metro
Police College: Court frees 24 men charged with forging documents for admission
Police College: Court frees 24 men charged with forging documents for admission
A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted 24 men, accused of falsifying documents and their identifies to gain admission into the Nigeria Police College, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling held that the prosecution failed to lead credible evidence to establish its case against the defendants.
Justice Ekwo further held that, not only was investigation poorly conducted in the case, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) did a shoddy job and the prosecution failed present vital oral and documentary evidence.
The 24 defendants were arrested and charged following a petition, dated May 22, 2020 from the Secretary to the Government of Kano State, signed by a Permanent Secretary, Yahaya Bichi.
The petitioner claimed that Kano State was unjustly treated by the Nigeria Police College, Maiduguri in its 2018/2019 recruitment and training exercise, during which the state’s indigenes were replaced by indigenes of other states, who upon graduation, were posted to Kano State.
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The defendants were, in the 106-count charge on which they were tried, accused of submitting forged documents, impersonating other person’s and giving false information about their identities to obtain admission into the collage.
At the trial, the prosecution called 10 witnesses, including the IPO, who testified as the 10th prosecution witness (PW10), following which the defendants made no-case submissions.
In the ruling, Justice Ekwo found that the evidence led by the prosecution revealed that it was actually some officials of the police college who manipulated the recruitment process and replaced qualified Kano indigenes with the defendants.
The judge noted: “Investigation over the matter was carried out and it was discovered that some serving members of the Nigeria Police Force ,serving in Police College, Maiduguri assisted the suspects (defendants) to gain admission into the Nigeria Police and they passed through the recruitment and were issued with complete Police uniform and were posted as Police officers during the exercise.
“During the investigation, the 24 suspects (defendants) were in possession of police properties which include, complete kits which were returned and registered as exhibits against the suspects.”
The judge also noted that investigation revealed that the successful candidates from Kano, who were supposed to be among the trainees, were replaced by one of the admin officer and recruitment officer, DSP. Illya Kwarji.
Justice Ekwo also found that the admin/recruitment officer, on realising that the the 27 successful Kano candidates were absent during the screening exercise, replaced them with the defendants, without using thew real names.
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Justice Ekwo added: “The evidence of PW10 is simple to understand. It is the admin officer, who was also the recruitment officer, that replaced people with his own interested candidates, who are these defendants before this court by replacing the names of those successful candidates from Kano without using their real names.
“This is the person who changed the names of candidates. The defendants did not, on their own, falsely personate any person. It was the said admin officer, who was also the recruitment officer that did everything,” he said.
The judge observed that the effect of cross examination on the evidence adduced in the case by the prosecution, “revealed that there is no eye witness account in this matter,” a development he said, was fatal to the prosecution’s case.
“On the whole, I have weighed the evidence of the prosecution on the statutory parameters on the point of no-case submission as follow: Whether there is no evidence to prove an essential element of the alleged offence? Whether the evidence has been so discredited as result of cross examination? Whether the evidence is manifestly unreliable that no reasonable tribunal or court can safely convict on it?”
The judge said after considering all the evidence led by the prosecution, he found that there was no evidence to prove the essential elements of the alleged offences.
He then proceeded to discharge and acquitted the defendants
The freed defendants are Satmak Tapji Jonathan, Peter Philibus, Pwasagi Charles Power, Nadare Garba, Bamaiyi Ishaya, Geoffrey Markus Moses, Muhammad Musa Birma, Jamilu Muhammad and Mamman Dauda.
Also freed are Alpheus Jacob, Bulusi Inuwa, Umaru Hyeimoda Micheal, Callus James, Dahiru Mohammed, Yusuf James, Wapada Yusuf, Usman Adamu and Umar Ali.
Others are Jacob Sebastine, Usman Abubakar, Mohammed Modu, Ibrahim Yakubu, Kwada A. kijah and Philip John.
Police College: Court frees 24 men charged with forging documents for admission
metro
Panic as CNG Bus Explodes on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 17 Rescued, One Severely Burnt
Seventeen people have been rescued after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered commercial bus exploded and burst into flames along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving one passenger with severe burn injuries.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Berger Bus Stop, along the Lagos-bound section of the expressway, triggering panic among commuters and other motorists.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the vehicle was a fully loaded Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 798 YK.
The bus, carrying 18 occupants, including the driver, was travelling from the Mowe-Ibafo axis towards Lagos when it reportedly caught fire following a gas explosion.
LASTMA officials who responded to the emergency rescued 17 occupants, including the driver, without injuries.
However, one male passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle sustained severe burns in the incident.
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The injured passenger was evacuated by LASTMA personnel and taken to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre, Toll Gate, for urgent medical treatment.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the incident, deploying firefighting equipment to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to other vehicles and nearby areas.
Police officers from the Ojodu Police Division provided security at the scene, maintained order and supported the emergency response.
Commending the emergency responders, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the agency’s personnel for their swift intervention, courage and professionalism, which helped save the lives of 17 occupants.
He also acknowledged the cooperation between LASTMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police Force during the rescue operation.
Bakare-Oki urged commercial transport operators, particularly those using CNG-powered vehicles, to prioritise regular professional inspections and proper vehicle maintenance.
He emphasised the need to comply with prescribed safety standards, especially those relating to gas storage systems and fuel delivery components, to reduce the risk of explosions and other fire-related emergencies.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of CNG-powered commercial vehicles and the need for strict adherence to maintenance requirements as Nigeria increasingly promotes natural gas as an alternative fuel for transportation.
Panic as CNG Bus Explodes on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 17 Rescued, One Severely Burnt
metro
Troops Arrest Father, Son Over Terrorism Suspicions, Recover AK-47 in Sokoto
Troops Arrest Father, Son Over Terrorism Suspicions, Recover AK-47 in Sokoto
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a father and his son over suspected links to terrorist activities in Bauni Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other items during the operation.
The suspects, identified as Muhammadu Ali and his son, Umaru Ali, were arrested at about 12:47 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, during a coordinated security operation in the forest.
The operation involved troops of the 248 Battalion, supported by French Special Forces and the tactical team of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Security sources said the two suspects were allegedly linked to terrorist groups operating in the area. However, the nature and extent of their alleged involvement have yet to be established, as investigations are ongoing.
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Items recovered from the suspects included an AK-47 rifle, a magazine containing three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and the sum of ₦9,760 in cash.
Troops also recovered three motorcycle tubes during the operation.
Following their arrest, Muhammadu Ali and his son were transferred to the 8 Military Intelligence Battalion for further investigation.
The arrests form part of ongoing military efforts to track down suspected terrorist elements and disrupt their activities in Sokoto State and other parts of the North-West.
The investigation is expected to establish the suspects’ alleged connections, identify any possible accomplices and determine whether they played any role in terrorist activities in the area.
Troops Arrest Father, Son Over Terrorism Suspicions, Recover AK-47 in Sokoto
metro
Agunbiade Celebrates Oyo Grand Chief Imam Akeugberu at One, Says His Impact Equals a Decade
Agunbiade Celebrates Oyo Grand Chief Imam Akeugberu at One, Says His Impact Equals a Decade
A prominent member of the Oyo State Muslim Community (MUSCOYS), Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has congratulated the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Fadilatul Sheikh Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, on his first anniversary in office, describing his leadership as a period of remarkable achievements and far-reaching influence.
Agunbiade said the Muslim cleric had made an impact within just 12 months that could ordinarily take a decade to achieve, citing his efforts to promote unity, strengthen relationships with Islamic institutions and expand the influence of the Muslim community in Oyo State and beyond.
The Grand Chief Imam marked his first anniversary on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
In a congratulatory message made available to journalists, Agunbiade said the milestone offered an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and contributions of a religious leader whose emergence, according to him, had renewed hope and confidence among Muslims in Oyo Land.
He stressed that the anniversary was more than a celebration of one year in office, describing it as a recognition of purposeful leadership, institutional engagement and efforts to advance the interests of the Muslim Ummah.
Agunbiade recalled that Sheikh Akeugberu’s emergence as Grand Chief Imam had raised expectations among Muslims who wanted a leader capable of providing direction, strengthening unity and promoting the collective interests of the community.
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He said the cleric began demonstrating his leadership capacity shortly after assuming office, particularly through engagements with prominent Islamic authorities and respected Muslim institutions.
One of the early developments he highlighted was the reception accorded the Grand Chief Imam by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, within the first month of his emergence.
Agunbiade described the meeting as an indication of the recognition and acceptance enjoyed by the Oyo Muslim leader within the wider Nigerian Muslim community.
He added that Sheikh Akeugberu’s engagements had since extended beyond Oyo State, strengthening his relevance across the Southwest and the wider Nigerian Muslim Ummah.
The MUSCOYS member described the Grand Chief Imam as a man of honour, dignity, wisdom and exceptional leadership qualities, noting that religious leadership required more than occupying an influential position.
According to him, the office demands humility, inclusiveness, courage, selfless service and a genuine commitment to the welfare and unity of the faithful.
He particularly praised Sheikh Akeugberu’s ability to engage Muslims across different ideological orientations, saying the responsibility of a Grand Chief Imam was to unite the community rather than deepen divisions.
Agunbiade said the cleric had demonstrated the importance of building bridges, fostering mutual understanding and providing direction for Muslims with different perspectives and affiliations.
“The Grand Chief Imam is a man whose emergence many Muslims had anticipated with great expectations. Alhamdulillah, barely one year into his administration, his impact has given renewed meaning to those expectations,” he said.
He added that the first year of the cleric’s leadership had demonstrated what could be achieved when experience, wisdom, influence and commitment to the Muslim Ummah were combined.
Agunbiade urged Muslims in Oyo Land and beyond to continue supporting the Grand Chief Imam, offering prayers for him and cooperating with his leadership.
He said the continued progress of the Muslim community depended on collective responsibility, mutual understanding and the willingness of stakeholders to work together for the common good.
The congratulatory message also included prayers for the cleric’s good health, wisdom, strength, sincerity and divine protection as he continues to discharge the responsibilities of his office.
Agunbiade expressed the hope that the remaining years of Sheikh Akeugberu’s tenure would bring greater unity, spiritual advancement and institutional development, while strengthening the recognition of Muslims in Oyo Land, the Southwest and Nigeria.
He prayed that Almighty Allah would preserve the Grand Chief Imam, increase him in knowledge and wisdom, protect him from distractions and enable him to serve Islam and humanity with sincerity.
He also expressed the hope that the cleric’s future years in office would build on the achievements of his first year and bring lasting benefits to the Muslim Ummah.
Agunbiade Celebrates Oyo Grand Chief Imam Akeugberu at One, Says His Impact Equals a Decade
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