Kwankwaso Threatens N10bn Lawsuit Against Primate Ayodele Over Alleged Defamation

NDC vice-presidential candidate gives controversial cleric 24-hour ultimatum to retract claims of betrayal and financial inducement

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) , Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has threatened to institute a N10 billion defamation suit against the founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, over alleged defamatory remarks linking him to a potential plot to betray the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The threat was contained in a demand letter dated June 11, 2026, issued by Kwankwaso’s legal team, Magaji Mato Ibrahim SAN & Co., and posted on X by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan. The lawyers accused Primate Ayodele of publishing “false, malicious and defamatory” statements capable of damaging Kwankwaso’s reputation and political standing.

According to the legal team, the controversial remarks were made during a sermon delivered before a congregation and broadcast live to a wide audience. The letter alleged that Ayodele stated, among other things, that: “Kwankwaso is a fake to Obi, Kwankwaso will betray you, Kwankwaso has been paid to be vice president to Obi.” The lawyers argued that the statements directly attacked their client’s credibility, sincerity of purpose and political integrity as the running mate to Peter Obi under the NDC platform for the 2027 presidential election. “Our Client’s attention has been drawn to your viral publication which is trending on all social media platforms and in international and local news outlets, wherein you published malicious and defamatory contents against him geared toward tarnishing his long-earned reputation in Nigeria and beyond,” the letter read. The legal team further contended that the assertions were deliberate, false and unsubstantiated. “Your assertions which are deliberate, premeditated, false, unprovoked, grossly unfounded and unsubstantiated meant and negatively portrays our Client to right thinking members of the society as deviant, hypocritic, deceitful and insincere,” the letter added. According to the law firm, the alleged damaging remarks were carefully designed to damage Kwankwaso’s reputation and create division within the NDC and among its supporters.

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Kwankwaso himself expressed deep embarrassment over the remarks, noting that his phone “started buzzing nonstop” with clips of the sermon circulating widely across Kano, Abuja, and even outside Nigeria. He stressed that he has spent more than four decades in public service, serving in various capacities, including two terms as Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator, presidential candidate, and now vice-presidential candidate. “You don’t spend 40 years in politics to let your name become content for a 30-second clip. Not when the words are said to millions, live, with no fact and no call to verify,” Kwankwaso stated. He maintained that the issue was not an attempt to silence religious leaders or suppress freedom of expression, but rather a move to protect his integrity and ensure accountability in public discourse. “This is not about silencing a pulpit. It’s about protecting truth. If you disagree with my politics, debate me on policy, on Kano, on Nigeria. But don’t manufacture lies and feed them to a congregation,” he said. Kwankwaso added that the matter now rests with the cleric, warning that failure to comply with the demands could result in legal proceedings. “Now the ball is in his court. I’m waiting. Nigeria is watching. And I’ll let the law and the public decide if a reputation earned over decades gets defended, or gets defined by a viral sermon,” he concluded.

The legal team gave Primate Ayodele a strict 24-hour ultimatum to publish a “full, direct and unequivocal retraction” of the statements and issue an apology across all social media platforms and reputable local and international media outlets where the comments gained attention. They also demanded a written undertaking from the cleric, committing to refrain from publishing or republishing any further defamatory statements against Kwankwaso. The letter warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would trigger legal proceedings seeking substantial damages. “Take Notice that if you neglect, fail or refuse to accede to our reasonable demands within the stipulated time frame, we have our Client’s unflinching instruction to take out appropriate legal proceedings against you without further recourse to you, wherein we shall claim substantial damages to the tune of Ten Billion Naira and cost of the action on a full indemnity basis amongst other reliefs,” the letter stated.

Meanwhile, the OK Movement, a support group for the NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Kwankwaso, has backed the legal action. The group condemned Ayodele’s remarks and demanded a retraction and apology, stating: “Public statements must be rooted in facts and civility. Truth, accountability and responsibility for public engagement remains essential to strengthening our nation, culture and civilization.” As of the time of filing this report, Primate Ayodele had not publicly responded to the demands contained in the letter.

Kwankwaso Threatens N10bn Lawsuit Against Primate Ayodele Over Alleged Defamation

Ebonyi Police Arrest 13 Over Mob Attack on Woman Falsely Accused of Child Abduction

Jungle justice condemned as police rescue victim from lynching at Abakaliki International Market following false alarm

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects in connection with the brutal mob attack on a woman who was falsely accused of abducting three children at the International Market in Abakaliki, the state capital. The suspects, comprising 10 males and three females, were taken into custody as police intensified investigations into the incident, which nearly claimed the life of the innocent woman.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi State, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that the command became aware of the incident following a video trending on social media showing the assault of the woman, whom a narrator accused of abducting three children. “The division has arrested 13 suspects, 10 males and three females, in the ongoing investigation into the mob attack involving the woman who was falsely accused of abducting three children,” Ukandu stated.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the woman was attacked by a mob after false claims circulated that she had abducted three children. The police, however, established that the allegation was unfounded. Ukandu added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The incident occurred on June 21, 2026, at the poultry section of the International Market, Abakaliki. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Central Police Station received a distress call from a concerned citizen who reported that an angry mob was about to lynch a woman over allegations that she had kidnapped three children found in her company. “Acting swiftly, the DPO led a team of officers to the scene, where they found a crowd armed with dangerous weapons attacking the woman. The officers successfully rescued her and took her to the station for her safety and further questioning,” Ukandu stated.

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During interrogation, the woman explained that the children were not kidnapped but belonged to her tenant, identified as Chinyere Okwuchukwu. She stated that Chinyere was assisting her at her piggery and had entrusted the children to her care while she worked. According to the woman, she had taken the children to the market to allow her tenant to focus on her duties. Police investigations later confirmed the woman’s account. Officers visited her residence, where Chinyere Okwuchukwu identified the children as her own and confirmed that she had willingly allowed the woman to take them to the market.

Ukandu noted that the misunderstanding began when another woman questioned whether the children were hers, citing a lack of physical resemblance. Before the accused woman could respond, the stranger allegedly raised a false alarm, accusing her of child abduction. The accusation quickly attracted a mob, which descended on the woman and subjected her to a severe assault.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, condemned the incident, describing the attack as barbaric and a dangerous example of the consequences of false accusations and jungle justice. “This incident demonstrates how an innocent person could have been killed due to false allegations,” the police commissioner said. She reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for jungle justice and warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.

SP Joshua Ukandu stressed that anyone found engaging in mob action or circulating false allegations would face prosecution in accordance with the law. “The Command advises members of the public to always report suspicious incidents to the appropriate authorities and allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their responsibilities,” he said. Residents were also encouraged to make use of the command’s emergency control room number, 07064515001, to report incidents requiring urgent police intervention.

The command condemned acts of jungle justice and warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands or spreading unverified information capable of inciting violence. He added that investigations into the matter were ongoing and assured that all those found culpable would be brought to justice.

Ebonyi Police Arrest 13 Over Mob Attack on Woman Falsely Accused of Child Abduction

Sai Mallam Sect: Kebbi Authorities Confirm Presence of New Terror Group in Argungu

Security adviser confirms presence of new terror group as stakeholders meet to address growing insecurity across the state

The Kebbi State Government has raised a serious alarm over the high presence of a new terror group identified as the “Sai Mallam” sect in Argungu, adding to the state’s growing security challenges. The development was disclosed during a town hall meeting between the Deputy Inspector-General of Police supervising the North West Geo-Political Zone, DIG Suleiman Muhammad Abdul, and security stakeholders at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

The Security Adviser to the State Governor, retired Col. Danladi Ribah, expressed grave concern about the infiltration of the group, which was first discovered in the Zuru Emirate and was dislodged by security agencies but has now reportedly resurfaced in large numbers in Argungu. “We have one burning issue now, which is the discovery of another terror group. They are called ‘Sai Mallam’. We dislodged them in Zuru when we discovered them. But I was in Argungu, and I saw them again,” Ribah stated. He further revealed that the sect allegedly engages in ritual practices, noting, “They use blood for sacrifice among their members. It is high time the police take note of this sect and deal with it decisively.” The Security Adviser provided a comprehensive breakdown of the multiple security threats facing Kebbi State, explaining that Lakurawa terrorists are “coming into Kebbi on hit-and-run invasion from Sokoto State and the Republic of Niger,” Mamudawa elements enter the territory “from Kwara and Niger states,” while bandits attack Kebbi “from Zamfara state.” Despite the concerning situation, Ribah assured stakeholders that the state government was actively consulting with security agencies to reverse the trend. “Kebbi State Government is on top of the situation, we shall continue to do whatever is necessary to safeguard lives and property of our people,” he said. The governor has been providing “logistics, material and financial support to all the security services, which have been doing an excellent job to contain bandits, Lakurawa, Mamudawa and other criminal elements.”

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The Sai Mallam group has been a growing concern across northwestern Nigeria. According to police reports, the sect has generated widespread fear through alleged fraud, intimidation, and fetish practices. In Sokoto State, police arrested the group’s alleged leader and chief priest, Mohammed Mukhtar, in December 2025, recovering fetish materials and banners bearing the group’s name from his residence, which reportedly also served as a shrine. Police authorities have expressed concern that most members of the cult are youths aged between 19 and 30, describing the trend as disturbing. “These are the most productive years of their lives,” a police spokesperson said. “Instead of being in school or learning trades, they are being lured into deception, fraud and fetish activities in the pursuit of quick wealth.” More recently, in May 2026, police in Sokoto arrested four suspected members of a counterfeiting syndicate linked to the Sai Mallam cult group, recovering counterfeit currencies, charms, fake gold stones, and a “magic box” allegedly used in producing fake money.

In his remarks, DIG Suleiman Muhammad Abdul emphasized that security agencies need to profile the new group before it gains ground and becomes a monster. He called for increased focus on waterways and riverine areas to block channels through which criminals distribute weapons. “What I will say here is this: please, trust us. If you have any information, share it with us. Whatever you do in the interest of security is protecting and defending your communities. Be free to tell us what we need to do,” the DIG appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders. The DIG addressed concerns about police personnel welfare, noting that “Policemen earn higher salaries than soldiers, but soldiers are being paid allowances which are not accruing to the Police.” He disclosed that the police management team has presented a proposal awaiting approval that would guarantee the sponsorship of four children each of all fallen policemen who died in active service, from nursery to secondary school. DIG Abdul commended officers for recent operational successes against criminal elements, noting that the wellbeing of policemen and their families is of paramount importance to the Inspector-General, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

In his remarks, Governor Nasir Idris, represented by Permanent Secretary Kabir Adamu, said that the state government had distributed several vehicles, motorcycles, and other equipment to security agencies to boost their morale towards restoring peace across the state. He emphasized the critical role traditional rulers could play in securing the state, stressing that collaboration among sister agencies and intelligence sharing would boost security. Ribah added that Mobile Police had been deployed to Danko-Wasagu to curtail the infiltration of bandits.

Sai Mallam Sect: Kebbi Authorities Confirm Presence of New Terror Group in Argungu