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The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, refused to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to include additional proof of evidence against the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Hamza Muazu refused allowing the prosecution while delivering ruling in a motion filed by Emefiele through his legal team, led by Mathew Burkaa (SAN).

Emefiele, in the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023, is facing trial for alleged procurement fraud brought against him by the EFCC.

When the case was called, Justice Muazu stated he would proceed directly to deliver his ruling on the defendant’s application.

Emefiele had in an application, opposed the EFCC’s attempt to introduce fresh evidence more than 365 days after the charges against him were filed.

The EFCC filed the additional proof of evidence on October 15, 2024, seeking to bring two witnesses, Tommy John and Ifeanyi Omeke, whose extrajudicial statements were made in August 2024, concerning charges filed against the defendant in August 2023.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu noted that the EFCC had earlier, on February 12, 2024, filed additional proof of evidence to accommodate the testimonies of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and Bamayi Haruna Mairiga.

He highlighted that the charges against Emefiele were initially filed on August 14, 2023, and his plea was taken on November 16, 2023.

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpehbolo on Thursday disassociated himself from a statement by South-South governors opposing the emergency rule declared in Rivers State.

In a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, said that the step taken by the President Bola Tinubu is based on his understanding of the issue.

The statement read, “The position by the governors of the South-South, opposing the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, did not get the nod of Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was neither consulted nor informed.

“While Governor Monday Okpebholo acknowledges the right of other Governors in the South-South geopolitical zone to take a position, he, however dissociates himself from any statement that opposes the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, understands the issues at stake.

“Governor Okpebholo supports actions so far taken by President Tinubu that will bring lasting solutions and peace to Rivers State and the South-South geopolitical zone.”

 

A young businesswoman in Akwa Ibom State was emotionally overwhelmed after Governor Umo Eno generously supported her dry food production business with ₦5 million.

The touching moment occurred when the woman approached the governor, seeking assistance for her cassava powder and banana product business. She explained that she currently operates from her home due to the lack of a shop.

The video went viral on social media, with many Nigerians praising the governor and the woman’s preparedness.

Click here to watch video

No fewer than five people have been killed after bandits invaded two communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

Locals claimed that two soldiers were among the casualties, but security agencies are yet to confirm this.

According to residents, the affected communities, Mgbaigbe and Mbaitye, were attacked on Wednesday by gunmen who stormed the area in a coordinated assault.

The attackers were said to have ambushed a military surveillance team in the area, allegedly killing two soldiers in the process.

Several villages in Turan land, including Moon, Mbaikyor, Mbadura, Kumakwagh, and Yaav, have suffered repeated attacks in recent times, forcing residents to flee to Jato-Acka, where they are now taking refuge.

President General of Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide, Retired Comptroller of Prisons, Iorbee Ihagh, confirmed the attack to our correspondent on Thursday, urging residents to defend themselves against the bandits.

“These attackers, who are Fulani herdsmen, are gradually taking over Benue. If they succeed in capturing Jato-Acka, the headquarters of Turan, then the entire Tiv nation is in danger. Jato-Acka is the ancestral home of the Tiv people, just as Ile-Ife is to the Yoruba,” Ihagh said.

He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his developmental strides but urged him to step up efforts to secure lives and property in the state.

Ihagh also called on the Tiv people to revive their traditional defence mechanisms.

“In the 19th century, our ancestors defeated the Fulani during the jihad war using poisonous arrows. I am calling on our people to go back to their traditional ways and defend themselves. Enough of running away,” he declared.

Confirming the incident, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joe Har, said efforts were ongoing to verify the casualties.

“Yes, I heard about the attack in Kwande, but I cannot confirm the number of casualties because I have been unable to reach the military commandant in the area due to poor communication networks,” he said.

When contacted, the spokesman for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, neither confirmed nor denied the incident.

“We have officers managing the crisis in Kwande,” she said.

The attack adds to the wave of violent incidents that have plagued Benue communities in recent times, with residents calling for urgent government intervention.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday lauded the National Assembly for its decisive and patriotic ratification of the State of Emergency proclamation in Rivers State.

He said the move is a critical step to restoring stability after a protracted political crisis that paralysed governance in the oil-rich state and endangered national economic security for over 15 months.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the President’s reaction in a statement he signed Thursday titled, ‘President Tinubu salutes National Assembly for patriotic stand on Rivers State emergency proclamation.’

The President specifically commended the National Assembly’s leadership—Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, other principal officers and members—for “prioritising the security and welfare of Rivers State people above partisan interests and other considerations,” the statement read.

He further acknowledged the lawmakers’ diligent review of classified security briefings, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to prevent further escalation.

“The crisis in Rivers State was at a perilous tipping point, threatening the security of vital oil and gas installations and undermining the national economy and the significant progress we have made in the reforms initiated since our administration commenced in May 2023,” Tinubu remarked.

He continued, “As I detailed in my address to the nation on 18 March, the near-total collapse of governance, threats to federal economic assets, and the risk of widespread violence left no room for hesitation.

“This emergency measure is a lifeline to safeguard livelihoods, secure critical infrastructure, and restore democratic accountability.”

The President affirmed that the six-month emergency will empower the newly-appointed Sole Administrator to stabilise Rivers State, address systemic breakdowns, and facilitate dialogue among conflicting parties.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Assembly to advance peace, economic resilience, and equitable development across Nigeria.

“Today’s decision exemplifies what our nation can achieve when unity of purpose and patriotism guide the action of leaders.

“We remain steadfast in pursuing a safer, more prosperous Nigeria—one where every citizen’s potential is safeguarded and nurtured,” said the president.

He thanked all Nigerians for their understanding and urged all stakeholders to support the restoration of peace in Rivers State.

 

The Sole Administrator for River State, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (retd.), has arrived in the state to resume duties.

Ibas arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport at about 11:25 am on Thursday and was received by top officials and security personnel.

The sole administrator, accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16, immediately proceeded to Government House, Port Harcourt afterwards.

Ibas has already arrived at the Government House and was conducted around by some government officials.

He is currently in a closed-door meeting with senior security officers, Federal Government delegation and state government officials.

He was sworn in on Wednesday by President Bola Tinubu.

 

The Narcotics Control Commission in Ghana has arrested a suspected Nigerian drug kingpin, Uchechukwu Chima, in an intelligence-led raid at his hideout in Accra.

The 56-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, following the discovery of 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin, with an estimated street value of $2.1 million.

The acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at NACOC, Francis Amoah, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 19.

According to the statement, field tests confirmed the seized substances as cocaine and heroin.

Authorities believe Chima has been a key player in previous drug-related seizures and arrests in the country.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo gave them a 2-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday.

The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until Crystal Palace forward Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute.

Kubo added another in the 87th minute as Japan punched their ticket to next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It will be their eighth straight World Cup appearance.

Australia’s 5-1 home win over Indonesia earlier in the evening meant Japan would have clinched their place even with a draw.

But Kamada made sure they did it in style in front of an expectant crowd of just under 60,000.

He latched onto Kubo’s reverse pass and dispatched the ball past Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla just three minutes after coming on as a substitute.