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The Supreme Court has ruled that the President has the power to declare a state of emergency in any state and suspend elected officials, including governors and members of parliament, but only for a limited period. The ruling came in a six-to-one decision on a suit filed by 11 Peoples Democratic Party-led states challenging the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of elected state officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Justice Mohammed Idris, who delivered the lead majority judgment, cited Section 305 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to deploy extraordinary measures to restore normalcy in a state where emergency rule is declared. Read Also: Tinubu’s ADC Elevated to Brigadier-General Amid Criticism Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements Amid Nationwide Security Emergency ICPC Grills Former Director Over Alleged Irregular Contract Appointment at FCCPC The court held that while the President has the discretion to determine the nature of the extraordinary measures, the suspension of elected officials must be within a limited period. However, Justice Obande Ogbuinya dissented, stating that the President’s power to declare a state of emergency should not be used to suspend elected officials. The court ultimately struck out the suit for want of jurisdiction, dismissing the case filed by the 11 PDP states.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the promotion of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of brigadier-general, a development that has generated criticism and unease within sections of the Nigerian Army. The approval was conveyed in a letter dated December 12, 2025, addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahid Shaibu, and transmitted by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The promotion has attracted attention because Yusuf was only decorated as a colonel in January 2025, making the latest elevation his second promotion within a 12-month period. This unusually rapid progression has reportedly sparked discontent among some serving officers, including coursemates of the ADC, who described the development as unprecedented. A senior military officer, who spoke anonymously, expressed concern over the speed of the promotion, questioning the rationale behind advancing an officer twice in one year. Read Also: ICPC Grills Former Director Over Alleged Irregular Contract Appointment at FCCPC Neither the Presidency nor the Nigerian Army has issued an official statement explaining the accelerated promotion. However, a source within the Presidency said the decision was taken to align Yusuf’s rank with those of other senior security officials attached to the Presidential Villa. According to the source, the Nigeria Police Force recently promoted the President’s Chief Personal Security Officer, Usman Shugaba, from Deputy Commissioner of Police to Commissioner of Police, while the State Security Service elevated the President’s Chief Security Officer, Adegboyega Fasasi, to the rank of Director. These positions, the source noted, are considered equivalent to the rank of brigadier-general in the Nigerian Army. The source explained that without a corresponding promotion, Yusuf would have remained junior in rank to his counterparts within the presidential security architecture, a situation that could affect esprit de corps and operational harmony. Yusuf was appointed ADC to President Tinubu on May 1, 2023, about four weeks before the President’s inauguration. He held the rank of lieutenant-colonel at the time of his appointment. (Premium Times)

The Supreme Court has set aside the presidential pardon granted to Abuja-based housewife, Maryam Sanda, who was convicted in 2020 and sentenced to death by hanging for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute. President Bola Tinubu had earlier reduced her sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds. However, in a landmark judgment delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court—by a split decision of four to one—upheld the original death sentence affirmed by the Court of Appeal. The apex court dismissed Sanda’s appeal in its entirety, ruling that it lacked merit. Read Also: Tinubu Removes Maryam Sanda From Presidential Pardon List ICPC Grills Former Director Over Alleged Irregular Contract Appointment at FCCPC Ex-Minister Remanded in Kuje After Court Appearance In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Moore Adumein, the court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and that both the trial court and the Court of Appeal were right in convicting and sentencing her. Justice Adumein further ruled that it was improper for the Executive to grant a pardon in a case of culpable homicide while an appeal was still pending, describing such action as inconsistent with legal procedure.

Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was on Friday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before an Abuja High Court in Gwarinpa over allegations of a ₦2.2 billion contract fraud. Presiding judge, Justice Maryam Hassan, ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Monday, December 14. Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight counts levelled against him, including abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure as supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023. Read Also: Ngige Not Kidnapped, He is With EFCC, Says Media Aide ICPC Grills Former Director Over Alleged Irregular Contract Appointment at FCCPC Proposed Independent Hisbah ‘Not in Kano’s Interest’ — Professor Mai Bushira Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant to ensure his availability for trial.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the opening of its online portal for the recruitment of 50,000 Police Constables into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), following President Bola Tinubu’s approval to strengthen community policing and enhance national security. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs of the Commission, Torty Njoku Kalu, said the recruitment portal will open on Monday, 15 December 2025, and close on Sunday, 25 January 2026. Eligible Nigerians are expected to submit their applications within the six-week window. Kalu assured that the exercise will be conducted in a “transparent, merit-based and credible manner,” stressing that the application is free and no payment will be required at any stage of the process. He also warned applicants to beware of fraudsters posing as recruitment agents. According to the PSC, the recruitment covers both General Duty and Specialist cadres. For General Duty applicants, candidates must possess at least five credits in GCE O’Level, SSCE, NECO or their equivalents, including English and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings. Read Also: President Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Police Escorts From Ministers, Top Officials KAROTA Hands Over Three Trucks of Liquor to Hisbah for Destruction in Kano ICPC Grills Former Director Over Alleged Irregular Contract Appointment at FCCPC Specialist applicants must have a minimum of four credits, including English and Mathematics, alongside at least three years of relevant work experience and the appropriate Trade Test certifications. The eligibility criteria further require all applicants to be Nigerian citizens by birth. The age limits are set at 18–25 years for General Duty and 18–28 years for Specialist positions. Candidates must be medically, physically and psychologically fit. In addition, General Duty applicants must not be less than 1.67m (male)and 1.64m (female) in height. The Commission said detailed guidelines and additional requirements would be published on the official recruitment portal, as well as on the social media platforms of the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force once the portal becomes active. The PSC encouraged qualified Nigerians to apply, noting that the recruitment drive is part of the federal government’s effort to expand police manpower and strengthen security across communities nationwide.