Month: February 2026

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

Prosecuting counsel, Callistus Eze, told the court that the defendants were facing a five-count charge dated February 2 and filed February 3, seeking leave for the charges to be read. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.

Eze requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody. Defence counsel, Shuiabu Arua, SAN, made an oral application for bail, citing their two-week detention and recent hospitalisation. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered a formal bail application to be filed.

The court adjourned the case to February 20 for trial and remanded the defendants pending the hearing of the bail application.

According to the charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026), Malami is accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing while in office by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers in November 2022. He and his son are also jointly charged with preparatory acts of terrorism and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition allegedly found at their Kebbi residence in December 2025.

(NAN)

The Plateau State Government has launched the Sing for Plateau Initiative, a creative talent project aimed at rebranding the state, promoting its cultural heritage and empowering young creatives.

The initiative was unveiled on January 3, 2026, at a press conference in Jos, organised through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Creativity and Entertainment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality and the Plateau Tourism Corporation.

Speaking at the event, Ezra Jinang, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Creativity and Entertainment, said the project is designed to tell Plateau’s true story through arts, creativity and positive content, especially as the state marks its Golden Jubilee (50 years).

According to him, Sing for Plateau is a multi-category contest open to all residents of Plateau State, regardless of origin, including Nigerians and foreigners living in the state. The competition covers songs, poetry, dance and content creation, with winners in each category to receive ₦1 million cash prize, while other finalists will also get consolation prizes.

“The time is now for us to tell our stories ourselves, using our creativity. Plateau has always been a hub of talent, and this initiative will help rediscover and showcase that strength,” Jinang said.

He explained that creatives whose art does not fall strictly within the listed categories, such as comedians, MCs or drummers, can participate under the content creation category. Entries are to be submitted with a brief description to the contact details provided on the official flyer.

The competition will climax with a grand Sing for Plateau concert in March 2026, where prizes will be presented by Governor Caleb Mutfwang alongside the Commissioner for Tourism and Culture. A weekly radio programme will also commence to keep the public updated on activities leading to the grand finale.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Cornelius Doeyok, assured that the Plateau State Government is fully backing the initiative, describing it as a strategic move to change negative perceptions about the state and position the creative economy as a major driver of Plateau’s economy.

“The more positive content we create about Plateau, the better the perception outside the state. This initiative will help redefine Plateau and tell stories that have never been told,” Doeyok said.

Also speaking, the General Manager of Plateau Tourism Corporation, Mr. Chuwang Pwajok, described the project as another step towards unlocking Plateau’s vast creative potential, noting that the state has historically shaped many successful creatives across Nigeria.

He added that the initiative will help position Plateau as a hub for creativity, entertainment and investment in Nigeria and West Africa.

Similarly, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Culture, Ephraim Dankyes, welcomed the project, describing Plateau as “the home of creativity, talent and art,” and pledged full support for initiatives that promote the state’s cultural identity.

The Sing for Plateau Initiative is part of broader efforts by the Mutfwang administration to strengthen the creative sector, following recent large-scale events such as the Plateau Christmas Carol and the Family Christmas Festival, which attracted national attention and top celebrities to the state.

Unidentified hoodlums on Saturday violently disrupted a joint event organised by the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, leaving several party members injured.

The event was convened to formally announce the defection of LP members in Alimosho to the ADC. Trouble began at the first venue, the LP office in Idimu, where over 100 hoodlums reportedly stormed the premises, forcing members and officials to flee for safety.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, armed with knives, canes and other dangerous objects, assaulted party members and vandalised property, chanting that the LP and ADC were not welcome in Lagos State. Several members sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack.

Despite the disruption, party officials relocated the ceremony to an alternative venue at the Eco Centre Event Hall in Egbeda. However, the hoodlums allegedly traced the new location and launched another attack, beating members once again before leaving the area.

Speaking on the incident, the LP chairman in Alimosho, Olaranwaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, described the attack as unwarranted and alarming, especially as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

“What is most painful is that many of my members sustained injuries. The hoodlums even invaded our party secretariat in Alimosho, destroying our furniture and flags,” Olushola said, expressing concern over citizens’ freedom to associate and express political choices.

He clarified that the defection had already taken place collectively, noting that the event was only meant to inform the public of their decision. According to him, nearly all LP members in Alimosho, including the leadership, have joined the ADC.

Also speaking, the party secretary in Alimosho, Moses Akujuobi, said the police had earlier stopped plans for an open ceremony, citing the absence of official approval. He explained that efforts to secure clearance were unsuccessful, although security agencies, including the DSS, were informed.

“When we arrived at the first venue, we met heavily armed policemen who told us we could not proceed. While we were still engaging them, hoodlums invaded the place and began beating people, forcing us to abandon the venue,” Akujuobi said.

He added that even after relocating to the Eco Centre in Egbeda, the attackers followed them and carried out another assault on members. According to him, the decision to defect to the ADC was driven by leadership challenges within the LP and ongoing internal litigations.

Heavily armed policemen later arrived at the second venue after the hoodlums had left. A police officer, who spoke anonymously, said officers responded after receiving reports of violence and were relieved that no lives were lost and no serious injuries were recorded.

(NAN)