In a significant development for higher education in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted full accreditation status to three academic programs at Kingsley Ozumba (K.O.) Mbadiwe University (KOMU), Ideato, Imo state.

This accreditation, achieved during the October/November 2023 exercise, applies to the Computer Science, Economics, and Sociology programs.

The Vice Chancellor of KOMU, Professor Ikechukwu N. S. Dozie, received the official accreditation letter from the NUC, confirming the university’s compliance with the minimum academic standards stipulated in Section 10 (1) of the Education (National Minimum and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004. This accreditation underscores the universitys commitment to maintaining high educational standards.

Professor Dozie attributed this success to divine providence, the continuous support from the Visitor to the University and Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and the dedicated efforts of the university staff. With this achievement, all mature programs at KOMU now enjoy full accreditation status.

Adding to the university’s accolades, Professor Jacinta Opara has been appointed as the second substantive Vice Chancellor of Dominican University, Ibadan. Prior to this prestigious appointment, Professor Opara served as the Director of Partnerships, Collaborations, and Advancement at K.O. Mbadiwe University.

Her selection followed a rigorous process conducted by a professional recruiting firm and a panel of top academics, adhering to global best practices for filling strategic positions in higher education.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dominican University, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), announced the appointment, emphasizing Professor Oparas distinguished track record in higher education and her commitment to advancing learning and research.

Professor Opara’s appointment marks a historic moment as she becomes the first female Vice Chancellor of Dominican University. Her term will span five years, during which she is expected to significantly impact the university and the broader academic community.

Professor Dozie, Vice Chancellor of K.O. Mbadiwe University, praised the quality of the recruitment process that initially brought Professor Opara to KOMU.

He highlighted the universitys adherence to rigorous recruitment standards, aligning with the vision of Governor Uzodimma, who emphasizes merit-based appointments through advertisements, interviews, and the selection of the best candidates.

The K.O. Mbadiwe University community is proud of Professor Opara’s achievements and extends its best wishes as she embarks on her new role.

The Kogi State Government has threatened to demolish houses occupied by internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys in the state.

The State Security Adviser, retired Commander, Jerry Omodara gave the warning when he appeared on Mondays edition of the State of Kogi a Radio Kogi Audience Participatory programme which was monitored by our correspondent in Lokoja.

Omodara said the government needed the assistance of the public in the Area of provision of information to arrest internet fraudsters in the state.

He said security agencies will soon go after hotels used by yahoo boys to perpetrate crime. It should be noted that appropriate sanctions will be handed to those harbouring the fraudsters.

The State Security Adviser cautioned landlords against giving their houses to Yahoo Boys, pointing out that such structures will also be pulled down.

According to him, the government in partnership with security agencies have identified houses built with proceeds of criminal activities and those housing men of the underworld would soon be demolished.

He stated that Security Agencies and local hunters have been directed to arrest or gun down anyone carrying arms in the forest.

The Security Adviser while commending the effort of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo in tackling insecurity, called on companies and well-to-do individuals to assist the government by donating to the State Security Trust Fund.

Our correspondent gathered that the activities of internet fraudsters in Kogi State have been on the rise, prompting the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to arrest many earlier this year.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that the upsurge of corruption in the country is defeatable if every stakeholder on the anti-graft corridor makes concerted efforts.

The Commissions chairman, Ola Olukoyede made this statement in his Eid-El-Kabir message.

He stressed that renewal of efforts towards combating all forms of economic and if FG denies renaming Murtala Muhammed Expressway
The Federal Government yesterday dismissed information that the Abuja Murtala Muhammed Expressway had been renamed Wole Soyinka Way.

The FG, in a statement signed by the media aide to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, clarified that the renaming of the expressway was never considered by the current administration.

The confusion stems from a recent event on June 4, 2024, when President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the Federal Capital Territory.

The new road, designated as Arterial Road N20, stretches from Katampe to Jahi, connecting the Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (Ahmadu Bello Way).

During the inauguration, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike proposed that the new road be named after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a suggestion that Tinubu approved.

Consequently, it is the Arterial Road N20 that now bears Soyinkas name, not the Murtala Mohammed Expressway.

“We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala Muhammed Express Way in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way. The renaming of the Murtala Mohammed Expressway Way has never been contemplated by this administration”

“For the record, on June 4, 2024, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the FCT codenamed Arterial Road N20 (from Katampe to Jahi), which links the existing Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (also called Ahmadu Bello Way).
During the inauguration of the N20 (which is a new road), FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, proposed to the President that the road be named after Prof Wole Soyinka, and the President agreed”, the statement read in part.

The government emphasised that the Murtala Mohammed Expressway remains unchanged, continuing to honour the legacy of the former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.
Therefore, the Arterial Road N20 is named after Prof Soyinka. The Murtala Muhammed Expressway remains unchanged and continues to bear the name of our esteemed former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, Ibrahim stressed.

Citizens were urged to disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise, as such reports are false and unfounded.

“We urge all citizens to disregard any misinformation regarding renaming the Murtala Muhammed Expressway. The report is entirely false and only exists in the imagination of its purveyors”, the statement added.

ancial crimes is necessary to kill the menace.
It is obvious that we can attain peace, love, progress and unity of purpose for a Nigeria free of corruption and unsavoury practices.
Lets keep building. Lets keep attacking every threat to our progress. Lets keep fighting economic and financial crimes together, he said.
Olukoyede added that Nigerians were not inherently corrupt, and there was nothing fundamentally wrong with the nation.
The anti-graft boss felicitated with the nation on the occasion of Eid-El-Kabir, emphasizing that the lessons of the festival should drive more commitments to the anti-corruption fight.
The lessons of forbearance, sacrifice, faith and hope in Almighty Allah which Eid teaches should imbue in us fresh desire to please God and serve our nation without corrupt practices.
We should renew our efforts towards fighting all forms of economic and financial crimes, he said.

Robert Onyejekwe, a successful oil and gas executive based in Sugar Land, Houston, Texas, has been found dead in his hotel room in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Onyejekwe, who was in Nigeria for business meetings, was discovered on the evening of Sunday, June 9, 2024.

The 51-year-old executive had traveled to Nigeria to oversee business dealings related to an oil and gas company he purchased four years ago.

Sources indicate that Onyejekwe planned to move back to Nigeria soon to personally manage the company after uncovering suspicious activities by those he had entrusted with its operation.

Onyejekwes death came as a shock, particularly given his active involvement in the industry and his recent hosting of the annual Over The Counter (OTC) party in Houston, Texas. His wife and a family friend are en route to Lagos to arrange for the return of his body to Houston for burial.

Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Onyejekwe held a distinguished career in the oil and gas sector. He served as the President of Bits and Drilling Tools, a division of Schlumberger, where he led the development of innovative drilling technologies designed to reduce costs and improve efficiency in the oil and gas industry.

Before his role as President, Onyejekwe was the Global Director of Sales and Commercial for the Reservoir and Infrastructure group at Schlumberger. He was responsible for deal origination and growth strategies across eight business product lines, focusing on market expansion and penetration.

Onyejekwes academic credentials included a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Ibadan, an MBA from the University of Rotterdam, and a diploma in Finance from IMD University in Switzerland.

He was an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) since 1996 and the Africa Energy Chamber.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has categorically denied recent speculations suggesting that the National Assembly’s Upper Chamber is considering a clause to seize funds from states and local councils in the forthcoming New Minimum Wage Bill proposed by the Executive.

The controversy began after a report by a national daily, claimed that federal lawmakers were contemplating the inclusion of a controversial clause that would allow for the seizure of funds when the bill is introduced in the Senate.
This report has since sparked widespread discussions and concerns among stakeholders.

In response to these claims, Yemi Adaramodu issued a formal statement from Abuja on yesterday, dismissing the allegations as entirely unfounded.
Adaramodu said, “Mr. President in his national broadcast on Democracy Day only informed Nigerians that he would soon send the New Minimum Wage Bill to us.

“No one among us, not even the Senate President, knows the content of the Bill. How can we take a position on a document that we haven’t even sighted?

“During my interface with some journalists, who approached me for an interview as part of activities to mark the one year anniversary of the 10th National Assembly, I did not at any point, state that the allocations belonging to States and Local Governments will be seized.

“Nigeria is a federation, with sub-national governments that are autonomous. The misleading headline by The Punch Newspaper that allocations belonging to States and local councils will be seized is false and should be disregarded.

“We are still awaiting the Executive Bill and once we have it, it will go through all Legislative stages and once this is done and it receives Presidential assent, it becomes law. And it is law that can specify sanction, not the National Assembly.

“My interview was well reported today in the national dailies. It was not exclusive to The Punch. Other newspapers reflected adequately what I said. Why did Punch choose to misrepresent me?”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has directed Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, along with their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to strategically set up the security framework in their Areas of Responsibility ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The IG also mandated Zonal AIGs and State Command CPs to deploy human and operational assets to conduct confidence-building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, in residential and industrial areas.

The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

The statement read, “The IGP has directed Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the FCT, along with their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to
to strategically configure the security architecture in their Areas of Responsibility for robust and responsive policing ahead of the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

“The IGP also mandated Zonal AIGs and State Command CPs to deploy human and operational assets to conduct confidence-building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, in residential and industrial areas.”

Adejobi added that Police personnel would be deployed at vulnerable points, places of worship, other public recreational places, and around all critical national infrastructure.

He noted that personnel deployed are to perform their duties with discipline, professionalism, decorum, and alertness.

Adejobi said, “These operations are to be conducted professionally, without harassment or extortion, ensuring respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.

“Personnel deployed are to perform their duties with discipline, professionalism, decorum, and alertness

He added that the IGP urged the citizens to keep to security and traffic advisories during the festive period.

He said, “The Inspector General of Police equally advises the public to adhere to all security advisories and traffic regulations during the celebrations to avoid any incidents that may mar the festive mood.

“The IGP extends his warmest wishes to all Muslim Umma as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir praying the festive season brings peace, joy, and prosperity to all.

“He assures of the commitment of the Force to ensuring that everyone celebrates in a safe and secure environment.”

Ten Nigerian teenage girls, recently rescued from Ghana, have returned to Nigeria for comprehensive counselling and rehabilitation.

In a series of videos that went viral on X.com on June 6, 2024, the young girls, aged 15 to 18, were reported to have been lured into prostitution in Ghana.

The rescue of the 10 trafficked Nigerian teenagers was reportedly conducted by the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation in Ghana.

Responding to inquiry on Friday night, the NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, through the commission’s spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the girls arrived at the Lagos International Airport on Tuesday night, June 11, 2024, accompanied by representatives from the Imo State Governor’s office, including the Deputy Speaker and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, as well as staff from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

Upon arrival, the girls were received and profiled by officials from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

They are now under the custody of the governments of the Imo and Plateau States, where they will undergo proper counselling and rehabilitation.

The NiDCOM Boss assured that NAPTIP will continue to monitor the girls’ progress and ensure they receive the necessary support and care.

She said, “The girls arrived at Lagos International Airport on Tuesday night, accompanied by the representatives of the Imo State Governor (the deputy Speaker) and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and NiDCOM Staff.

A Federal High Court on Friday ordered the Kano State Government to pay N10m in damages to the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, for breaching his fundamental human rights.

Ado-Bayero, through his counsel, M.L Yusufari SAN, filed a motion exparte dated May 27, seeking the court to restrain the state government from arresting, intimidating or infringing on his rights.

The other respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General Kano, Nigeria Police, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano, State Security Service, NSCDC, Nigeria Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force.

Delivering judgment, Justice Simon Amobeda, described the order given by Governor Abba Yusuf, directing the police to arrest the 15th emir without any lawful justification as a threat to the fundamental rights of the applicant.

This, the judge held was guaranteed under Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered).

“The act of the governor has forced the applicant into house arrest, preventing him from going freely about his lawful business, constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution,” he added.

He restrained the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents either by themselves, their agents,servants, privies, or any other person from arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating and harassing the applicant or further interfering with the applicant’s fundamental rights.

“The prayer for the cost of filing and prosecuting this suit is refused, the amount having not been specifically pleaded and strictly proved,” Amobeda said.

Earlier, the second counsel for the applicant, Mr Michael Jonathan, SAN, said that the court had jurisdiction to entertain and hear the case as it is a fundamental rights suit.

Jonathan urged the court to dismiss the respondent preliminary objection for been unmeritorious and abuse to the court.

Counsel for the Kano State Attorney-General, Mahmoud Abubakar-Magaji, SAN, urged the court to dismiss and strike out the entire process particularly the originating summons of the applicant motion on Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 and fundamental right.

He argued that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the case and urged the court to set aside the exparte order it earlier granted retraining the respondents from arresting, intimidating or harassing the applicant.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the State House of Assembly on May 23 dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state.

Detectives from the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department, CID, have arrested and detained His Royal Highness, Eze Cyprian Amadi-Worenwu, the Eze Risi Ohia-Emeri Abali of Rebisi, for allegedly threatening the lives of retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli and his family members.

Eze Amadi-Worenwu is accused of threatening retired Justice Enebeli’s life after the latter delivered a judgment against him on March 28, 2023, in a case involving traditional chieftaincy.

Retired Justice Enebeli petitioned the Commissioner of Police, claiming that Eze Amadi-Worenwu, aggrieved by the judgment, resorted to threatening to kill him, his children, and his staff instead of exercising his constitutional right to appeal the judgment.

In the petition, retired Justice Enebeli urged the police to intervene urgently before Eze Amadi-Worenwu carried out his threats.

The accused allegedly avoided honouring the police invitations but was eventually apprehended by officers.

Reports had it that Eze Amadi-Worenwu is currently detained at the State CID, undergoing investigation, and may face court arraignment.

The Federal Government has declared Monday 17th, and Tuesday 18th June 2024 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the declaration in a statement on Friday in Abuja on behalf of the Federal Government.

The Minister congratulated the Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.

Tunji-Ojo urged the Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of our country.

“The Minister assured that the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-ul-Adha celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to our children”, the statement added.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun yesterday announced the approval of two major financial support packages by the World Bank.

He said it is part of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy, reposition it for sustained and inclusive growth, and provide urgent support to the poor and vulnerable.

In a statement, Mohammed Manga, Director, Information and Public Relations said “the approved operations include $1.5 billion for the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation (RESET) Development Policy Financing Program (DPF) and $750 million for the Nigeria Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR) Program-for-Results (PforR).”

He stated that “This combined total of $2.25 billion will offer essential financial and technical support as the government continues to address economic distortions.

“Additionally, it will assist Nigeria in its long-term goal of increasing non-oil revenues and securing oil revenues to ensure fiscal sustainability and the delivery of quality public services.”

Upon assuming office, the Federal Government was confronted with significant economic challenges, and recognized the need for urgent reforms to correct the economic imbalance and strengthen Nigeria’s financial outlook.
Initial critical steps have been taken to restore macroeconomic stability, boost revenues, and create the conditions necessary to reignite growth and reduce poverty.

These ongoing measures are part of a broader strategy to increase revenues, create jobs, and foster sustainable economic growth.

He said Mr. Wale Edun has welcomed the support of the World Bank and emphasized the necessity for the reforms:

“We have undertaken bold and necessary reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and put Nigeria on a path to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

“These reforms will create quality jobs and economic opportunities for all Nigerians. We welcome the support of the RESET and ARMOR programmes as we further consolidate and implement our policy reforms, consistent with accelerating investment and using public resources more sustainably to achieve our development goals”.

Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa, praised Nigeria’s efforts: “Nigeria’s comprehensive macro-fiscal reforms are placing the country on a new path that can stabilize the economy and lift people out of poverty. It is essential to maintain the momentum of these reforms and continue to provide support to the poor and vulnerable to mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

“This financing package strengthens the World Bank’s strong partnership with Nigeria and supports efforts to rejuvenate the economy and expedite poverty reduction, serving as an example for Africa”.

Manga said, “Focus areas of the programmes include RESET DPF, which aims to strengthen Nigeria’s economic policy framework, create fiscal space, and protect the poor and vulnerable, and ARMOR PforR, which supports tax and excise reforms, improves tax revenue and customs administration, and safeguards oil revenues.”

The Federal Government has commenced nationwide audits of inmates across the 256 custodial centres to enable it to carry out decongestion of the facilities.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known after he undertook an inspection of the ongoing 3,000-capacity Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Janguza, Kano State as well as the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja.

He hinted that the government has planned a massive decongestion of the custodial centres, saying this could only be possible after the nationwide audit is carried out.

Tunji-Ojo also noted that there is ongoing rehabilitation of the custodial centres, disclosing that a lot of the correctional facilities were inherited from the Colonial administration, requiring reconstruction to make them transformational centres.
The Minister also revealed that work is ongoing on the Suleja Custodial Centre while a manhunt is still on to recapture the few remaining fleeing inmates.

Tunji-Ojo said: “That is ongoing but the good thing for me is that we did a facility audit earlier and we can see that the result of the facility audit is how we are intervening.

“So, we are very empirical and scientific in our approach. We don’t just throw solutions to problems that are unknown. We discover the problems, we know the root cause of issues, then we find solutions to them.

“So, the audit system is being empirical. It is scientific and that will lead massively to the decongestion of our custodial centres. It is not just saying you want to decongest, it is about you knowing the status.

“Life is all about data. Data is the new oil. Data is the blood of life in this millennium. The audit is going on and by the time we are done with the audit, you will see the level of decongestion that we will have as a result of the audit. So, we are just being empirical,” he said.

According to a statement, the minister at the Kuje facility got a gift of three books authored by one of the inmates who had been in custody for the past 12 years.
Tunji-Ojo who was excited by the development, said the facilities are no longer prisons but correctional centres for reforming the legally interned.

“Obviously, Renewed Hope is on course. President Bola Tinubu is working on our Custodial Centres and not to forget, a young man, one of the inmates today gifted me about three books authored by him.

“He has been here for like 12 years and today he has finished his first degree through the National Open University of Nigeria NOUN, he has finished his Masters Degree and is about enrolling for his PhD.

“That is the positive story about Nigeria that I want people to see. This shows that our Custodial Centres are no longer ‘Prisons’. They are now correctional. They are transformational.

“They are reformatory institutions and Nigerians can know that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just about the strongest in the society. It is about both the strongest and the weakest in our society,” he said.

Earlier, the government had begun the process of decongesting Kuje Custodial Centre, following a jailbreak that took place in the centre.

Besides, the government is considering the construction and fortification of Karshi Correctional Centre to prevent the reoccurrence of jailbreaks in Kuje and Suleija custodial centres.

The Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, (COREN), has set up a 10-member panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a five-storey building in Onitsha, Anambra.

The state Chairman of the council, Victor Metu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Onitsha on Friday.

Mr Metu said that the panel’s mandate was to unravel the truth about the cause of the incident.

He said that the panel was expected to interface with the building committee, the man who laid the foundation but later relieved of his job and Chukwuemeka Ugwuoke, who was later invited to continue with the job.

“I have a picture of the collapsed building, the second and third floor had a crack.
It showed that it was not done by an engineer because of inconsistencies and corruption. I want to know why that was done, as it contributed to the failure of that project.
We are inviting them and we are going to scrutinise each of them.
At the end of the day, we are going to come out with a White Paper on the cause of the collapse to be presented to Gov. Charles Soludo,” the COREN chairman said.

He said that the panel was headed by Sylvester Ezeaguyi, with other prominent professionals as members.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has granted bail to social media influencer Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele.

The bail was granted in a ruling delivered by the trial judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko yesterday.

Ijele was ordered by the court to present a ₦50 million bail bond, with the condition that one surety possesses land in Lagos and the other holds a civil service position of no less than level 14.

Recall that the Lagos State Police had invited the social media influencer for questioning days after accusing popular pastor, Evangelist Ebuka Obi of conducting fake miracles.

The Police Force, however, filed an amended three-count criminal charge against Ijele before the court.

The three counts in the case between the Inspector General of Police as the complainant and Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu as the defendant involve conspiracy, criminal defamation, cybercrime, and threats to life.

In the charge numbered FHCA/3210/24, the police said the offences violate sections 24(1)(a)(b), (2)(a)(b); 27(1)(a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015 and sections 373 and 374 of the Criminal Code Act, Punishable under section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

Also, a magistrate’s court in Abuja had previously dismissed the case related to criminal intimidation, threats to life, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying filed against him.

Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna, while ruling on the bail application filed through the defendant’s lawyer, struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction.

The judge also instructed the police to bring the blogger before a competent court of law so that the defendant can enter a plea in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) 2015.

The Nigeria Police Force is prosecuting the case on behalf of Evangelist Ebuka Obi’s Zion Prayer Ministry Movement Outreach.

A rainstorm in the early hours of Friday wreaked havoc in the Plateau State Specialists Hospital in Jos, the state capital, rendering doctors and other health officials stranded.

This came even as the hospital yesterday took delivery of 100 beds and 100 mattresses purchased for patients’ use by the Governor Caleb Mutfwang-led administration.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof Christopher Yilgwan, confirmed the development in a chat with newsmen.

He said the doctors and other health officials affected by the rainstorm had been evacuated to other locations for safety.

The CMD said, “As we are receiving the good news (purchase of 100 beds and 100 mattresses) , we woke up this morning to find out that the whole block where some doctors and house officers are staying have been destroyed by rainstorm. As we speak, all of them have been stranded and displaced and their properties destroyed.

“But we have informed Governor Caleb Mutfwang and, in his usual magnanimity, has provided a temporary abode for them while we have a comprehensive estimate of the damaged facilities and submit for renovation and I can assure you that all hands are on deck to see that we address the problem.”

The CMD, who described the incident as unfortunate, added that Plateau hospital caters for more than 60 % of the people in town, including those within the lower realm.

He noted that most of the infrastructure and facilities in the hospital which were built several decades ago had become obsolete and needed to be changed for optimum service delivery.

“We have migrated to an e-hospital system to manage all hospital operations in an electronic manner. That helps us with accurate data to plan appropriately because before now, most of what we do is guesswork. We have also restored the water network in the hospital such that patients don’t have to walk carrying water on their heads. There is a plan to rebuild the hospital to a new specialist hospital.

“Already, architectural designs have been finished and structural designs have also been concluded and we are only waiting for the simulation exercise, and in no distant time, we will reposition the hospital to serve the people better in line with the promise of the present administration,” the CMD added.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has quashed the contempt case initiated by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede.

Bello had predicted the contempt case before a High Court of Kogi State sitting in Lokoja on interim orders earlier granted by the court, subsequent upon which the High Court ordered Olukoyede to show cause why he should not be held for contempt, a decision the EFCC boss appealed.

In a judgment on Thursday, June 13, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal held among others that the contempt case was premised on dead interim orders issued by the Kogi State High Court, sitting in Lokoja.

The Court of Appeal held that, as at the time Bello commenced the contempt case, the interim orders, on which the contempt case was built, had expired because the High Court had delivered its judgment on the substantive fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by Bello.

It noted that the interim orders, having been made pending the determination of the substantive suit and the substantive suit having been determined without the lifetime of the interim orders extended in the final judgment, the interim orders were extinct as of when the contempt case was initiated.

In the lead judgment, Justice Joseph Oyewole held the trial judge failed to extend the interim orders of 9/2/2024 in its final judgment of 17/4/2024.

The court awarded N1 million cost against the respondent (Bello).

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgement on the suit the Federal Government filed to secure full autonomy for the 774 local governments, , in the country.

A seven-man panel of the court, led by Justice Garba Lawal, on Thursday, okayed the matter for judgement. This was after governors of the 36 states of the Federation, through their respective attorney-generals, adopted their briefs of argument.

The states, in separate preliminary objections they filed before the apex court, sought the dismissal of the suit with substantial cost.

They contended that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who initiated the action on behalf of the Government, lacked the locus standi (legal right) to do so.

The defendants further alleged that the AGF breached their right to a fair hearing when he failed to serve them with a copy of a further affidavit he filed in support of the suit.

Besides, some of the states argued that they already have democratically elected local government officials in place. They insisted that the suit by FG amounted to an abuse of the judicial process.

After it had listened to all the parties, the Justice Lawal-led panel said it would communicate the judgement date to them.

The Federal Government had in the suit marked SC/CV/343/2024, prayed the Supreme Court to okay full autonomy for all the local governments, , in the country as the third tier of government.

It prayed the court to issue an order, prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary, and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

As well as for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

Besides, FG prayed the Supreme Court for an order stopping governors from further constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the constitutionally-recognized and guaranteed democratic system.

It equally applied for an order of injunction, restraining the governors, their agents and privies, from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefit of local governments, when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states.

FG argued that Nigeria, as a federation, was a creation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, with the President, as Head of the Federal Executive Arm, swearing on oath to uphold and give effects to provisions of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, on Thursday, rejected applications that Speakers of Houses of Assembly of some of the states filed to be joined as interested parties in the LG autonomy matter.

The Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities (CIEN) has said that it has taken cognizance of the fact that our faulty socio-political and socio-economic structures were traceable to the 1999 Nigeria Constitution and believed that the call for the restructuring of the Nigerian Federation is germane and an idea whose time has come.

This was contained in a statement signed by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Chairman, CIEN, Mr. Timothy B. Gandu, Co-Chairman, CIEN and Mr Nubari Saatah, Secretary, CIEN issued to journalists in Kaduna yesterday.

The Coalition congratulated Nigerians and the Nigerian state on Democracy Day, “as we commemorate our silver jubilee of unbroken democratic rule. This year’s Democracy Day, more than any other, calls for sober reflection and introspection by Nigerians, and most especially its political leadership.”

“Twenty-five (25) years after Nigeria’s political trajectory changed from the path of guns, khakis and jackboots in a military dictatorship, to political parties and a voting public in a civilian democracy, the hope that this change first rekindled and inspired in Nigerians on May 29th 1999, has slowly but steadily degenerated into palpable despair as a result of Nigeria’s visible socioeconomic and sociopolitical decay,” the Coalition said.

The Coalition explained further that “this slow degeneration of the Nigerian Federation is manifested in more ways than one, but encapsulated in the following: the budding secessionist movements that have sprung up in different sections of the country over the years and now threaten its unity; the rise in religious and ethnic intolerance; insurgency and terrorism which have ravaged and continue to ravage different parts of the country; a gradual socioeconomic decline with a ripple effect of impoverishing a larger percentage of the Nigerian population, with a grossly skewed graph of the distribution of the common wealth; and last but not the least, a decline in Nigeria’s sociopolitical status within the comity of nations on the African continent and the wider international stage. These and many more have brought us to a head as a people.”

“Today, more than at any point in Nigeria’s history, calls for the urgent restructuring of the country have been at their loudest, and continue to reverberate. While we believe that Nigeria has grappled with poor leadership for most of its history, and that this has contributed immensely to our current state, the Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities has taken cognizance of the fact that our faulty socio-political and socio-economic structures are traceable to the 1999 Nigeria Constitution. We therefore believe that the call for the restructuring of the Nigerian Federation is germane and an idea whose time has come.”

“Mindful of the above, CIEN, in living up to its founding mandate of uniting Nigeria’s indigenous ethnic nationalities as a means towards fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, the protection of our various and collective interests, self-determination, and the advancement of the Nigerian state in general, have since its founding, been engaging with the indigenous peoples on the way forward for our people and we have been largely successful in this regard.”

“It is on this note that CIEN would like to inform the Nigerian public and its political leadership, that after due deliberations and consultation on the restructuring of the Nigerian Federation, we have put together recommendations and templates which we strongly believe if and when implemented, will serve to steer Nigeria away from a more tumultuous immediate future, and towards a more prosperous future where the hopes and aspirations of the indigenous ethnic nationalities will be actualized.”

A former senator representing Kaduna central, Shehu Sani has called on President Bola Tinubu to pardon the EndSARS protesters, who are still in detention.

Sani made this call while speaking at a dinner marking the 2024 Democracy Day Recall that many Nigerian youths protested across the country against the excesses of the now-disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) unit of the police in October 2020.

After a series of protests, many protesters were arrested in cities such as Lagos, Rivers, and Ibadan, some of whom have remained in detention.

Reacting to the development, Sani said the Nigerian youths who protested against the SARS took after Tinubu, who, according to him, was at the forefront of the struggle for the return of civilian rule in the country.

He said, “Mr. President, there are some people who are still in detention as a result of EndSars’ protest. They were young people who were protesting for justice, freedom, and democracy,” Sani said at the event attended by Tinubu.

“Any young protester in Nigeria today should learn from you because you were the father of protest in Nigeria. Do something about it. Give them the freedom; give them the pardon.”

“You taught us; you funded us to stand up and fight. So, they are your children and grandchildren; give them pardon.”

The former senator also urged Tinubu on the need to foster freedom, equity, and justice in the country.

“Mr. President, I would like to draw your attention. A national anthem cannot unite a nation. A national pledge or a constitution cannot unite a nation.

“A nation is united by the ideals of freedom; a nation is united by equity and justice. Many younger generations of today have not and couldn’t know the sacrifice we have made to restore democracy to this country.

“It is important that we bring attention to those who were not here in those days of struggle.

“Democracy wasn’t a gift given to us by the military. It wasn’t a lottery that we won. It was a product of struggle and sacrifice. There were people forced into exile, like the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the likes of Wole Soyinka.

“There were people who were sent to prison like us. We are supposed to spend the first 15 years of our lives in prison, but by the magnanimity of God, we were out. There were many who were dead. This democracy is a product of struggle.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities made sacrifices, and the media made sacrifices. The NUPENG, headed by the likes of Frank Kokori, made sacrifices, and the National Association of Nigerian Students made sacrifices.

“This democracy was a product of that struggle, a product of determination, and a product of sacrifices.

“Mr. President, you have a duty to succeed. If you succeed, we will share your glory because you came from the trenches, that period of struggle. Mr. President, if you fail, they would say those of you who fought for democracy have nothing new to offer to Nigeria.”

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa has wowed that Simon Ekpa, self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) must be arrested and prosecuted.

Musa made this vow in an interview with newsmen.

The Chief of Defense Staff accused Finland of shielding Simon Ekpa.
He decried the activities of IPOB in the South-East, demanding the arrest and prosecution of Ekpa.

The CDS called on the Nigerian government to take decisive action, including exploring diplomatic options to curb the menace of the factional leader of the IPOB.

He said, “We have repeatedly complained about the issue of Simon Ekpa. He is in Finland and the Finnish Government is giving him all the support and he is doing what he is doing.

“The comments he is making, people are being killed and nothing is being done. This is democracy. If the European Union is supporting democracy and this is happening and they are not taking action, then they don’t mean well for Nigeria.

“We have said that in clear terms. We need to diplomatically find means of getting him out of whatever it is that he is doing. He must be arrested, he must be prosecuted.

“Look at it from the other way, assuming he is in Nigeria, he is doing that to the Finnish government, you think the European Union will allow that to happen? They definitely will not.”

Speaking on the deradicalisation initiative by the military for repentant terrorists in the North-East, Musa said it is yielding the needed results.

Musa said, “It is working very well. I was the commander when it started, we were the ones that started it and every process that we did, we worked together with the state because the state had the authority on the ground.

“Before it started and they were willing to surrender, the states were the ones that took the mantle and we followed up.

“Everyone that surrendered came first to the security forces that were closest to them. They were disarmed, and we got the DSS to profile them.

“The state government provides the administration of those people and we took them to their camps. We were able to separate them and realised that not all of them were combatant. Some were forced, and some were used as labourers.

“The main ones that were the actual operators were kept separately, working together with the victims,” he said.

Recall that the Operation Safe Corridor programme was introduced by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration