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Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N246m Shares Linked To Retired Army General

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of shares worth over ₦246 million linked to a former Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major-General U.M. Mohammed (rtd), to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Presiding judge, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, gave the ruling on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, following a motion filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The motion was argued by the Commission’s counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa.

This order follows an earlier interim forfeiture granted by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, which included a directive to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving any interested party an opportunity to contest the forfeiture.

Presenting the application for final forfeiture, Kofarnaisa relied on an affidavit sworn by EFCC investigating officer Nwike Fortune.

According to the affidavit, the EFCC had investigated a petition from NAPL alleging large-scale fraud involving General Mohammed and two others;  Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi Abubakar and Mr. Kayode Oladipupo Filani.

The investigation revealed that while serving as NAPL’s MD from 2015 to 2020, General Mohammed allegedly sold off company assets and diverted the proceeds for personal enrichment.

“To conceal the proceeds of these unlawful activities,” the affidavit states, “he used the funds to acquire shares in several companies under the name of Awhua Resources Limited.”

The seized shares include;

National Aviation Handling Company – ₦115,567,906

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc – ₦81,901,651

University Press Plc – ₦40,155,291

Oando Plc – ₦2,000,000

Dangote Sugar Refinery – ₦1,000,000

Kofarnaisa argued that the shares, listed in Schedules A, B, and C of the EFCC’s application, were purchased with misappropriated funds and should be forfeited in the interest of justice.

In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu agreed with the EFCC’s submissions and ordered the final forfeiture of the shares to the Federal Government.

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Just 24 hrs After Resignation, Benue Assembly Suspends Ex-Speaker Over Alleged Plot To Impeach Governor Alia

Hyacinth Dajoh,

Just 24 hours after stepping down as Speaker, the Benue State House of Assembly has slammed a three-month suspension on Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, its immediate past leader.

The decision was reached during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by the newly elected Speaker, Alfred Emberga.

Dajoh’s suspension comes amid allegations that he was orchestrating a plan to impeach Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The motion for the suspension was moved by Emmanuel Shimawua, representing Vandeikya Kyan constituency, and seconded by Abu Umoru James of Apa constituency, both of whom were only recently reinstated after their own suspensions were lifted on Sunday.

In a related move, the Assembly also re-screened and confirmed two commissioner-nominees previously rejected under Dajoh’s leadership; Prof. Timothy Yangien Ornguga and James Dwen.

Furthermore, the lawmakers approved the recall of several state officials who had been on one-month suspension by the governor.

They include; Grace Adagba, Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Maxwell Ogiri, Executive Chairman, Otukpo Local Government and Michael Upper, Executive Secretary, State Lottery and Sporting Board.

This development follows a series of political upheavals within the Assembly.

On Friday, four lawmakers; Alfred Aondoaver Emberga (Makurdi North), Shimawua Emmanuel (Vandeikya 2), Cyril Ikong (Oju 2), and Abu Umoru (Apa), were suspended for allegedly conspiring to remove Dajoh from office.

But in a dramatic turn on Sunday, an emergency session led by Deputy Speaker Lami Danladi overturned the suspensions, reinstating the lawmakers.

Political commentator Che Rex weighed in on the crisis, stating, “These are ego battles that do not serve the people. What we need is peace in the Assembly to legislate good governance.”

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JUST IN: Tinubu Orders Immediate Ban On Export Of Raw Shea

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced an immediate temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts, a move aimed at revitalizing the country’s shea industry and increasing local value addition.

The decision, disclosed on Tuesday by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, was made during a briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to the President, the ban is intended to encourage local processing, enhance export value, and strengthen the country’s shea value chain, with projections of generating up to $300 million annually in the short term.

Tinubu emphasized that restricting the export of unprocessed shea will boost industrial utilization by local processors, stabilize the market, and maximize revenue from the increasingly valuable global shea industry.

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Four Police Officers Counting Cash In Viral Video Arrested

 

The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four of its personnel captured in a viral video counting bundles of cash while inside a patrol vehicle.

The incident, which sparked widespread public outrage on social media, prompted a swift response from the Command.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, said the officers had been identified, arrested, and brought before the Commissioner of Police.

“The policemen in the embarrassing video have been identified and arrested. They appeared before the Commissioner of Police today,” Edafe stated.

According to him, disciplinary measures are already underway.

“The four personnel, two of them senior officers, have been queried, while the two inspectors have been detained and are awaiting an orderly room trial.”

The short video clip, which circulated widely online, showed the officers casually seated in a patrol van, visibly handling and counting large sums of cash, a scene that drew criticism and questions about potential misconduct.

Earlier, Edafe had assured the public that the Command was taking the matter seriously and would ensure appropriate disciplinary action.

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Anambra Assembly Suspends PDP Lawmaker Over ‘Damaging’ Social Media Posts

Hon. Udemezue,

The Anambra State House of Assembly has suspended Hon. Bernard Udemezue, the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, for a period of three months over what the House described as “damaging content” shared on social media.

Udemezue, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had posted allegations on his social media platforms accusing the state assembly of marginalising his constituency in the disbursement of constituency allowances.

The post sparked reactions within the House, prompting a resolution during last Tuesday’s plenary session to summon him.

The motion was moved under matters of urgent public importance by Hon. Tony Muobike, representing Aguata 2 Constituency, and seconded by the Chief Whip, Hon. Jude Ngobili, who represents Ihiala 1 Constituency.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, subsequently referred the issue to the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics, and Privileges for investigation and recommendation.

At Tuesday’s plenary (today), the committee’s report was presented, and the House adopted the resolution to suspend Udemezue for three months.

Detail shortly….

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Gov. Mbah Reiterates Call For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release, Highlights Enugu’s Transformation Agenda At NBA Conference

 

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has once again called for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, emphasizing that “freeing Kanu is the right thing to do.”

The governor made this appeal during a question-and-answer session following his presentation on “Leadership and Transformation” at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference held in Enugu.

Speaking about his advocacy efforts, Governor Mbah revealed that his first official visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu focused on pressing for Kanu’s release. In response to a participant’s encouragement to persist, he affirmed:

“My first visit to the President was about Nnamdi Kanu. I believe that the right thing to do is to release him. Hopefully, that will be done soon.”

On the impact of Kanu’s detention on Enugu, Governor Mbah shared that the state has moved past the disruptions caused by the sit-at-home order, which mandated residents to remain indoors every Monday across the Southeast.

“We met a situation where people were compelled to stay at home every Monday. Now, people trade in Ogbete and other markets in peace on Mondays. Monday sit-at-home has ended in Enugu, as you (lawyers) can see. You can also move around and investigate,” he stated.

Currently, Kanu is on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, facing terrorism charges, which he has denied.

Shifting focus to leadership and governance, Governor Mbah stressed that transformational leadership requires boldness and innovation.

“Our vision was to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, to reduce the poverty headcount to zero, and to make Enugu the preferred destination in Nigeria for business, for tourism, and for living. We imagined a state that, within eight years, would be completely unrecognisable from the one we inherited,” he explained.

He highlighted the critical role of security in achieving these ambitious goals, outlining the state’s investments in a technology-driven, intelligence-led security framework.

“None of our visions and targets would have been possible without security. So, from the outset, we built a tech-driven, intelligence-led security architecture anchored in our Command and Control Centre.”

“With round-the-clock AI surveillance across our neighbourhoods, integrated response units (DRS), and community partnership, Enugu has recorded an over 80 per cent reduction in violent crime. This stability is the bedrock upon which investment, jobs, and society can grow,” the governor elaborated.

Governor Mbah also highlighted his administration’s extensive development agenda, noting that over 2,000 projects are either ongoing or completed in sectors including health, roads, transport, agriculture, and education.

He defended allocating more than a third of the state’s budget to education, describing it as a crucial investment in human capital.

“We committed over 33 per cent of our budget to education, a decision some thought was reckless. But we knew it was essential. The real wealth of Enugu, now and in the future, rests on the quality of its human capital,” he concluded.

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Enugu Rep Member, Prof. Nnamchi Assures Constituents Of More Dividends, Hails Tinubu At Ugwogo Nike APC Ward Meeting

 

Member representing Enugu East/Isiuzo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Prof. Paul Nnamchi has officially announced his defection from the Labour Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a well-attended event at Ugwogo Nike Ward 12.

The unscheduled visit drew a massive crowd of supporters and constituents, who welcomed the federal lawmaker with cheers and vibrant cultural displays.

Adorned in traditional attire, Prof. Nnamchi energized the gathering with popular political chants before addressing the crowd.

In his speech, the legislator expressed heartfelt gratitude to his supporters for their unwavering loyalty and used the occasion to confirm his strategic political realignment.

He described his move to the APC as a carefully calculated decision aimed at better serving his constituents.

“Effective leadership sometimes requires strategic alignment with the powers that be to deliver meaningful development and positively impact the people you represent,” he stated.

Prof. Nnamchi pointed to the recent presidential assent to the Bill establishing the Federal University of Agriculture, Ako-Nike, as a clear indication of the benefits his constituency stands to gain from his new political affiliation.

He reassured his people that under the APC, the dividends of democracy would be delivered timely and abundantly.

He urged the residents of Ugwogo Nike Ward 12 and the entire constituency to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to maximize developmental opportunities.

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Panic As Abuja-Kaduna Train Derails, Passengers Scramble For Safety

 

A train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, causing panic among passengers and raising concerns over railway safety along the popular corridor.

The derailment happened around 11:09 am at kilometre 49, between Kubwa and Asham stations, shortly after the train departed Abuja.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident in an official statement signed by its Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa.

One of the passengers onboard described the aftermath as chaotic, with terrified passengers scrambling to safety amid fear and confusion.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities, but the cause of the derailment remains unknown as of the time of filing this report.

In response to the emergency, military personnel and security operatives were deployed to the scene to support evacuation efforts. Emergency medical teams and nearby hospitals have also been put on standby.

“Full complement of security is already on ground, and efforts are ongoing to return all passengers safely to Abuja,” Opeifa stated.

The NRC has yet to announce when normal service will resume or provide additional details on possible disruptions along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, which has become a vital route for many travelers despite past security challenges.

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ADC Slams APC, PDP Over Early 2027 Zoning Talks, Calls Move “Anti-People”

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized Nigeria’s two leading parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for beginning discussions on zoning their 2027 presidential tickets more than two years ahead of the general election.

Speaking Tuesday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said the early zoning decisions show that both APC and PDP are more focused on power politics than addressing the pressing needs of Nigerians.

“The general election is still two years away,” Abdullahi said.

“Why are we already fixated on zoning and candidates? This behavior signals to Nigerians that the political elite doesn’t care about their problems.”

At its National Executive Council meeting on Monday, the PDP zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while retaining the party chairmanship in the North.

In May, 22 APC governors and party leaders endorsed President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, as the ruling party’s sole candidate for 2027.

Both parties have cited Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement between the North and South to justify their early moves.

But the ADC, now a growing opposition coalition including figures like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rotimi Amaechi, sees the early zoning as a political ploy.

“They know the implications of showing their hand this early,” Abdullahi argued. “It either means the outcome is predetermined or they’re maneuvering to attract certain individuals as candidates.”

Abdullahi rejected claims that the ADC coalition is backing a specific individual, noting that several credible figures have indicated interest in running for president on the party’s platform.

“Just yesterday, Atiku Abubakar declared he’s running again. If the coalition was formed solely for him, he wouldn’t need to make such a declaration,” Abdullahi said.

“We also have Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and others, all of whom will be given equal consideration.”

A photo from a July 2 coalition meeting in Abuja showed prominent figures including Obi, Atiku, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, and Ralph Nwosu in attendance.

Abdullahi maintained that the ADC isn’t under pressure to zone its 2027 ticket yet and is more focused on building grassroots support and strengthening its internal structure.

“We’re not playing the same game as the APC and PDP. Our priority is convincing Nigerians that we offer a credible alternative to the status quo,” he said.

He added that discussions around zoning would happen at the appropriate time.

“For now, zoning is not on our agenda. The coalition only moved into the ADC two months ago. Our focus is on building structures and mobilising support, not premature politicking.”

Abdullahi concluded by positioning the ADC as Nigeria’s true opposition force: “Right now, there are only two political entities that matter, the ruling APC and the opposition ADC.”

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Nigeria, Brazil Seal Direct Flight Deal To Boost Trade, Diplomacy

 

Nigeria has formalized a major air travel partnership with Brazil by signing a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), aimed at strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The announcement came via a statement from Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The agreement was signed during President Bola Tinubu’s two-day official visit to Brazil, where he was warmly received by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.

The BASA was jointly signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of both presidents.

According to the statement, the agreement marks a strategic step forward in connecting the two nations more directly through air travel, paving the way for increased trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.

“This development reflects the Tinubu administration’s continued efforts to deepen global partnerships and create an enabling environment for business and mobility,” Moshood stated.

President Lula expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting Brazil’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria across sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

During the visit, President Tinubu is also scheduled to meet with top Brazilian leaders, including the Senate President, the heads of the Chamber of Deputies, and the Supreme Federal Court, as part of broader diplomatic engagements.

Discussions around initiating direct flights between both countries first began on October 7, 2024.

The new agreement is now expected to significantly enhance bilateral connectivity and foster long-term collaboration across multiple sectors.

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