Mike Okiro, the former Inspector General of Police, has withdrawn from the race for the position of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo following a court order issued by an Enugu State High Court.

In a press briefing in Enugu on Thursday night, Okiro announced that the court’s interim order, which bars him from contesting the election scheduled for January 10, 2025, had influenced his decision.

The court’s ruling, which questioned his indigene status, came as a shock to him, as he had not been informed or invited to defend himself prior to the order being issued.

Okiro responded to the court’s decision, saying: “I have been made aware of the Enugu State High Court’s interim order, which regrettably restrains me from contesting the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Presidency General Election tomorrow. The court order, based on alleged non-indigene status, contradicts verifiable facts.”

He went on to provide several pieces of evidence to support his claim of being an indigene of Rivers State, including his National Population Commission Attestation of Birth, confirmation by the Nzeobi of Egbema, publications, and participation in various organizations where he represented Rivers State.

Despite his disagreement with the ruling, Okiro expressed respect for the legal process: “As an Igbo man and elder statesman of Rivers State extraction, I believe in the rule of law and shall respect the court’s order. My obedience to court orders, no matter how unfavorable, demonstrates our commitment to democracy.”

He further emphasized his unwavering dedication to justice and the rule of law, stating, “My distinguished career as Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police underscores my dedication to justice and what is noble.”

Okiro confirmed that he would not participate in the election until the court resolves the matter, which is currently before Justice N.R. Oji of the Enugu State High Court.

“Although I’ve not been formally served with the suit/processes or order, my commitment to law and order remains unwavering, despite the fact that the reliefs granted in the order against me appear to undermine my fundamental right guaranteed in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” he added.

Okiro reassured his supporters, particularly in his community of Egbema, as well as Igbo-speaking people across several states, urging them to uphold the rule of law during this period.

He also expressed his gratitude for the support of Governor Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers State.

Concluding his statement, Okiro reaffirmed his dedication to the ideals of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, emphasizing unity, progress, and peace for Igbo people.

He remains confident that the legal system will uphold justice and that the challenges faced during this contest will be overcome in due course.

In a move to enhance land management and promote transparency, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State signed the 2025 Land Use Regulation and Executive Order No. 1, 2025, on Thursday.

These new measures officially designate several areas in the state as urban zones.

The Executive Order, titled “Enugu State Designation of Land as Urban Areas,” covers the entirety of Enugu East, Enugu North, and Enugu South Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as the entire Udi, Nkanu West, Nkanu East, and Nsukka LGAs.

Additionally, specific towns and regions within other LGAs have been marked as urban areas. Notable designated areas include Ndeabor Urban Area (10 km radius) and Oduma Urban Area (20 km radius) in Aninri LGA, Agwu Town (25 km radius), Ihe, Agbogugu, Mgbowo, Isu-Awa, Mmaku, Ituku, and Owelli-Court, and several towns in Ezeagu LGA, Igbo-Etiti, Igbo Eze North, Igbo Eze South, Isi-Uzo, and other localities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor Mbah explained the significance of the regulation:

“I have just a few minutes ago signed a Land Use Regulation of 2025, and also an Executive Order designating certain locations of the state as urban areas.

“This is a major milestone that we have just witnessed. This is quite historic. This again is in line with what we witnessed a few weeks ago when we formally launched Enugu State Geographic Information System, ENGIS, a system that is designed to fast-track application for land titles, and indeed other administrative functions relating to land.”

“So, what we have here today is going to bring clarity. As we all know, lack of transparency feeds corruption. This is really a major milestone towards our drive, not just to enhance the revenue of Enugu State, but to ensure ease of doing business where prospective applicants can easily know what their fees are and the timelines that the application will be processed.”

“Therefore, with what we have done here today, there is no more hidden charges when you apply for whatever land transaction, whether it is for search, titles or indeed for whatever transactions you want to carry out relating to land in Enugu State.”

“It is also going to end the era of double allocations, land grabbing, and all sorts of confusion that may have existed before now in our land management system. They have now come to an end with the signing of this regulation.

“We have also expanded areas that before now we have designated as rural areas. That means effectively that those living in those locations are now able to come forward and apply for their title document and they will be able to obtain their Certificate of Occupancy for the property and assets they have there. Again, this brings further clarity to our land management system.”

While expressing gratitude to his team for their efforts, Governor Mbah assured the public that there would be thorough public awareness campaigns about the new processes under the Land Use Regulation, Executive Order, and the Enugu Geographic Information Service.

“This regulation clearly spells out the number of days it will require for any application, whether you are conducting your search or indeed applying to obtain your title document.”

“The number, the timelines, your fees are spelt out. So, there is absolutely no confusion. So, I thank you all for all your efforts,” he concluded.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, to explain why the proposed expatriates taxation regime should not be halted.

The ruling came in response to an ex-parte motion filed by the plaintiff, Patrick Peter, who seeks an injunction to stop the implementation of the new Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL).

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo instructed that the minister and the AGF be served with the motion within three days.

The plaintiff’s application seeks to prevent the government from enforcing the EEL, which would require companies employing foreign expatriates to pay an annual tax of $15,000 for directors and $10,000 for non-directors, amounts equivalent to N23 million and N16 million respectively.

The plaintiff’s affidavit contends that the proposed levy, along with severe penalties for non-compliance, including imprisonment and financial penalties, could severely harm Nigeria’s economic growth.

The plaintiff argues that the levy could stifle foreign investment and worsen the country’s economic challenges.

Ezeh, the Programme Implementation Coordinator, expressed concerns that the government’s unilateral action on the EEL without legislative collaboration contravenes constitutional tax provisions, particularly Section 59, which requires joint action by the executive and legislature to impose new taxes.

In response, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to January 16, 2025, and directed the defendants to justify their position on the matter.

The court has set a hearing for both parties to present their arguments regarding the implementation of the levy.

The Ministry of Interior had previously suspended the implementation of the levy earlier in 2024, citing the need for further consultations with stakeholders, including NACCIMA.

A tragic fire has claimed the lives of a 24-year-old woman, Jumai Sunday, and her 18-month-old son, Nasir Rabiu, in their home at Kugbo Furniture Market, located within the Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of Abuja.

The devastating incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, January 8, 2025, while the mother and child were asleep.

Eyewitnesses reported that neighbors discovered their bodies after firefighters had managed to control the blaze.

The victims, who hailed from Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, were found burnt beyond recognition.

Lakur Langyi, the police officer in charge of Karu Division in Abuja, confirmed that his team responded to distress calls around midnight and arrived to find the charred remains of the mother and her son.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but an investigation has been launched to determine its origin.

The bodies of the deceased have been laid to rest at the Kugbo Cemetery, located along the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi Expressway.