The Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has mandated a cessation of coverage for all activities in Ezza North Local Government Area following an attack on three journalists.

The incident involved Mr. Inya Uchenna of Sun Newspapers, Dr. Chinelo Okoro, and Sir Godwin Oguta, both from Radio Nigeria, Unity FM, Abakaliki.

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These journalists were assaulted by armed youths from Nkomoro community during the coronation of a traditional ruler, which escalated into violence.

The NUJ has stated that this directive will remain in effect until the local government compensates the affected journalists for their losses and issues an unreserved written apology, copying the NUJ.

This decision was outlined in a communiqué signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Samson Nwafor, and Secretary, Mr. Nnamdi Akpa, following an emergency Congress meeting.

The Council strongly condemned the attack and called on the State Government and the Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute those responsible.

“Congress condemns in its strongest terms, the attack on three members of the Union, Mr. Inya Uchenna of The Sun newspaper, Dr. Chinelo Okoro, and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of Radio Nigeria, Unity FM, Abakaliki, at Nkomoro Community in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, by suspected hoodlums during a coronation event in the area,” the communiqué stated.

The Congress described the attack as crude, barbaric, and an attempt to intimidate journalists into self-censorship.

They also criticized the community’s lack of empathy, noting that no sympathies had been expressed to the victims more than four days after the incident.

This lack of response was interpreted as a sign that the attack was premeditated and executed with the community’s consent.

As a result, the Congress directed all NUJ members in Ebonyi State to avoid covering events in Ezza North LGA until appropriate actions are taken to address the situation.

This includes ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice and the victims are compensated for their losses.

Martha Nwodo has been arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice H. U. Ezugwu of the Enugu State High Court on charges of defrauding Fidelity Structures Limited of N39.8 million.

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According to an EFCC statement, Nwodo, a former Principal Manager at Fidelity Structures Limited, faces nine counts of stealing by fraudulent conversion totaling N39,847,800.

The charges span incidents from 2017 to 2021, involving large sums of money meant for the purchase of brewery products.

One charge specifies that between February and December 2017, Nwodo fraudulently converted N5,840,000, property of Fidelity Structures, for her personal use.

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Another charge alleges that from February to December 2021, she converted N19,520,500, also belonging to Fidelity Structures, for personal use.

These offenses violate Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Revised Edition, Cap 30, Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004, and are punishable under Section 353 (1) of the same law.

Nwodo pleaded not guilty to all charges.

EFCC counsel Ahmad Yusuf Abdullahi requested a trial date and the defendant’s remand to the Enugu State Correctional Facility.

However, defense counsel Chukwuemeka Okpoto Onah presented a bail application, arguing for bail on liberal terms. Abdullahi opposed the bail, citing the severity of the charges and the likelihood that Nwodo might not attend her trial.

The court granted Nwodo bail set at N10 million, with the requirement of a surety of equal amount who must be a level 13 civil servant.

The court registrar is to verify the surety’s address.

The trial is scheduled for July 24, 2024, and Nwodo will remain in custody until bail conditions are met.

The charges against Nwodo stem from a petition by Fidelity Structures, a major distributor for Nigerian Breweries.

The petition accuses her of acting as a sole administrator, restricting the company’s directors from accessing operational information, releasing products to non-existent sub-distributors, and fraudulently collecting payments.

Additionally, she allegedly approved her own salary advances and sold two company delivery vans, which she falsely reported as missing but were found to have been sold under her direction.

Obinna Orezue, a 30-year-old from Abba, Anambra State, was sentenced today to 90 days imprisonment with hard labour for contempt of court at the Otuocha High Court 2 Division.

The presiding judge delivered a detailed and authoritative verdict after Orezue was caught impersonating a lawyer.

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Last week, Orezue was arrested while attempting to represent the plaintiff in case no. OT/120/2022. During the proceedings, his lack of legal knowledge became apparent when he could not correctly answer a question about procedural actions if a defendant failed to file a process.

Despite assistance from another lawyer, Orezue was unable to repeat the correct information, raising suspicions about his qualifications.

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Further investigation revealed inconsistencies in his educational background.

Initially, Orezue claimed to have graduated from universities in Kano and UNIZIK in 2015, but later changed his story, stating he attended the University of Igbariam and was called to the bar in 2019.

Under pressure, he confessed to studying political science, not law, and admitted to facing financial hardships.

Orezue pleaded for leniency, citing his responsibility to support his five children and unemployed wife.

His wife also pleaded emotionally for mercy.

However, the judge emphasized the seriousness of his offense and sentenced him accordingly.

Additionally, Orezue’s employer, the law firm M.T OLISE-EKE based in Onitsha, had not received his credentials prior to the incident.

The judge has summoned the employer to court next Wednesday for further clarification and potential prosecution.

The Diocese on the Niger (Anglican Communion) in Onitsha, Anambra State, has established a nine-member panel to investigate the recent collapse of a building at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) in Onitsha.

The investigation is a collaborative effort involving the Anglican Church, the DMGS Old Boys Association, and the school authorities.

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The five-story building, still under construction and owned by the Anglican Church, collapsed around 1:15 am on Wednesday, June 12.

The incident trapped three construction workers, whoNine-Member Panel to Investigate Anambra School Building Collapse were eventually rescued by Anambra State government officials and Red Cross Society members.

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Unfortunately, one of the workers succumbed to injuries on Thursday, June 13.

To determine the cause of the collapse, the authorities have appointed a panel chaired by Justice Peter Obiorah, with Andy Obianwu serving as secretary.

The other panel members include Shed Onwuasoanya, Dr. Azuka Onweluzo, Ofodile Anieto, Chukwunonto Igboka, Peter Okpala, Samuel Akabogu, and Kingsley Ibekwe.

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The panel’s mandate includes reviewing the administrative and technical processes followed during construction, examining the building plans for compliance with standards, and ensuring proper approvals were obtained from the relevant authorities.

They will also verify whether the architectural design was created by a registered architect with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria and if the structural design was handled by a COREN-registered structural engineer.

Additionally, the panel will investigate the quality of materials used and the overall supervision during construction.

The panel is expected to submit its report within one month from June 18, 2024, the date of its inauguration.

In attendance at the panel’s inauguration were several notable figures, including Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor of Amichi Diocese, Bishop Obiora Uzochukwu of Mbamiri Diocese, Bishop Prosper Amah of Ogbaru Diocese, Bishop Ndubuisi Obi of Nnewi Diocese, and many priests from the Diocese.