Headlines
Dasuki: Panel to Begin Hearing on Alleged Misconduct against Ex-AGF, Malami
The Disciplinary Panel of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee is to open hearing on an allegation of professional misconduct filed against the immediate-past attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The hearing is scheduled to begin on June 14.
In an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, Malami told The PUNCH that he was aware of the panel’s scheduled hearing.
“I’m aware,” he said but did not respond to further inquiry about whether he had filed his defence and if he would be attending the hearing scheduled for Friday.
The LPPC panel’s hearing notice which was obtained by PRNigeria, an online news portal, was signed by the Secretary, the Disciplinary Committee of the Legal Practitioners’ Privilege Committee, Patricia Orhomuru.
The hearing notice was quoted to bear a reference No: PET/LPPC/23/2018 and dated May 16, 2019.
It read in part, “Take notice that the above matter is fixed for hearing by the Disciplinary Committee of the Legal Practitioner Privileged Committee of the Office of Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja on June 14, 2019 at 11.00 o’clock in the forenoon.”
The family of the detained former national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), had petitioned the LPDC, the Nigerian Bar Association and other bodies requesting that disciplinary action be taken against Malami for allegedly endorsing Dasuki’s continued detention.
The petition was in reaction to Malami’s last year media comment suggesting that Dasuki, despite meeting the latest bail granted him by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 2, 2018, would not be released from the custody of the Department of State Service on the grounds of national security.
Copies of the petition were sent to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (the body that confers on, suspends and withdraws from lawyers the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria), and the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (the body saddled with disciplining lawyers for acts of misconduct).
The petitioners want Malami to be disciplined not just as a lawyer but also as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The petitions, dated July 23, 2018, were signed by Dasuki’s son, Abubakar Dasuki; the detainee’s wife, Hajia Bintu Sambo-Dasuki, and his nephew, Senator Umaru Dahiru.
The petition read in part, “This petition has been written in order for you to also investigate the propriety of the inflammatory contemptuous and libelous statement made by Abubakar Malami, not only as a lawyer, but also as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Attorney-General of the Federation.
“One begins to wonder whether Abubakar Malami (SAN) is fit to be a barrister and solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, let alone a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Attorney-General of the Federation. While the whole world watches as our rule of law is being trodden upon, we are hopeful the imminent catastrophe can be avoided by your intervention.”
The petition has two titles, one of which accused Malami of making “unsalutary unprofessional statement” in respect of Dasuki’s bail.
It also accused him of denigrating the court, violating the Constitution and encouraging the continued breach of the fundamental human rights of Dasuki.
The second title states that the Federal Government of Nigeria had resolved “not to comply with any order of court admitting Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) to bail.”
The petition sought investigations into the statements credited to Malami.
The Punch
Veteran journalist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Dele Momodu, has declared that a joint presidential ticket between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi represents the strongest strategy for the opposition to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Momodu said the emerging ADC coalition is gaining momentum as a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he accused of promoting “one-man rule” and weakening democratic institutions.
Momodu argued that an Atiku–Obi ticket offers both experience and electoral appeal, noting that both politicians already command significant national followings from previous elections. He recalled their collaboration in 2019, adding that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election provides a ready base of supporters that can be consolidated.
According to him, the coalition is further strengthened by the involvement of political heavyweights such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rotimi Amaechi, making it a formidable opposition alliance.
“The candidates who placed second, third, and even fourth are aligning. That naturally builds a strong challenge,” Momodu said, suggesting that this development could unsettle the APC ahead of 2027.
He also accused the Tinubu administration of centralising power and undermining democratic processes, claiming that key institutions—including the legislature and electoral system—are increasingly influenced by the executive arm of government. He warned that such a trend poses risks to Nigeria’s democracy.
Momodu further alleged that opposition parties face systemic obstacles, including difficulties in accessing venues, legal pressures, and institutional interference. He argued that these challenges have made opposition unity not just strategic, but necessary.
Dismissing concerns about possible cracks within the ADC coalition, Momodu described such fears as speculative, insisting that current political realities have effectively forced major opposition figures to work together.
The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.
Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.
The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.
It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.
The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.
Headlines
Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention
Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.
First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.
The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.
The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.
Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.
According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.
The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.
The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.
INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.
Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Guardian
