The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has reserved judgement in an appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the refusal of his bail application by the Kaduna State High Court.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, reserved judgement after hearing arguments from counsel to El-Rufai and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Speaking shortly after the court session, ICPC lead counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe, urged the appellate court to dismiss the appeal, arguing that the Kaduna State High Court was right to refuse El-Rufai’s bail application.

Adedipe said the former governor had filed three separate bail applications before the trial court, all of which were refused.

He explained that the first application was dismissed, while the second was also rejected after El-Rufai failed to show any exceptional circumstances to warrant another bail application.

According to him, the third bail application was subsequently filed and also dismissed, but El-Rufai chose to appeal against the ruling on the second application.

The ICPC counsel argued that the appellant failed to disclose to the Court of Appeal that the third application had equally been refused.

He therefore described the appeal as unmeritorious and urged the court to dismiss it.

But counsel to El-Rufai, Paul Erokoro, SAN, urged the court to overturn the decision of the lower court and grant his client bail pending the determination of the charges against him.

Erokoro argued that the offences for which El-Rufai was charged were bailable and not capital offences, noting that there was no justification for denying him bail.

He said bail was a constitutional right except in capital offences, adding that keeping his client in ICPC custody was making it difficult for him to adequately prepare his defence.

Accorsing tonhim, El-Rufai’s detention had made access to his lawyers and witnesses difficult and could affect confidential communication between the defendant and his legal team.

The senior lawyer also described El-Rufai as a prominent opposition figure, arguing that it was not surprising that criminal charges were filed against him close to an election.

Erokoro said the defence was hopeful that the Court of Appeal would take a different view from the High Court and grant the former governor bail.

After listening to arguments from both sides, the presiding judge reserved judgement but did not fix a date for its delivery.

The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of five crew members and 20 passengers who lost their lives in the 931 aircraft accident which occurred in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.

In a statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, the NAF disclosed that the aircraft had 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers.

According to the Air Force, the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

It added that search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board.

No survivors have been found, according to the statement.

Air Commodore Ejodame said the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, had expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives in the accident.

The CAS described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, expressing heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives.

He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during this difficult period.

He also directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The Air Force said it would continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses, urging the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

The Director of Public Relations also disclosed that a condolence register had been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who may wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.

Following the incident on Monday, President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered a thorough investigation into the crash.

He also directed that flags be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers.

See the full list of crew and passengers below:

CREW

Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)
Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)
Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)
Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)


PASSENGERS

Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
Flying Officer IM Adeshina
Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
Flight Sergeant James RB
Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
Sergeant Ani AE
Sergeant Izibenikien SI
Sergeant Alafuka C
Sergeant Mbadugha AN
Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
Lance Corporal Eledan GE
Mrs Ezeh Nneka
Godstmine Tarabina
Joy Micheal
Sunday Micheal
Ukeme David
Gideon Omotola

By Augustine Akhilomen

The National Peace Committee (NPC), spearheaded by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and co-convened by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has issued a sharp and uncompromising warning to major political actors, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, against the use of inflammatory and inciting language as the country builds toward the 2027 general elections.

In a joint statement released following a review of political conduct, the committee expressed deep concern over a worrying spike in hostility across the country, highlighting that political discourse is dangerously straying away from policy-based engagement.

The statement partly read:

“To political parties, candidates, and supporters: Immediately stop false, inflammatory or inciting communication. Uphold the commitments of the Accord, verify information before publication, and actively prevent supporters from engaging in unlawful conduct, intimidation, or disruption.

“As the 2027 electoral cycle progresses, the message of the NPC remains clear and unwavering. Every candidate must be able to campaign peacefully; every political party must be able to organise lawfully; and every citizen must be able to make a political choice without intimidation or coercion.

“To INEC, strengthen monitoring of political campaigns and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and applicable regulations governing political parties and campaign conduct.

“Where breaches are identified, the commission should take appropriate regulatory action within its mandate and promptly refer suspected criminal violations to the relevant law-enforcement agencies.”

The panel flagged data compiled through its Election Security Information Hub, which recorded roughly 60 election-related incidents within a single month. These violations span political violence, intimidation, targeted threats against opponents, physical attacks on campaign activities, and a surge in deliberate misinformation.

Reminding all political camps of their previous pledges, the committee underscored that the National Peace Accord is a binding civic compact rather than an empty formality.

Beyond warning the political elite, the peace panel called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ramp up prompt, impartial, and evidence-driven investigations into electoral offences to deter perpetrators.

As the 2027 race heats up amidst ongoing economic anxieties, the Abdulsalami panel’s intervention serves as a critical wake-up call for political gladiators to rein in toxic rhetoric before it destabilizes the democratic process.