News

Court Dismisses El-Rufai’s Defamation Case Against Shehu Sani

Published

2 years ago

June 16, 2023

In what is seen as a major legal blow to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a Kaduna High Court has dismissed his libel and defamation suit against former Senator Shehu Sani who represented Kaduna Central senatorial district.

The suit was thrown out by the trial judge, Justice H. Balogun, on the grounds that it constituted an abuse of court process.

Justice Balogun’s judgment was based on the fact that El-Rufai had previously filed several suits over the same cause of action before different courts in Kaduna State.

Barr. Kimi Livingstone Appah, the defence counsel in the case, had initially filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

The grounds for this objection were that the same case had been filed in four different courts in the state, constituting an abuse of court process.

Following the dismissal of El-Rufai’s suit by the Kaduna High Court, Appah addressed journalists, describing the ruling as a victory for democracy and freedom of expression.

He noted that the court had upheld the principles of judicial economy and the importance of respecting the integrity of the court system.

It would be recalled that El-Rufai had initially filed a N2 billion suit against Shehu Sani in 2018, seeking reliefs for alleged injuries suffered as a result of “statements” made by Sani.

El-Rufai had accused former Senator Shehu Sani of defamation, alleging that Sani had referred to him as a “drunk, loose cannon and an embarrassment to President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The acrimonious relationship between the two politicians has been well-documented, with their political differences often leading to heated altercations.

While El-Rufai has accused Sani of making false and defamatory statements about him, Sani has maintained that his criticisms of El-Rufai were based on his genuine concerns about the former governor’s policies and actions

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.