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  • Top 10 News Updates You Should Know Today

    1. Tinubu Charges Judiciary on Swift Justice as New Court of Appeal Complex Opens

    President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigeria’s judiciary to ensure justice is delivered swiftly and fairly, warning that delays in court proceedings can weaken public trust and threaten democratic stability. The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call while commissioning the new Court of Appeal Abuja Division Building Complex at Dakibiyu District in the Federal Capital Territory.

    The state-of-the-art facility is expected to improve the handling of election petitions, constitutional disputes, and other major cases. Court of Appeal President Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem said the additional courtrooms would allow more panels to sit simultaneously, helping to reduce case backlogs and accelerate hearings as the country prepares for future electoral cycles.

    2. Inflation Rises for Third Consecutive Month

    Nigeria’s inflation rate climbed to 15.93 per cent in May 2026 from 15.69 per cent in April, marking the third straight month of increases, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Food prices remained the biggest driver of inflation, with many households continuing to feel the pressure of rising costs.

    Analysts say higher transportation expenses, exchange rate fluctuations, and domestic supply challenges are contributing to the trend. While economic managers remain optimistic that policy measures will ease inflationary pressures in the coming months, consumers are still grappling with the impact on their purchasing power.

    3. FG Begins Fresh Trial of Over 400 Terrorism Suspects

    The Federal Government has commenced a new round of terrorism trials involving more than 400 suspected terrorists and their collaborators at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The first batch of suspects was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite as authorities intensified efforts to prosecute individuals linked to insurgency and terrorism financing.

    The exercise follows an earlier phase of trials that secured hundreds of convictions and is being coordinated by the Office of the Attorney-General and security agencies. Officials say the move demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to accountability in the fight against terrorism while sending a strong message to criminal networks operating across the country.

    4. Court Orders Deregistration of ADC, Accord and Three Other Parties

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party, and Zenith Labour Party. The court ruled that the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance.

    The judgment has already generated political reactions, particularly from the ADC, which described the decision as an attempt to weaken opposition politics and indicated plans to challenge the ruling. The development could have significant implications for political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    5. FG to Roll Out 10,000 Electric Tricycles in August

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the Federal Government will begin deploying 10,000 electric tricycles nationwide from August as part of efforts to promote clean energy and reduce transportation costs. The programme will initially focus on the North-East before expanding to other parts of the country.

    Officials say the initiative is expected to create jobs, lower operating expenses for transport operators, and support Nigeria’s transition towards sustainable mobility. The project also aligns with broader government efforts to encourage investment in electric vehicle technology and local manufacturing.

    6. Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves Reach 17-Year High

    Nigeria’s external reserves have risen to $50.11 billion, the highest level recorded in about 17 years, reflecting stronger foreign exchange inflows and improved economic conditions. The development is being linked to higher oil earnings, increased investor confidence, and ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms.

    Economic analysts say the reserve growth strengthens Nigeria’s ability to withstand external shocks while supporting exchange rate stability and import financing. However, experts also caution that maintaining the gains will depend on sustained reforms and protection against oil market volatility.

    7. Second Batch of Nigerians Returns From South Africa

    The Federal Government has received a second batch of Nigerians returning from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic tensions targeting foreign nationals. The latest group arrived following the successful evacuation of an earlier batch, with authorities confirming that additional flights may be arranged for those seeking voluntary repatriation.

    Government agencies have begun profiling, documenting, and providing support services for the returnees as part of reintegration efforts. The situation has also renewed concerns about the safety of Nigerians abroad and the need for stronger diplomatic engagement between both countries.

    8. Nigeria Records N7.55 Trillion Trade Surplus

    Nigeria recorded a merchandise trade surplus of N7.55 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, representing a sharp increase from the previous quarter. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that stronger crude oil exports and reduced petroleum product imports were key factors behind the positive performance.

    Economists believe the surplus could strengthen Nigeria’s external position and support further growth in foreign reserves. They also note that sustaining the momentum will require greater investment in non-oil exports and continued efforts to reduce dependence on imported goods.

    9. Security Agencies Intensify Operations Against Criminal Activities

    Security forces have continued nationwide operations against bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements, recording arrests and rescue missions across several states. Among the latest developments was the arrest of 46 suspected illegal immigrants in Ogun State over alleged involvement in suspicious activities.

    Authorities say the operations form part of broader efforts to tackle border-related crimes and strengthen internal security. While recent successes have been recorded, officials maintain that community cooperation and intelligence gathering remain critical to addressing the country’s security challenges.

    10. Economic Outlook Presents Opportunities and Risks for Nigeria

    Recent international economic projections suggest Nigeria could record moderate growth in 2026, supported by stronger trade performance, improved foreign reserves, and ongoing economic reforms. Regional trade expansion and opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area are also expected to provide additional support.

    Despite the positive indicators, experts warn that inflation, insecurity, food prices, and global economic uncertainties remain major risks. Policymakers are therefore being urged to accelerate diversification efforts and implement reforms that can translate macroeconomic gains into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.

  • ADC Defies INEC, Vows to Hold Congresses as David Mark Demands Chairman’s Sack

    A high-stakes confrontation between Nigeria’s most prominent opposition coalition and the country’s electoral commission intensified on Friday, as the African Democratic Congress declared it would proceed with its planned party congresses and national convention regardless of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to de-recognise its leadership, a move the party described as a politically motivated attack on democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.

    What triggered the crisis

    The crisis reached a boiling point on Wednesday, April 1, when INEC announced it was removing Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as ADC National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, and would not monitor any congress or convention convened by their faction. INEC cited a Court of Appeal ruling in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, which directed all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum”, that is, the state of affairs before hostilities began, pending the resolution of an ongoing leadership dispute before the Federal High Court.

    The dispute involves a former ADC official, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who claims he never resigned as national chairman and that his signature on a resignation letter was forged. INEC said it received legal letters from Nafiu Bala’s lawyers demanding that Mark and Aregbesola be de-recognised, and determined that since Mark’s leadership was uploaded to the INEC portal seven days after the lawsuit was filed, removing the names was consistent with restoring the status quo.

    ADC: “We are proceeding regardless”

    Addressing a press conference at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, ADC National Chairman David Mark described INEC’s action as a direct attack on democracy and accused the commission of taking sides in an internal party dispute. “The only conclusion Nigerians can draw is that the electoral umpire has taken sides and can no longer be trusted,” he said.

    Mark announced that the ADC would proceed with its congresses beginning April 9 and its national convention on April 14, arguing that the law does not make INEC’s attendance a mandatory requirement for internal party processes. “We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly,” he said.

    He called on the ADC’s allies in the international community to take note of what he described as a convergence of legal pressure and political intent by the ruling party. “If you are convinced you have done well, why are you afraid of credible elections?” he asked, directing the question at President Tinubu.

    David Mark demands INEC chairman’s resignation

    Mark went further, calling for the immediate resignation or removal of INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan and other national commissioners, saying the ADC had lost all confidence in their ability to conduct credible elections. “We are convinced they are incapable of conducting any credible election,” he said. He also warned that INEC’s actions could affect the ADC’s participation in the upcoming Osun and Ekiti governorship elections.

    INEC chairman fires back

    Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, INEC Chairman Amupitan defended the commission’s decision, saying the matter was already before a Federal High Court in Abuja and that INEC could not take any step that would prejudice proceedings still before the court. “We have a record of a letter written by ADC sometime ago informing the commission that Nafiu Bala had resigned. Then Nafiu also wrote and contended before the court that he did not resign, and as a matter of fact, that his signature was forged,” he said.

    Amupitan warned the ADC about the potential consequences of proceeding with unsupervised congresses and conventions, citing the Zamfara State precedent. “If they decide to go ahead, let me tell you what happened in Zamfara. At the end of the day, after you have won, the court will declare the election invalid, and the implication is that the person with the second-highest number of votes will be declared the winner,” he said.

    APC denies involvement

    The ruling APC rejected the ADC’s claim that President Tinubu was behind INEC’s action. APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru said at a separate press conference on Friday that the decision implemented by INEC was a consequence of the dismissal of an appeal filed by Mark’s own faction. “Where does President Bola Tinubu feature in their claims, if not in fallacious and malicious propaganda?” he asked. The APC also described the ADC’s call for Amupitan’s sack as reckless.

    INEC brushes off removal call

    In a statement on Thursday night, INEC also firmly dismissed the calls for its chairman’s removal. The commission said its decision was anchored strictly on compliance with the Court of Appeal order, and not on political considerations. It noted that it had recently registered three new political parties, the Democratic Leadership Alliance, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and the National Democratic Party, bringing the total number of active parties to 22, which it said was an empirical rebuttal of claims that it supported a one-party agenda.

    What it means for 2027

    The dispute strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s 2027 opposition strategy. The ADC has spent the past three months assembling the most formidable opposition coalition in recent Nigerian history, with Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, El-Rufai, Amaechi, Tambuwal, and Mark himself all under the same roof. An INEC-enforced leadership freeze — or a court ruling that invalidates the Mark-Aregbesola leadership, could significantly disrupt those plans.

    The Federal High Court is yet to set a hearing date for the substantive case. The Court of Appeal has separately ordered that the matter be granted an accelerated hearing. RNN.NG will continue to follow all developments in this critical dispute.

  • Tinubu Asks Senate to Approve ₦9.3trn Hike, Raising 2026 Budget to ₦67.7trn

    President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly to approve an upward revision of ₦9.3 trillion to Nigeria’s 2026 budget, a move that, if approved, would raise total federal spending from ₦58.47 trillion to ₦67.7 trillion, making it the largest proposed federal budget in Nigerian history.

    The request was conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, as lawmakers returned from the two-week Eid-el-Fitr recess. Akpabio subsequently referred the proposal to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for detailed legislative consideration.

    Why Tinubu says the increase is needed

    The president cited three reasons for the proposed increase in his letter to the Senate.

    First, he said the adjustment is designed to regularise and account for outstanding legal commitments carried over from previous appropriation cycles, preventing them from burdening the execution of the 2026 budget going forward.

    Second, the increase is intended to fund outstanding legacy capital projects inherited from previous budgets — with a specific focus on ensuring their completion rather than allowing them to continue rolling over indefinitely from one fiscal year to the next.

    Third, the president said the additional spending would support key transport infrastructure projects aligned with the administration’s development agenda, while also preserving macro-fiscal stability and easing pressure on the domestic financial market.

    The 2026 budget’s original framework

    Tinubu presented the original 2026 budget of ₦58.18 trillion to the National Assembly on December 19, 2025, themed “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.” The budget projected total revenue of ₦34.33 trillion, capital expenditure of ₦26.08 trillion, and recurrent non-debt expenditure of ₦15.25 trillion. It carried a deficit of ₦23.85 trillion, representing 4.28 per cent of GDP. Key projections included a crude oil benchmark price of $64.85 per barrel, oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the dollar.

    Notably, the 2026 budget had not yet been passed by the National Assembly as of Tuesday’s request, meaning Tinubu is seeking a significant amendment to a budget that is still awaiting legislative approval.

    Legacy capital rollover problem

    Tuesday’s request is directly connected to a broader fiscal reset Tinubu has been attempting since taking office. In December 2025, the House of Representatives approved Tinubu’s request to extend the 2025 budget implementation to March 31, 2026, after the administration disclosed that approximately ₦16.76 trillion initially earmarked for capital projects could not be funded within the original 2025 timeline and was rolled over to the 2026 fiscal year.

    Tinubu has repeatedly stated his determination to end Nigeria’s long-standing practice of overlapping budgets, vowing that from April 2026, Nigeria will operate on a single budget backed by a single revenue cycle, with no rollovers, no overlaps, and no excuses. Tuesday’s request to increase the 2026 budget by ₦9.3 trillion is framed as the mechanism to clear the inherited backlog before that clean slate begins.

    What it means for Nigerians

    The proposed ₦67.7 trillion budget,  if approved, would mean Nigeria’s federal government would spend more than double what it did just three years ago, when the 2023 budget stood at approximately ₦21.8 trillion. The increase reflects the sharp devaluation of the naira since the subsidy removal in 2023, which has inflated the naira cost of virtually all government programmes denominated in dollars, including debt service, infrastructure contracts, and security spending.

    The development is expected to generate debate among lawmakers and economic stakeholders, particularly regarding funding sources, implementation capacity, and the broader implications for Nigeria’s fiscal outlook. Critics are likely to question how a government that has already warned of a ₦23.85 trillion deficit in the original budget plans to fund an additional ₦9.3 trillion in spending.

    The Senate Committee on Appropriations is expected to schedule public hearings on the request before reporting back to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Kwankwaso Receives ADC Membership Card in Kano as Obi, Amaechi, Tambuwal Attend

    Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has formally joined the African Democratic Congress, receiving his membership card on Monday afternoon at Gidan Kwankwasiyya on Miller Road, Kano, completing a political journey that began with his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party just 24 hours earlier.

    Confirming the move on his X handle moments after receiving the card, Kwankwaso wrote simply: “New Dawn. We are ADC.”

    Who came to Kano

    The event carried unmistakable weight, drawing a roll call of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures to Kano to witness the formal registration.

    In attendance were ADC National Chairman and former Senate President David Mark; ADC National Secretary and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola; former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Dino Melaye; former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun; and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

    The high-powered delegation had arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport earlier in the day, where they were received by the immediate past Kano Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, who himself resigned from office last week ahead of his own expected defection alongside Kwankwaso.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, already a member of the ADC, wasted no time in welcoming Kwankwaso. “When men of conviction come together, power trembles. Welcome aboard, @KwankwasoRM,” he wrote on X.

    What Kwankwaso said at the event

    Kwankwaso described his exit from the NNPP as a difficult but necessary decision, saying the current trajectory of Nigeria’s political landscape demanded strategic realignment. He expressed gratitude to the NNPP for the platform it had provided and paid tribute to the Kwankwasiyya Movement members whose loyalty had sustained his political career across multiple parties and decades.

    The defection is not a solo move. The Kwankwasiyya Movement has directed all its members across Nigeria to proceed immediately to register with the ADC at their respective wards, local government areas, and states. “This strategic decision, as always, has been taken in the best interest of the movement, our state, and the nation at large,” the movement’s statement said.

    Kwankwaso is also expected to be joined in the ADC by key political allies, including Senator Rufa’i Hanga and the Kano State NNPP Chairman, Hashim Dungurawa.

    What the ADC now represents

    With Kwankwaso‘s formal entry, the ADC has now consolidated Nigeria’s most formidable opposition coalition in a generation. The party’s membership now includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, and now Kwankwaso, uniting figures who collectively received over 12 million votes across different parties in the 2023 presidential election.

    Kwankwaso had polled 1,496,687 votes in the 2023 presidential race, finishing fourth behind Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi. His entry into the ADC brings with it the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s deep grassroots structure in Kano and across the North-West, a region where his influence was decisive in delivering the Kano State governorship to the NNPP’s Abba Yusuf in 2023.

    The ADC is yet to announce its 2027 presidential candidate or ticket composition. All indications point toward a joint Atiku-Obi or Obi-Kwankwaso arrangement, though no official announcement has been made. The party’s next major milestone will be a national convention expected later in the year, at which its 2027 strategy will be formally unveiled. The APC has not responded to Monday’s events. RNN.NG will continue to follow all 2027 opposition developments as they unfold.

  • Plateau Imposes 48-Hour Curfew in Jos North After Gunmen Kill Several in Angwan Rukuba

    The Plateau State Government has imposed a 48-hour curfew across the entire Jos North Local Government Area following a deadly attack by gunmen in the Gari Ya Waye community of Angwan Rukuba on Sunday evening, the latest in a string of violent incidents that have kept the state under sustained security pressure in 2026.

    Commissioner for Information and Communication Joyce Ramnap announced the curfew in a government statement on Sunday night, confirming that the decision followed a tragic security incident in the Gari Ya Waye community that resulted in loss of lives and injuries to several others. The curfew took effect from midnight on March 29 and will remain in force until April 1, 2026.

    How the attack unfolded

    Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, while residents were going about their normal evening activities. The gunmen opened fire indiscriminately, causing immediate panic and mass flight from the community.

    The violence erupted suddenly, with many residents forced to flee their homes in search of safety as gunshots rang out across the neighbourhood. The incident quickly sent shockwaves through nearby communities, raising fears of further unrest.

    The identity of the attackers and the motive for the assault had not been officially confirmed as of Monday morning. No group had claimed responsibility.

    Government response

    Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang strongly condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and unprovoked. The government assured residents that all necessary measures were being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    The government statement read: “The Plateau State Government, in conjunction with security agencies, wishes to inform the general public of the imposition of a 48-hour curfew within Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect, commencing from 12 midnight of 29th March, to 1st April, 2026.”

    Security agencies have been deployed to key flashpoints across Jos North, with personnel operating around the clock to stabilise the situation and track those responsible. Governor Mutfwang urged residents to remain calm and cooperate fully with security agencies by providing any information useful to ongoing investigations.

    The curfew brought commercial activity in several parts of Jos North to an immediate halt, with markets and shops closed and transportation severely restricted. Movement is limited to emergency and essential services for the duration of the order.

    The University of Jos announced the postponement of all examinations scheduled for Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, citing safety concerns. Deputy Registrar Emmanuel Madugu, speaking on behalf of the Registrar, advised members of the university community to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary movement, particularly in the early morning hours, and to report any suspicious activity to the University Security Division.

    A pattern of escalating violence

    Sunday’s attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence in Plateau State in recent weeks. On March 14, gunmen suspected to be bandits killed 20 people and rustled cattle from a village in Jos in a separate attack. According to the Kanam Development Association, the gunmen ambushed soldiers on a routine patrol, triggering an exchange of gunfire in which 12 security personnel and eight civilians were killed.

    The March 29 attack also comes just two weeks after the deadly bombings in Maiduguri — another reminder that northern and north-central Nigeria remains acutely vulnerable to coordinated violence against civilian communities.

    Jos and Plateau State have been at the epicentre of communal and inter-ethnic violence for over two decades. The city has experienced recurring cycles of attacks that have claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. Despite sustained military and police presence, armed groups continue to strike civilian communities, often on motorcycles and in the evening hours when security checks are reduced.

  • APC Denies Fixing ₦200m Price for 2027 Presidential Nomination Forms

    The ruling All Progressives Congress has denied reports circulating widely on social media that it has fixed the price of nomination forms for the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as false, misleading, and not originating from the party.

    The clarification was issued on Saturday in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in response to online speculation that the APC had pegged its presidential nomination form at ₦200 million.

    What the APC said

    In the statement, Morka was unequivocal in denying the party. “The report is FAKE and did not emanate from the party. To be clear, no decision or announcement has been made on the sale or pricing of forms for the 2027 elections. The report is a mere figment of the writer’s mischievous imagination,” he said.

    The party urged its members, the media, and the general public to disregard the unverified report and to rely only on official communications from the APC for accurate information regarding its 2027 electoral preparations.

    What the viral report claimed

    The denial follows the spread of unconfirmed claims on social media that the APC had officially fixed ₦200 million as the cost of its presidential expression of interest and nomination forms — an amount that, if true, would represent one of the most expensive nomination form prices in Nigerian political history. The APC did not name the source of the report or the specific publication it was attributed to.

    The pricing of political party nomination forms has been a recurring source of controversy in Nigerian politics. At the 2022 APC presidential primary, the party fixed its presidential nomination form at ₦100 million — a sum widely criticised as prohibitive and a barrier to genuine democratic participation. The figure eventually attracted 28 presidential aspirants, including President Tinubu, who went on to win both the primary and the general election.

    With the 2027 campaign cycle not yet formally begun, the APC has said no internal decisions on form pricing have been reached. The party’s National Working Committee is expected to convene formal deliberations on 2027 electoral preparations later in the year.

    No APC official has confirmed the ₦200 million figure, and no credible media outlet has traced the claim to a verified party source.

  • El-Rufai Freed on Compassionate Grounds as Mother Dies in Cairo

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has released former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai from custody on compassionate grounds, hours after the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.

    An aide to the former governor confirmed that the release was approved to allow him to participate in the burial arrangements for his late mother. The ICPC had not issued an official statement on the terms of the temporary release as of the time of this report.

    Son’s reaction

    His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the development in a post on X, expressing relief while sharply criticising the anti-corruption agency. “My beloved, great legend of a father is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is a lame excuse for a pathetic institution. Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais,” he wrote.

    Death of Hajiya Umma

    Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, said to be approximately 100 years old, died on Friday after a period of illness in Cairo, Egypt. Her death came barely a week after the passing of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, making Friday’s loss a second bereavement for the El-Rufai family within days.

    Her death was announced by her grandson and member of the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai, who described her as a matriarch whose life was devoted to faith and family, and called on Nigerians to pray for the family. The family finds strength in her long and fulfilled life. Similar condolences came from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other political figures across party lines.

    El-Rufai’s legal battles

    Friday’s temporary release does not resolve the extensive legal proceedings El-Rufai is currently facing across multiple courts in Nigeria.

    The ICPC has accused El-Rufai of unlawfully receiving approximately ₦579 million in severance allowances on two separate occasions, in September 2020 and January 2023, far above the legally entitled sum of approximately ₦20 million. He was formally arraigned alongside co-defendant Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24, on charges of alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. He pleaded not guilty.

    The court adjourned ruling on his bail application to March 31, 2026. The ICPC has also filed a separate case against him at the Kaduna State High Court involving another defendant, Amadu Sule.

    In a third legal front, the Department of State Services has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, centred on allegations that he unlawfully intercepted phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes Act. His arraignment in that matter is scheduled for April 23, 2026.

    El-Rufai’s counter-suits

    El-Rufai has filed counter-suits challenging the authorities’ actions. In one suit, he is seeking ₦1 billion in damages against the ICPC and other agencies over a February 19 raid on his Abuja residence, which he claims was unlawful, and is asking the court to invalidate the search warrant and restrain the use of any evidence obtained. In a separate action against the DSS, he is seeking ₦2 billion in damages and has asked the court to dismiss the wiretapping charges as unconstitutional harassment.

    How the detention began

    El-Rufai’s current legal saga began on February 16, 2026, when he was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged ₦423 billion misappropriation. He was subsequently transferred to ICPC custody on February 18, where he has remained until today’s temporary release.

    El-Rufai is expected to return to ICPC custody following the completion of his mother’s burial rites, with the Federal High Court in Kaduna due to rule on his substantive bail application on March 31. RNN.NG will continue to follow all developments in his case.

  • How Three Teenagers Hid a Bomb in a Food Flask to Attack Maiduguri Hospital

    Fresh details have emerged about the March 16 coordinated bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State, revealing how three teenage suspected suicide bombers disguised explosives inside a food flask and attempted to pass themselves off as relatives visiting patients at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital — a plan that was foiled by an alert security officer at the entrance gate.

    The attacks struck three crowded locations at approximately 7:05 p.m. — the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital entrance, the Post Office area, and Monday Market — at the height of the Ramadan evening rush. At least 23 people were killed, and 108 others were confirmed injured.

    How the hospital attack unfolded

    A security officer at the hospital, Ali Musa, said the three suspects arrived at the facility in a commercial tricycle, posing as relatives bringing food to patients. Musa said he had already tightened security at his post after receiving word of the earlier blast at the post office, and immediately noticed something was wrong when the suspects drove in at high speed rather than slowing down for the standard security check.

    “They were three in number — two boys and one rider of the tricycle. I think they were around 13 or 14 years old. They looked very unkempt. I suspected something was wrong with the way they drove in,” Musa said.

    When Musa ordered them to reverse, one of the suspects threw the food flask containing the concealed explosive device directly at him. Musa kicked the flask back toward them — and the device detonated. “I heard a loud explosion and immediately lay flat on the ground,” he said. A second explosion followed shortly afterwards near the hospital entrance.

    Musa sustained injuries in the blast and found his female colleague on the ground with a broken leg when he went to check on her. He also saw a young Almajiri boy lying nearby on the ground. A shop owner near the hospital entrance, speaking anonymously, confirmed the attackers’ intent. “They wanted to blow up parts of the hospital,” she said.

    The Monday Market blast

    Investigations revealed that the Monday Market explosion was likely carried out by a separate attacker wearing an explosive vest. An eyewitness, simply identified as Fati, who works near the market, said the night was unlike anything she had experienced. “I later heard that they found a boy whose body was completely destroyed. The impact on that boy was worse than on others, so they suspected he was the bomb carrier,” she said.

    Government response

    President Tinubu directed service chiefs to relocate to Borno State following the attacks. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, arrived in Maiduguri on the morning of Wednesday, March 18, to coordinate security operations on the ground.

    Background

    Maiduguri is the birthplace of Boko Haram and has been at the centre of Nigeria’s insurgency for over 17 years. The city had experienced relative calm since 2021 before a mosque bombing in December 2025 killed five people and raised early concerns about renewed attacks. The March 16 bombings are the deadliest to hit the city in several years. No group has formally claimed responsibility, though the Nigerian Armed Forces have attributed the attacks to Boko Haram-affiliated elements.

  • Iran Rejects Trump’s 15-point Peace Plan, Issues Counter-demands

    Iran has rejected a United States ceasefire proposal and countered with its own five-point conditions for ending the ongoing war, dealing a blow to diplomatic efforts being quietly advanced by the Trump administration.

    Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV, citing a senior political-security official, confirmed on Wednesday that Tehran had rejected the American proposal. “Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met,” the official said. “No negotiations will be held prior to that.”

    What was in Trump’s proposal

    The US proposal, transmitted to Tehran through Pakistan, called on Iran to commit to never pursuing nuclear weapons and to dismantle three of its main nuclear facilities, Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. It also sought a halt to uranium enrichment, a transfer of enriched material to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the suspension of ballistic missile production, an end to financial support for regional armed groups, including Hezbollah and the Houthis, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

    In exchange, the proposal offered a full lifting of international sanctions on Iran and US assistance in developing Iran’s civilian nuclear programme.

    The White House, however, stopped short of confirming the full details. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there were “elements of truth” in media reports but cautioned that some accounts were “not entirely factual.”

    Iran’s five conditions

    Iran’s counter-proposal, published through state media, set out five conditions: a complete halt to attacks and assassinations by its enemies; concrete guarantees that no further war would be imposed on the Islamic Republic; compensation for war damages; a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts, including Iran-aligned groups; and recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

    Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari added that Iran plans to charge tolls on ships passing through the strategic waterway, saying: “The authority to issue passage permits is ours.”

    Iran’s foreign minister contradicts state media

    Despite the public rejection, mixed signals emerged from Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media that the US proposal was still being reviewed by top authorities in Tehran, and that an exchange of messages between the two countries via mediators “does not mean negotiations with the US.”

    Trump’s position

    President Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Iranians “would like to make a deal” and had “agreed they will never have a nuclear weapon.” Iran denies any such agreement and insists its nuclear programme is for civilian use only.

    Background

    The conflict began on 28 February 2026 when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran, targeting key military officials and facilities. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, with his son Mojtaba Khamenei later chosen as his successor. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel, American military bases in the Middle East, and Gulf states, while also moving to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

    Diplomatic efforts continue through third-party intermediaries, including Pakistan and Turkey. The UN Human Rights Commissioner has warned that the conflict risks drawing in countries on an unprecedented global scale, urging influential states to use all available means to help end the fighting. RNN.NG will continue to update this story as developments unfold.