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I helped soldiers to free Wadume, witness tells court
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… Malami: govt not shielding soldiers in ‘kidnap kingpin’s’ saga
The police said a team of policemen had gone to the state to arrest Wadume but was ambushed by a group of soldiers, allegedly led by Captain Tijani Balarabe, who freed the suspected kidnapper.
This happened as Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami (SAN) denied allegations that the Federal Government had been shielding soldiers accused of complicity in the Wadume case from trial.
Malami addressed State House Correspondents on Wednesday after this week’s virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.
He said: “Coming to the issue of the soldiers, it is important for you to note that within the context of the Nigerian law, there are certain provisions that are exclusive to the military within the context of law on court martial and then the internal discipline associated with the military.
“The soldiers can now be charged before a court martial. For the military to release their personnel for prosecution, ordinarily, there are in-house processes and procedures that are to be consummated. So, those that are handy for the purpose of prosecution cannot be held in custody for unduly longer period of time on the account of the absence of the military.”
Testifying during the resumed hearing in the trial of Wadume and six others, a welder, Hafizu Bala said he was engaged by the soldiers to cut the handcuff with which the police had restrained Wadume.
Those being tried with Wadume are: Auwalu Bala (aka Omo Razor), Uba Bala (aka Uba Belu), Bashir Waziri (aka Baba Runs); Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) and Rayyanu Abdul.
Led in evidence by Lead Prosecutor Magaji Labaran, the welder, who was the second prosecution witness, spoke in Hausa but had his testimony translated into English language. Bala said: “I am a welder and resident of Ibi in Taraba State. I came to testify about what happened.
“On August 6, 2019, I was sitting in my shop when a motorcycle rider came and asked me to go and break a padlock for him. The rider was a soldier. We went to a military camp …and the road was blocked. But the motorcycle rider showed them my tools and handsaw before they allowed us to pass.
“After we went inside, we went straight to Capt. Balarabe’s house. We met Alhaji Hamisu Wadume with two military men, with other people inside. I met him with handcuffs in his hands and legs.
“When I went inside, he was sitting on a chair. I told them that where he was sitting would not be comfortable for me to do the work well, that he should sit on a double chair.
“I was taken to the place to break a padlock, but what I saw were handcuffs. One of the military men asked Wadume to stand for photograph. Alhaji stood and raised his hand for the picture. After that, I started working on the handcuffs. Eventually, I was able to cut them off.
“After that, I did not do any other thing; I went home. There is one DCO that assisted me to cut the handcuffs.”
At the conclusion of Bala’s testimony, Labaran called the third prosecution witness, Ahmad Suleiman (aka Dan Ball), who gave details how Capt. Balarabe asked him to help retrieve a rifle from one of the defendants.
Suleiman described himself as a businessman and a resident of Ibi in Taraba State. He also spoke in Hausa language and his testimony was interpreted into English.
When asked if he knew Baba Runs, Suleima identified him as the fifth defendant in the dock.
Earlier, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Felix Adolije, who had testified as the first prosecution witness on Monday, was discharged yesterday after he was cross-examined by the defence lawyers – Ishaka Dikko (SAN), M. I. Toga, Y. Dandana, Amanze Amanze, Abass Ajiya, Kuzaet Magaji and F. O. Fagbemi.
Adolije led the police team that arrested Wadume but they were attacked, leading to loss of lives.
Also on Wednesday, Justice Binta Nyako gave a ruling, rejecting the bail application filed by the defendants.
Justice Nyako ordered that the defendants be transferred from the custody of Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to Kuje Prison in Abuja.
She adjourned till July 7 for continuation of trial.
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Politics Should Be About Issues, Not Violence – Let’s Protect Our Democracy, Says Tinubu
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I have followed recent reports of violence accompanying political events in different parts of the country.
Every form of violence stands condemned. Violence should never have a place in our political campaigns as we move toward the 2027 general elections.
Our campaigns should be about issues, a contestation of ideas that promote the welfare of our people and the progress of our country.
As the leader of this country, I commit myself to a peaceful, free, and fair election, and I urge political leaders and supporters across party lines to conduct themselves responsibly.
I have said that being in different political parties or pursuing different ambitions does not make us enemies.
As Nigerians, we are members of the same household living in different rooms. Therefore, our politics must elevate human conditions and focus on national progress and development.
I want to reiterate my previous directive to the security agencies: be strict and firm against anyone who seeks to test our resolve and will to preserve public order.
Our administration is committed to an orderly and peaceful election, and all political parties and candidates should be protected and free to campaign anywhere in the country without molestation or fear for their safety.
We shall not tolerate any irresponsible conduct by politicians and their supporters.
Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force.
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Update : THE COURAGE TO REFORM” BOOK TO BE UNVEILED DECEMBER 1 ,
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The Central Planning Committee for the official unveiling of the book, The Courage to Reform: Architecture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Beyond 2027 — Statecraft, Vision for National Renewal, has announced Tuesday, December 1, 2026, as the new date for the highly anticipated ceremony.
The unveiling, which was initially scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, was earlier postponed following adjustments to the official schedule of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion.
HON. IMAAN SULAIMAN-IBRAHIM
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development
Chairperson, Central Planning Committee
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2027: Tinubu Dares Obi, Atiku to Showcase Their Achievements in Office, Accuses Them of Abandoning Their Responsibilities
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President Bola Tinubu has criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over their political affiliations, questioning their leadership credentials ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu made the remarks on Friday during his visit to Akwa Ibom State, where he inaugurated projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration and addressed supporters at a political gathering.
Although he did not mention either politician by name, he appeared to refer to Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and Atiku, who joined the African Democratic Congress after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.
Referring to Obi’s tenure as Anambra governor, Tinubu accused him of failing to tackle erosion in the state, contrasting it with his own claim of confronting the Atlantic Ocean during his administration as Lagos governor.
“One, who said he is in one party they call NDC, who is running for president. He ran away from erosion. In Anambra State, he could not confront erosion.
“I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I claim it for you. Umo Eno confronted the erosion in Akwa Ibom and is working for, he is stable,” the President said.
Tinubu also questioned the political loyalty of a former PDP member who moved to another party, in an apparent reference to Atiku’s defection to the ADC.
“If a man that was, once upon a time, was a baby of PDP, became a father of PDP. And because of a little inconvenience, he ran away from that party. And formed a dangerous ADC in another party. Is that a leadership trait? Is that a leadership character? And he wants you to vote for him?” he said.
Obi governed Anambra State between 2006 and 2014, while Atiku served as Nigeria’s Vice-President from 1999 to 2007 under the PDP.
Atiku contested the 2023 presidential election on the PDP platform, finishing second behind Tinubu, while Obi, who contested under the Labour Party, came third.
Obi left the Labour Party for the NDC in May 2026, while Atiku joined the ADC as part of opposition efforts ahead of the 2027 election.
Tinubu’s reference to Anambra’s erosion problem recalls his 2023 presidential campaign promise to tackle the menace in the state.
During a campaign rally in Awka in February 2023, the then APC presidential candidate promised to address gully erosion in Anambra, saying he would handle it in the same way he claimed to have tackled the Atlantic Ocean surge in Lagos.
“I have come here to promise you development. We will industrialise Nigeria and Anambra State. You know me, I am the city boy of Lagos; I caged the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos; the way I handled the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, I will handle the erosion menace in Anambra State,” he said at the time.
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