Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 22rd May, 2026

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, May 22, 2026, adjourned till June 23, 2026, the alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.

Naija News reports that the defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities to the tune of ₦8,713,923,759.49 (Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira, Forty-Nine Kobo), contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed sitting on Friday, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was slated for continuation of hearing but that the prosecution had been served with a letter seeking adjournment by the defence.

According to him, “This matter is slated today for continuation of hearing. We were served with a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court on the 20th of May, 2026 by the law firm of J.B. Daudu and Co. We wanted to oppose the application but we don’t want to stall the proceedings.”

He further urged the court to take note of the number of adjournments already sought by the defendants.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the submission of the prosecution, noting that the absence of the lead defence counsel should not ordinarily stall proceedings, especially considering the number of lawyers in his chambers.

The matter was thereafter adjourned till June 23, 2026, for continuation of the trial at the instance of the senior defence counsel.

The former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has stated that no presidential candidate can succeed without getting votes from the north.

Dalung stated this after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) commenced its primaries in Nasarawa State.

The Chairperson of the ADC State Election Committee for Nasarawa made the assertion in Lafia while monitoring the primary elections for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate positions.

He said, “You can’t win an election in Nigeria without support from the North. You cannot. The North is mainly ADC.”

He claimed that Nigeria has returned to regional politics, just as it did during the First Republic.

“We are now focusing on regional politics in Nigeria. What took place in the first republic is similar to what is happening now. So, every region has its party.

“The Igbos have taken APGA. APC, Nigerians have left it to Tinubu and his group. The PDP, Jonathan has brought it down South,” he said.

The former Interim National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, has cited a gang-up against him by internal forces as the reason for his decision to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Naija News reports that Akpanudoedehe, a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, made this known on Friday while speaking with journalists at his Ikot Okubo residence in Uyo.

The former APC chieftain said the opposition forces against him may regroup, but he is unbothered, stressing that he remains focused and prepared to challenge Governor Umo Eno in the 2027 election.

He said, “I only left APC as National Secretary when I discovered they ganged up against me. They may regroup, but I don’t care. My concern is the unemployment and underdevelopment in Akwa Ibom State.”

Akpanudoedehe also dismissed claims that he frequently contests elections only to negotiate outcomes, insisting he has participated in only the 2011 and 2023 elections.

He stated, “Selling my election chances in the past would have meant empowering my enemies, and I cannot do that.”

Akpanudoedehe urged his supporters to remain steadfast and support him in 2027, insisting that he has never held elective office and therefore could not be accused of mismanagement of public funds.

He blamed poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in Akwa Ibom State on corruption and poor governance, despite what he described as significant federal allocations to the state.

Asked about his political strength under the ADC, Akpanudoedehe said he played a key role in building APC structures in the state, which later became the ruling party.

He also dismissed claims that he was once a motor park chairman, describing the allegation as false and politically motivated.

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents of the state that his administration will continue and complete ongoing infrastructural projects despite recent political developments.