An Abuja High Court has begun hearing a case seeking the removal of Executive Directors of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) over alleged violations of constitutional and statutory provisions.

The suit, marked CV/462/26, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of Patriotic Youth Organisations of Nigeria, which is asking the court to nullify the appointments and dissolve the agency’s current management board on grounds of illegality and due-process breaches.

Counsel to the claimant, Peter O. Abang, argued that the appointments did not comply with constitutional requirements and established statutory procedures guiding transparency, merit and due approval, thereby weakening public trust in the institution.

Joined as defendants are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The claimant is asking the court to determine whether the provisions of Acts enacted by the National Assembly are binding on all authorities, including the President, and whether any authority has the legal discretion to disregard aspects of the Constitution or statutory laws.

The group is also challenging whether the appointment of the Executive Directors complied with Section 17(1) of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025, which outlines the qualifications and procedures for such positions.

Specifically, it is questioning the legality of appointing individuals into the roles without strict adherence to the requirements set out in the law.

The claimant contends that the appointments of the 4th to 9th defendants breached the provisions of the Act and amounted to violations of both the Constitution and the NRS Establishment Act.

It is therefore seeking declarations that the appointments are unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void, and of no legal effect.

The suit further asks the court to nullify the appointments of Muhammad A. Lawal, Amina Ado Kurawa, Shettima Tamadi, Obinna Ihedioha, Iniabasi Akpan and Bolaji Akintola as Executive Directors of the NRS.

Additionally, the claimant is requesting an order compelling the President to withdraw the appointments and associated funding, and to ensure strict compliance with statutory provisions in future appointments.

The group is also seeking an injunction restraining the affected directors from carrying out official duties, signing documents or presenting themselves as Executive Directors pending the determination of the case.

The Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, who was abducted in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has regained his freedom after spending approximately one month in captivity.

His release reportedly followed the payment of an additional N12 million ransom by his family.

The monarch was freed on Wednesday night, two weeks after his son, Olaolu, who was also kidnapped during the attack, regained his freedom following an initial N20 million ransom payment.

A family source, speaking anonymously due to security concerns, confirmed that prolonged negotiations led to the ruler’s release.

“It is true that the monarch was released on Wednesday night after we paid N12 million and two power banks, in addition to the earlier N20 million paid,” the source said.

“He was dropped at a local herders’ settlement around Oreke in Ifelodun LGA, from where he was taken to the military base in Oreke before reuniting with his family.”

The source added that Oba Olanipekun was receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital for both physical and psychological trauma sustained during his captivity.

“He is in high spirits now. The family and the entire Afin community are grateful to everyone who ensured his safe release,” the source said.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the release of the monarch but denied knowledge of any ransom payment.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, stated that the monarch was reunited with his family following intensified joint security operations in the area.

“The ongoing operations have forced bandits to flee. We are not aware of any ransom payment,” she said, adding that the police have consistently advised families to work closely with security agencies rather than negotiating with kidnappers.

The Oniwo I of Afin, in the Ile-Ire District, was abducted on New Year’s Eve when gunmen stormed his palace, firing sporadically and taking him along with his son Olaolu.

The attack sparked outrage among residents, who called on authorities to strengthen security in rural communities, highlighting rising concerns over kidnapping and banditry in southern Kwara.

The incident is among several high-profile abductions in the state in recent months, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security measures.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has directed the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate claims of tampering with exhibits in a high-profile N10 billion fraud trial.

The order followed revelations that the court’s Registrar, Nasiru Zubairu, was approached by the second defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, to delete certain WhatsApp messages from mobile devices admitted as exhibits N and O.

Speaking in court, Justice Omotosho highlighted the importance of transparency and adherence to the court’s discovery policy.

“We have zero tolerance for actions that compromise judicial integrity.

Such matters must be disclosed immediately,” he said.

An audio recording of Zubairu’s confession was played in open court, detailing the alleged attempt to erase critical evidence in exchange for accommodation.

The Registrar admitted that Sulaiman had promised him a house if he deleted specific WhatsApp messages contained in the exhibits.

Following this disclosure, the Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, was allowed to lead EFCC operative Muhammed Audu Abubakar in investigating whether the messages had indeed been deleted.

Abubakar confirmed that multiple WhatsApp chats, spanning 2020 to 2022, were missing from exhibits N and O, identifying several gaps in critical conversations, including messages dated December 23, 2020; January 22, 26, and 30, 2021; August 30, 2021; and February 28, 2022. Key exchanges concerning N100 million transfers were reportedly deleted.

Oyedepo urged the court to conduct a full investigation into the alleged tampering, citing strong suspicion that vital evidence had been compromised.

He also requested a forensic examination of exhibit N and the revocation of the defendant’s bail.

The defense counsel, while surprised by the developments, asked the court to await the outcome of the forensic examination before taking further action.

Justice Omotosho subsequently ordered the Police and DSS to conduct thorough investigations into the matter and report back to the court.

The trial has been adjourned to February 9, 2026, for continuation.

Residents of Enugu Akpugo Autonomous Community in Nkanu West Local Government Area have staged a peaceful protest against what they described as an attempted takeover of 36.15 hectares of their ancestral land by the Nigeria Police Force, despite a court ruling in their favor.

Members of the Umuedenwoko Family Union and the Umuedenwoko Farmers Cooperative Society Limited carried placards and decried what they called a blatant disregard for the rule of law, alleging that powerful interests were attempting to override a 2023 Enugu State High Court judgment confirming their ownership of the land.

The disputed property, known as Ngeneugbugbo, was the subject of a long-standing legal battle in Suit No. HAGB/1/2011.

On June 14, 2023, Justice A.O. Anidi ruled that the land belonged to the Umuedenwoko family, declaring any state or police claims null and void.

Speaking at the site, Chief Ikechukwu Nnamoko, Chairman of the Umuedenwoko Family (Akpugo Branch), said the family was shocked to see police signposts erected on their land.

“We came to access our ancestral home, but my uncle’s house was demolished by these land grabbers,” he said, adding that the land had never been negotiated for sale or lease to anyone.

Chief Ikem Okenwa, another family member, highlighted that the land was surveyed in 1978 and a Customary Right of Occupancy obtained in 1993.

He alleged that previous attempts to seize the property involved collusion among high-ranking officials.

Reacting to the allegations, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, insisted that the Nigeria Police Force acted in accordance with proper procedures.

“The land was acquired for a secondary school. The Nigeria Police Property Development Company has notified the Commissioner of Police in Enugu of its intention to commence work, with supporting documents from the state government,” he said, dismissing claims of illegal acquisition.

The Umuedenwoko family warned that the situation threatens communal land rights nationwide.

“If this can happen to us despite winning in court, then no community land is safe,” said a family member identified as Nnaji.

Attempts to reach the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Malachy Agbo, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.