Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that residents of Kaduna State do not see any other option besides President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential race.

He explained that the president has significantly impacted the state “In very practical terms” by initiating “A wide range of federal infrastructure projects that directly impact” its citizens.

According to Abbas, because of these efforts, the people of Kaduna are ready to surpass the votes President Tinubu received in the state during the 2023 elections.

He made these remarks during President Tinubu’s visit to Kaduna on Thursday to commission several projects carried out under Governor Uba Sani’s administration.

Among the projects inaugurated were the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun, Soba, and Samaru-Kataf; a 300-bed hospital in Kaduna Millennium City; the 24km Kafanchan Township Road; the Tudun Biri Road; the 22km Kauru-Pambegua Road connecting Kauru and Kubau LGAs; a Vocational and Skills Training Centre in Tudun Biri; and the deployment of 100 Compressed Natural Gas buses.

Abbas noted that Kaduna remains central to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and said Tinubu’s visit “Reflects a leadership that engages directly, listens attentively, and responds with action.”

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas was quoted as saying, “Kaduna has no reason to vote for anyone else in 2027. My belief is strengthened by your administration’s commitment to Kaduna in very practical terms. You have initiated a wide range of federal infrastructure projects that directly impact the state of Kaduna.

“Mr President, Kaduna has long been at the centre of Nigeria’s national conversation, politically, economically, and historically. In the 2023 presidential election, the APC received about 30 per cent of the valid votes cast in the State. While that outcome is significant, it leaves room for growth.

“Therefore, on behalf of our governor, our party, and our communities, I assure you that Kaduna is determined to do more. Our goal is to double that margin and secure at least 60 per cent of the vote in 2027. This is not merely a political ambition; it is a coordinated objective backed by a united political structure and a population that believes in your leadership.”

He also praised the president for initiating the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Federal Highway reconstruction, noting it “Was flagged off by Your Excellency in April and reinforced by substantial budgetary approval from the Federal Executive Council.”

He described the $2.8bn Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project, which had reached 72% completion by Q1 2025, as another milestone.

He added, “We also acknowledge with deep gratitude your vow to complete the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway project, which will further reinforce Kaduna’s role as a transport hub.

“Other significant projects under your administration include the recent establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan and the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia. For the people of Southern Kaduna, these developments are not merely about access to health and education; they are, more importantly, about federal presence, institutional recognition, and long-overdue inclusion.”

Abbas said Zaria has also benefited under the current administration, stating, “We have also seen measurable progress, made possible by your support and federal backing. Through consistent legislative engagement and collaboration with your administration, we have secured significant federal investment in institutions of higher learning.

“These include the upgrade of the Federal College of Education, Zaria, into the Federal University of Education. Support has also been strengthened for the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

“Federal funding secured under your administration is helping to expand their infrastructure, modernise their facilities, and increase their capacity to serve Nigeria more effectively.

“Mr President, these are not abstract achievements. They are deliberate outcomes made possible through political will, budgetary support, and executive collaboration,” he added.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Rebecca Godwin-Isaac Omokamo, a real estate developer also known as Bilikisu Ishaku-Aliyu, on allegations involving N500 million land fraud and money laundering.

Omokamo appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on two separate charges based on a petition submitted by 79-year-old widow Colleen Yesufu, whose lands were among the ones allegedly acquired through fraudulent means.

In the first suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/77/2025, Omokamo was arraigned along with her husband, Isaac Yusuf-Ishaku, and their company, Homadil Realty Limited, on five counts.

In the second suit, with charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/76/2025, she appeared alongside Idakwogi John and Rychardo Homes Ltd on a 17-count charge.

The EFCC alleged that between 2023 and 2024, the accused persons collected more than N500 million from various victims under false pretences and laundered the funds through several company accounts.

According to the EFCC, they used forged documents, including a falsified power of attorney, to claim ownership of Plot 4022 in Guzape district, Abuja.

Omokamo reportedly used the forged papers to secure a building permit from the development control department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and sold the property for N70 million.

The accused were also alleged to have falsely claimed ownership of plots 1861, 1862, and 1863 in cadastral zone B07, Katampe district, Abuja, through which they allegedly defrauded several buyers.

The EFCC claimed the defendants conspired to illegally acquire and sell the properties, including the ones belonging to Colleen Yesufu.

Their conduct, according to the EFCC, violated section 8(a) and is punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following submissions by defence lawyers Christopher Oshomegie and M.A. Ebutu, the judge granted each defendant bail of N10 million, with two sureties in the same amount.

The sureties are required to be civil servants of at least grade level 16, show proof of their last three salary payments, own land equivalent to the bail value, and swear an affidavit of means.

The judge also directed the defendants to surrender their international passports and prohibited them from leaving the country without court approval.

They are to remain in prison custody until they meet their bail terms.

The cases were adjourned to July 21 and 22 for trial. The EFCC stated it plans to call 13 witnesses.

A Federal High Court in Lagos State has sentenced Olukeye Adeayo Olalekan to 76 years in prison after finding him guilty of offences including child pornography, cyberstalking, money laundering, and fraud.

Justice Alexander Owoeye delivered the verdict on Thursday after convicting Olalekan on all charges.

He was arraigned on 18 counts involving the “distribution and procurement of child pornography”, “cyberstalking”, “retention and concealment of fraudulent funds”, and “obtaining property under false pretences”, as filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Prosecuting counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala stated that the offences violated Sections 23(1)(c) and 23(1)(f), punishable under Section 23(1), 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015, as well as Sections relating to “retention of proceeds of fraud” and punishable under relevant parts of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Olalekan had initially entered a not guilty plea on September 6, 2023, before Justice Y.G. Ringim.

The matter was later reassigned and heard afresh before Justice Kehinde Ogundare, and again before Justice Owoeye.

During the trial, the EFCC called five witnesses, including two investigators whose evidence was central to the conviction.

Buhari revealed that the British Columbia Serious Crime Unit had begun investigating the murder of 14-year-old Robin Janjus, who was discovered dead at home.

“Digital forensics on the victim’s phone led authorities to social media accounts operated by the convict.”

“An undercover operation was subsequently launched, revealing that the convict had posed as a female from North Carolina.”

“Through platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram, he solicited and obtained property under false pretences, threatened to transmit nude images of minors, and engaged in multiple fraudulent transactions involving gift cards and cryptocurrency,” she added.

Justice Owoeye ruled Olalekan guilty on all charges and sentenced him to a cumulative total of 76 years in prison.