The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has described the verdict that sentenced Ansaru commander Mahmud Usman to 15 years in jail as a major victory in the war against illegal mining. Recall that on Thursday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja gave the verdict and remanded the accused in prison to face 31 other charges. Commending the judiciary for supporting the efforts of the ministry to crush illegal mining,...

…Admits Lack of Powers to Sanction Premature Campaigns The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), even as the Commission admitted that it lacks the legal authority to sanction political parties and politicians engaging in premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections. The recognition of the ADC’s new leadership was reflected in the list of political party executives published on INEC’s website,...

Despite the expiration of her six-month suspension, the National Assembly has declined to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, citing ongoing litigation. In a letter dated 4 September 2025, the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, responded to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification dated 28 August of her intention to resume duties on 4 September. He firmly stated that her suspension, which began on 6 March 2025, “remains sub judice, and until the...