Imo Judiciary: Justice Nzeukwu, Most Senior To Be Acting Chief Judge, Says Imo Govt

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April 4, 2025

Justice Theresa Chikeka and Hope Uzodimma

Imo State Government has described the recently sworn-in Acting Chief Judge of the State, Hon Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, as the most senior Judge in the State and, therefore, qualified to hold the position.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, Hon Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment was sequel to the removal of the former Chief Judge from office

He explained that ” as a result of the dismissal of the former Chief Judge, Hon Justice Theresa Chikeka for age falsification, the Judicial Service Commission of Imo State took time to go through the records of Judicial Officers in Imo State. After the exercise, it was confirmed that Hon Justice Nzeukwu was most senior to occupy the position, by all available records.

The Commissioner emphasized that Hon Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment came after a thorough personnel audit of the Judiciary by the State Judicial Service Commission which discovered that Hon Justice Nzeukwu was the most senior by records

The Governor, therefore, in exercise of his powers, pursuant to section 271(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, now appointed Hon Justice Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge, the statement added.

For the records, the confirmation, however, of Nzeukwu as the substantive Chief Judge, or otherwise, is the responsibility of the NJC.

The NJC in a statement where it distanced itself from the appointment of the Action Chief Judge by Uzodinma said that the Judge the Governor appointed, far from being the most senior in rank, comes in as number four. The NJC, also, said that the letter from the Governor to the Commission, asking for permission to appoint an Acting Chief Judge, was still pending.

Police Arrest Father For Defiling 10-Year-Old Daughter In Delta State

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 4, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Delta State Police Command on Friday, April 4, 2025, announced the arrest of 48 Year old HIV/AIDS carrier for, allegedly, defiling and infecting his 10 year-old daughter with the disease.

The suspect, who was simply identified as David, was apprehended by the officers of Otu-Jeremi Division l,Ughelli, South Local Council.

His arrest was preceded by a medical examination that confirmed his teenage daughter’s HIV positive status.

Upon noticing the fast deteriorating health condition of the victim, she was taken to a Medical Facility that confirmed her HIV status.

Following interrogation, the innocent victim revealed how her father had turned her into a se3 toy in recent times.

Similarly, sources close to some locals revealed that the suspect’s wife ,and many women within the locality may have fallen victims to the disease owing to his high level of promiscuity.

According to the locals, the suspect is well known for sleeping with several women in the community.

The Delta State Police Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, while confirming the arrest of the suspect, however, denied any knowledge of his HIV status.

“The suspect is presently in custody .But I don’t know about HIV/AiDS”, Edafe stated.

He, however, noted that investigations are underway to unravel the actual circumstances of the matter.

NJC Hands Off Appointment Of Chief Judge For Imo Judiciary

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Ayodele Oni

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April 4, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Judicial Council (NJC) and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma have disagreed over the appointment of a Chief Judge for the State.

Uzodimma had appointed and sworn-in Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Honourable Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, allegedly, number four in the hierarchy of Judges’ seniority in Imo State High Court, on the recommendation of the State Judicial Commission, as the Acting Chief Judge of the State, pending confirmation by the NJC.

The State has been without a Chief Judge, months after the NJC sacked Hon. Justice Theresa Chikeka for age falsification.

But the NJC has distanced itself from the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge.

The NJC, in a statement by its Deputy Director (Information), Mrs. Kemi Ogendengbe, said it was yet to consider a request by Uzodinma to appoint Justice Nzeukwu who is currently number four in the hierarchy of Judges’ seniority in the Imo State High Court.

“The attention of the Council has been drawn to the news making rounds that the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, had purportedly appointed Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is number four in the hierarchy of Judges’ seniority in Imo State High Court, as the Acting Chief Judge of the state, in view of the recent disciplinary action taken against the erstwhile Chief Judge of the State.

“The National Judicial Council, by this press release, wants to clarify to the public that the Governor of Imo State had earlier written to the Council requesting for its approval to appoint Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is number four in the hierarchy of seniority as Acting Chief Judge of the State.

“The Governor, in his said correspondence to the Council, gave reasons why in his own view, the three most senior judges are not appointable.

“The Council is informing the public that the said letter is yet to be considered, as deliberation on the request is slated for the next Council Meeting, which is scheduled to hold on 29th and 30th April, 2025.

“The Council is, therefore, by this press release, informing the public that the Governor’s request is yet to be considered by the Council.

“The Council has not given approval to the Governor for the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge.

“The Council is not a party to the process of the purported appointment of Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge.”

The NJC had, at its 107th meeting held between November 13 and 14, 2024 recommended the compulsory retirement of the then Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka over alleged age falsification.

The NJC added: “The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth: 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958.

“However, 27 October 1956 appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.”

Bayelsa Pro-Wike Mega Rally: Turnah Makes U-Turn

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 4, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Pro-Nyesom Wike factional South South Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, George Turnah, on Friday April 4, 2025, beat a retreat, following his denial of any plans to stage a solidarity rally for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.

The Source reports that Governor Douye Diri had, last week, expressed a opposition to the plan by Turnah and his group to organise a million man rally in the State in support of Wike.

He cited the need to avoid the possibility of exporting the festering Rivers State crisis into Bayelsa as a major reason.

According to Governor Diri, there are high potentials for the breach of peace and stability should the proposed rally be allowed to be staged at this critical period of the crisis in neighbouring Rivers state .

Rising from an emergency security council meeting last Week, Governor Diri announced a blanked ban on all forms of political rallies, and other related events in the State until there is an improvement on the security situation in the sister-state of Rivers .

However, the Governor’s decision immediately drew the ire of Turnah and his mentor, Wike who lampooned him.

Turnah and his group, in particular, vowed to go ahead with the rally, questioning how such an event could precipitate the breakdown of law and order.

But at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, the factional PDP South South Zonal Secretary, surprisingly, denied any plans to stage any rally in the Bayelsa State capital for Wike or any other persons.

He accused the Governor of deliberate misinformation with the aim of inciting the people against him.

According to him, the claims by the State Governor that he is putting together a mega rally for Wike in Yenagoa is not only false, but reckless,and politically motivated,.

He insisted that the claims are part of a well- orchestrated campaign of calumny designed to blackmail and discredit him.

Turnah vehemently rejected any claims and accusations that he, or any group associated with him, has contacted the FCT Minister for any proposed rally.

” It is shocking and deeply irresponsible that Governor Diri would base his claims on an unverified Facebook post without any attempt to verify the authenticity of the information.

“This is a reckless attempt to tarnish my image and incite public resentment against me”, Turnah noted

He expressed regret that Governor Diri could set out on the dangerous mission of destroying him despite the long history of their relationship.

According to him, his political relationship with the Governor began as far back as 2015 when he made generous financial contributions to the Governor’s bid for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Similarly, Turnah recounted how he solidly stood by the Governor during the 2023 general elections.

“I have stood by Governor Diri through the years, offering both financial and political support, yet today, he refers to me as “one George Turnah ” as though I never mattered .This is a classic case of political betrayal” he lamented.

Anambra Arraigns Three Native Doctors For Kidnapping, Fraud, False Supernatural powers Claims

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 4, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Anambra State Government on Friday, April 4 ,2025, formally arraigned high profile and self acclaimed frontline traditionalist and Native Doctors, Chidozie Nwangwu ,a.k.a.Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki (Egg that broke the kernel)

The stupendously rich socialite and celebrity, was arraigned alongside two others of his ilk, namely Ekene Igboekweze, a.k.a Eke Hit and Onyebuchi Okocha, a.k.a., Onye Eze before an Anambra state High Court sitting in Awka ,on charges bordering on kidnapping, money rituals ,preparations of charms for criminal elements and other related matters.

The Source reports that Nwagwu, (Akwa Okuko) was, early February 2025, arrested by security operatives, and members of the Anambra Security outfit “Agunechemba”, for alleged involvement in preparing fortification charms for Yahoo Yahoo boys, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state.

A viral video online depicting ,and advertising his trade preceded his arrest at the time Anambra was engulfed in all manners of criminal activities.

His apprehension, opened the flood gate for the arrest of several traditional medicine practitioners and worshippers by the State Government.

They were charged in suit nos A/41C2025, A/40C2025 and A/42C2025 respectively with alleged claims of possessing supernatural powers to make money, stagnate destiny as well as conspiracy to commit felony to wit kidnapping and obtaining by fraud.

However, Akwa Okuko and others have pleaded their innocence, insisting that they are engaged in genuine traditional medicine practices ,not meant for criminals.

The three Native Doctors are being prosecuted under the recently enacted Anambra state Indigenous Traditional Medicine Practices Regulatory Agency and Other Related Matters

The law is aimed at bringing a measure of sanity into ,the hitherto chaotic and cacophonic activities of the native doctors and traditionalists in the state,a situation which the state Government has blamed for the security challenges facing the state .

On their appearance, prosecution Counsel, Mr. F.C. Okeke, told the court that the charges have been served the suspects and that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the case.

But Mr S.O. Iwuoba and other defence Counsels told the court that the processes were not served in good time to enable them to respond.

The Honourable Justice Jude Obiora, therefore, ordered the suspects to be returned to Agunechemba detention facility. The case was adjourned to April 11.

Nosa Igiebor, President, TELL (Magazine) Loses Wife, Arit

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 4, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

Accomplished Journalist, hard hitting Columnist, and co-Founder/Editor-in-chief of TELL Magazine, frontline fighter against the General Sani Abacha repressive Military Regime, Nosa Igiebor, has lost his very devoted and loyal wife, Arit.

Arit passed on Sunday at the high profile Duchess Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, after a surgery orchestrated by a freak domestic accident.

She slipped and fell down very hard in the bathroom as she climbed out of the bathtub after an evening bath. She had a bad fracture on the bones of one of laps, and was immediately rushed to the hospital by her husband. After a thorough check, it was decided that she needed a surgery or risk an amputation of the leg.

The surgery went well, and was adjudged successful. However, under two hours in the Intesive Care Unit, her husband, who had earlier been informed that the surgery was successful, was called in by a doctor and told that his beloved wife had become unresponsive as all the monitors had gone “blank”.

It was a shocked and devastated Mr Igiebor who was led to the ICU to behold his then lifeless wife. He broke down.

A family source disclosed that the hardest assignment for him was how to put a call, again, to their children whom he had earlier, happily, informed of the success of the surgery.

A hard working woman and Proprietor of the classy Kingsize Restaurant & Bar, Ikeja, Arit was an activist in her own right. She was a thorn in the flesh of the Abacha regime when her husband was detained over the stinging publications of TELL. She fought for his release by granting a number of interviews most of which rattled the military junta as they internationalised her husband’s ordeal.

A devoted Christian, Arit was a loving wife and doting mother and grandmother. She passed at the age of 70.

LASIEC Debunks Claim It Has Released Timetable For Lagos LG Poll

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 4, 2025

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LASIEC- Lagos Independent Electoral Commission

By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, has said that contrary to the story making the rounds, it has not released thr Time Table for the 2025 Local Government Election, for the Chairmanship and Councillorship Poll.

The rumour had heated up the polity in the State.

Dismissing the reports as false on Friday, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), said that the Election is guided by laws and that the process would be announced as stipulated by the law.

LASIEC said that the notice for the Council Election currently in circulation did not emanate from the Commission. The Chairman urged urged political parties and other stakeholders to disregard the documents.

He urged them to be patient as LASIEC will inform Political Parties and Stakeholders when it releases the Council Polls Timetable.

Otukpo Benue: Gunmen Kill Diver, Hijack Fully-loaded Bus

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 4, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

“The gunmen abandoned a toddler whose mother they heartlessly took”

Tragedy struck on Thursday in Otukpo, Benue State, when gunmen shot and killed the driver of a fully-loaded bus, and abducted all its passengers. They, however, abandoned a baby boy whose mother they, also, mercilessly kidnapped.

The ill-fated bus belong to Benue Links, a transportation company.

According to sources, the bus was ambushed by the gunmen who proceeded to fatally shoot the driver, abducted the passengers, and marched them into the bush.

Otukpo, Benue State, the home town of former Senate President, David Mark, a retired Brigadier-General has, in the past couple of months, become the epicenter of kidnapping.

Recently, the people took to the streets to protest the unprecedented insecurity in the area.

A recent visit by the Governor of the State, Hyacinth Alia, a suspended Roman Catholic Rev. Father, to shore up confidence in the people, has not had any effect.

At the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command has not issued a statement on the hijack incident, the fate of the passengers, or the abandoned toddler.

Taraba: Israeli National Rescued From Kidnappers

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 4, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

An Israeli citizen, Gil Itamar, has been rescued from the hands of his Kidnappers.

Mr Itamar, a staff member of SCC Company was successfully abducted by hoodlums even though he had Military personnel as escorts.

The armed hoodlums abducted him in broad daylight, at about 9.15am, along Takum/Chanchangi road in Atim Community.

His fate was reported to the Security Agencies by Alhaji Saidu, a colleague of his at his work place.

However, he was successfully rescued from the hands of the hoodlums by a combined operation launched by the Army, Police and local hunters.

In a statement which stated how he was rescued, the Taraba State Police Command Spokesperson, James Leshen, said:

“Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Takum, swiftly mobilized a team consisting of Police Officers, personnel from the 67 PMF, the Military and local hunters.

“A coordinated search-and-rescue mission was launched, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire with the abductors.

“Overpowered by the Security Forces, the Kidnappers were forced to retreat, abandoning their hostage.

“Mr Itamar was subsequently rescued at Kofai Ahmadu and is currently undergoing medical evaluation at SCC Company’s medical facility in Takum.”

The Police did not say if the Israeli was rescued same day as he was abducted. But his appearance on rescue confirm he was roughened.

The Police say its Operatives are on the trail of the hoodlums.

‘LP’ Rejects Supreme Court Judgement, Insists Abure Remains Chairman

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Ayodele Oni

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April 4, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Nenadi Usman hails Abure’s sack as rule of law

The ‘Labour Party’ has insisted that Julius Abure is still its National Chairman, despite a Supreme Court ruling on Friday that addressed the party’s leadership issue.

Earlier, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court Justices gave a unanimous judgment, ruling that the Court of Appeal did not have the authority to declare Abure as the party’s Chairman.

The Justices explained that leadership matters within a political party are internal issues, and courts should not interfere.

However, shortly after the judgment, the LP responded in a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the court did not remove Abure as chairman.

The short statement reads “The Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only Political Parties can determine who their leaders are. It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties.

“Dr Barr Julius Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

But a statement signed by Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee, LP, hailed the Supreme Court judgment as the rule of law.

The Statement reads in full:

Labour Party Press Statement

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which allowed the appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman—declaring it meritorious—while dismissing the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the Labour Party as unmeritorious, is a victory for the rule of law and a significant milestone for our democracy.

It is important to emphasize that this is not a time for triumphalism—there is no victor and no vanquished. What matters most is our shared commitment to the ideals and aspirations of the Labour Party and the Nigerian people. We must now come together, united in purpose and vision, to move the party forward.

The Labour Party remains one indivisible family, steadfast in its mission to create a New Nigeria founded on justice, equity, and people-centred governance.

We call on all party members, supporters, and stakeholders to remain calm, focused, and committed to the democratic ideals that bind us.

A New Nigeria is POssible!

-Senator Nenadi E. Usman, PhD

Chairman, Labour Party Caretaker Committee