Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The Federal Government on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and dualisation of the 401-kilometre Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora federal highway in Niger, at the cost of N1.8 trillion.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, explained that the project would be executed through the Dangote tax credit scheme using reinforced concrete pavement.

The the project will involve the construction of a dual carriageway in partnership with the Dangote Group.

Umahi said the project was qualified to become the fifth legacy project of President Bola Tinubu, considering its size and the commitment of the President to complete the road.

The minister appreciated President Tinubu for being intentional in the total development of all the states.

‘In this North Central alone the President is constructing both new and ongoing projects of a total of 5,500 kilometres; Niger alone is having 1,055 kilometres.

‘In North Central alone, all the projects that we have completed are a total of 162 kilometres and 150 metres in length of bridges.

‘I assure you with your support for the second coming of the president, all these roads will be completed,’ Umahi said.

According to him, the President has added 400 km to the initially approved 750 km of Lagos-Calabar coastal highway to connect the east-west roads that have been affected by climate change.

He further stated that there was an addition of 410 km to the Akwanga-Jos-Bsuchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri road.

‘So there is no change in any of the alignment; what the President is doing is addition,’ he said.

Also speaking, Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger, commended the President for taking a bold step in fixing road infrastructure across the country to facilitate socio-economic growth and development.

In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said that the reforms of President Tinubu were bearing fruit.

He said the massive infrastructure taking place in the country was unprecedented.

‘This is indeed an expansion and the beginning of the activation of the economic activity of the people of the state,’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Dangote Group, Mr Mansur Ahmed, said the road was very central to the economy of the country.

‘We assure you that by the time this road is completed, this corridor will be one of the most economically active corridors in Nigeria.

‘And it will be one that will create opportunities for businesses and young people to get jobs. It will open up the agricultural sector for food distribution across regions.’

In their goodwill messages, Sen. Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, and Rep. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House Committee on Works, commended the Federal Government’s efforts towards improving road infrastructure across the country.

They said that the National Assembly would continue to provide the needed legislative support that would ensure successful execution of projects across the country.

Mr Yiltong David, Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, said the project represents a significant investment in strengthening economic linkage.

According to him, the project will connect farmers to markets, businesses to customers, and communities to broader commercial opportunities.

‘On completion of this road, it is expected that it will improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods.

Also speaking, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, described the road project as gigantic, commending the Federal Government for approving it.

He noted that the project would greatly improve economic activities and reduce travel time.

Some of the community members who spoke with NAN thanked the Federal Government for the road, saying it was going to bring rapid development to their communities.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

A senior operative of Department of State Services (DSS) identified as Segun Kayode has told a Kaduna State High Court that $600,000 was allegedly set aside to stop investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into companies linked to former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Kayode, made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying in the corruption trial of the former governor before Justice Darius Khobo.

The witness who was described as a digital forensics examiner, told the court that $500,000 was allegedly earmarked for EFCC officials, while another $100,000 was intended for an intermediary to facilitate the termination of the investigations.

The DSS operative said this was discovered from audio recordings examined by his team following a formal request from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) during a court proceeding that lasted approximately nine hours on Tuesday.

He told the court that his team analysed call data records and audio recordings involving selected telephone numbers linked to El-Rufai and some of his suspected associates, including Jimi Lawal, AU Mustafa, Ahmadu Sule and Sam Darwish.

The witness said the exercise was approved by the Director-General of the DSS, after which the Director of Counter-Terrorism directed his team to conduct the analysis.

Kayode further explained that he obtained the relevant call data records from the DSS telecommunications intelligence unit through a secure server, in accordance with procedures for reserving electronic evidence.

Using information technology tools and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, the team examined communication patterns and relationships among the individuals under investigation.

The DSS operative said the analysis revealed repeated communications between El-Rufai, his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, and Sam Darwish between October 25 and 28, 2025. The findings, he added, prompted further examination of audio recordings obtained from the DSS communication intelligence unit.

He told the court that he created an image of the original audio recording and produced four duplicate copies while keeping the original secured to preserve the integrity of the evidence.

The witness also informed the court that a Hausa-language expert, Aliyu Mainasara, subsequently transcribed the recording and translated its contents into English, according to the witness.

Kayode said forensic experts subjected the recording to technical examinations to determine its acoustic characteristics and assess whether it was a natural recording or artificially generated audio.

He told the court that the analysis identified vocal frequency characteristics and a 50Hz electrical hum, including its harmonics, which he said were consistent with a recording made in a natural environment rather than AI-synthesised audio.

The witness further said biometric voice analysis indicated that the recording contained a telephone conversation between El-Rufai and his elder brother, Bashir.

On the contents of the conversation, Kayode alleged that El-Rufai instructed AU Mustafa and Jimi Lawal to meet Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used in the liquidation of Olam, for possible use in liquidating a company identified as Singularity.

He further alleged that the recording contained discussions about stopping an ongoing EFCC investigation into Singularity and liquidating the company in Nigeria and Mauritius.

According to him, the conversation also referenced an investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in Mauritius.

Kayode additionally alleged that the recording contained instructions for Sam Darwish, Jimi Lawal and AU Mustafa to prevent the EFCC from investigating IHS, which he said was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The witness said the alleged $600,000 arrangement was discussed in connection with efforts to halt the investigations, with $500,000 reportedly designated for EFCC officials and $100,000 for an intermediary.

He said his team subsequently completed a detailed forensic investigative report, which was tendered before the court.

Defence Challenges Evidence

Counsel to El-Rufai, Paul Erokoro, SAN, objected to the witness’s testimony and the tendering of the forensic report, arguing that the defence had not received adequate notice of the evidence before the witness appeared in court.

Erokoro maintained that the prosecution’s decision to subpoena the witness did not exempt it from providing the defence with the proposed evidence in advance.

He argued that the defendant was entitled to sufficient notice of the evidence against him to prepare for effective cross-examination.

The defence counsel also questioned the circumstances under which the report was introduced, arguing that it had been presented without adequate supporting evidence or the appropriate filing. He described the procedure as an ambush.

Erokoro further argued that admitting the report under those circumstances would violate his client’s fundamental rights. He maintained that the DSS, like the ICPC, is a federal government agency and should not receive special treatment in the prosecution of the case.

However, counsel to the Federal Government, Ayodeji Adedipe, dismissed the objection as unfounded and lacking a legal basis.

Adedipe described the objection as an afterthought, arguing that the court had already considered the issue in earlier proceedings, including whether evidence from a subpoenaed witness had to be listed in the proof of evidence.

Justice Khobo overruled the defence’s objection and permitted Kayode to continue his testimony.

The judge also said the defence could apply to the court registry for a copy of the evidence and obtain a certified true copy.

The prosecution informed the court that it had two witnesses, one of whom was present to testify.

Tight Security as Trial Continues

El-Rufai arrived at the court for the resumed hearing accompanied by Isa Ashiru, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

Security was tight around the court premises ahead of the proceedings.

The former governor is facing corruption and money-laundering charges filed by the ICPC.

The court adjourned the matter until November 30 and December 1, 2026, for further proceedings.

Mary-Brenda Akoda, winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI), has showcased her award-winning innovation, GenScanAI, an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging technology capable of reducing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan times by up to 90 per cent.

The innovation was presented to medical practitioners, healthcare professionals, researchers, academics, students and technology stakeholders at Vibranium Valley, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 13, as part of efforts to demonstrate its potential to improve diagnostic services and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Developed to accelerate MRI image reconstruction while maintaining or improving image quality, GenScanAI offers a potential solution to some of the challenges confronting medical imaging, particularly long waiting times and limited access to diagnostic services.

The technology is designed to work with existing MRI infrastructure, meaning hospitals and diagnostic centres could potentially examine more patients without the immediate need to invest in additional MRI equipment.

By reducing the time required for MRI examinations, the innovation could improve scanner utilisation, shorten patient waiting lists and support faster diagnosis and treatment.

The public presentation provided an opportunity for stakeholders to explore the science behind GenScanAI, examine its potential applications and consider how the innovation could help address practical challenges in healthcare delivery.

Presenting her work, Akoda explained the problem that inspired its development, the technology underpinning the innovation and its potential applications in medical imaging.

The engagement also allowed medical practitioners and researchers to examine its possible practical uses, while students gained insights into how scientific research and technological innovation can be harnessed to solve real-world problems.

Speaking at the event, Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, said GenScanAI addressed an important healthcare need, particularly as population growth continues to place increasing demands on diagnostic services.

‘Medical imaging plays a critical role in diagnosis and treatment, but the time required for MRI examinations can create delays for patients and limit the number of people healthcare facilities can serve. Innovations such as GenScanAI demonstrate how advances in artificial intelligence and computing can be applied to address practical healthcare challenges and improve the efficiency of existing medical infrastructure,’ Horsfall said.

She described the public presentation as an important opportunity to take the winning innovation beyond the Prize adjudication process and encourage engagement with the medical and research communities.

‘This presentation allows healthcare professionals, researchers and students to engage directly with Mary-Brenda’s work, understand its potential and consider how it could contribute to healthcare delivery. The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation recognises scientific excellence and encourages solutions to national challenges. Creating opportunities for wider engagement with winning innovations is an important part of bringing their potential benefits to public attention,’ she said.

GenScanAI’s potential to reduce MRI acquisition time by up to 90 per cent could be particularly beneficial to hospitals and diagnostic centres managing high patient volumes.

Faster examinations could enable healthcare facilities to serve more patients within the same period, improve equipment utilisation and reduce waiting times without requiring immediate investment in additional MRI machines.

The technology’s potential to accommodate patient motion and improve image quality could also support more effective imaging. However, its practical benefits and performance in clinical settings remain subject to appropriate clinical evaluation and validation.

GenScanAI, also known as GenMRI/C-MORE, uses artificial intelligence to reconstruct MRI images. Its approach seeks to address the time-consuming nature of conventional MRI acquisition and reconstruction while preserving the quality needed for medical interpretation.

The innovation is particularly relevant to healthcare systems where access to MRI services is constrained by the cost of equipment, limited infrastructure and growing demand for diagnostic examinations.

In Nigeria, where expanding access to specialised diagnostic services remains an important healthcare challenge, technologies capable of improving the efficiency of existing facilities could offer an additional means of increasing service capacity.

Rather than requiring hospitals to immediately acquire more scanners, GenScanAI seeks to make existing infrastructure more productive by reducing the time needed to conduct examinations.

Akoda emerged as the winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation following a rigorous evaluation of a record 237 entries, the highest number received since the inception of the Prize.

The competition was organised around the theme, ‘Innovations in Artificial Intelligence or ICT or Digital Technologies for Development,’ reflecting the growing role of digital technologies in addressing societal challenges and advancing national development.

Her selection followed an independent assessment by the Prize’s panel of judges, chaired by Dr Omobola Johnson, and the endorsement of the NPSI Advisory Board.

Akoda’s achievement is particularly notable in the history of the Prize, as she became the first woman and first millennial to win it as an individual recipient.

She is a First-Class graduate of Computer Science from Goldsmiths, University of London, and holds a Master of Research with Distinction in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Imperial College London, where she was a Google DeepMind Scholar.

She has also worked as a software engineer and artificial intelligence research scientist at Microsoft, including at the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Research Lab in Cambridge.

The 2026 edition of the Prize followed a 2025 competition in which no winner was declared because none of the entries met the required standard. The return of a winner in 2026, after the competition attracted a record number of submissions, underscored the organisers’ emphasis on scientific quality, innovation and practical impact.

The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation seeks to recognise outstanding scientific and technological achievements and encourage solutions capable of delivering meaningful and sustainable benefits to society.

NLNG facilitated the Lagos presentation to provide a platform for Akoda’s innovation to be shared with relevant stakeholders and encourage dialogue about its potential applications.

The engagement at Vibranium Valley reinforced the importance of connecting scientific discovery with the professionals, institutions and communities that could help translate innovation into practical benefits.

Through the presentation, healthcare professionals, researchers and technology stakeholders had an opportunity to engage with a Nigerian-developed innovation that applies artificial intelligence to a critical healthcare need.

As GenScanAI progresses towards practical application, its potential to shorten MRI scan times, improve image quality and increase the efficiency of existing diagnostic infrastructure could make it a significant contribution to ongoing efforts to expand access to medical imaging, subject to clinical validation and implementation requirements.

A Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday has overruled an objection by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defence team to the testimony of the Department of State Services (DSS) digital forensic expert.

The presiding Judge, Justice Darius Khobo ruled that the prosecution could call the witness, who was subpoenaed by the court, despite his name and evidence summary being absent from the prosecution’s witness list.

The judge held that the defence’s right to fair hearing could be protected by allowing it to cross-examine the witness.

The ruling followed objections by El-Rufai’s senior counsel, Paul Erokoro, who argued that the defence had not received the witness’s evidence summary or the subpoena.

Erokoro submitted that the omission denied the defence adequate notice to prepare for cross-examination and understand the case it was required to answer.

The ICPC prosecution counsel, Ayodele Adedipe, however, argued that failure to include a subpoenaed witness in the proof of evidence did not automatically render the testimony inadmissible.

In its ruling, the court confirmed that the witness had been subpoenaed through an order signed by the court on June 30, 2026.

Khobo said the prosecution’s position reflected the applicable law, citing previous cases in support of the ruling.

The judge held that the witness’s absence from the prosecution’s witness list and evidence summary did not prevent him from testifying because he had been subpoenaed.

He added that the defence’s fair-hearing concerns could be addressed by allowing it to cross-examine the witness.

Earlier, the DSS digital forensic examiner, Shegun Kayode, testified about a forensic examination of communication records and audio recordings allegedly linked to the defendant.

Kayode told the court that specialised software revealed two-way communications involving El-Rufai and suspected associates, including Bashir El-Rufai and another person, between October. 25 and 28, 2025.

He said the findings prompted further analysis of audio recordings received from a communication intelligence server.

The witness explained that he immediately created a forensic image of the original audio file, sealed it and secured it to preserve its technical integrity.

Kayode said subsequent software examination showed that the audio was authentic and had not been artificially generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence.

El-Rufai arrived at the court amid heavy security, accompanied by his wife, Asiya El-Rufai, and Isa Ashiru Kudan, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State.

El-Rufai was brought to court for the continuation of his trial over alleged corruption in a suit filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

During the proceedings, an audio recording of his interrogation by the DSS concerning the alleged importation of about 10 kilogrammes of thallium sulphate, a highly toxic and strictly regulated substance, into Nigeria was played.

The recording, which lasted about one hour and 30 minutes, contained the interrogation and other exchanges.

The case was adjourned until November. 30 and December 1 for continuation of the cross-examination of the DSS witness by the defence counsel.

Speaking with journalists after the court proceedings, Adedipe said the prosecution had opened its case by calling its first witness, a forensic expert.

He said the witness testified and tendered a forensic investigation report before cross-examination commenced.

Adedipe explained that the proceedings took considerable time because of objections and legal arguments but said the prosecution was able to conclude its presentation with the witness for the day.

He confirmed that the case had been adjourned until November 30 and December 1 for continuation of cross-examination.

Erokoro, counsel to El-Rufai, said the prosecution had opened its case and called its first witness, adding that the lengthy proceedings showed the parties’ commitment to ensuring the trial progressed.

He expressed confidence that his client would be discharged and acquitted of all the charges.

Erokoro said the defence had begun examining the witness’s testimony and would continue to scrutinise the evidence when the court reconvened.

He maintained that the next hearing would provide the defence with an opportunity to test the accuracy and credibility of the prosecution’s evidence.