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By SHEDDY OZOENE The recent abduction and subsequent murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North Constituency I, has cast a somber shadow over Anambra State. Azuka was kidnapped at gunpoint on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Onitsha. After several agonizing weeks for his family and friends, his decomposing body was discovered near the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025. It is the second of such gruesome killings involving members of the State’s House of Assembly, as Hon. Okechukwu Okoye from Aguata constituency was murdered under similar circumstances…

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, January 31, 2025, arraigned 11 Chinese, one Filipino and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.  The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others. The defendants are: Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xian Hong Will, Zhang Xiao Lei, Long Zhao Ming, Guo Xiao Fei, Yang Sheng, Wang Zheng Feng, Chen Wenyuan, Liu San Hua, Luo Jia You and Rheign…

By TOBY PRINCE In the heart of Nigeria's digital economy, a story of patriotism and resilience unfolds. The telecommunications sector, a driving force behind the country's growth, has been facing unprecedented challenges. Despite its significant contributions to Nigeria's social and economic development, the sector has been struggling to keep up with the rising costs of operations. For nearly a decade, telecom tariffs in Nigeria remained unchanged, while the demand for data and voice services skyrocketed. The cost of operations, however, surged due to rising energy costs, inflation, currency devaluation, and increased costs of importing telecom equipment. These mounting expenses threatened…

Justice  Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuchiako, Kuje, on Thursday, January 30, 2025 rescheduled to February 3, 2025 the arraignment of Professor Usman Yusuf,  former Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC had on Wednesday, January 29, 2024 arrested Yusuf and brought before the  court on Thursday, January 30, 2025 for arraignment on allegations of fraud. The arraignment was, however, moved to Monday to allow for amendment of the charges. Though  defence counsel, Isah Dokto Haruna, who held brief for the lead defence counsel, O.I.Habeeb, SAN made an application for bail, it was turned down  by the court on account of the…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators, will be granting approval for tariff adjustment requests by Network Operators in response to prevailing market conditions. The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability. The approval was contained in a statement issued by the Commission's Director of…

Our Reporter In a major bid to tackle the security challenges facing Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has unveiled the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025 and launched a special security operation code-named "Operation Udo Ga-Achi". The Governor, who signed the Homeland Security Law 2025 earlier today (Saturday), stated that the law provides a framework for community/citizens' ownership and participation in sustainable security and social re-engineering. Details of the new development are contained in a press statement issued Saturday by the State's Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor. According to Governor Soludo, "Operation Udo Ga-Achi" is a special intervention force…

By SHEDDY OZOENE Obafemi Awolowo, one of Nigeria's most influential leaders, famously described Nigeria as "a mere geographical expression" in his seminal book Path to Nigerian Freedom (1947). By this, Awolowo highlighted the artificial nature of the Nigerian state, created by colonial Britain in 1914 through the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates. His observation pointed to the lack of a unifying national identity among Nigeria's diverse ethnic and cultural groups, which makes most Nigerians more disposed towards their ethnic groups ahead of the Nigerian nation. Several other Nigerian leaders, through their actions and words, keep echoing this perspective,…