A 21-year-old notorious bandit leader, Salisu Mohammed, popularly known as Dogo Saleh, met his end at the hands of his gang members after being arrested by the operatives of FCT Police Command.
Dogo Saleh identified as a hitman for criminal gangs operating in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State, had been responsible for multiple kidnappings and killings along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway.
The FCT command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, issued a statement on Wednesday stating that police acting on intelligence conducted a covert operation to intercept Dogo Saleh at Gidan Abe Forest on March 3, while he was en route to Bwari Area Council, FCT.
Adeh stated that during the initial encounter, police operatives arrested Dogo Saleh, recovering an AK-49 rifle, two magazines, 60 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦3m suspected to be ransom proceeds.
She added that after gathering from the arrested suspect, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command launched a follow-up raid on March 4, 2025, at a known bandit hideout in Kwasau Forest, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, where his gang, led by one Abdu Musa, alias “Kanabaro,” had established a major hideout.
She noted that operatives were ambushed by armed bandits attempting to free their leader.
“The operatives swiftly engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, displaying superior tactical expertise and resilience. The bandits were ultimately overpowered and forced to flee into the forest with severe gunshot wounds. The suspect sustained fatal gunshot wounds inflicted by his own gang during the crossfire. He was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead,” Adeh said.
Stating the criminal activities linked to Dogo Saleh, Adeh said he was responsible for the abduction of a police officer’s family and the killing of two security personnel in a January 5, 2025, attack at Kujama Market, Kaduna.
“Other attacks linked to Dogo Saleh include: Kyauta Village, Chikun LGA (two years ago) – Two individuals, including a security officer, were kidnapped. Ransom collected: Millions of Naira The officer was later killed. Kike Village (one year ago) – A security officer’s wife was kidnapped. Ransom collected: millions of naira; Bagada Village (five months ago) – Three individuals kidnapped. Ransom collected: millions of naira; Village near Kaduna Refinery (one year ago) – Two men kidnapped. Ransom collected: millions of naira; Karuga Village, Chikun LGA (one year ago) – One person kidnapped. Ransom collected: millions of naira; Bagado Village, Chikun LGA (eleven months ago) – Ransom collected: millions of naira and Dan-Bushiya Village (two years ago) – Ransom collected: millions of naira, “ she stated.
Adeh also said his gang was also known for working with the Ansaru terrorist group to procure weapons. She stated that Boka, the overall commander; Sharmi (surname unknown), Deputy; Dogo Saleh, assistant; and Gudan, an assistant who operated a sub-camp in the forest, had been eliminated in separate operations.
“The bandits’ hideout was successfully dislodged. One officer, the Inspector of the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit, sustained minor injuries and has since been treated and discharged. No other casualties were recorded,” she added.
Adeh said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, praised the officers for their bravery and assured residents of ongoing operations to capture fleeing gang members.
He urged the public to report suspicious activities via police emergency lines.
Impeachment threat: Fubara vows to fight on as PDP warns Wike’s men
The Peoples Democratic Party and the Rivers State Government on Monday kicked against the call by a faction of the All Progressives Congress for the resignation or impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The development comes as Fubara said he would not be deterred by threats from those pushing to disrupt governance through the instigation of political crises in the state.
He warned against any act of lawlessness and insisted that his path would remain focused on ensuring peace.
“I want to say to our teeming supporters, I know some of you, your spirits are high, some others, your spirits are low.“I want to assure you, it doesn’t matter what the situation might be today, we will come up again stronger and better.
“Please continue to follow my footstep, and that footstep remains the path of peace. We need it because if anything happens, we are the greatest losers,” Fubara declared.
The APC faction loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike had called for the governor’s resignation or impeachment, citing multiple alleged offences.The opposition party, led by Chief Tony Okocha, also dismissed the governor’s invitation to a reconciliatory meeting with the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly as a “Greek gift.”
Fubara, in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, on Sunday, invited the lawmakers for dialogue on Monday, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that validated the 27 legislators as the authentic Assembly members.Reacting to the invitation on Sunday, one of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende, who represents Akuru-Toru Constituency 2, blasted Fubara for using social media channels.
Calling for Fubara’s resignation, Okocha, in his address to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, accused the governor of disrespecting President Bola Tinubu and failing to implement the eight-point resolution earlier set to resolve the crisis.He wondered if the governor had bent over backwards after a protracted grandstanding.
The APC chieftain described Fubara as “clueless” and insisted that the only viable option left for him was to either resign honourably or face impeachment.“The options before Siminalayi Joseph Fubara are two: he should honourably resign or be impeached because he has run the state aground and disrespected Mr President.
“The invitation to the lawmakers is a Greek gift. The Supreme Court judgment is final. There is nothing anybody can do about it.“The only option available to the governor now is for him to resign or be impeached. And he should be honourable about it,” he said.
He stated, “The APC remains the major opposition party in Rivers State. We are the voice of the voiceless. When we said Siminalayi Fubara was clueless, we were not joking. The evidence is clear.“The governor behaves like a saint, but he is a dangerous snake. His meeting agenda with the lawmakers is puerile. Is he inviting them to discuss the Supreme Court judgment?
“And why was the invitation letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, instead of the governor himself? It’s an aberration. As far as I’m concerned, it is a Greek Gift.”Chief Okocha noted that the party would not stand idly by and watch the governor running the state aground with his style of governance.
He warned that the governor’s continued stay in office could lead to political instability in the state, likening the situation to a “keg of gunpowder” ready to explode.
Responding, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, dismissed Okocha’s comments, stating that he lacked the authority to speak on behalf of the APC leadership. Johnson described Okocha as an ‘impostor’ whose removal as the state APC chairman had been confirmed by the court.
He further stated that the call for impeachment was baseless, as the governor had demonstrated his commitment to peace by reaching out to the lawmakers for dialogue.
The commissioner stated, “I’ve decided not to be reckoning with what Chief Okocha says because he’s not a consistent person. He doesn’t have any moral grounds to make that call (impeachment) because as far as the law is concerned, he’s an impostor.
“A Rivers State High Court has long removed him from office. So, I think that he’s dangerously looking for relevance and I don’t think that he deserves it from this government.”
Speaking further, he said “This is not the first time, at some point he said he was going to ask members of his party who were in the House to invoke an impeachment proceeding. Not too long, he recanted
“So he’s not a man of his word. Nobody is talking about impeachment.
“An impeachment is not even on the table. The government is open to discussing with the Assembly members.”
The PDP described Okocha’s stance as “hallucination.”
In an interview with The PUNCh, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, accused the APC faction of attempting to create unnecessary political tension.
He asked the opposition party in the state to focus on addressing national challenges, rather than fuelling political crises in the state.
Ologunagba called on Okocha to deal with the issues concerning his chairmanship of the APC in Rivers and leave Fubara out of his troubles.
He said, “The man you are talking about has a lot of issues to deal with, one of which is his claim to the chairmanship of the APC in Rivers State.
“All we can say is that the man is hallucinating. He is in a dream world and we can’t stop him from dreaming.
“However, he must be told that impeachment is a constitutional process and not what you just sleep and dream about.
“Instead of Governor Fubara, Okocha should help his party think of how to deal with the hardship they have brought on Nigerians.
“Nigerians are being made to pay exorbitant tariffs in energy and telecoms and life has never been this hellish. This is what should bother him and his party, the APC.”
Ologunagba added that Fubara remained popular among the people of Rivers State.
“He has no locus standi to tell Governor Fubara to resign because the Rivers people are very happy with him.
“They are proud of the work he is doing. In a very short period, he has impacted the people of Rivers State in a manner that deserves our collective applause.
“Governor Fubara was elected to lead his people and he is doing that excellently,” he added.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, said no rational person would demand Fubara’s impeachment.
He said the governor had firmly established himself in the state’s politics and had the backing of the people.
“Those calling for the impeachment of Governor Fubara don’t understand the constitution. Impeaching a performing governor like the Rivers State governor is not a tea party.
“The stakeholders are with him, and they know it is not a tea party to impeach him; he enjoys the support of the Rivers people.
“Governor Fubara has entrenched himself in the politics of Rivers State. He cannot be impeached and should not be impeached.
“Those who have said so, I believe they should retrace their steps. No sane person will move to impeach Fubara,” he added.
The state Publicity Secretary of the Emeka Beke-led APC faction, Darlington Nwauju, also described Okocha as an impostor benefitting from the crisis.
Nwauju, in a statement sent to our correspondent, said, “Recall that part of the grounds which the Supreme Court latched on to sustain the Federal High Court judgment which nullified the local government elections in Rivers State was that the election went ahead despite the court judgment stopping the process.
“Now, our question is – if we are not a people suffering collective amnesia in Rivers State, why must a Tony Okocha, who is still parading himself as chairman of the APC in Rivers against the judgment of the court, now be the person pontificating over abuse of or disobedience to court process?
“What kind of physician goes about healing others while needing a health emergency?
“The likes of Tony Okocha are conflict entrepreneurs as far as the political saga in Rivers State is concerned and posterity will not forget the ignoble roles he is playing in dismantling democracy and the rule of law in Rivers State,” Nwauju, the spokesman of the faction loyal to the former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, said.
Fubara urges calm
Fubara has urged the people to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the overall interest of the state.
He spoke at the inauguration of the Nyeweali Akpor Kingdom palace and a magnificent residential quarters for the king, Eze Levi Oriebe, at Ozuoba in Obi/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday.
He warned against any act of lawlessness and assured his supporters that he would come out stronger from the crisis.
“Please continue to follow my footstep, and that footstep remains the path of peace. We need it because if anything happens, we are the greatest losers.
“I will not encourage any act of disobedience or any act of violence. That is, however, not to say that we will support evil. We will never support evil.”
He said his administration remained focused on good governance and would not renege on the promise of delivering impactful, people-oriented development projects continually.
Fubara considered the palace inauguration as historic, being the first in over 200 years of the kingdom’s existence.
He said he promised to build the palace 10 months ago, during the flag-off of reconstruction work on the Okania-Ogbogoro road.
He said his administration achieved the fear six months after the project was awarded for construction.
“I was really touched to the point that I had a few drops of tears when the royal father was speaking. He said for over 200 years that the Akpor Kingdom has existed, it functioned without a palace.
“God doesn’t make mistakes. Maybe, He left it for our administration to build, so that we will be part of history forever in Akpor Kingdom,” Fubara said.
He added that he not only built a palace but also provided a personal residence for the Nyeweali.
He urged the Obio/Akpor people to remain supportive of his administration.
The Eze Oha Apara (IV) and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, during the inauguration, recalled that a few months ago, he benefitted from a magnificent palace built for his kingdom by the Fubara administration.
Eze Worlu-Wodo, who is also the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, said the government was spending much to build palaces for traditional rulers because it understood they were closest leaders to the people.
“I am glad to be here, Your Excellency, to witness your display of goodwill, respect and good intention for the traditional institution. Your Excellency, you have done well, and I must say, we are all proud of you,” he said.
Providing the project description, the Commissioner for Special Projects, Dr Rowland Obed-Whyte, said the construction was awarded in August 2024, and the work was completed in six months.
Why PEPT Judgment had our Watermark – Tinubu’s legal team
The Tinubu Presidential Legal Team has responded to the controversy over its watermark on the widely circulated copies of the judgement of the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal.
The watermarked copy had been a subject of controversy especially on social media with critics alleging a sinister move.
Responding to the criticism, TPLT coordinator, Babatunde Ogala, in a statement on Saturday berated the critics for insinuating the watermark was a result of pre-determined manipulations saying there was nothing untoward to it.
He explained that they watermarked their copy of the judgement after collection from the Court of Appeal before circulating the scanned copies to members of their team.
The statement read, “Following some mischievous insinuations being made in certain quarters regarding the innocuous water-mark of copies of the consolidated judgment of the Court of Appeal with the inscription -“Tinubu Presidential Legal Team ‘TPLT’”, it is has become necessary to offer this clarification.
“After the delivery of judgment in the 3 (Three) election petitions by the Court of Appeal on September 6, 2023, the Court directed its registry to make physical copies of same available on September 7, 2023.
“Accordingly, the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team applied for a Certified True Copy of the said judgment and paid the prescribed fee.
“Lawyers for PDP were present at the registry at the same time to collect the same judgment.
“In fact, the representative of the PDP collected the first copy that was made available by the registry.
“On collecting our own copy, we immediately scanned and watermarked with the inscription – “Tinubu Presidential Legal Team ‘TPLT’” before circulating the scanned soft copies to the lawyers in our team.
“The Certified True Copy issued to us and other parties in the petitions by the registry does not contain the said inscription and any insinuation to the contrary is untrue.
“Counsel for the petitioners will also appreciate the fact that the insinuations being circulated in some quarters are untrue, unkind, unfair, and unfortunate, as they have the same certified copies of the judgment as we have.”
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is set to replace Justice Tanko Muhammad as the Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN), Naija News reports.
Justice Ariwoola, the second most senior judge in the Supreme Court, will be sworn in as Tanko’s replacement.
Naija News reports that Ariwoola will be sworn in on an interim basis.
Recall that Justice Muhammad had on Monday resigned his resignation as the CJN.
The CJN reportedly resigned on the grounds of ill health.
Ariwoola was formerly a Justice of the Nigerian courts of appeal. On November 22, 2011, he was appointed to the bench of the supreme court of Nigeria as Justice, sworn in by the then Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was born on August 22, 1954. He was appointed a Judge of the Oyo State High Court in 1992 and later made a Justice of the Court of Appeal in November 2005.
He is also a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the Nigerian Body of Benchers.
Husbands can be charged for rape for inappropriately touching their wives according to the new Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law, says a lawyer, Douglas Ogbankwa.
Mr Ogbankwa, a former spokesman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch noted that prior to the domestication of the VAPP Law in some states of the federation, it was legally impossible for a husband to be accused of raping his wife.
He said this on Wednesday in an interview with NAN.
The legal practitioner added that this development has also led to a reduction in the standard of proof required to prove rape.
“Before the coming into fruition of VAPP Law in some states, a husband was (legally) incapable of raping his wife.
“This was due to the exceptions created by the Criminal Code Law in southern states and the Penal Code Law in northern states.
“The law stipulated that rape can only be done against persons other than ones’ wife.
“In the same law, a woman was incapable of raping a man, which was a lacuna that worked against men who in fact had become victims of rape.
“The VAPP law has now made provisions for what is considered spousal rape, which can either be a rape of either a husband or a wife by the other spouse.
“This has now been categorised as violence against persons,” he said
The former NBA publicist noted that there was also an expansion of the law, which had also expanded the meaning of rape to now include any kind of touch on any part of the body considered inappropriate.
“You find that what was ordinarily referred to as sexual harassment or assault in the criminal and penal code, has now assumed the appellation of rape.
“This has thus reduced the standard of proof of rape, from producing a cogent medical report from a medical professional with proof of penetration, to now a voice evidence depicting inappropriate touch of a man by a woman and vice versa,” Mr Ogbankwa said.
Lawyers to the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu have reacted to an amended charge against him by the Nigerian Government.
The government amended terrorism charges against Kanu, who has a court appearance on Thursday, 21st of October.
Reacting to the development, Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor disclosed that there will be ‘legal fireworks’.
“Today, I and my colleague, Bar. Alloy Ejimakor, had a very fruitful visitation to Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We discussed a wide range of matters, especially concerning Hearing in his case and appearance in court on 21st October, 2021. There will be more on this later.”
“The coast is now clear for legal fireworks this Thursday, particularly now that we have been served with a purported “Amended Charge” in the Case.”
“Nnamdi Kanu is in good spirit, awaiting his auspicious outing on Thursday, the 21st Day of October, 2021. He commended those who are in the spirit with him, while declaring that Chukwuokike Abiama has ordained this special Day for a victorious outing.”, the statement on Monday night read in part.
Falana Gives Malami 7 Days Ultimatum To Provide Information On Trial Of 800 Boko Haram Suspects
Human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has asked the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, to provide information on the charges brought against 800 Boko Haram suspects.
Recall that in April the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) arrested dozens of persons during a nationwide crackdown on the suspected Boko Haram financiers and collaborations.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request signed by Samuel Ogala, Falana asked Malami to provide the information of their prosecution within seven days in accordance with the act.
The letter read, “In November 2020, the Governors of the North East Region applied to prosecute Boko Haram suspects who were arrested and held in detention by the security forces. The application was made on the ground that the process of prosecuting terrorists, which was solely reserved for the Attorney General of the Federation was unnecessarily unwieldy. Nonetheless, the application was not granted.
“In April, 2021, the Governors expressed their reservations over the delay in the trial of the terror suspects, demanding a prosecutorial power from the Attorney General of the Federation to enable their respective State Governments to prosecute the detained Boko Haram suspects. The request was also rejected.
“However, by May 2021, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation was widely reported in the print and electronic media to the effect that the Federal Government had concluded arrangements to prosecute about 800 suspects linked to the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, as soon as the industrial action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) was called off.
“In the light of the above, we request that our law firm be furnished with information with respect to when these Boko Haram suspects would be arraigned in court, since the strike by JUSUN has since been called off.
“Kindly ensure that we are furnished with the requested information within 7 days of the receipt of this letter in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
“Honorable Minister, whilst we anticipate your expeditious consideration of this application, please do accept the assurances of our esteemed regards.”
‘Sunday Igboho May Regain Freedom Tomorrow, Faces Three Stage Trial’ – Lawyer Reveals
Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou, Benin Republic-based lawyers of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, has stated that his client may regain his freedom tomorrow (Monday).
Society gazette reports that Sunday Igboho was on Monday arrested In Benin Republic alongside his wife, Ropo, which trying to board a flight to Germany.
The Court D’Apeal in Cotonou, Benin Republic, had on Thursday adjourned the trial of Sunday Igboho till Monday, July 26.
This was to allow the Nigerian Government to file extradition charges and bring up whatever evidence they may have.
The court however ordered the immediate release of Ropo, a German citizen, and ordered the return of her passport.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Yoruba, Salami said Igboho faces two more stages of trial before he will be freed.
He said, “In Benin here, there are three stages (judicial protocol) of trial. The first is with the prosecutor, the second one is with the investigating judge and the third will determine whether he is guilty and should be sentenced or not.
“The next phase is on Monday. The first phase with the prosecutor has been concluded. When we get to court on Monday, we will be facing the investigation judge, and after that, we will face the judge that will determine whether he should be sentenced or not.”
When asked if the process would end on Monday, he added, “Yes, it will end on Monday. Before the end of Monday, we will know if the Benin Republic government wants to jail or release him. That will be clear on Monday.”
FINALLY OKIKI BRIGHT WINS AS COURT FINES GLO, AIRTEL, 9MOBILE OTHER OVER COPYRIGHT
By Adeyemi Obadimu
A Federal High Court in Lagos on 9th July, 2021 fined some telecommunication giants; 9mobile, Airtel, Globacom and others sum of N2 million over copyright infringement of Okiki Bright musical work Gbagbe Boshe Sele.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo delivered judgment in suit number :FHC/L/CS/1776/2017 in favour of Nigerian hip hop Artiste, Raji Mutiu Okiki popularly called Okiki Bright held that 9mobile, Airtel, Globacom and other infringed on the copyright of Okiki Bright for using his musical work titled Gbagbe Boshe Shele as caller tune for commercial exploit without his consent and authorisation.
The court resolved that Okiki Bright and Oritsefemi are not co-owners of the song “Gba gbe boshe sele” saying featuring Oritsefemi in a song does not make Oritsafemi a co-owner of the said song.
The Plaintiff in his suit filed by his counsel, Alayo Akanbi prayed the court to declare him as the exclusive owner and original composer of the musical work titled Gbage Boshe Sele, and that unauthorised use of his song as caller tune by the telecommunications for commercial exploit without his authority amounts to infringement on his copyright to the musical work.
Okiki Bright equally asked for monetary damages cumulatively against the defendants for infringing on his intellectual property.
In his statement of claim, the plaintiff averred that he paid the star Artiste, Oritsefemi Majemite Ekele to feature in his song in order to get more acceptability and that he was still working on promoting his song, when people drew his attention to the fact that his song was now on caller tunes of some telecommunications companies.
Justice Oweibo awarded general and exemplary damages in the sum of N2 million and cost of N500, 000 each against the telecommunication companies and in favour of the Plaintiff.
While speaking with counsel to Okiki Bright, Alayo Akanbi who commended the judge for a well researched and sound judgment and said that the judgment will go long way to discourage intellectual property theft and wished that court should have awarded greater punitive damages against the Defendants as deterrent.
On his part, Okiki Bright said the judge has passed the judgment in his favour but he was surprise about the award of damages in the meager sum of N2 million and that the amount cannot cater for his expenses since 2017 when the case started. In his words, ‘I am going to consult my lawyer my next of action’.
The police command in Kano State has arrested a 26-year-old woman, Hauwa Habibu, for allegedly killing her two children at Diso Quarters in Gwale LGA of the state.
The command spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, stated this in a statement sent to National Association of Security Reporters (NAOSRE).
He said, “The Kano State Police Command under the leadership of CP Habu A. Sani, psc wishes to inform the general public that on the 03/10/2020 at about 1130hrs, information received revealed that one Hauwa’u Habibu ‘f’ 26 years old of Diso Quarters, Gwale LGA, Kano State attacked and killed her two biological children by name Irfan Ibrahim ‘m’ 6 years oldand Zuhura Ibrahim ‘f’ 3 years old and wounded one Aisha Sadiq ‘f’ 10 years old, her nephew of the same address, and fled to unknown destination.”
Haruna said that on receiving the information, men of the Kano Police force led by SP Nasiru Gusau, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Gwale Division were sent to the scene and found the victims stabbed.
On preliminary investigations, the suspect confessed to have locked up their dwelling house, used machete and aluminium made pestle to attack the three helpless children, causing severe injuries on different parts of their bodies where the quick intervention of the Police saved Aisha to live and give the horrific story.
He affirmed that the first two victims were rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano and were confirmed dead by doctors on duty.
The third victim, Aisha Sadiq identified as her nephew was rushed to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano for treatment.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Habu Ahmad, has ordered the case to be transferred to the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), for discrete investigation.
