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We Are Still Detaining Dasuki, El-Zakzaky in the Interest of the Public – Malami
The immediate past Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Friday justified the continued detention of high-profile individuals despite court orders which granted them bail.
The Federal Government had in the last four years refused to obey the court orders that granted bail to the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and a former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd), both of whom were arrested in 2015.
President Muhammadu Buhari had while speaking at the 2018 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association held in Abuja, in August 2018 said the rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest.
But Malami, while being screened by the Senate as a ministerial nominee on Friday said Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) made provisions for the public interest to take preference to private interest.
He said the high-profile individuals remained in detention in public interest.
He said, “I concede as argued by the Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia South), that a Minister of Justice and Attorney General as stipulated by sections 36, 37 and 39 of the constitution, is supposed to protect the rights of any citizen from being violated even by the state, but where such rights conflict with the public interest, the latter overrides the former.
“The Office of the AGF has exclusive responsibility to uphold the public interest above personal interest of anybody.”
He explained further by citing the ruling of Supreme Court in Federal Government vs Asari Dokubo where on the grounds of public interest, the court refused him bail.
While Dasuki had been in detention at the instance of the Federal Government since December 2015 on alleged corrupt practices, El-Zakzaky and his wife had been detained by the Department of State Services since December 2015 for alleged treasonable offences.
Malami told the lawmakers that there should be deep-rooted collaboration between the executive and the legislature for bills passed by the latter to enjoy the assent of the executive.
He said, “The absence of collaboration and cooperation between the legislature and the executive accounted for high rate of bills rejection by the Presidency from the last (National) Assembly. For such not to repeat itself during the current ninth National Assembly, the culture of deep-rooted collaboration between the two arms of government has to be put in place.
“The culture of collaboration between the two arms has to be demonstrated right from the stage of conception or formulation of a bill to the level of public hearing and eventual passage.”
He pointed out that the rejection of the Petroleum Industry Bill by the President in the Eighth Assembly was because of some self-serving provisions that would empower individuals and compromise the interest of the host communities.
He said, “The public interest element of the role of the President requires that the public interest should be factored more than individual interest; that was fundamentally the reason among others it was not assented to by the President at the time it was transmitted.”
Malami, while addressing the Senate at the committee of the whole, chaired by the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan, enjoined the ninth Assembly to involve all parties to a bill from its conception till it’s transmitted to the President for assent.
Expressing his reservation about the volume of rejected bills by the executive, Lawan said it cost the nation and the legislature huge resources to pass a bill and transmit same to the President for assent.
He, however, urged senators who are joining the executive to canvass more support for presidential assent to the bills from the National Assembly.
The Punch
Disturbed by the increasing level of terrorism and banditry in the country, the Senate has declared that it will consider the amendments to the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police in the country this week.
In a statement on Monday, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, said that after it is considered by the Senate, it would then be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for further legislation.
In the statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, the Leader of the Senate explained that all stakeholders across the federation “are on the same page with the National Assembly on the establishment of State Police.”
Bamidele, who explained that the National Assembly would isolate the aspect from the ongoing constitution amendment and pass it into law due to its national exigency, also revealed that President Bola Tinubu and all the state governors were on the same page with the National Assembly on the State Police.
He added that the legislative week, which begins on Tuesday, would be a crucial one for the Senate as the issue of state police would top their agenda.
Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution says: “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force.”
Bamidele said: “Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on the issue of state police. All strata of the federation have made it clear that there cannot be a better time to establish a state police than now.
“That is where we stand. Where we are coming in is to now help translate this popular desire of the people into reality as elected representatives of the Nigerian people.
“We came to the conclusion that we are going to pass the constitutional amendment in this respect to make a provision for the State Police. If I can tell you as of today, that will come to fruition this very week because there is no need to allow any further delay
“There have been a series of meetings between the National Assembly. When I say the national assembly, I mean Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Barau I. Jibrin and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, both of whom are representing the National Assembly.
“They had been in a series of meetings with the office of Attorney-General, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu and other stakeholders in the last one week and that is why I can sit here to tell you that we’re pursuing that this week.
“It is going to be the subject we will be dealing with this week. What we have resolved to do is to isolate it with the rest of the bills that we have proposed under constitutional amendment so that we can vote on this as soon as possible.
“The bill can as well be on its way to the 36 States’ Houses of Assembly as soon as possible because you know we will need two-thirds of the state assemblies to approve it before the president can assent to it.
“The president is also with us on this proposal. I am sure he cannot wait for the bill to come to him for assent. I am sure the majority of our governors, as we know, are in support of this bill. The state assemblies are also waiting for this bill to come. We will initiate the proposal for the creation of state police within the week.”
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had disclosed that President Tinubu would receive a comprehensive report on the proposed creation of state police as consultations on the constitutional framework for its establishment approached completion.
Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has announced plans to construct a FIFA-standard stadium in Aba with a seating capacity of approximately 35,000, in what is being described as one of the most significant sports infrastructure projects in the State’s development agenda.
The proposed stadium is designed to meet international football standards, making it suitable for hosting top-tier domestic league matches, continental competitions, and other global sporting events.
The facility is expected to feature modern pitch technology, upgraded spectator stands, advanced lighting systems for night games, VIP lounges, media centres, locker rooms, and safety and security installations that align with FIFA requirements.
The project is also expected to include auxiliary facilities such as training pitches, parking spaces, and support buildings that will enhance its overall functionality as a multi-use sports complex.
According to the governor’s vision, the stadium is not just a sports project but part of a broader economic revitalisation plan for Aba.
The city, already known as a major commercial hub in South-eastern Nigeria, is expected to benefit significantly from increased sporting activities, which will drive business for hotels, transport operators, food vendors, and local entrepreneurs.
The initiative is also positioned to strengthen grassroots football development and provide a modern home ground for local teams, especially Enyimba FC, one of Nigeria’s most successful football clubs.
The project is expected to be executed through a structured development approach that may involve partnerships aimed at ensuring timely delivery and high construction standards.
When completed, the stadium is projected to elevate Abia State’s profile in national and African football circles while creating new opportunities for youth engagement, talent development, and sports tourism.
Overall, the Aba stadium plan reflects a strategic push by the state government to combine sports, infrastructure, and economic development into a single long-term growth vision for Abia State.
Suspected gunmen have abducted the sister of a former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The family of former minister and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirmed the abduction, disclosing that Mrs. Olaide John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons were kidnapped by the gunmen on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
According to a statement issued by Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, the victims were kidnapped at about 7:30am while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school.
Mrs. John-Paul, the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, reportedly retired voluntarily from her career at First Bank Pension Custodian in 2025 before relocating to Ibadan with her children.
She was said to be making arrangements to join her husband, who had earlier relocated to the US.
The family expressed deep concern over the development but stated that security agencies had already commenced efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
“We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest,” the statement partly read.
While appealing for calm, the family urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could undermine ongoing rescue operations.
“We are deeply distressed by this unfortunate incident, but remain hopeful that the victims will be rescued safely. We appeal to the public to remain calm, avoid speculation and support ongoing efforts with prayers,” the statement added.
The family also called on anyone with useful information that could aid the rescue operation to promptly share such intelligence with security agencies through the appropriate channels.
It assured that it would continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities and provide updates as investigations and rescue efforts progress.
