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“We Deserve To See, Not Just Hear, Projects Executed” – Benin Group Challenges Minister

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

 

Following claim that 500 projects have been delivered across Edo state by the Federal government, the Coalition of Benin Socio-Cultural Organisations (CBSCO) has challenged the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, to publish details of projects his ministry reportedly executed in the State.

In a statement by its Coordinator General, Osazee Amas Edobor, and Secretary, Influence Enobun, the coalition said its request was aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, stressing that it should not be interpreted as a personal attack on the minister.

 

The group urged the minister to make public a comprehensive register of the projects, including their locations, local government areas, senatorial districts, contract values, contractors, completion status and commissioning dates.

 

According to the coalition, such disclosure would enable residents of Edo State to independently verify the projects and assess the distribution of federal interventions across the state’s three senatorial districts.

 

CBSCO also raised concerns over what it alleged was an uneven distribution of projects, claiming that Edo North, the minister’s senatorial district, appeared to have benefited more than Edo South, the state’s oil-producing region.

 

The organisation recalled that the Benin National Congress (BNC) had previously petitioned President Bola Tinubu and other relevant authorities over what it described as an imbalance in the allocation of federal projects in the state.

 

It further referred to reports of National Assembly committee proceedings in which lawmakers reportedly questioned the distribution of projects captured under the ministry’s 2024 budget, including those located in Edo State.

 

The coalition acknowledged that projects previously associated with the ministry in Edo include road construction, solar streetlight installations, transformer projects and a free medical outreach programme in Auchi.

 

However, it maintained that the minister’s broader claim of delivering 500 projects should be supported with verifiable documentation.

 

CBSCO proposed a joint inspection of the projects involving community leaders, civil society organisations and the media to verify their existence, completion status and impact.

 

The group also called on the Federal Government to ensure equitable distribution of development projects across Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South, particularly in communities affected by oil and gas exploration.

 

According to the coalition, making the project details publicly available would be consistent with the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency under the Renewed Hope Agenda and would also provide an opportunity for the minister to substantiate his claim.

 

“The people of Benin and Edo deserve to see, not just hear, what has been done in their name,” the statement said

Deregistration: ADC, Others Await Appeal Court Judgment

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Independent National Electoral Commission - INEC

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division has  reserved judgment in the appeals filed by five political parties in the country challenging the court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to deregister them.

The five parties are the  Action Peoples Party, APP, Action Alliance, AA, Accord Party, AP, Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Accord and African Democratic Congress, ADC.

A three-man panel of justices of the  court, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, said on Tuesday that the date for ruling on the matter will be communicated to all contending parties.

Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the federal high court, Abuja, the nation’s capital had last month ordered the commission to deregister the five parties after because they failed to meet a provisions in the Electoral Act, which requires political parties to win  at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or winning at least one elective office at the federal, state, or local government level.

Justice Lifu gave the ruling in a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, NFFL.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, the NFFL prayed the court to determine whether INEC has the powers to under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022 and its regulations to deregister political parties which failed to meet the constitutional requirement.

The lower court had agreed with the plaintiff, in a judgment delivered on June 16, 2026, t0 the effect that the five parties had failed to meet the legal requirements to remain as registered political parties in the country, and thus ordered their deregistration.

After listening to all parties in the matter, the appellate court said yesterday that the date of the judgment will be communicated to them accordingly.

DG Of Fake PFIPC Arrested In Osun State

By
Ayodele Oni
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Adeniyi Adeyemi Fake DG arrested
Adeniyi Adeyemi

By Ayodele Oni

 

Few hours after an Abuja Court ordered the arrest of the self-styled Director-General of the fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, reports confirm  he has been arrested.

 

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest on Tuesday after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment.

 

Details of the operation which led to his arrest are still sketchy, but TVC News Online reports that Adeyemi was picked up in his hideout in Osun State.

 

Spokesperson for tye Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed to Reporters that Adeyemi was arrested in his hideout in Osun State by a Police Intelligence Team from Abuja.

 

Asked by the Police to identify himself, on arrest, he said “I’ve mentioned it Sir.

 

When the Police wouldn’t bulge and insisted he identifies himself, he replied: “I have mentioned it several times.”

 

Looking, at once, worried and agitated, he wore a light blue traditional attire and was surrounded by Security Operatives.

 

He is expected to be taken to the Police Headquarters in Abuja.

 

The Court order followed an oral application by Police counsel, Wisdom Madaki.

 

Adeyemi and his co-defendants were scheduled to take their plea on an eight-count charge filed by the police, bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences.

 

In the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the complainant, while Adeyemi, “Femi Surname Unknown” and “Anu Surname Unknown” are listed as the first to third defendants. The charge was filed on Nov. 27, 2025, by Madaki.

 

When the matter was called, none of the defendants was in court.

 

Madaki subsequently urged the court to issue a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest due to his absence.

 

Responding, Adeyemi’s counsel, Genesis Francis, told the court that his client feared for his life and had written a letter to President Bola Tinubu.

 

According to the lawyer, Adeyemi wanted to remain alive to stand trial.

 

Justice Umar, however, responded that the court would “help him to stay alive.”

 

After hearing submissions from counsel, the judge directed all security agencies to arrest Adeyemi wherever he is found and adjourned the case until Sept. 30 for arraignment.

 

The police alleged that Adeyemi operated the fictitious agency from the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, before his arrest.

 

On July 7, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of the alleged fictitious agency and gave the commission 30 days to complete its probe.

Court Of Appeal Okays NBA National Election

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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NBA

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026,  cleared the path for the  election of new national officers for the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

 

The NBA election scheduled for Saturday July 18, 2026, had faced uncertainties following an Oyo State High Court ruling halting the exercise based on a motion ex-parte filed by the Egbe Omofin Group.

 

The Group had, in  its application, sought an order of the Court disbanding the NBA Electoral Committee and the imposition of a consensus Presidential candidate during the election, the slot having been allotted to the South West Region.

 

However, its position sharply contrasted with those of  the national leadership of the NBA and its constituted Electoral body– ECNBA which  all insisted on a free and fair contest.

 

The Oyo State High Court in its ruling granted an order stopping the ECNBA from going ahead with the planned election ,as well as aligning with the position of the Amofin group which sought to present a consensus presidential candidate for the region.

 

However, in its judgment on an appeal filed by the NBA leadership, the Appellate Court, while nullifying the trial Court’s decision held that it lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the case in the first place.

 

According to the Court of Appeal, the trial Court lacks  subject matter, personal, and territorial jurisdiction on all fronts to entertain the case.

 

The ruling  which has unequivocally cleared the way for the NBA to conduct its national election, is coming on the heels of the association’s rejection of the mediating efforts of the Attorney-General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice,  Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

 

The AGF had a couple of  days ago sought to controversially abort the Saturday’s election ,as well as the disbandment of the Electoral committee – ECNBA, in obvious endorsement of the position of the Amofin group.

 

However, his action was met with strident opposition and outright rejection  from the NBA national leadership, most NBA regional and state bodies, and major stakeholders who insisted on the conduct of a free, fair and credible election.

ADC Demands  Prosecution Of Factional Leader Bala-Gombe Over INEC Access Code

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nafiu Bala Gombe
Nafiu Bala Gombe

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

The opposition Coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Tuesday July 14, 2026, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to take steps to sanction the Nafiu Bala-Gombe-led faction of the party over its recent false claims of having access to its restricted nomination candidates’ nomination platform.

 

The call stems from the recent claim by Bala-Gombe and his faction to have successfully uploaded the names and particulars of their Presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 polls on the INEC’s portal.

 

The claim which has since been refuted by the Commission has, however, continued to elicit outrage and condemnation from not a few in the face of the fact that  the Bala-Gombe faction of the ADC is not recognised by the INEC.

 

In a statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the ADC, while welcoming the swift response of the Commission to the spurious claims by the Bala-Gombe group, however called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the claim itself with a view to arresting and prosecuting those found culpable.

 

According to the ADC, its demand for appropriate sanctions, derived from the fact that the ongoing activities of the Bala-Gombe faction has transcended the acceptable borders of politics to touch on an orchestrated plot to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.

 

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, welcomes the prompt clarification by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC which unequivocally confirmed that the document circulated by Nafiu Bala-Gombe purporting to show that he had obtained the Commission’s access code and uploaded candidates on behalf of the ADC for the 2027 general elections was forged, and that the claim itself was entirely false.

 

“The issue before us is no longer simply about the Continuous false statements thy have been issued by Nafiu Bala-Gombe at the behest of his sponsors. It is about the clear and unmistakable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public.

 

“To publicly claim that one has gained access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform ,and exercise powers reserved for duly recognised party officials is a grave matter that deserves the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies.

 

“As a responsible party, the ADC, therefore, calls on INEC to take all the necessary steps to ensure that Mr Nafiu Bala-Gombe, and anyone else involved in originating, or promoting this falsehood are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law”, the ADC stated.

Edo: Security Team Storms Kidnapers’ Hideout, Rescue Three AAU Students …300 Level Student Killed

By
Ayodele Oni
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Monday Agbonika - Commissioner of Police Edo State

By Ayodele Oni

 

The Edo State Police Command Rescue Team stormed an identified kidnappers’ hideout and rescued three students of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma. The students were kidnapped by gunmen in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.

 

They were abducted on Sunday, July 12, 2026, during an attack in the Ujemen G.T. Extension area of Ekpoma. During the incident, a student, Peter Ekpen, 24-year-old 300-level undergraduate, was killed during the attack.

 

The rescued students were identified as Praise Obagbalu, 18, Favour Okoroji, 21, and Balogun Precious, 19.

 

State Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika, disclosed the development on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the Nigeria Police Divisional Headquarters in Ekpoma.

 

Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Moses Joel Yamu, the Commissioner stated that the Command received a distress report that armed men suspected to be kidnappers had attacked the area and abducted the students.

 

He said the Commissioner immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams for a joint rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) and local hunters.

 

According to the Police, the rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday at the kidnappers’ hideout in the Erah Forest, where security operatives engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle.

 

One of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised, while another was arrested with gunshot injuries. The three abducted students were rescued unharmed.

 

The Police disclosed that the operation led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, five mobile phones, two power banks, a charger, a lady’s handbag and other incriminating items.

 

Agbonika commended the bravery, professionalism and resilience of officers and personnel of the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps and local hunters whose joint efforts led to the successful operation.

 

He also appreciated the support of the Edo State Government and members of the public for providing timely and credible information that aided the operation.

 

Speaking to journalists after their rescue, the three students said they were held in the forest by their captors, who repeatedly moved them from one location to another while demanding that they contact their relatives to raise ransom.

 

The students confirmed that they were eventually rescued by the joint security team without any ransom being paid.

Death At Umahi’s Home: Women Group Insists On Independent Investigation

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

As the controversy arising from the sudden and death of a female physiotherapist Mary Habila, rages, an advocacy group – Nigerian Women International Alliance, NWIA has called for a transparent and unfettered  inquest into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

 

Miss Habila’s  death in yet-to-be determined circumstances on June 26 at the  Uburu Ebonyi State country home of the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has since provoked widespread indignation and speculations , with not a few calling for an independent  investigation into the unfortunate development.

 

Although Umahi has disclosed plans to institute a probe into the incident, NWIA, in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, dated Monday, July, 13, 2026,  insisted such a move must be guided strictly by the principles of sincerity and openness.

 

In the letter jointly  signed by Mrs Omolara Abike, Mrs Ogonna Chinedum, and Dr Mariam Adeodun President, Vice President and Secretary,  respectively, the women group, while welcoming the planned probe of the death, however, maintained that the exercise must be manifestly tailored towards strengthening trust and confidence in the country’s justice system.

 

The  group noted that while not pointing accusing fingers, it nevertheless insists that any investigative processes must be seen to be guided by transparency and sincerity of purpose.

 

Referencing past and recent controversies, including complaints and series of allegations, that had dogged the paths of Minister Umahi, NWIA emphasized the urgent need not to sweep the matter under.

 

“The reported death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist,at the residence of the Honourable Minister of Works has generated significant public concern and deserves a thorough, independent, professional and transparent investigation.

 

“This letter is not an attempt to pronounce anyone guilty. Every Nigerian is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence and the protection of the process.

 

“However, the higher the public office, the greater the obligation to submit to transparent scrutiny.

 

“We do not present those allegations as established facts. Rather, we believe that where multiple concerns arise regarding a public official, the appropriate response is for competent authorities to investigate any credible complaints fairly and Independently”, the women group stated.

 

It warned that the conduct of any questionable investigation  could serve to further erode public trust and confidence in Government institutions as well as discourage victims and witnesses from reporting alleged misconducts.

 

According to the NWIA, the mishandling of the inquest into the death could also damage Nigeria’s reputation, undermine the rule of law, and erode investor confidence.

 

While appealing for the preservation and examination of all forensic evidence, including the autopsy report, protection of witnesses and complainants against intimidation, the group urged President Tinubu to ensure that the law applies in the present circumstances.

Female Physiotherapist Who Died In Minister Umahi’s House For Burial July 17

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Mary Habila and Dave Umahi

By Adesina Soyooye

 

“For three years, the deceased checked my vital signs. She was a good Nurse” – Umahi mourns

 

The heartbroken family of Mary Habila, the 26 year-old female Physiotherapist who, sadly, suddenly passed  at the country home of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has announced her funeral arrangements.

 

Miss Habila, a staff of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital and her colleague, Anita Baski,  arrived the Minister’s country home in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 26, 2026, but Habila passed on the following day, June 27,  under inexplicable circumstances.

 

In a statement, Mr Francis Nweze,  the Minister’s spokesperson, said that the two ladies had been on  secondment to the Ministry of Works in the past three years.

 

He explained that when Habila was found unresponsive, adequate steps were taken as she was taken to the hospital where she was sadly confirmed dead. He emphasized that the Minister had nothing to do with her sudden passing death and decried the insinuations being made in some quaters.

 

In his own reaction, Umahi described the deceased as a dedicated staff of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital who worked with his Ministry for three years.

 

He said: “The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH who took her to hospital and did everything to revive her but failed.”

 

He  said he has directed an autopsy but that would only be with the consent of the parents of  the deceased.

 

Umahi, also, said he would take legal action against those linking him with Habila’s death and said their own death will be worse.

 

Umahi: “The death of the purveyors of such falsehood will be worse because you don’t do content creation with someone’s death.

 

“The deceased was a good nurse who checked my medical vital signs and worked with me for three years.”

 

But Nurse Mary (popular as Mara) Habila’s family has announced her funeral arrangements.

 

The released announcement released by the family said she was was born on September 18, 2000, and died on June 27, 2026, at the age of 26.

 

The funeral service will hold on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Deeper Life Bible Church, Nok, Jaba Local Government Area.

Xenophobic Attacks: FG Evacuates Last Batch Of 315 Nigerians

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigerians Evacuated from South Africa

By Ayodele Oni

 

The final batch of 315 Nigerians trapped in South Africa xenophobic attacks are expected to arrive Lagos on Wednesday.

 

Federal Government has already concluded arrangements for their evacuation from South Africa, with the final batch of returnees expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to protect citizens affected by recent xenophobic attacks and security concerns in the country.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, saying the evacuation flight would be operated by Air Peace.

 

According to the ministry, the aircraft is scheduled to depart South Africa at 1:30 a.m. on July 15 and arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 6:30 a.m.

 

The evacuation marks the final phase of the Federal Government’s repatriation programme for Nigerians who voluntarily requested to return home following reports of xenophobic attacks, harassment and growing security concerns in parts of South Africa.

 

The government had earlier conducted four separate evacuation flights, bringing home hundreds of Nigerians affected by the crisis.

 

The most recent batch comprised 40 returnees, while the latest operation is expected to bring the total number of evacuees to several hundred.

 

The evacuation exercise was coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, relevant South African authorities and Air Peace.

 

The Federal Government initiated the programme after a resurgence of anti-foreigner sentiment and attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in some South African communities.

 

Similar evacuation efforts were undertaken by Nigeria in previous years following outbreaks of xenophobic violence that claimed lives, destroyed businesses and displaced foreign residents.

 

In the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians living abroad, assuring that diplomatic engagements would continue to ensure the protection of citizens wherever they reside.

 

“The Federal Government remains committed to safeguarding the interests, dignity and well-being of Nigerians across the world,” the ministry stated.

 

The ministry also expressed appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the evacuation process, including diplomatic officials, aviation authorities and other agencies that facilitated the safe return of the affected citizens.

 

The arrival of the final batch is expected to bring to a close the current evacuation operation launched in response to the latest wave of xenophobic incidents and security concerns in South Africa.

 

As at last count, not less than five Nigerians have list their life in the violence orchestrated by the South Africans.

How Suspect Flown Into The Forest By Oyo CP Aided Us Locate Oriire Abductors – Major General Nnebeife

By
Ayodele Oni
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Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife

By Ayodele Oni

 

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Mechanized Division, Ibadan, has revealed that one of the suspects, who was arrested in the course of locating the whereabouts of the kidnappers that abducted children and teachers in Oyo state, led them to their camps.

 

The General narrated that the suspect who was arrested by the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, after intelligence surveillance pinned him down, was flown by helicopter to the bush and delivered to the waiting arms of security agents.

 

The army officer reiterated that security agencies worked together to rescue victims of the Orire school abductions in Oyo State, saying the arrest of the key suspect by the Commissioner of Police (CP) helped the operation.

 

Speaking during the official handover of the rescued victims, Nnebeife said the military tracked the kidnappers for more than a month in a complex operation aimed at identifying those behind the attack, destroying their network and cutting off their supplies.

 

He disclosed that security forces extended the operation beyond Oyo State to capture members of the kidnapping gang and refused to end the mission until the terrorists operating in the area had been dismantled.

 

Nnebeife praised the Oyo  Police Command CP for providing critical support throughout the mission.

 

 He said the police boss regularly sent food to troops in the forest and also helped arrest a suspect after receiving intelligence from the military.

 

The senior military officer explained that after the suspect was arrested, a helicopter was dispatched to pick and fly him into the forest, where he provided valuable information that helped security forces locate the kidnappers’ camp.

 

He described the rescue as the result of close cooperation among different security agencies.

 

His words: “It came to the time to pick up one of the suspects the CP helped us to arrest.

 

“We were following them up and then we called the CP, there’s this person going to this place, and the CP immediately arrested him, and we sent a helicopter there to bring the person to us into the bush. He gave us relevant information as to where their camps were.”

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