BayelsaDeclares Three-day Mourning In Honour Of Late Deputy Governor

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December 12, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Bayelsa State Government on Friday, December 12, 2025, declared a three-day mourning period for the fallen Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

The Source reports that Ewhrudjakpo on Thursday December 11, slumped while climbing a staircase to his office. He was later pronounced dead by medical personnel at the Federal Medical Centre in, Yenagoa, the State Capital where he was rushed to for attention.

He passed on at the age of 60.

A statement by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiowou Koku-Obiyal, said the mourning period began immediately on Friday and would last for three working days during which period flags would fly at half-mast.

The State Government described the sudden death of the Deputy Governor,

as not only painful, deeply regrettable and shocking, but, also, a monumental loss to the State Government, the people of Bayelsa State and the country at large.

According to the statement, Ewhrudjakpo collapsed while proceeding to a scheduled meeting within his office, and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa,where he gave up.

“His demise is not just painful, it is a great loss to the Government, people of Bayelsa State and the nation.

“Senator Ewhrudjakpo was an accomplished public servant who served the State with distinction as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Senator that represented Bayelsa West Senatorial District, and Deputy Governor since 2020.

“Governor Douye Diri, on behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa State expresses heartfelt condolences to his wife, Her Excellency Barr.(Mrs) Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, their children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, Ofoni Federated Community, His Excellency , Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and all citizens of the State.

” Consequently, His Excellency , Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, has declared a state of mourning for 3 working days in honour of the late Deputy Governor beginning from today, Friday, December 12, 2025. All flags are to fly at half-mast”, the Government statement reads

Primate Ayodele To Adelabu: You Won’t Be Gov For Reporting Me To DSS

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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December 12, 2025

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Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele — Primate Elijah Ayodele, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu of a plot by Trump to remove him from office.

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has petitioned the Department of State Services, DSS, alleging that Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, is trying to extort him to the tune of N150 million.

According to The Cable, the Minister claimed in the petition to the Secret Police, that the popular Prophet demanded the money from him, to assist him make his aspiration to become Oyo state governor, possible.

Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is among those contesting the state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Recall that Adelabu had in 2019 lost the election to the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde.

But, in the petition to the DSS Adelabu claimed that the Lagos Prophet promised to assist him get the position this time around, provided he could provide the money.

In the petition dated October 13, 2025, signed by Bolaji Tunji, the minister’s Special Adviser on slStrategic Communications and Media Relations, Adelabu accused Ayodele of making false prophecies intended to malign his reputation after he rebuffed all efforts from the cleric, who allegedly demanded a huge sum of money and expensive spiritual items.

“I write to formally draw the attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the extortive, deceitful, and inciting activities of one self-acclaimed pastor known as Primate Elijah Ayodele, of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, whose actions have become not only personally distressing to the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, but also capable of disturbing public peace and undermining the integrity of the political process in Oyo State,” the petition reads.

“Since his tenure as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and particularly in the period leading up to his current aspiration to serve as the Governor of Oyo State, this individual had persistently approached him with unsolicited offers of “spiritual intercession” purportedly to guarantee electoral success.

“Under this guise, he had on several occasions demanded huge sums of money and expensive spiritual items, cumulatively amounting to over N150 million (one hundred and fifty million naira), as purported prerequisites for divine favour. The minister had consistently declined his requests, believing that his political ambition is driven by genuine service to the people and not by any spiritual manipulation or fetish practice.

“Following the Honourable Minister’s refusal to accede to his extortionate demands, Primate Ayodele has embarked on a campaign of malicious and false prophecies targeted at discrediting him publicly. He has gone as far as declaring through various media channels that ‘God told him he will not win the election’ and has recently made more provocative and inciting statements suggesting that he would fail because of his association with the ‘Èmi Lòkan’ slogan (“It’s my turn”).

“As a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he had previously chosen to ignore his antics to avoid unnecessary public confrontation with a religious figure. However, Primate Ayodele’s continued propagation of these false prophecies, which are evidently retaliatory and malicious in nature, now pose a threat not only to the minister’s reputation but also to public order and confidence in the democratic process.

“I therefore urge the Department of State Services to kindly investigate the activities of the said Pastor Ayodele for extortion, blackmail, and deliberate dissemination of false and inciting information; compel him to retract his false prophecies and issue a formal written apology; and bring him under the force of the law, in accordance with relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Criminal Code, to deter similar fraudulent religious practices in the future.”

Meanwhile, Ayodele while reacting to the Minister’s claim, during one of his sermon in his church in Lagos said Adelabu will fail in his quest to be Oyo state helmsman in 2027.

Maryam Sanda: Supreme Court Throws Out Tinubu’s Reversal Of Death Sentence

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 12, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment, voided the pardon granted by President Bola Tinubu to Maryam Sanda, and affirmed the death sentence, by hanging, for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in 2017. She stabbed him to death in their Abuja home.

In a Four-to-One split decision, the Apex Court dismissed the appeal filed by Sanda, ruling that the prosecution had proved the case of culpable homicide beyond a reasonable doubt.

Delivering the lead Judgment, Justice Moore Adumein held that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, was correct in upholding the initial death sentence handed down by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2020.

Justice Adumein further addressed the legal conundrum created by the Presidential pardon, stating: “It was wrong for the Executive to seek to exercise its power of pardon over a case of culpable homicide, in respect of which an appeal was pending.”

The Court resolved all issues raised in her appeal against her, and declared that the entire appeal was without merit.

The judgment effectively nullifies the compassionate reduction of sentence to 20 years granted by President Bola Tinubu. She was initially granted full pardon under the prerogative of mercy by the President, but the outage raised against it forced Tinubu to cancel tye full pardon, and reduced the death sentence to 12 years imprisonment. She has already spent about six years in prison custody.

reinstating the original conviction for the brutal killing of Bilyaminu Bello during a domestic dispute.

Sanda is expected to return to the status of a convict awaiting execution.

It would be recalled that President Tinubu had previously reduced Sanda’s death sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on “compassionate grounds” in October 2025, which led to criticism from different quarters, prompting President Tinubu to rescind his decision.

The court resolved all issues raised in her appeal against her, declaring the entire appeal to be without merit

NGF Mourns Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Ewhrudjakpo

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Ayodele Oni

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December 12, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has paid glowing tribute to the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo’s legacy.

NGF expressed profound grief over the sudden death of the Deputy Governor, who collapsed yesterday and was later confirmed dead.

In a statement signed by Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, the NGF described the late senator as a “dedicated public servant and worthy deputy” whose visionary leadership and commitment to Bayelsa State left an indelible mark.

“His unwavering commitment to good governance, social justice, and the welfare of his people stood as a testament to his character and leadership.

“His contributions to the development of Bayelsa State and its people will be fondly remembered,” AbdulRazaq stated.

The forum extended heartfelt condolences to Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, the people of Bayelsa, as well as the late deputy governor’s family and friends.

It prayed that Ewhrudjakpo’s exemplary values of humility and service continue to inspire future leaders amid this “irreparable loss

“Don’t Let Them Kill Me, I Have Pregnant Wife, 4-Year Old Son, Aged Father” – Young Man Pleads From Kidnappers’ Den

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 12, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

From inside a forest where his heartless kidnappers tied his hands behind him, a young man who identified himself as Mogaji Adebanjo has made a heart-wrenching appeal to the Nigerian Government, Security Agencies, and his State Government.

In a tear-inducing video which has gone viral, he pleaded: “I don’t want to die. I have a pregnant wife and a four-year-old son.” His abductors have placed the sum of N100m on his head, failing which they threaten to kill him. Sitting on the ground in the forest close to him, was another captive, a male teenager, looking helpless.

Adebanjo is a native of Ondo State and a staff member of Vine Crest College.

According to him, he was on his way from Ondo to Abuja when the ugly people kidnapped him along Kabba Road.

In a desperate plea for his life, facing two guns pointed at him, he pleaded:

“I don’t want to die, I have a pregnant wife and a four-year-old son, and an aged father.” He then doubled over, with his head almost touching the ground, only restrained by his hands which were tied behind him.

He is pleading for help and fears that the end of his life has come. But thinking of his pregnant wife and four-year old son, Adebanjo is clinging unto a little hope that the Federal Government, the Ondo State Government, and Security Agencies would do something and get him out.

Defection: Gov Adeleke Was A Victim Of PDP Bad Politics

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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December 12, 2025

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Ademola Adeleke - Osun State Governor — Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

overnor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state defection from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was ineveitable, according to the’s National Publicity Secreatry, ini Emeobong, who blamed the development on the leadership crisis rocking Nigeria’s major opposition party.

Governor Adeleke defected to the Accord party on Wednesday from the PDP, and has since picked the party’s ticket for the next year’s governorship election in the state. The governor blamed the PDP crisis for his defection, even as watchers of politics said his departure from the embattled party has further dimmed its plan to control the state.

The PDP spokesman who spoke on Channels Television The Morning Brief, on Friday said anyone in Governor Adeleke’s shoes would have done the same thing, in the same circumstance, noting that the leadership crisis in the party was allowed to drag for too long before action was taken by the leadership.

He stressed that the PDP failed to wield the stick on those reportedly troubling the party, saying by the time it decided to do so it was too late,and become very inevitable for Governor Adeleke to look elsehere where he could achieve his governorship ambition.

According to him, “Adeleke is a victim of circumstance, and those circumstances were created by human failings within the party. Every problem has a human cause and therefore, should also have a human solution, but decisive action was not taken early enough. If leadership had acted firmly from 2023, when the decline began, the outcome might have been different.

“Sometimes leaders believe that once passions cool, people will reconsider their positions. But that didn’t happen here, and by the time the convention took decisive action in Ibadan, things had already gone too far. That is how he became a victim of vicarious liabilities that he could not completely detach himself from.’

Apart from Governor Adeleke, the Rivers state governor, Siminalaye Fubara had also dumped the PDP,andjoned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, saying he took the action to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu re-election bid.

Both Governor Fubara and Tinbu are seeking re-election in 2007, and have recently became allies following the return of the Rivers helmsman to office, after the expiration of six months state of Emergency rule declared by President Tinubu in March this year. Fubara said his return to office was made possible by the president.

Dr. Chris Ngige Remanded In Prison Custody

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Ayodele Oni

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December 12, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

An Federal Court has ordered the remand of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of the bail application.

Justice Mariam Hassan issued the remand order on Friday, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), arraigned the former Anambra State Governor in Court over a N2.2 billion corruption allegation.

The Judge adjourned the case to Monday, December 15, for the hearing of the bail application.

Ngige was arraigned on an eight-count charge.

During proceedings, the EFCC Counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, asked the high court for a date for the commencement of the trial.

He also requested that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the anti-graft commission, pending the bail hearing.

However, counsel to Ngige Tim Nkweto said his client has already been in EFCC custody in the past three days.

He said the former Minister is not an unknown person in the country, having served in public office, up until a year and three months ago.

He said the defence was prepared to meet any bail conditions and noted that Ngige was not in good health and needed medical attention.

Ngige had arrived at the premises of the court at about 8:10 am, accompanied by EFCC officials.

In the eight-count charge, marked: FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, Ngige is the sole defendant.

According to the charge dated October 31 and filed on December 9 by a team of lawyers led by Tahir, the alleged offences were committed while he served as Minister of Labour under the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

In count one, he was alleged to have, between September 2015 and May 2023, while being the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is his associate.

Ngige was said to have awarded seven contracts for consultancy, training, and supply by the NSITF to the said company to the tune of ₦366,470,920.68 (Three Hundred and Sixty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty Naira and Sixty Eight Kobo).

In count two, the defendant was alleged to have, while being the supervising Minister of NSITF, used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is his associate.

Ngige was alleged to have awarded eight contracts for supply, training, and consultancy, with NSITF, to the said company to the tune of ₦583,682,686.00 (Five Hundred and Eighty Three Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Six Naira) only.

In count three, Ngige was accused of using his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Jeff & Xris Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, is his associate, by the award of eight contracts for consultancy, training and supplies with NSITF to the said company to the tune of ₦362,043,163.16 (Three Hundred and Sixty Two Million, Forty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Three Naira and Sixteen Kobo) only.

In count four, he was allegedly to have used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Olde English Consolidated Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Uzoma Igbonwa, is his associate.

He was accused of awarding four contracts for consultancy, training, and construction by NSITF to the said company to the tune of ₦668,138,141.00 (Six Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, One Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Forty One Naira) only

Loyalists, Allies Mourn Passing Of Only Son Of Fmr. Dep.Gov., Orelope-Adefulire

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 12, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Alimosho home of former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire was a Mecca of sort, as hundreds of her loyalists, political associates and allies stormed it to mourn with her following the death of her son, Oluwafemi Olawale Adefulire.

Oluwafemi, a Medical Doctor, passed in the early hours of Wednesday, after undergoing an undisclosed surgery in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, UAE.

It is not known why the young doctor who lived in the United Kingdom had this surgery in Dubai instead of the UK.

Mourners yet to come to terms with the passing of her son, were drenched in tears. Many wept uncontrollably. His death has, also, thrown the entire

All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos into mourning.

The Chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Jimoh Ishola Ejigbadero was seen at the residence of Orelope-Adefulire to console her over her loss.

Also, the Chairman of Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area, Hon. Akindele Adunni Opeyemi, was also there.

The sad incident has unsettled the political circle across the state and family members.

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in a condolence message by its Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said the party is shock over the sudden loss of the son of a respected leader of the party in Alimosho area and the state in general.

Oladejo stated: “It’s sadly true. The kind of incident most dreadful for parents. APC is devastated.

“Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire is an exceptionally good person. The entire party structure has been thrown into mourning over this humongous tragedy. May his precious soul rest in peace.”

In the nation’s political landscape, Mother of the deceased, is a force to reckon with, having served as Lagos State Deputy Governor from 2011 to 2015 during former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration.

She is currently the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a position she was reappointed to in September 2023 after previously holding it under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The burial arrangement of the deceased is yet to be disclosed by the family.

EFCC Arraigns Ngige On Eight Count Charge Of Abuse Of Office, Contract Splitting

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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December 12, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, has filed an eighth-count charge bordering on alleged contract splitting, abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige .

Dr Ngige who was arrested in Abuja Wednesday night, December 10, will be formally arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory FCT High Court in Gwarimpa Abuja by the anti-graft agency on Friday .

The EFCC is, among other things, accusing Dr Ngige, of abusing his office as Labour Minister by awarding multiple inflated contracts to cronies, relations and associates through firms in which he, allegedly, has vested interests.

According to the charge sheet, Ngige is alleged to have between 2015 and 2023, while supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund NSITF, leveraged his position as Minister of Labour to ” confer an unfair advantage upon Cezimo.Nigeria Limited, a firm alleged to be linked to his associate, one Ezebinma Amarachukwu Charles.

The company is alleged to have been awarded inflated contracts for consultancy services, including training and supplies estimated at the cost of over N366 million.

Similarly, the former Labour Minister is being accused of awarding multiple contacts worth over N 583 million to Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company also linked to Ezeninwa Amarachukwu Charles.

According to the anti-corruption commission, Ngige, through the NSITF, awarded eight contracts valued at over N362 million to a firm in which he has interest, Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by one Nwosu Jideofor Chumunwike.

Other contracts alleged to have been awarded by Ngige to cronies and associates include over N668 million consultancy services, including training, to one Olde English Consolidated Limited owned by Uzoma Igbonwa and another valued at over N161 million alleged to have also been awarded to same Igbonwa through Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited .

The EFFC is accusing Dr Ngige of not only awarding the said contracts without recourse to due processes, but also favouring firms in which he is believed to have substantial interests.

The former Minister is expected to file his defence, during his arraignment on Friday December 12, 2025.

“Uzodimma Is My Dependable Ally” – President Bola Tinubu In Birthday Tribute

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The Source

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December 12, 2025

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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is the true representation of a progressive, both in ideal and action.

As the ambassador of Renewed Hope, a beacon of unity and a force for positive change, Governor Uzodimma’s belief in Nigeria and its extraordinary possibilities is admirable. He talks of unity and acts to strengthen our bond and blur the artificial lines that separate us. He is a patriot through and through.

His leadership style is expansive and corrective, accommodating and decisive. His choice as the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum attests to his broadmindedness and capacity to rally people together and inspire loyalty and comradeship.

Elected in 2011 as a Senator to represent the people of Imo West Senatorial District, he delivered quality and impactful representation.

Since he became governor in 2020, Imo State under his leadership has experienced steady progress.

Governor Uzodimma’s footprints are remarkable in infrastructure development and improvements in healthcare, education, and security.

At a personal level, Governor Uzodimma is very affable and has an admirable strength of character. He is a dependable ally. I admire his brilliance and proven problem-solving ability.

On this joyous birthday on December 12, I join family, friends, associates, supporters, and the good people of Imo State in celebrating him. I wish him many more years of good health and greater service to our country and humanity at large.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief
Federal Republic of Nigeria
December 11, 2025