Don’t allow policemen to search your phone — FCT police chief

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, CP Ahmed Sanusi, has urged residents, particularly youths, not to allow police officers to search their mobile phones during stop-and-search operations, saying such actions violate the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.

Sanusi stated this during a press conference shared by News Central Television on Tuesday, where he reiterated that officers are prohibited from randomly searching the phones of members of the public.

“The issue of phone searching has been clearly stated. Due to the abuse and extortion tendencies of some officers and men, not only of the Police but even other sister agencies, it has been instructed that nobody should search any phone,” he said.

The police commissioner explained that although mobile phones could serve as evidence in criminal investigations, they should only be examined after a suspect had been lawfully arrested and taken to a police station.

“This does not negate the fact that phones are also being used to commit crime. But before such a thing can happen, the person must have committed the crime, must have been properly arrested and brought to the station. Then, when trying to uncover some evidence, you can now start searching to see whether the phone or other items have been used to commit or perpetrate such crime,” he said.

He stressed that officers should not stop people on the road and demand access to their phones merely because they suspect them of internet fraud or any other offence.

“But for you to just stop anybody on the road and say, ‘Bring your phone, let me search. Or, you have so and so amount on your phone’—any policeman who stops you on the road, according to the Instructions of the Inspector-General of Police, we are bound to obey to the last of it. Don’t agree. Don’t open your phones. Resist,” Sanusi said.

He advised members of the public to seek help by contacting the police emergency line or nearby officers whenever they are confronted by policemen demanding to search their phones.

“Ask the nearby people to help you call the police emergency landline. You will see our men there, and then we will ask them why, provided they are within the FCT. If they are outside the FCT, then you will call your Command CP,” he said.

Sanusi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforcing the Inspector-General’s directive, warning that any officer caught violating it would face disciplinary action.

“So I can tell you for free that we are still against that. We still stand against that. We will still enforce the IG’s directive. Some of them are on the attack because they are criminally minded. They want to perpetuate such acts. If we get them, they will face disciplinary actions and will be made to face the consequences,” he added.

Osun 2026: Adeleke campaign raises BVAS, PVC concerns

The Imole Campaign Council, the group leading the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to avoid the lapses witnessed during some recently conducted off-cycle elections.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, the Director-General of the campaign council, Lere Oyewumi, alleged that during off-cycle and by-elections in Ogun, Oyo, Jigawa and Ekiti States, individuals suspected to be mercenary voters were issued Permanent Voter Cards shortly before voting.

Oyewumi, who also raised concerns over the deployment of insufficient ballot papers and other sensitive materials, alleged that already thumb-printed ballot papers were distributed during the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

He said the off-cycle election in Ekiti and the FCT Area Council elections were also marred by technical challenges associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

The lawmaker further alleged that during the recent elections in Anambra, Ekiti and the FCT, political parties that did not field candidates in the polls appeared on both ballot papers and result sheets used for the elections.

Highlighting other concerns identified by the council ahead of the Osun governorship election, Oyewumi said, “We have been inundated with boastful statements reportedly made by some Osun APC leaders about preloading BVAS machines ahead of the governorship election in the state.

“This claim, if true, strikes at the heart of electronic accreditation and suggests a predetermined outcome rather than the genuine will of the people.

“We have been notified about the commencement of the distribution of new PVCs by INEC. However, we have serious concerns about the transparency of the process, and we hereby warn that any move to disenfranchise Osun voters by withholding their PVCs will not be tolerated.

“We categorically demand that this distribution must be transparent and should not allow collection by proxy.”

Insisting that the issues raised by the council should be addressed, Oyewumi said the concerns were not aimed at undermining confidence in INEC but at strengthening the electoral process through constructive engagement.

He added, “The Osun governorship election presents another important opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate that democratic institutions can continue to improve and inspire public confidence.

“The people of Osun are peaceful, politically conscious and deeply committed to democracy.

“They expect nothing short of a free, fair, transparent and credible election that faithfully reflects the wishes of the electorate.

“We, therefore, call on INEC to treat these observations with the seriousness they deserve and implement all necessary corrective measures before August 15.”

Voters in Osun State will go to the polls on Saturday, August 15, to elect a governor.

Fourteen political parties are fielding candidates in the election.

The incumbent governor, Adeleke, vying on the Accord ticket, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress are the three leading candidates in the election.

Christians protest allocation of N1.9bn for church projects by FG, N6.14bn for mosques

The Northern Christian Association has asked the Federal Government to explain what it described as a wide disparity in the allocation of about N8.05bn for church and mosque projects in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, warning that the imbalance raises concerns over equity and equal treatment of citizens.

The Association said it was not opposed to government support for religious projects but insisted that such interventions must be guided by the constitutional principles of fairness, transparency and justice.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Chairman, Rev Joseph Hayab, the NCA said reports indicated that about N1.91bn was earmarked for seven church-related projects, while approximately N6.14bn was allocated to 52 mosque-related projects in the 2026 budget.

According to the association, the disparity had reinforced concerns among many Christians over what it described as a persistent pattern of unequal treatment and selective implementation of government policies.

Hayab said, “How long will Nigerians continue to read stories that expose the hypocrisy of our leaders?

“The partiality, lack of equity and unequal treatment of citizens by government and political leaders are among the major factors responsible for division, distrust, segregation and the absence of genuine unity and love among Nigerians.”

He added that while Christians had continued to exercise restraint in the interest of national peace and unity, successive governments had often mistaken such patience for weakness.

The NCA argued that Nigerians had repeatedly witnessed actions exposing inconsistencies in governance, warning that perceived discrimination and double standards were eroding public trust and national cohesion.

“Our constitution recognises every Nigerian as equal before the law, while the teachings of all religions discourage unfair treatment of children, women, family members and fellow human beings.

“Government should, therefore, not be seen to promote policies that suggest preferential treatment for one religious group over another,” Hayab said.

The Association stressed that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to Islam, Christianity or government collaboration with faith-based organisations, but rather as a call for fairness in the distribution of public resources.

It maintained that if public funds were to be allocated for religious projects, such allocations should be transparent, balanced and devoid of any perception that one faith enjoyed greater recognition than another.

“NCA is challenging the Federal Government to explain these abnormalities. Government should not establish a system that creates division among citizens or gives the impression that one religious community is more important than another.

“Instead, it should initiate programmes and policies that unite Nigerians and strengthen our collective national identity,” the statement added.

The Association further urged the Federal Government to review the allocations in line with the constitutional principles of fairness, equity and equal treatment, insisting that budgetary decisions should promote national unity and strengthen public confidence in the impartiality of government.

Lawmaker alleges threats over corruption investigation involving Ondo Assembly Speaker and OSOPADEC

A member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, has alleged that she has received threats aimed at stopping her investigation into claims of bribery, forgery and corruption involving the Speaker of the Assembly and the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Fayemi-Obayelu, who represents Ilaje Constituency II, said she narrowly escaped a life-threatening incident and vowed not to be intimidated from continuing her efforts.

The lawmaker directly addressed the Speaker of the 10th Assembly, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji A.K.A. Landmark, accusing him of attempting to silence her because of her position on issues affecting the Assembly.

“You are first among equals and we were both elected to serve our respective constituents,” she said, while urging the Speaker to act with accountability and fairness.

Fayemi-Obayelu also referred to the previous impeachment crisis in Ondo State, stating that she had previously stood against what she described as injustice as the only female member of the Integrity Group (G11).

She maintained that threats and intimidation would not stop her from pursuing what she described as the interests of her constituents, particularly the people of Ilaje.

The lawmaker further alleged that funds meant for her constituency were being mishandled and called on the Speaker and other Assembly members to maintain transparency.

“I will not let you play with my life or my late father’s legacy,” she said, adding that she was reaffirming the decision of two-thirds of Assembly members calling for the Speaker’s resignation or for him to face the consequences of his actions.

The allegations made by Fayemi-Obayelu have not been independently verified, and the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly has not publicly responded to the claims at the time of reporting.

2027: Ogun Arewa communities throw weight behind Iyabo Obasanjo

Ogun Arewa communities have called on their members in the state to close ranks across ethnic, religious and political lines and support efforts aimed at promoting Professor Iyabo Obasanjo’s political ambitions and Ladi Adebutu for Ogun Central and state development and stability in the coming general elections.

The group also passed a vote of confidence in Prof. Obasanjo’s ambitions to become thr Ogun Central Senator, citing her good antecedent during her tenure as state Commissioner for Health, and Senator represented the Central in 2007.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Chairman, Mobilising Committee, Mr. Ibrahim Tanko, the group cautioned Senator, representing Ogun West, and All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola against actions and rehetorics incitement capable of political violence in the state.

He stressed that Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo was a woman of uncommon courage, resilience, and integrity in all ramifications, noting that she could not ask for any campaign refund, which had not started according to the 1999 electoral act as amended.

“It is a blackmailing and campaign of calumny for anyone to have said that Iyabo Obasanjo is requesting or demanding for campaign refund, which according to the statement had not been started, instead, they should prioritise constructive criticism as an essential part of democracy.

“We remain committed and resolute with Prof. Obasanjo’s ambitions to become Ogun Central Senator, as well as Hon. Ladi Adebutu to become the Ogun state governor, as both have represented the state well at the red chambers, respectively,” the Arewa Mobilising Committee Chairman said.

He urged Arewa communities and others in the state to embrace common purpose of supporting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and all its candidates, rather than allowing intruder and non-indigenes to cajole and persuade them to his camp through money bag syndrome.

“Today, more than ever before, Arewa Communities in the must rise above money monger syndrome, cajole and campaign of calumny, so as to embrace a common vision of a united, prosperous and progressive Ogun state,” he said.

He added that "Yayi" were only looking for relevance by tagging Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo to his misfortune and campaign of calumny, noting that Ogun Central Senatorial candidate of PDP, couldn’t in anyway requested for refund of campaign that has not started.

Meanwhile, the women leaders of Liberty group, Iya Afin, Amoke Agunbiade has dissociated its group from a purported report endorsing Senator Solomon Adeola by its members for the state governorship candidate, noting that Hon. Jelili Kayode Amusan has no right to criticise Ladi Adebutu for contesting for the position via Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The women's leader stated that it was imperative to endorse “Ogun for Ogun,” not “Lagos for Ogun,” saying that Ogun State should vote for the indigene candidates instead of voting for non-indigene in the next coming elections.

According to Iya Afin Agunbiade, “It will not be under our watch that a non-indigene will be governing us. After Dapo Abiodun, they came to us through Hon. Amusan, but left us without addressing germane issues, even our leaders too, tell us not to ask questions, that’s why most of us jettisoned his camp and collapsed it to Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo’s political movement.

“Though, we will be tactical and strategic but we shouldn’t pay attention to those that are not necessary. We are a group and free to take any position just like every other group. We are not God, we are human but where we are today, we are supporting people from Ogun, not alien. It will be an insult to us in this state when we have sons and daughters, no ‘Atohunrinwa’ (stranger) will come, they will wreck our State if we allow it.”