News

By our reporter It was an embarrassing moment for the Anambra State Police Command, South-East Nigeria, as it confirmed the escape of two suspects allegedly involved in the kidnap and eventual murder of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Justice Azuka. The development has ignited fresh doubts of the credibility, impartiality and professionalism of many police personnel in the State even as the late Azuka's remains were committed to earth over the weekend in his hometown, Onitsha. Unconfirmed reports had earlier on said the lawmaker's suspected murderers had escaped from the hands of the police,with the…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Director General/Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO), National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating corruption through innovation and technology. In a ground-breaking collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), both institutions are set to harness disruptive technologies to enhance transparency, accountability, and economic integrity in Nigeria. These were disclosed in a statement by the Chief Information Officer, NBTI, David Olajumoke, on Tuesday, February 18. Olajumoke said: "During a courtesy visit to the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Dr. Raji praised his visionary leadership, unwavering courage, and…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu The axe is dangling on five officers and 20 soldiers of Nigerian Army as a General Court Martial (GCM) has been raised against them in Enugu, capital of Enugu State, South-East Nigeria. All the accused are within the jurisdiction of 82 Division of Nigerian Army, with headquarters in Enugu. The alleged offences of the accused Army personnel include murder, defilement, manslaughter, extortion and assault on civilians. Inaugurating the court martial, president of the GCM, Brig.Gen. Buhari Sadisu, said that the court martial was convened by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye. Sadisu…

By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna A Nigerian contractor has raised the alarm, alleging that N57 billion worth of contract purportedly awarded him by Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been siphoned by aides of a former Minister fronting for their principal. He said the contract was awarded to him through the facilitation of a then-serving powerful Minister in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2022. The contractor, Mr. Emmanuel Otokpa, who raised the alarm, told journalists at a press conference in Kaduna, that the alleged final fate of the contract had left him and his family facing starvation as he…

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of one Ugenyi Kalu, before Justice R.A. Oshodi of a Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for fraud. The convict, a banker with NEXIM Bank, was arraigned on a five-count charge, bordering on official corruption and gratification. One of the counts reads: “That you, Ugenyi Kalu sometime in November 2016 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division being the head of Lagos Region of NEXIM Bank, received monetary benefit for yourself in the sum of N4,000,000 (Four Million Naira) from one Obi Ogoh on account…

By Okerafor Athanasius, Jalingo Biometric data capture exercise for Taraba State civil servants, which was scheduled to commence on Monday, February 17, at the Office of the State Accountant General, failed to hold. The reasons the exercise failed to hold on day one could not be ascertained by our correspondent who visited the State Ministry of Finance headquarters, Jalingo, venue of the exercise, for routine media coverage. From as early as 9.00 am, the Accountant General's Office in particular was filled to capacity with workers from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who came to honour the invitation. Our correspondent…

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna, and Emma Ogoigbe, Warri Middle Belt Forum (MBF) on Tuesday, February 18, said it was deeply devastated by the passing of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, a revered nationalist, elder statesman, and leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF). The forum stated that the demise of Chief Clark marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s struggle for equity, justice, and true federalism. According to a statement by MBF spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the President of MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, has expressed profound sorrow over the death, emphasizing Chief Clark’s unwavering commitment to the progress…

By Emma Ogoigbe, Warri Scores of electricity consumers in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area (LGA)of Delta State have protested the alarming rate of extortion being perpetrated in the area by staff members of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC),which serves the area. During the protest, the embittered consumers condemned the increasing rate in which the staff extort them, especially consumers at Ugbolokposo, part of Uti, Okoribi, Alegbo and neighbouring communities. “Most cases, the staff in the area come with fake uniformed officers and youths to force us to give them. This is embarrassing and we condemn this outrageous attitude being extended…

By Okerafor Athanasius, Jalingo Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, has lamented what he described as unnecessary criticisms of the state government's activities on various social media platforms. Bawa, who accused social media users of peddling fake news in their criticisms, advised that they should be constructive in nature. Bawa was speaking on the occasion of the turbanning ceremony of the Personal Assistant (P.A.) to Governor Agbu Kefas on Political Matters and Administration, Barrister Luka Agbu. The Chairman, who said the effect of fake news in any given society can be disastrous,…