The Kano division of the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, has reserved its judgment in five separate appeals challenging two rulings of the Federal High Court in Kano, which invalidated the composition of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

A three-man panel of justices, led by Justice Georgewill Ekanem, announced on Tuesday that it would communicate the judgment date to all involved parties after hearing arguments in the appeals.

Among the appeals is CA/KN/20/2025 filed by KANSIEC, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four others listed as respondents.

Others include CA/KN/233/2024 brought by the Kano State House of Assembly and another party against Honourable Aminu Aliyu Tiga and 14 others.

Also before the appellate court are CA/KN/290/2024, filed by the Attorney General of Kano State and six others against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and three others; and CA/KN/291/2024, brought by KANSIEC and eight others against the Kano State House of Assembly and six other respondents.

The appeals are against judgments delivered on October 22 and 24, 2024, by Justice Simon Ameboda of the Federal High Court in Kano.

In his October 22 ruling, Justice Ameboda halted the conduct of local government elections that were scheduled for October 26, 2024.

He nullified the composition of KANSIEC on the grounds that its members were unqualified due to their political affiliations.

The suit had been filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the APC, challenging the legality of the appointments.

Justice Ameboda found that the KANSIEC chairman, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, along with commissioners Muktar Garba Dandago, Isyaku Ibrahim Kunya, Kabiru Jibrin Zakirai, and Amina Inuwa Fagge, were all members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), which contravenes sections 197(1)(b) and 200(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 4 of the KANSIEC Law 2001.

The court further ruled that the secretary of the commission, Anas Muhammad Mustapha, was ineligible for his role as he was not a serving civil servant of director-level status in Kano State, as required under Section 14 of the KANSIEC Law 2001.

Justice Ameboda consequently declared the commission’s entire composition unlawful and ordered their immediate removal from office.

He also voided all actions taken by KANSIEC in preparation for the 2024 local government elections, including issuing guidelines, screening candidates, and selling nomination forms.

Furthermore, the judge instructed INEC to withdraw any election materials already provided to KANSIEC and to refrain from supplying any further materials until a properly constituted electoral body is in place.

He also directed the Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC not to participate in or monitor the elections until KANSIEC is reconstituted in accordance with the relevant constitutional and legal provisions.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Friday Onu, a man who was captured in a viral video assaulting a female driver, Mrs. Yetunde Amole, in what appears to be an attempt to steal her car battery along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

In a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, it was revealed that the incident occurred on Monday, April 7, 2025, near the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

Onu was reportedly caught attempting to steal the car battery from Amole’s vehicle when she confronted him, leading to a physical altercation.

The incident was recorded and widely shared on social media, sparking outrage.

Hundeyin confirmed that the Lagos State Police Command had taken notice of the video showing the assault of Yetunde Amole by a suspected criminal near the Oriental Hotel area.

“The Command condemns this act in the strongest terms and wishes to update the public on the actions already taken,” he said, adding that operatives from the Maroko Division responded promptly and arrested Onu shortly after the incident.

However, the arraignment of the suspect was delayed when Onu reportedly fell ill while in custody.

“He has since been transferred to Falomo Police Hospital for medical care and is under close police supervision,” Hundeyin noted.

The spokesperson reassured the public that justice would be pursued, stating that Onu would be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction once he is deemed fit to stand trial by police medical professionals.

“The Lagos State Police Command assures the public that justice will be served. The suspect will be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction as soon as police medical professionals declare him fit to stand trial,” Hundeyin added.

He also reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents, encouraging continued cooperation with law enforcement.

“We also commend Ms. Amole for her bravery and assure her and all victims of crime that their cases will be thoroughly pursued to ensure justice is served in all cases,” Hundeyin concluded.

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore led a protest on Wednesday at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (FHQ) in Abuja, calling for the immediate removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.

The protesters accuse Egbetokun of illegally holding the office following his mandatory retirement in September 2024.

Carrying large banners featuring an altered image of Egbetokun—depicted wearing President Tinubu’s signature cap with his face crossed out in red—the protesters chanted solidarity songs as they rallied in front of the Police Headquarters.

They condemned Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, arguing that it violated the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that public servants retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age, whichever comes first.

Speaking to journalists, Sowore, who was a former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), emphasized the irony of Egbetokun’s actions.

He pointed out that while Egbetokun had overseen the retirement of Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in recent months, he had refused to step down himself.

“One retired officer is in jail for impersonating a police officer, while Egbetokun continues in office after retirement. This is unjust and unacceptable,” Sowore declared.

The protesters also cited a September 2024 statement from the Attorney General, which confirmed that Egbetokun’s tenure had legally ended and questioned why President Bola Tinubu had allowed him to remain in office.

“Even Tinubu has no authority to override the Constitution,” Sowore asserted.

“If he loves Egbetokun so much, he can appoint him as manager of the NURTW (National Union of Road Transport Workers) after retirement. But no retired officer should wear the police uniform.”

Sowore also linked Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation to Egbetokun’s leadership.

He cited last week’s tragic killings in Plateau State, where about 60 people were killed within 48 hours before police mobilized tactical units.

“What happened to intelligence gathering? Is the police only effective when tracking critics on social media?” Sowore asked, accusing the IGP of leading a reactive rather than proactive force.

He also noted that the extension of Egbetokun’s tenure had demoralized rank-and-file officers and stifled career progression for younger personnel.

“How can ASPs dream of becoming IGP if the position is held hostage?” Sowore remarked.

The activist demanded that Egbetokun vacate the office immediately and refund all salaries he had received since September 4, 2024, his official retirement date.

The protesters also rejected tenure extensions for other public officials, including the Comptroller-General of Immigration.

“No one should overstay, not even for a day,” Sowore insisted. “After removal, he must return every kobo earned illegally,” he added.

In 2024, the National Assembly amended the Police Act to extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police beyond the retirement age.

Before this amendment, Section 18(8) of the Police Act stipulated that police officers must retire upon reaching 60 years of age or after 35 years of service, whichever comes first.

However, Section 7(6) of the Act provided that the IGP serves a four-year term.

This meant that an IGP appointed close to retirement age would serve less than a full four-year term.

In July 2024, the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill, which introduced a new subsection, 18(8A): “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”

The amendment allows Egbetokun, appointed in June 2023, to complete his full four-year term, despite reaching the age of 60 in September 2024, unless he is removed or resigns voluntarily.

While federal lawmakers argue that the amendment is necessary to ensure continuity of leadership, it has sparked significant debate.

Some stakeholders have expressed concerns that extending the IGP’s tenure beyond the traditional retirement age could lead to stagnation within the police force and potentially affect internal security dynamics.

Sowore has challenged the legality of Egbetokun’s extended tenure, asserting that the IGP should have retired in September 2024 when he turned 60.

The Lagos State Government has directed protesters planning to demonstrate today to limit their activities to two locations approved by the court.

While acknowledging the right to protest, the government emphasized that it must be done legally and without disturbing others.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by Grace Alo, a spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

“While the State Government acknowledges the fundamental rights of citizens to association and assembly to convene public protest, it also has the obligation to protect other citizens’ fundamental rights not to be disturbed by the protest,” Alo said.

“Therefore, it is crucial to emphasize that the exercise of these fundamental rights by the protesters must be conducted within the bounds of the law and with due regard for public safety and order.”

She reminded the public about a Lagos High Court ruling issued on January 30, 2025, which applies particularly to the Take it Back Movement, the group behind the planned protest.

The court ruling restricted protests in Lagos State to two designated locations: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu.

The court had ruled that any protest or protester outside these approved locations would be held liable for any damage or loss of property that occurs during the protest.

The Lagos State Government urged all protest organizers and participants to comply with the court’s ruling, ensuring that any planned demonstrations are peaceful and orderly within the designated areas.

It also advised organizers to inform the Nigeria Police Force in advance so that security can be provided at the designated locations.