From the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was postponed, to fresh political tension in Edo State following an attack involving Peter Obi and ADC leaders, Wednesday’s developments reflect a mix of legal, security and political shifts.
The Police Service Commission released nationwide recruitment figures, a mother and son survived a serious road crash in Lagos, while the DSS announced the arrest of a sixth suspect linked to the 2022 Owo church massacre.
Here’s your complete afternoon roundup:
1. Court adjourns El-Rufai’s arraignment to April 23
Stalled proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Wednesday adjourned to April 23, 2026, following his absence in court.
Prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, told the court that the defendant could not be produced because he was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, did not oppose adjournment but said the state would not oppose bail, while the prosecution confirmed the charges were bailable.
Ruling, Justice Joyce Abdumalik held that since the defendant had not been arraigned, bail could not arise, describing the application as premature under Section 156 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The DSS had filed a three-count charge accusing El-Rufai of unlawfully intercepting the communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The former governor has also filed a motion seeking to quash the charges and N2bn in costs against the DSS.
Read Here:
UPDATED: Court adjourns El-Rufai’s arraignment to April 23
2. Edo attack: Experiences of lawlessness are not new to me —Peter Obi
Rising tension followed an attack in Benin during the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress.
Peter Obi said, “Experiences of lawlessness are not new to me,” while thanking Nigerians for their solidarity.
According to his former campaign spokesman, Dr Yunusa Tanko, “armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
The Edo State Government dismissed claims of targeted attacks as “false and malicious,” stating that no directive was issued to target members of any political party and attributing the incident to internal ADC disputes.
Read Here:
Edo attack: Experiences of lawlessness are not new to me —Peter Obi
3. Adamawa leads as 616,873 apply for police recruitment
Fresh figures from the Police Service Commission show that 616,873 applications were received nationwide in the ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, with Adamawa State recording the highest number.
Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd), said, “Total applications received: 616,873… Total qualified for further screening: 434,604.”
He added that Adamawa recorded 38,989 applications, followed by Benue with 34,511; Kaduna, 30,397; and Borno, 24,009.
Lakanu disclosed that physical screening would commence on March 9, 2026, and that comprehensive drug integrity tests would be conducted in collaboration with the NDLEA, stressing, “Drug users and persons of questionable character will not find their way into the Nigeria Police Force.” The 434,604 qualified applicants are competing for 50,000 slots.
Read Here:
Adamawa leads as 616,873 apply for police recruitment
4. Mother, son escape death as car overturns in Lagos
Concerns grew as a mother, and her son narrowly escaped death after their Lexus SUV overturned multiple times at the NYSC Bus Stop axis at LASU–Isheri Expressway.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said the vehicle “overturned thrice before finally coming to rest.” The agency noted that its officers “rapidly mobilised to the location and executed a coordinated rescue intervention,” extricating the occupants with visible bruises and mild trauma.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed relief that no lives were lost and warned that excessive speed and mechanical faults “constitute a dangerous precursor to severe roadway tragedies.”
Mother, son escape death as car overturns in Lagos
Read Here:
5. DSS arrests sixth suspect in 2022 Owo church massacre
Amid ongoing counterterrorism efforts, operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested a sixth suspect linked to the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
A security source said the suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, was arrested in Iguosa community, Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State.
The source said, “Our operatives had been on Sani Yusuf for years… He has confessed to being involved in the planning and execution of the Owo church massacre.”
Another source alleged that the suspect was also involved in the July 2022 Suleja military barracks attack and other operations linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province. The five previously arrested suspects are currently on trial in Abuja for alleged acts of terrorism.
Read Here:
DSS arrests sixth suspect in 2022 Owo church massacre
