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I’m disappointed with Buhari’s refusal to release Kanu –Ezeife
An elder and former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has expressed disappointment over the position of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), that the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, will not be released from detention.
Kanu was arrested last year in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria before he was charged with offences bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism.
President Buhari had told Igbo elders led by the First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, who visited him at the State House, Abuja, that though their request for Kanu’s release was heavy, he (Buhari) would consider it.
The President was, however, categorical in an interview with Channels Television when he said he would not release Kanu and that the IPOB leader should defend himself in court.
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Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Buhari’s latest stand on the matter, Ezeife said he and his friends were bound to be disappointed, saying the President, by his recent position, rubbished all that happened during the Igbo elders’ visit to the State House in Abuja.
The former governor said, “There is nothing we can do. After the meeting, the people who are familiar with him said he responded to us truthfully and that he took our case very seriously and that his answer gives hope.
“We went away with that, that there is hope. But for him now to, in public, rubbish all that happened, I am bound to be disappointed and so would be my friends who were there.”
On the way forward, he urged the President to work out an agreement with all groups involved in the current agitation for self-determination with a view to establishing a political arrangement that would satisfy Nigerians.
“One thing we can still do is this, Nnamdi is detained, Igboho was put in a crisis position, the South attacked and some people were killed, so many other complaints as well. The Ijaw people are complaining, the Middle Belt has declared their non-compliance anymore and South-South has been in that shape.
“I think what the President should do is to try to solve all these problems with one committee. If he can assemble maybe five people per zone and let them look at all the reports, including 2014, all the constitutions we have had, the 1963 Constitution and all that, and work out an agreement with all the groups for a Nigeria with political rearrangement that would satisfy other people.
“I don’t want to just say I am very disappointed because I am very much interested in Nigeria surviving. So, I suggest this caucus of knowledgeable people who can work out a new arrangement politically for Nigeria. The political solution is the only one that can solve the problem.
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Buhari’ll not renege on promise, says Amaechi
However, in a separate interview with Amaechi, the leader of the Igbo elders’ delegation to Aso Rock, he expressed optimism that the President would not renege on his promise to consider a political solution to Kanu’s matter.
Amaechi said, “Kanu’s situation can be solved either politically or even legally. It can be solved legally by the Attorney General. When I met the President, he told me he would consider my request on Nnamdi Kanu.
“There are many ways to kill a rat. So, I have no reason to doubt the President. People need to trust him because he is not the type of President who talks without knowing what he is saying. He is a highly principled man.
“I don’t think the President has reneged on what he told me. He has so far not. All I know is that discussions are going on. I can’t tell you more than that. We are in contact and I have trust in the President’s words.”
Punch
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Deadly Boko Haram Attack on Adamawa Military Camp Leaves Soldiers, Civilian Dead
Deadly Boko Haram Attack on Adamawa Military Camp Leaves Soldiers, Civilian Dead
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have launched a deadly attack on a military camp in Garaha District, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, leaving three Nigerian soldiers and a civilian woman dead. The attackers also razed a primary school and destroyed other key infrastructure, local eyewitnesses and community leaders reported.
The assault occurred late Saturday night, February 21, when the militants stormed the area, firing sporadically and catching security personnel off guard. Eyewitness Isaiah Yerima said the soldiers fought back bravely but were ultimately overpowered after insurgents launched a rear ambush through the Lar axis, leading to the deaths of three soldiers. A civilian woman was struck by a stray bullet while attempting to flee the gunfire.
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According to residents, the insurgents looted weapons, including an armoured vehicle, and set fire to the military camp before fleeing. “As I’m speaking, no structure is left at the military base except the Living Faith Church,” Yerima said, describing the scale of the destruction. The attack also destroyed the local primary school, further compounding the tragedy for the community.
Another witness suggested the military initially repelled the attackers but was overwhelmed by the coordinated assault from behind, highlighting possible gaps in security and the need for a thorough investigation. Community leaders and residents have urged authorities to strengthen the protection of vulnerable military installations and civilian communities in Adamawa State.
The Paramount Ruler of Huba land, Tol Barr Alheri Bulus, confirmed the attack and said that further details would be provided as they became available. Neither the Nigerian Army nor the Police Force had issued official statements at the time of filing this report.
This assault is the latest in a series of Boko Haram and allied militant attacks in Adamawa and other North-East states, which have repeatedly targeted communities and military formations, resulting in civilian casualties, destruction of property, and looting of weapons. Security experts warn that the persistent attacks highlight ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East, despite military efforts under Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt insurgent logistics and arrest collaborators.
Deadly Boko Haram Attack on Adamawa Military Camp Leaves Soldiers, Civilian Dead
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FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos
FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos
The Federal Government of Nigeria has instituted criminal proceedings against an Abuja-based medical practitioner and pastor, John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, over allegations bordering on ₦19 million fraud, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and the alleged sale of human embryos.
Dr Abebe, a chief consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, is also a pastor with Living Faith Church, Durumi, Abuja. He is standing trial alongside his medical facility, Joje Abebe Hospital & Fertility Centre Limited, which was named as a co-defendant in the suit.
The criminal charges were filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory under suit number CV/005/26, by the Nigeria Police Force, acting on the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
According to the three-count charge, prosecutors allege that Dr Abebe unlawfully released the confidential medical records of Mrs Mary Manga to members of the public without her consent. The alleged act is said to contravene provisions of the National Health Act, 2014, which mandates strict protection of patients’ medical information.
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The prosecution further claims that the disclosure exposed the couple to severe emotional distress, public stigma, and psychological trauma, in breach of medical ethics and the defendant’s professional oath as a medical practitioner.
In another count, the Federal Government accuses the pastor-doctor of obtaining ₦19 million by false pretence from Mrs Manga and her husband between January and May 2025. Dr Abebe allegedly represented himself as a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), collected funds for fertility treatment, and subsequently converted the money for personal use, despite allegedly lacking the competence required to carry out the procedure.
The charge states that the alleged conduct constitutes an offence punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Most troubling among the allegations is the claim that the doctor sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients without their authorisation. Legal observers say that if proven, the allegation could make the case one of the most consequential fertility-related criminal trials in Nigeria’s recent history, raising serious questions about reproductive rights, medical oversight, and ethical enforcement in assisted reproductive technology.
The case is currently before Honourable Justice A. A. Fashola of the FCT High Court, Abuja. The defendants are expected to take their plea when proceedings resume, while prosecutors are preparing to call investigators, medical experts, and witnesses to testify.
The court is also expected to determine bail conditions in view of the gravity of the allegations and the broader public interest surrounding the matter. Legal analysts say the outcome of the trial could set a major precedent for the regulation of fertility clinics, enforcement of patient confidentiality laws, and criminal accountability of medical professionals in Nigeria.
FG Arraigns Abuja Pastor-Doctor Over Alleged ₦19m Fraud, Sale of Embryos
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Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges
Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges
Ilorin, Kwara State – Dr Sanusi Lafiagi, Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of Al-Hikmah University, Kwara State, has explained why the holy month of Ramadan is spiritually unique, emphasizing its role in personal transformation, moral discipline, and societal harmony.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH, Dr Lafiagi described Ramadan as a “month of mercy, spiritual rejuvenation, and character formation,” citing the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) who said: “Whenever Ramadan commences, all the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained.”
According to Dr Lafiagi, these divine conditions make it easier for believers to perform righteous deeds, avoid sins, and draw closer to Allah’s mercy. Beyond fasting from food and drink, he highlighted that Ramadan fosters self-discipline, effective time management, self-restraint, charity, and Qur’an recitation, which help Muslims manage their lives spiritually and morally.
“During Ramadan, believers learn patience, forgiveness, and restraint,” he said, explaining that even when insulted, a fasting person is encouraged to respond calmly, reinforcing moral discipline. He added that acts of charity, especially Zakat al-Fitr, purify the soul while assisting the needy in the community.
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Dr Lafiagi also addressed why many Muslims struggle to maintain spiritual gains after Ramadan. He explained that after the month ends, the “gates of Jannah close, gates of Hellfire reopen, and the devils are freed,” making it easier for believers to lapse into previous sinful habits.
“Returning to old habits does not necessarily indicate weak faith,” he said, “but it shows that Ramadan’s lessons were not fully internalized in the heart and soul.” He stressed the importance of carrying Ramadan’s spiritual benefits into daily life to sustain moral consistency.
The scholar highlighted Ramadan’s societal impact, noting that consistent lectures and moral reminders during the month often reduce crime, improve social cohesion, and create a safer environment. He stressed that the company one keeps, the social environment, and exposure to media play significant roles in sustaining moral conduct post-Ramadan.
Dr Lafiagi also urged Muslims to utilize key moments during Ramadan, including the last 10 nights, particularly Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power), where worship is rewarded more than in a thousand months. He emphasized the last third of every night for prayers and the giving of Zakat al-Fitr to purify the fast and help the needy.
Regarding exemptions, he clarified that sick, pregnant, nursing, and menstruating individuals may be exempt from fasting, but they should either make up missed fasts or feed the needy if unable to fast. “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity,” he reminded.
Concluding, Dr Lafiagi stressed that a successful Ramadan is measured not only by the intensity of worship during the month but also by the consistency of righteous deeds and obedience to Allah afterward.
Dr Sanusi Lafiagi Highlights Ramadan’s Spiritual Blessings, Post-Ramadan Challenges
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