News

“El-Rufai’s detention is persecution” – Ex-minister backs former Kaduna governor

Published

2 months ago

April 22, 2026

Preport

Barr. Solomon Dalung, former minister of youth and sports development, has described the continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as persecution.

Dalung, a Plateau-born politician, said the situation of the former Kaduna state governor reflects selective justice rather than due process.

“Mallam El-Rufai’s continued detention is no more a case of prosecution but rather persecution and selective justice,” he said.

He, however, declared support for El-Rufai, who is also his fellow politician at the African Democratic Congress (ADC)

“I stand with El-Rufai,” he added.

El-Rufai is standing trial on corruption charges, which stemmed from his activities as Kaduna State governor between May 2015 and May 2023.

On 13 April, the ICPC arraigned him on nine amended corruption charges. He denied all charges.

In his ruling delivered on 14 April, Judge Rilwanu Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna granted the former governor bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties, among other conditions.

El-Rufai, who has described his arrest, detention and prosecution as political persecution, faces nine corruption charges before the Kaduna State High Court. He faces 10 other charges at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. He has denied all charges at both courts.

News

Bukayo Saka Parries Concern Over His Injury Status, After Missing England’s 4-2 Victory Versus Croatia

Published

17 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Preport

Arsenal star, Bukayo Saka has parried worries over his injury status and insists he is ready to play for England at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, where he sat out his team’s opening match on Wednesday, Sports247 reports.

England dumped Croatia 4-2 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas in their Group L opener, but Saka was not part of The Three Lions’ squad that got deserved revenge for their loss to the same country in the Russia 2018 semi-finals.

The Gunners’ winger was always a major worry ahead of Wednesday’s game, as he is still recovering from a nagging achilles injury that he picked up earlier this season with his club.

However, Saka said he is feeling better and ready to play the next game, as he is eager to defy all odds, but admitted that it all depends on The Lions’ coach, Thomas Tuchel, who decides the squad’s line-up.

“I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager. But what I would say between Mikel (Arteta) and Arsenal, since March, they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch.

“I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go. As players it’s the biggest gamble, especially if you’re not feeling your sharpest. You have the choice whether you don’t play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you.

“I’m happy to take the gamble. It (often pays) off, I’d say. I’m going to continue doing that. But I am feeling a lot better than I did in March and I’m ready to go,” Saka submitted philosophically.

Sports247 reports further that it’s now left to be seen if Tuchel will consider Saka fit enough to start against Ghana next week in England’s second game of the ongoing Mundial in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Business

Insider Dealing: Mutual Benefits Director, Ogunbiyi Sells Shares Worth Over ₦6.3 Million

Published

1 hour ago

June 18, 2026

Preport

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc has disclosed an insider transaction involving one of its directors, Dr. Akinade Ogunbiyi, who sold more than 1.5 million shares in the insurance company in a deal valued at over ₦6.3 million.

The disclosure, signed by Jide Ibitayo, Company Secretary, filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and the investing public, showed that Ogunbiyi, a Non-Executive Director of the company, disposed of 1,507,309 ordinary shares of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc between June 3 and June 9, 2026.

According to the notification, the shares were sold at prices ranging from ₦4.20 to ₦4.33 per share, placing the total value of the transaction at between ₦6.33 million and ₦6.53 million.

The transaction was reported as an initial notification of insider dealing in line with regulatory requirements that mandate directors and other insiders of listed companies to disclose transactions involving the securities of their companies.

Mutual Benefits Assurance identified the financial instrument involved in the transaction as its ordinary shares, traded on the Nigerian Exchange under the ticker symbol “MBENEFIT.”
Insider dealing notifications are a key component of market transparency and corporate governance, providing investors with information on share transactions undertaken by directors, executives, and other individuals with access to potentially price-sensitive information.

While insider transactions often attract investor attention, market analysts note that such dealings do not necessarily indicate changes in a company’s outlook, as they may be influenced by personal investment decisions, portfolio rebalancing, or other financial considerations.

The disclosed transaction took place in Lagos, Nigeria, and was executed over a seven-day period between June 3 and June 9, 2026.

Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc remains one of the companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange that regularly complies with insider dealing disclosure requirements, reinforcing transparency in the capital market.

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