Evening recap: Court didn’t nullify Atiku’s candidacy, Maina’s son to begin jail term, other top stories

By TheNigerian On Nov 12, 2026 79 0

From an ADC lawyer’s defence of Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential candidacy to a court order directing Faisal Maina’s son to begin his prison term, political and legal developments feature prominently in this evening’s roundup.

Also making the headlines are the University of Nigeria, Nsukka’s confirmation that four students died after an off-campus gathering, details of the incident that claimed their lives, and a separate court judgment that has intensified the ADC’s leadership crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Here’s your complete evening roundup of trending stories:

1. Court didn’t nullify Atiku’s candidacy, ADC lawyer insists

An ADC lawyer, Kalu Kalu, has insisted that the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the Mark-led leadership did not invalidate Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Channels Television, Kalu said, “There is no portion of that judgment that voids the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar and the other candidates of the party.”

He argued that the court did not expressly cancel Atiku’s nomination, despite declaring the actions of the Mark-led National Working Committee null and void.

2. Court orders Maina’s son to begin seven-year jail term

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Faisal Maina, son of former Pension Reform Task Team chairman Abdulrasheed Maina, to begin serving his prison sentence for money laundering and failure to fully disclose his assets.

Justice James Omotosho issued a committal warrant after granting an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Faisal is to serve three years on counts one and three and seven years on count two, with the sentences running concurrently from October 14, 2026, when he was rearrested.

3. Four die after party at UNN off-campus lodge

READ ALSO:

The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students, UNN chapter, dismissed reports that seven Pharmacy students were among the victims, saying, “There is no confirmed report of any pharmacy student being among the victims of the incident.”

The association’s president said he visited the hospital where the four bodies were deposited and did not recognise any of them as Pharmacy students. A student also confirmed the incident, saying, “Some persons are still conscious, and they are in the hospital.”

4. UNN confirms four students dead after off-campus party

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has confirmed that four of its students died after attending an off-campus gathering in the university community and announced three days of mourning in their honour.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, disclosed this in a statement posted on the university’s Facebook page on Thursday, adding that six other students who attended the gathering were receiving treatment at different hospitals.

Ortuanya described the incident as “a death too many” and said, “Within these three days, all social and academic activities will be suspended in the University.”

5. 2027: Court judgment worsens Atiku’s troubles

The Federal High Court judgment nullifying the emergence of the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress has further complicated the party’s leadership crisis and raised questions about its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The court declared actions taken by the Mark-led committee, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate, null and void.

However, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi rejected the ruling, saying, “The High Court Judge erred in his ruling,” and disclosed that the party would appeal.