News
Katsina probes Hisbah over alleged torture, murder
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Acting Governor of Katsina State, Faruk Umar, has inaugurated a committee to investigate a viral video on social media showing the alleged torture of some individuals by the personnel of Hisbah.
Activities of Katsina State Hisbah Board were recently tagged by residents as anti-social and infringement of rights of people across the State.
Reports have it that on May 5, 2024, in the Katsina metropolis, a joint operation by Hisbah and Community Watch Corps at a wedding ceremony turned violent. The security forces fired shots into the crowd, resulting in the tragic death of Mallam Gambo Maipaci, a middle-aged vulcanizer.
An eyewitness, Mohammed Musa, told PUNCH Online that “immediately the Hisbah alongside CWC alighted, without much ado, they started shooting while those with knives too were seen chasing the crowd.
He said, “In the process, a bullet pierced through Mallam Gambo, the vulcaniser. They rushed him to a nearby hospital where he later died. Not only that, Hisbah has been infringing on our rights ever since its establishment by Radda’s administration.”
Inaugurating the committee on behalf of the acting Governor, Secretary to the Katsina State government, Abdullahi Faskari, read the terms of reference to include “investigate the veracity or otherwise of the viral video on the social media on alleged torture of individuals by personnel of Hisbah.
“Other allegations of victimisation and torture being perpetrated by the personnel of Hisbah; study the Law establishing HISBAH Board with a view to determining lapses (if any) leading to violations of fundamental human rights; identify Hisbah personnel who are involved in the act of victimisation and torture of people and recommend sanctions as appropriate.”
He said the committee will submit a report within 10 days from the date of inauguration of the Committee.
The Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Aliyu Zakari, will chair the committee, while others are Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Religious Affairs, Justice, Internal Security and Home Affairs, among others.
An Ikeja Special Offences Court has scheduled May 4, 2026, to deliver its ruling on whether an extra-judicial statement made by co-defendant Henry Omoile will be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial involving former Godwin Emefiele.
The statement in question was allegedly made by Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele. Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, fixed the date after both the prosecution and defence teams adopted their final written addresses during a trial-within-trial session.
The hearing is focused on determining whether Omoile’s statement was given voluntarily and is therefore admissible in court.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, involving transactions estimated at $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Omoile, meanwhile, is standing trial on a three-count charge relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts connected to dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Counsel to Omoile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, argued that the statement should be rejected on the grounds that it was not voluntarily made. He cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stressing the importance of video-recorded interrogations to ensure transparency.
The defence also raised concerns over possible coercion, inducement, and lack of proper legal representation during the recording of the statement.
Similarly, counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to discountenance the statement, arguing under the Evidence Act that any involuntary confession is inadmissible.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the statement was properly obtained in line with legal procedures, adding that although it was not video-recorded, it was made in the presence of Omoile’s lawyer.
He further argued that the contents of the statement do not support claims of coercion, noting that Omoile did not implicate Emefiele and denied the allegations against himself.
After hearing all submissions, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter for ruling on May 4, 2026, while also fixing June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the substantive trial.
Nine kingmakers of Ijebu-Ode have been re-invited by the Ogun State Police Command to appear at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, next Monday and Tuesday over fresh allegations of bribery and financial inducement in the selection of the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The development marks the second time the kingmakers are being summoned by the police on the matter.
Recall that the Ogun State Government, in January 2026, suspended the selection process through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.
The suspension followed petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The kingmakers were first invited by the Ogun State Police Command in February over similar accusations of cash inducement. However, the probe was later dropped following the intervention of superior authorities.
In the latest development, the nine kingmakers have been re-invited through a letter dated April 17, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, confirmed the invitation.
He disclosed that four of them are expected to appear on Monday, April 21, 2026, while the remaining five are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2026.
Chief Okenla described the repeated invitations as a distraction, insisting that the allegations are unfounded.
“It’s true that the Ogun State Police Command has invited the kingmakers to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Four of us are to be there on Monday while the remaining five will be there on Tuesday,” he said.
“None of us is happy with this frequent invitation by the security agencies over unfounded allegations. The people of Ijebuland are equally not happy about it because it is becoming more of a distraction.”
The Kakanfo appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to conclude the selection process without further delay.
“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebuland without any further delay,” he added.
Parts of the police invitation letter read:
“In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on [Monday/Tuesday] April 21/22, 2026 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.
“This is a fact-finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.
“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of criminal justice delivery and fairness. Should you require any clarification, kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your lawyer.”
Nigerian-American singer, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido has commended Nigerian businessman Aliko Mohammed Dangote for his style of living.
According to him, the owner of Dangote cement is a different kind of billionaire.
He said unlike other billionaires who always buy luxury cars and show off, Mr. Aliko buys two cars every 8 years.
Speaking in an interview, Davido stated that the businessman always tells him to save his money.
“Uncle Aliko is a different kind of a billionaire, Uncle Aliko buys like two cars every 8 years. He is different ” Davido said.
“Anytime he sees me he just says one thing, save your money. There is nothing more he tells me than save your money.” He added.
Court Fixes Ruling Date In High-Profile Godwin Emefiele Trial
Awujale Stool: Police Again Summon Kingmakers Over Alleged Bribery in Selection Process
Monetary Shake-Up! CBN Unveils New Interest Rate Benchmark
-
News21 hours agoJust in: Ex-Senate president, Saraki, others to face death penalty charges
-
News21 hours agoNigeria Rules Out IMF Bailout as Reforms Gain Ground –Finance minister, Edun
-
News16 hours agoKwankwaso has decided to be Obi’s running mate-Ibrahim Abdulkarim reveals
-
News21 hours agoHunger looming in Nigeria as Tinubu’s economic policies summersault- IMF cautions
-
News16 hours agoJust in: Tinubu assents 2026 Appropriation Bill, 2025 Budget Extension
-
News21 hours agoTragedy averted as man parks SUV on 3rd Mainland bridge jumps into lagoon
-
Sports16 hours ago“Any attempt to lose to Arsenal, ends Mancity’s dream of title race”-Guardiola
-
Education16 hours agoBREAKING: JAMB set to release first batch of 2026 UTME results today
You must be logged in to post a comment Login