The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced plans to deploy 45,000 officers across Anambra State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for 8 November 2025, as security agencies intensify measures to ensure a peaceful poll.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, made the disclosure during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting, chaired by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, and co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, included senior officials from security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies. Ribadu was represented by Hassan Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the NSA’s office.

Egbetokun, represented by CP Abayomi Shogunle, head of the Elections Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation unit, said:

“The Nigeria Police Force is deploying 45,000 officers from across the federation to ensure a peaceful election in Anambra State. Only federal security agencies under ICCES will participate. State vigilante groups or other agencies will not be allowed to play any role.”

Shogunle also outlined pre-election security operations, including tactical deployments and restrictions on movement.

He said from 1 November, tactical units would begin clearance operations to disarm and arrest disruptive elements, while all entry and exit points into Anambra State will be closely monitored on election day.

Representing the government’s commitment, Abdullahi stated:

“Robust security measures, enhanced surveillance, and improved intelligence gathering have been put in place to prevent any attempts by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.”

Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, DG of the National Youth Service Corps, assured the protection of corps members supporting the election, pledging to be personally on the ground before, during, and after the polls.

Earlier, INEC Chairman Prof. Amupitan emphasised that the commission is fully prepared for the election and remains committed to a smooth, credible electoral process.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the arraignment of Senator Andy Uba and his co-defendants in the alleged N400 million fraud case to November 6.

The proceedings, initially scheduled for Uba and Benjamin Etu to enter their plea, could not hold due to the absence of Justice Mohammed Umar, who was reportedly attending to matters in another division.

Justice Umar has now rescheduled the arraignment for November 6.

The judge had previously warned on September 24 that a bench warrant could be issued if Uba failed to appear on October 28.

During the hearing, the prosecution, led by I-G’s counsel Aminu Abdullahi, expressed frustration over Uba’s repeated absences, noting that the ex-lawmaker has not appeared in court since the charge was filed in 2024.

Abdullahi argued that Uba’s absence amounted to disrespect for the court and had stalled the trial.

Uba’s lawyer, C.F. Odiniru, cited his client’s ill-health and requested additional time for him to appear in court.

The charges stem from allegations that Uba, Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (currently at large) conspired in 2022 to defraud Mr. George Uboh of N400 million.

The prosecution claims they misrepresented their ability to secure the appointment of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The offences are cited under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The prosecution plans to call six witnesses in the case.

The ongoing corruption trial involving the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife Dr. Hafsat Umar Ganduje, and six others, suffered another setback on Monday at the Kano State High Court.

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) had filed an 11-count charge against the defendants over alleged bribery, conspiracy, and diversion of public funds amounting to several billions of naira.

Those standing trial alongside the former Kano State governor and his wife include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

The case, which was scheduled for the prosecution to open with witness testimony, was stalled after the defendants’ counsel declared their unpreparedness to proceed.

Earlier, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), lead counsel to the state government, informed Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu that the prosecution was ready to present its witnesses, who were already seated in court.

However, defence counsel Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, representing Ganduje, his wife, and son, objected to the commencement of the hearing, claiming that her clients were not properly served with the notice of hearing.

She subsequently filed a motion on notice urging the court to stay proceedings, arguing that the matter was already before the Court of Appeal.

Similarly, other defence lawyers, Chief M. N. Duru (SAN) for the 3rd defendant, Sunusi Musa (SAN) for the 5th, Abubakar Ahmad for the 6th, and Abdulrazaq A. Ahmed for the 8th, informed the court of their pending applications for stay of proceedings and preliminary objections.

They all maintained that the trial could not proceed until those motions were heard.

In response, prosecution counsel Adedipe urged the court to dismiss the applications, accusing the defence of deliberate delay tactics meant to frustrate the trial.

He appealed to the court to allow the case to proceed concurrently with the pending motions, suggesting that rulings on the motions could be deferred until the substantive matter concluded.

Justice Aliyu, however, disagreed, ruling that all preliminary objections must be resolved before the substantive trial could commence.

She also dismissed the defence’s request for a stay of execution, stating that the court lacked grounds to halt proceedings in the absence of a direct order of reference.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case to November 26, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has pledged to prioritise the reduction of pre-election litigations as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan, who recently assumed office as INEC’s sixth substantive chairman following his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu, said cutting down the volume of electoral disputes would be one of his administration’s major goals.

Speaking on Monday at the 56th Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT), held at the University of Abuja, Amupitan disclosed that over 1,000 pre-election cases were filed before the 2023 elections, a situation he described as unhealthy for the political and judicial systems.

He emphasised that stronger internal party democracy, adherence to electoral laws, and early dispute resolution mechanisms were key to preventing such litigations.

“If political parties follow their constitutions, comply with the Electoral Act, and uphold the Nigerian Constitution, pre-election litigations will drastically reduce,” Amupitan stated.

“My desire is that if we get the law right, even losers will congratulate winners. The law should be used as a tool for change, not conflict.”

The INEC boss urged the National Assembly to strengthen the country’s electoral legal framework to promote fairness and transparency in future polls.

He noted that while fewer pre-election cases might not please some legal practitioners, the reform would enhance the credibility of elections and reinforce public trust in the democratic process.

Amupitan described his tenure’s legal reform agenda as a step toward ensuring that elections reflect “the genuine will of the people.”

The conference, themed “Law, National Development and Economic Sustainability in a Globalised World,” brought together law teachers, jurists, policymakers, and students from across the country.

Amupitan, who attended the event with his wife, Prof. Yemisi Amupitan, commended the association for its role in promoting legal scholarship and mentoring young academics.

“This is a gathering of brilliant minds. I urge young law lecturers to uphold integrity and professionalism because the future of justice, democracy, and the rule of law depends on them,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. John Akintayo, President of NALT and Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, stressed that effective legal frameworks were essential for inclusive growth and national stability.

He noted that in a globalised world, aligning domestic laws with international best practices while protecting national interests was vital for sustainable development.

“The law must not merely react to change but anticipate and shape it, ensuring development anchored on justice, equity, and the rule of law,” Akintayo said.

Conference Chairman and Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, revealed that plenary sessions at the event would explore topics such as agriculture and food security, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and legal reforms.