Author: Editor
Our Reporter, Abuja The trial of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswan, was on Monday, September 22, 2025, stalled before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following his inability to open his defence. Suswan, alongside his former Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged diversion of N3.1 billion. The funds, according to the EFCC, were proceeds from the sale of Benue State’s shares held by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners…
Our Reporter, Abuja Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has congratulated Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on her 65th birthday. In a statement on Monday, Obi described the First Lady as a woman of grace and strength, wishing her many more years of good health and fruitful service to the nation. He, however, noted that her recent appeal for donations “instead of cakes or newspaper adverts from well-wishers” toward completing the National Library in Abuja amounted to a subtle indictment on the nation. Obi lamented that successive administrations had failed to complete…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki In the bustling city of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, a bold step toward youth empowerment and gender inclusion is about to unfold. Sharon Ijuolachi Akpa, a young female shoemaker breaking stereotypes in a male-dominated craft, has announced a One-Week Open Space Shoemaking Project — a non-stop shoemaking marathon aimed at inspiring youths and encouraging self-reliance. The project kicks off on Wednesday, September 24, and runs through September 30 at Tropicana Restaurant, 21 Aloh Street, just behind Green Park. For Sharon, shoemaking is more than just a craft; it is a tool for empowerment. “What if I tell you…
By Okechukwu Nwanguma When news broke recently of the unlawful arrest and continued detention of Miss Nmesoma Chukwunyere, a 21-year-old trainee nurse in Orlu, I could not help but recall the ordeal of another young woman – Gloria Okolie – whose tragic experience at the hands of the police still lingers in our national memory. Both cases share disturbing similarities: young women, both in their early twenties, suddenly seized from ordinary lives; held incommunicado; tortured and coerced into false confessions; and kept in prolonged detention without credible evidence. Both cases reveal a recurring pattern of abuse by the police, particularly…
By Owei Lakemfa Yusuf Bala Usman, noted historian, fiery politician, co-author of the 1977 Minority Report of the Nigerian Constitution and prolific writer, departed on September 24, 2005. Given his role in the Nigerian life, intellectual prowess and mentorship of generations, were he alive, what would he be telling Nigerians? Those who were close to him or understood the various strands of his thought process decided to speak for him. So, if Bala came back today, what would he say about the Nigerian condition? Professor Attahiru Jega, former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and ex-Chair of…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reaffirmed that the Enugu Smart Green Schools will resume on Monday, September 22, 2025, for the 2025/26 academic session, in line with his earlier promise. Mbah, who spoke in a statewide broadcast on Monday, described the Smart Green Schools initiative as the most personal and transformative project of his administration, and a bold step towards preparing Enugu’s children for a future of innovation, self-reliance, and global competitiveness. He emphasized that the project was not merely about erecting classrooms, but about “building the soul of our people” and “equipping the next…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State Police Command says its operatives have arrested thirty-eight (38) suspects in connection with the murder of Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, a Catholic priest in the Nsukka Diocese. Police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the arrests followed bush combing operations and raids of different black spots under the Udenu Area Command. He said: “Consequently, Police operatives under the Udenu Area Command’s coverage have arrested thirty-eight (38) suspects following bush combing and raids of different black spots in the area. Incriminating exhibits were recovered, while the suspects are…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports alleging that troops of the 245 Battalion, Calabar, were involved in a communal clash between Ochon community in Obubra Local Government Area and Alesi community in Ikom LGA of Cross River State. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Enugu, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the Army described the reports as false, misleading, and aimed at discrediting its peacekeeping efforts. According to the statement, the troops were only deployed to the affected communities to support civil authorities in maintaining peace and order.…
By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu It’s crucial in this charged season that a good number of clowns in the name of politicians are toying with democracy in Nigeria that one remembers the departed one: Chima Ubani. A crusader, organizer, activist, revolutionary, hero, strategist, and above all else, a passionate human being, Chima Ubani died on September 21, 2005, in the struggle for the enshrining of true democracy in our dear country. He was committed to mother earth on Thursday, October 27, 2005. It does not make sense at all to write about the great one in the past sense. He is…
By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu The judiciary have a wide scope for making political decisions.” J.A.G. Griffiths, “Constitutional and Administrative Law’ in Peter Archer & Andrew Martin (Eds), More Law Reform Now, 55 (1983) The judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 19 January 2006 concerning the state of emergency in Plateau State came down 20 months after the proclamation and 14 months after the emergency had expired. When it eventually was finally issued, the judgment was worse than an anti-climax. The most important thing about the decision was not the jurisprudence of the court but the timing of when…