Author: Editor

Our Reporter, Vancouver Nigerian-born academic, historian, and professor of African History at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, Moses Ochonu, has said that mob violence persists in northern Nigeria because of its political and religious utility to the elite in the region. He made the remarks as Guest of an online interview programme, 90MinutesAfrica, hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo and Chido Onumah on Sunday. The immolation of Miss Deborah Samuel by her fellow students at Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, on accusation of blasphemy, has generated mixed reactions across the country. While some Muslims have justified the mob action that led…

Stephen Ukandu, News & Features Editor The embattled Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, has been suspended indefinitely by the Federal Government over alleged N80 billion financial fraud. Idris was suspended in a letter issued by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed. The AGF was on Monday, arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Kano. The letter with the reference number, HMFBMP/AGF/ SUSPENSION/5/2022, and obtained by Ikengaonline read in part:” Following your recent arrest by the EFCC on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka A group known as Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET), a platform for citizens and non-state actors’ stakeholders, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene urgently on the worsening insecurity in the South-East or face court action. The leader of the group, Prince Chris Azor, disclosed this to newsmen in Awka, while reacting to the news of renewed violent attacks and killings in targeted areas of the state, resulting in arson and wanton destruction of lives and property. Comrade Azor lamented a situation where the President has not shown “any visible and tangible concern amidst widely reported…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia The cold war brewing in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abia State, assumed a dangerous twist, Wednesday, as majority of the governorship aspirants united to resist imposition in the party. The aggrieved aspirants who addressed a press conference in Abuja, warned the state leadership of the party not to take them for granted. The aspirants also warned that the party might be headed for implosion if the Asiforo Okere-led leadership fails to allow internal democracy and due process in the process of choosing the party’s flag bearers in the 2023 general election. This is coming…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has condemned the unfortunate attack at the home of the Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Steve Orogwu. Ikengaonline had reported how gunmen on Tuesday night killed the Council Chairman’s elder brother, his two sons and a security guard. The gunmen also set ablaze the home of the Orogwus. In a statement, Mr. Umahi described the attack as “inhuman, vicious and barbaric.” The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “We received the disturbing news of the attack in the home of the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Worried by the criminal activities of hoodlums enforcing the non-existent sit-at-home in the South-East, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has urged security agencies to deal decisively with the criminals. IPOB in a press statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said the activities of such criminals “are giving IPOB a bad name.” The pro-Biafra movement which distanced itself from the rising insecurity in the region, urged security agencies to be professional in their operations to avoid Killing innocent citizens. Below is a full text of the statement made available to Ikengaonline: “We wish to…

Our Reporter, Abuja; Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia; Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri; Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki; & Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Even as his bail application suffered a major setback at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, continues to score in the South-East with the high observance of the sit-at-home order declared in his solidarity by IPOB. The entire South-East geo-political zone was literally on lockdown, Wednesday, in solidarity with the detained IPOB Leader following his appearance in court. IPOB had since his arrest in June 2021, ordered a sit-at-home…

Michael Onwuka, Enugu An Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako has adjourned hearing on the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu until May 26. Nyako gave the order on Wednesday at the resumed hearing of the matter in Abuja. Kanu is standing trial for alleged treasonable felony. Ikengaonline reports that the judge had earlier struck out an application for bail brought by counsel to the defendant, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN). The judge also struck out a freshly amended six-count charge brought by the counsel to the Federal Government,…

Stephen Ukandu, News & Features Editor Efforts by the legal team of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to secure his release from detention, were frustrated Wednesday, as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, rejected his bail application. The court said that the IPOB leader would remain in custody pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge preferred against him by the Nigerian Authorities. 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…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Steve Orogwu, escaped death on Tuesday night as unknown gunmen invaded his country home killing three of his relatives. The gunmen also killed a security guard on duty and burnt down the family house of the Orogwus. A source said that the hoodlums stormed the Chairman’s home in Ekpaomaka late Tuesday night but didn’t meet him at home. The invaders proceeded to shoot dead three of his relatives as well as the security guard on duty. Mr. Orogwu confirmed the incident to our reporter on Wednesday morning.…