The management of the Wisdom Gate International School, Eligbolo, near Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where a two-year-old pupil died, has appealed to the Rivers State Government to reconsider the suspension of its academic activities.

Also, some stakeholders appealed to the government and parents of the pupil, Wynnie Akakue, who passed on from injuries after a bookshelf fell on her while she was asleep in the classroom, for intervention and understanding in the midst of the unfortunate incident and grief.

It would be recalled that following the March 17 incident, parents of the deceased, Dr Iasuaka Akakue and Mrs Chinyere Akakue, had cried foul and accused the school of a cover-up while insisting on justice for their daughter.

Following the public outcry, the state government ordered the suspension of Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Elimgbo.

The state Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, in a statement, said the school will remain shut and barred from resuming activities until all issues surrounding the incident are fully addressed and resolved.

But speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, some parents of pupils said the continued closure of the school was already taking a toll on them, saying it is negatively affecting their children in addition to putting the teachers out of a job.

The Proprietress of the School, Toyon Obikoya, said the suspension of academic activities came as a shock to them but pleaded with the government and the parents of the late pupil, who was in their care when the sad incident occurred, for mercy and understanding.

She stated, “The children in Wisdom Gate International School are our children. We see that our commissioner is a father, he is our grandfather in this institution. That’s why we are calling on him. He has the right to suspend activities for now.

“But we are telling him that he should please show us mercy because other children’s education is equally at stake. The parents are calling but because we are a law-abiding institution, we can’t do otherwise.

“But these children, where do we turn them to? The period they were writing the exam was when this incident happened, and so we had to close the school. We are crying out that the people should please intercede and see all children as theirs.”

Obikoya reiterated that the school remains saddened by the incident and is extending its sincere empathy to the parents of the pupil, adding that the school management has made efforts to reach the family of the pupil.

“The family demanded that we speak to them through their lawyer and so on. Knowing this, we moved to his hometown in Tai, Ogoni kingdom, to reach the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, who led us to the grandparents of our dear pupil. And we reported the incident that happened and shared our sincere empathy with the family and then we left.

“Afterwards, the management of the school equally travelled to Etche to see the Bishop. Why we did all of these is just to see how we can reach the family, not to intimidate or to show pomposity.”

The proprietress also said the matter has been taken to court, pointing out that the school is a law-abiding entity and will not obstruct any investigation into the matter.

One of the pleading parents, simply identified as Cynthia, described the incident as heartbreaking, saying, “It’s really heartbreaking. I’ve lost a child, so I understand the pain the parents are going through.

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ikoyi, have arrested a 55-year-old man, John Anoruo, over alleged impersonation as a legal practitioner and possession of a forged Nigerian Bar Association seal.

Anoruo, who operates a legal and educational consultancy in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, was picked up on Monday, April 20, 2026, following investigations triggered by documents he submitted to the EFCC in a dispute involving Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited.

According to a post obtained from EFCC’s X account yesterday, an EFCC investigator familiar with the case said the alarm was raised after inconsistencies were discovered in official-looking documents submitted by the suspect.

“Preliminary findings showed that both the petition and the withdrawal letter he submitted carried a suspicious NBA seal.

This prompted further verification, which confirmed the seal was not authentic,” the investigator said.

According to the EFCC, further investigation revealed that a Letter of Withdrawal dated March 5, 2026, also bore the same questionable seal, strengthening suspicions of document forgery.

During interrogation, Anoruo allegedly admitted that he obtained the seal from an undisclosed business centre in Lagos.

“He confessed to getting the seal from a business centre, which is part of what is now being investigated further,” another EFCC official disclosed.

The suspect also claimed to have earned a law degree in 2018 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka through evening programmes.

However, he admitted he did not attend the Nigerian Law School, a mandatory requirement for anyone seeking to practice law in Nigeria.

Legal practitioners note that attendance at the Nigerian Law School and subsequent call to the bar are essential steps before one can legally represent clients as a lawyer in the country.

The EFCC confirmed that Anoruo will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations

The trial of the eleven accused persons linked to the murder of Arise News journalist and anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, during a robbery at her apartment, continued yesterday, with the third prosecution witness giving details of how arrests were made.

An Assistant Superintendent of Police and member of the Scorpion Squad, CID FCT Command, Mr Maxwell Eje, at yesterday’s proceedings, told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that the arrest of the accused persons began with Shamsu Hassan.

He said that the police discovered on September 30 that Hassan had fled to Zaria after the robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe a day earlier, during which Miss Maduagwu jumped to her death from her three-storey apartment.

ASP Eje informed the court that Shamsu Hassan admitted to the crime and agreed to cooperate with the authorities to disclose the hideouts of others.

Hassan mentioned one Sani Surajo, who was receiving treatment at an unnamed hospital in Gosa, a suburb along the Airport Road in Abuja.

“Surajo was shocked at the sight of the security operatives of the Scorpion Squad at the hospital where he was receiving treatment,” the witness said.

“He too agreed to cooperate and assist with useful information on the whereabouts of others who took part in the robbery.”

The testimony of ASP Maxwell Eje did not get to the point of cross-examination, as Dennis Abu, counsel for the seventh to eleventh defendants, who also held brief for counsel to the first and third defendants, sought leave of the judge, Mohammed Idris, to attend a medical appointment.

This prompted an adjournment until  tomorrow,Thursday, April 23, for the conclusion of the evidence-in-chief of the third prosecution witness and for cross-examination.

The prosecutor had earlier informed the court that he had two witnesses available at the start of Tuesday’s proceedings.

The FCT Police Commissioner had filed criminal charges against the 11 defendants bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder in connection with the September 29, 2025, armed robbery at Unique Apartments in Katampe, Abuja.

It was during the incident that Arise News anchor/journalist Somtochukwu “Sommie” Maduagwu and security guard Barnabas Danlami were killed.

The trial began on February 10, 2026, after earlier delays due to the absence of defendants and other issues.

The first prosecution witness, Sani Yusuf, a civil engineer and former resident of Unique Apartments, and the second, Fatou Toborteh, another former resident, have so far testified about the events of September 29.

Both described masked armed assailants raiding apartments but stated they could not identify any of the 11 defendants, who were masked during the attack.

The defendants are Shamsu Hassan, Sani Surajo, Hassan Isah, Abubakar Alkamu, Abdulsalam Saleh, and Suleiman Badamosi. Others are Zaradeen Mohammed, Musa Umar ‘Aka’ Small, Mashikur Jamil, Suleiman Sani, and Abubakar Usman.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, yesterday warned counsel appearing before her against engaging in conduct capable of delaying proceedings, threatening to invoke the court’s contempt powers where necessary.

The warning came during proceedings in a case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over properties linked to him.

At the hearing, EFCC counsel, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that lead defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, had notified him of his absence due to engagements at the Court of Appeal, adding that a representative had attended with a formal letter.

Okutepa also expressed dissatisfaction with how proceedings had been handled, noting that he had earlier communicated his concerns to the defence.

In her response, Justice Abdulmalik stressed the need for strict compliance with court directives, recalling that the interim forfeiture order had been published for 14 days to allow interested parties to show cause.

She warned that any counsel who failed to file necessary processes would be deemed to have forfeited the right to participate in the proceedings.

“If you are not satisfied with my decision, you can approach the appellate court. But at the next adjourned date, this matter will be heard. If your processes are not filed, they will be deemed abandoned.

I will not entertain any rascality from any lawyer who decides to be unruly in my court. If need be, I will cite you for contempt,” the judge said.

The court subsequently ordered all parties and interested persons to file and serve their processes on or before April 27, 2026, warning that any submissions filed after the deadline would not be recognised.

The matter was adjourned to May 26, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.

The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 28-year-old Nigerian woman, Esther Egbuhama, for allegedly operating a brothel in the Ashanti Region.

According to reports by GhanaWeb, the suspect was apprehended on Sunday, April 19, 2026, during a raid by officers of the Manso Nkwanta Police Command.

The operation targeted a premises identified as Mama Nice Lodge, located at Manso Watreso, following intelligence reports on alleged illicit activities at the facility.

In a statement issued on Monday, April 20, 2026, police said the raid was part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on suspected criminal operations within the area.

Egbuhama was arrested at the scene and taken to the Manso Nkwanta Police Station, where she is currently assisting with investigations.

However, several other individuals believed to be connected to the operation reportedly fled before the arrival of security operatives.

“The police picked up intelligence on the activities going on at the place and mounted the operation to stop the crime being perpetrated there and arrest the culprit for the necessary action,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, all her accomplices and other suspects managed to escape.”

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command also reminded the public that operating a brothel is a criminal offence under Section 277 of the Criminal Offences Act, as amended by N.L.C.D 398, Paragraph 16.

Investigations are ongoing to track down other suspects linked to the alleged operation.

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six individuals, including two retired senior military officers and a serving police inspector, over an alleged plot to wage war against Nigeria and commit acts of terrorism.

The defendants—retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani—are scheduled to be arraigned today Wednesday, April 22, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Also listed in the charge, but said to be at large, is a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

The charge, filed on Monday by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), accuses the defendants of offences ranging from treason and terrorism to failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

The Federal Government further alleged that the defendants had prior knowledge of a planned treasonable act involving one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others but failed to alert authorities.

According to the charge, the defendants, “knowing that a treasonable act was intended to be committed, did not give information thereof with all reasonable despatch to either the President… or a peace officer.”

They were also accused of failing to take preventive steps, as the charge stated that they “did not use any reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of the offence.”

Beyond treason, the defendants are facing terrorism-related charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Prosecutors alleged that they “conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim and Zekeri Umoru were specifically accused of attending meetings linked to the alleged plot, “in a bid to further a political ideology which may seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The charge also accused the defendants of providing support for terrorism, alleging that they “knowingly and indirectly rendered support” to facilitate acts of terror.

In addition, the prosecution alleged deliberate suppression of intelligence, stating that the defendants “had information which would be of material assistance in preventing the commission of the act of terrorism, but failed to disclose the information to the relevant agency as soon as practicable.”

On the financial aspect, several defendants were accused of handling funds linked to terrorism financing, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Bukar Kashim Goni allegedly “indirectly retained the aggregate sum of N50,000,000, which forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: terrorism financing,” while Abdulkadir Sani allegedly retained N2m from a similar source.

Zekeri Umoru, according to the charge, “without going through a financial institution accepted a cash payment of the sum of N10,000,000,” and also retained an additional N8.8m suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.

Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim was also accused of taking possession of “the sum of N1,000,000, being part of proceeds of terrorism financing.”

The case is expected to test the Federal Government’s resolve to prosecute alleged threats to national security as proceedings commence before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In October 2025, the Federal Government announced the cancellation of a ceremonial parade earlier scheduled to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on October 1.

Days after the announcement, reports emerged linking the cancellation to an alleged coup plot. However, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the claims, insisting that the decision had no connection with any coup attempt.

Later that month, on October 31, authorities confirmed that 16 military officers had been arrested in the first week of October over the alleged plot, while two others were declared at large.

In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that there was indeed a plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, said investigations carried out in line with military procedures uncovered the involvement of some personnel in the alleged coup plot.

Uba added that those implicated would be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.

In March, family members of the detained officers appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that the suspects were tried in an open court.

At a press conference in Abuja, wives and relatives of the detained officers also demanded access to the accused, whom they described as alleged coup masterminds.

The agitation continued in April, as families of the detained officers staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly, calling for a speedy trial and improved access to their relatives in custody

The Nigerian Army has revealed that preliminary information has further indicated that the Boko Haram terrorists may have deployed multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri with the intention of carrying out coordinated suicide bombings at crowded locations.

The Army in a statement issued to Journalists yesterday by the media information officer Operation Hadin Kai Joint Taskforce, Lt. Col Sani Uba in Maiduguri, said security forces have therefore intensified surveillance, patrols and counter-IED measures across the metropolis to track down any remaining suspects and prevent further attacks.

Uba said,” The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) wishes to inform the general public of suicide bomb explosions that occurred at about 7:05 p.m. on Monday, 16 March 2026, in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).

“The explosions were carried out by suspected Boko Haram terrorist suicide bombers who detonated improvised explosive devices at three different locations within the city, namely the Post Office area, Monday Market axis and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) during the period of Iftar (breaking of fast).

“The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt by the terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis.”

The OPHK media information officer said troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Team and other sister security agencies, responded swiftly to the incident and immediately secured and cordoned off the affected locations to prevent further harm.

He added that emergency response teams, including personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other medical service providers, promptly evacuated casualties to the General Hospital, Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention.

He further said that medical teams are currently attending to injured victims at various health facilities across the city, while emergency responders continue rescue and evacuation efforts at the affected locations.

“Preliminary information further indicates that the terrorists may have deployed multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri with the intention of carrying out coordinated suicide bombings at crowded locations.

“Security forces have therefore intensified surveillance, patrols and counter-IED measures across the metropolis to track down any remaining suspects and prevent further attacks.

“Members of the public are therefore urged to remain calm but vigilant, avoid crowded areas where possible and promptly report any suspicious persons, unattended items or unusual activities to the nearest security agency.

“Operation HADIN KAI commiserates with the families of the victims and assures the public that troops and all security agencies remain fully committed to safeguarding lives and property while relentlessly pursuing terrorist elements responsible for these heinous acts,” the statement said further.

Justice Hamza Muazu of a federal High Court, Abuja Division, yesterday imposed a N500,000 fine on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for seeking multiple adjournments in the trial of ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Mr Emefiele is charged with criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor.

The anti-corruption agency alleged that Mr Emefiele obtained by false pretence the sum of $6,230,000 purportedly meant for international election observers for the 2023 general election.

The EFCC also accused Mr Emefiele of conferring corrupt advantages on two companies—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

He however, pleaded not guilty to all the charge.

Justice Muazu imposed the fine on the anti-graft agency over failure to produce the witness (PW13) DCP Edwin Okpoziakeo, in court to give evidence as scheduled, which led to adjournment.

The DCP was on the team that investigated Emefiele in the alleged fraud.

Earlier, counsel for the EFCC, A.O. Mohammed, informed the court that the witness, though notified of the need for his presence in court, was not in available due to administrative procedures.

The prosecution specifically told the court that he was directed by the Force Headquarters to write a formal letter to the Inspector-General of Police requesting the presence of the DCP.

He said that he promptly wrote the letter as directed.

However, the DCP later told him that he had a personal matter in another court in Gwagwalada, FCT, where his personal account was under garnishee order.

Mr Mohammed, therefore, pleaded with the court to grant him an adjournment to produce the witness in court

However, Matthew Burkaa, counsel to Mr Emefiele vehemently opposed the request for adjournment.

Mr Burkaa referred the court to Section 396(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which limited each party to only five adjournments from the arraignment till final judgment.

In the instant case, he said, EFCC had been granted adjournments eight times as against the provisions of the law.

He added that the prosecution made its choice by allowing the witness to choose personal matter above the official engagement.

Mr Burkaa argued that the anti-graft agency requested accelerated trial of the case.

He added that between 2023 till date, the court had indulged the prosecution with eight adjournements and prayed the court not to grant any more.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu agreed with the defence counsel, but however, stated that the court still retains discretion for an adjournment if it is in the interest of justice.

He held that an investigator was not one that should be shut out in a matter of such nature.

He however, imposed a fine of N500,000 on the anti-graft agency for delaying the trial despite being granted accelerated hearing.

Justice Muazu then adjourned until April 27, for continuation of the trial.

The Abia State Police Command said it has arrested a butcher for stabbing his customer in the neck with a pair of scissors following a disagreement over the price of meat.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Maureen Chinaka, the incident happened at Orie Ugba market in Umuahia

The police spokesperson said operatives of Central Police Station visited the crime scene, adding that the victim, who was rushed to hospital, is currently responding to treatment.

“The Abia State Police Command is aware of the incident that occurred at Orieugba Market on 14/03/2026, where a meat butcher stabbed his customer in the neck with a pair of scissors following a disagreement over the price of meat,” Chinaka said.

DSP Chinaka said that the suspect is presently in police custody, while investigation is ongoing.

She added that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

…seek FG intervention four years after the incident

Wives and relatives of five engineers abducted in November 2021 while working on the Abakaliki Ring Road project in Ebonyi State on Monday protested at the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, demanding information about the fate of their husbands nearly four years after the incident.

The protesters, supported by several civil society organisations, decried what they described as prolonged silence and lack of accountability from authorities regarding the whereabouts of the engineers.

The missing engineers — Nelson Onyemeh, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Aneke and Stanley Nwazulum — were employees of NELAN Construction Limited and were reportedly kidnapped by gunmen while supervising construction work on the Abakaliki Ring Road.

The project, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity within the Ebonyi State capital, was funded by the African Development Bank as part of efforts to expand infrastructure and stimulate economic growth in the region.

At the time of the incident, the state was under the administration of former governor Dave Umahi, who now serves as the Minister of Works under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The abduction occurred amid rising security concerns in parts of the South-East, where attacks on public infrastructure, contractors and government facilities had become frequent.

For the affected families, however, the issue has become a painful personal ordeal marked by years of uncertainty.

During Monday’s protest in Abuja, the women carried placards urging the Federal Government and relevant authorities to intervene and ensure justice for the victims.

Speaking during the protest, Esther Aneke, wife of one of the abducted engineers, Samuel Aneke, appealed to the government to help locate her husband or clarify his fate.

“My name is Mrs Esther Aneke. I am the wife of engineer Samuel Chibike Aneke who went to work. He left me in Adamawa on October 30, 2021, for Ebonyi. At the time I was two months and two weeks pregnant. Since then, I have not seen him and I have not even seen his corpse.

“Please, I am asking for justice. Wherever my husband is, they should release him,” she said.

Also speaking, the mother of another missing engineer, Stanley Nwazulum, lamented the impact of her son’s disappearance on the family.

“My son is the youngest among the engineers. He was just 33 years old and he used to take care of my hospital bills. Since 2021, I have not seen him and I do not know where he is. I need justice for my son. I want the government to tell me where my son is,” she said.

The protesters said repeated efforts by the families to obtain updates from relevant authorities had yielded little or no response.

Civil society groups present at the protest also called for transparency and urged authorities to ensure that investigations into the abduction are pursued diligently.

Responding on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works, the Director of Human Resources, Ahmad Muhammad, said the matter is already before a court of law.

He added that the incident occurred within Ebonyi State and therefore falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the state government.

“I think this has to be addressed in Ebonyi, not in this office. This is a federal government office and the matter is already in court. When a matter is in court, nobody has the right to interfere,” he said.

Muhammad also advised the protesters to follow due process and liaise with the appropriate authorities in Ebonyi State.

Despite the ministry’s position, the families insisted that the Federal Government should intervene, noting that the road project involved public infrastructure and international financing.

The engineers were abducted at a time when kidnapping incidents were on the rise across the country.

Security reports indicate that 2021 recorded one of the highest levels of kidnapping nationwide.

Data from the Nigeria Security Tracker showed that at least 2,944 people were abducted across Nigeria between January and June 2021 alone, underscoring the scale of the security challenge during the period.

Personnel of the Nigerian Army have raided a notorious drug bunk in Umuahia, arresting three suspected dealers accused of selling and supplying illicit drugs to users.

Sources said the operation was carried out by troops of the 145 Battalion (Rear) along New Road in the Abia State capital.

The raid was conducted in collaboration with Operation Crush Sector 1 following credible intelligence indicating that illicit drug activities were taking place at the location.

Acting on the information, security personnel swiftly deployed to the area to disrupt the illegal operation and apprehend those involved.

During the operation, three male suspects identified as Henrick Sunday, 42; Nnadozie Jacob, 23; and Darlington Mba, 23, were arrested at the scene.

The Army Public Relations Officer, Lt. Mazinho Attah, who confirmed the raid and arrest, said a search conducted at the premises of the drug bunk led to the recovery of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, methamphetamine and other unidentified illicit substances.

“Other items recovered during the operation included several mobile phones, a dagger, as well as cash.

“The swift and coordinated raid operation forms part of the ongoing intelligence-driven efforts aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit drugs and dismantling criminal networks operating within communities in the Southeast.

“The abuse and trafficking of hard drugs have been widely associated with other criminal activities, making such interventions essential to strengthening security and public safety.

“Following the completion of the operation, the suspects alongside the recovered exhibits were handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Umuahia Command for further investigation and necessary legal action.

“14 Brigade Nigerian Army reaffirms its commitment to sustain existing synergy and collaboration with relevant security and law enforcement agencies in tackling drug-related crimes and other threats to peace in the region.

“Residents are encouraged to continue supporting security efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in addressing criminal activities within their communities.”