News
ACF Crisis Update: BoT Chair, Dalhatu, Suspended
The apex northern socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said it has suspended, with immediate effect, the chairman of its Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, over alleged financial misconduct and constitutional breaches.
The sealed ACF national headquarters remained firmly under police control.
Police operatives had on Tuesday sealed the ACF national headquarters located at Sokoto Road, Kaduna.
However, the Kaduna State Police Command denied the report, insisting that its officers were deployed to the ACF premises to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order between two rival factions within the organisation.
Meanwhile, the ACF said the decision suspending the Board of Trustees chairman was reached at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the forum, presided over by its chairman, Mike Osuman (SAN), with members drawn from 18 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Announcing Dalhatu’s suspension, ACF spokesperson Mohammed Baba, alongside the chairman of the Ethics and Conduct Committee, Prof. Mohammed Jamo, said the decision was based on allegations of financial misappropriation.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting held at an undisclosed venue in Kaduna, Muhammad-Baba said delegates from about 18 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory successfully convened the meeting after relocating from the ACF’s sealed headquarters to another venue in Kaduna.
He said the NEC condemned what it described as the unlawful restriction of access to its headquarters, insisting that it amounted to interference with the right to freedom of association and the organisation’s internal affairs.
According to him, the NEC maintained that there was no leadership crisis within the ACF.
The ACF spokesperson also said the meeting deliberated on the report of an Ethics and Conduct Committee set up to investigate a petition on financial management and governance practices within the forum.
Muhammad-Baba said the committee’s preliminary findings raised serious concerns requiring further investigation, particularly regarding due process and financial administration.
Based on the recommendations, the NEC passed a vote of no confidence in the BoT chairman, Dalhatu, and approved his immediate suspension pending further investigation.
He further revealed that the National Executive Committee of the forum also directed an immediate forensic audit of all financial activities of the ACF, including its Endowment Fund, with instructions to recover any funds found to have been improperly managed.
According to him, the NEC also reaffirmed its confidence in the current National Working Committee led by the forum’s chairman, Mike Mamman Osuman, SAN, and maintained the position of the secretary-general pending any constitutional review process.
The NEC also condemned the alleged police sealing-off of its headquarters, describing it as an unacceptable interference with its operations and constitutional rights.
Chairman of the ACF Ethics and Conduct Committee, Prof. Nuhu Mohammad Jamo, on his part, corroborated the explanation that the panel acted on a petition alleging financial and administrative misconduct against the BoT chairman.
Jamo recalled that the committee invited the affected official to respond to the allegations within 48 hours, but the official did not respond.
“Regrettably, most of our findings, if not all, indicate violations of the constitutional provisions of the ACF,” he said.
Earlier, before his suspension, ACF BoT chairman, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, in a statement on Wednesday, accused ACF secretary-general, Murtala Aliyu, of refusing to vacate his position after the expiration of his tenure.
Dalhatu further claimed that Aliyu’s refusal to leave was the cause of the crisis in the forum’s leadership.
According to him, “Recently, the Board of Trustees, in line with its duty of ensuring compliance with the provisions of the forum’s Constitution — ACF Constitution Section 24 — including respect for term limits and smooth leadership succession, took several steps which did not seem to have pleased some people, especially Mallam Murtala Aliyu, the secretary-general. As a result, he has devoted a great deal of time and energy to pulling down the entire ACF edifice.
“That, accordingly, these positions have, from 10 March 2026, become vacant. However, Mallam Murtala Aliyu, the Secretary-General, was allowed, at his request, to work on his handover notes and to conclude other departure formalities not later than Friday, 15 May 2026. But in a baffling twist of events, Murtala Aliyu, who, contrary to the ACF Constitution, is in his seventh year as Secretary-General, declared his rejection of all these terms of settlement. He is, interestingly, the only person among the four officials whose tenure ended who refuses to step down.”
Dalhatu, however, denied misappropriating the forum’s funds.
“There has, for instance, been no financial infraction committed whatsoever at the level of the BoT. Every single kobo collected as donations into the ACF Endowment Fund has been deposited safely in the bank; far away from the reach of the secretariat, the NEC, and, for that matter, the BoT,” he explained.
International News
Maguire: Tuchel Told Me By Video Call I Was Out And I Said I Was Very Disappointed
On “The Rest is Football” podcast, Manchester United center-back Maguire discussed how Tuchel informed him via video call that he had not been selected for the World Cup squad.
Maguire revealed: “He (Tuchel) video-called everyone. It was quite an awkward call. I first received a message asking if he could talk to me around 4 PM. It was quite a unique approach, and certainly difficult, because he could see everyone’s reactions.
“I said directly that I was really very disappointed. I felt I had done well enough to deserve to be in the squad, and I felt I could have helped the team, playing a role on and off the pitch. He said he couldn’t give me any excuses, but he chose the four players who had helped him through a difficult period last autumn.
“It was hard to accept. After being called up by him for the first time in the March training camp, I did think I would be in the squad. I performed well in both games and then returned to Manchester United, finishing the season with a very strong performance.”
Tuchel ultimately chose to take Stones, Guehi, Konsa, Quansah, and Dan Burn to the World Cup.
No Plans to Retire from England Duty
Furthermore, even with Tuchel’s contract extending to Euro 2028, Maguire is unwilling to close the door on playing for England.
He added: “I don’t think I’ll retire from England duty. I still feel I can shine. Sooner or later there will be a time and a point where I no longer deserve to be selected for England, but even then, I most likely won’t proactively step out and announce my retirement. If I can play for England one more time, it will all be worth it.”
Maguire will use the off-season to fully recover and prepare for Manchester United’s return to the Champions League in the 2026-27 season. While his England teammates face the immense pressure of a major international tournament, the experienced defender will strive to maintain his excellent club form. If he is to earn a recall to the England squad later this year, proving his endurance in the Premier League remains crucial.
Controversial actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has sparked widespread online discussion after announcing the birth of his child, a baby boy named King Kagar Omiyinka, with celebrity fashion designer and stylist, CEO Luminee.
The couple shared the joyful news on social media on Monday, accompanied by maternity photos and heartfelt messages.
Baba Ijesha expressed deep gratitude, describing his wife as his “strong Jagaban” and “Abikese de mi owo,” while Luminee called him her “one in a million” with a “pure heart.”
The announcement came roughly seven months after Baba Ijesha’s release from prison on November 14, 2025.
Many social media users have pointed to the relatively short period, questioning the exact conception timeline and pregnancy details, with some speculating it may have begun before or around his release.
Oyindamola wrote, “I have a question: are conjugal visits allowed inside prison? I’m asking because it hasn’t even been 9 months since Baba Ijesha was released from prison… just curious how this came”.
Deyola_a wrote, “Baba Ijesha just revealed that he is the father of CEO luminee’s son. Congratulations to the couple”.
She added, “You guys don’t know how crazy that thing is. As in Baba Ijesha??? wtf????”
Vampz wrote, “I love men so much; they know what they want. A man would never marry a woman who was convicted of the crimes Baba Ijesha committed. Alchemy of Shämë !!!!!!!”
Ezinne questioned the timing: “Which day did Baba Ijesha get out of prison that you’re already heavily pregnant for him? Some women are the problem. You didn’t even wait for him to wallow in the aftermath of his atrocities before you followed him? Tufia”.
Uche added, “Baba Ijesha! Baba Ijesha! Baba Ijesha went to prison for molesting a minor. He got released in November last year. Now a woman has given birth to his child.
“How did it happen? Was he allowed to knock in prison? Was he ever in prison? Why will you spread your legs open for such a person? Women will never cease to amaze me”.
This has added to the polarised responses, as the actor’s 2021 conviction for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old foster child remains fresh in public memory for many Nigerians.
Some users and celebrity platforms offered straightforward congratulations, celebrating the new addition and highlighting themes of redemption, second chances, and private family matters.
Bobrisky wrote, “Congratulations, my love”
Yomi Fabiyi wrote, “The sound of joy and congratulations. Aya wa aku ajaiye. Thank you”.
Lizzy Anjorin wrote, “Congratulations”.
Moyo Lawal wrote, “Congratulations hun. God bless your new journey”.
A significant portion of reactions expressed disbelief, scepticism about the timeline, and strong disapproval of Luminee’s decision, particularly as a mother to an older daughter.
Critics raised concerns about the message this sends, given Baba Ijesha’s conviction, with phrases like “Women Dey marry sha” and debates over forgiveness versus accountability trending.
As of now, neither Baba Ijesha nor CEO Luminee has directly addressed the backlash.
The couple appeared focused on their new bundle of joy, with the internet divided between well-wishers and vocal skeptics.
– Additional Report – The Nation
Organisers of The Headies have announced that the 18th edition of Nigeria’s premier music awards ceremony will take place in Toronto, Canada.
The announcement was made on Monday by Headies founder, Ayo Animashaun.
Although the exact date for the ceremony has yet to be unveiled, Animashaun confirmed partnership with another organisation to enhance the experience for attendees travelling from Nigeria to Canada.
Explaining the rationale behind taking the awards ceremony abroad, Animashaun stressed the need for The Headies to diversify its revenue streams in line with leading international award platforms.
“Most of the awards in the world that you see that are big, that you talk about, they have four or five sources of revenue. Here we have only one, everybody talks about sponsorship,” he said.
Drawing parallels with the Grammy Awards, he added, “They have state funding. During COVID, Grammy left Los Angeles and went to Madison Square in New York because LA was shut down.
“LA fought to bring Grammy back because it does something to their economy and it is part of their DNA. What events would you say are part of our DNA as Nigerians?”
The move signals a new direction for The Headies, which returned to Nigeria in 2024 after staging two consecutive editions in the United States.
The 15th and 16th editions of the awards were both held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Since its launch in 2006, The Headies has evolved into one of Africa’s most prestigious music award ceremonies, recognising outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.
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