An FCT High Court has adjourned proceedings in the ongoing corruption trial of Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), to November 19 and 20.

Presiding over the case, Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu postponed the hearing following the conclusion of the cross-examination of the prosecution’s key witness.

The witness, Attahiru Ibrahim, a former director at NHIA, confirmed during his testimony that he had submitted the initial petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which triggered the investigation into Prof. Yusuf’s activities while in office.

However, the trial could not proceed as planned due to a bereavement experienced by the witness.

The EFCC has filed five-count charges against Prof. Yusuf, accusing him of corruption, abuse of office and conflict of interest during his time as head of NHIA (formerly NHIS) in 2016.

According to the anti-graft agency, Yusuf approved the purchase of a vehicle valued at N49,197,750, exceeding the budgeted amount of N30,000,000, thereby allegedly violating financial regulations.

He is also accused of having a vested interest in GK Kanki Foundation, a private organization.

The EFCC alleges that Yusuf improperly awarded a N10.1 million contract to the foundation to conduct training for 90 people, even though only 45 participants were actually trained.

Prof. Yusuf has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the release of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, a former member of the Imo State House of Assembly who represented the Okigwe Constituency.

Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, disclosed the development in a statement issued to journalists on Thursday.

“He was released yesterday night and the Command is working in synergy with other security agencies to make sure his abductors are apprehended and brought to book,” the statement read.

Hon. Ogbu was reportedly abducted last week by unknown gunmen, sparking concern among constituents and colleagues.

Reassuring residents, the police reiterated their dedication to ensuring public safety.

“We are ever committed to enhancing the peace and security of everyone in Imo State,” the statement added.

A decade after the horrifying 2014 mass abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, 91 of the girls remain unaccounted for, according to a new United Nations (UN) report.

The report, released by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), highlights ongoing trauma, stigma, and government inaction that continue to affect the victims and their families.

Following a confidential mission to Nigeria in December 2023, which included visits to Abuja, Adamawa, Borno, Enugu, and Kaduna, the committee reported “grave and systematic violations” of women’s and girls’ rights in Nigeria, especially in areas affected by armed conflict.

“Nigeria is responsible for grave and systematic violations of women’s and girls’ rights amid multiple mass abductions,” the committee stated.

During the visit, CEDAW members engaged with federal officials, military personnel, and victims of abduction — including those held by Boko Haram and other armed groups.

Of the 276 girls taken from Chibok Secondary School in April 2014, 82 escaped on their own, 103 were released between 2016 and 2017 via prisoner exchanges while 91 are still missing or in captivity.

The UN inquiry also revealed that the Chibok case was just one part of a wider pattern.

Since 2014, over 1,400 students have been kidnapped from schools across northern Nigeria.

“The abduction of the Chibok girls was not an isolated tragedy but part of a series of mass abductions targeting schools and communities,” said CEDAW Chair, Nahla Haidar.

The report paints a grim picture of life in captivity: Girls were denied food, Beaten for disobedience, Forced into marriages and religious conversions, Many gave birth while in captivity.

Survivors of ransom abductions also faced sexual violence, repeated rape, and physical abuse by multiple captors.

While some of the freed Chibok girls received rehabilitation and scholarships through government programs and institutions like the American University of Nigeria, many others, especially those who escaped on their own, remain unrehabilitated, stigmatised, and out of school.

“These girls were failed twice, first when they were abducted and again when so many of them were abandoned after escaping,” said Haidar.

The UN report also noted that families who paid ransoms to secure the release of their daughters were left destitute, having sold all they owned.

The Committee criticised the Nigerian government for Failing to protect schools from targeted attacks, Not criminalising abduction and marital rape in all 36 states, Lacking consistent efforts to rescue remaining captives and not addressing the social reintegration of survivors.

“The fate of the 91 remaining Chibok girls remains unknown, as the government is no longer pursuing negotiations,” the report said.

The UN urged the Nigerian government to Resume rescue operations for all missing girls and women, Adequately fund and equip the Police as well as Address stigma and provide full rehabilitation for survivors.

The full CEDAW inquiry report, including its findings and recommendations, is now available online.

The delegation was led by Dalia Leinarte (Lithuania) and Rhoda Reddock (Trinidad and Tobago), accompanied by UN Human Rights Officers.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has announced plans to harness the state’s abundant coal reserves to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity, asserting that Enugu’s coal is a valuable resource that will not be left idle or treated as a “stranded asset” without just compensation.

Speaking in Lagos at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) “Meet the Governor” series, Mbah emphasized that the coal in Enugu contains less than 0.5% sulphur, which is significantly lower than the generally acceptable threshold of 1%, making it more environmentally friendly for energy production.

“We cannot treat our coal as a stranded asset, particularly the Enugu coal, which is premium-grade. We now have the technology to utilize it with minimal environmental impact,” he said.

According to him, Enugu coal’s high calorific value makes it ideal for thermal power generation, and the state is actively exploring this as part of its broader energy strategy.

The governor also highlighted a major security improvement in the state, claiming an 80% reduction in crime rates under his administration, a move he says is essential for attracting investors and supporting businesses.

“Businesses cannot thrive amid insecurity. That’s why we’ve made significant investments in infrastructure and technology to combat crime,” he noted.

On tourism, Governor Mbah unveiled ambitious plans to draw three million visitors annually.

He pointed to major investments including the completed Enugu International Conference Centre (ICC), which recently hosted 20,000 attendees during the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2025 Annual General Conference.

He also revealed the near completion of the ICC 5-Star Hotel, and the upcoming “Cross of Hope”, a 100-metre tall religious monument to be mounted on Enugu’s highest peak (580 metres above sea level), aimed at boosting religious tourism.

To support the expected tourism boom, Mbah disclosed that his administration has partnered with investors to secure a concession for Akanu Ibiam International Airport, with plans for the international terminal to become operational by Q1 2026.

Additionally, he announced plans to bring in six new aircraft for Enugu Air in time for the Christmas season, citing higher-than-expected passenger volumes just one month into operations.

Recognizing the demand surge that will follow increased tourism, the state plans to deliver four branded hotels by the end of 2026.

“If we’re targeting three million visitors, hospitality infrastructure must be ready to meet the demand,” Mbah stated.

In his remarks at the event, NBCC President Abimbola Olashore praised Enugu’s rapid transformation under Mbah’s leadership, citing progress in digital governance, infrastructure, and public-private partnerships.

Also speaking at the event, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter highlighted the robust and growing trade relationship between the UK and Nigeria, currently valued at £7.9 billion, the highest ever recorded.

Baxter said the UK remains Nigeria’s top investor, contributing 65% of total FDI, and pointed to the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) signed in 2024 as a major milestone in improving bilateral trade.

He added that under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, over 90% of Nigerian exports to the UK are now duty-free, though he stressed the importance of raising local product standards to meet international benchmarks.

“Once Nigerian goods meet UK standards, they also meet European and American standards, opening access to much larger markets,” he said.