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Ex-Gov. El-Rufai Faces 5-count Amended Charge – DSS (Video)

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on a five-count amended charge bordering on an alleged breach of national security.

‎El-Rufai, who was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, pleaded not guilty to all counts.

‎When the case was called, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the matter was fixed for the defendant to take his plea.

‎Aladedoye, however, told the court that a further amended five-count charge had been filed on April 13.

‎The lawyer prayed the court to substitute it for the earlier three-count charge.

‎Responding, counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu, said he had been served with the amended charge and did not oppose the application.

‎The judge subsequently struck out the earlier three-count charge.

‎After the counts were read, the former governor pleaded not guilty, and Aladedoye sought three consecutive trial dates.

‎Iyamu, however, objected to the request for consecutive trial days for the commencement of trial.

‎He submitted that since the defendant had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), access to him within that period might be difficult.

According to him, the proposed schedule would not be in the best interest of the defence.

‎Iyamu also informed the court of a bail application filed on February 17.

‎However, the further affidavit in support of the bail application was not in the court file, prompting the judge to stand down the matter for Iyamu to address the issue.

‎Upon resumption, the further affidavit was located.

‎The DSS stated that it did not oppose the bail application.

‎The prosecution then moved an application seeking an order to conceal the identities of two witnesses expected to testify.

‎The DSS requested that:

‎• The identities of the witnesses should not appear in public court records.
‎• Pseudonyms should be used during the trial.

‎The prosecution argued that the witnesses’ families could be vulnerable to attack from persons sympathetic to El-Rufai.

‎The defence opposed the request through an application, written address, and further affidavit, urging the court to dismiss it.

‎The defence argued that it is the constitutional right of an accused person to know his accusers.

‎It further submitted that there was no evidence before the court to suggest that El-Rufai had a cult-like following or posed any threat.

‎Counsel stated that the defendant had dedicated his life to public service and warned that granting a blanket anonymity order could cause serious prejudice to the accused.

‎The defence also applied for an order directing the prosecution to furnish it with proof of evidence to prepare for trial.
‎The prosecution opposed the request through a counter-affidavit.

‎It argued that the materials sought by the defence were unrelated to the prosecution’s filed processes.

‎The defence informed the court that it had also filed an application to quash the charge.

‎• Legal arguments were raised that an application to quash cannot be brought after a plea has been taken.

‎The prosecution filed a written address urging the court to dismiss the application for lacking merit.

‎The case has been adjourned till May 18 for continuation of hearing.

Watch Video Below:

Crime

BREAKING: Police Rescue Kidnapped Sister of Ex-minister Adelabu and Twin Sons

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Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, alive following a swift late-night operation on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The rescue took place around 7:30 p.m. as police engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, neutralising two suspected members of the syndicate and recovering two firearms.

The victims were abducted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 7:30 a.m. while on their way to drop the children at school. Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul is the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

According to police sources, sustained intelligence tracking and tactical pressure on the kidnappers forced them into a confrontation with security operatives, leading to the successful rescue of all three victims unharmed.

Security forces have launched a manhunt and are currently combing surrounding areas for other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang, some of whom are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.

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Crime

FCT Police Foil Midnight Kidnapping, Arrest Viral AK-47 Bandits

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded significant successes in its ongoing fight against crime, foiling a midnight kidnapping attempt in Byazhin and arresting several high-profile suspects, including bandits who recently flaunted AK-47 rifles on social media.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed a residential area near Paze Hills in Byazhin in the early hours of Thursday and disrupted armed men attempting to break into a building to abduct its occupants. A couple was rescued unharmed during the operation.

The victims expressed relief at the timely intervention by the police.

In a related development, the police arrested three suspected bandits who gained notoriety after appearing in viral social media videos brandishing AK-47 rifles while dressed in military camouflage. The suspects were tracked and apprehended in Runji village, Zuba. Items recovered from them include one AK-47 rifle, eight mobile phones, two jackknives, power banks, and several incriminating photographs and videos.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, who paraded the suspects before journalists, vowed continued aggressive action against criminal elements.

The Command also presented a suspect and his girlfriend over the alleged kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old Emmanuel Chukwuemeka. Police investigations revealed that the suspect lured the victim to a mountainous area in Lokogoma over a dispute involving fraudulent proceeds before allegedly killing him.

In another operation, security operatives arrested a wanted suspect linked to the supply of ammunition to bandits, terrorists, and kidnapping gangs operating in the North Central region and the FCT. Arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation.

Additionally, two suspected “one-chance” robbers were arrested after they allegedly attacked a female commuter along the Giri-Lugbe road.

The CP used the occasion to dismiss social media reports of a recent kidnapping at a school in Gbagalape, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has begun strict enforcement against vehicles with unauthorised tinted glasses across the territory.

The breakthroughs come despite the rainy weather as officers continue to intensify patrols and intelligence-led operations to make the nation’s capital safer.

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Crime

BREAKING: Gunmen Invade Ondo Community, Injure Several Residents, Abduct Pastor’s 9-Year-Old Son

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Armed gunmen stormed a community in Ondo State on Friday, shooting indiscriminately, injuring multiple residents, and abducting the 9-year-old son of a local pastor before fleeing into the bush.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as the attackers invaded the area in the early hours, firing sporadically at residents. Several people sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. The motive behind the invasion remains unclear, though sources suggest it may be linked to ongoing security challenges in parts of the state.

The most distressing aspect of the attack was the abduction of the young boy, identified as the son of a prominent pastor in the community. Family members and residents are said to be in shock, with the pastor appealing for the immediate and safe release of his child.

Security operatives have been deployed to the area to track down the gunmen and rescue the abducted child. A manhunt is currently underway, with local vigilantes and police collaborating in the search.

This incident adds to the growing concerns over kidnapping and violent crime in Ondo State and surrounding regions. Community leaders have called on the government to intensify security measures to protect vulnerable residents, especially children.

More updates will follow as the situation develops.

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