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Enugu NASS Caucus Backs Planned Concession Of Akanu Ibiam International Airport

April 29, 2025

Akanu Ibiam-International Airport-1024x768

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

National Assembly members from Enugu State on Monday April 28,2025, threw their weight behind moves to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, by the Federal Government.

A statement from the NASS caucus jointly issued by the Eight House of Representatives members from the State, described the planned concession of the facility as a potential driver of the economy of the South East region.

The Source reports that there have been a measure of controversy surrounding Federal Government’s plans to to concession the airport to some private operators of recent.

Some critics of the planned concession questioned the alleged plans to concession the facility for, allegedly, up to an 80-year period, as well as a lack of a clear cut operational framework for such an exercise.

However, while admitting that plans to concession the airport are a foot, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, noted that the duration of the concession is yet to be determined.

According to Keyamo, most of the airports in the country are currently running at a huge loss yearly, noting that the concession exercise is meant to ensure that they break even without depending on Government subsidies.

The Enugu Federal law makers, applauded the Federal Government initiatives towards making the Enugu airport and others self-sustaining.

They have, therefore, urged all the relevant authorities to speed-up the concession process so that the people of the South East will begin to reap the benefits.

Similarly, the Caucus appealed to the people of the region to support the initiative which it argued would fast-track development, through the attraction of investment opportunities.

“Due to poor capital investment, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA Enugu, remains partially completed and, indeed, an International airport only in name over two decades since it was designated as such by the Federal Government.

“Critical components such as the cargo terminal, runway, and international terminal among others are either non-existent or require completion or upgrade.

“Businesses and the people of the South-east, especially, have borne the brunt of these inadequacies, which manifest in the paucity of international flights and intermittent closure of the airport for repairs of the runway as recently witnessed.

“Therefore, we believe that the concession of the airport as currently being processed by the Federal Government is the only realistic approach to attracting adequate resources to build the requisite infrastructure ,and expand existing ones to place AIIA in the league of other international airports around the world”,the Caucus stated.

According to them, concession of the facility is totally different from a privatization exercise, as being thought by some critics.

The law makers noted that concession only involves a well tenured Public-private Partnership, PPP, framework designed to attract private investment with a view to improving the infrastructural facilities, while the Government retains ownership, regulatory and supervisory authority.

Instructively, the position of the Enugu NASS caucus came same day the airport was reopened to traffic after a two-week closure.

The facility was, on April 18, closed to enable the authorities carry out some repair works on the runway.

Maritime Labour: FG Assures Seafarers Of Decent Working Conditions

James Orji

April 29, 2025

Nigeria has endorsed the amendments to eight (8) Codes of the Maritime Labour Convention, MLC, 2006. The amendments include the codes related to the protection of seafarers against discrimination, identification of seafarers as key workers, enhanced access to shore based welfare for seafarers, and the code on shipboard violence, harassment and bullying, accommodation and recreational facilities onboard.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the 5^th ILO special Tripartite Committee meeting in Geneva Switzerland, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare, rights, and protection of seafarers.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended the International Labour Organisation, ILO, for fostering dialogue on maritime labour standards.

The NIMASA DG reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to ensuring decent working and living conditions for seafarers, noting the recently approved minimum wage in line with ILO standards.

Dr. Mobereola also used the platform to reinforce Nigeria’s bid for election to Category C of the International Maritime Organization, IMO, Council during the upcoming elections scheduled for November/ December this year. He stated that Nigeria’s inclusion in the Council would strengthen Africa’s representation and voice in shaping international maritime policies that promote fair labour practices, environmental sustainability, and technical cooperation.

The Special Tripartite Committee comprises representatives from countries that have ratified the MLC 2006, and mostly from Maritime Administrations who also attend IMO meetings. This is the very first time Nigeria is widening the scope of its campaign to engage strategically with relevant international agencies.

Who Kidnapped King Sunny Ade?

James Orji

April 29, 2025

Damilola Adeniyi Adegeye, the daughter of Afro Beat maestro Adeniyi Adegeye aka King Sunny Ade has alleged that his father has been kidnapped.

In a series of posts she shared on the social media, Damilola accused his step-brother Dayo of keeping their father away from the reach of other family members, after forcing him to “work under duress.”

By keeping him incommunicado, Dayo and those allegedly working with him has prevented King Sunny Ade from performing his responsibilities to other family members, as he could no longer take care of them.

According to Damilola who currently lives in the United Kingdom, the Afro Juju star has been taken hostage by Dayo and other close relations, including Sunny Ade’s ‘driver’ who has held him ‘hostage’ and forced him to perform at show against his will.

Since she made the allegations on Monday, not a few Nigerians have become worried over the state of health of the popular musicians, as not a few well-meaning people have called on the security agencies to investigate the matter particularly after his daughter alleged that “no one knows his whereabouts in the family and everyone is looking for him.”

“King Sunny Ade has been kidnapped. The manager (Dayo) is the culprit along with his mother, brothers (Demola and Kenny) and his driver Ade,” she wrote.

Damilola also accused Dayo of withholding information and “misleading the family” by claiming everyone knows where he is.

“….This has shown me who they are, and these are the ones that my dad is around. But no one knows his whereabouts in the family and everyone is looking for him, yet these guys are not telling us where he is but say everyone knows,” she stated.

She argued that despite the singer’s continued work, the “family is not seeing the financial benefits,” and urged Dayo to “allow him rest”.

Damilola also called on the Nigerian police for help and pleaded with the public not to book the singer for any event at the moment.

“King Sunny Ade, my dad, has been kidnapped and is working under duress. Emergency!” she wrote.

She warns: “Bro D, stop booking the shows and let him rest, so he can take care of his family. He keeps working, but the family is not seeing the money!

“I need the Nigerian police. My dad, King Sunny Ade, has been kidnapped.”

Meanwhile, unconfirmed sources informed the magazine that King Sunny Ade performed at the weekend somewhere on the Lagos Island. Some well meaning Nigerians have therefore urged him to speak up to clear the air on his daughter’s allegations.

Headies Award: Davido, Tems, Late Mohbad, Juma Jux Shine, As Wizkid, Kiss Daniel, Burna Boy Miss Out

Akinwale Kasali

April 29, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The 2024 Headies Award was held in Lagos amid fanfare, glamour and glitz as the night was further enlivened by electrifying performances from some of the continent’s brightest stars, including Qing Madi, L.A.X, Odumodublvck, Kcee, Shallipopi, Flavour, Juma Jux, Nasboi, Magnito, and more.

Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux, enjoyed a memorable night, taking home the award for Best East African Artiste of the Year, triumphing over other notable nominees such as Bien (Kenya), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Bruce Melodie (Rwanda), and Azawi (Uganda).

He also thrilled the audience with a captivating live performance.

One of the night’s most emotional highlights was the presentation of the Special Recognition Award to Limpopo master, Kcee.

The accolade honoured his enduring contributions to the Nigerian music industry, his cultural impact, and his impressive artistic evolution over the past 26 years.

In a deeply moving moment, the late Mohbad was posthumously honoured with the Best Street-Hop Artiste award for his hit single “Ask About Me.”

His family—including his wife and young son, Liam—accepted the award on his behalf, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.

The ceremony also featured a heartfelt tribute, celebrating Mohbad’s profound impact on the music industry and the legacy he left behind.

In addition to his win, Mohbad earned multiple posthumous nominations, including Best Collaboration for “Egwu” with Chike and Afrobeats Single of the Year for the same track. These nominations and his posthumous recognition underscore the enduring resonance of his music and the irreplaceable void his passing has left in the industry.

There was mild drama when the organisers of the event stylishly requested Odumodublvck, who won the Next Rated Category, to leave the stage while he was giving a long speech after receiving his award. The celebrated rapper who stormed the stage with his mom and an entourage of friends and record label team blatantly refused to leave the stage till the organisers eventually switched on his microphone, which was initially switched off and allowed him to finish his speech.

See full list of winners below :

Best Recording of the Year

Tems – Burning — Winner

Burna Boy – Higher

Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song

Sarz feat. Lojay – Billions

Producer of the Year

Sarz – Happiness

London – Ozeba — Winner

Magicsticks – Basquiat

Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe

Dibs – Different Pattern

Next Rated

Qing Madi

Shallipopi

Odumodublvck — Winner

Ayo Maff

Nasboi

Afrobeats Album of the Year

Stubborn – Victony

Work of Art – Asake

The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr

Heis – Rema — Winner

Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Songwriter of the Year

Simi – Stranger

Qing Madi – Vision -Winner

Llona – Can’t Breathe

Bloody Civilian – Family Meeting

Wizard Chan – Stages of Life

Rookie of the Year

Llona

Kaestyle

Taves

Zerrydl— Winner

Best Rap Single

Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast — Winner

Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor

Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – Hallelujah

Magnito – Canada

Jeriq – Ije Nwoke

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song

Niniola – Level

Simi – Stranger

Liya – I’m Done —Winner

Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Music Video of the Year

Rema – Charm (Dir. Perliks & Folarin Oludare)

Jyde Ajala – Metaverse

Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine – Like Ice Spice

Mattmax – Ojapiano

Director Pink – Egwu — Winner

TG Omori – Showa

Dammy Twitch – Na Money

Best Street-Hop Artiste

Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern

Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – Dealer

Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast

Zhus Jdo – Johnbull

Mohbad – Ask About Me — Winner

Afrobeats Single of the Year

Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things

Kizz Daniel – Twe Twe Remix

Chike feat. Mohbad – Egwu

Asake – Remember

Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix

Flavour – Big Baller — Winner

Viewers’ Choice Award

Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things

Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix

Chike & Mohbad – Egwu — Winner

Rema – Ozeba

Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern

Kizz Daniel – Showa

Tems – Love Me Jeje

Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast

Flavour feat. Fireboy – Dealer

Flavour – Big Baller

Viewers’ Choice Award

Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things

Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix

Chike & Mohbad – Egwu — Winner

Rema – Ozeba

Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern

Kizz Daniel – Showa

Tems – Love Me Jeje

Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast

Flavour feat. Fireboy – Dealer

Flavour – Big Baller

Digital Artiste of the Year

Ayra Starr

Rema

Shallipopi

Tems

Davido — Winner

Kizz Daniel

Asake

Song of the Year

Showa – Kizz Daniel

Commas – Ayra Starr

Egwu – Chike and Mohbad

Lonely at the Top – Asake — Winner

Ozeba – Rema

Big Baller – Flavour

Best Vocal Performance Male

Lojay — Billions — Winner

Best Movie Soundtrack

A Tribe Called Judah — Winner

Special Recognition Awards

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor

Alex Okosi

Amaju Pinnick

Kcee

Humanitarian awards

Temitola Adekunle Johnson

Mitchell Mukoro

Best East African Artiste

Bien (Kenya)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Juma Jux (Tanzania) -Winner

Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)

Azawi (Uganda)

Best Central African Artiste

Innoss’B (DRC) — Winner

Gaz Mawete (DRC)

Emma’A (Gabon)

Eboloko (Gabon)

Singuila (Central African Republic)

Kocee (Cameroon)

The Headies Awards 2025 was a night of glitz, glamour, and powerful recognition — a true testament to the vibrant evolution of African music.

Kano Sanctions Two Judges, Court Registrars

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 29, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Two Judges of the Kano State Judiciary have been slammed with disciplinary measures by the State Judicial Service Commission over perceived professional misconducts.

While Mansur Ibrahim of the Upper Shariah Court was issued with a warning over the use of inappropriate language against a litigant, his counterpart, Nasiru Ahmed was given a query, and subsequently, served a cautionary letter for conducts suggestive of personal interests in a matter involving a judgment debt.

A statement from the spokesperson for the Commission, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, on said the disciplinary measures were sequel to the adaptation of the report of an investigative committee by the Commission during its 80th Meeting.

“In line with its mandate, the Commission adopted the recommendations of the investigations carried out by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee, and resolved to suspend two Court Registrars, and issue formal warnings to two Upper Shariah Court Judges whose conducts fall short of expected standards”, the Commission noted

According to the statement, the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee had recommended the measure against Justice Ahmad for ordering the unlawful detention of a judgment debtor, a move which was indicative of personal interest, as well as open compromise of judicial impartiality.

The Commission warned that Judicial Officers, should, at all times, exercise discretionary powers with a sense of fairness, justice and objectivity so as not to erode public confidence and trust in the system.

In the same vein, the Commission, slammed a six-month suspension without pay on Ibrahim Adamu, a Principal Registrar 2 with the State High Court for engaging in a verbal assault and attempted physical combat with a superior personnel.

Adamu who is to also have his routine promotion exercise differed was said to have, not long ago committed same offence, as a result of which he was queried ,and found guilty of gross misconduct.

For demanding and accepting what the Commission described as improper gratification, Maigida Lawan, a Principal Registrar with the Shariah Upper Court, was demoted from grade level 13 to 12, in addition to a six-month suspension without salary.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Confesses: “I Committed A Grievous Crime”

Ayodele Oni

April 29, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Kogi suspended Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in a fresh letter to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has insisted that she is not afraid, remains unbought, and unbroken, despite her trivial.

The letter, addressed directly to Akpabio, reads, “Dear Distinguished Senate President Godswill Akpabio,

“It is with the deepest sarc@sm and utmost the@trical regret that I tender this apology for the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect in your most exalted presence.

“I have reflected extensively on my unforgivable failure to recognize that legislative success in certain quarters is apparently not earned through merit, but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind.

“How remiss of me not to understand that my refusal to indulge your… ‘requests’ was not merely a personal choice, but a constitutional violation of the unwritten laws of certain men’s entitlement.

“Truly, I must apologize for prioritizing competence over c@pitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors.

“I now realize the c@tastrophic consequences of my actions: legislation delayed, tempers flared, and the tragic bruising of egos so large they require their own postcodes. For this disruption to the natural order of ‘quid pro quo,’ I bow my head in fictional sh@me.

“Please find it in your magnanimous heart — somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement — to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections.

“I remain,

Yours in eternal resistance,

Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan

Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken.”

Sanwo-Olu To Obi: “Tell Me What You Achieved As Anambra Governor”

Akinwale Kasali

April 29, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu of Lagos State has asked Peter Obi, Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate at the 2023 Election to stop disparaging President Bola Tinubu’s Government. He made the remarks in response to Obi’s speech at the John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United of America on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Sanwo Olu said Obi made unflattering remarks not just about the incumbent Nigerian Government, but also about Nigeria. The Lagos State Governor said Obi’s pattern of behaviour was disturbing.

He stressed further that when prominent Nigerians go overseas, they ought to project Nigeria positively. He said, in a personally signed statement that they do not have to do that for the Government in power, but they owe a duty to market Nigeria on the global stage rather than de-market her.

He added that this is what true patriotism is about.

“Any leader can fight poverty generationally by promoting education, improving healthcare, providing credit, and granting access to land.

“Now, I find it somewhat ironic that a man like Mr. Obi, who did not build a single school or a stand-alone hospital throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra or sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise the Government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that.

“I say this because the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is my predecessor, and as Governor of Lagos and now President of Nigeria, has built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions.

“In less than two years, he has provided over half a billion dollars in credit facilities to small and medium-scale enterprises.

“While he was Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, the President reduced poverty by more than 46%. There is every reason to believe that, based on what he did as Governor of Lagos, he will repeat the same feat at the federal level. After all, the best predictor of the future is the past.

“But let us examine the messenger, not just the message, and look at the issuer as well as the issues.

“Mr. Obi talks a good game. But was he able to reduce poverty while he governed Anambra? Perhaps we can let the facts speak for themselves.

“Under Peter Obi as a two term Anambra Governor, poverty in Anambra increased. It did not reduce.

“Before Peter Obi became Anambra Governor on Thursday, June 14, 2007, the poverty rate in Anambra was 41.4%.

“But after only two years in office, the poverty rate in Anambra jumped to 53.7%.

“But the interesting thing is that five years after Peter Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate in Anambra from almost 60% to 14.8%.

“As such, I am not sure that Mr. Obi is morally well placed to make the alarming claims he made about Nigeria at Johns Hopkins.

“Mr. Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria. Governor Tinubu, as he then was, was responsible for lifting millions out of poverty.

“Being that that is the case, who should criticise who?”, Governor Sanwo Olu stated.

El-Rufai Says Defection To SDP Is To Run Away From Godfathers

Ayodele Oni

April 28, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, has explained that his own move from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was the first step in his attempt to address Nigeria’s challenges by moving away from the influence of godfathers in politics.

He downplayed the significance of recent high-profile defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that these moves will not deter his efforts to find solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

He disclosed this during a visit to Kano, where he met with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Social Democratic Party (SDP) leaders.

According to him, each governor has one vote and that elections are won by the people, not politicians.

“It’s good for headlines, it’s good to sell your media, but on the ground, politically, if you don’t have the people, you can have as high a profile as possible, you are nothing.

“The issue is who can solve the problem of Nigerians and communicate it to them such that on Election Day they will be motivated to come out and vote for that person.”

El-Rufai added that the SDP remained focused on grassroots mobilisation rather than courting political bigwigs.

“What we want to do is to give all Nigerians interested in leadership and politics equal opportunity to show that he can do better than what we have. Because clearly what we have is not good enough.

“The SDP is concerned with finding solutions to Nigeria’s problems and giving opportunity to those that the godfather-type of party politics has totally sidelined and excluded.

“Every Nigerian agrees that what we have now is not good enough and there are many talented Nigerians out there that don’t even want to think about going into politics or public service because they think you need to have a godfather, or you need to have tons of money.

“We want to remove all these things and unleash the competitive energy of Nigerians, to being their best to the politics and public service.

“This is our goal. As far as I am concerned, the defection of high-profile politicians is not the issue. The issue is who can solve the problem of Nigerians and communicate it to them such that on Election Day they will be motivated to come out and vote for that person.”

People’s Interest Motivated Decision To Join APC – Okowa

Ayodele Oni

April 28, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Ifeanyi Okowa, Former Governor of Delta State and the Peoples Democratic Party’s Vice Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections, has reaffirmed that his defection, with others to the ruling of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was in the best interest of people of the State.

Okowa maintained that the move is not for personal gains, saying “there is always a time to change path for the common good of the people.”

Okowa spoke in Asaba on Monday at a rally organised by the APC to welcome him and Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of the state, to the party.

“Today, obviously, is a great day for us in Delta state. When the news broke out on Wednesday, the 23rd of April, 2025, that we have decided to change our path, people wondered why.

“But one thing is very important. In the history of a people, there is always a time to change their path for the common good of the people.”

He said the decision to join the APC was driven by the need to “connect with Abuja”, where Delta state is a “large contributor.

“And whatever decision that we took was based on that common good, and the need to change our path in the best interest of our state.

“As I did tell people that day, it was not about me. It was not about the governor, but the fact that there is the need for us to connect to Abuja.

“That goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja, of which Delta state is a large contributor, there was a need to connect to it.”

Okowa pointed out that although he served as governor for eight years under the PDP, there was a need for a stronger connection with the centre.

“I was governor for eight years. I was in opposition. I did my best, but we lost a lot.

“And I did not believe that the governor needed to stay working very hard and we know that we are very supportive of Governor Sheriff.

“But as the governor is doing a lot for us, he also needs to connect to the greater source of power and resource and goodwill in Abuja.”

Okowa stated that the decision was made after consultation with PDP leaders and stakeholders at various levels.

“And when we sat down after a stakeholders meeting, we thought that it was necessary to make this move.

“This move is bold. It is strategic. It is patriotic and it is well-intentioned. That decision that our governor took, that we needed to move after consultation with the leaders of the party, which was cascaded down to the local governments and the world, is the best interest for our State.”

Okowa also called for support for President Bola Tinubu and Oborevwori, saying that the party’s move will help dominate politics in the State.

“It is time for us to stand together in great support for Mr President and Mr Governor. Because together, we can truly dominate the politics in Delta State.”

He expressed optimism that the decision would lead to positive results for the State.

“I believe there will be no other party with this move that we have made and we are going to stretch out our hands across to our brothers, across all other states, that we can reach. And I believe that a great result will come from it.

“Thank you, Mr Governor, for blazing the trail. You have put us forth, and I believe that it’s going to yield a lot of results.

“We trust you. We believe in you. We believe in the decision that we have collectively taken. May God lead you and keep you very close to Mr President. We will support you. We will support Mr President. And God will truly bless us in Delta state because it is well with us.

“We are a great state and a great people and now we have made the right decisions, a bold one, in the best interest of us all. Let us go back home and let the people know that we have taken this decision in their best interest.”

On April 23, Oborevwori and other PDP bigwigs in Delta state, defected to the APC.

On Sunday, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, announced that the APC structure in Delta is now fully under the governor’s control.

Fans Of Late Gospel Singer, Osinachi, Lauds Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme For Landmark Judgment

Akinwale Kasali

April 28, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

There was wild jubilation by families, friends and fans of late Gospel Musician, Osinachi Nwachukwu, when the Honourable Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of an FCT High Court, Wuse Zone 2, on Monday sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the deceased Osinachi to death by hanging.

Peter, husband to the Late ‘Ekwueme’ crooner was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased ( his wife) on April 8, 2022.

The Judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.

Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge.

The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.

In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.

The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.

The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.

Shortly before sentencing, the defendant’s Counsel, Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the Court to be lenient in its judgment.

Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the Court to give force to the law as stipulated.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.

The Court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imrisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.

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