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Sharia Council won’t recognise elections conducted by INEC chairman, Amupitan

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The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) on Wednesday declared that the Muslim Ummah will not recognise any election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

Speaking during the council’s annual pre-Ramadan lecture and general assembly in Abuja, the council called for Amupitan’s removal, citing a lack of confidence in his integrity to be fair to all faiths in Nigeria.

President of the Council, Sheikh Bashir Aliyu Umar, said this mistrust arose after Amupitan authored a brief claiming that Christians in Nigeria are victims of genocide – a claim repeatedly dismissed by the federal government.

Amupitan had previously described the Boko Haram insurgency and attacks by “Fulani herdsmen” as part of a coordinated anti-Christian campaign requiring international intervention.

He was listed as a contributor to the 2020 publication Nigeria’s Silent Slaughter: Genocide in Nigeria and the Implications for the International Community, released by the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) and the International Organisation on Peace-building & Social Justice (PSJ).

The report documented alleged systematic killings of Christians in Nigeria and called for global action. Amupitan authored an 80-page chapter titled Legal Brief: Genocide in Nigeria, which argued that the scale and pattern of killings and displacement of Christians met the threshold for genocide under international law. The brief also accused the federal government of failing to protect affected communities and ensure justice for victims.

Because of this stand, the Shariah Council President said: “We demand the immediate removal and prosecution of the INEC chairman and declare that no election conducted under a cloud of compromised integrity can be recognised as credible,”

Umar noted that credible exposés on the chairman’s conduct, particularly allegations of divisive propaganda and treasonous undertones, justified the council’s demand.

“Democratic credibility must never be compromised. Someone with compromised integrity should resign, or the government should dismiss or compulsorily retire him,” Umar added.

On legal recourse, he said groups are already challenging Amupitan’s appointment in court.

“We are an advocacy group and will support any legal effort questioning the veracity of his appointment,” he said.

Umar also rejected the narrative of a “Christian genocide,” warning that dishonest public discourse fuels division and instability.

He opposed foreign interference, the establishment of foreign military bases, unjust tax reforms, and any alteration of approved bills by the executive without legislative oversight.

He urged the National Assembly to conduct public hearings and undertake forensic reviews of all laws passed since the 10th Assembly began.

He condemned terrorism in all forms and called for the protection of every Nigerian through security measures and peaceful reconciliation.

Umar further warned against removing provisions protecting Muslims’ right to Shariah in constitutional amendments, emphasising that Shariah applies only to Muslims and does not infringe on Christian rights. He highlighted the dismissal of the case, attempting to stop Shariah panels in Oyo State.

House of Representatives member Sani Jaji noted that the conference guides Islamic scholars on Ramadan lectures amidst national challenges.

 

 

 

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Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.

While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.

 

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Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO

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President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.

Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.

Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.

Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.

The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.

He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.

If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.

Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.

 

 

 

 

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Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.

“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.

“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.

“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.

The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.

He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.

“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.

“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.

The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.

He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.

The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.

 

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