Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has said he donated 39 vehicles to Jama’atu Nasril Islam(JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) and the different sects within Islam as well as the various Christian denominations, to facilitate their advocacy for peaceful coexistence, including the conduct of a free and fair 2027 elections.

The Governor who was represented by the Director General of Interfaith, Malam Tahir Umar Tahir, pointed out that some politicians who foresee defeat, are planning to disrupt public peace before, during or after the coming elections.

He recalled that the First Aid Group of Fityanul Islam had earlier requested for six buses to enhance its activities of peace building, during its national seminar and award ceremony in August.

Malam Tahir said that the Governor promised to provide four buses to the group, suggesting that two of them will be given to the national body and Kaduna State chapter each.

“The Governor also promised that the largesse will be extended to the First Aid Groups of other Islamic sects and the Boys Brigade of the Christian faith.

“He also said that the Kaduna State chapters of JNI and CAN should be added among the list. He directed that Hummer buses should be given to each of them. His Excellency also directed that other Islamic sects and blocks within CAN should be given vehicles to aid their religious activities,” Tahir recalled.

The Kaduna State Director General of Interfaith promised that other Christian denominations and Islamic sects that have not benefited from this round of donations, will be considered subsequently.

Malam Tahir said that Governor Uba Sani has been carrying the various sects and different blocks of the two dominant religions in Kaduna State along, since he assumed office over three years ago.

According to him, the Governor liaises with religious leaders in the distribution of dividends of democracy amongst the adherents of both faiths, citing the distribution of free fertilizer and political appointments.

Malam Tahir reminded that Prophet Muhammad(SAW) enjoined Muslims to reciprocate kind gestures, reminding that they should pray for the benefactor if they cannot return the favors done unto them.

“in Christianity, believers are commanded to pray for their leaders. We are asking for your prayers. We are pleading to you to pray for the Governor’s re-election because he will surpass the good things that he is doing in his second term,” he pledged.

Representatives of Kaduna State chapters of JNI and CAN thanked the Governor for the donations and promised to pray for the continued peace and development across the state.

A defence counsel in the trial of Maiwuya Bagudu Idris over alleged terrorism, culpable homicide and armed robbery in Benue State, Mohammed Danjuma, has withdrawn his appearance for the defendant after the court refused his bail application.

Danjuma disclosed this after proceedings at the Benue State High Court, Makurdi Judicial Division, saying he had been debriefed by the first defendant.

Danjuma who initially appeared for the first and third defendants, said he would now represent only the third defendant.

“I was initially appearing for the first and third defendants. But I have been debriefed by the first defendant and I’m now appearing for only the third defendant. Today, I formally withdrew my appearance for the first defendant,” he told journalists.

He said the defendant had applied for bail on health grounds, attaching a medical report obtained from the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, but the application was refused.

“We made the application for his bail. The application was not granted and we have taken about two witnesses in this matter,” Danjuma explained.

He said his client’s decision to debrief him followed the refusal of the bail application, insisting he had done his best within his professional responsibility.

“They debriefed me after the bail was refused. So, I’m not the court that grants bail. I have done my best. We obtained a medical report from the Federal Medical Centre. We attached it based on his health, and it was refused. There is nothing we can do about that,” he stated.

The presiding judge, Justice Shishi John Mkoholga, gave the defendant time to engage another lawyer before the next sitting.

The judge warned that if the defendant failed to get another lawyer, the court would assign one to him to ensure the trial proceeds without unnecessary delay.

The case, instituted by the Inspector-General of Police against Idris, is before the court under Charge No. MKT/2/26.

According to the charge sheet and proof of evidence, Idris, 29, of Rukubu area of Nasarawa State, was arrested by troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Whirl Stroke on December 6, 2025, following reports of attacks on farming communities in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant was a member of an armed herders’ militia group and had, alongside other persons said to be at large carried out attacks on residents and farmers in different communities between March and June 2025.

Among the incidents listed was the alleged attack on Msugh Iyo along Annune-Anguhar Road on June 6, 2025, during which he was reportedly killed with machetes, while his motorcycle and handset were allegedly taken away.

The defendant was also accused of attacking Ato Ikpanyar with a cutlass, inflicting injuries on her.

Other allegations included the armed robbery of Akwa Kwaghkohol along Aondoana-Naka Road on April 3, 2025, during which the prosecutor alleged that he was dispossessed of N450,000 and a mobile phone valued at N100,000 after being shot.

The prosecutor further accused Idris of attacking Avindigh Samuel and Apesuul Paul on their farms on April 24, 2025, as well as Jooji Anaii on March 15, 2025, inflicting various degrees of injuries on them.

The prosecutor listed statements from the alleged victims and other witnesses, the defendant’s statement, photographs of victims, identification parade records and medical and autopsy reports among other evidence to establish its case.

The charges included conspiracy, acts of terrorism, culpable homicide, armed robbery and attempted culpable homicide, among other offences.

The court adjourned the matter to December 2, 2026, for ruling and continuation of hearing.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress led by former Senate President David Mark, and invalidated all decisions taken by the party under its leadership, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, which conducted the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer.

The court also nullified the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary and other national officers, as well as the nominations of all candidates presented by the party for the 2027 elections.

The judgment followed a suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, North-East, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership.

He consequently asked the court to invalidate the actions of the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

The ADC, INEC, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants.

Upholding Gombe’s case, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

According to Punch, the court also held that INEC should not recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting of July 27, 2025.

Speaking after the judgment, counsel for Gombe, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), said, “All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled.”

Another counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the judgment left the ADC without candidates for any elective position in the 2027 elections, from the presidency to the governorship, Senate and House of Assembly.

Meanwhile, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the suit as an interested party, said the ADC would appeal the judgment.