Breaking News
Islamic cleric, Gumi and lawyer over alleged terrorists’ defence
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, and a human rights lawyer, Malcolm Omirhobo, have clashed over the cleric’s alleged defence of terrorists and bandits operating across the country.
The trading of words reportedly started when Omirhobo, a public interest advocate, urged the Department of State Services, DSS, the police, Office of the National Security Adviser, and the National Assembly Committees on Defence, Human Rights, and Judiciary to probe and prosecute Gumi over what he termed “consistent justification and defence of terrorists.”
The lawyer, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, accused the Islamic cleric of repeatedly making public statements that promote and embolden criminal groups responsible for killings, kidnappings, and mass displacement in the North.
“It is deeply alarming that Sheikh Ahmad Gumi continues to publicly justify and defend terrorists who are maiming, killing, kidnapping, raping, and displacing innocent Nigerians while describing them as ‘listening and reasonable human beings’ who should be pacified and not eliminated by force,” Omirhobo wrote.
The lawyer, however, warned that Gumi’s frequent visits to bandit camps and his open calls for dialogue with the criminals constitute a serious threat to national security.
Omirhobo further cautioned that such conduct amounts to promoting terrorism in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Quoting relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 14(2)(b) and 45(1), Omirhobo argued that “encouraging or defending acts of war against the Nigerian state is treasonable and punishable by life imprisonment or death.”
His comments are coming following growing public criticism of Gumi’s recent utterances, especially his call for Nigeria to cut off diplomatic ties with the US following President Donald Trump’s threat to intervene militarily over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
However, in a swift response, Gumi took to his Facebook page on Thursday to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the lawyer, demanding a retraction and apology.
“Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo should retract his defamatory allegations against me (Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi) and tender an unreserved apology in another press release within 48 hours, otherwise he will be charged to court for defamation and intent to stir religious crisis in Nigeria,” Gumi warned.
Omirhobo, however, refused to back down.
In a counter-statement released on Friday, titled, “Sheikh Gumi, I Did Not Defame You, Let’s Meet in Court,” the lawyer insisted that his call for investigation was made in the public interest and based on verifiable facts.
“For the avoidance of doubt, my statement is not defamatory but a constitutionally protected commentary relying on the provisions of the Constitution and the Terrorism Prevention Act,” Omirhobo said.
He clarified that he did not accuse Gumi of being a terrorist but merely urged security agencies to probe his public activities and statements, describing the move as a lawful civic duty.
Breaking News
Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
-
Breaking News2 months agoBreaking News: Nigerian Air Force Reportedly Kills 750 Terrorists in Borno State
-
Breaking News3 months agoTerrorists Want ₦2m ‘levy’ in Katsina Community Despite Peaceful Agreement
-
Breaking News4 months agoEx-EFCC Exhibit Keeper Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Allegedly Steals ₦22m
-
Breaking News3 weeks agoEmergency: Arik Air Flight Landed at Benin Airport
-
Breaking News5 months agoNiger Delta Group hails Tinubu, NUPRC for ₦373bn host community fund and 536 life-changing projects
-
News In Diaspora1 month agoNigerian JTF Arrests Woman Supplying Drugs to Boko Haram
-
Breaking News3 weeks agoNew Young Players are Coming in Super Eagles – Ibrahim Gusau to Fans
-
Business3 weeks agoBREAKING: No Fewer Than 28 Ships to deliver Petrol, other Commodities at Lagos Ports