Politics
Anambra: 96 In Court Over Electoral Offences
Ninety-six persons arrested during the February 6 governorship election in Anambra for electoral offences were on Friday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s court in Awka.
Lead Police Prosecutor, Mr. Adams Saleh, told Chief Magistrate Ngozi Okolonji that the suspects had planned to disrupt the election.
He said the suspects were, however, arrested by men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad on Feb. 5 at Amansea, near Awka.
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. The defence counsel, Mr. Vincent Obeta, told the court that the accused were innocent, adding that they had been in detention since their arrest.
He asked for bail for the suspects which was granted in the sum of N20,000 each, with a surety residing within the jurisdiction of the court.
Many of the accused persons could not immediately get sureties.
The accused, who were paraded after the election by DIG John Ahmadu, were alleged to have attempted to hijack electoral materials.
Their arraignment was delayed till Friday due to the strike by judiciary workers which paralysed court sittings.
In another development, the Enugu State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal has further adjourned all cases before it to April 1. All the seven petitions before it were first adjourned to March 26 to enable parties in the matter receive service. The Enugu council polls were conducted on December 5, 2009.
A further adjournment, however, became necessary when the tribunal on Friday discovered that pre-trial forms, a requirement for the cases, had not been served on the parties.
The tribunal then adjourned the next sittings to April 1, 9 and 16, to also allow for due exchange of briefs among counsel.
The tribunal also fixed April 16 for determination of whether one of the petitioners could withdraw from the suit, even before commencement of hearing.
Mr Bernard Eze, a candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) for Igbo Eze South Local Government Council poll, had applied to withdraw as a petitioner in the suit.
A mild drama ensued when Eze’s counsel, Ikenna Aroh, opposed the application which was contained in a written letter to the tribunal.
But opposing counsel in the petition argued that the petitioner’s application was in order as he had the right to institute or withdraw from a suit on his own volition.
The Chairman of the three-man panel, Chinedu Ezeugwu, said the adjournment was necessary to enable the tribunal determine the matter.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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