The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) Hudu Ari to prove his innocence before a competent court of law where he is being tried for allegedly infringing on the electoral process during the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa State.

Ari, who is being prosecuted by the commission for electoral offences in a beireifng in Bauchi at the weekend, said he had evidence that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Aisha Binani, won the governorship election in Adamawa State.

The former REC declared Binani winner of the contest when the rerun election was still ongoing before leaving the State, alleging his life was in danger.

However, National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee of the Commission, Sam Olimekun (Mni) told The Nation that the commission will not comment on Ari’s allegations because his case is before the court.

Olimekun said: “In response to your request, our attention has also been drawn to the interview granted by the former REC of Adamawa State, Mr. Hudu Yunusa Ari. There is nothing new in what he said.

“In any case, the substantive matter of the 2023 Adamawa State Governorship election has been determined through the appropriate judicial process from the trial Tribunal to the Appeal Tribunal and finally settled by the Supreme Court.

“The Commission will not comment on the propriety or otherwise of his conduct during the concluding part of the election as the matter is right now the subject of litigation at the High Court sitting in Yola and therefore subjudice.

“Now that he is back in the country, the right place to prove his innocence and the propriety of his action is by availing himself for the due process of law and not a press conference.”

The Senate recently approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to sack Ari and two other RECs.

The Federal Government is engaging with Saudi Arabia over the recent listing of Nigeria among nations restricted from multiple entry visas.

Saudi Arabia recently introduced new visa regulations that will impact travellers from 14 countries, restricting them to single-entry visas valid for 30 days with no option of extension.

The changes apply to tourists, business travellers and those visiting family members, while excluding applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic or residency visas.

The new regulations target travellers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen.

But Nigeria expressed optimism that it is a temporary measure.

According to the media aide of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alkasim Abdulkadir, the changes may not be unconnected with the upcoming Ramadan season.

He said: “Saudi Arabia has recently adjusted its visa policies, affecting travellers from Nigeria and 13 other countries. The issuance of visas is a sovereign right of each nation and Saudi Arabia has implemented these changes to better manage the influx of visitors, especially with the upcoming Ramadan season.

“Nigerian citizens are still eligible to apply for single-entry visas and thousands continue to do so daily. It’s important to note that this restriction is temporary and specifically pertains to multiple-entry visas. This policy does not prevent travellers or pilgrims from applying to visit Saudi Arabia for work or religious purposes.

“The Nigerian government is actively engaging through diplomatic channels to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims and travelers experience seamless journeys to Saudi Arabia.”

Inibehe Effiong, the lead counsel for TikToker-turned-activist Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as SeaKing, has threatened to sue the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, just hours after the church released a statement supporting the TikToker’s arrest for allegedly insulting the cleric.

In a TikTok post shared in December 2024, SeaKing criticised Adeboye for urging Nigerians to fast for 100 days, describing the directive as “stupid.”

Outraged by the post, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, a religious youth group, petitioned the Lagos State Police Command, leading to SeaKing’s arrest in December—a move that sparked widespread backlash on social media.

However, during a recent Holy Ghost Congress service, Adeboye distanced himself from the TikToker’s arrest, claiming he was unaware of the incident or the individuals behind it.

Following his remarks, the police released SeaKing on administrative bail on Monday after his legal team initially rejected certain bail conditions.

Yet, in a statement issued on Monday afternoon by its Public Relations Department, RCCG reaffirmed its support for the TikToker’s arrest, stating that the youth group’s petition was filed “on behalf of the Fathers of Faith, including Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.”

“Upon careful review of the concerns raised regarding certain statements and allegations, it has become necessary to allow the law to take its course. It is important to properly understand Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye’s statement during the Holy Ghost Service Night on Saturday regarding Olumide Ogunsanwo (SeaKing).

“The church does not intend to interfere with the ongoing police investigation, especially since an official complaint was filed by the Concerned Christian Youth Forum against Olumide Ogunsanwo John (SeaKing) and others on behalf of the Fathers of Faith, including Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.

“Therefore, we trust that the relevant authorities will carry out their investigations professionally and reach a just conclusion based on the law. While Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye maintains a heart of love and reconciliation, due process must be followed,” the statement read.

In a swift response, SeaKing’s lawyer condemned the church’s stance and threatened to sue Pastor Adeboye if the statement was not retracted within 24 hours.

Effiong stated, “Since Pastor Enoch Adeboye had initially distanced himself from the matter, we had decided not to join him and the church as respondents in any fundamental rights enforcement suit. We do not know what motivated the church’s sudden shift, as evidenced by the eccentric statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of RCCG.

“It is pertinent to state that the fundamental rights of Olumide Ogunsanwo have already been violated, as he was detained beyond the constitutionally permissible timeline and without any legally tenable grounds. Since RCCG has now chosen to align itself with the petitioner and drag Pastor Enoch Adeboye into the pit of illegality created by the police and the complainant, they must understand the legal consequences.

“We are now left with no choice but to include Pastor Adeboye as a party in any legal action we file to enforce SeaKing’s fundamental rights. This development may also require Pastor Adeboye to personally testify in court in any criminal case brought by the police, where he will be subjected to cross-examination.

“We demand that Pastor Adeboye and RCCG retract their statement within the next 24 hours if they wish to avoid being named as parties in legal proceedings.”

The lawyer further cautioned religious leaders against using law enforcement agencies as tools of suppression.

“Pastors who resort to weaponising the police to silence their critics risk having their calling questioned. Vengeance, as the Bible admonishes, should be left to the Lord, not the police.

“However, if a pastor insists on pursuing an eye for an eye, he or she must be careful not to overreach their critic, abuser, or adversary, and must ensure that due process is not violated in seeking redress through earthly institutions,” the statement said.