense, absolute nonsense. They don’t follow me because if you follow me, I criticise whatever
things that are wrong, whether in the East, North, or anywhere.

“But in criticising it, I keep saying that we should look at it holistically”.

On whether Nnamdi Kanu has done anything wrong to deserve his sentencing, Obi said “Nobody is perfect.”

According to him, “we all have the wrong side of us but I’m saying that in building the future, we use the experiences of things we didn’t
do well to do it better.

“Every human being has done wrong things in the past, whether it is Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho or Peter Obi, we have all done
something wrong.”

Aprokorepublic

An Imo North senatorial aspirant, Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court in Owerri, seeking to be declared the party’s authentic candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Nwachukwu, in a suit filed on Wednesday through his counsel, Cajethan J. Oguzie, accused the NDC of unlawfully substituting his name with another aspirant despite his emergence as the consensus candidate and substantial financial contributions to the party.

According to court documents, Nwachukwu paid ₦25 million to the NDC ₦20 million as party support and ₦5 million for the nomination/expression of interest form for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket.

He claimed that after being screened, cleared, and ratified as the consensus candidate, his name was inexplicably replaced.

Key reliefs sought by the plaintiff include:

A declaration that he is the rightful consensus candidate of the NDC for the Imo North Senatorial Zone ahead of the 2027 election.

An order restraining the NDC from fielding any other candidate for the zone.

A perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognising or accepting the candidacy of any other person except Nwachukwu for the position.

In an affidavit in support of the originating summons, Nwachukwu alleged irregularities in the handling of funds, claiming that his ₦20 million contribution was wrongly allocated to another aspirant, Matthew Omegara, while Omegara’s payment was credited to him.

He stated that he participated fully in the party’s screening exercise and was declared the winner of the primary process before the substitution occurred.

The aspirant further claimed that he was invited to a meeting by the NDC’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, where he was informed that some Imo State party leaders considered him not popular enough to fly the party’s flag.

When contacted, the NDC’s Imo State spokesperson, Dr Charles Akano, said he needed authorisation from party leaders before commenting on the matter. He later stated that he had not yet received approval to speak on the issue.

The case is seen as one of the early legal tussles within the relatively new NDC as opposition parties position themselves for the 2027 polls. The court is yet to fix a hearing date.

Aprokorepublic

The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), demanding the immediate removal of Justice Peter Odo Lifu from all matters related to the party and his outright dismissal from the judiciary.

In a petition dated June 18, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NJC, the youth wing, led by National Youth Leader Comrade Balarabe Rufai (represented by Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala), accused the judge of judicial misconduct and political bias in his ruling that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other opposition parties.

The petition, read to journalists outside the ADC National Secretariat after alleged security barricades prevented direct submission at the NJC headquarters, strongly criticized Justice Lifu’s decision in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026.

The youth wing described the judgment as “a calculated, politically motivated act designed to shrink the democratic space in Nigeria and artificially consolidate a two-party monopoly.”

Key allegations in the petition include:

Justice Lifu proceeded with the ruling despite a binding Court of Appeal order staying proceedings on the matter.

The plaintiffs allegedly altered their legal personality during the case without proper court approval.

The judgment undermines the doctrine of stare decisis and constitutes gross misconduct.

The ADC youths demanded Lifu’s total recusal from ADC-related cases and urged the NJC to recommend his dismissal to restore public confidence in the judiciary.

“We cannot watch the political rights of millions of young Nigerians be auctioned off by compromised benches,” the petition stated.

This development follows widespread condemnation of the Federal High Court ruling. The Court of Appeal has since issued a stay of execution, halting the deregistration of the affected parties, including the ADC.

The ADC youth wing vowed to continue advocating for judicial integrity, positioning the move as a stand by Nigerian youth to protect democratic expression ahead of future elections.

Aprokorepublic

The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Raymond Ozoemena, has granted bail and ordered the discharge of 86 inmates from the Enugu Custodial Centre during the flag-off of the 2025 Jail Delivery Exercise held on Thursday in Enugu.

Among those released was an 86-year-old man from Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area, who regained his freedom on health and humanitarian grounds.

Speaking during the event, Justice Ozoemena described the jail delivery as a sacred judicial duty aimed at upholding the rule of law and protecting the fundamental rights of persons awaiting trial. He explained that the exercise allows the judiciary to review cases of inmates whose trials have been delayed or stalled, ensuring that no one is unjustly deprived of liberty.

“This is a statutory duty imposed on the Chief Judge of every state to ensure that inmates in correctional centres have their cases reviewed where the wheel of justice has been slow. I consider this a sacred obligation to protect the constitutional rights of every citizen and to ensure that justice is both fair and timely,” he stated.

The Chief Judge commended his predecessors for sustaining the tradition of the jail delivery exercise, emphasizing that it remains an essential mechanism for maintaining public confidence in the justice system. He also appreciated judges of the Enugu State Judiciary, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the management of the Enugu Custodial Centre for their continued collaboration and dedication to justice delivery.

Justice Ozoemena further expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his administration’s unwavering support to the judiciary, particularly the financial and logistical assistance provided to facilitate the 2025 jail delivery exercise. He reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that justice remains accessible, fair, and humane, especially for the underprivileged and vulnerable members of society.

In his remarks, the Controller of the Enugu Custodial Centre, Mr. Valins Obizue, commended the Chief Judge and the state government for their intervention, describing the exercise as a major step towards decongesting custodial facilities and promoting the rehabilitation of inmates. He appealed for the extension of the exercise to the Nsukka and Oji River Correctional Centres, where many inmates are still awaiting trial.

The event was attended by judges, senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, and other stakeholders in the justice sector.

The members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Enugu State have suspended its seven-day strike.

This is contained in a communique issued by the chairman and secretary of the union, Sampson Ifedimma and Jonas Onyia, respectively, on Thursday in Enugu.

It would be recalled that the union, on Sept. 12 announced an indefinite strike over non-payment of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, following the autonomy given to the judiciary and other salary arrears.

The communique said the suspension was called off as the struggle yielded its greatest reward through the formal establishment of the State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) by the state government.

It said the creation of the committee was not only a historic milestone but also incontrovertible proof that Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State genuinely intended to actualise judicial autonomy in the state.

“Therefore, the goal of the strike has now been successfully achieved.

“We made it clear that our action was never for personal gain, political manipulation, or frivolities.

“It was a principled struggle for the independence of the Judiciary in Enugu State, in line with the Governor’s public commitment to judicial autonomy”, it said.

The communique also said that the SAAC constitutes the fulcrum upon which the edifice of judicial financial autonomy was anchored.

“By its very design, it guarantees transparency, accountability, and the direct allocation of funds to the judiciary, thereby giving practical expression to the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

“I must commend Mbah and his team for the exceptional civility, diplomacy, and maturity with which they approached us as labour throughout this process.

“Contrary to our initial fears, at no point were we harassed or intimidated.

“From the Secretary to the State Government, to the Honourable Attorney-General, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, the Head of Service, the Accountant-General, and every member of the Government’s delegation.

“These men demonstrated a high level of civility, and their engagements were respectful, constructive, and solution-driven”, it said.

The communique further said that the outcome had reshaped their perception of the administration and further confirms its genuine commitment to democratic consolidation and the strengthening of the rule of law.

“Our industrial action, therefore, was never an attempt to paralyse the state, but a noble quest for institutional freedom and democratic deepening.

“To the glory of God, it has ended in praise,” it said.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has assured that the state government will embrace a hi-tech judicial system that eliminates outdated processes and strengthens justice delivery, while also prioritizing the welfare of workers across all sectors.

The governor made this known at the annual conference of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Enugu Branch, held over the weekend at the Justice A.I. Umezuruike Auditorium, High Court, Enugu.

Speaking on the theme, “Embracing Disruptive Innovation: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Justice Administration and Delivery in Enugu State,” Governor Mbah, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, said his administration was committed to transparency, integrity, efficiency, and speed in justice delivery through technology.

He highlighted innovations already introduced, including e-affidavits, e-filing, virtual hearings, and electronic transcript services through verbatim reporting. “A few weeks ago, I inaugurated the first trainees on verbatim reporting. This initiative is not just about legal tech, it is also creating new jobs and equipping our youths with future-proof skills,” he said.

On workers’ welfare, the governor stressed his administration’s commitment, citing recent wage improvements. “We have paid Enugu workers above the national minimum wage and doubled the pay of customary court chairmen and members. This demonstrates our appreciation of the workforce’s role in driving growth,” he noted.

Mbah further linked justice reforms to his broader economic vision. “Our goal of growing the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion depends on ease of doing business. The rule of law is essential to that, and a vibrant judiciary is at the heart of the rule of law,” he added.

In his address, JUSUN Enugu Chairman, Comr. Sampson Ifedimma, praised what he described as Governor Mbah’s tireless commitment to workers’ welfare and reforms. He said the digitization of the judiciary was equipping staff with modern skills, urging members to embrace ICT.

“In this digital dispensation, literacy is no longer optional, it is a lifeline. Those who neglect it risk redundancy and stagnation,” he warned.

Ifedimma also appealed for the allocation of land for a Judicial Staff Farm Settlement, to key into the state’s agricultural revival program.

Also speaking, the Majority Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Johnson Ani, commended the governor’s efforts, describing the relationship among the executive, legislature, and judiciary as “harmonious and focused on advancing the rule of law.”

“What we are witnessing in Enugu today is technological advancement across sectors, and the judiciary is no exception,” Ani said.

The conference brought together key stakeholders in the justice sector and reaffirmed the administration’s drive to reposition Enugu’s judiciary for the demands of a digital era.

A 36-year old man, Oyeyemi Abioye, was on Monday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, over an alleged N19 million petrol fraud.

Abioye, whose address was not provided, is being charged with obtaining money under false pretence and theft, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin told the court that the defendant committed the offences at about 3.00p.m on April 4, at Ido, Oyo State.

Oladoyin said that Abioye obtained the sum of N19 million from the complainant, Ruth Oladiran, with the pretext of supplying 22,000 litres of petrol to her

The prosecutor said the defendant failed to supply the petrol, but converted the money to his personal use.

Oladoyin said that the offences contravened Sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Grace Daodu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N4 million, with two sureties in like sum.

She said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant, and adjourned the case until Sept. 4, for hearing.

The Supreme Court has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the LP having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.

It held that issue of leadership was internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction and noted that Abure’s tenure had since expired.

The court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Ester Nenadi Usman and one other and held that it was meritorious.

It proceeded to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP for being unmeritorious.

The Edo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the judgment of the election petition tribunal.

The Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, upheld the election of Gov.  Okpebholo and dismissed the PDP and Asue Ighodalo’s petitions

In a statement in Benin Dr Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, said that its candidate, was duly elected by the majority of the voters in the Sept.  21,2024 governorship election

Aziegbemi said that the PDP was certain that it sufficiently proved its case before the tribunal.

“The Edo Election Petition Tribunal has delivered its ruling on our petition, challenging the result of the governorship election held Sept. 21, 2024.

“Although we hold the judiciary in the highest esteem as a political party and respect the judgment, we completely disagree with the decision of the tribunal.

“We believe, without any doubt, that our candidate, in the election, was duly elected by the majority of the voters in that election.

“We are also certain that we sufficiently proved our case before the tribunal.

“It is on the back of this conviction that we call on all our members to quickly rise up from the ashes of this temporary setback as we take our matter to the appellate courts.

“As firm believers in the rule of law and the ultimate superiority of right over wrong,

” We call on all our supporters to keep hope alive as we explore all available democratic means of enthroning the will of the people of Edo,” Aziegbemi said.

The three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, passed its verdict in a unanimous judgement, stressing that the petitioners failed to prove its allegations of over voting and electoral non-compliance.

The tribunal held that it was the duty of a petitioner to prove its electoral malpractice allegations against INEC, and not the other way round.

On the petitioners’ allegations that the number of votes cast were greater than the number of registered voters in disputed polling units, the judge agreed with the defendants that the petitioners failed to present polling unit agents and presiding officers to prove it.

The judge said it was “clear to us that the documents tendered from the bar(by the petitioners) were dumped on the tribunal without any competent witness” to substantiate the claims of over-voting and electoral non-compliance.

“These witnesses( presented by the petitioners comprising Local Government agents and others) are total strangers,” the judge stressed.

“The failure of the petitioners( PDP and Ighodalo) in this case to call polling unit agents and registered voters is fatal to their case,” the judge said, highlighting that eyewitness accounts were required to prove electoral non-compliance.

The judge also faulted the PDP for dumping the BVAS machines before the tribunal without calling competent witnesses to turn them on and demonstrate its claims of overvoting.

Subsequently, the tribunal dismissed the petitioner’s petition” for failing to prove its case against the governor’s election.