Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court Sacks NDC Registration Months After Peter Obi Becomes Presidential Candidate
Justice Umar rules INEC breached law in registering NDC; party and electoral body yet to respond to judgment
Justice Umar rules INEC breached law in registering NDC; party and electoral body yet to respond to judgment
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strike out the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from its register of political parties, just months after former Labour Party flag bearer, Peter Obi, picked the NDC presidential ticket for the 2027 general election. The judgment, delivered on Friday by Justice Mohammed Umar, followed a suit challenging the legality of NDC’s registration.
The suit was filed by Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi, Protem National Organising Secretary of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), who argued that INEC failed to comply with constitutional and statutory requirements in granting recognition to the NDC. Justice Umar agreed with Karlahi’s claims and ruled that INEC acted outside its constitutional powers by registering the party despite its failure to complete all necessary procedures. The court therefore directed INEC to immediately withdraw NDC’s certificate and delist it as a political party.
This development is seen as a major setback for the opposition party, which had been attracting high-profile politicians since Peter Obi decamped from Labour Party earlier this year. Obi’s emergence as NDC’s presidential candidate had energised the party’s nationwide mobilisation efforts ahead of 2027, with several chieftains openly declaring support for his vision of a ‘new Nigeria.’
Prior to Friday’s ruling, NDC leaders maintained that their registration was lawful and dismissed challenges as politically motivated. As at press time, neither INEC nor the NDC had issued an official reaction to the court decision. It remains unclear whether the party will approach the Court of Appeal or how soon INEC will implement the directive. Political analysts say the judgment is likely to spark fresh debates about party registration processes and could affect plans of politicians who recently joined or backed NDC.
The outcome also raises uncertainty for Peter Obi’s presidential ambition under the NDC platform, with stakeholders keenly watching for legal and political implications as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NCAA Slams Saudi Airlines With ₦6 Million Fine Over Alleged Aviation Violations in Lagos
Regulatory agency moves to enforce compliance as airline faces penalty for reported breaches of Nigerian aviation standards
Regulatory agency moves to enforce compliance as airline faces penalty for reported breaches of Nigerian aviation standards
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a ₦6 million fine on Saudi Airlines for alleged violations of aviation regulations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The sanction was announced on Friday, 26 June 2026, following an investigation by the agency into recent operational lapses reportedly linked to the airline.
According to the NCAA, the fine is part of efforts to ensure that all airlines operating within Nigeria adhere strictly to established safety and operational standards. The regulatory body stated that Saudi Airlines was found in breach of certain requirements, though specific details of the infractions were not disclosed at the time of this report.
This action comes at a time when Nigerian authorities are stepping up oversight of foreign carriers amid increasing concerns about passenger safety and service quality. The NCAA has previously warned that non-compliance by any airline—local or international—would attract strict penalties to protect Nigerian travellers and uphold the integrity of the country’s aviation sector.
Efforts to obtain comments from representatives of Saudi Airlines were unsuccessful as at press time. The NCAA, however, reiterated its commitment to transparent enforcement and called on all airlines to respect Nigeria’s aviation laws. “Any operator found violating our regulations will face appropriate sanctions,” an official said.
The latest move is expected to send a strong signal to other airlines operating in Nigeria about the seriousness of regulatory compliance. Aviation stakeholders say sustained enforcement will help boost confidence in air travel and encourage higher standards across all operators.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Rivers Police Seize Browning Pistol Hidden in Bread, Arrest Suspect in Port Harcourt
Command says weapon was discovered during routine stop-and-search on Azikiwe Road; investigation ongoing into firearm’s origin
Command says weapon was discovered during routine stop-and-search on Azikiwe Road; investigation ongoing into firearm’s origin
Rivers State Police Command has intercepted an alleged attempt to smuggle a firearm through Port Harcourt, arresting a male suspect after officers found a Browning pistol concealed inside a loaf of bread. The incident occurred along Azikiwe Road near Red Cross Junction during a routine stop-and-search operation on Friday, according to police authorities.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, stated that the recovery was made by operatives acting under the directive of Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju. Officers stopped a vehicle for security checks and conducted a thorough search of its occupants. During the search, the pistol was found ingeniously hidden inside bread belonging to one Braya Nanas, identified as a resident of New Road, Borikiri.
The discovery has raised fresh concerns over the creative methods employed by criminal elements to evade law enforcement in Rivers State and across the South-South zone. The command noted that the Browning pistol had no visible serial number, complicating efforts to trace its origin and raising questions about its intended use within the city.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm had no serial number,” Kaborlo said in an official statement issued on Friday. The suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the weapon during interrogation and claimed he bought it in Okrika. Police said further investigation is ongoing to uncover potential accomplices and determine how widespread such tactics may be among criminal networks in the region.
The Rivers State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly. Authorities assured that efforts would continue to clamp down on illegal arms trafficking and pledged increased patrols around key entry points into Port Harcourt. No further details about possible charges or court proceedings were provided as at press time.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/police-foil-gun-smuggling-attempt-in-port-harcourt/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Sokoto High Court Sentences Three Boko Haram Terrorists to Death by Hanging for Terrorism Offences
Judgement comes as Nigeria ramps up terrorism prosecutions; DSS seized assets linked to arms trafficking syndicate
Judgement comes as Nigeria ramps up terrorism prosecutions; DSS seized assets linked to arms trafficking syndicate
A High Court in Sokoto State has sentenced three men—Yusuf Muhammad (alias Sallau), Jabbi Alhaji Yalle, and Kabiru Muhammad—to death by hanging after convicting them on multiple terrorism and arms trafficking charges. The ruling was delivered by Justice Bello on Wednesday, following their arrest by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives during a counter-terrorism operation on 13 June 2025.
According to the judgement, the court found all three defendants guilty on every count related to terrorism activities and illegal proliferation of firearms. The presiding judge also ordered that all funds and assets traced to the convicts be forfeited to the Federal Government. DSS officials attached to the Counter-Terrorism Unit apprehended the suspects based on intelligence reports linking them to cross-border arms dealings in Sokoto, North-West zone.
This verdict is part of a wider judicial push across Nigeria targeting suspected members of Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, ISWAP. In recent weeks, courts have handed down several death sentences for terrorism-related offences—including a Federal High Court in Katsina, which sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar to death after she was allegedly caught transporting 438 rounds of ammunition for a bandit leader. In Abuja, four men were also condemned for their roles in the 2022 Owo church attack that left over 40 worshippers dead.
Justice sector officials say these convictions demonstrate Nigeria’s renewed commitment to addressing a backlog of terrorism cases—many involving suspects held since military operations intensified in the North-East. “The government remains committed to bringing all those who threaten national security to justice,” said an official familiar with ongoing prosecutions.
The latest ruling coincides with the Federal Government’s ongoing mass trial of more than 500 suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP members, which authorities describe as one of the largest terrorism cases in Nigerian history. Security experts argue that consistent convictions may help deter future attacks while rebuilding public confidence in the country’s justice system.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/sokoto-court-sentences-three-terror-suspects-death-2026062614092884209
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