NEWS
Court Mandates IGP To Pay N50M To MKO’s Wife
In Abuja, a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gudu has directed the Inspector General of Police to compensate the late Chief M. K. O Abiola’s wife, Prof Zainab Abiola, with N50 million for infringing her fundamental rights.
The court, presided over by Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi, also mandated a public apology in two national newspapers for the violation.
This ruling stems from a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by Prof Zainab Abiola against the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector Teju Moses, and Engineer Ibrahim (son of former IGP Usman Alkali Baba) as co-defendants.
The suit detailed an incident in 2022 when police officers allegedly invaded her Abuja residence, arresting her in nightwear and transporting her to the police station.
Prof Zainab Abiola informed the court that she endured three days of detention and torture without trial.
In response, the defendants argued for the dismissal of the suit, asserting ignorance of her identity and labeling her allegations as false.
According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment, Justice Osho-Adebiyi ruled that the defendants’ act of detaining Abiola without bringing her before a court of competent jurisdiction was a severe infringement of her right to personal liberty.
The judgment partly read, “ It is hereby declared that the detention of the applicant from the 20th day of September 2022 to 23rd September 2022, without arraigning her before a court of competent jurisdiction is a violation of the applicant’s right to personal liberty under Section 35 of the constitution and is therefore unlawful and unconstitutional.
“It is further declared that the arrest of the applicant by the defendants in her nightgown without giving her the opportunity to dress decently is an infringement of her right to personal dignity.
“It is more debasing and a further infringement of her right to personal dignity when applicant was paraded in her nightgown. In the circumstances, the sum of N50,000,000.00 only is awarded to the applicant as compensation against the first, second and fourth respondents jointly.
“The respondents are hereby ordered to tender a public apology to the applicant in two of national daily newspapers in pursuance of the provisions of Section 35 (6) I of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
The police had alleged that Prof Zainab Abiola, along with her domestic staff, Rebecca Enechido, assaulted Inspector Teju Moses, a female police officer.
The incident, said to have occurred on September 20, 2022, took place at Abiola’s residence in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued an abducted farmer, Nafi’u Abubakar Sarki, as security operatives continue efforts to locate 10 other farmers abducted by armed bandits in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The rescue operation followed the abduction of 11 farmers at Kamfanin Madam Village, according to the police operational update issued on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
The police said tactical teams, working alongside local vigilantes, traced the escape route used by the suspected bandits in an effort to locate the victims.
SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Bandits in Police Net in Katsina
“Police Tactical Teams and local vigilantes successfully traced the escape route of armed bandits who abducted 11 farmers at Kamfanin Madam Village, Maru LGA,” the statement said.
It added that “one of the abducted victims, Nafi’u Abubakar Sarki, was safely rescued unharmed, while operations continue for the rescue of the remaining victims.”
The police identified the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Gusau as the unit investigating the incident.
Otunba Segun Showunmi, a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for 2027, has urged the South-East to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration based on verifiable projects and measurable results rather than political propaganda.
Showunmi made the call in a statement posted on X on Saturday, urging Nigerians to evaluate the government’s performance based on infrastructure delivery, funds committed to projects and their impact on communities.
He said federal infrastructure initiatives targeting the South-East under Tinubu’s administration deserved serious scrutiny and factual assessment, adding that unfulfilled promises should continue to be pursued until the expected results were delivered.
SEE ALSO: 2027 Election: ‘Look Beyond the Noise’ – Showunmi Urges Nigerians to Give Tinubu More Time
“Our message is clear: We will not trade facts for propaganda, nor accountability for political loyalty!” he said.
The political figure challenged critics of the administration to provide evidence to support their claims, while urging those defending the government to present the projects and demonstrate their impact.
He also called on government officials to publish relevant figures, disclose project timelines and provide measurable results, insisting that no public official should be exempt from scrutiny.
According to Showunmi, the South-East deserves infrastructure that supports economic growth, including roads that connect markets, investments that create jobs and policies that expand economic opportunities.
He maintained that political representation must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, stressing that public office should deliver value to the people.
As part of his call to action, Showunmi urged Nigerians to scrutinise government records, challenge misinformation with evidence and demand the completion of outstanding projects.
He further called for public commitments to be matched by measurable delivery, arguing that leadership should be assessed by facts and results rather than political rhetoric.
Ending his statement with the slogan, “Asiwaju is a goal,” Showunmi called for accountability and greater inclusion of the South-East in Nigeria’s development.
Showunmi is associated with The Alternative and is a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Saturday announced a temporary road closure near Apostolic Church, inward Toll Gate, to allow engineers to install a beam on a height-restriction structure.
The agency said the installation was aimed at preventing high-rise trailers from accessing the newly constructed pedestrian bridge.
ALSO READ: LASTMA Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays on Ogunnusi Road
“Currently, one lane has been occupied to facilitate the ongoing construction work, while the remaining two lanes are available to motorists,” LASTMA stated.
The agency advised road users to approach the affected corridor with caution and follow the directions of its personnel deployed to the area.
“Road users are advised to approach the affected corridor with caution and follow the directions of our personnel who are on ground to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular movement,” the statement added.
LASTMA also urged motorists to remain patient while the installation work continued.
“Motorists are encouraged to exercise patience while the installation work is in progress,” the agency stated.
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