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By Felix Durumbah, Abuja Reprieve came the way of defaulters of ground rent payment in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as they have been handed a lifeline of two weeks to pay up. The breather, which came late on Monday, May 26, followed presidential intervention in the matter. FCTA officials had said the cumulative debt overhang topped N6.9billion over time. Recall that operatives of FCT Administration (FCTA) had, earlier same day, stormed some business outlets in the nation's capital over the ground rent matter, in the process sealing a popular Access Bank branch and a Total Filling Station in high…

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, and the Christian Media Forum (CMF), Kaduna, have expressed rude shock over the sudden death of a prominent Christian leader, Rev. David Ayuba Azzaman, in Southern part of Kaduna State. Rev. Azzaman, a popular Kaduna-based evangelist and serial critic of then-Governor Nasir El-Rufai's governance style, reportedly died in a fatal car accident on Sunday along Idion axis of Kaduna State. The Christian bodies expressed "deep sorrow" over the death of the evangelist, popularly known as Azzaman Azzaman, in press statements issued by leaders of…

By Felix Durumbah In arguably the biggest development of its ongoing enforcement drive over non-payment of ground rent by organizations and others, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) today sealed the national headquarters of main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The sprawling edifice of the former governing political party is located in Wuse 5 district of Abuja, the nation's capital. FCTA said it was sealed for failure to pay ground rent. Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, confirmed the development to newsmen. “FCTA seals PDP Secretariat in Zone 5 Abuja. It was revoked for not paying ground…

By Felix Durumbah The ongoing hustle by operatives of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to shut and take over some business premises in the nation's capital, Abuja, over non-payment of ground rent, ran into a hitch in Wuse axis of the city today. The operatives, with complement of armed security agents, have already sealed the popular Access Bank branch in Wuse and Total Filling Station, also in same district, this morning. But their bid to take over the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office, a sister government outfit, located in same Wuse, was stiffly resisted. Some staff and security men…

By Felix Durumbah, Abuja Panic spread through individual and corporate residents of the nation's capital, Abuja, today as Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) moved swiftly to shut some visible business outlets over the latter's failure to pay the statutory ground rent on their premises. Sealed were an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in high brow Wuse. FCTA accused them of non-payment of ground rent for 34 years, saying about N6.9billion in total is being owed the Administration by several defaulters. Ground rent,in legal terms, refers to regular payments made by a holder of a leasehold property…

By our reporter A fresh report by a Lagos-based intelligence consultancy firm today claimed that over 700 persons have been killed in the past four years in connection with the sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East states of Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia. The report, released by SBM Intelligence, also said economic losses of over N7.6 trillion were sustained during same period, according to Reuters . The report is coming five days before May 30, 2025, which IPOB has labelled as Biafra Heroes' Day, in commemoration of those who died in the Nigeria…

...Fraudster Bags Jail Term  for N9m Fraud in Port Harcourt The Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Thursday, May 22, 2025 arraigned one Ifeoma Joe and her 34-year-old son, Chima Mike Nmerem before Justice P. I . Ajoku of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for fraud.  They are being prosecuted on a four-count charge  bordering on conspiracy, misrepresentation, advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N64.4m. One  of  the charges reads: “That you Ifeoma Joe between the 10th day of September, 2024 to 17th day of December, 2024 at Oyigbo Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable…

By Sam Tyav, Makurdi Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has condemned the killing of some residents of Tse Orbiam and Ahume communities in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. Governor Alia also expressed his profound outrage and deep sorrow over the shooting of Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu, by suspected Fulani killer herdsmen on the Makurdi-Naka road. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, said the heinous acts, carried out just meters away from a military checkpoint was a stark reminder of the pervasive violence and lawlessness that have plagued the…

By John Ekah, Gusau First Lady of Zamfara State, Mrs. Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has been honoured with the prestigious African Iconic 2025 Award. The award is in recognition of her exceptional leadership and advocacy abilities within two years as the state's First Lady. The award ceremony was held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, under the theme 'Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy'. The event brought together distinguished personalities who have made significant contributions to society that strengthened the resilience of African women. African Iconic Women Recognition Award (AIWRA) is a platform that recognizes and celebrates achievements of African women in various fields.…