By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Tunji Disu, has been charged to do everything within his powers to restore peace and strengthen security across the nation.

This task was given to the new police chief by President Bola Tinubu after being decorated at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Disu was chosen to succeed Mr Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday. His appointment is expected to be approved by the Nigeria Police Council and confirmed by the Senate next week.

President Tinubu described Mr Disu’s appointment as coming at a critical moment, urging him to rebuild public confidence in the police’s capacity to do their job in collaboration with other security forces.

“I made this decision for you to assume this responsibility. I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor,” the President said.

“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” he added.

Mr Tinubu urged him to advance the security pillars of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed confidence in the Acting IGP’s discipline, operational experience and leadership capacity.

“Nigeria is challenged with banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities. You will be part of the thinking and innovation to overcome them,” the President said, reaffirming his belief that Nigeria would prevail under a committed leadership.

The President also paid tribute to Mr Egbetokun, who was present with his spouse, saying, “We are a grateful nation. Nigeria appreciates your contribution to maintaining law and order.”

He urged Egbetokun to be ready to offer useful advice to his successor and wished him and his family peace, good health and success in future endeavours, noting,

“You have not succeeded without a good successor. His success will also be part of your legacy.”

Mr Tinubu urged all security stakeholders to work collectively to safeguard lives and property during this critical period.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Coroner’s Court sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court has announced April 14, 2026, for the commencement of an inquiry into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday when the matter came up before the court.

The twin child, Nkanu, died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

The child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.

The family had sought initial care as arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States. Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line.

However, the child passed away following the procedures.

His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death.

According to a leaked internal message sent privately to family members and close friends at the time, Ms Adichie blamed the staff of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, for causing the demise of the lad.

“My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th,” she wrote in a broadcast message confirmed later on.

“We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child,” she also wrote in the lengthy message.

The 48-year-old writer had her first child, a daughter, in 2016. In 2024, her twin boys were born using a surrogate.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, to April 23 for arraignment.

The Department of State Services (DSS) filed a three-count charge against Mr El-Rufai for the alleged unlawful interception of communications, linked to remarks he made during a television interview. It was alleged that Mr El-Rufai’s actions contravened provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

The court had earlier fixed February 25 for the former governor’s arraignment, but he was absent during Wednesday’s proceedings.

Counsel for the DSS, Mr Oluwole Aladedoyin, informed the court that the former governor is still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he is under investigation for alleged misappropriation of funds.

This prompted the judge to adjourn the case to April 23 for arraignment.

Meanwhile, the former Kaduna governor has filed a suit in response to Charge Number FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 instituted against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The application contends that the prosecution violates several constitutional provisions that breach El-Rufai’s fundamental rights, including Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence; Section 36(11), which provides for the right against self-incrimination; Section 36(12), which requires that offences be defined in written law; as well as Sections 39 and 40, which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association, respectively.

Mr El-Rufai’s motion is praying the court for: “An Order quashing and/or striking out Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 (as contained in the charge dated February 16, 2026) for being incompetent, for disclosing no offence known to law, and for constituting a gross abuse of court process.

An Order discharging the defendant/applicant on the ground that the charge discloses no prima facie case against him.

He is equally seeking an order awarding the sum of N2 billion as costs against the secret police (acting through its prosecuting counsel) for the abuse and misuse of the court process, and the egregious, reckless, and unconstitutional misuse of the criminal justice system to harass, embarrass, and publicly victimise him.

The suit, which cites 17 grounds for seeking the dismissal of the charges, was filed on 17 February 2023.

His lawyers notified the Director General of the DSS of the processes that they have filed in the matter via a letter dated 18th February. The letter also formally informed the DSS regarding the legal representatives of Mr El-Rufai and the names and addresses of his team of counsel.

The grounds cited in the motion seeking the dismissal of the charges include: their constitutional invalidity, lack of disclosure of a prima facie case, citing offences not known to law and failure to meet statutory conditions.

Other grounds cited include fatal duplicity and absence of evidence, lack of prosecutorial competence, the impermeable nature of the constitutional right against self-incrimination, bad faith, political persecution and abuse of court process.