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Professor Richard Scolyer, a globally respected melanoma specialist, made an extraordinary contribution to medical science after being diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

Rather than accepting the grim prognosis, Scolyer chose to become the subject of his own research. Working alongside colleagues, he underwent an experimental treatment combining a triple immunotherapy regimen he helped develop, followed by surgery and a personalized cancer vaccine designed to target his specific tumour.

His remarkable journey saw him survive for about three years after his diagnosis—significantly longer than the typical survival time for patients with glioblastoma. His case has since provided valuable insights into the potential of immunotherapy in treating brain cancer.

The pioneering approach has inspired ongoing clinical trials, raising hope for future patients battling the devastating disease.

Professor Scolyer’s courage, determination, and willingness to put himself at the centre of experimental research have left a lasting legacy in cancer medicine. He will be remembered not only as one of the world’s leading melanoma experts but also as a scientist who risked everything in the pursuit of better treatments for others.

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The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated a Federal High Court judgment that nullified timelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the 2027 general elections.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday by a three-member panel, the appellate court upheld an appeal filed by INEC to challenge the May 20 judgment of the Federal High Court.

The Court of Appeal held that the trial court failed to follow binding precedents. It stated that INEC’s Revised Timetable for the 2027 general elections is legally considered subsidiary legislation to the 2026 Electoral Act.

The court further held that such subsidiary legislation has the same force of law as the Electoral Act, and that INEC acted within its statutory powers.

It added that every deadline in the Revised Timetable for the 2027 general elections falls within the ambit of the Electoral Act.

INEC’s Appeal

INEC had in its notice of appeal dated May 25 raised nine grounds, urging the appellate court to set aside the High Court judgment.

The Commission argued that the trial court erred in law by failing to determine a jurisdictional issue it raised. It also maintained that the suit instituted by the Youth Party, YP, was hypothetical and academic.

INEC further contended that the trial court’s decision denied it fair hearing, and that the verdict was against the weight of evidence presented by the parties.

The Commission asked the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, set aside the judgment, and strike out YP’s case on the ground that it lacked the locus standi to institute and maintain the action.

The High Court had, in a judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar, invalidated timelines issued by INEC for the conduct of primaries and nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.

The court also set aside INEC’s May 10 deadline requiring political parties to submit a register and database of all their members as a condition for participating in the general elections.

Justice Umar held that the timeframe INEC imposed for political parties to conduct primaries and to submit, withdraw, or replace the names and particulars of candidates “is inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.”

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2016, was filed by YP to compel INEC to comply with the 120-day pre-election deadline for submitting party registers and candidates’ personal particulars as provided in the Electoral Act 2026. INEC was listed as the sole defendant.

With Thursday’s decision, the Court of Appeal has restored INEC’s Revised Timetable for the 2027 general elections.

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Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar has demanded the immediate suspension of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, over the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila, who died within the Minister’s private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27.

In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, Atiku said he had followed with “deep sorrow and mounting concern” the reports surrounding the death of Habila, a native of Nok in Southern Kaduna.

He extended condolences to the Habila family, saying, “No family should have to mourn a daughter taken in the prime of her life while also fighting simply to learn the truth of how she died.”

He argued that sympathy alone was insufficient given the unanswered questions surrounding the case. “But condolences are not enough. Nigerians deserve answers, and it is on this score that the Tinubu administration has failed, comprehensively and disgracefully,” he said.

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Atiku noted that the young woman died inside the residence of a serving federal minister, yet neither the minister, the police, nor any arm of government addressed the matter publicly for nearly two weeks.

“It took the courage of Sahara Reporters to bring this death into public view,” he said, adding that three weeks after her death, no autopsy had been conducted and no cause of death had been established.

He raised concern that the investigation remains under the Ebonyi State Police Command, in a state where Umahi served two terms as governor and continues to wield significant influence.

He criticised what he described as a wall of silence from key federal institutions.

“Silence from the Presidency. Silence from the Federal Executive Council. Silence from the Inspector-General of Police.

“Silence from the National Assembly. Not one word. Not one directive. Not one gesture to assure Nigerians that the life of Mary Habila matters to this government,” he said.

Atiku further alleged that the Minister has been allowed to control the narrative around the death, “issuing statements through his personal aides, deploying his private lawyers to correspond with the police, and continuing his official duties as though nothing has happened,” even as civil society groups, youth organisations and the victim’s community call for an independent inquiry.

He clarified that his demand was not a judgment on anyone’s guilt. “Let me be clear: I make no pronouncement on anyone’s guilt or innocence.

“That is precisely the point. Only a credible, independent, and transparent investigation can establish the truth, and it is the refusal of the Federal Government to guarantee such an investigation that constitutes the scandal before us,” he said.

He argued that the government’s obligation to act transparently is heightened whenever a death touches a senior public official.

“A government’s first duty is the protection of life. Where a life is lost in circumstances touching a high official of state, the burden on government to act transparently is at its heaviest,” he said, warning that the administration’s handling of the matter raises troubling questions.

“If the death of a young Nigerian woman in a Minister’s residence cannot stir this government to act, then Nigerians must ask: whose life, exactly, does this government value?”

Atiku then outlined four specific demands. First, he called on President Bola Tinubu to direct Umahi to step aside immediately pending investigations, describing this as “not a punishment” but “the minimum standard of public accountability in any serious democracy.”

Secondly, he demanded that the Inspector-General of Police transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Command to Force Headquarters, with independent forensic experts involved, arguing that “no investigation conducted in the shadow of the Minister’s home-state influence can command public confidence.”

Thirdly, he called for a full, independent and internationally credible autopsy to be conducted without further delay, with findings made public, describing the current stalemate over the post-mortem as “an indictment of every institution involved.”

Fourth, he demanded that the Habila family be protected from any pressure, inducement or intimidation, and be guaranteed unfettered access to facts surrounding their daughter’s death.