Author: Eileen Peters

THE Edo State Government has issued a one-week ultimatum to former deputy governor, Omobayo Godwins, to immediately return all government property and assets still in his possession. The order was contained in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, on Tuesday. The state government warned that if Omobayo fails to meet the deadline, it will instruct the state Police Commissioner to arrest him and reclaim all state-owned assets in his possession through legal channels. The statement further reads, “The government has observed with dismay that several official items,…

A RIVERS State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and acquitted 12 travellers accused of killing a female police officer, Inspector Christiana Erekere. Erekere was attached to the Taabaa Police Division in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of the state. News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Augusta Chukwu, who delivered the judgment on Monday, ruled that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants were responsible for the officer’s death, which occurred on April 25, 2024, during a stop-and-search operation. The defendants: Efeoghene Uwheraka (the groom), Joy Uwhereka, Shirley Wealth, Napoleon Uwhereka, Ejiro Ejogbamu,…

POLICE operatives have uncovered a horrifying case of alleged murder involving two self-styled native doctors. News Point Nigeria reports that the native doctors were accused of killing their clients and dumping their bodies inside a soak-away pit in Owa-Alidinma community, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State. The victims, 22-year-old motorcycle rider, Isioma Ugbeje, and 20-year-old passenger, Liberty Friday, were reported missing after visiting a shrine in the community for spiritual consultation. According to reports, Friday had gone to seek help from the herbalist, accompanied by Ugbeje, who transported him on his motorcycle. When both men failed to return…

THE Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a suit challenging the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu in March. News Point Nigeria reports that a seven-man panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro adjourned after parties in the suit adopted their processes on Tuesday. The plaintiff in the suit are the Attorney General of 10 states, while the defendants in the suit is the Federal Government and the National Assembly. At the day’s proceeding, the fifth plaintiff, Delta state withdrew from the suit, which was not opposed by the counsel for the federal government,…

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct a mock accreditation exercise in Anambra State to test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of the November governorship election. According to a statement issued on Saturday by Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity sent to News Point Nigeria, the exercise will take place on Saturday, October 25, at selected polling units across the state’s three senatorial districts. INEC explained that the mock exercise aims to evaluate the BVAS’ response time and the efficiency of result uploads on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. “The…

A FORMER Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters and Social Events to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-owei Dudafa, has formally announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the All Progressive Congress. Dudafa, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, announced his resignation from the PDP in a statement he issued on Saturday in Yenagoa. In the letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman, PDP, Southern Opokuma/Ayibabiri Ward 8 in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area sighted by News Point Nigeria, he stated that his decision to quit the PDP followed a period of deep…

RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has begun asserting firm control over the state’s governance following his return to office cancelling a controversial ₦134 billion renovation contract awarded in the final days of the Sole Administrator-led Emergency Government. The governor also ordered the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee it reportedly received for the project, which involved the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex. In a decisive move seen as part of his efforts to restore due process and transparency, Fubara directed that the project along with three others…

GOVERNOR Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). News Point Nigeria reports that Diri, who announced this on Wednesday at the exco chamber in the Bayelsa State Government House, did not state the political party that he will be moving to. He said his decision was for an obvious reason, but did not state the reason or the political party to which he will be moving. The Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was absent, but the govenor said all those not present at the meeting were on official assignments. He also stated that the chairmen…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has appointed Benibo Anabraba as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), in what political observers describe as another key move in the ongoing reorganisation of the state’s executive structure. The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo sent to News Point Nigeria, who said the new SSG will be sworn in by 4 p.m. at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt. Anabraba, a seasoned politician and grassroots mobiliser, previously served as…

THE Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced that it will commence full enforcement of the ban on covered, obscured, or altered vehicle number plates across the state effective Friday, October 10, 2025. The directive, issued on Thursday in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, sent to News Point Nigeria, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, MNIPR, fsi, mandates all motorists including private vehicle owners, commercial drivers, government officials, VIP convoys, and even security agencies to comply fully or face strict sanctions. According to the Command, the ban…

THE Akwa Ibom State Government has denied reports alleging that Governor Umo Eno ordered the withdrawal of security personnel attached to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel. News Point Nigeria reports briefing journalists at the Government House in Uyo, the state Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, described the reports as false and misleading. He insisted that the deployment or withdrawal of police officers does not fall within the powers of any governor. “The deployment, reassignment, or withdrawal of police officers is the exclusive responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in each state, not the duty of any…

IN a renewed effort to consolidate the fragile peace recently restored in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara met on Saturday night with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alongside key political allies of the minister, in what sources described as one of the most significant reconciliatory meetings since the protracted political crisis began more than two years ago. News Point Nigeria reports that the closed-door meeting, held at the Port Harcourt residence of elder statesman Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, reportedly stretched into the early hours of Sunday. It came just days after the governor directed…

RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has issued a stern warning to Permanent Secretaries in the state’s civil service, vowing that those who engaged in illegality and derailed due process during the six-month emergency rule will be held accountable. News Point Nigeria reports that Governor Fubara gave the warning on Friday while swearing in a newly appointed Permanent Secretary, Austin Ezekiel-Hart, at the Government House, Port Harcourt. The governor, who expressed disappointment at the conduct of some senior civil servants during the period of emergency governance, declared that records of their infractions had been documented and would be revisited at the…

THE Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to suspend enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit for vehicle owners. The interim ruling, delivered on Friday a copy obtained by News Point Nigeria, came as the court began hearing Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, filed by legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins against the IGP and the Police Force. The presiding judge directed the police authorities to “maintain the status quo and respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Edun, who led…

THE Edo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Agun Gbenga, has died after reportedly slumping at a public event in Benin City on Thursday. News Point Nigeria gathered that the tragic incident occurred at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, off Airport Road, during an event organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), where the late Commandant was one of the distinguished awardees. Eyewitnesses said Gbenga had just concluded delivering his goodwill message when he suddenly collapsed on his seat, sending shockwaves through the audience. Immediate efforts were made to resuscitate him…

RIVERS State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved his cabinet, relieving all commissioners and other political appointees of their duties with immediate effect, in what observers describe as one of the most sweeping shake-ups since he assumed office. The decision was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday evening in Port Harcourt by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi obtained by News Point Nigeria, who confirmed that the move followed the recent Supreme Court judgment that effectively reshaped the political landscape of the state. Earlier in the day, Governor Fubara held a valedictory session with his commissioners at the…

THE newly called-to-the-bar lawyer, Peace Onyesom, and her sister, Gift Onyesom, who were kidnapped along the Okene-Auchi road on Friday, have regained their freedom. News Point Nigeria reports that the victims’ brother, Godspower Onyesom, confirmed their release to PUNCH Metro correspondent in a telephone conversation on Tuesday. Recall that Peace had participated in the Nigerian Law School call-to-the-bar ceremony on September 23. She was returning to Benin, Edo State, alongside her sister when they were kidnapped. Confirming her release, Godspower said, “She has been released. She is back home.” In an accompanying video sent to our correspondent, Peace thanked everyone…

AKWA Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has dismissed speculations that his much-discussed “happy hour” statement during the 2023 governorship election was a government policy aimed at sponsoring drinking sessions for civil servants or citizens. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking on Arise Television on Friday, the governor said his remarks had been “completely taken out of context,” insisting that what he meant was the need for hardworking people to occasionally take time off to relax. “Happy hour is, I believe, that if you work hard, you must find time occasionally to relax,” Eno explained. “Like today, I’ve been working…

RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has shed light on why he resisted intense pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his choice was driven by a desire to safeguard the peace, stability, and future of the state. News Point Nigeria reports that the governor made the remarks in a statewide broadcast on Friday, shortly after returning to Port Harcourt following the official lifting of the six-month state of emergency and his reinstatement as governor. Governor Fubara, accompanied by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu and Chief of Staff Edison…

RIVERS State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reassured citizens that his administration will continue to act in their best interest and strengthen the bond between the government and the people. News Point Nigeria reports that Fubara gave the assurance on Friday shortly after arriving at the Government House, Port Harcourt, following a triumphant reception at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, where a massive crowd turned out to welcome him back to the state capital. The governor, visibly moved by the show of solidarity, described the rousing welcome as a powerful statement of love, confidence, and unity from the people…