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[BREAKING] Police arrest Sowore in Abuja

Bankole ABE
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[BREAKING] Police arrest Sowore in Abuja

OPERATIVES of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore was arrested at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, November 9, where he had witnessed the continuation of trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Earlier, he had posted on his social media pages that he was delighted to reunite with the IPOB leader who has been in detention since 2021 over treason and other charges.

Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, an online news platform, had organised and led the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja on Monday, October 20, 2025.

The Police whisked away Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and a few others during the protest.

Eyewitnesses said a police officer approached Sowore at the court on Thursday and informed him that he was under arrest on the order of the new Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Miller Dantawaye.

Reports indicate that members of Sowore’s legal team, led by human rights lawyer Tope Temokun, confronted the officers to demand an explanation. However, the officers insisted that they were acting on “direct instructions” from the commissioner and proceeded to take Sowore away in a waiting vehicle.

Although the reason for his arrest was not immediately disclosed, sources suggested it might be linked to the demonstrations organised by the activist under the banner of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign. The protest, held earlier this week, had been forcefully dispersed by security operatives in Abuja.

The protest, which began around the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) headquarters, was met with a heavy security response. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and other agencies fired teargas and gunshots into the air to disperse the demonstrators, causing panic across the Central Business District.

The Police whisked away Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and a few others during the protest.

The protest came amid heightened security tension in the capital city. Earlier that morning, a massive deployment of security personnel had caused gridlock along major entry routes into Abuja, including Nyanya, Karu, and Kubwa, as officers mounted checkpoints to enforce court orders restricting protests around sensitive government buildings such as the Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, and Eagle Square.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the FCT Police Commissioner to ensure strict enforcement of the restriction order. The police warned that any group attempting to stage demonstrations near these areas would face punishments.

In response, Sowore issued a statement urging officers to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, warning that any use of force or unlawful arrest would have consequences. He accused the authorities of trying to suppress civic expression and demanded accountability for any form of brutality.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has been a prominent voice in Nigeria’s civil rights struggle. He has faced multiple arrests and legal challenges since 2019 over his activism and criticisms of successive administrations.

In recent weeks, he intensified his campaign for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, meeting with political figures, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, to discuss the matter. Sowore argued that Kanu’s continued detention despite court rulings ordering his release violated fundamental human rights and undermined the rule of law.

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on charges of treasonable felony and incitement. He was granted bail in 2017 but fled the country after a military raid on his home in Abia State. He was later re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and returned to Nigeria under controversial circumstances. Despite several court judgments, including an Appeal Court ruling discharging him of terrorism charges in 2022, he remains in the custody of the State Security Service.

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned Sowore’s arrest, describing it as “an embarrassment to the judicial system.” In a post on X, he wrote, “The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous. The police and the Tinubu administration are making a mockery of our judiciary. He should be freed immediately.”

As of the time of filing this report, the police have not issued an official statement on the reason for Sowore’s arrest or his current location.

The incident adds to a growing list of clashes between civil rights groups and security agencies in Abuja, highlighting ongoing tensions over the handling of peaceful demonstrations and the government’s response to calls for justice and accountability.

Women, children among 39 killed in Niger fuel explosion – NEMA

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Women, children among 39 killed in Niger fuel explosion – NEMA

THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that the tanker explosion in Essan community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday, October 21, claimed 39 lives and left over 60 persons with severe burns.

Among the casualties and survivors were children and women, NEMA said.

The agency said it had activated its Emergency to the disaster and warned Nigerians against scooping fuel.

In a statement on X on Wednesday, October 22, NEMA said its officials joined staff of other agencies, including the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA); Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to evacuate people affected the tragedy.

“The victims were reportedly among those attempting to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker when the explosion occurred. Upon receiving the distress report, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, immediately directed the Head of NEMA Minna Operations Office, Mr. Hussaini Isah, to activate the rescue team and deploy to the scene to support the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other responders in rescue operations.

“NEMA’s team, working alongside NSEMA, the Police, NSCDC, FRSC, DSS, local vigilantes, and community volunteers, successfully evacuated the injured victims to nearby health facilities including the Essan Primary Health Centre, Idris Private Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for emergency treatment,” said the agency.

It noted that multi-stakeholders rescue team had commenced detail assessment of damages in the affected community.

While commiserating with the victims and affected families, the NEMA director-general warned Nigerians to desist from scooping fuel from accident tankers, stressing that such acts had repeatedly led to avoidable loss of lives.

She also advised residents and motorists to steer clear of accident scenes and promptly report such incidents to emergency agencies for professional handling.

The ICIR reports that scores of Nigerians have died in tanker explosion tragedies in recent years while scooping fuel. Some of the incidents occurred in Niger State.

ON January 20, 2025, a gasoline tanker accident led to an explosion that claimed at least 86 lives near the Suleja area of the state. The tanker overturned, spilled its contents, and later exploded moments after people began scooping fuel.

Earlier in October 2024, a similar incident occurred in Majiya, Jigawa State. A fuel tanker overturned. As residents rushed to fetch the spilling fuel – a practice driven by economic desperation – the tanker exploded, resulting in over 150 deaths. Many victims were burned beyond recognition, while about 100 others were injured. The victims were buried together in a mass funeral organised by the government.

In September of the same year, another 59 people were killed in Niger State after a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle.

No, Regina Daniels didn’t write ‘Domestic violence na for poor man’ – the viral post is fake

Fatimah QUADRI
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No, Regina Daniels didn’t write ‘Domestic violence na for poor man’ – the viral post is fake

A viral post claiming that Nollywood actress Regina Daniels shared a cryptic message on Instagram on domestic violence has surfaced online.

The claim  was posted by a Facebook user, Uloma Opurum, who shared a screenshot allegedly showing a post from Regina Daniels’ verified Instagram account.

The supposed Instagram post featured a photo of the actress with a cryptic caption written in pidgin: “Domestic violence na for poor man, beating na skincare for this side.”

The caption on the Facebook post read: “This makes sense now.”

The Facebook post was published on Saturday, October 18, shortly after reports circulated that the actress had allegedly accused her husband, Ned Nwoko, of assault.

Since it was shared, the post has garnered over 5,000 reactions and 638 comments, sparking widespread discussion across social media.

On Saturday October 18, Regina Daniels in a disturbing and chaotic video clip had stated that she was tired and could no longer stand the treatment from her husband.

CLAIM

Screenshot shows Regina Daniels made a post with caption “Domestic violence na for poor man, beating na skincare for this side.”

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING!

Screenshot of the claim; insert MISLEADING verdict
Screenshot of the claim; insert MISLEADING verdict

A check across her Instagram page showed that the post, which was originally made on October 4 2025, was a video post and the caption read:

Na only the cloth I like but make una try listen to the lyrics e be like say e day pass message o Abi na my ear ??

Translated to English: It’s only the outfit I like, but you guys should try listening to the lyrics, it sounds like it’s passing a message, or is it just me?

Referring to the audio that accompanied her post.

Further checks confirm that the viral screenshot was doctored, as the image used was taken from her video post, but the caption was digitally altered.

Screenshot of the actual post from Regina Daniels Instagram
Screenshot of the actual post from Regina Daniels Instagram

THE VERDICT

The claim that Regina Daniels hinted at domestic violence is false; the screenshot in circulation is manipulated

The claim that Regina Daniels hinted at being a victim of domestic violence through the quoted caption is false and MISLEADING. The viral screenshot was manipulated, and the original post contained a completely different caption unrelated to the claim.

Ondo Government reacts to leaked security memo on possible terrorist attacks

Bankole ABE
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Ondo Government reacts to leaked security memo on possible terrorist attacks

THE Ondo State government has reacted to a leaked security memo from the State Security Services (SSS), which warned of a possible terrorist attack in some parts of the state by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The confidential memo dated October 20, 2025, and addressed to the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure, disclosed that credible intelligence indicated plans for coordinated assaults in Ondo and neighbouring Kogi State.

The document, signed by the Director of Security, SSS Ondo Command, Hi Kana, identified Eriti Akoko and Oyin Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area and Owo town as potential targets.

According to the SSS, surveillance activities has already begun on soft targets within those areas, prompting a call for heightened security measures to avert possible attacks.

The report has stirred concern among residents, especially given the memory of the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, where over 40 worshippers were killed by suspected ISWAP members.

Reacting to the development, the Ondo State government confirmed awareness of the leaked memo but urged residents to remain calm.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, the government described the leaked memo as part of regular intelligence exchanges among security agencies and the government.

Ajanaku explained that such reports were routine components of joint security operations designed to identify potential threats and prevent attacks. He assured that the intelligence was already being acted upon by relevant agencies and that necessary precautions had been taken to ensure public safety.

“The government and security agencies are working closely to protect all residents, especially in border communities. Ondo remains one of the safest states in Nigeria, and every measure is being taken to maintain that status,” part of the statement read.

The government urged citizens to remain calm, go about their daily activities, and report any suspicious movement to security authorities. It also appealed to residents to avoid spreading panic, warning against taking the law into their hands.

The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, was said to be in constant contact with security agencies to ensure a coordinated response. The government reiterated its commitment to sustaining peace and security across the state.

ASUU ends two-week warning strike

Bankole ABE
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ASUU ends two-week warning strike

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has ended its two-week warning strike.

The strike, which commenced on Monday, October 13, was abruptly ended by the union’s leadership after “useful engagements” with the Nigerian government.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, October 22, ASUU president, Chris Piwuna, a professor, said, “We’ve had useful engagements with representatives of the government to consider the response to the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreements. However, we are definitely not where we were prior to the commencement of the strike.

“The union acknowledged that the government returned to the negotiation table. While noting that a lot more work is still required, NEC came to the conclusion that the ongoing strike should be reviewed. The decision to review the strike action was a result of efforts by our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Consequently, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians.”

The ICIR reported on October 6 that ASUU mobilised members nationwide for possible strike action as its two-week ultimatum to the federal government nears expiration.

In a circular dated October 5, 2025, and addressed to all ASUU branches, the union’s president, Piwuna, said the government’s silence on the issues raised had left the union with no alternative but to prepare for industrial action.

The ultimatum, issued after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on September 29, 2025, followed a nationwide referendum and gave the government two weeks to implement the renegotiated agreement submitted since February.

According to Piwuna, despite prior communication with the Ministers of Labour and Education and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), no tangible progress was made. He noted that ASUU would embark on a two-week warning strike if the government failed to take satisfactory steps before the ultimatum expired.

The union directed all branches to begin full mobilisation of members, emphasising unity and collective resolve in pushing for improved welfare, better funding for public universities, and the full implementation of the renegotiated agreement.

ASUU’s long-standing demands include the release of revitalisation funds, payment of earned academic allowances and withheld salaries, settlement of promotion arrears, and payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions. The union has also criticised the unchecked establishment of new universities and alleged government interference in university autonomy.

The warning strike was the first under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

ASUU embarked on multiple strikes during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, with major disruptions recorded in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022, before a stable academic calendar was restored in 2023.

US-based Nigerian mum to be charged for homicide after daughter’s death

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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US-based Nigerian mum to be charged for homicide after daughter’s death

A NIGERIAN woman based in Texas, Gbemisola Akayinode, has been charged with murder of her nine-year-old daughter, Oluwasikemi, who reportedly died after being left inside a hot car.

ABC News reported that on July 1, Akayinode allegedly left her daughter inside a car for over eight hours while she worked at a manufacturing plant in Galena Park, near Houston.

The report stated that the 36-year-old mother was arrested on October 17, after Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez ruled her daughter’s death a homicide resulting from heatstroke.

Court documents cited in the report revealed that Akayinode arrived at work around 5:45 a.m. and left Oluwasikemi in the car with food, a rechargeable fan, ice cubes, and water, after rolling the back windows halfway down.

Akayinode reportedly told investigators that she did not check on her daughter until her shift ended at 1:53 p.m. but upon returning to the car, she found Oluwasikemi unresponsive and blue, prompting her to scream for help.

The report stated that Akayinode had brought her daughter to work multiple times, including the day before the incident, claiming she couldn’t afford daycare until her next paycheck, but investigators later discovered that the foreman at her workplace had been paying for the child’s daycare, contradicting her statement.

Officials told ABC News that they were waiting for the autopsy results before deciding on possible criminal charges, while Akayinode is expected to appear in court on Monday.

The ICIR reported in May that the deaths of children trapped in abandoned or unattended vehicles have become a recurring tragedy in Nigeria, claiming at least 18 young lives since 2021, following the tragic death of five children found dead in an abandoned vehicle in the Agyaragu community in Nasarawa State on May 5.

According to the police, at about 5:30 pm, a resident of the area, Ozimna Ogbor, reported to the police that the children were discovered ‘unresponsive’ inside an unserviceable vehicle parked in a compound.

The ICIR tracked five of such reported incidents since 2021 where children have reportedly suffocated to death in Kwara, Delta, Niger, and Lagos states.

Nigeria needs help, not condemnation, says Kukah, warns against US religious sanctions

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Nigeria needs help, not condemnation, says Kukah, warns against US religious sanctions

THE Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has urged the international community not to re-designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern”  over religious freedom violations, warning that such a move would “hurt ongoing national efforts” to restore peace and religious harmony.

Speaking at the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACIN) 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom in Vatican City on Tuesday, October 21, Kukah, acknowledged Nigeria’s “long and painful history” of persecution, but argued that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu had shown “a genuine willingness to listen and act differently” compared to the previous government.

“Re-designating Nigeria a Country of Concern will only make our work in dialogue among religious leaders and with the Nigerian state even harder. It will increase tensions, sow doubt, open windows of suspicion and fear, and allow criminals and perpetrators of violence to exploit,” Kukah warned.

The cleric said that the ACIN 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom, a 1,248-page global study covering January 2023 to December 2024, found that over 5.4 billion people worldwide lived in countries without religious freedom.

While the report noted a 37 per cent decline in terrorist attacks in Nigeria in 2024, it warned that Christians and moderate Muslims remained at risk due to discriminatory laws, violence, and state inaction.

The ICIR reported that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) backed the claims by United States lawmakers alleging a genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

The CAN in reaction to the renewed claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria by prominent figures in the United States, stated that Christian communities, especially in northern Nigeria, suffered severe assaults, loss of lives, and destruction of places of worship.

While painting a picture of security situation in the country, describing Nigeria as “a weak state on the cusp of anarchy”, where “Nigerians are dying for a living,” Kukah in his Tuesday’s address said the situation was not as black-and-white as it is often portrayed internationally.

“If we were dealing with outright persecution of Christians on grounds of identity, both myself and my small flock in Sokoto would not exist,” he said, recounting how the Sultan of Sokoto personally provided accommodation for his guests during his episcopal installation in 2011 and recently joined him in commissioning an ICT centre for youths.

He stressed that Nigeria’s problem was beyond religious persecution to deep governance failure and systemic impunity that cut across faith and ethnicity.

“We do have serious problems but these have escalated because the federal and state governments have, over the years, allowed these problems to fester. The inability of the federal government and its security agencies to end these killings has created the condition for the genocide that has taken over many communities today. 

“By whatever names we choose, the fact is that Nigerians are dying unacceptable deaths across the country. In many cases, they are targeted because of their beliefs but also because of their ethnicity. We are in the cusp of a weak state with clear lack of capacity to arrest the descent into anarchy,” he added.

The cleric pointed at the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling it “the worst phase in the history of interfaith relations in Nigeria.”

“The last eight years of the Buhari administration marked the worst phase in the history of interfaith relations in Nigeria, especially relating to violence against Christians and their exclusion from power. 

“That administration gave oxygen to jihadists by virtue of its policies which overtly favoured Islam and northern Nigeria. The president himself was a Muslim, ensured that the Senate President, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the entire leadership of security was entrusted to the hands of only Muslims, almost all from the North. This was a departure from the sensibilities that had characterised power sharing in Nigeria.”

Kukah lauded Tinubu’s early steps in restoring inclusion, noting that his appointments showed balance and sensitivity.

“The President and Vice President are Muslims, yet Christians have not felt alienated. The Chief of Army Staff, the DSS Director, and several others are Christians. These are confidence-building measures,” he said.

The Bishop urged Tinubu to take bolder steps by challenging the constitutionality of the adoption of Sharia law by 12 northern states, describing it as a violation of Nigeria’s secular status.

“The president should go to court to have the adoption of Sharia declared unconstitutional. It is the only way to arrest mob justice and killings under the guise of blasphemy,” he said, referencing victims like Deborah Samuel in Sokoto and Bridget Agbahime in Kano.

He lamented persistent discrimination against Christians in northern states, including denial of land for church building, destruction of worship centres without reconstruction, and lack of access to religious education for Christian pupils in public schools.

Kukah accused the US former presidents Barrack Obama and Joe Biden administrations of complicity in Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity, claiming their refusal to supply arms to the former president Goodluck Jonathan’s government “set back the fight against Boko Haram.”

“Their decision to block access to weapons and their drive to impose Buhari on Nigeria pushed us backward,” he said, calling on President Donald Trump, who he credited with “historic achievements in the Middle East” to lift the ban and help Nigeria acquire the military tools it needs.

Kukah appealed to the Western governments and international partners to “support, not punish” Nigeria in its current recovery efforts.

“We have sinned and fallen short, but there are visible signs of renewal. Punishing Nigeria now will strengthen extremists and weaken moderates.

“What Nigeria needs now is vigilance and collaboration from civil society, not condemnation. We must build a country where no one is oppressed,” he said.

He expressed optimism that with the right support, religious leaders and the Nigerian government could “map out strategies towards national harmony and integration”, noting that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, “can make a great contribution to global peace if freed from the virus of extremism.”

ASUP demands arrest of whistleblower who accused Delta Polytechnic of certificate fraud

Mustapha USMAN
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ASUP demands arrest of whistleblower who accused Delta Polytechnic of certificate fraud

THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, has called for the arrest of a whistleblower, Raphael Ufua, who exposed alleged certificate racketeering within the institution.

Calling for his arrest on Tuesday, October 21, ASUP Chairman, Michael Ohana, said the allegations had dragged the institution into public disrepute and worsened working conditions for lecturers.

The union also declared a two-week strike, saying that the strike became necessary following the state government’s alleged failure to take decisive action on the crisis between the Governing Council and management, despite multiple meetings and ultimatums.

Punch Newspaper reported that the strike followed the whistleblower’s accusation of top officials of the polytechnic for issuing certificates to individuals who never attended the institution.

However, ASUP chairman claimed the allegations had sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media.

He said members of the union “are the worst hit. When we relate with the world outside, we are no longer able to proudly say we are staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. Meanwhile, within the work environment, the necessary supplies and resources that make teaching and learning possible have become a far cry.”

Ohana recalled that in February 2025, the Governing Council suspended the Registrar over ‘unverified allegations’ of result racketeering without due process.

He also recalled a similar situation, noting that in July 2025, the Council suspended the Rector over accusations of financial misconduct.

“Therefore, ASUP suspends its services to the state government for 14 days, hoping the government will consider reports from investigative committees rather than forming endless committees on this matter,” the chairman declared.

The union further condemned police harassment of staff members, alleging that some Heads of Departments were being summoned to Abuja over suspected forged results.

“The Nigerian Police must stop harassing staff, especially our members. Heads of Departments are being summoned to Abuja to answer for suspected forged student results.

“Government should call the Governing Council to order and duly communicate to them their mandates and functions. This is to make them operate in the manner that is expected of a Council that governs an academic institution, as obtainable with other tertiary institutions within and outside the state.”

He, therefore, called for the arrest and prosecution of the whistleblower, accusing him of spreading falsehoods that have embarrassed both the institution and its staff.

The union maintained that the alleged fraud was the handiwork of individuals unconnected to the school’s management or principal officers, insisting that their members were being unfairly targeted in the controversy.

NBA condemns Kano court order compelling TikTokers to marry

Bankole ABE
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NBA condemns Kano court order compelling TikTokers to marry

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the decision of a Kano Magistrate Court ordering two popular TikTok creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, to get married within 60 days, describing the ruling as unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental human rights.

In a statement signed by its president, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), and posted on its X handle on Tuesday, October 21, the NBA said no court in Nigeria had the constitutional power to compel two individuals to marry, adding that marriage must always remain a voluntary act between consenting adults.

“This development reflects a grave misunderstanding of the limits of judicial authority under the Nigerian Constitution and constitutes an affront to the fundamental rights of the individuals concerned,” Osigwe said.

The order was issued on Monday, October 20, 2025, by Magistrate Halima Wali following a case filed by the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board. The board accused the content creators of producing and sharing ‘indecent’ videos on social media that violated the state’s moral and religious codes.

Wali directed the Kano State Hisbah Board to facilitate the marriage and warned that failure to formalise the union within 60 days would amount to contempt of court. The chairman of the Censorship Board was also mandated to oversee the implementation of the order.

The ruling followed the arraignment of the two influencers after clips showing affectionate scenes between them circulated on TikTok. The Censorship Board maintained that the content breached provisions of Kano State’s censorship laws, which prohibit the production and distribution of sexually suggestive or explicit material.

Mai Wushirya was earlier remanded in a correctional facility after being accused of promoting immoral behaviour, while Yar Guda was interrogated by the board’s enforcement unit before the case was taken to court.

Reacting to the judgement, the NBA president described the order as an example of judicial overreach and a direct violation of personal liberty, dignity, and privacy as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“Marriage, by its very nature, is a voluntary union between consenting adults. It cannot, under any circumstance, be imposed as a form of punishment, moral correction, or judicial remedy,” Osigwe said, adding that “Any attempt to do so violates the rights to personal liberty, dignity of the human person, and privacy as guaranteed under the Constitution.”

The association warned that such orders undermined public confidence in the judiciary and distorted its constitutional role as a protector of citizens’ rights. “The courts must remain the bastion of justice and protectors of constitutional rights, not instruments for enforcing social conformity or moral compulsion,” Osigwe added.

He called for an immediate review of the court’s decision and urged the relevant judicial authorities to prevent a recurrence of what he termed an unconstitutional act. The NBA directed its Citizens’ Liberties Committee and Women’s Forum to monitor the case to ensure adherence to the rule of law.

The incident has reignited debate about the balance between cultural or religious morality and constitutional rights in northern Nigeria, where Sharia-based moral enforcement occasionally intersects with civil judicial processes.

An earlier ICIR report highlighted similar tensions, explaining how musician Aminu Yahaya Sharif was sentenced to death by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano in 2020 for blasphemy. The appeal division of the Kano State High Court later ordered a retrial and freed 13-year-old Umar Farouq, who had been jailed for a similar offence. The appellate court ruled that the earlier judgment violated provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Human rights lawyers and civil society organisations have since warned that such rulings, including the latest order against the TikTokers, reflect a growing pattern of moral regulation that conflicts with Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees.

The NBA reiterated that no individual should be coerced either directly or indirectly into marriage by any arm of government or judicial authority, stressing that the independence of the courts must be exercised within the bounds of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Tinubu nominates new minister

Mustapha USMAN
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Tinubu nominates new minister

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has forwarded the name of Bernard Mohammed Doro, a doctor from Plateau State to the Senate for confirmation as a minister.

A statement by the president media aide Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, October 21, stated that a letter seeking the Senate’s confirmation of the nominee had been sent to the upper chamber.

The presidency noted that his nomination came on the heels of Nentawe Yilwatda’s appointment as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July 2025.

The ICIR reported that Yilwatda, a former governorship candidate in Plateau State, succeeded Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned from the position in June, citing health concerns. His resignation came amid pressure from party members, pending court cases, and allegations of financial misconduct.

Yilwatda was brought into the Federal Executive Council in October 2024 to replace Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The new nominee, Doro, was born on January 23, 1969, in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

According to the presidency, he has more than two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, strategic leadership, and community engagement in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

He is said to hold degrees in Pharmacy and Law, an MBA with a focus on IT-driven business strategy, and a Master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice. He is also an Independent Prescriber and Advanced Clinical Practitioner with frontline experience in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), covering urgent care, walk-in centres, GP practices, and hospital settings.

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