Politics
Police Absolve Igbini, Establish Forgery Case Against A’Ibom APC Factional Leader
The Police has said it has established a case of fogery and perjury against the factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Akwa Ibom State, Stephen Ntukekpo and absolved the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC Mike Igini of any complicity.
The Police investigation on the allegation of forgery and perjury has also confirmed that Mr. Augustine Ekanem was duly elected as the State Chairman of APC during the party’s congress. It further said that from the facts and available evidence in the case file before it, a prima facie case of impersonation and forgery was established against Ntukekpo and advised that he should be charged to court.
These were contained in the legal advice from the Police legal unit forwarded to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG, Force Criminal Investigation Department, for the prosecution of Mr. Ntukekpo over allegation of forgery and perjury.
The legal advice titled, “Re: Case of Forgery and perjury,” sent to the DIG was signed by the Commissioner of Police, Legal/Prosecution Section, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP, Ochogwu Ogbeh.
According to the Report, the complainant, Yusuf Sheriff Banki, had in a letter to the Police with the reference No. CB: 3514/X FHQ ABI/SEB T3 VOL. 4 209, dated 22nd June, 2022, requested for legal advice on the alleged case of forgery and perjury against Ntukekpo.
The advice stated further that the petitioner in the case, Mr Yusf Sherif Banki had in a letter dated 11th January 2022 and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, stated that he was the Chairman of the APC Congress Committee for Akwa Ibom State during the recently conducted nation wide Congress of the party.
It said, “That in his capacity as the Chairman, he (Banki) superintended over the Congress and submitted report with summary of result sheet to APC National Secretariat.
“That couple of days ago, he was furnished with a Court Process by the legal Department of his party from the Federal High Court, Abuja, between Stephen Leo Ntukekpo (the suspect) and two others and APC & three others where his signature was forged on several documents purported to be result of Akwa Ibom State Congress.”
It further stated that “the petitioner denied and claimed that the documents are fake and the signature contained therein are forged.” The Police in the report said that after going through the facts, statements of parties and documents attached therein, it was observed that:
“All the Seven-Man committee gave statement to the police and they corroborated each other that election was held, vote counted in the presence of security agencies and delegates and Mr. Augustine E. Ekanem was announced and declared winner with 1278 votes except Akeem Ayo Babalola whose statement differ from the six members of the committee, that there was no enough time to count the ballot papers one after the other as it was already late, that the chairman Hon. Yusuf Sharif Banki just announced the prepared list he has as winners of the congress elected and that he did not sign the Report as he was not happy with the report.
“It was further observed that, Akeem Ayo Babalola in his statement to the police did not disclose who was announced or declared as the winner of the election.
“It is also observed, that records received from both Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and the All Progressives Congress APC Headquarters revealed that Augustine Ekanem is the State APC Chairman of Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
“That the Police extended investigation to the National Chairman of APC and INEC to avail them with the certified true copy of the result sheet and documents showing the winner and the result sheet show that Augustine Ekanem is the winner.
“That Akeem Ayo Babalola who denied in his statement not to have signed the report as he was not happy with the report, documents supplied by the APC to the police shows he signed the report.”
It further submitted that, “It is also observed that the suspect uttered a copy of All Progressive Congress Summary result sheets which returned him as the winner of the election held in Akwa Ibom State purportedly signed by the Complainant and used same in support of his claim in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1635/2021 before Federal High Court Abuja wherein he is the First Plaintiff.”
On its legal advice, it said, “From the facts and available evidence in the case file, we are of the considered opinion that a prima facie case of Impersonation and Forgery has
been established against the suspect, Stephen Leo Ntukekpo and therefore advise
that the suspect be charged to court accordingly.
“This is respectfully forwarded for the Deputy Inspector General of Police
information and further directive please.”
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.