Author: James Nwakere

THE Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to pay N1.12bn in compensation to the family of one Mike Madu, killed by an INEC driver in Imo State. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Friday, ordered INEC to pay the N1.12bn with 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until the final or full payment is made. In addition, the judge ordered INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other defendants to send a letter of condolence to the late Madu’s family. “An order is hereby made for the defendants…

GUNMEN on Sunday attacked the Amegu Nkalaha Community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, killing an unknown number of people and burning numerous houses. The Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the attack to News Point Nigeria, stating that police have deployed operatives to the area. While confirming the attack, Ukandu noted that the number of casualties is still being investigated. “Yes, an attack occurred and police are responding to the situation. The command is still working to determine the precise number of people killed in the incident,” he said. The chairperson of Ishielu…

NO fewer than 18 people, including three children have been killed as tragedy struck in Enugu yesterday as a petrol tanker exploded at the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. Thirteen others were rescued, according to a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Olusegun Ogungbemide. Ogungbemide attributed the accident to brake failure, adding that it involved 17 vehicles, including a petrol tanker, a water tanker, 15 cars, and a tricycle. Eleven vehicles were burnt in the inferno while emergency responders managed to rescue 10 victims with varying degrees of injuries. Three escaped unscathed while…

IMO State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, says the removal of petrol subsidy is a blessing to state governments. The governor, who spoke on Monday in Imo State during the inspection of some projects to celebrate the first year of his second term, said more money now accrues to the coffers of state governments for the development of their states. He said, “In reconciling the negative effects of the fuel subsidy removal and the benefits in terms of socio-infrastructure, social benefits, and then the ease of doing business occasioned by the provision of the enabling infrastructure, I think it is a blessing.…

SENATOR John Azuta-Mbata has been elected as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Azuta-Mbata, a former Senator representing Rivers East at the National Assembly, was elected at the stakeholders meeting of the Igbo Socio-Cultural organization at the old government lodge Enugu, the Enugu State capital on Friday. The election process was conducted via voice voting, and alongside Azuta-Mbata, 15 other individuals were elected to various executive positions within the organisation. As a former senator, Azuta-Mbata brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as a senator for the Rivers East constituency from 1999 to 2007. More…

GOVERNOR Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has announced a N10 million reward for anybody with useful information on each of the gunmen responsible for an attack during a burial ceremony in Ihiala. Mr Soludo stated this during a condolence visit to the family of the late Bridget Onuchukwu on Friday in Umuike, Ubahuekwem in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. The police confirmed that gunmen attacked people preparing for a burial ceremony in Ihiala community on Monday and killed nine people, including two security operatives. Soludo expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy that resulted in the unfortunate deaths of…

IMO State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has lauded Senator representing Imo North at the 10th National Assembly, Senator Engr. Patrick Ndubueze for continuously empowering the good people of Imo North and the state as a whole. The Governor spoke at Okigwe Township Stadium as Senator Ndubuese distributed an impressive array of items to empower his constituents According to Governor Uzodimma, it is heartwarming to witness Senator Ndubueze’s generosity, a commendable act that goes beyond his parliamentary duties. He said: my wife, Chioma Uzodimma, and I had the privilege of joining our brother and friend, Senator Engr. Patrick Ndubueze, the distinguished Senator…

POLICE have intensified search for Justice Azuka, the lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly. Azuka was abducted by gunmen on December 24 along Ugwunapampa Road in Onitsha North Local Government Area of the State. In an update on the incident on Thursday, the Anambra State Police Command said the lawmaker’s vehicle has been recovered. The Command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that police operatives attached to the Inland Town Division retrieved the abandoned vehicle during an ongoing rescue operation. Despite the recovery, the lawmaker’s whereabouts remain unknown as the kidnappers are yet to contact his…

TENSIONS have escalated in Anambra State following the abduction of Hon. Justice Azuka, a lawmaker representing Onitsha North State Constituency, by gunmen. News Point Nigeria reports that the incident occurred around 9:45 pm on Tuesday along Igwunakpamkpa Road as the lawmaker was returning home. Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that operational plans have been activated to rescue the lawmaker and apprehend the perpetrators. Ikenga disclosed, “The Anambra Police Command has activated operational plans for the potential rescue and arrest of the kidnappers of Mr. Justice Azuka, Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha…

A JOINT security operation led by the Nigerian Police Force has successfully dismantled a criminal camp located in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area in Anambra State in the early hours of Tuesday. Disclosing this in a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, noted that the team of security forces also included the Military, Civil Defence, and Anambra Vigilante operatives. He said the decisive action followed credible intelligence on the activities of the criminal gang in the area, coupled with information obtained during the interrogation of suspects arrested in ongoing police operations across the…

THE death toll from the stampede in Anambra State has risen to 22, the local authorities said on Sunday. Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police have commenced an investigation into the incident. Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police, said those who sustained injuries are receiving medical treatment. “The commissioner of police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred on 21/12/2024 in Okija, Ihiala local government area, are receiving treatment and regrettably stated that twenty-two people lost their lives,” Ikenga said. “The CP commiserates with family and friends…

THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu Market, Aba, Abia State, during a two-day operation on December 16 and 17, 2024. The Agency disclosed this in a statement it posted on its X handle on Wednesday. It said its team uncovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt. NAFDAC noted that the team destroyed items that were valued at ₦5 billion. Describing the market as a hub for…

THE Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday, said he doubted if the release of the detained leader of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, would end the pervasive insecurity in the South-East. Soludo argued that criminals had hijacked the Biafran struggle and were now exploiting the Biafran struggle and Kanu’s name to perpetrate organised crime and fuel insecurity in the South-East region. Soludo noted that under the guise of agitation, these individuals had turned to “lucrative criminality,” engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and idolatry. He insisted that their activities have nothing to do with…

GUNMEN have killed Fabian Chinedu, a lecturer of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, in Anambra State. The official was shot dead by gunmen on Monday night at Aroma Junction in Awka, the police said. Police spokesman in the state, Ikenga Tochukwu, said the murderers made away with the official’s car, a Toyota Corolla 2006 model, Ash colour with an Enugu Plate number, UWN 158 AS. Meanwhile, the police have commenced investigation and have urged members of the public with relevant information to come forward. “To this end, the Command while commiserating with his family and friends, especially the Management…

NZE Fidelis Chukwu from Imo State has emerged as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Imeobi and General Assembly meeting held on Saturday in Enugu and signed by the Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Amb. Okey Emuchay. The Nze Ozichukwu’s leadership is expected to last only 27 days needed to exhaust the Imo tenure which ends on Jan. 10, 2025. The emergence of Chukwu is as a result of a chain of catastrophe, which has visited Ohanaeze with the demise of Prof. George Obiozor, in…

SKILLS Acquisition programs by governments at various strata are veritable tools for securing employment and sustainable development, albeit sustainable community development. They are designed to offer training to improve individuals’ general proficiency and capacity, especially in relation to the present or future occupation. Over the past two decades of the present democracy in Nigeria,it has become a prominent and acceptable intervention program by governments and non governmental institutions,bodies and persons towards addressing the pervading menace of mostly youth unemployment prevalent in our country for some years. Despite the fact that conventionally, parliamentarians the world over have their job of lawmaking…

THE International Association for World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), through its International Spokesman, Ambassador Emmanuel Nkweke, has officially declared Ebonyi State as the most peaceful state in Nigeria. This declaration highlights the state’s significant strides in maintaining peace, stability, and harmony among its citizens. As a testament to its commitment to peace, the Governor of Ebonyi State will be recognized as an Eminent Peace Ambassador. This prestigious award will be presented during a ceremony at the Ebonyi Government House on Friday 20th December 2024. The recognition underscores the Governor’s extensive efforts in fostering an environment of peace and security within the…

GUNMEN have attacked a police checkpoint at Ajali, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The Police Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed this in a statement on Friday. Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police, said two security operatives sustained gunshot injuries in a gun duel and were receiving medical treatment. He identified the victims as police personnel and a member of the Anambra State Vigilante Group. “During the gun duel, one police personnel and one AVG Operative sustained gunshot injuries and are currently responding to treatment in a hospital,” he said. “Unfortunately, the…

THE Ebonyi state Governor Francis Nwifuru has suspended another commissioner, Uchenna Igwe over alleged gross misconduct and dereliction of duty. Governor Nwifuru disclosed this while briefing journalists at his office, New Government, Ochudo Centenary City in Abakaliki, the state capital. Igwe who was the commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy matters was indefinitely suspended on Monday with immediate effect. It was gathered that the commissioner failed in his duties to effectively carry out an assignment given to him by the Governor, on issues concerning the payment of local government pension by a council chairman in the state. This brings it…

THE Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has suspended two commissioners from his cabinet following cases of alleged gross misconduct and dereliction of duties against them. This was made known on Tuesday in a press statement released by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jude Chikadibia-Okpor, obtained by Channels Television. Governor Nwifuru directed the indefinite suspension of the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Engineer Francis Ori, and a three-month suspension for his counterpart Dr. Moses Ekuma, Commissioner for Health and Social Development. Others to proceed on a three-month suspension are, the permanent secretary of the ministry of health, executive…