Nedu Echianu's Blog

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday took his turn to be screened by the All Progressives Congress(APC) screening panel on Presidential aspirants. Lawan who stormed the Transcorp Hilton Hotels, venue of the screening with dozens of Senators, friends and political associates was formally received and ushered into the screening room by the Chairman of the Panel, former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun. The screening was conducted behind closed doors but Lawan told newsmen thereafter what transpired between him at the panel and his agenda for Nigeria if he finally got the Presidency job. In response to a question, Lawan said: "The screening was very successful. I was asked very fundamental questions about what our party stands for, about what I believe I can bring to the Presidency of Nigeria. "And of course, our party stands for progress, our party stands for national stability. And what we have done in the last seven years as an administratio

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, admitted Senator Rochas Okorocha to bail in the sum of N500 million with one surety in like sum. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, said granting bail was a discretionary power of the court. Justice Ekwo said the surety, who must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, must deposit the Certificate of Occupancy of the verified property with the registry of the court. The judge, while admitting the senator to bail with a cautionary statement, ordered that his international passport be deposited in the registry of the court. He ordered the registry of the court to inform the Nigeria Immigration Service about the state of Okorocha’s travel documents. He further ordered the lawmaker not to travel outside the country except with the leave of the court. Ekwo also granted Okorocha’s co-defendant, Anyim Chinenye, a bail in the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Economic and Financial Crime

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. He emerged at Labour Party’s Convention and presidential primary held in Asaba, Delta State. Earlier at the convention, Professor Pat Utomi stepped down for Obi. Utomi announced that Obi is a younger aspirant with the capacity to effect the needed change in the Nigerian system. Also, another aspirant, 45-year-old Joseph Faduri stepped down for the former governor. Obi, who was a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, resigned from the PDP and also withdrew from the presidential race on the platform of the party on May 25. He announced his resignation in a letter titled “Resignation From PDP and Withdrawal from the Presidential Contest” addressed to the PDP National Chairman, dated May 24. Obi, in the letter made available to newsmen last Wednesday in Abuja, attributed the decision to recent developments within PDP. Obi, who was a former gov

The spokesperson of the Senate and Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC, Dr Ajibola Basiru  has emerged as the standard-bearer of the party for the Senatorial District ahead 2023 General elections. Senator Basiru emerged unopposed and as a consensus candidate amongst leaders of the party in Osun Central. The emergence was ratified by delegates who affirmed his candidacy in unanimous decisions across the wards in the Senatorial District. Addressing party loyalists shortly after his affirmation, Senator Basiru expressed gratitude to them for standing by him all the time and believing in his quality representation.  "Today underscores the unity in Osun Central APC, substantiates the love, trust and confidence you have in me and the high esteem I hold you as my constituents. This affirmation is a challenge for us to ensure that  Governor Adegboyega Oyetola wins in July 16 election and a challenge for me

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerhed winner of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries which took place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja. His victory followed the final sorting and counting of the votes in front of dignitaries of the party and Delegates. Atiku will now fly the flag of the PDP in the 2023 Presidential election. The breakdown of votes are thus; Anyim Pius Anyim — 14 Votes Atiku Abubakar—371 Votes Bukola Saraki—-70 Votes Nyesom Wike—- 237 Votes Emmanuel Udom—- 38 Votes Bala Mohammed — 20 Votes

The senator representing Kebbi Central, Senator Adamu Aleiro, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress, APC senatorial race. Aleiru has equally joined the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State. His media aide, Abdullahi Zuru, confirmed this development to Vanguard through the telephone. His words “Yes it’s true Alieru has joined PDP, but I am in a meeting,  I will call you  back,” he said. Earlier the former minister  of the  federal  capital territory had sent a letter to the  National chairman of All Progressives  Congress, APC, informing him that he has withdrawn from APC Senate primaries  in  Kebbi. Alieru alleged that Governor Bagudu has changed  the real delegates and replaced them with fictitious ones hence his  reason to pull out of the contest describing  it as shambolic and fraudulent act.

Governor of Sokoto state and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has steped down his presidential ambition and thrown his weight behind former vice President, Atiku Abubakar. 

Scores of people are feared dead in a stampede just before the commencement of a programme organised by a new generation church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Though, the church known as ‘Kings Assembly’ is located in the GRA axis of the metropolis, the programme was at the Polo Club in the Rivers State capital to accomodate the usual large congregation. It was learnt that the crowd overstretched the venue as the church had invited members of the public to come and receive gift items and food for its fourth anniversary. A source said some of the invitees arrived since Friday evening, while others arrived as early as 6.30am on Saturday morning for an event that was supposed to start by 9am. He said most of the victims were taken to the nearby military hospital in Port Harcourt “As I speak with you, I have counted 21 corpse at the military hospital. I heard some were taken to a different facility. “This is not the first time the church is holding this prog

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, one of the aspirants who sought interest in the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn from the race. The former Managing Director of FSB International Bank, announced his withdrawal from the race in a letter addressed to Dr Iyorchia Ayu, National Chairman of the PDP. Hayatu-Deen quit the race days after a former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, withdrew from the presidential race and resigned from the PDP. But unlike Obi, Hayatu-Deen has promised to remain in the opposition party. “I have been a keen observer of Nigerian politics for so many decades, but have not been opportuned to actively participate in party politics due to my engagements in managing critical public and private institutions, among others.” “I have observed with great concern and sorrow the recent rapid deterioration of all aspects of our national life – characterised by increasing poverty, religious intolerance, banditry and kidnapping, mo

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday bowed to pressure from political parties seeking the extension of the June 3 deadline for the conduct of primary elections by approving an additional six days extension. The electoral umpire, however, clarified that the extension is granted in respect of outstanding primaries only and not those already concluded. The INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, made this known in a statement issued on Friday night after the meeting of the commission and the leadership of the 18 registered political parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Abuja. The statement read in part, “The commission has decided to allow the request of the political parties since the six-day period does not conflict with the next scheduled activity which is the submission of the list of nominated candidates or any other subsequent timelines which remain sacrosanct. “However, this request is gran

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has debunked reports that he has joined the Labour Party. Ekweremadu who represents Enugu West Senatorial District in the Senate, recently boycotted the Governorship primaries of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, citing massive irregularities and violence in the run up to the Primaries. A statement signed by Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu's media adviser stated In the terse Press release that; " Our attention has been drawn to an online misinformation to the effect that former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has joined the Labour Party. "This is false and should be disregarded."

Reports say Presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has joined Labour Party after dumping the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). The former Anambra State Governor made the announcement on Friday through his verified Twitter handle. According to the 60-year-old politician, he left the Peoples Democratic Party days ago due to “ issues that are at variance with my persona and principles”. He also thanked the youths for the encouragement. Obi wrote, “I thank all Nigerians, especially our youths who have joined me in the mission of taking back and reuniting Nigeria. “This project is yours and for the future of your children. I am just a facilitator. “Since I resigned from the PDP because of issues that are at variance with my persona and principles, I have consulted widely with various parties and personalities to ensure we do not complicate the route to our desired destination. “For me, the process of achieving our goal is as fundamental as what one will do th

Lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the Senate, Smart Adeyemi has accused some individuals which he failed to name as planning to assasinate him and members of his family following his refusal to withdraw from the Senatorial Primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) slated for Saturday 28th May 2022. In an unsigned statement made available to this blog, Adeyemi stated that he was accused of non performance being the reason for the powers that be, in naming an anointed Candidate to take his seat.

Following his failure to get the ticket of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the Abia state Governorship election next year, the minority leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has dumped the PDP. In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Abaribe relinquished his position of minority leader, stating that his next move would be communicated in due cause.

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, refused to admit Sen. Rochas Okorocha, who is currently at the EFCC’s custody, to a bail. Justice Inyang Ekwo, instead, ordered Okorocha, through his lawyer, Ola Olanipekun, SAN, to put the anti-graft agency on notice. The News Agency of Nigeria !NAN) reports that Olanipekun had, in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2022, prayed the court to grant Okorocha bail on liberal terms pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice filed on May 25. The ex-parte motion was dated and filed May 26. But Justice Ekwo held that since the matter would be coming up on Monday, May 30, making an order for the release of the lawmaker on bail would be unnecessary. The senior lawyer also hinted that he had also filed a motion on notice, seeking for his client’s bail. The judge, who fixed May 30 for the hearing of the motions, directed the lawyer to put the EFCC on notice. NAN reports that Ekwo had, in the last adjourned date, given

The Supreme Court has declined a suit seeking to stop the planned probe of N96 billion fraud allegedly involving the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, during his time as the Rivers State Governor. While dismissing the suit on Friday, the appellate court in a unanimous judgement by a five-man panel of Justices, submitted that there was no justification to stop the probe of the All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant. Amaechi’s suit at the High Court of Rivers State and Court of Appeal had earlier been dismissed prompting his case at the Supreme Court. He is seeking to stop a probe into the alleged N96 billion sale of assets belonging to Rivers State. The incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike had constituted a seven-man probe panel to probe Amaechi over the sale of assets. Wike asked the panel to look into the lawful or otherwise, sales of valuable assets of the state. The listed valuable assets are Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Tu

Exactly one week after the violence that erupted at the Dei-Dei International Building Material Market, the FCT Administration today, announced the reopening of the market following consultations. Recall that the FCTA had Wednesday last week announced the indefinite closure of the market following the clash that broke out at the market where four persons reportedly lost their lives. However, briefing journalists after a closed door meeting with major stakeholders of Dei-Dei community today, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, announced that the market will re-open for business on Friday, 27th May 2022. He revealed that the market will going forward, be re-organized and placed under relevant and proper supervision. In his words, “The conclusion of our meeting is that all the communities agreed that what happened was not a tribal or religious crisis. What happened was just an unfortunate accident that was overtaken by hoodlums in the community who created havoc. The g

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege,  has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Asaba, the Delta State capital. A statement signed by Ima Niboro,   Director, Communications and Media Strategy, Ovie Omo-Agege Campaign Organisation stated that  Senator Omo-Agege  emerged victorious after polling 1,190 votes in the Delta State APC governorship primary election. The statement added that although Omo-Agege was returned unopposed, delegates reaffirmed their votes in line with the Electoral Act. Chairperson of the Electoral Committee, Oyibo Nwaneri Esq., congratulated the winner and party delegates on a successful exercise. Secretary of the Committee, Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba announced that out of the 1,350 adhoc delegates, 1,235 were duly accredited while 1,190 votes were cast for the lawmaker with one void vote. In his remarks, Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Rev. Monday Udoh Tom described the exercise as credi

The Central Bank of Nigeria has denied the sack of its Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, describing the report as an unfounded rumour. It was rumoured on Wednesday morning that Emefiele had been sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari purportedly for his presidential ambition. In his reaction,  the CBN’s spokesman, Mr Osita Nwanisiobi, while being quoted by several sources denied the report, describing it a rumor.

Roma won their first major European trophy by beating Feyenoord in the inaugural Europa Conference League final. The Italians ensured Jose Mourinho's first season in charge ended with a trophy after Nicolo Zaniolo chested down Gianluca Mancini's lofted pass before beating goakeeper Justin Bijlow with a clever flick. Mourinho, who has won the Champions League, Europa League and the Uefa Cup, is the first manager to win all of Uefa's major European trophies. The Portuguese was criticised after Roma were embarrassed  6-1 in Norway by Bodo/Glimt  in the group stage last October. But this win continued the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager's perfect record in European finals, having now overseen five wins in five finals. BBC Sport

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and running mate to the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, has withdrawn from the presidential race. Daily Trust reports that Obi, who had gone round the country to seek the support of delegates for the presidential primary, pulled out of the exercise less than 72 hours to the contest. Reports say Obi has already submitted a letter to the chairman of his Ward in Anambra to notify him of his resignation from the party. He has also written to the National chairman of the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, over his decision to quit the opposition party. Commenting on the development, Doyin Okupe, Director General, Peter Obi Campaign Organisation, asked Nigerians not to give up on Obi as he would be on the ballot for the 2023 Presidential poll.

The Minority leader in the Senate and an aspirant in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Gubernatorial Primaries in Abia state, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has pulled out of the contest citing perceived irregularities. In a statement which he personally signed, the Lawmaker who represents Abia South in the Senate said; " The last couple of weeks has been tortuous as we battled hard to navigate our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) away from a self destructive path.  "The essence was to create an unfettered democratic space and a level playing field for all aspirants vying for all elective offices in the state, to participate equally in the primary elections.  "That was not the case and of course what we are witnessing is a shambolic process driven by a procured court injunction.  "To make matters worse, the use of only an imaginary 3-man Adhoc delegates to the exclusion of the party's statutory delegates in the primary elections to elect ou

The Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, the group gunning for the election of former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as Enugu State Governor have announced his withdrawal from the race. Director-General, Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, Charles Asogwa made the announcement in a statement which was made available to this blog today, 25th May 2022. The statement said;  " We wish to inform our supporters and Nigerians that the former Deputy President of the Senate and foremost governorship aspirant in Enugu State, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, will not be participating in the PDP governorship primary election scheduled for this Wednesday, May 25, 2022. "Meanwhile, we continue to trust God as we appreciate our teeming supporters and the good people of Enugu State for the enormous goodwill they have ceaselessly invested in the actualisation of the “Pathway to a New Enugu State”. "We urge them to remain peaceful and be assured that we will keep them abreast

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives are laying siege to the Maitama house of a former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, in order to effect his arrest. It would be recalled that the agency deployed its operatives to surround the APC Presidential aspirant’s private residence in the capital city, Abuja. The mission of the operatives couldn’t be immediately ascertained but the lawmaker while addressing journalists said he wondered why the security agents would hold him hostage and prevent him from participating in the screening of APC  presidential aspirants. But reacting to the siege, the EFCC, in a statement by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said the move followed the alleged refusal of the former governor to honour several invitations extended to him after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the commission. Uwujaren recalled that the EFCC had on January 24, 2022 filed a 17-count charge bordering on div

The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed that terrorists in the early morning of Tuesday, killed twelve people at Gakurdi village, in Jibia Local Government Area of the state. The terrorists were also said to have burnt some farmlands belonging to the residents of the village during the attack. It was learnt that the terrorists arrived in the village on four motorcycles and started shooting indiscriminately. The situation reportedly caused panic in the village, the development which made residents scamper for safety. The Spokesman for the police command, SP Gambo Isah, who confirmed the development, said some villagers who attempted to escape into their farmlands were also killed by the terrorists. He said the Commissioner of Police, Idris Dabban, led a team of security operatives including himself to the village for an on-the-spot assessment of the incident. He added that security operatives were already on top of the situation. Isah said, “The incident is tru

An aspirant for the position of governor of Enugu State under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has denied media reports which claimed that he has adopted and stepped down for Barr. Peter Mbah as PDP's governorship candidate in the 2023 general election. Director-General of Ekweremadu's Campaign Organisation, Hon. Charles Asogwa made this known in a terse statement in Enugu. According to Asogwa the purported withdrawal of Ekweremadu from the race which he described as false was credited to a one time governor of Enugu State,   Senator Jim Nwobodo.

The Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, the group gunning for the election of former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as governor of Enugu State, says it received with shock the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissing the suit seeking to uphold the list of three-man ad-hoc delegates that truly emanated in compliance to the PDP Constitution and Guidelines for the Election of Three-Man Delegates and National Delegates in the 30th April 2022 Ward Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State. The group which had earlier lamented what it described as the large scale violence and fraud that characterised the PDP House of Representatives and State House of Assembly primary election in the state, warned that the PDP in Enugu State might end up with a similar scenario in Zamfara state in 2019 where the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost out completely in the state due to their failure to conduct a valid primary election.   A statement

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism as well as a presidential aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Rochas Okorocha, from his residence, ending the back and forth argument over his invitation on alleged diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 billion. Okorocha was said to have finally surrendered and allowed officials of the anti-graft agency to pick him up from his house after they had broken into the residence, shooting to scare anyone that may wish to prevent them.

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has warned the People's Democratic Party (PDP) against towing the same path that eroded the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in governorship, National Assembly and other victories in the 2019 general election. It is recalled that Supreme Court’s five-member panel of Justices, had in a unanimous judgment in May 2019, voided all votes cast for the APC and consequently sacked the party's candidates, who were declared winners in the February 23 and March 16, 2019 general election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ruling that the party had no candidates in the elections, having failed to conduct primaries in accordance with its own rules and as required by law. But speaking through his governorship campaign organisation at the weekend, Ekweremadu advised the PDP to be careful so as not to make the same mistake. He spoke vide a statement by the Director-General of the

The Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, the body gunning for the election of a former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as governor of Enugu State, has issued an update on a lawsuit that it instituted at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the legality of a three man delegate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State. A statement signed by the  Director-General, Ikeoha Campaign Organisation, Hon. Charles Ogbo Asogwa, read; " We wish to inform our teeming supporters that the lawsuit concerning THE three-man ad-hoc delegates came up today, Friday, May 20, 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Arguments were taken and the matter was adjourned to May 27, 2022 for judgment. We await the outcome and intend to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion. "In the meantime, it is noteworthy that the President is yet to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that will allow the participation of statutory delegates in the congresses and

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Mohammad Bello on Thursday ordered the indefinite closure of Dei-Dei International Market following a clash between commercial motorcyclists and traders. A death of a yet-to-be-identified woman in the area was said to have led to a clash between the traders and ‘Okada’ riders. The clash resulted in the destruction of goods worth billions of naira in the market, while many vehicles were also destroyed. The minister gave the directive after inspecting the scene of the incident with the FCT Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, Director, State Security Services with other sister security agencies and top officials of the FCT Administration. Bello also directed the community and the market leaders to fish out the hoodlums responsible for the crisis. He said: “The community and market leaders must fish out hoodlums and bad eggs among them, unfortunately this time around hoodlums carry arms and they shoot innocent people. As a m

At least five persons have been reportedly killed and houses set on fire in a clash between traders and okada riders at Dei Dei, a community in  Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A resident told Daily Trust that an accident involving a bike man led to the break down of law and order in the community. “Five persons that I know have been killed in this incident. We have been calling for security intervention to no avail,” said the resident who pleaded anonymity. “We are really worried that this crisis is tilting towards ethnic dimension.” There is no independent verification on the number of casualties for now but one of the affected persons confirmed that his house was torched. The traders at the timber section of the Dei-Dei market were said to have attacked the rider, whom they blamed for recklessness which led to the death of the passenger. The okada riders colleagues reportedly moved to rescue him from the attackers and the

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, declined to grant bail to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge the Federal Government preferred against him. Trial Justice Binta Nyako held that Kanu must explain the reason why he breached the previous bail that was given to him, before he could enjoy another favourable discretion from the court. “Until the issue of absence of the defendant for his trial, with all the bail conditions breached, is determined, the instant application of the defendant for bail will at best be premature and it is refused. “However, the defendant is at liberty to refile the application”, Justice Nyako held. The court noted that Kanu’s trial had since 2015, suffered various setbacks owing to over 19 interlocutory applications that have been filed in the matter. It, therefore, implored the parties to allow the case to proceed on trial to enab

The National Legal Adviser of Accord party, Maxwell Mgbudem, yesterday lamented the gruesome muder of a 200 Level Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, even as he called on the Federal Government to investigate the incident and prosecute the culprits.  Recall that last week Thursday, irate youths murdered a 200 Level student of Shehu Shagari Collage of Education, Miss Deborah Samuel, over alleged blasphemy against prophet Muhammed. Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja, the Accord chieftain, Mgbudem called for urgent measures to ensure that the situation does not escalate to other parts of the country, and worsen the insecurity challenge facing Nigeria.  He regretted that life has become short and brutal in the country, hence calling on the Government to take a decisive action that will not only deter future occurrence, but ensure peace across the country.  Mgbudem also expressed fears over the rising tension and insecurity across the co

Many persons were feared dead following an explosion along Court Road in Sabon Gari, Kano State on Tuesday. The explosion, which occurred near a private secondary school, Winners School, destroyed a residential building and affected part of the school. The explosion occurred around 9:30 am with many schoolchildren affected. Visuals of the incident showed several injured schoolchildren crying for help. Some parents were seen rushing to the scene to rescue their children. “Where are my children?” one parent shouted. While some injured schoolchildren have been rescued, others were stranded at the scene before the arrival of emergency responders. As of the time of filing this report, security operatives, including the army, police, and NSCDC had surrounded the place. The National Emergency Management Agency and Fire service operatives were also on the ground trying to rescue victims of the explosion. Meanwhile, the Kano State Government clarified that the early Tuesday

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Monday, arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris over allegations bothering on money laundering to the tune of N80bn. The EFCC noted that the AGF’s arrest followed verified intelligence that he allegedly “raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.” The Commission’s Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren in a statement said the funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja. The EFCC further explained that Mr Idris was arrested after failing to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts.

The Police Service Commission has risen from its 15th Plenary Meeting on Friday   May 13th 2022 in Abuja with the confirmation of acting DIG John Ogbonnaya Amadi as a substantive Deputy Inspector General of Police, approved the appointment of Zama Bala Senchi as a Deputy Inspector General of Police and promoted eight Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspectors General of Police.  The Commission also approved the promotion of 23 Deputy Commissioners to the next rank of Commissioners of Police; 31 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners of Police and 63 Chief Superintendents of Police promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police. The Plenary Meeting which began on Wednesday, May 11th 2022 was presided over by Alhaji Musiliu Smith, Chairman of the Commission and former Inspector General of Police.  DIG Amadi, currently acting, replaced late DIG Joseph Egbunike and will be representing the South East in the Force Management team while DIG Senchi was the most senior

The Nigeria Football Federation on Sunday announced the appointment of Mr José Santos Peseiro as the new Head Coach of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect, subject to the signing of agreed terms between the NFF and Mr Peseiro, according to a statement by NFF’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire. “Peseiro is expected to lead out the Super Eagles for the first time during the upcoming tour of the United States of America, during which the three–time African champions will slug it out with Mexico and Ecuador ‘A’ Teams in prestige friendlies. “The Eagles will tango with the El Tri at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, State of Texas on Saturday, 28th May before flying to New Jersey to confront Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday, 2nd June,” the statement read in part. The NFF also announced that “former Nigeria international forward, Finidi George will now be 1st Assistant to Peseiro, with Salisu Yusuf now to be s

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has imposed curfew on the state metropolis over the violent protest by youths who were demanding the release of two suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Deborah Samuel over alleged blasphemy. Daily Trust reports that the curfew will last for 24 hours.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has pulled out of the 2023 presidential race to retain his ministerial seat. The former governor of Anambra State and member of the All Progressives Congress made his withdrawal known in a statement on Friday. Ngige’s withdrawal from the APC presidential primary slated for end of May and the 2023 elections next year followed a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari, that all ministers and appointees with political ambitions quit their offices in government. The minister’s letter was titled, ‘Withdrawal of my presidential ambition’. It read, “On Tuesday, 19th April 2022, publicly declared my interest to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following the constitutional provision that precludes our amiable incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari from seeking re-election to the office, as he would have completed his two terms in office by 29th May 2023. The declaration was made in my home