By Samson Adeyanju 

The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr. Michael ‘Leke Banjo, has questioned Nigeria’s claim to secularism, noting that the Constitution contains explicit references to Sharia and Islam without a corresponding structural reference to Christianity.

The CSN Scribe raised concerns about what he described as the possibility of a long-term religious imbalance within Nigeria’s institutional structures.

Speaking during the Joint All Catholic Knights (JACKs), annual summit held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, Fr. Banjo pointed to complaints from some northern states where Christians reportedly face difficulties acquiring land to build churches or establishing chaplaincies in public institutions, while Muslim worship facilities are permitted.

Referencing a widely circulated write-up titled “The Islamization of Nigeria Is Not a Theory. It’s a Blueprint,” noted that while its conclusions may be debated, the deeper questions it raised about constitutional provisions, Sharia courts, educational policy, judicial interpretation and strategic public appointments deserved sober and factual examination.

Challenging Knights, the Canon Lawyer said the Church’s history shows that Catholic Knights emerged at moments when faith encountered political pressure, citing the example of the Knights Hospitaller, later known as the Knights of Malta, who defended Christian communities and protected pilgrims.

According to him, the major battleground in Nigeria today is institutional; in how laws are drafted, how policies are shaped, what is introduced into school curricula, and who occupies key public offices.

He urged Catholic Knights and Ladies to draw up a disciplined and realistic strategic plan to safeguard Christian presence in Nigeria and respond proactively to developments in legislation, education, public appointments, media narratives and public funding patterns.

He charged them to establish competent national and diocesan strategy units to monitor trends, analyse bills, track policy shifts, and develop position papers rather than reacting only through press statements.

“If Islamisation advances through structure, then your defence of the faith must also be structured,” he said.

Fr. Banjo urged the Knights to be strategic for 2027 and vigilant beyond, insisting that their power and influence must truly serve the common good.

By Patrick Idowu

A Federal High Court judge in Abuja, Obiora Egwuatu, has withdrawn from presiding over two cases involving Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Egwuatu announced his decision during Thursday’s court session, citing personal reasons and the interest of justice.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is prosecuting Malami on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate alleged tampering with exhibits in an ongoing N10bn fraud trial.

The order followed allegations that the court’s registrar, Nasiru Zubairu, colluded with the second defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, to delete WhatsApp messages from a mobile phone admitted as evidence.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the judge disclosed in open court that the registrar had privately confessed he was offered an inducement to interfere with the exhibits.

Justice Omotosho said the disclosure was in line with the Federal High Court’s policy on discovery and disclosure, stressing that the judiciary has zero tolerance for actions capable of undermining judicial integrity.

In court, the judge played an audio recording of Zubairu’s confession. The registrar reportedly admitted that Sulaiman promised to help him secure accommodation in exchange for deleting some WhatsApp chats from the phone tendered as exhibits.

The court also permitted the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), to lead the EFCC investigating officer, Muhammed Abubakar, to verify the claims.

Abubakar told the court that several WhatsApp conversations between 2020 and 2022 were missing, identifying gaps in chat records for multiple dates.

Following the development, Oyedepo requested a comprehensive investigation, sought the revocation of the second defendant’s bail, and asked for a forensic examination of the device.

Justice Omotosho subsequently directed the police and DSS to investigate the alleged tampering and report back to the court. The case was adjourned to February 9, 2026, for continuation of trial.