
The Kaduna State High Court has postponed the bail hearing for former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the first week of June 2026. Justice Darius Khobo moved the date in a case where the former governor faces multiple charges related to alleged financial crime and abuse of office, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. Ukpon Akpan, counsel to the former governor, criticized the repeated adjournment, calling it "politically motivated." El-Rufai was present in court, arriving with ICPC and Department of State Services operatives, while security was tight around the premises. Supporters of the former governor also gathered outside. This adjournment follows El-Rufai's earlier claims of a "fresh plot" to implicate him and prevent his release on bail, warning of "malicious orchestrations" to ensure his continued detention. He also referenced an alleged plan to arrest him at Abuja Airport in February 2026 as "the beginning of a troubling pattern." The court had previously set April 21 for a ruling on the bail application before this latest adjournment.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadPresident Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that US forces intercepted a ship en route to Iran, which he stated was carrying a "gift" from China. Trump told CNBC that the "gift" "wasn't very nice" and expressed surprise, noting he believed he had an "understanding" with China's President Xi Jinping. This incident follows an assurance Trump said he received from President Xi a week prior, indicating there would be no Chinese weapons deliveries to Iran, a long-standing partner of Beijing. The interception occurred as Tehran reportedly attempts to restock its military during a ceasefire period.
Must ReadFormer presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced concerns regarding press freedom in Nigeria, stating that the country is "drifting dangerously" due to recent regulatory actions affecting broadcast media. In a statement on his X handle, Obi described developments around broadcast regulation as "very troubling," linking his worries to a recent National Broadcasting Commission NBC notice issued before the general elections. He emphasized that a free and responsible media is crucial for accountability and should not be seen as an adversary by any administration. Obi warned that attempts to regulate or intimidate journalists would weaken democracy, asserting that institutions serve the people, not governments. His comments follow an NBC advisory cautioning broadcast stations about professional and ethical breaches, including expressing personal opinions as fact and imbalanced reporting. The commission also warned of sanctions for violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as the 2027 general elections approach, stressing the need for fairness, neutrality, and professionalism. Obi argued that focus should be on governance issues like insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public confidence rather than controlling media narratives. He expressed solidarity with media organizations, stating, "Nigeria does not need stronger control. Nigeria needs stronger institutions."

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique expressed uncertainty regarding midfielder Vitinha's fitness for the upcoming Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. Vitinha is set to miss PSG's Ligue 1 match against Nantes due to heel inflammation. Enrique stated that a calm and measured approach would be taken for injured players' return, but he could not confirm Vitinha's availability for next Tuesday's semi-final first leg. He also mentioned that some players are tired or have minor issues, necessitating careful management of Vitinha's injury. If Vitinha is unavailable, Fabian Ruiz, who is returning from a knee injury, could potentially fill his role. Ruiz played the final 18 minutes in PSG's recent 2-1 loss to Lyon. However, Luis Enrique cautioned that Ruiz would need time and more matches to regain full fitness after three months on the sidelines. The coach also emphasized his high expectations for all players, including 18-year-old Senegalese player Ibrahim Mbaye, despite not including him in the squad for the Lyon match. A win against Nantes on Wednesday would put PSG three points ahead of Lens in the Ligue 1 title race with five matches remaining.

The Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC announced that its interventions have reached over 8.7 million learners nationwide within a year. The commission also disclosed that more than N100bn in previously unaccessed funds have been unlocked, with over 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory now actively drawing on these resources. The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, shared this information during the commission’s 29th quarterly meeting with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards SUBEBs in Abuja. The meeting, themed 'Accelerating Basic Education Performance Through Digitally-Enabled Coordination,' highlighted the impact of joint interventions, including instructional materials, improved learning conditions, wash facilities, furniture, and the training of almost 500,000 teachers. Garba noted a shift towards more systematic and large-scale reforms in basic education, emphasizing improved funding access and collaboration with states. She also stated that 95 percent of projects for 2025 have been completed, demonstrating timely delivery. Digitalization is central to these reforms, with basic education action plans to be fully digitized from 2026 to enhance efficiency and transparency, allowing stakeholders to access real-time data on states’ needs. However, Garba raised concerns about inadequate school infrastructure, citing overcrowded facilities and insufficient sanitation. Professor Shehu Adaramaja, Chairman of SUBEB in Kwara State and D