Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Pays Tribute to Late Ilorin Chief Imam - Newstrends
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Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Pays Tribute to Late Ilorin Chief Imam

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Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih
Late Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih
Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Pays Tribute to Late Ilorin Chief Imam
Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, has been thrown into deep mourning following the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, OON, a revered Islamic scholar and spiritual leader, who passed away on Monday, 19th January 2026, after a brief illness.
The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has described the late cleric as a towering spiritual icon whose demise marks the end of a significant era in the religious history of Ilorin and the wider Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
In a press release issued on Monday, the Grand Chief Imam expressed profound sorrow over the passing of the late Chief Imam, noting that his life was wholly devoted to the service of Islam, scholarship, and moral guidance.
On behalf of the Muslim Ummah in Oyo Land, Sheikh Akeugberu extended heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, the Ilorin Emirate, the immediate family of the deceased, and Muslims across Ilorin and Kwara State.
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The late Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih was described as a distinguished Islamic scholar, an exceptional orator, and a spiritual leader of rare depth whose influence transcended Ilorin. He was appointed Chief Imam during the reign of the 9th Emir of Ilorin, Shehu Zuluqarnaini Gambari Mohammed, and later emerged as the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, serving faithfully for over four decades under three successive Emirs.
According to the statement, the late cleric was widely celebrated for his intellectual brilliance, unwavering commitment to Islamic principles, and dedication to the spiritual and moral upliftment of society. His global recognition, national honour (OON), and numerous academic accolades were cited as clear testimonies to a life devoted to knowledge, service, and excellence in religious leadership.
“The demise of Shaykh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, OON, marks the end of a remarkable era in Ilorin’s religious history. His legacy of moderation, eloquence, humility, and principled leadership will continue to inspire generations of scholars, clerics, and the wider Muslim community,” the Grand Chief Imam stated.
While mourning the monumental loss, Sheikh Akeugberu urged the Muslim Ummah to take solace in the enduring impact of the late Imam’s life of service and to remain steadfast in unity, peace, and devotion to Allah.
He also prayed that Allah (SWT) forgives the shortcomings of the deceased, accepts his numerous good deeds, grants him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and comforts the government and people of Kwara State, the Ilorin Emirate, and the entire Muslim Ummah.
The passing of the Chief Imam of Ilorin has continued to attract tributes from religious leaders, scholars, and Muslims across Nigeria and beyond, all acknowledging his immense contributions to Islamic scholarship and spiritual leadership.

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Pays Tribute to Late Ilorin Chief Imam

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Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

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Rufai Oseni
Rufai Oseni

Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

Reports circulating online suggest that Rufai Oseni, a prominent anchor with Arise News, has been suspended by the station, but the development remains unverified as of press time.

The claim, which began trending on social media platforms and was later amplified by various online posts, has not been officially confirmed by Arise News management or by Oseni himself.

As of now, there is no statement from Arise News, no internal memo made public, and no confirmation from credible mainstream media outlets regarding the alleged suspension.

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The lack of official confirmation means the story remains at the level of a developing report, with details still unclear, including the reason for the alleged suspension, its duration, or whether any disciplinary action has indeed been taken.

Rufai Oseni is one of Arise News’ most recognisable broadcasters, known for his hard-hitting interviews and political analysis programmes, which has contributed to the wide attention the report is currently generating online.

Media observers note that in situations like this, verification from official sources is necessary before the claim can be treated as confirmed news.

For now, the alleged suspension remains unconfirmed, and further updates are expected once Arise News or the broadcaster issues an official statement.

Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

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Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai

Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

The Federal High Court has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is facing multiple corruption-related charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ruling marks a major development in the high-profile trial, although full details of the bail conditions were not immediately disclosed at the time of filing this report. The court’s decision comes amid intensified legal proceedings involving several corruption allegations linked to his time in office.

El-Rufai’s bail was granted shortly after he appeared before a Kaduna State High Court under heavy security for a related proceeding concerning a separate bail application in another ICPC-linked case. The back-to-back court appearances reflect the complexity and multi-layered nature of the cases against the former governor.

Court proceedings were reportedly conducted under tight security, with journalists initially restricted from accessing the courtroom, further heightening public interest in the matter.

During earlier sittings, the prosecution was said to have amended the charge sheet, restructuring the case from an initial joint trial involving El-Rufai and a co-defendant, Amadu Sule, to a sole-defendant arrangement after Sule was dropped from the case.

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The defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ubong Akpan, reportedly expressed surprise over the amended charges, stating that the new documents were served in court without prior notice, which contributed to delays in the proceedings.

The case was subsequently adjourned to April 14, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, which has now resulted in the Federal High Court granting bail.

The ICPC alleges that the former governor was involved in several financial infractions during his tenure, including the alleged release of about ₦11 billion to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never executed.

He is also accused of approving and receiving approximately ₦289.8 million as severance allowance beyond legally permitted limits, alongside allegations of financial misconduct involving a World Bank-linked loan reportedly valued at over $1.08 million.

Other allegations include the controversial award of a ₦4.6 billion CCTV surveillance contract in Kaduna State allegedly in violation of procurement laws, as well as claims of conspiracy to obstruct or influence federal investigators.

In a separate case before the Federal High Court, El-Rufai is also facing additional charges bordering on money laundering, conversion, and alleged unlawful possession of public assets.

He has consistently denied all allegations, insisting that his administration followed due process in all financial and contractual decisions.

The ICPC has not yet issued an updated statement following the bail ruling, while further proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the court determines the substantive issues in the case.

The development adds to growing national attention on anti-corruption enforcement and the prosecution of high-profile political figures in Nigeria, particularly amid renewed debates over governance accountability and public financial management.

Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

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Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

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Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Governor Bala Mohammed has presented more than 114 official vehicles to newly appointed emirs and district heads across Bauchi State, in a move aimed at strengthening traditional institutions in Nigeria and improving grassroots governance.

The presentation took place on Monday, April 13, 2026, and was officially announced by the governor via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. He described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to deepen community engagement, enhance local administration, and promote closer collaboration between government and traditional rulers.

According to the governor, the distribution of vehicles is designed to support traditional leaders in performing their duties more effectively, particularly in areas of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and community mobilisation.

He stated that his administration remains committed to ensuring that both existing and newly created emirates, chiefdoms, and districts are adequately supported to make governance more inclusive and responsive at the grassroots level.

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

The governor also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Bauchi State, urging traditional rulers to remain non-partisan and uphold the highest standards of integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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He noted that traditional institutions remain critical partners in maintaining security and promoting development across communities, adding that their role in mobilising citizens cannot be overstated.

The Bauchi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, led by Commissioner Isa Babayo Tilde, also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional rulers, describing them as essential stakeholders in maintaining order and ensuring effective governance.

The Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Adamu, who spoke on behalf of other traditional leaders, expressed appreciation to the state government and assured that the vehicles would be used responsibly for official duties and the benefit of the people.

The fleet of vehicles reportedly includes 14 GMC saloon cars, Toyota buses, Toyota Hilux vans, and over 100 Toyota Camry cars allocated to district heads across the state.

Governor Mohammed, who was first elected in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and re-elected in 2023, has continued to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening local governance structures. His tenure is expected to end in 2027.

This is not the first time the administration has supported traditional institutions. In April 2022, the Bauchi State Government also distributed vehicles to district heads and local government chairpersons as part of similar empowerment initiatives.

While supporters describe the latest gesture as a boost to governance efficiency, critics often raise concerns about public spending priorities amid economic challenges in the country.

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

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