Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, dismissed a suit the family of the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, filed to challenge the revocation of their property situated within the Maitama highbrow district of Abuja, by the Federal Government. The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/463/2016, was filed by the wife of the late military leader, Hajia Maryam Abacha and her eldest surviving son, Mohammed. Cited as defendants in the matter were; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as a firm,…

Following the declaration of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afam Osigwe as the president-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, his opponents in the polls have questioned the integrity of the process and called for an audit. The first runner-up, Tobenna Erojikwe who was said to have polled 10998 as against Osigwe’s 20,435, said he has “reasonable and well-informed basis to believe that the electoral process and the election were not credible or satisfactory”. In a statement dated July 21, 2024 and personally signed by him, Erojikwe noted that at three different times before the polls, he had cause to write to…

The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has frowned at the continued stay in office of the Caretaker Committee Chairmen (CTC) despite a judgement of the Supreme Court declaring them to be illegal. The apex court had recently given judgement in a case between the Attorney General of the Federation and the Attorneys General of the 36 states, ruling that CTC is illegal. At plenary on Monday, the leader of the House Major Jack informed the members of the Certified True Copy of the aforementioned Supreme Court judgement in his possession which he laid before the speaker. While presenting…

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, has called on residents and indigenes not to partake in the nationwide protest. Some groups and citizens had scheduled a nationwide protest for August 1 in response to the economic hardship in the country. However, the FCT CP, while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, urged residents to shun the protest. He stated that the police have made significant efforts to ensure security in the FCT, adding that the protest could jeopardise it. Igweh said, “I want to appeal specifically to the residents and indigenes and everybody in the FCT. Please, lions…

The National Executive Council, NEC of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, said insecurity challenges in the country would be addressed with the full take off of the full implementation of the local government autonomy recent granted by the Apex court to the local government council in the country. The association also pledged to collaborate with the various state governments to tackle the various root causes of insecurity that has bedevil the country. This was contained in a communique issued to journalists on Sunday at the end of its 48th National Executive Council meeting of the association which…

The Cross River/Akwa Ibom Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has auctioned off 26,625 litres of seized petrol to the public in Cross River State at a discount rate of N9000 per 25-litre keg. Recall that the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Controller HK Ejibunu, had at Cross River/Akwa Ibom/FTZ Area Command headquarters in Calabar, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, showcased huge seizures of petroleum products. Speaking on Monday in Calabar, Ejibunu reiterated that the exercise was in continuation of efforts to disrupt and dismantle the network of cartels and smugglers of petrol, especially in the riverine areas. Ejibunu noted…

The 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has called for quick action in resolving the current economic crisis in the country. The call came as he expressed deep concern over the country’s economic trajectory since 2015, in a series of tweets on Monday via X. In the post, he highlighted the contrast between Nigeria’s economic performance in the early years of its return to democracy and its current state. “When Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999, it maintained an average GDP growth of about 6.72% for 16 years from 1999-2014,” Obi wrote. However, he pointed out that this…

Nigerian doctor and visual artist, Dr. Fola David, has completed a massive drawing measuring 1,000 square metres. With this, David surpassed the previous Guinness World Record of 629.98 square metres held by Ravi Soni from India. David’s six-day record-breaking attempt began on July 16 at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos. His artwork, titled “Unity in Diversity,” features a map of Nigeria highlighting the country’s diverse tribes through their unique attire, languages, art, and essence. In a post on Instagram late Sunday, David wrote, “My heart is full of gratitude. Thank you, God. Thank you everyone. Thank you for doing this…

Former Zamfara Governor of Zamfara State, and Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has been conferred with Excellence In Leadership by Concerned Citizens of Six Geopolitical Zones In Nigeria. The Bassey Ayanga-led group gave the plaque to the former governor at an in Ministry of Defence, Ship House in Abuja. Ayanga praised Dr. Matawalle for his resilience he has shown over the years as governor and minister. He noted his administrative prowess during the conflict along Forcados River, particularly in Okuama, Ughelli South in Delta State, saying the minister’s role in resolution of the crisis was hailed by…

Democrats were in uncharted territory Monday as they raced against the clock to find a new standard-bearer after President Joe Biden’s stunning late exit from the 2024 race for the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris was in pole position as the party promised a “transparent and orderly process” to replace the 81-year-old Biden, who bowed Sunday to Democratic concerns over his age and capacity to beat Republican Donald Trump in November. The announcement set off a scramble to confirm a new candidate at the Democratic convention in Chicago on August 19 — and perhaps weeks sooner. Democratic lawmakers and…