Tinubu Made Buhari President, North Will Support Him in 2027- Yari

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December 22, 2025

Senator Abdul’aziz Yari has described the role played by Bola Tinubu to the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 Presidential election as very critical, without which the late president would not have been victorious in the election.

Buhari contested against former Vice President Atiku Abubkar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP and won. The late president had previously contested, the election, four times and lost.

In 2011, after losing the presidential election against Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari had cried openly vowing never to run for election again.

But the tide turned positively for him in 2015 after the former Military dictator teamed up with Tinubu to form the All Progressives Congress, APC. He also went ahead to win a re-election in 2019, even though some political analysts said at the time that the alliance had suffered a hit.

Speaking on Sunday during his installation as Obaloyin of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, the former Governor of Zamfara state said President Tinubu played a pivotal role in Buhari’s emergence as Nigeria’s leader in 2015.

According to yari, Tinubu had deployed his political machinery, war chest and influence, thereby delivering victory for Buhari, saying the dream of Buhari to become Nigeria’s persident would have been shattered without the former Lagos state governor solidly behind him. .

He stressed that the North had returned the favour to Tinubu in 2023, saying the same gesture would be repeated in 2027, to ensure that Tinubu returned to office, expressing satisfaction with the administration since it came to office in 2023.

“President Tinubu fulfilled his promise to former President Buhari. He campaigned vigorously in 2019, and by God’s infinite mercy, Buhari won,” Yari stated.

“Some of us know that without President Tinubu’s plans, financial support and political strategy, the North’s dream of ruling through Buhari might not have been realised.

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“The dream of President Buhari to become president in 2015 was fully architected, designed and financed by Tinubu’

“Therefore, we in Northern Nigeria have no option but to follow and fully support him the first time and the second time, by the grace of God.”

Apart from Senator Yari, the Alaafin also installed Seyi Tinubu, the son of the president as Okanlomo of Yorubaland at the ceremony which took place in the Oyo Palace of the monarch.

Dangote To Kaduna Businessman: Retract, Apologise Publicly Or Pay N100b

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 22, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

For allegedly defaming him, the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has threatened to slam a N100 billion law suit on a Kaduna based businessman Kailani Mohammed. As a prelude to that, Mohammed has been given a 7-day ultimatum to retract the libelous publication made against Dangote or face the lawsuit.

In a letter to the Mohammed, Dangote demanded an immediate public explanation, retraction and unreserved apology for accusing him of engaging in an unclean business in the 1980s in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Dangote’s letter, dated December 20, was served on the Kaduna based businessman by Dr Ogwu James Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria of Onoja law firm in Abuja, who is Dangote’s lawyer.

In the letter, Dangote said that the Kaduna businessman has defamed him, lowered his reputation and tarnished his business engagements by accusating him of engaging in unclean business in Port Harcourt, and queried his source of wealth.

The remarks which angered Dangote were made by Engr. Kailani Mohamed during an interview on Wednesday December 17th, 2025 on TrustTV news when he reacted to Dangote’s petition against Dr Farouk Ahmed which he submitted to the independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission ICPC.

The letter titled “Demand for public explanation, retraction and unreserved public apology on your libelous publication against Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON” and signed by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja SAN, reads:1 “We are solicitors to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and we write pursuant to his express instructions regarding grievously libelous statements broadcast by TrustTV news and uttered by you during an interview aired on Wednesday, 17th December, 2025 in reaction to the petition submitted by our client to Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“Our client is a widely reputable international businessman. He is the richest black man on earth and he has the largest business conglomerate in Africa.

“Our client, through dint of hard work, integrity, diligent and perseverance over the years earned for himself the reputation and honour he is reckoned with all over the world.

“Our client’s attention has been drawn to statements made by you during the televised broadcast on TrustTV on the aforementioned date in reaction to our client’s petition submitted to Independent Corrupt Practices and the other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate and possibly prosecute Engr. Farouk Ahmad if found wanting, wherein you made false, reckless, malicious, scandalous and libelous publications concerning our client as a man that has monopolistic tendencies, corruptly enriched himself in business and engaged in economics cerbutach.

“Your statement also portrayed our client as a very cruel businessman whose stock in trade is vendetta and campaign of calumny to bring down others and exert monopolistic powers.

Among others you stated as follows: “Can Dangote tell us the source of his money in the 80s when he was in Port Harcourt. Who is clean? Every time you want to monopolize, you bring allegations against people. Let him come and prove it. In the 80s we are aware of what happened in Port Harcourt and how he got his money. Nobody came out and said all these things.

“These statements are false, scandalous and gravely deliberately impute unlawful or morally questionable conduct to our client and are calculated to expose him to public hatred, ridicule, suspicion and odium.

“By your reckless and unguarded defamatory statement and assertions, our client’s reputation has been greatly lowered in the sight of reasonable members of the International Community, including his business partners, associates and various governments of nations of the world where our client carries on business.

“Take Note that our client categorically states that at no time in his life has he carried out any business, commercial activity or wealth generating enterprise in Port Harcourt, whether in the 1980s or at any other period whatsoever as you alleged.

“Your assertion are therefore entirely fictitious, unfounded, malicious and without doubt, render you susceptible to both civil and criminal defematory action.

“In view of the gravity and depth of the allegations made by you against our client, you are hereby demanded to do the following within 7 days upon receipt of this letter:

“That you publicly explain on the same TrustTV platform and to the same audience, when, where and in what capacity our client was allegedly involved in any unclean activity or any activity whatsoever in Port Harcourt as claimed by you.

“That in the absence of verifiable facts capable of substantiating your assertions, you immediately and unequivocally retract the said statement in their entirety.

“That you issue a full, clear and unreserved public apology to our client which must be broadcast with equal prominence as your original publication.

“To pay our client the N100Bn only in damages for loss of reputation, character defamation and public redicule our client has been subjected to since the said statements were published.

“That you give a written undertaking to desist from making or publishing any further false or defamatory statements concerning our client.

“Be advised that allegations of this nature made without proof on a national media platform are indefensible in law and amount to a gross abuse of the right to freedom of expression which will culminate in both civil and criminal liability.

“Take further notice that should you fail to comply with the conditions stated above and within the time frame, our client shall, without further recourse to you, institute a legal action at a competent court of law against you and claim aggravated damages.

“This is without prejudice to our client’s right to make a formal report against you to the law enforcement agencies for your investigation and and prosecution for criminal defamation.”

There has been no reaction from Mohammed, so far.

All Abducted Niger State School Children Released

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 22, 2025

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The Released Niger State School Children — The Released Abducted Niger State School Children

By Adesina Soyooye

Good news came the way of families of abducted pupils, students and teachers of St Mary’s Catholic Private School, Papari, Agwara Local Government Area with their release by terrorists.

315 of them, made up of 303 students and pupils and 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists in the early hours of November 21 from their school in what went down as one of Nigeria’s worst mass kidnappings.

50 of them managed to escape same day of the abduction. On December 8, 100 of them were released in what Security Agencies described as a rescue exercise.

Since then, efforts intensified to get the remaining students and pupils released. Until Sunday, December 21.

The release has been confirmed by officials from the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu who coordinated the efforts to get all the abducted released.

Recall that the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago had said, initially, that the Catholic Church lied over the abduction; that the children and teachers ran into the Bush on hearing gun shots from the terrorists who then went away thereafter.

Niger State: Bandits Release Remaining Abducted Catholic Students

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James Orji

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December 21, 2025

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Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State

The remaining students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly regained their freedom, Premium Times reports.

A security official familiar with the rescue operation confirmed to the online newspaper that the latest release accounts for all the remaining victims taken during the 21 November attack on the school.

The exact number of the newly freed abductees could not be independently confirmed at the time of filing this report.

However, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication and spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare, confirmed that 130 pupils have regained their freedom.

“Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released. None left in captivity,” he wrote briefly on X on Sunday.

The victims were abducted after gunmen attacked the boarding school, an incident that triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of schools nationwide.

The attackers reportedly stormed the boarding school on motorcycles at about 2:00 a.m.

They moved systematically from one dormitory to another before marching their captives into nearby forests.

Days later, the Christian Association of Nigeria disclosed that 50 of the children escaped during the raid, while scores of others were taken away.

Following the abduction, the Federal Government imposed a security cordon around border communities.

President Bola Tinubu deployed ground troops and aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kebbi and Kwara states to track the kidnappers.

He also cancelled an official trip to oversee rescue efforts, while authorities ordered the temporary closure of schools across Niger State and some federal institutions in high-risk areas.

On December 8, security agencies secured the release of about 100 abductees, leaving an unspecified number in captivity until the latest breakthrough.

The reported release of 130 abductees brings the total number of rescued victims to 230.

Sources told Premium Times that the freed students and teachers are currently being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital, where they are expected to undergo medical checks and reunite with their families.

DHQ Steps Up Security For Xmas, New Year Celebrations

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James Orji

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December 21, 2025

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General Christopher Musa Defence Minister

Four days to Christmas the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, says it has put measures in place to ensure a peaceful celebrations for the people.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Micheal Onoja the Nigerian armed will collaborate with other security agencies in the country to make the Yuletide a hit-free celebration, saying various strategies have been mapped out to provide security across the country, particularity in vulnerable areas, to ward off trouble makers.

To achieve this, Gen, Onoja stated that the robust and proactive measures have been activated to prevent attacks during the Christmas festivities, adding that military commanders, across the country have been directed to work with community leaders, vigilante to ensure a peaceful celebration during the period.

He stressed that additional troops have also been deployed to strategic locations and routes, while special forces units and air support elements have been placed on high alert to enable rapid response, urging the public to give valuable to security agencies, assuring that any information from them will be handled with utmost secrecy .

“The DHQ wishes to inform the public that robust and proactive measures aimed at preventing any attacks during the Christmas festivities have been emplaced,” the statement read.03 / 1:01

“The AFN, working closely with other security agencies, have intensified operations across identified vulnerable areas. Additional troops have been deployed to strategic locations and routes while special forces units and air support elements have been placed on high alert to ensure rapid response capability,” the statement partly read.

“Furthermore, surveillance efforts—including aerial monitoring and intelligence gathering—have been heightened to track the movement and communication patterns of suspected criminal groups.

“Unit Commanders in all areas have been directed to strengthen patrols, establish fortified checkpoints, and maintain close collaboration with community leaders, local vigilante groups, and state security formations,” Onoja said.

Earlier in the week, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu had written a letter to the 36 state governors in the country, urging them to step up security ahead the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Tinubu Not Responsible For North’s Underdevelopment, El-Rufai Told

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 21, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

Sunday Wale Adeniran, a development expert, has told the North to look elsewhere for its underdevelopment. He exonerated President Bola Tinubu for the sad situation.

In a strongly-worded rebuttal to former Governor to the allegations against Tinubu by a former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Adeniran accused him of promoting divisive narratives and unfairly blaming President Tinubu for the socio-economic challenges facing Northern Nigeria.

Adeniran in the statement attacked El-Rufai for sharing a post that alleged marginalisation of Northern Muslims by Tinubu’s administration.

“Mallam, I wonder if you read the post you shared on what the writer called marginalisation of northern Muslims by the present administration. I hope you did not read it before sharing it.but I can only hope. The claims are misleading and historically inaccurate.”

Criticizing the article circulated by El Rufai, Adeniran argued that the former Kaduna Governor, selectively referenced some Northern Muslims, including himself, as alleged victims of persecution by the Tinubu administration, while linking the President to issues such as the Kano Emirate crisis.

“President Tinubu was never a Hovernor in Kano State, why will the writer ignored what he described as goodwill gestures by members of the First Family to Muslim-dominated communities.

“When Seyi Tinubu donated during Ramadan, it was conveniently omitted,” he noted.

He added that northern leaders had governed the country for a cumulative 49 years, compared to about 19 years by leaders from the South.

He recalled that Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa served as Chief Minister and Prime Minister for nine years, followed by a succession of northern military leaders, including Generals Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

According to him, “only one of them was a Christian,” while the South’s cumulative leadership years include “Aguiyi Ironsi—six months; Olusegun Obasanjo—three years as military leader and eight years as civilian president; Ernest Shonekan—three months; Goodluck Jonathan—five years; and Bola Tinubu—two years and seven months, still in office.”

Adeniran questioned the rationale for blaming President Tinubu for northern poverty and insecurity.

“How do you then hold a two-year-old government responsible for decades of poverty, illiteracy, economic stagnation and insecurity in the North simply because the leader of that government is not a northern Muslim?” he asked.

Dismissing claims that the Tinubu administration was targeting northern Muslims, he insisted that its actions were driven by accountability rather than ethnic or religious considerations.

“It is not true that this administration is witch-hunting northern Muslims. The administration is after corruption, irrespective of religion or ethnicity,” he said, citing cases involving former public officials.

“Godwin Emefiele has forfeited some properties acquired through corruption and he is neither a northerner nor a Muslim. Is Yahaya Bello in custody, or is Kogi no longer a northern state and Yahaya Bello no longer a Muslim?” he queried.

Countering claims that the Tinubu Government was deliberately stifling Northern trade by keeping the Niger Republic border closed, noting that the Federal Government announced the reopening of land and air borders with Niger and the lifting of sanctions on March 14, 2024, Adeniran said, “El-Rufai needs to refrain from amplifying what he described as politically motivated narratives capable of stoking regional tension.

“Those appointed to offices which you and the writer think should be reserved for northern Muslims are Nigerians as well,” Adeniran stated, warning political leaders against “causing unnecessary tension among the people in the name of politics and the struggle to return to public office at all costs.

Akapabio To Ladoja: Ibadan “Is An Incoming” State

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James Orji

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December 21, 2025

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Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio has assured that Ibadan State is on the list of the states to be created soon by the National Assembly.
The Nigerian Senate President gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja on Sunday.
He was accompanied on the visit by Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdulahi, and Sarafadeen Ali.
Oba Ladoja had informed Akpabio that Ibadan state is uppermost in his heart as the traditional ruler of the ancient city, saying it’s due for creation after many years of agitation by his people.
“My subjects have given me the mandate to represent their interests on all issues including the creation of Ibadan State,” Ladoja said .
“I placed the request of my people before President Bola Tinubu during my installation ceremony.
“I am repeating the same thing today. My people wants Ibadan state and I want you to use your office to ensure its actualization.”

Reacting, Akpabio assured the traditional ruler that Ibadan state “is an incoming” state based on “popular demand” describing Oba Ladoja as a blessing to the state and south west as a whole, saying his tenure will bring development to the state.

Oba Ladoja, had during his inauguration in September, as the traditional ruler of the city, made the same request to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was among the dignitaries who attended the occasion. He had pleaded with the president to ensure that the state is created before 2027.
Ladoja: “I thank God that Ibadan is the home of Yoruba people. I usually tell people that any Yoruba person who does not have a house in Ibadan is not yet a Yoruba.
“I know that the president has a house in Ibadan. When they said Ladoja will be crowned as Olubadan, everyone in Ibadan was very happy.
“But they (Ibadan people) asked me to deliver a message to the president that their desire is to have Ibadan state.
“Ibadan people, is that not the message? If that is the message, please stand up and appreciate the president. We don’t have a problem with the national assembly. The president has accepted.
“I know that if Tinubu will create a single state, it will be Ibadan state. Mr President, we are in a hurry for Ibadan state, we want it before 2027.”
Apart from Ibadan state, there are other groups in the country agitating for new states to be created from the current 36 states in the country. It’s however uncertain if new states will be created before the end of this current government in 2027, according to key political analysts who are following developments in the country.

Odili, Fmr. Rivers State Gov. Commends Fubara’s Defection From PDP To APC

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 21, 2025

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Peter Odidli and Simi Fubara — Dr. Peter Odili and Governor Siminalayi Fubara

By Adesina Soyooye

“I am sure no State in Nigeria can boast of the quality of zonal hospitals you have built” – Odili to Fubara

A former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, has commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party, and defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Odili, a medical doctor-turned politician, was a two-term Governor of Rivers State under the PDP Government. Odili who has given politics some space and concentrated on his first calling – Medicine and his University, the first privately owned University of Medical Sciences – was speaking publicly for the first time since Fubara defected to the APC.

He spoke at the weekend during the Eight Founders’ Day and fifth Convocation ceremony of his University, PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt which Pro Chancellor and Founder he is.

The alignment of Rivers State, he said, is perfect because it brings the State closer to the Government at the centre. He also said the State is now in a position to enjoy a better access than before to national resources as well as a support for its policies.

Odili particularly commended Governor Fubara for giving priority attention to education and healthcare, investments in primary healthcare and the construction of quality healthcare all over the State.

Said Odili to Fubara who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Ngozi Ordu: “With what you have done as our governor, the attention you have paid to education and health is highly commendable. I am sure no state in Nigeria can boast of the quality of zonal hospitals you have built.

“The emphasis on primary healthcare is excellent, and you have tailored your programmes to align correctly with what Mr. President is doing in the health sector. So far, at least 500 infrastructure projects have been completed across the country.

“The alignment of Rivers State with the federal government is therefore perfect. We support it and encourage it because our people are now in the kitchen where the national cake is baked.”

Odili, whose daughter, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, is the Commissioner for Health, Rivers State, has been a supporter of Fubara and anything that would bring peace and progress in the State.

NAFDAC Clears Air, Says Recalled Indomie Noodles Flavour Not Registered, Sold In Nigeria

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 21, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has cleared the air to public concerns over the recent recall alert of Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour, assuring Nigerians that the affected product is neither registered nor sold in the country.

NAFDAC explained that the recall was initiated by French health authorities and does not involve any Indomie products manufactured or approved for sale in Nigeria.

A press statement on Sunday signed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, stressed that the product in question does not originate from Nigeria and is not registered with the agency.

Adeyeye recalled that the announcement was made by Rappel Conso, France’s official consumer safety platform, following the discovery of undeclared allergens—milk and eggs—in the Vegetable Flavour variant, which could pose serious health risks to individuals with allergies or intolerances.

“The Indomie noodles vegetable flavour in question is not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for sale in Nigeria.”

NAFDAC further noted that noodles are on the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List, making their importation into Nigeria illegal and significantly reducing the likelihood of the affected product entering the Nigerian market.

As a precautionary measure, the agency said it has intensified surveillance nationwide to prevent any possible entry of the recalled product. Zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to remain vigilant and to remove the product from circulation should it be found in any part of the country. The Ports Inspection Directorate has also been placed on heightened alert.

The agency reassured Nigerians that all noodles registered by NAFDAC for sale in the country are manufactured locally and are approved only after meeting stringent regulatory requirements, including compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice, GMP.

The Agency however advised consumers to exercise caution, discard the recalled product if encountered, and report any suspected sale or distribution to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its toll-free number, 0800-162-3322. Consumers were also encouraged to report any adverse reactions through the agency’s e-reporting platforms.

Following this development, Indomie Nigeria had distanced its locally manufactured products from the recall alert, affirming that all Indomie noodles produced in Nigeria are safe for consumption.

The company clarified that it does not manufacture, import, distribute, or sell any noodle variant known as Vegetable Flavour in Nigeria.

“As clearly stated in NAFDAC’s official press release, the affected product recall was from France in August 2025 and the alert was issued purely as a precautionary measure to safeguard the Nigerian public,” Indomie Nigeria said.

The company added that all Indomie noodles produced by Dufil Prima Foods in Nigeria undergo strict quality control processes and fully comply with NAFDAC regulations. It also noted that images circulating online of the recalled product do not match Indomie Nigeria’s approved packaging, branding, or labelling standards.

Reiterating that the importation of noodles into Nigeria is prohibited by law, Indomie Nigeria urged consumers to treat with caution any noodle products with unfamiliar or inconsistent packaging and to rely on verified information from official sources.

NAFDAC and Indomie Nigeria appealed to the public to remain calm, assuring that locally manufactured Indomie noodles in Nigeria are safe and unaffected by the foreign recall.

Police Takeover Malami’s Hotel, Arena

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 21, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

For former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, trouble comes in droves.

Still in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the past three weeks over allegations of multi-billion Naira fraud, including money laundering, Police Operatives have taken over his Azbir Hotel and Azbir Arena. Earlier, Malami had disclosed that

EFCC Operatives had invaded and searched his homes and offices. He attributed this, including his continued detention without bail, to politics.

However, not a few people attribute Malami’s fate to Karma, insisting he is only drinking from the same poisonous cup he gave others when he was in office.

Malami was the AGF and Minister for Justice for the eight years the late President Muhammadu Buhari was in office.

But for reasons yet to be fully disclosed, he became a strong critic of the President Bola Tinubu Government, and dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

One of Malami’s wives is a daughter of the late President Buhari.