A FORMER chief executive officer (CEO) of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, Valentine Ozigbo, has said Peter Obi will not contest the 2027 presidential election on the Labour Party (LP) platform which he ran on in 2023. Ozigbo recently dumped the LP for the ruling All Progressives Congress, citing his “unwavering commitment” to the greater vision of Anambra State. However, when he appeared on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Thursday monitored by News Point Nigeria, Ozigbo said during his time in LP, he was part of some coalition discussions that shaped his belief that Obi will soon dump the party. “I…
Author: David Akonuche
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THE detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urging her to direct the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to reassign his case to another judge with proper jurisdiction. In a letter to the CJN, Kanu’s legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, argued that Justice Binta Nyako, who is currently presiding over the case, had already recused herself following Kanu’s allegations of bias. Kanu is facing seven counts of terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government. Ejimakor argued…
THERE is growing tension as two suspects linked to the murder of Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra House of Assembly, have escaped from police custody in the state. Spokesman of the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. Ikenga said the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, received a report on Tuesday that two of the suspected killers had escaped from custody. He explained that the two suspects who were assisting police operatives had gone out with the operatives for an investigation to arrest a receiver of vehicles used by the criminal…
THE National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has suspended its Chief Transport Officer attached to Uyo Zonal Office in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Akwaowo Jonah Emmanuel for alleged sexual violations and exploitation of female suspects. News Point Nigeria reports that Emmanuel was suspended without pay over accusations of sexual violations and exploitation of female suspects, including minors retrieved on transit and kept in the agency’s custody pending conclusion of investigation. The suspended official accused of promising freedom for female suspects in custody if they agree to his sexual advances. The agency said the suspension followed a…
THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday uncovered a major operation depot dealing in expired and falsified drugs at Umumeje village, Osisioma Ngwa area of Abia State. NAFDAC disclosed this in a statement on X, saying it revealed that the illegal operation was being run from multiple buildings near the Ariaria International Market. According to the agency, the expired medicines were repackaged and revalidated for resale, posing a significant health risk to consumers. “Seized items consisted of expired potassium chloride, allergy medications, immune boosters, and cholesterol treatments,” the statement read. “Machines used to rebrand…
THE leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, questioned the jurisdiction of his alleged terrorism case when he re-appeared before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court for the resumed hearing of his protracted case. Despite Kanu’s insistence that Justice Nyako has no jurisdiction over his case, the judge adjourned the matter indefinitely. Kanu was brought into Nigeria in June 2021 and has since been detained and tried for alleged terrorism. His trial was stalled after Justice Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24,…
THE Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has taken its legal battle against its proscription as a terrorist organization to the Supreme Court. IPOB, through its lawyers dissatisfied with the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division which affirmed it as a terrorist organization, is seeking to overturn the judgment that affirmed its designation as a terrorist entity by the Federal Government. In its appeal filed at the apex court, IPOB argued that its proscription violated constitutional provisions, particularly the right to fair hearing, as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). IPOB’s legal counsel led by…
THE abductors of Anambra State lawmaker, Justice Azuka, appear to have collected N100 million from his account before killing him, according to one of the suspects arrested in connection with his disappearance. The Police yesterday confirmed arresting nine persons over the abduction and killing. Azuka’s decomposing body was found near the Niger Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State early Thursday, 44 days after his abduction. Four armed young men had pounced on him at Ugwunabamkpa in Onitsha on Christmas Eve. One of the suspects seen in a video that has gone viral claims his gang shot Azuka dead on Boxing Day after…
Demands Apology, Retraction, N1bn Compensation THE General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren has threatened to sue two bloggers: Daybreak.ng and Environmentreporters.com, for publishing alleged defamatory information against his person. Dr Uwugiaren in two separate letters addressed to the Editor-in-chief of the respective online media organizations, specifically gave Daybreak.ng and Environmentreporters.com, seven days to apologize and retract the offensive publications or face legal action. Besides, the General Secretary in the letters dated January 23, 2025 and signed by his lawyer, Mr Fidel Bassey, is demanding the sum of N500 million from each of the media houses…
THE decomposing body of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka, has been discovered on the 2nd Niger Bridge. Azuka’s body was discovered by a combined security team. The lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunabankpa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha. After weeks of investigation, security operatives from Abuja apprehended the suspects late Wednesday. The arrested individuals later led authorities to the location where they had dumped the lawmaker’s remains. Police authorities in Anambra State have said details of the incident are sketchy. However, the spokesman of the command, Tochukwu…
THE Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ebonyi State Chapter, Chinedu Uburu, disclosed on Monday that workers who have passed away since 2009 are still receiving salaries in the state’s local government system. Uburu made this revelation during a courtesy visit by the state’s NUJ executives, led by Chairman Samson Nwafor, to his office in Abakaliki. He explained that the discovery came to light during an ongoing verification exercise and urged patience from workers who have yet to receive their payments. He stressed that no local government chairman in Ebonyi is undertaking a project of less…
IN recent years, Africa’s investment climate has seen significant fluctuations, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) declining amid widespread economic uncertainties. Nigeria, as the continent’s second-largest economy, hasn’t been immune to these challenges. Issues such as economic instability, currency volatility, and rising operational costs—compounded by increasing inflation—have made doing business in Nigeria increasingly difficult. As a result, more than 20 companies have shut down and relocated their investments to other markets between 2020 and 2024. This exodus has not only affected the business landscape but has also led to substantial job losses, further aggravating the already dire youth unemployment situation in…
NIGERIA’s Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says the Allied Air Boeing 737-400 Freighter that crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on December 11, 2024 was scheduled to collect cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria. The bureau stated this in a preliminary report released on Saturday, about two months after it commenced an investigation into the incident. “On 11 December 2024, a Boeing 737-400F aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-JRT, operated by Allied Air Limited was on a positioning flight to pick up cargo for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” the report reads. According to the report, the aircraft…
THE Court of Appeal Abuja has affirmed the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization. In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel led by Justice Hamma Barka, the appellate court affirmed the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which outlawed the IPOB. The court held that it found no reason to set-aside the order the Federal Government got against the group. According to the court, the FG acted lawfully by proscribing the organization whose activities threatened the nation’s security and continued existence. It resolved all the issues against the IPOB and dismissed…
A FORMER Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that Nigerian politicians are in power to steal, kill, and retain power. Amaechi made this remark at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria held earlier this week, aimed at discussing pathways to good governance and political integrity in Nigeria. While speaking at the event, Amaechi said, “All we hear here is typical Nigeria, and you’re clapping. That’s why politicians get away with anything. They get away with murder because you have a short memory. None of you here can defend the votes. You have complained; Nigerians have been clapping…
THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut down the infamous Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, for the second time in two years. The agency said it uncovered and confiscated fake and substandard food and beverages worth over ₦5 billion in its latest operation tagged Operation Clean Up Aba. Described as a hub for Africa’s largest counterfeit wine and beverage cartel, Cemetery Market has been notorious for producing fake alcoholic drinks, carbonated beverages, and food products. NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement she signed on Tuesday, described the raid as “the most decisive…
NIGERIANS and other African illegal immigrants in the United States may be the next target for deportation by the American government this newspaper gathered. The fear of deportation has gripped many Nigerians who are illegally staying in the US, following President Donald Trump’s declaration of war against illegal immigration Trump on his inauguration day as the 47th President of the US signed a series of executive orders aimed at hardening immigration policies, including the stoppage of citizenship by birth for children of illegal immigrants. Trump has signed orders to declare a national emergency at the Mexico-US southern border, stating the…
AN unconfirmed number of persons died in a fuel tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyeama, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, a few kilometres from the Enugu metropolis, on Saturday. However, although some reports put the casualties figure at over 20, we have not been able to verify it, and none of the emergency responders have made a statement. The explosion was said to have occurred around 12:30pm, when a tanker laden with petrol exploded on the very busy road. According to eyewitnesses, the effects of the explosion were very devastating, as it destroyed many nearby vehicles, besides killing many…
THERE was pandemonium at the Ekeki Police Division in Yenagoa as a violent confrontation ensued between the men of the Nigeria Police and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday. This newspaper gathered that some NDLEA operatives were in the area to arrest a woman suspected to be a drug peddler and had even made an entry in the police records before carrying out their assignment. However, just as they were going about their operation, the policemen from the Ekeki Police Division obstructed the NDLEA operatives and it resulted in an altercation. In the resulting confrontation, several shots were…
AN accident claimed the life of a female prospective corps member who was going to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp at Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The deceased was among a group of 12 prospective corps members in a 14-seater bus involved in the accident. The female corps member, whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report, was said to have died from injuries sustained while her colleagues and other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries. A source said the corps members boarded the bus in Enugu heading to…