The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Orji, alongside his son, Chinedum Orji, and two others on charges of money laundering.
The trial commenced today before Justice Lilian Abai of the Abia State High Court in Umuahia, where the defendants faced a 16-count charge related to the alleged mismanagement of N60.85 billion.
Detail shortly…
The political tension in the Lagos State House of Assembly escalated on Thursday as former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to the Assembly complex, insisting he remains the rightful leader of the legislative body.
Obasa, who was removed from office on January 13, 2025, arrived at the Assembly accompanied by a team of heavily armed security personnel.
His unexpected appearance came weeks after his former deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was elected as the new Speaker.
Speaking at the Lagos State High Court, where Obasa had filed a legal challenge against his removal, Meranda strongly criticized his actions, calling them inappropriate.
“I think to me that was just a show of shame because in our job we have numbers that form quorum,” she said, reacting to Obasa’s presence at the Assembly.
“So if you are sitting with three or four members, you are only doing theatre.”
Despite his removal, Obasa has continued to assert that due process was not followed in the decision to oust him.
“I have always said that I have never been removed from office. I am not against any removal,” Obasa stated.
“If you are going to do that, you must follow the rules of the House. It is constitutional to impeach and remove. You have to follow the dictates of the Constitution.”
The Supreme Court has nullified the local government election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on October 5, 2024, citing a violation of electoral laws.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that the election was conducted in clear breach of the Electoral Act, rendering it invalid.
“The action of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission is declared void for lack of substantial compliance to the Electoral Act and guidelines as the electoral body continued voter registration even after announcing an election date,” Justice Tukur stated.
The court also noted that the processes leading to the election were rushed and failed to meet legal requirements.
“The court held that processes leading to the conduct of a local government election were abridged in clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act,” the ruling affirmed.
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Rivers State House of Assembly faction led by Martin Amaewhule, declaring it the legitimate legislative body in the state.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Emmanuel Agim, a five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji upheld Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers, affirming their right to resume legislative duties without interference.
The court also issued a significant directive restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from disbursing Rivers State’s budgetary allocations until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted House of Assembly.
Justice Agim criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions, stating that his decision to demolish the House of Assembly complex was unlawful and driven by fears of impeachment.
Additionally, the Supreme Court overturned an earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal, which had ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over cases involving Rivers State funds.
The panel further ordered Fubara and the Rivers State Government to pay N5 million in costs to the Rivers State House of Assembly and Martin Amaewhule.
President Tinubu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu for his silence amid the ongoing crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing it as a tacit approval of anti-democratic tactics aimed at undermining lawmakers’ decisions.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku strongly condemned what he referred to as “backdoor tactics” and the deployment of state-backed security forces to overturn the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, despite his ousting by an overwhelming majority.
Earlier on Thursday, Obasa forcefully entered the Lagos Assembly complex, insisting that he remained the rightful Speaker, despite strong opposition from most lawmakers.
Atiku expressed concern that Tinubu’s refusal to address the situation raises doubts about his commitment to democratic values, especially in light of recent claims by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, that the president selectively wields political power for personal interests.
“Despite his undisputed influence over Lagos politics, President Bola Tinubu has remained conspicuously silent on the matter. His refusal to address the crisis suggests a tacit endorsement of the anti-democratic maneuvers aimed at imposing his preferred candidate against the overwhelming will of Assembly members.
“This silence is deafening and deeply concerning,” Atiku said.
He further accused Tinubu of turning Lagos politics into a struggle between “the noble values of Omoluabi—rooted in integrity, fairness, and public service—and the crass, strong-arm tactics of Area Boy politics, where power is retained through coercion rather than consensus.”
Atiku urged the president to publicly denounce any moves that could undermine democratic principles in Lagos and ensure that due process is followed.
“Nigeria’s democracy was hard-fought and must not be undermined by those who should be its foremost guardians. We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute in defending the sanctity of our democratic institutions,” he stated.
At least six people have died after a truck transporting foodstuffs lost control and overturned at the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Enugu State.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Enugu State, Franklin Agbakoba, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
This latest accident comes less than a month after a tragic fuel tanker explosion at the same location claimed the lives of 23 people.
According to Agbakoba, the crash occurred around 8 a.m. on Thursday.
FRSC personnel responded swiftly to a distress call and arrived at the scene, where they rescued three injured victims and transported them to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, for medical treatment.
Providing details of the accident, Agbakoba explained that the truck, which was carrying vegetables, fruits, and some traders, was moving at high speed when the driver lost control, causing it to overturn.
“The accident involved nine people — eight adult males and one adult female.
“Five male adults and one female adult were confirmed dead at the scene, while the FRSC rescue team took three injured male adults to ESUTH, Parklane, Enugu, for medical attention.
“The Muslim faithful in the truck took the bodies of five Muslim victims for burial, while relatives of the deceased woman collected her remains,” he said.
Agbakoba described the crash as a lone accident involving only the truck, attributing the cause to excessive speed and brake failure.
“It is unfortunate, and we pray that God consoles the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident,” he added.
A High Court sitting in Warri has ruled in favor of Mr. Julius Oluwafunmisho Okedele, ordering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publicly apologize for wrongfully including his name in a financial fraud case.
In charge No. FHC/WR/110C/2019, filed on December 2, 2019, the EFCC charged Akegor Godbless Omamuyovwi and two others at the Federal High Court in Warri, accusing them of cybercrimes and internet fraud.
The main accused, Akegor Godbless Omamuyovwi, was prosecuted alongside two others, one of whom, Mr. Okedele, was allegedly tried in absentia—without his knowledge or any prior notification from the EFCC.
Mr. Okedele, a bureau de change operator, had conducted legitimate foreign exchange transactions with Omamuyovwi between 2018 and 2019. Following the EFCC’s investigation, he was invited to their Edo State office in Benin on December 5, 2019, where he cooperated fully.
After a second visit on December 10, 2019, the EFCC determined that there was no case against him and released him from further scrutiny.
However, unknown to him, the EFCC proceeded with the cybercrime charges in his absence, listing him as a fugitive on the charge sheet without informing him or granting him an opportunity to defend himself.
Even more concerning was the EFCC’s decision to publish the charge and judgment on its official website and in other media outlets, despite Mr. Okedele never being formally notified or represented in court.
This public disclosure severely damaged his reputation, leading to defamation and serious personal and professional losses.
The case took a shocking turn when Mr. Okedele discovered the allegations against him only through the EFCC’s website, which reported Omamuyovwi’s conviction.
As a result, he faced significant consequences, including visa denials from both the Canadian and United States embassies, as he was falsely labeled a fraudster and fugitive.
On January 31, 2025, in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/104/2024, the Federal High Court ruled in favor of Mr. Okedele, setting aside its previous judgment in Charge No. FHC/WR/110C/2019 and striking out his name from the charge sheet.
The Court held that his constitutional right to a fair hearing had been violated, constituting a breach of his fundamental human rights under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Additionally, the Court ordered the EFCC to publish a public apology in a widely circulated national newspaper within 10 days of the ruling and provide proof of compliance.
Despite this directive, uncertainty lingers over whether the EFCC will comply, given its previous actions.
The continued circulation of the erroneous charges has left Mr. Okedele and his family facing ongoing challenges.
A certified true copy of the judgment has been served at the EFCC’s offices in Benin and Abuja, but as at the time of this report, the agency has yet to respond to the Court’s order.
Lagos Police Commissioner, Moshood Jimoh
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the security details of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, have been reinstated after their earlier withdrawal on Thursday morning.
The removal of her security personnel had sparked controversy, especially as the security aides of impeached Speaker Hon. Mudashiru Obasa were restored shortly before he arrived at the assembly complex, declared himself Speaker, and presided over a plenary session attended by a few lawmakers.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Thursday, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, clarified that the withdrawal was part of a broader security audit.
“The four security personnel attached to the Speaker who were earlier withdrawn have since been restored,” Jimoh stated.
He explained that the move was in line with an ongoing review of police personnel and firearms assigned to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) across the state.
“This is not limited to Lagos; the same audit is being carried out in other state police commands as well,” he added.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted bail to the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Prof. Usman Yusuf, who is facing corruption charges.
Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu, in a ruling on Thursday, ordered Yusuf’s release from the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Kuje, provided he meets the bail conditions set by the court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Yusuf on a five-count charge, accusing him of embezzlement and conferring undue advantage upon himself during his tenure at NHIS in 2016.
The anti-graft agency alleged that he approved the purchase of a vehicle for N49,197,750, exceeding the budgeted sum of N30,000,000.
The EFCC also claimed that Yusuf retained a private interest in GK Kanki Foundation and, without due process, awarded a N10.1 million contract to the foundation for training 90 individuals, whereas only 45 trainees were actually involved.
Furthermore, the agency alleged that Yusuf knowingly acquired a personal interest in Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company linked to his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf, by awarding it a contract worth N17,500,000 for media and public relations consultancy.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the bail hearing, Yusuf’s counsel, O.I. Habeeb (SAN), urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the alleged offences were bailable.
However, the prosecution counsel, Francis Usani, opposed the request, stating that Yusuf had previously failed to comply with an administrative bail granted by the EFCC, which required him to report bi-weekly to the commission’s office.
“It took the respondent (EFCC)’s officers’ discreet surveillance and high-powered intelligence to apprehend the defendant to bring him to court,” Usani told the court.
He further claimed that Yusuf had boasted about his political connections and could evade trial if granted bail.
Despite the prosecution’s objections, the court ruled in favor of granting bail, allowing the defendant to regain his freedom pending trial.
Former Anambra governorship candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, has asserted that if Peter Obi chooses to contest the 2027 presidential election, it will not be under the Labour Party (LP).
Ozigbo made this claim during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, on Thursday.
He suggested that the former LP presidential candidate is unlikely to remain with the party due to internal challenges and political realities.
“I can guarantee that if Peter Obi wishes to run for election as president, it won’t be under the Labour Party,” Ozigbo stated.
Although Peter Obi has not officially commented on his 2027 ambitions or any potential party switch, there have been reports of discussions with other political groups and stakeholders.
