PRESIDENT TINUBU BREAKS FAST WITH GOVERNORS AT ASO ROCK

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria is hosting state governors at a Ramadan Iftar dinner at the State House, in Abuja.

Monday evening’s gathering marks the third consecutive year of the annual tradition, just as the event brought together governors, deputy governors, and senior government officials to break the day’s fast.

Reporters who were present at the State House, observed that the governors arrived at the Villa before 7:00 p.m., and they include Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Governor and Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and several cabinet members were also present at the gathering.

Recall that the Iftar dinner forms part of the President’s annual Ramadan tradition of hosting political and government officials to break the fast during the holy month.

In previous years, President Tinubu has used the occasion to call for unity among political leaders and emphasise the importance of selfless leadership.

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The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NSDC, Olajide Idris, has said the agency aims to reduce the incidence of Lassa fever to an appreciable level within the next 10 years.

Idris made this known during an interview on Monday, explaining that vaccine development for Lassa fever takes time.

The Director-General noted that the death rate remains high and that efforts are underway to bring it down to less than 10 per cent.

He said a group of experts is working on vaccine development in collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders from parts of Africa and outside the continent.

He added that certain gaps were identified and teams were redeployed to train personnel on case management, noting that some states have treatment centres that are not adequately manned, some lack treatment centres entirely, and others do not know how to manage the cases.

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FORMER GOVERNOR EL-RUFAI SUES ICPC ₦1BN OVER UNLAWFUL ABUJA HOME INVASION

A former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a 1 billion Naira fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over the alleged unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.

In the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, El-Rufai is challenging the validity of a search warrant issued on February 4, 2026, by a Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court.

He is asking the court to declare the warrant authorising the search and seizure at his residence invalid, null and void.

According to the application, the former governor contended that the warrant was null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

El-Rufai listed the ICPC as the first respondent, while the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court, Abuja Magisterial District, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation were named as second to fourth respondents, respectively.

He is seeking seven reliefs, including a declaration that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2 p.m., allegedly carried out by operatives of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force under the disputed warrant, violated his fundamental rights.

Specifically, he asked the court to declare that the search amounts to a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.

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ALLEGED N6BN MONEY LAUNDERING: MOMPHA CHALLENGES COURT RULING

Social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, on Monday challenged the ruling of an Ikeja Special Offences Court over alleged six-billion-naira money laundering charges.

Recall that Mompha is facing trial alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd.

They are being tried on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy to launder unlawfully obtained funds, retention of crime proceeds, and non-disclosure of assets.

He was arraigned on Jan. 12, 2022, and is being tried in absentia.

When the case was called on Monday, Mompha’s lawyer, Kolawole Salami, informed the court that the defendants had filed an application seeking leave to appeal the court’s ruling delivered on Nov. 4, 2025, which dismissed their no-case submission in the ongoing trial.

Salami said that the defendants, being dissatisfied with the court’s decision, had sought leave to challenge the ruling.

He said the defendants believed that no prima facie case had been established by the prosecution to warrant them entering a defence.

Salami expressed confidence that the appellate court would uphold their no-case submission and overturn the lower court’s decision.

He added that the defendants were committed to prosecuting the appeal diligently and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought in the interest of justice.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Suleiman Suleiman, told the court that the case was scheduled for the defence to open its case.

He said he was unaware of the defence application and opposed it, urging the court to direct the defendants to proceed with their defence.

In response, Salami maintained that the application to appeal the ruling on the no-case submission had been filed and served on the prosecution since Nov. 26, 2025.

Justice Mojisola Dada thereafter directed the defence to proceed with its case, noting that filing an appeal was the constitutional right of the defendants and that the application could be addressed after the day’s proceedings.

However, defence counsel informed the court that he was unable to produce his witness, explaining that the witness was unaware of the hearing date and was currently outside the court’s jurisdiction.

He consequently prayed the court for another adjournment, assuring that the witness would be present at the next sitting.

The court warned that it would not tolerate delay tactics and described the adjournment as the last indulgence.

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OSUN STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES AMENDED BILL ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW

The Osun House of Assembly on Monday passed the bill amending some sections of the state local government law.

Local reports have it that Osun State Local Government Amendment No 2 Bill 2026 was passed after the third reading at the Assembly’s plenary in Osogbo.

Meanwhile, the Assembly’s Committee Chairman on Public Account, Lawal Bamidele, had earlier presented and submitted the committee’s report on the bill with intending recommendations.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, had called for the adoption of the report, while Mr Babajide Adewumi, the Majority Leader, moved the motion for its adoption.

Recall that the Bill is to amend the Osun State Local Government Law Cap 72, Laws of Osun State 2002 and other matters therein, just as the House, however, adjourned sitting to March 2, 2026.

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ANAMBRA STATE SHUTS SPARE‑PARTS MARKET FOR ONE WEEK

The Anambra State Government has ordered the closure of the Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkwo in the commercial city of Nnewi, for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.

The order for the closure was handed down on Monday, during an on-site visit to the market, by the Special Adviser to the Governor Chukuma Soludo on Trade and Markets, Evarist Uba.

Local reports have it that Uba was in company with the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Ben Chiobi and the Chairman, Nnewi Local Government Area, Echezona Anazodo.

According to him, the order was handed down on behalf of the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, adding that the market may face further closure if compliance is not substantial by next Monday, when the market reopens.

He said that despite repeated warnings and assurances of enhanced security and appeals to reclaim public spaces, many traders at the busy market once again chose to keep their stalls locked.

He, therefore, advised traders and customers to avoid the market until next Monday to avoid issues with law enforcement agents.

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BANDITS KILL TWO SOLDIERS, ABDUCT THREE IN BAUCHI COMMUNITY

The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed a bandit attack on the Joint Task Force base in Gwana community, Gwana District of Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, noting that the incident occurred on Sunday.

Habib stated that two soldiers attached to the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, and a member of the local vigilante group lost their lives during the encounter, adding that three residents of the affected community were abducted by the assailants.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that additional security personnel had been deployed to the area to restore calm, safeguard displaced residents, and forestall further attacks.

According to the statement, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, assured the public that intelligence gathering and monitoring efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and secure the release of the abducted victims.

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NASARAWA STATE SPEAKER URGES MUSLIMS TO GIVE ALMS DURING RAMADAN 

The Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, has urged the Muslim community to use Ramadan to support the vulnerable in society through alms giving.

He gave the advice on Monday while declaring open this year’s Ramadan Tafsir of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in Lafia.

Jatau, said  assisting the vulnerable would improve their standard of living and give them a sense of belonging.

He also reminded believers that the tenets of the religion were aimed at strengthening their spiritual well-being and obtaining the blessings associated with the fasting period.

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CHAD CLOSES BORDER WITH SUDAN

Chad on Monday announced the closure of its border with Sudan, citing repeated incursions and violations committed by the warring parties in Sudan on Chadian territory.

Minister of Communication and Government Spokesman of Chad, Gassim Cherif Mahamat, said in a statement.

The statement revealed that the closure, aims to prevent the risk of extending the conflict to Chad, protect citizens and refugees, and maintain the stability and territorial integrity of our country.

It added that the movement of persons and goods along the border has been suspended, but special exemptions strictly justified by humanitarian reasons may be granted.

Chad shares a long and porous border with Sudan, which has been engulfed in a deadly conflict since 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The conflict left tens of thousands of dead and millions displaced both inside the country and across its borders. 

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MEXICAN PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CALM AS CARTEL VIOLENCE ERUPTS AFTER LEADER EL-MENCHO’S DEATH

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for calm and unity Sunday after federal forces reportedly killed cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes pupularly known as EL-Mencho.

This operation, authorities say, has triggered roadblocks, flight disruptions, and scattered violence across parts of Mexico.

In a statement addressing the developing security situation, Sheinbaum emphasised coordination among security agencies and urged the public to remain informed.

She added that security authorities were maintaining communication across jurisdictions.

Concluding her message, the president expressed recognition for Mexico’s security institutions.

The president’s message came as authorities monitored security developments following the reported death of El-Mencho the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the most influential criminal groups in the region.

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NETHERLAND SWEARS-IN YOUNGEST FIRST OPENLY GAY PRIME MINISTER

A new Dutch government took power on Monday, with 38-year-old centrist Rob Jetten sworn in as the country’s youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay one.

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October, coming from behind to dethrone the far-right Freedom Party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders by a razor-thin margin.

The snap election was called after the PVV withdrew from the previous coalition, the Netherlands’ most right-wing government in recent history, which lasted just 11 months.

Jetten’s D66 has teamed up with the centre-right CDA party and the liberal VVD to form a coalition, but will fall nine seats short of a parliamentary majority with only 66 seats.

The parties took 117 days to form their coalition — much less than the 223 days taken to form the previous government.

After his election victory, Jetten declared that it was possible to beat populist movements if campaign is done with a positive message for the country.

On the campaign trail, Jetten said he wanted to bring the Netherlands back to the heart of Europe because without European cooperation, we are nowhere.

In a manifesto published in January, the three parties pledged full support for Ukraine and vowed to live up to the country’s NATO spending commitments.

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48 NATIONS TO COMPETE AS FIFA RELEASES SCHEDULE FOR SERIES 2026

Football Governing Body, FIFA, has released the full match schedule for the FIFA Series 2026, which is the expanded edition of its international friendly tournament that will bring together 48 national teams from all six confederations.

The fixtures, published on the association’s website on Monday, are scheduled for the March and April 2026 international match window.

According to the update, twelve groups of four teams each, nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, will compete, hosted by 11 FIFA Member Associations.

The Governing Body says Rwanda will stage two groups, while other hosts include Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.

FIFA also revealed that all matches are official international friendlies and will be broadcast globally, providing fans worldwide with access and giving participating teams valuable exposure, particularly for those that rarely face opponents from other confederations.

According to FIFA, participating Member Associations have chosen their preferred competition formats within each group, either a semi-final and final structure or a series of pre-arranged fixtures.

Any match ending in a draw will go directly to a penalty shoot-out, with no extra time, ensuring a competitive and decisive outcome.

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