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BREAKING: Court Voids Key Parts of INEC’s 2027 Election Timetable

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2027 Elections: INEC Reveals Why Pantami, Adebutu, Others Were Excluded

BREAKING: Court Voids Key Parts of INEC’s 2027 Election Timetable

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified several provisions contained in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, ruling that the electoral body lacks the legal authority to shorten timelines already guaranteed under the Electoral Act 2026.

Justice Mohammed Umar delivered the ruling while deciding a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 filed by the Youth Party against INEC over aspects of the commission’s timetable relating to party primaries, submission of candidates, replacement of candidates, campaign timelines and membership register requirements for the 2027 elections.

The suit was argued by the plaintiff’s counsel, J.O. Olotu, while Sarafa Yusuf represented INEC.

In the judgment delivered on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the court set aside several portions of INEC’s revised timetable, describing them as inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

Justice Umar specifically nullified the timelines fixed by INEC for the conduct of party primaries, submission of personal particulars of candidates, withdrawal and replacement of candidates, publication of final candidate lists and campaign schedules ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the court, INEC cannot lawfully abridge statutory timelines expressly provided by the Electoral Act.

The court held that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act allows political parties to submit the personal particulars of candidates not later than 120 days before an election and ruled that INEC lacks the authority to impose a shorter deadline through administrative guidelines.

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The judge also ruled that the commission cannot reduce the 90-day period provided under Section 31 of the Act for withdrawal and substitution of candidates.

In another declaration, the court held that INEC lacks the statutory authority to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the 60-day minimum period stipulated by law.

Justice Umar further ruled that the commission does not possess powers under Section 98 of the Electoral Act to compel political campaigns to end two days before elections through its timetable.

The court also clarified that the timeframe prescribed by INEC for submission of membership registers for party primaries does not apply to primaries conducted for the purpose of replacing withdrawn candidates.

“A declaration is hereby made that upon a proper consideration and interpretation of Sections 29, 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the powers of the defendant to receive notice of party primaries and the personal particulars of candidates does not extend to fixing or prescribing the timetable within which political parties may conduct their primary elections,” the court ruled.

Legal analysts say the judgment could significantly affect preparations for the 2027 general elections, especially for political parties already planning their primary election schedules and candidate nomination processes.

The ruling may also compel INEC to revise parts of its election timetable to ensure compliance with the Electoral Act and the court’s interpretation of the commission’s powers.

INEC had earlier fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections were scheduled for February 6, 2027.

The electoral commission has yet to officially respond to the judgment.

BREAKING: Court Voids Key Parts of INEC’s 2027 Election Timetable

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Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja

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Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja
Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja

ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a man accused of impersonating a permanent secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) after he was allegedly caught using a forged number plate bearing the inscription “PRESIDENCY”.

The suspect was arrested on October 20, 2026, after police operatives intercepted a Lexus LX570 sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Maitama District, Abuja, at about 8pm.

According to the police, the concealed number plate carried the registration number 10B218 FG.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the documents presented to support the registration were allegedly forged.

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Adeh said the suspect had claimed to be the legitimate holder of the number plate, prompting further investigations that reportedly uncovered the alleged fraud and impersonation.

“The vehicle and its occupant were promptly arrested for investigation and subsequent prosecution,” the police said.

The command added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspect would be charged to court upon their conclusion.

The police urged residents to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security operatives and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

The arrest comes amid concerns over the unauthorised use of official government and diplomatic number plates in the FCT. Police authorities have previously raised concerns that such plates could be used by unauthorised individuals to evade scrutiny or facilitate criminal activities.

The suspect’s identity has not been publicly disclosed, and the allegations remain subject to the outcome of the police investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.

Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja

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Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage

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Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage

 

Accra, Ghana — A routine breakup escalated into a catastrophic act of arson this week, leaving a young man homeless and his former girlfriend in police custody. The Ghana Police Service has arrested a young woman accused of deliberately setting her boyfriend’s rented apartment on fire after he ended their relationship. The shocking trigger for the split? The woman had answered a phone call on his mobile device without his permission.

 

According to preliminary police investigations, the couple became embroiled in a volatile and heated argument over the breach of privacy. The confrontation spiraled rapidly out of control when the boyfriend, reportedly furious that she had answered his phone, decided to end the relationship on the spot. Rather than accepting the breakup, the woman’s anger reportedly boiled over into a dangerous and premeditated rage.

 

In the aftermath of the breakup, authorities allege that the woman intentionally ignited a fire inside the man’s rented home in an act of vengeance. Eyewitnesses described a scene of sheer chaos as flames rapidly consumed the residence, forcing neighbors to flee and local fire services to be summoned to battle the inferno. Dramatic images from the scene reveal a landscape of utter devastation, with the apartment reduced to a pile of charred debris and twisted metal. While no casualties have been reported, the property damage is extensive, and the young man has effectively lost his home and belongings.

 

The Ghana Police Service acted swiftly following the incident, apprehending the young woman who is now in police custody facing potential charges of arson and destruction of property. Local neighbors have expressed profound shock at the severity of the attack, with one bewildered resident telling reporters, “It is just a phone call. To burn down a whole apartment because you were broken up with? It is a very sad day for us here.” The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days as the police finalize their case, serving as a chilling reminder of the dangerous consequences of unchecked anger.

 

Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage

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Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City

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Armed Bandits

Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City

 

SOKOTO — In a gruesome escalation of insecurity in the North-West, armed bandits have reportedly intercepted a vehicle and killed all passengers on board along a road leading to the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to reports, the tragic incident occurred as the vehicle, a commercial transport conveying passengers, was returning from Sokoto city. The assailants, described as heavily armed, ambushed the vehicle, forcing it to a halt before opening fire on the occupants.

The incident was disclosed by Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, who shared information about the attack and photographs of some of the deceased . According to the report, some of the victims were reportedly among the 3,000 people recruited by the Sokoto State Government who had been invited to Sokoto city for further screening and the collection of their documents . The passengers were said to have been travelling back home when the armed men intercepted their vehicle and opened fire on them.

The exact number of people killed in the attack has yet to be confirmed, and there has been no official confirmation from Nigerian authorities as of the time of reporting . Although photographs of some of the deceased have circulated following the incident, the total number of victims and their identities have yet to be independently established .

The attack highlights the persistent security challenges plaguing the region, where bandits frequently target highways and rural communities. Isa Local Government Area, which shares a border with Zamfara State, has been a notorious flashpoint for such criminal activities, including kidnapping, cattle rustling, and highway ambushes.

The reported killing also comes amid continuing concerns over attacks on civilians in other parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by insurgency and banditry . Residents of the affected area have expressed deep grief and outrage over the continuous loss of lives, urging security agencies to intensify patrols along the Sokoto-Isa road and other vulnerable routes.

When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Command Public Relations Officer promised to provide details of the incident, stating that operatives have been deployed to the area to ascertain the facts and restore normalcy.

The mass killing underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect travelers and rural dwellers in Sokoto State and the broader North-West region. NewsTrends will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

 

Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City

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