The Sokoto State House of Assembly has successfully passed the Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill through its first and subsequent readings, aimed at amending the Sokoto Emirate Council’s powers, potentially altering the traditional governance structure in the region.

If enacted, the amendment would restrict the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, from unilaterally appointing kingmakers and district heads without prior government approval.

This legislative move comes amid heightened tensions and public scrutiny, sparked by concerns raised by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

The organization’s Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, voiced serious apprehension over an alleged plan by Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu to remove the Sultan of Sokoto from his position.

Recall that in a statement issued on Monday, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), voiced deep concern over the potential implications of recent legislative actions in Sokoto State.

His remarks come amidst growing controversy and tension, particularly in the aftermath of the deposition of several monarchs in neighboring Kano State.

He underscored that the Sultan’s position carries not only cultural but also religious significance, serving as a spiritual leader for Muslims across Nigeria, not just in Sokoto.

Governor Aliyu had previously deposed 15 traditional rulers over various violations.

In a separate development, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Peoples Democratic Party issued a warning on Monday against what they perceive as a potential move by the Sokoto State government to oust Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto.

However, the state government has refuted any intentions of deposing the monarch, dismissing the allegation as untrue.

According to Sambo Danchadi, the state Commissioner for Information, the existing law governing the appointment of traditional rulers in Sokoto State remains unchanged.

The Federal Executive Council has approved N1.99 billion for the procurement of 33 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles to bolster the operational capabilities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The decision was made during Tuesday’s council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

Following the meeting, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, briefed State House correspondents, revealing that the council also approved $1.442 billion for the purchase of firearms and ammunition to support the NDLEA’s efforts in combatting drug trafficking.

Additionally, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, announced that the Federal Executive Council has sanctioned N985 million for the acquisition of body scanners to be deployed at all of the nation’s international airports.

He said, “We submitted three items to the council on NDLEA. FEC approved the procurement of 33 Mikano motor vehicles CNG to boost the operation of NDLEA.

“Approval for NDLEA for procurement of firearms, ammunition, and counter-narcotics for the sum of $1.442 billion.The procurement of two units of body scanners for use both at Abuja and International Airports at N985 million.”

The International Criminal Court announced on Tuesday that arrest warrants had been issued against Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, and former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

The warrants, issued on Monday and made public on Tuesday, allege their involvement in directing attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure deemed as war crimes.

These actions include targeting civilian sites and causing disproportionate harm to civilians, along with committing inhumane acts considered crimes against humanity in Ukraine, according to the ICC statement.

The ICC warrants mark the latest developments in the court’s actions related to the Ukraine conflict, which notably include an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

ICC judges stated that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the two suspects are responsible for missile strikes conducted by the Russian armed forces on Ukrainian electrical infrastructure between October 10, 2022, and March 9, 2023.

According to the court, these strikes targeted civilian objects, and even when the targets could be considered military, the civilian casualties were deemed disproportionate to any anticipated military advantage.

Ukraine welcomed the decision, with President Volodymyr Zelensky describing it as significant.

He expressed hope that the suspects would be apprehended and emphasized that the decision underscores the inevitability of justice for Russian actions against Ukrainians.

Russia has dismissed the warrants as “insignificant,” with the country’s security council stating that the ICC’s jurisdiction does not extend to Russia and labeling the decision as part of the West’s hybrid warfare against Russia.

The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, lacks its own enforcement mechanism for arrest warrants and instead depends on its 124 member states’ justice systems to execute them.

In practice, individuals under an ICC warrant are theoretically barred from traveling to any ICC member state due to the risk of arrest.