Nigeria Times

Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Deputy National Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has joined party leaders and members nationwide in celebrating the APC National Chairman on the occasion of his 58th birthday.In a goodwill message, Hon. Kumo described the Chairman as a visionary leader whose commitment to democratic ideals and party unity has been a source of inspiration to millions of Nigerians. He noted that the Chairman’s leadership has been marked by resilience, inclusivity, and a deep sense of responsibility, qualities that have strengthened the APC and consolidated its role in Nigeria’s democratic journey.“At 58, our National Chairman exemplifies the finest qualities of statesmanship. His dedication to building consensus, fostering unity, and advancing the cause of good governance has left indelible marks on our party and our nation,” Kumo stated.The APC Deputy National Financial Secretary emphasized that the celebrant’s leadership style has been defined by integrity and courage, guiding the party through challenging times with wisdom and foresight. He added that the Chairman’s ability to inspire confidence across diverse political and social groups has ensured that the APC remains a beacon of hope for Nigerians.“As Chairman, you have demonstrated uncommon vision and fortitude. Your stewardship has strengthened our internal structures, enhanced our democratic processes, and positioned the APC as a party of progress and inclusivity. We celebrate you today not only as a leader but as a patriot whose contributions continue to shape the future of our country,” Kumo said.Hon. Kumo, who also serves as Chairman of the ITF Board of Trustees, highlighted the Chairman’s role in mentoring younger politicians and promoting policies that encourage national development. He noted that the Chairman’s emphasis on unity and service has created a culture of trust and collaboration within the APC, ensuring its continued relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.“As you mark this milestone, we pray for renewed strength, wisdom, and fulfillment in your continued service to our party and our country. May the years ahead bring greater accomplishments and enduring peace,” Kumo concluded.The 58th birthday celebration of the APC National Chairman has drawn tributes from across the political spectrum, underscoring his influence and the respect he commands as a leader. His contributions to the growth of the APC and the deepening of Nigeria’s democracy remain a source of inspiration to party members and citizens alike.

Our attention has been drawn to a false, malicious, and unverified publication by an anonymous online platform alleging that Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah is involved in secret talks concerning the Benue State PDP Governorship; we categorically reject the report as a baseless fabrication published without any attempt to verify the claims with Dr. Akutah or his office. We therefore urge the public to disregard the publication entirely, as Dr. Akutah remains a loyal and committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and truth, professionalism, and responsible journalism will always prevail over misinformation and political propaganda.

Sign
Comrade Atir Solomon Faeren Principal Private Adviser to Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah MON — with Comr Asan Doosuun Samuel and 15 others.

The attention of the immediate past Governor of Benue State and Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom has been drawn to a mischievous report being circulated on social media alleging that he and other leaders of the party held a secret meeting with some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, with the aim of replacing the 2027 PDP governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah.

The report is false, misleading and a deliberate distortion of the facts.

For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Ortom, alongside the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, and the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, met with some prominent Benue sons, including Chief Simon Shango, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr. Pius Akutah, Engr. Emmanuel Ameh and Dr. Matthias Byuan.

The meeting was part of ongoing consultations and engagements aimed at building a broad strategic alliance of Benue stakeholders for the greater good of the state. At no time during the meeting was the replacement of Chief Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or placed on the agenda.

It is therefore mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it. Political consultations and engagements across party lines are neither strange nor secret conspiracies, particularly when they are driven by the larger interest of the people.

Chief Ortom wishes to state unequivocally that Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State for the 2027 election. The former Attorney General and Minister of Justice enjoys the confidence and support of the leadership and members of the party.

Chief Ortom equally reaffirms his conviction that Aondoakaa possesses the experience, competence, capacity and understanding of the challenges confronting Benue State to provide purposeful leadership and reposition the state on the path of security, economic recovery and sustainable development.

Those behind the false narrative are advised to desist forthwith from spreading fabricated stories capable of creating unnecessary confusion among members and supporters of the PDP and the general public. Political journalism and commentary must be anchored on facts, not conjecture, deliberate falsehood or the attribution of imaginary motives to legitimate engagements.

Chief Ortom urges PDP members, teeming supporters of Chief Aondoakaa and the people of Benue State to disregard the baseless report and remain focused. No amount of misinformation or political mischief will distract the PDP leadership from its commitment to building a formidable coalition of Benue people towards offering the state a credible alternative in 2027.

Signed:

Zege Paul Terhide
Media Assistant to Chief Samuel Ortom
August 7, 2026

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday slammed a N2 billion suit on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what he termed the unlawful freezing of the state’s Federal Statutory Allocation Account.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1762/2026, also has the Attorney General of Osun State, as well as the Accountant General of the state, listed as 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs, respectively.

Cited as 1st to 3rd defendants in the Originating Summons entered before the Federal High Court in Abuja by a team of lawyers led by Prof. M. T. Adekilekun, SAN, are the EFCC, its Chairman, and First Bank Nigeria Limited.

Specifically, the plaintiffs posed several legal questions for the court to determine, among which are:

“Whether, having regard to the express provisions of Sections 1, 6, 36, 44 and 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and Section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004, the 1st and 2nd Defendants possess the lawful authority to freeze, restrict, block, place a ‘post no debit’ order on, or otherwise interfere with the Osun State Statutory Account maintained with the 3rd Defendant, without regard to due process of law?

“Whether, having regard to the combined express provisions of Section 7(6) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004, the 1st and 2nd Defendants possess the lawful authority to freeze, restrict, block, place a ‘post no debit’ order on, or otherwise interfere with the Osun State Government Federal Statutory Allocation Account, Number 2017170947, maintained with the 3rd Defendant, without first obtaining and serving a valid, subsisting, and specific order of a court of competent jurisdiction?

“Whether, having regard to the combined express provisions of Section 7(6) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004, the directive of the 1st Defendant to the 3rd Defendant ordering the freezing or restriction of the Osun State Statutory Account No. 2017170947, maintained with the 3rd Defendant, vide its letter with Reference No. CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/PFS/TA/OSUN/VOL.17/666 dated 5th August 2026 and authored by ACE I Adenike S. Babalola (for: Director, Investigation), without any prior or concurrent court order sought, obtained and served on the 3rd Defendant, does not constitute an egregious act of executive lawlessness, an unlawful resort to self-help, a flagrant abuse of statutory powers, an unlawful suppression of the constitutional powers and functions of the Plaintiffs, a threat to the constitutional and corporate existence of Osun State, a brazen and unlawful denial of the democratic rights and dividends of the people of Osun State, and a direct violation of the fundamental constitutional principles of due process, the rule of law, and the financial autonomy of a federating unit?

“Whether, having regard to the combined express provisions of Section 7(6) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004, the 3rd Defendant, being the banker to the Government of Osun State in respect of the said statutory account, can lawfully freeze or continue to freeze, restrict, block, or deny the Government of Osun State unrestricted access to the said account merely upon an administrative directive, letter, request, instruction, or communication from the 1st and/or 2nd Defendants in the manner done herein, in the absence of a valid, subsisting, and specific order of a court of competent jurisdiction?

“Whether, having regard to the effect of the combined express provisions of Section 7(6) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004, and in the absence of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, this Honourable Court ought not to forthwith set aside the directive given by the 1st Defendant to the 3rd Defendant in a letter dated 5th August 2026 ordering the freezing, restriction, blocking, or placing of a post-no-debit instruction on the Osun State Statutory Account with the 3rd Defendant, given that such action was allegedly taken in violation of due process, and in a manner demonstrably capable of crippling the constitutional and statutory obligations of the Government to the people of Osun State?”

As well as: “Whether, having regard to the effect of the combined express provisions of Section 7(6) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and Section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004, and in the absence of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the 3rd Defendant did not breach the duty of care owed to the Osun State Government when, on the purported directive of the 1st and 2nd Defendants, it placed a restriction on the Osun State Statutory Account with the 3rd Defendant, given that such action was allegedly taken without a court order, in violation of due process, and in a manner demonstrably capable of crippling the constitutional and statutory obligations and rights of the Government and people of Osun State.”

Upon determination of the questions, the plaintiffs, among other things, urged the court to declare the actions the defendants took with respect to the Osun State account as “unlawful, unconstitutional, ultra vires their powers, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.”

They further sought:
“An order setting aside, vacating, and nullifying the freezing, restriction, blocking, post-no-debit instruction, or any other restraint placed on the Osun State Statutory Account maintained with the 3rd Defendant vide its letter with Reference No. CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/PFS/TA/OSUN/VOL.17/666 dated 5th August 2026 and authored by ACE I Adenike S. Babalola (for: Director, Investigation), for being unlawful, unconstitutional, and without legal basis.
“An order mandating the 3rd Defendant to forthwith unfreeze, unblock, and remove all restrictions, and to allow the Government of Osun State immediate and unrestricted access to and operation of the said Osun State Statutory Account.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether by themselves, their officers, agents, servants, privies, or any person acting on their behalf, from freezing, restricting, blocking, placing a post-no-debit instruction on, or otherwise interfering with the Osun State Statutory Account or any other account of the Government of Osun State without following due process of the law.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd Defendant, whether by itself, its officers, agents, servants, privies, or any person acting on its behalf, from acting on any directive, letter, instruction, or request from the 1st and/or 2nd Defendants to freeze, restrict, block, or deny access to the Osun State Statutory Account, except in the manner stipulated by law.”

They also prayed the court to award N2 billion against the defendants to serve as “exemplary and aggravated damages for the unlawful interference with public funds,” as well as an order directing the defendants to pay the costs of the litigation.

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the suit, which was filed shortly after President Bola Tinubu directed the EFCC to immediately approach the court to unfreeze the Osun State Federal Statutory Allocation Account.

• Cites public concerns over transparency
• Urges Gov. Peter Mbah to intervene, vows to pursue justice until facts are established

The Enugu Youth Progressive Forum (EYPF) has intensified calls for justice over the death of an engineer reportedly linked by petitioners to the residence of Hon. Nelson Maduka Arum, demanding a thorough investigation, prosecution of anyone found culpable, and immediate intervention by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

In a petition submitted to the IGP and copied to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, the group expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident and vowed to pursue justice until the facts are established.

The petition, dated July 29, 2026, and received at the Force Headquarters, was signed by the National Coordinator of EYPF, Mr. Onyekwere Onu, and the General Secretary, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuoko.

According to the group, the incident, which has continued to generate widespread public attention, was reported to have occurred at the Zoo Estate residence of Hon. Nelson Maduka Arum in Enugu State.

EYPF stated that issues surrounding the death have continued to dominate public discourse, particularly following the circulation of photographs and reports allegedly connected to the incident.

The group further stated that reports in the public domain have referenced an alleged financial dispute involving the deceased before the incident. However, it maintained that only a comprehensive and independent investigation can establish the authenticity of such claims and the exact circumstances surrounding the death.

The organisation called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure a thorough investigation capable of addressing public concerns and strengthening confidence in the outcome of the process.

“Given the seriousness of the incident and the significant public interest it has generated, many residents have expressed concern that the investigation must be conducted in a manner that is completely independent, transparent, impartial and free from any actual or perceived influence,” the petition stated.

The group argued that the status of Hon. Nelson Maduka Arum as a political figure and House of Representatives aspirant under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) makes it imperative for security agencies to handle the matter with utmost professionalism and transparency.

EYPF also noted that concerns had previously been raised about Hon. Arum in petitions reportedly submitted by some constituents to the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). According to the group, those petitions contained allegations relating to his public conduct. However, EYPF stressed that such allegations remain unproven and that only competent authorities can determine their validity.

According to EYPF, the people of Enugu State deserve answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the death, stressing that public confidence in law enforcement institutions depends largely on their ability to investigate sensitive matters without fear or favour.

The Forum called for the immediate collection and preservation of all available evidence, including video recordings, photographs, witness testimonies, forensic materials and any other evidence that may assist investigators in determining what transpired.

It also demanded that all persons considered relevant to the investigation be invited for questioning and that the findings of the investigation be made public, insisting that anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“We are demanding a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into this matter. The circumstances surrounding the death of this young engineer are too serious to be ignored. If anyone is found culpable after investigations, such a person must face the full weight of the law,” the group stated.

The Forum further called on Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in the interest of justice and reassure residents that no individual is above the law.

According to the group, the governor’s intervention has become necessary given the growing public concern and the widespread attention the matter has attracted within and outside Enugu State.

The youths vowed not to remain silent until the truth is uncovered.

“We will not keep mute. We will continue to demand accountability and justice until the facts are established. An injury to one is an injury to all. The life of every citizen matters and no one should be denied justice because of the influence or status of another,” the group declared.

While maintaining its demand for justice, EYPF stated that its petition should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against Hon. Nelson Maduka Arum or any other individual, noting that only a credible investigation can establish responsibility.

The group therefore urged the Inspector-General of Police to urgently intervene and ensure that the matter is handled by the appropriate authorities and investigated thoroughly in the interest of justice.

As of the time of filing this report, no law enforcement agency had publicly announced any conclusion regarding the incident.

By Xu Peiyu

Hainan is on track to become the first province-level region in China to halt the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles.

According to a plan recently issued by the Hainan provincial government, the province will gradually phase out fuel-powered vehicle sales by 2030.

By that time, all newly added and replacement vehicles in the province’s public service and social operation sectors, excluding special-purpose vehicles, will be clean energy vehicles. Similarly, all  newly purchased and replacement private motor vehicles will be new energy vehicles (NEVs).  The province also aims to maintain a vehicle-to-charging-pile ratio of no more than 2.5 to 1.

Li Ziwen, an associate research fellow with the department of policy consultation at the Academy of Macroeconomic Research, noted that the policy applies only to the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles after 2030 and will not affect vehicles already on the road.

Existing vehicle owners will retain their legal rights. Gasoline-powered vehicles registered before the policy takes effect may continue to operate normally, undergo regular inspections, and be legally transferred until the end of their service life. The policy does not mandate scrappage or impose usage restrictions on current gasoline-powered vehicles.

Why is Hainan phasing out gasoline vehicle sales? As early as 2019, Hainan became the first provincial-level region in China to explicitly set a target for phasing out gasoline vehicle sales, as part of its clean energy vehicle development plan.

According to Li, Hainan’s status as a national ecological civilization pilot zone and an international tourism destination makes environmental protection a core competitive advantage.  

Promoting NEVs while phasing out new gasoline vehicles sales aligns with the province’s commitment to green, low-carbon development and helps preserve its renowned natural environment of blue skies, clear seas and sandy beaches.

Why is Hainan taking the lead? 

Analysts point to several unique advantages that make Hainan a suitable testing ground for this transition.

First, the province sees consistently high temperatures year-round, largely avoiding issues such as reduced power battery output and diminished driving range that affect battery electric vehicles in colder climates. 

Second, Hainan’s land area of 35,400 square kilometers. The highway distance from Haikou to Sanya is less than 300 kilometers, and a full loop around the island runs under 1,000 km. Based on the driving range of flagship models from mainstream NEV brands available today, residents can complete most one-way trips on the island with zero or just one charging stop.

Charging infrastructure is also well established across the island.

Hainan has made significant progress in developing itself into a clean-energy island, with new energy now its primary power source. Among all provincial-level regions in China, Hainan ranks first in NEV market penetration and second in NEVs as a share of total vehicle stock.

Official data show that, as of August 2025, Hainan had installed more than 230,000 charging piles and built 4,895 charging stations, bringing the vehicle-to-charging-pile ratio down to 2.1 to 1. Charging facilities now cover all expressway service areas and every township across the province.

The latest plan also sets a clear target for NEV ownership. By 2030, NEVs are expected to account for 45 percent of all vehicles in Hainan, up from 23.75 percent in 2025.

The ambitious target reflects the rapid rise in public acceptance of NEVs. Nationwide, data from the Ministry of Commerce show that the market penetration of new energy passenger vehicles increased from 5.7 percent in 2020 to 53.9 percent in 2025.

In Hainan, data from the provincial department of industry and information technology indicate  that 116,800 NEVs were sold across province in 2025, accounting for 62.9 percent of all newly registered vehicles that year.

Will other regions in China follow Hainan’s approach?

Expects believe Hainan’s approach is unlikely to be directly replicated elsewhere in China because of differing local conditions.

In many inland areas, vehicles frequently across provincial boundaries. A blanket ban on new gasoline vehicle sales could trigger cross-provincial buying sprees of fuel-powered vehicles, driving up regulatory costs and significantly undermining the policy’s effectiveness.

In addition, regions such as northeast China, the Yangtze River Delta and central China still have relatively complete conventional automobile manufacturing supply chains. A comprehensive sales ban could affect industrial stability and employment. Northern China’s colder winters also pose additional challenges for battery performance and electric vehicle operation.

As a result, different regions will need to formulate policies suited to their own conditions rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

Hainan’s decision sent multiple positive signals. Li said it demonstrates China’s commitment and capacity to advance its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals by promoting deeper decarbonization in the transportation sector. 

At the same time, it provides valuable experience for other regions in areas such as policy design, infrastructure development, consumer guidance and industrial transformation as China pursues vehicle emission reductions in a phased and region-specific manner.

Supporters of Team Gbaja on Friday held a sensitisation and mobilisation rally for Nigeria’s North Central Zone, where they reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for what they described as his commitment to public service.

Addressing participants at the rally, the National Spokesperson of Team Gbaja, Tabuko Kennedy, said the gathering was aimed at promoting democratic participation, peaceful engagement, and national development.

Kennedy said supporters of the Tinubu administration believe the government’s performance should be assessed based on “measurable actions and visible results,” highlighting several initiatives and developments they said demonstrate progress under the current administration.

Among the achievements cited were the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State through what he described as a coordinated multi-agency security operation without the payment of ransom.

He also pointed to the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as one of Nigeria’s largest infrastructure projects intended to improve transportation, trade, and economic growth.

Other initiatives highlighted included the implementation of the Student Loan Scheme to improve access to higher education, increased investment in federal road infrastructure across the country’s six geopolitical zones, reforms in the oil and gas sector aimed at boosting local refining capacity, enhanced collaboration among security agencies to address insecurity, and ongoing economic reforms focusing on agriculture, investment, digital innovation, and social intervention programmes.

According to Kennedy, these initiatives have strengthened the confidence of many supporters in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and justify continued public support.

He urged participants to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the rally, stressing that the event was intended to exercise citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.

“We are not here to insult anyone. We are not here to threaten anyone. We are here to demonstrate our constitutional right to freedom of expression and association,” he said.

Kennedy also encouraged supporters to continue engaging their communities through peaceful mobilisation, civic participation, voter education, and constructive dialogue aimed at promoting national unity, security, and development.

The rally concluded with calls for continued support for Team Gbaja, the North Central Zone, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By Terver Akase, PhD

In every democracy, there are public figures whose careers are defined not merely by the offices they occupy, but by the intensity of the battles they are compelled to fight. History shows that the higher a public servant rises, the greater the scrutiny, controversy and, sometimes, calculated hostility that follow.

Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue State election, belongs unmistakably to that category.

For more than three decades in public life, as legal practitioner, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, businessman and statesman, Aondoakaa has remained one of the most scrutinized public figures to emerge from Benue State. Yet, despite the relentless allegations, sensational headlines and coordinated political attacks that have trailed him over the years, one fact has remained remarkably constant: Aondoakaa has never been invited by any of the investigative agencies on accusations of corruption, or arraigned before any court on such accusations, and no court of competent jurisdiction has convicted him of corruption or any criminal offence.

That distinction is significant in a country where many public officials have either been convicted, entered plea bargains, or remain entangled in criminal prosecutions years after leaving office.

Aondoakaa’s story is therefore not merely about controversy. It is also about resilience.

A Career Shadowed by Allegations

Few Nigerian public officials have had their names associated with as many politically charged controversies as Aondoakaa.

During and after his tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation between 2007 and 2010, his critics linked him to virtually every major legal or political controversy of the era.

His name featured prominently in discussions surrounding the Halliburton bribery scandal involving contracts for the Nigeria LNG project. It must be stated that Aondoakaa was no longer the Attorney General of the Federation when Halliburton agreed to pay a $35 million settlement to the Nigerian government in December 2010 to drop all bribery charges related to the Bonny Island natural gas project.

His name was equally mentioned in public debates surrounding the controversial Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) arbitration against Nigeria. What his detractors do not want to acknowledge in their recycled scripts is that he was rather co-opted into the Federal Government’s legal team, on the instructions of the then President Muhammadu Buhari.

Years later, during the #EndSARS protests, social media campaigns accused him of being hired to facilitate the freezing of bank accounts belonging to protest supporters.

Before and after these episodes, he was repeatedly accused of shielding politically exposed persons from prosecution, frustrating anti-corruption efforts and protecting influential business interests.

On paper, the list appears overwhelming. Yet, the more important question has always been this: what became of these allegations?

The Difference Between Allegation and Proof

One of the enduring challenges of Nigeria’s political culture is the tendency to elevate allegations into verdicts before evidence is tested.

In Aondoakaa’s case, many accusations generated dramatic newspaper headlines and television debates. Far fewer produced judicial findings.

Indeed, despite years of investigations, petitions, media campaigns and political attacks, no court has found him guilty of corruption.

That reality deserves emphasis because constitutional democracy is founded on evidence, not accusation.

The legal principle that every citizen remains innocent until proven guilty exists precisely to prevent political rivalry from becoming a substitute for justice.
In Aondoakaa’s case, critics have often supplied allegations.
The courts have supplied no conviction.

The Pfizer Episode

Perhaps no episode illustrates the intensity of the campaigns against Aondoakaa more than the Pfizer litigation.

At the time, the Federal Government and Kano State were pursuing legal action over the controversial Trovan drug trial conducted during the meningitis epidemic of that year.

International media reports at the time disclosed that investigators working on behalf of Pfizer allegedly sought information that could weaken Aondoakaa’s position while litigation over the controversial Trovan clinical trials was ongoing. Despite sustained media attacks, the litigation ultimately culminated in compensation for affected Nigerian families under the negotiated settlement framework, demonstrating that public campaigns and legal outcomes are not always the same thing. It is important to stress that the compensation of $175,000 to each of the affected families was made by the company directly to Kano State Government on behalf of the victims, and not through Aondoakaa or the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The outcome demonstrated that intense media attacks do not necessarily determine the merits of a legal dispute.

In 2010, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) suspended Aondoakaa’s use of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria following disciplinary proceedings. The sanction, however, was not permanent. Upon the expiration of the suspension, his rank was restored in accordance with the Committee’s processes. The episode illustrates that professional disciplinary proceedings have defined legal consequences and cannot be equated with a criminal conviction.

The episode reflected the reality that disciplinary measures within professional bodies, like judicial proceedings, are subject to established procedures rather than political passions.

The Politics of Recycling Old Allegations

As the 2027 governorship contest gathers momentum in Benue State, an unmistakable pattern has emerged.

Many of the allegations dominating political conversations today are not new discoveries.
They are old accusations, some dating back nearly two decades that have simply been dusted off and presented as though they were fresh revelations.

The Halliburton matter.
The Ibori controversy.
The P&ID arbitration.
The Sunrise Power dispute. The Pfizer litigation.
The Zaki-Biam compensation issue.
The #EndSARS allegation.
The SAN suspension. All went the same way.
Aondoakaa eventually vindicated!

Most recently came the claim that the Supreme Court had permanently barred Aondoakaa from contesting public office. That assertion quickly collapsed under legal scrutiny. In Michael K. Aondoakaa, SAN v. Emmanuel Bassey Obot & Anor (SC.939/2015, judgment delivered on 10 December 2021), the Supreme Court did not disqualify him from holding public office. Indeed, in her concurring opinion, Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC, expressly observed that “the issue of qualification for holding the office of the 2nd Respondent or any other public office does not arise.” The constitutional qualifications and disqualifications for the office of governor remain those expressly contained in Sections 177 and 182 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

In every constitutional democracy, allegations, even repeated ones, cannot substitute for proof. The criminal justice system is founded on the presumption of innocence, requiring that guilt be established by competent judicial process rather than public speculation or political propaganda.

The claim by political opponents has reinforced an increasingly familiar pattern: sensational allegations are circulated with confidence, only to lose force when subjected to careful legal examination.

Public Service Under Extraordinary Pressure

Serving as Attorney-General of the Federation during one of Nigeria’s most politically turbulent periods meant that virtually every major constitutional dispute eventually landed on Aondoakaa’s desk.

No Attorney-General can satisfy every political constituency. Many decisions inevitably create winners and losers. Some controversies surrounding Aondoakaa arose from legal positions adopted by the Federal Government.
Others stemmed from political disagreements.
Still, others reflected genuine policy disputes within government.
But political disagreement should never be confused with criminal liability.
That distinction remains fundamental.

Why the Campaign Persists

The renewed effort to resurrect decades-old allegations appears driven less by new evidence than by contemporary political calculations.

With Aondoakaa now standing as a leading contender for the Benue governorship, opponents understandably recognize that his long public experience, legal pedigree and national profile make him a formidable political competitor.

Election campaigns often encourage opponents to revisit old controversies in the hope that repetition will achieve what evidence could not.

Whether that strategy succeeds ultimately depends on the judgment of the electorate.

The Final Verdict Belongs to the People

Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa’s public life has been marked by extraordinary controversy.
It has also been marked by extraordinary endurance.
He has survived investigations.
He has survived media trials.
He has survived political campaigns.
He has survived courtroom contests.

And through it all, the central fact has remained unchanged: allegations have repeatedly been made, but criminal guilt has never been judicially established against him.

As Benue voters prepare to decide who should govern the state from 2027, they will undoubtedly assess every candidate’s record, competence, integrity and vision.

They are entitled to scrutinislze Chief Aondoakaa as rigorously as every other aspirant.

They are equally entitled to distinguish between accusation and proof, between propaganda and evidence, and between political rhetoric and legal reality.

History is replete with leaders whose careers were repeatedly declared finished by their opponents, only for the electorate to return a different verdict. Politics often rewards persistence as much as popularity. Those who survive sustained scrutiny, legal contests and orchestrated campaigns frequently emerge with greater public credibility than they possessed before the attacks began. Whether Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa ultimately joins that list will be determined not by newspaper headlines or social media narratives, but by the sovereign will of the Benue electorate on election day.

In the end, democracies are strengthened not when reputations are destroyed by repetition of allegations, but when citizens insist that facts, not rumours, guide their judgment.

That principle, more than any campaign slogan, remains the true test of democratic maturity.