The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, was honored today, Wednesday, as members of the National Assembly New Media Forum paid him a congratulatory visit to celebrate his 59th birthday.

Led by its Chairman, Clement Chibuike, the forum engaged in discussions with Hon. Chinda, acknowledging his dedication to legislative excellence and national development.

During the visit, he granted an exclusive interview, reflecting on his political journey, legislative priorities, and commitment to effective representation.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of a gigantic birthday card to Hon. Kingsley Chinda by the forum, a symbolic gesture of appreciation for his leadership and contributions to democracy.

Ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has declared that he is uncertain about his 2027 presidential ambition.

Atiku, who has contested for the presidency six times, made the remark in a yet-to-be-aired interview for a television show, Untold Stories, with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie.

His remarks came a few days after he announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders aiming to oust the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC government.

When asked if he would run for the presidency in the next election, Atiku said, “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”

The former VP, however, did not rule out the possibility of contesting in the 2027 election, stating the need for Nigeria to have a competent leader.

“I have not seen Nigeria in dire need of, you know, an experienced and credible leadership than this time.

“We had a similar, you know, what would I say, merger in 2014. About four of us or is it three? We all ran for president and one of us emerged, and we all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” he said.

There are speculations that Atiku may give his support to the former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-rufai for the 2027 election.

By Francesca Hangeior

The trial of Tukur Mamu, the “terrorist negotiator”, was on Tuesday, stalled due to the absence of the witnesses in court.

The trial was scheduled to proceed before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, when the matter was called, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), David Kaswe, informed the court of their challenge.

Kaswe said though the prosecution still had three more witnesses to call to establish its case against Mamu, he said the next witness, who had already been prepared to testify, told them last night that he would not be able to come to Abuja.

The lawyer further said that another witness who would have given his evidence and tendered the exhibits in the case could not come because the exhibits keeper was not around.

“This is the challenge we have my lord,” he said, seeking an adjournment.

Responding, Johnson Usman, SAN, who appeared for Mamu, expressed sadness over the development.

The senior lawyer, who did not oppose Kaswe’s application for adjournment, however informed the court of their complaints.

Usman alleged that his client, a Muslim, had not been allowed to go for his prayer since he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).

He also alleged that Mamu’s relatives were being prevented from seeing him against the court order.

Besides, the lawyer said though the court ordered that his client should be allowed to have access to a doctor of his choice, he said after his doctor prescribed a BP Digital Kit for his client, the DSS officers refused to allow the family come with equipment.

He said even though the security agency insisted that the device would be provided for the defendant, they were yet to do that.

Justice Ekwo, therefore, directed the prosecution and the defence lawyers to work together and report back to the court within seven days on the step taken to resolve the issues.

The judge adjourned the matter until May 6, May 7 and May 8 for continuation of trial.

It could be recalled that the Federal Government had, on March 21, 2023, arraigned Mamu for allegedly aiding terrorist operations in the country.

He was arraigned on a 10-count terrorism charge but pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Kaduna-based Islamic scholar was accused of collecting various sums of money in different currencies from families of victims of the train attack, on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists sect.

The federal government told the court that investigations revealed that the defendant collected an aggregate sum of $420, 000 from families of the victims, as well as N21 million from another set of families of the train attack.

It further alleged that Mamu concealed funds he earned from services he rendered to the terrorist organisation, in his residence in Kaduna State.

It told the court that the defendant had sometime in 2022, in Kaduna State, received ransom payments in the sum of N500, 000 on behalf of the Boko haram terrorist group, from families of the train attack that were held as hostages.