The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has announced a ban on a number of practices associated with weddings and other social gatherings, saying they are contrary to Islamic teachings and societal morals.

The ban, which takes immediate effect, covers the practice popularly known as “Na Gani In So”, a marriage introduction custom in which a suitor presents assorted gift items such as cartons of soft drinks, bottled water, biscuits, sweets and kola nuts to the prospective bride’s family as well as DJ and Wazigidi music at ceremonies.

The board also prohibited the mounting of loudspeakers and excessive sound systems on tricycles (Keke Napep), women sitting beside tricycle riders, mixed-gender gatherings for entertainment, what it described as indecent hairstyles for children and youths, excessive spending on bridal gifts (lefe), and other practices it considers contrary to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Addressing journalists at the board’s headquarters in Sokoto on Monday, the Commander of the Sokoto State Hisbah Board, Malam Usman Abdullahi Jatau, said the measures were introduced to promote morality and preserve the state’s religious and cultural values.

“We declare that these innovations (bid’ah), which are contrary to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), have negative consequences for any marriage conducted in such a manner because it departs from the teachings of the Prophet,” he said.

Jatau called on parents, intending couples and members of both families to fear Allah and avoid practices prohibited by the board.

“We call on the families of both the bride and groom, as well as parents, to fear Allah and desist from these practices,” he said.

He warned that the board would strictly enforce the directives.

“The board will carry out its responsibilities whenever these prohibited practices are taking place, especially when we are called upon to intervene,” he said.

The Hisbah commander also urged community leaders across the state to play a greater role in promoting moral values.

“We want community leaders in every ward and locality to discharge the responsibility entrusted to them by ensuring proper moral upbringing of the people under their leadership,” he said.

Describing the announcement as a final warning, Jatau urged event organisers, DJs and others involved in the banned practices to stop immediately.

“This is our final warning to everyone, especially those engaged in these activities and those who patronise them. They should fear Allah and stop before sanctions are taken against them,” he said.

He further appealed to parents and intending couples to simplify marriage arrangements, particularly bridal gifts.

“We call on parents and intending couples to simplify bridal gifts, avoid unnecessary showmanship and conduct marriages according to the Sunnah so that husbands, wives and their families can be spared debt, hardship, theft and other unlawful acts committed in the course of organising weddings,” Jatau added.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Tuesday set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court that ordered deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.

The appellate court specifically declared the judgement that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the parties “null and void”.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had ordered the electoral body to deregister the party over its performance after the 2023 general elections.

However, the political parties, including ADC, the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) sought nullification of the Federal High Court judgment.

But the appellate court, while describing the judgement “a nullity” held that “what the learned trial court did amount to judicial impertinence or what the Supreme Court called judicial insubordination.”

The three-man panel of the appellate court presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, in a unanimous decision, held that the trial court had no judicial power to hear the case initially.

The appellate noted that the trial court was wrong to have proceeded with the delivery of the judgment despite the order of the court of appeal directing a stay of proceedings which includes the delivery of the judgement.

It also noted that the 1st Respondent had no locus standi to institute the action in the first place, thereby setting aside the judgement of the trial court.

“The evidence before the court clearly shows a compliance with Section 225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended). That the judgment of the trial judge was perverse,” the appeal court said.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 55-year-old Lagos businessman, Onuigbo Chinedu, over an alleged attempt to export 3.30kg of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs destined for the United Kingdom.

The agency said Chinedu, a clothing trader at the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island, was arrested on Thursday, July 23, 2026, after NDLEA officers intercepted the cocaine shipment at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a day earlier.

According to a statement issued on Sunday(today)  the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, three cargo agents—Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim—were initially arrested for handling the consignment.

The statement said, “A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun Market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom.

“Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday, 22nd July, by NDLEA operatives. In the course of the investigation, three cargo agents: Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment, were initially arrested, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu, who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.

“Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.”

In another operation, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old entrepreneur Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo following the interception of her 2.80kg consignment of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.

“A 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, also involved in illicit drug trafficking, was arrested on Tuesday, 21st July, at her Surulere, Lagos, residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday, 20th July.

“Also at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives recovered 2.24 million pills of Tapentadol 250mg, valued at over N2.2bn on the streets, from a shipment that arrived from India aboard an Air Maroc flight.

“In another interdiction operation at the Lagos airport, a total of 2,240,000 pills of Tapentadol 250mg, worth over N2.2 billion in street value, were recovered from a shipment from India aboard an Air Maroc flight during a joint examination of the cargo on Friday, 24th July.

“The exercise was based on intelligence received and processed by NDLEA. This came on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK. The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday, 22nd July.”

At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers uncovered 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud weighing 2,388.5kg, with an estimated street value of over N7.1bn, hidden inside three vehicles in a shipping container.

“At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, a container of three vehicles used to conceal a total number of 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud weighing 2,388.5kg, worth over N7.1 billion in street value, was uncovered during a joint examination of the shipment on Monday, 20th July.

“In Katsina State, NDLEA operatives arrested 30-year-old Mustapha Sani after recovering 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition concealed on him. Another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was arrested with 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition hidden inside kegs of red oil. The NDLEA said both suspects had been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.

“A suspect, Mustapha Sani, 30, was on Wednesday, 22nd July, nabbed by NDLEA operatives on a patrol operation at Baure, Safana LGA, Katsina State, where he was found with 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition consisting of 200 pieces of 7.62mm and 123 rounds of 7.6mm, neatly concealed.

“Another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was arrested by NDLEA officers on a stop-and-search operation at Jere, along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, where he was found with 73 RLA, 7.62mm ammunition hidden in kegs of red oil. Both suspects have been handed over to the relevant security agency for further investigation,” NDLEA added.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, operatives raided a warehouse, recovering 1,286kg of cannabis and 86kg of cannabis seeds. The agency also arrested Ojore Onweze, 45, with 60kg of skunk, and George Agwumede, 30, with 13kg of the same substance.

“In Edo State, raid operations at Ilushi community, Esan South East LGA, on Sunday, 19th July, led to the seizure of 1,286kg of cannabis and 86kg of cannabis seeds from a warehouse, while Ojore Onweze, 45, was caught with 60kg of skunk and George Agwumede, 30, was nabbed with 13kg of the same substance,” NDLEA added.