Sharafadeen Alli Denies Adelabu Sister, Twin Sons Kidnap Allegations

IBADAN, Nigeria – Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State, has strongly denied any role in the kidnapping of Mrs. Olaide Adegoke, the younger sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

Alli described social media reports linking him to the abduction as “false, malicious, baseless, irresponsible, defamatory, and politically motivated.” The denial was contained in a statement issued by his media office and shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Mrs. Olaide Adegoke was abducted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m. while driving her 12-year-old twin sons to school in Ibadan. Armed gunmen reportedly intercepted her vehicle in the Elewura area of Ibadan, forced her and the children out of the car, and took them hostage. The kidnappers, who operated in a 2008 model Corolla car without a number plate, shot sporadically to scare residents away before speeding off with the victims. The incident sent shockwaves across Oyo State and the nation, with security operatives immediately swinging into action.

The victims were rescued unharmed on Saturday, June 6, 2026, around 7:30 p.m. during a coordinated operation by the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Ibadan. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, DSP Anthony Placid, the rescue was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tactical operations that enabled investigators to track the kidnappers’ movements. Security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, which resulted in two suspected kidnappers being fatally wounded and neutralized. Two rifles were recovered from the scene. In a dramatic turn of events, one of the kidnappers reportedly fell from the roof of the house where the victims were being held during the rescue operation. Preliminary intelligence indicates that some suspects escaped with gunshot injuries, and operations are ongoing to track and arrest all involved.

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The Adelabu family expressed deepest gratitude and appreciation to Almighty God and to all Nigerians whose prayers, support, and encouragement culminated in the successful rescue. In a statement issued by the family’s Media Aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the family said: “We are delighted to announce that the victims have been rescued safely and are in good condition.” The family also extended appreciation to the Executive Governor of Oyo State for his support and cooperation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, the Oyo State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) , and all security agencies involved in the operation.

In his denial statement, Senator Alli’s media office said attempts to associate the lawmaker with the incident lacked credibility and were based on unverified allegations allegedly made by a suspect under investigation. The statement noted that it was “illogical” to link the senator to criminal allegations without any evidence. “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Alli has no connection whatsoever with the said criminal incident, the individuals mentioned, or any activity related to kidnapping or violence,” the statement read. The senator’s office further argued that efforts to link campaign materials or stickers to the crime were part of a “desperate agenda” by political detractors seeking to tarnish the senator’s reputation. It also pointed out that no security agency had established any link between Alli and the kidnapping, despite claims circulating online. “We note with concern that even the report itself admitted that no security agency has established any link between Senator Alli and the alleged crime. It is therefore disturbing that faceless propagandists would deliberately weaponise unconfirmed claims to mislead the public and heat up the polity,” the statement said.

The allegations emerged against the backdrop of recent political developments in Oyo State. Senator Alli defeated Adebayo Adelabu to secure the APC governorship ticket in the recently concluded primaries. However, there remains controversy, as Adelabu has insisted that the party’s governorship candidate is yet to emerge, stating that only the APC national headquarters can make such a declaration. This political rivalry has been cited by Alli’s camp as a possible motive behind what they describe as a smear campaign aimed at damaging the senator’s reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The senator condemned kidnapping and all forms of criminality, reiterating his support for measures aimed at strengthening security and protecting lives and property across Oyo State and Nigeria. The statement urged members of the public to disregard the reports and avoid spreading unverified information capable of undermining ongoing investigations or creating unnecessary political tension. It also called on security agencies to investigate the source of the allegations and ensure that those responsible for disseminating false information and engaging in political blackmail are brought to justice. Senator Alli, according to the statement, remains focused on his legislative responsibilities and his commitment to serving the people of Oyo State.

Sharafadeen Alli Denies Adelabu Sister, Twin Sons Kidnap Allegations

Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan

IBADAN, Nigeria – A midnight fire has gutted at least 20 shops at the NIPOST Shopping Complex in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying goods estimated to be worth over ₦100 million. The tragic incident has left traders counting their losses and raised serious concerns about safety in one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial districts.

The incident reportedly occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday after a Lexus sedan, driven by a suspected drunk driver, crashed into a shop along the Dugbe–Iyaganku axis. According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was traveling from the Queen’s Cinema area towards Iyaganku when the driver allegedly lost control due to excessive speed and suspected alcohol consumption.

The car reportedly rammed into a giant billboard in front of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) station, somersaulted several times, and split into two parts. The rear section of the vehicle, which contained a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tank and back tyres, rolled into the nearby NIPOST Shopping Complex and exploded on impact, igniting a massive fire that rapidly spread to adjoining shops.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed receiving a distress call at exactly 11:37 p.m. on Saturday, prompting an immediate response from firefighters led by Chief Fire Superintendent Adedeji. Personnel from both the Oyo State Fire Services Agency and the Federal Fire Service worked together to extinguish the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the General Post Office and other adjoining commercial buildings in the area.

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Eyewitnesses said the blaze escalated rapidly due to the nature of goods stored in the affected shops, which included stationery materials, computer sets, photocopiers, clothing items, and other valuable goods. The highly combustible nature of some of these items made it difficult for early intervention efforts to contain the flames before significant damage was done.

Despite the severity of the accident and the ensuing fire, no casualties were recorded, and the two occupants of the Lexus reportedly escaped without injuries. Sources claimed the occupants were suspected internet fraudsters heading to a nightclub on the Ring Road axis at the time of the incident.

The billboard destroyed in the crash reportedly bore campaign messages of Hon. Adedeji Dhokrullahi Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) , and Hon. Adebukola Ajaja of the Accord Party, both aspirants for the Oyo South Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

When journalists visited the scene at about 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, security personnel and firefighters were still working to completely extinguish the flames and secure the affected area. One of the affected traders, Mr. Kingsley Chioma, lamented the losses suffered by shop owners and disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Iyaganku Police Station had assured victims that efforts were underway to arrest the driver responsible for the incident.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency commended officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Iyaganku Divisional Headquarters, for providing adequate security throughout the operation and confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the incident.

The tragedy has left shop owners and residents in shock, with many describing the destruction as a devastating blow to commercial activities in the busy Dugbe business district, one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial hubs. Authorities are expected to carry out a full assessment of the incident to determine the exact extent of damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and subsequent fire.

Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan

Court Strikes Down National Assembly’s ₦110bn SUV, Allowance Spending

LAGOS, Nigeria – A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has nullified the National Assembly’s ₦110 billion expenditure on luxury SUVs and support allowances for lawmakers, ruling that the spending violated Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act, breached constitutional provisions on conflict of interest, and failed basic standards of transparency and accountability.

Delivering judgment on May 6, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, Justice Yellim Bogoro voided ₦40 billion used to purchase 465 bulletproof sport utility vehicles and another ₦70 billion paid as support allowances to lawmakers elected in 2023. The ruling followed a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) , a leading anti-corruption and human rights advocacy group.

Justice Bogoro held that the National Assembly failed to provide any evidence of competitive bidding, value-for-money assessments, or compliance with Section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 — which requires that public procurement be guided by economy, efficiency, and the public interest. The judge ruled that the procurement was “arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards.” The court also found that the spending violated paragraph 1, Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (Code of Conduct for Public Officers), which prohibits public officers from placing themselves in situations of conflict of interest or abusing office for personal benefit.

In one of the most striking observations in the judgment, Justice Bogoro stated that the beneficiaries of the expenditure — the lawmakers themselves — were the same officials who approved the spending. He declared that “this constitutes a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.” The judge further noted that the expenditure violated the oath of office taken by public officers under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which demands that public office not be used for personal enrichment.

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Justice Bogoro took judicial notice of Nigeria’s prevailing economic hardship, including high inflation, unemployment, and widespread poverty. “In this context, the allocation of ₦110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers demonstrates a failure to prioritise national interest and undermines the fiduciary duty owed to the Nigerian people,” the judgment read.

The National Assembly had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction based on legislative autonomy and the separation of powers doctrine. Justice Bogoro rejected this defense, holding that “the doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality. The court is concerned with the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending.” The court also dismissed the argument that the case had become academic because the funds had already been spent, stating that the matter raised significant constitutional questions and issues of public accountability that remain live and justiciable.

Justice Bogoro ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to ensure that all future procurements and expenditures by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money. No order was made for refund of the already-spent funds, as SERAP had primarily sought declaratory reliefs and injunctions against future violations.

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, described the judgment as “a major victory for transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria.” The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) called the ruling “courageous and historic,” adding that it reaffirms that “no arm of government, regardless of its constitutional status, is above the law or exempt from public scrutiny.” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana welcomed the judgment, stating that “it has been confirmed that the decision of members of the executive and legislature to live in obscene opulence while the people are forced to live in poverty cannot be justified.” Falana urged the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review the judgment and enforce constitutional provisions regulating the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members.

The judgment is expected to intensify public debate over legislative spending and reinforce growing calls for greater accountability in the management of public funds across all arms of government. Legal experts say the ruling sets a strong precedent that judicial review can extend to the internal spending decisions of the legislature where constitutionality, procurement compliance, and conflict of interest are in question.

Court Strikes Down National Assembly’s ₦110bn SUV, Allowance Spending