By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, denied alleged division within the association along Northern and Southern lines, as well as the diversion of funds purportedly meant for the relief of persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria..

In a statement issued in Abuja, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN, President, called it ‘false, malicious and deeply defarmatory’ and not acceptable.

Okoh stated that the allegations are entirely false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading.

According to Okoh, “For the avoidance of doubt, CAN has neither received nor managed any such relief funds as alleged, and no funds have been diverted under any circumstance. The narrative being promoted is a fabrication, calculated to misinform the public, erode trust, and bring the Church into disrepute.

“CAN remains one united and indivisible body. There is no split, no secession, and no division within our structure. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and should be disregarded.

“CAN continues to work in unity with Christian leaders across all regions of Nigeria, with a steadfast commitment to peace, accountability, and the welfare of all believers, especially those affected by insecurity.

“We are deeply troubled that these baseless claims were publicly propagated by Rev. Isaac Omolehin, founder of Word Assembly Ministry, Ilorin, without evidence and without regard for the potential consequences on national cohesion and the unity of the Church.

“We also note, with concern, the unwarranted references to respected Christian leaders; Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, and Pastor William Kumuyi, in a manner capable of misleading the faithful and inflaming unnecessary tensions”.

The CAN President therefore warned, “Let it be unequivocally stated: CAN will not tolerate the spread of falsehoods or any attempt to malign the Church.

“Accordingly, we issue a firm and final caution to Rev. Isaac Omolehin and any other individuals or groups who misuse their platforms to disseminate unverified or defamatory claims: desist immediately. Failure to do so will compel the Association to take all necessary steps, including legal action, to protect its integrity and that of the Christian community”.

Okoh therefore urged the public, the media, and the international community to disregard these false claims and rely only on verified information from official CAN channels.

He also reiterates the CAN’s steadfast in commitment to truth, unity, accountability, and service to all Nigerians.

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s bid to secure bail suffered another frustration yesterday as a Kaduna State High Court adjourned ruling on the matter, ordering his stay in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) until early June.

The bail refusal is hinged on fears that he would tamper with on-going investigations.

Darius Khobo, the trial judge fixed the first week of June for ruling after listening to legal arguments in the case involving allegations of fraud, abuse of office and corruption.

The development comes amid an amended nine-count charge by the anti-corruption agency, which now lists El-Rufai as the sole defendant in the matter.

Following this development, the former Kaduna governor’s defence counsel, Ukpong Akpan, has criticised the court’s decision, attributing the bail refusal to speculative concerns.

In his words, “We respectfully disagree with the position of the court. The suggestion that he would interfere with investigations simply because he is a former governor is not tenable,”

Akpan however promised that his defence team would take immediate legal steps to challenge the decision, maintaining that the case reflects broader political undercurrents which cannot be separated from politics.

“From the onset, this matter has carried political undertones, but we will continue to address it strictly within the ambit of the law,” he said

As El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody until early June, the plethora of other legal battles ahead of him, many reason, is a classical case of karma at work as he ruled the FCT and Kaduna State with high handedness, deliberately stepping on toes with tyrannical pride that “the heavens would not fall.”

By Felix Umande from Makurdi

The Mbatierev clan of Gboko Local Government Area on Monday conferred the traditional chieftaincy title of Hur Or Mbatierev on Benue State governorship aspirant, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, in Makurdi, days after an initial ceremony in Gboko was allegedly disrupted by political thugs.

The conferment, organised by the Mbatierev Development Association (MDA), was relocated to Makurdi after the Saturday event in Gboko was marred by violence. Clan leaders alleged that the disruption was carried out by thugs acting on the orders of Gboko LGA Chairman, Barr. Tiseer Yina.

This marks the second such incident involving the Senior Advocate of Nigeria. A similar disruption reportedly occurred in January when Logo LGA Chairman, Hon. Clement Kav, allegedly halted an honours ceremony for Prof. Hon during Ugondo Day in Ugba.

Led by Zaki Emmanuel Tsera, who represented Tyoor Mbakwen and Tyoor Mbadam, the Mbatierev Traditional Council delegation presented the honours to Prof. Hon and offered prayers for his success.

“We Mbatierev people love you. We wanted to honour you as a mark of our support,” Zaki Tsera said. “But as it is said, stones are always thrown at a fruitful tree. The Council Chairman ordered that the ceremony should stop, claiming the security report was bad. Mbatierev people have come to give you this honour. This is the Mbatierev Traditional Council delegation.”

Chief Dr. Collins Swem, Chairman of the Planning Committee, described Monday as a significant day for the clan.

“Mbatierev sat and decided you are Hur Or u Mbatierev and your wife Ishima i Hur Or Mbatierev — meaning Friend of Mbatierev and Heart of the Friend of Mbatierev respectively,” Dr. Swem explained.

“They sent thugs to scatter the place. It was not a political event. We will award you the honours and dress you with the cultural cloth the way we would have done that day,” he added.

In his response, Prof. Hon thanked the Mbatierev people and organisers for their resilience.

“It was on Saturday. I was to go to Ushongo but wanted to attend this event. My advance team told me what transpired,” he recounted.

“Power is transient. We do die. When you have power and decide to use it to maltreat the people, it is unfortunate. I had a similar experience in Ugba, Logo LGA. Sometimes when good things are to come, bad things interfere. This is not how to use power. My parents have lived long with the Mbatierev people.”

“I will not do such when I am governor. As a Hur Or, I am one of you. We are one. This is great. This delegation comprises medical doctors, lawyers, and security chiefs. My doors are open to you,” he told the gathering.

The ceremony’s highpoint was the dressing of the governorship hopeful in full Tiv cultural attire, followed by the presentation of the original Saturday event brochure and certificate of honour.

The conferment underscores rising political tensions in parts of Benue ahead of the 2027 elections, with traditional institutions increasingly caught in the crossfire of local power tussles.