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Yahaya Bello: Akpoti-Uduaghan Reminds EFCC Of Fmr. Gov’s Case, Says He Wants To Steal Her N1b, But Won’t  Get ‘Shishi’

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Yahaya Bello
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Yahaya Bello

By Adesina Soyooye 

 

A defiant  Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has  rejected the judgement of a Lokoja High Court in a libel and defamation case instituted against her by a former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

 

The Honourable Justice A. S. Ibrahim of a Lokoja High Court had, on Friday, April 24, 2026, delivered judgement in suit number “HCL/16/2023 instituted against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by Bello for alleged defamation in an interview she granted to Arise Television on November 4, 2022. 

 

In the judgement, the Court awarded the sum of N1billion against Akpoti-Uduaghan in favour of Bello.

 

The Court held that: “The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme of  ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation.

 

“The said interview of 4/11/2022 in which the defendant described the the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.

 

Aside from restraining the  defendant from further issuance of the defamatory statements against the claimant on TV or Radio Stations.

 

The Judge, therefore, awarded the sum of one billion Naira as damages against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

But in a defiant, swift response, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the award of N1bn as waste of time and said it was procured.

 

According to her, she will not pay a kobo to Yahaya Bello because he does not deserve it. Instead, in that response, she added a letter for the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, where she reminded them of Bello’s case before the Commission. She said in addition to the case, Bello was now trying to get hold of her one billion Naira, and assured that she will not pay “shishi”.

 

She wrote on her Facebook page: “Dear Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, kindly hurry up. Do you know he procured a Kogi State High Court judgment of ₦1 billion against me yesterday? Can you imagine him thinking I would pay so he can add to the stolen monies he would refund? Yeye… shi shi he no go see.”

 

At the time of filing this report, it is not known if she plans to appeal the judgement but many saw her response as disrespectful to the Judiciary.

Lassa Fever: Oyo Moves To Curtail Spread …Five Cases, One Death  Recorded

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lassa Fever

By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Oyo State Government has intensified effort to curtail the further spread of Lassa fever in the state as it  confirmed five cases including one fatality.

 

Speaking at a press briefing in Ibadan on Friday, the Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the state had activated its emergency response framework to manage the situation.

 

She disclosed that confirmed cases are currently receiving treatment at designated facilities, including the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo and the isolation unit of the University College Hospital.

 

According to Ajetunmobi, the response aligns with national and global health protocols, with coordination from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation.

 

The government has also activated an Incident Management System and Emergency Operations Centre, alongside a multi-sectoral response team involving health, environment, agriculture and information agencies.

 

She added that surveillance has been stepped up, with more than 200 contacts identified and placed under monitoring, while isolation centres have been fully operationalised. 

 

Essential medications, including Ribavirin, have also been prepositioned to support treatment efforts.

 

To curb the spread, the state has strengthened infection prevention and control measures, including the provision of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and the enforcement of safe burial practices.

 

Environmental interventions such as sanitation, fumigation and decontamination of affected areas are ongoing, while health personnel continue to receive training on outbreak management.

 

Residents were urged to adopt preventive measures such as proper food storage, maintaining clean surroundings, avoiding contact with rodents and promptly seeking medical care if symptoms like fever, vomiting or bleeding occur.

Edo Police Rescues Nine Kidnap Victims, As Ondo Command Frees 13-Year Old From Abductors

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigerian Police

By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Edo State Police Command has said that its operatives have rescued nine victims from two kidnapping incidents in the state, just as the Ondo state command rescued a 13 years old girl from her suspected abductors.

 

In a statement by the Spokesperson of the Edo state Command, Eno Ikoedem, said that five victims, including three in the GUO bus incident were rescued.

 

She stated that two other victims were also rescued from another incident that occurred along the Benin-Lagos expressway.

 

According to her, the command also successfully rescued four other kidnapped victims, who were abducted earlier this month and held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode in Edo North.

 

The statement read, “The Edo State Police Command is pleased to inform the general public that all five victims abducted during the recent kidnapping incident along the Benin–Lagos Expressway have been successfully rescued alive.

 

“This breakthrough was achieved following the immediate and massive deployment of tactical teams, intelligence assets, aerial surveillance, and other operational resources by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, to the affected corridor.

 

“The sustained rescue efforts, coordinated bush-combing operations, and strategic dominance of the area exerted pressure on the kidnappers ultimately leading to the safe rescue of all five victims. 

 

“They have since received medical evaluation and treatment, and reunited with their families.

 

Also, the command also successfully rescued four other kidnapped victims who were abducted and held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode.

 

“They have likewise received medical attention and are safe making a total of nine kidnapped victims rescued.”

 

And in Ondo state, personnel successfully intercepted a suspected child trafficking operation and rescued a minor along the Owena axis of the State.

 

Command spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh stated that “On the 23rd of April, 2026, at about 1844hrs, a Toyota Hummer 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja was intercepted at the Owena Checkpoint by personnel of the Nigerian Army. 

 

“The vehicle, which was fully loaded with waybills, was driven by one Akomolafe Tope ‘M’, aged 59 years, alongside a conductor, one Sunday Ismaila ‘M’, aged 48 years. 

 

“Upon thorough scrutiny, a 13-year-old girl was found in their custody under suspicious circumstances.

 

“Preliminary questioning revealed that the suspects could not provide credible or verifiable information regarding the identity, origin, or destination of the minor, thereby raising strong suspicion of child trafficking.

 

“The suspects were immediately taken into custody, while the minor was rescued and placed under protective care. 

 

“The case has since been transferred to the Gender-Based Offences Unit of the Command for discreet and comprehensive investigation while the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.”

UBTH Raises Alarm Over Surge In Underage Pregnancies

By
Ayodele Oni
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University of Benin Teaching Hospital - UBTH



By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Management of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin City has lamented the surge in underage pregnancies, amid paternity crisis.

 

A Consultant in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, Charles Uwagboe, raised the alarm when he featured on a Radio programme in Benin on Friday.

 

Uwagboe stated that “One thing that we have discovered is young girls getting pregnant.

 

“We have many underaged girls that are pregnant, most of them do not register for pre-natal care before presenting in hospital.

 

“When the labour comes, they will go and meet Traditional Birth Attendants, (TBA) and quacks. And when complications begin, she will run to UBTH.

 

“We are advising hospitals that refer patients to the UBTH, to do so in time to reduce the maternal mobility”, Dr Uwagboe said.

 

The Consultant also encouraged primary and Secondary health institutions to referral patients with complicated and other serious health challenges to show up at tertiary hospitals in time, to minimize preventable mortality rate.

 

He highlighted some steps the health facility has taken to address the nuance, while urging Nigerians to embrace the federal government Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

 

 “The intervention is extending financial coverage to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (CEmONC) services for vulnerable families across designated health facilities.”

Wike Cannot Choose For Rivers  People Who Will Be Their Gov – ADC

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The opposition Coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has emphasized that only the electorate will determine who will be the Rivers state Governor in 2027.

The party expressed its readiness and commitment to fully participate in the processes leading to the 2027 polls.

The ADC was reacting to comments credited to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike, to the effect that at the appropriate time, the preferred choice will be endorsed for the state’s topmost job.

Wike, the immediate past Governor of the state, a couple of weeks back, while denying speculations suggesting that he has endorsed  a particular  candidate stated that the endorsement exercise will be done by major stakeholders at  the appropriate time through the instrumentality of his Rainbow Coalition.( PDP ,APC Alliance)

But speaking in Port Harcourt on Friday, the Rivers State Chairman of the ADC , Chukwudi Dimkpa, noted that the task of picking who presides over the affairs of  the State rests on the people and not an individual.

According to him, leadership emergence in a democratic setting is solely determined by voters not individual and or group endorsement.

He emphasized that the ADC, as a veritable opposition platform, is currently positioning itself as a credible alternative anchored on transparency, internal democracy and broad-based participation.

According to him, the ADC is irreversibly committed to building an inclusive political movement that will, at once, reflect and defend the aspirations of Rivers State residents.

While acknowledging the significance of zoning in fostering unity, balance and inclusiveness, between the riverine and upland, Dimkpa, however, underscored the need to promote competence in the governance space of the State.

He, nevertheless, assured that at the appropriate time, the ADC will take decisions that would ensure unity and strengthen democratic arrangements .

With Subsidy Withdrawal, Nigeria Needs Not Borrow  – Emir Sanusi

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,



By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has raised concerns over the Tinubu-led federal government’s continued reliance on borrowing, despite the removal of petrol subsidy.

 

Speaking during an interview on News Central TV on Friday, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) warned that weak fiscal discipline could undermine the gains expected from recent economic reforms.

 

Sanusi, who has long criticised the subsidy regime, reiterated that it was unsustainable and faulted the country’s previous dependence on foreign refineries while domestic facilities remained underutilised.

 

“Today, we have our own domestic refinery. We are no longer importing petroleum products; we are even exporting to Europe. That is positive for the economy,” he added.

 

Despite backing the policy direction, the former CBN governor questioned the sequencing and timing of the reforms, particularly the removal of subsidy and liberalisation of the foreign exchange market.

 

He argued that implementing such measures in a loose monetary environment contributed to the sharp depreciation of the naira.

 

“Artificial exchange rates, especially when you’re printing money, cannot work. There was going to be a devaluation.

 

“For me, removing subsidy or liberalising exchange rates, these are good interventions. Were they done at the right time? 

 

“Those are certain questions. Were there other things that should be done that have not been done? These are other issues.

 

“Liberalising the exchange rate in a loose monetary environment contributed to the currency’s rapid depreciation.

 

“It’s not enough to say, oh, they removed subsidy. You had to. When you get to a point where 100% of your revenue goes into debt service, you cannot continue. Where is the money going to come from?

 

“However, if you decide to remove subsidy and liberalise exchange rates in an environment of very loose monetary conditions, before you have tightened money supply, the Naira drops to a bottomless pit. That was a timing issue.

 

“We’ve removed the subsidy. We’re now spending it. What we should not see is fiscal consolidation. You cannot remove wastages and continue borrowing. 

 

“I’ve said this before. You need to see the benefits. If you’re not paying the subsidy and you’ve got the money, why are we still borrowing and borrowing? What are we borrowing for?”

FG Approves N10 Billion Housing Loan For Civil Servants

By
Ayodele Oni
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Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack
Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

By Ayodele Oni 

The Federal Government has approved the sum of ₦10 billion housing loan scheme for civil servants, positioning the initiative as part of a broader effort to build a more efficient, technology-driven and performance-oriented bureaucracy.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, said in Abuja on Friday that the housing scheme is not merely a welfare intervention, but a strategic reform tool aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving service delivery across ministries, departments and agencies.

According to her, the programme—implemented through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board—is designed to enhance stability within the workforce, a key pillar in the government’s vision for a more effective civil service.

She explained that the reform agenda goes beyond housing, encompassing a transition to a digital, paperless and transparent system that promotes accountability and innovation in public administration.

“What you are witnessing is not simply a welfare package; it is a philosophy,” Walson-Jack said, noting that a well-supported workforce is critical to achieving a high-performing public service.

She added that efforts are underway to modernise operations within the civil service, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically slowed governance processes.

The Head of Service also underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration in driving reform outcomes, citing the roles of key government institutions such as the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Budget Office, and the Office of the Accountant General in aligning policy implementation.

“This is the power of collaboration across government — institutions working in concert towards a shared national purpose,” she said.

Walson-Jack called on all MDAs to sustain the reform momentum by embracing coordinated action, particularly in areas of policy execution and service delivery.

She noted that the renewed focus on workers’ welfare and system efficiency comes at a critical time, as the government seeks to rebuild public trust and reposition the civil service as a driver of national development.

With the reforms, she said, civil servants are expected to operate in an environment that not only supports their personal wellbeing, but also equips them with the tools and systems needed to perform optimally in a rapidly evolving governance landscape.

Former Super Eagles Striker, Michael Eneramo Slumps, Dies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Michael Eneramo
Michael Eneramo

 

By Akinwale Kasali 

 

The nation’s football enclave has, again, been thrown into mourning less than a week after it lost former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Galadima. One of its finest attackers, Michael Eneramo has just passed on.

 

The ex-International  slumped and died on the spot.

 

The 40-year-old was, reportedly, featuring at the Angwan Yelwa pitch in the Television area of Kaduna when the incident occurred.

 

The former international came on as a substitute in the second half before collapsing without any contact.

 

It was gathered that efforts to revive him proved abortive, as he was pronounced Dead On Arrival when hurriedly taken to the hospital. 

 

The professional footballer had  previously, played for several clubs, including Besiktas of Turkey, Tunisian side; Esperance, and Nigerian club, Lobi Stars of Makurdi. 

 

Before his demise, he was running a football academy.

 

Reacting to his sudden demise, the official Super Eagles X handle paid tribute to the former International, posting his picture with the caption, “Rest in peace Michael.”

 

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,  is yet to  announce his death and send their condolences to the family.

Plateau Cattle Breeders, Petition Gov Mutfwang Over Killing Of Cows

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Governor Caleb Mutfwang

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has raised  the alarm over what it described as incessant and large scale killing of their cattle through poisoning in parts of Barkin Ladi Local Council Area of Plateau State.

 

The Association has, therefore, petitioned the Plateau state Government and security agencies and asked that they take urgent steps to arrest the situation in the interest of peace and stability of the State.

 

In a strongly-worded petition dated April 23, 2026, by its Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the Plateau State chapter of MACBAN, informed that its decision to cry out stemmed from the growing threat to the means of livelihoods of herders in the affected communities.

 

In the petition captioned “Urgent Complaint On Repeated Killing Of Cattle” and made available to the Media on Friday, April 24, 2026, the group cited separate incidents that occurred in close succession on April 18, 20, 22 and 23, across different communities within the Barkin Ladi Local Council of the State.

 

According to Babayo, while 10 cattle were allegedly  poisoned in Rakung  community on April 18, another was slaughtered on April 20, in the same area.

 

Between April 20 and 23, according to the petition, nine cows were allegedly poisoned behind the Lokojora area, with other incidents recorded along Nding area on April 22 and 23..

 

The group lamented that the spate of killings of cattle in the affected communities have severely disrupted their members means of livelihood as well as exacted  serious economic consequences on them.

 

The MACBAN expressed serious concern and regret that despite reporting all the incidents to the appropriate authorities, no arrests have been effected.

 

MACBAN, however, called on its members to remain calm and law-abiding as well as refrain from any action that can inflame tension in the State.

 

It, also, urged security agencies and all the authorities concerned to launch an investigations into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incidents as well as ensure that justice is served.

 

Meanwhile, the association has  appealed to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to consider the possibility of mitigating the effects of the losses by coming to the aid of the victims.

Aba Landlords Hail Regular Power Supply, Honours Nnaji For Geometrics

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Aba Power

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The  umbrella body of Aba landed property owners, Aba  Landlords Protection and Development Association, ALPADA, has lauded the foresight and great sense of patriotism exhibited by  former Minister for Power, Prof Bartholomew Nnaji, in  siting the multi-billion dollar power generating plant- Geometric – in the commercial nerve centre of Abia State.

It described the presence of the first power generating and distribution outfit as a catalyst to the reclamation of the faded industrial and commercial fortunes of Aba.

The President-General of APALDA, Engr. Leonard Onyemesiri, who spoke on Thursday,  April 23, 2026, when he led other executive members of the body to the corporate Headquarters of Geometric in Ossisoma area Aba to confer a meritorious award ” Ezi-Enyi ALPADA” on Nnaji, noted that the establishment of Geometric and its subsidiary, Aba Power Limited APLE, has brought succor to residents, as well as  bringing  back life to business activities in Aba.

“Of a truth, and before the establishment of APLE company in Aba, electricity consumers wittinessd unnecessary stress and loss of income because of non,or epileptic supply of electricity in Aba and its environs.

“Both the small and medium scale industries were seriously affected due to irregular or non-supply of electricity for production.

“We all know Aba to be the Japan of Africa in terms of production and manufacturing of essential goods and services . Commercial activities were brought to a halt owing to lack of regular power supply.

“The situation led to high cost of living in Aba and its environs. In summary, Aba residents suffered huge economic losses estimated at several trillions of Naira, with many lives lost in the hospitals due to power outages”, Onyemesiri stated.

However, the Association expressed happiness that the coming on board of Geometric, and APLE has restored normalcy to business activities, and improved  general living conditions of the people.

According to ALPADA, although Geometric and APLE are still work in progress, the power generating and distribution giant has  significantly impacted the over all industrial ,and commerical fortunes of Aba, and its environs through improved power supply.

“We are proud of the progress APLE is making in the supply of regular electricity to its consumers ,as well as its mass pre-paid metering efforts, which is still in progress in its area of operations-the Aba Ring Fence” Onyemesiri added.

ALPADA, while appreciating the commitment of the APLE, and its parent body, Geometric, to their core mandate of serving as a catalyst to the industrial and commerical reengineering of Aba and its environs, applauded their efforts so far in resolving the huge power supply deficit that exited before now.

“Our visit is mainly to express our gratitude to you for sitting Geometric Power in Aba. To share our joy with you on the tremendous progress we have witnessed within the short period of its existence.

“To pledge our readiness and commitment to APLE company as partners in progress ,as well as to solicit your cooperation and assistance in core areas of benefits to ALPDA members” Onyemesiri noted.

Speaking after the formal presentation of the ALPADA  meritorious award to the chairman/founder of Geometric Power, the founding President-General of the Association, Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, assured of members commitment to collaborate with all relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the equipment and operations of the outfit are not sabotage.

“Apart from the honour we have bestowed on the Chairman today in recognition of his service to God and humanity, we, as an association, will be intentional in providing  information that will prevent attempts by some unscrupulous elements to sabotage this great investment that has been brought to us in Aba.

“We are honouring you today because of your outstanding  contributions to the growth and development of Aba and Abia state in general”, Udeigbo stated.

Responding, Prof Nnaji, while appreciating the honour bestowed on him expressed immense gratitude to APALDA for identifying with the organization during one it’s darkest hours.

He recalled how ALPADA came to the defence of the company when it was having a running battle with the Transmission Company of Nigeria,TCN, over power allocation/sales from the national grid.

He described the early period of the operations of the company , when it had to buy bulk power at higher cost from TCN, and was forced by circumstances to service consumers at lower cost due to regulatory constraints as very difficult.

“When we  were yet to start powering our plants during the early period our operations,we were  relying on supply from the  national grid.

However, the problem then was that as a private outfit, TCN was selling bulk power to us at a price higher than what the law permitted us  to  charge consumers.

“In essence, we were forced by circumstances to operate at a huge loss because much as we were determined to continue to service our customers, we were buying the bulk power at higher cost than we were allowed by law to sell.

“Yet, even at that difficult level, the TCN was threatening, at some point,  to cut us off completely from the national grid . We immensely appreciate ALPADA for stepping in then to fight for us, until we successfully navigated the turbulence” Nnaji recalled.

He assured of a continuous improvement in service delivery , noting that APLE has remained on top when it comes to meeting the power supply needs of consumers.

Prof . Nnaji also promised to continue to work together with ALPADA for much more progress.

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