Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Category: South East

  • Attempted Jailbreak?: Gunshots In Imo Capital

    Attempted Jailbreak?: Gunshots In Imo Capital

    There was pandemonium in Owerri, the Imo State capital yesterday as sporadic shooting was heard across Owerri, the state capital.
    While some wondered if the gunshots were a result of an attempted jailbreak, a security Eons Intelligence in post shared on X attributed the shooting to unknown gunmen.
    It wrote: “At 1130 am today 31st July, 2024, Owerri Prison under attack by Unknown gunmen as prison armed Squad in gun duel.
    “Reinforcement from military and other security formation ongoing.”
    It further tweeted, “Report of sporadic shooting across Owerri Municipal by UGM. Suspected Hoodlums also attacked the UBA bank at Wetheral Road.
    “Avoid the area until normalcy is restored.”
    While some witnesses attributed the gunshots to unknown gunmen, sources from Imo State capital, who witnessed the incident told SaharaReporters that the shooting could not be from unknown gunmen.
    According to one of Sahara Reporters sources, the shooting is simultaneously going on at the Okigwe road, World Bank, Control, in front of Government House, Onitsha road, Amaku-Ohia – Akwaku road, and Aba road and Wetheral Road.
    The source said: “We believe that the Governor Hope Uzodimma and his administration were behind the shooting to scare and send fear to the people who might be planning to come out tomorrow to participate in the nationwide ‘Day of Rage’ protests against hunger and misgovernance in Nigeria, and in the state.”
    “You must have seen the video of Owerri, the State capital, it has been completely deserted. In those videos do you see security agencies moving around to contain it. That shows you that the shooting was government plan to scare would be protesters from coming tomorrow. That’s is the main agenda.
    “Police, military and other security agencies are resided in the capital, with increased checkpoints in every streets in Owerri, from where did the so called gunmen came in from.”
  • Anambra exposes 427 ghost workers on payroll scam

    Anambra exposes 427 ghost workers on payroll scam

    Anambra Local Government Service Commission has uncovered over 427 ghost workers receiving salaries from the State Government despite not being legitimate employees.

    Chairman of the Commission, Vin Ezeaka, speaking to journalists in Awka, the Anambra state capital on Friday, disclosed that a comprehensive audit had uncovered more than 427 ghost workers receiving salaries despite not being actual employees.

    Ezeaka stated that the discovery occurred during a staff personnel audit aimed at sanitizing the local government system in the state. During this process, it was found that over 427 individuals were on the local government payroll without holding legitimate employment positions.

    He said: “Out of the 427 ghost workers uncovered, 59 were staff of the commission who had died a long time ago, 40 others had retired & are still on the payroll of the commission, while about 11 others are staff living abroad whose names were still on the payroll of government.

    “Others were some staff members of UNIZIK, and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe. 59 deceased staff of the institutions, 40 retirees, and above all 222 workers on the payroll who nobody could identify as workers in any of the 21 LGAs and we have many of them living abroad and still receiving salaries.

    “The commission also found instances of certificate forgery, where six senior employees allegedly submitted fake credentials from IMSU.

    “We are going to finish our investigation and those caught in this unholy act will face the full wrath of the law in accordance with civil service rules.”

  • BREAKING: Many feared dead as two-storey building collapses in Anambra market

    BREAKING: Many feared dead as two-storey building collapses in Anambra market

    A building has collapsed at Eke Amawbia Market in Awka, Anambra State, leaving many feared dead.

    The tragic incident happened at about 12 noon on Thursday, causing panic in the area.

    Eyewitnesses report that a two-storey shop building suddenly crumbled, burying numerous vegetable traders beneath the debris.

    As of press time, DAILY POST learnt that one person has been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention, but many more are believed to be trapped inside the wreckage.

    A large contingent of police officers has arrived at the scene to coordinate rescue efforts and maintain order.

    Traders, who witnessed the collapse, blamed the disaster on substandard engineering work, alleging that the building’s structural integrity had been compromised.

    The rescue operation is ongoing, with emergency responders working tirelessly to search for survivors amid the rubble

    The atmosphere at the market is tense, with onlookers anxiously waiting for news of loved ones feared trapped in the building.

    The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the community, with many calling for an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

    Authorities have yet to comment on the incident, but promised to release a statement soon.

    As the rescue efforts continue, the death toll remains uncertain, but fears are mounting that the tragedy may have claimed multiple lives.

    The Amawbia Market, a bustling commercial hub, has been plunged into mourning, with traders and residents struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss.

    The incident has raised questions about the safety of buildings in the area, sparking concerns about potential risks to occupants.

  • Court Sentences LP Candidate to Seven Years Imprisonment 

    Court Sentences LP Candidate to Seven Years Imprisonment 

    An Enugu South Magistrate Court presided over by Justice E D Onwu, has sentenced the Labour Party candidate for Enugu South Urban state Constituency, Hon Bright Ngene, to 7 years’ imprisonment.

    The Magistrate, who handed the verdict on Friday had on Thursday, said that he was under instruction to deal with a matter involving the LP candidate who won the Enugu South Urban state Constituency, during the March 18, 2023, general elections.

    Ngene and two others were arraigned in court since 2017 by the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu command in a matter involving himself and his community worth about N15million.

    After he won the 2023 general elections against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who also challenged the victory of Ngene and sought for the election to be declared inconclusive, which the election petition tribunal agreed and ordered rerun election in eight polling units, the ruling government resurrected the matter involving his community development fund.

    The matter was abandoned since 2017 when he was lawyer for his community, Akwuke, Enugu State.

    SaharaReporters reported on June 25, that Bright Ngene had raised the alarm over an alleged conspiracy between the executive and judiciary arms of the state government to imprison him. 

    Ngene, who spoke to journalists in Enugu, had claimed that the plot was aimed at punishing him for insisting on the mandate he won in the March 18, 2023 House of Assembly Election. 

    He had noted that the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice A. R Ozoemena, the Deputy Chief Registrar, Chijioke Agbo, and Magistrate E. D Onwu colluded to disregard the petition pending before the National Judicial Council which seized the case. 

    Ngene is seeking for an urgent intervention to prevent what he sees as a gross miscarriage of justice aimed at terminating his political and legal careers.

    Ngene of the Labour Party was declared the winner of last year’s Enugu South Rural Constituency election and was sworn into the House of Assembly but was aborted by the court in a petition by his rival, Sam Ngene of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
     
    Re-run elections for the disputed eight polling units in the Constituency have been held twice but were inconclusive, while the scheduled third-time re-run of June 8 was cancelled without notice to the LP candidate.

    In his petition to the NJC, Ngene alleged that “there is corruptive agreement between the Honourable Chief Judge of Enugu State, His Lordship A. R Ozoemena, the Deputy Chief Registrar N.L Chijioke Agbo, His Worship E. D Onwu, Esq and the Enugu State government to at all cost or willy nilly put me behind bars before a re-run is conducted over my seat in the Enugu State House of Assembly.

    “Otherwise, why are these parties applying impunity in continuing with the trial when the NJC has accepted custody of the matter? The ideal thing is that parties in this matter should relax for NJC to decide but they are rushing the matter to put me behind bars and go ahead to conduct the re-run election.

    “I seek the NJC to save me from oppression, persecution, and impeding wrongful conviction bathed by corruption and obvious abuse of judicial office and power.

    “Unless the National Judicial Council intervenes, the Honourable Chief Judge of Enugu State, the Deputy Chief Registrar, and His Worship E. D Onwu will wrongfully and corruptly destroy my ambition to continue to be in the House of Assembly of Enugu State and dent my political and legal career with conviction,” Ngene petitioned.

    But when the matter came up for adoption of written addresses, on Thursday, there was an uproar in court room as three lawyers fought fruitlessly to dissuade the magistrate to give a long adjournment date in a matter against Ngene and two others.

    While the defence counsels, Messrs CJ S Okereke, Benjamin C. Nwobodo and Frabel Awgu asked the trial Magistrate to adjourn the matter till next week to enable them study and reply to application filed by the prosecuting counsel, His Worship E D Ownu insisted that c

  • Nigerian Soldier Shoots Self At Army Base Gate, Four Months To Retirement

    Nigerian Soldier Shoots Self At Army Base Gate, Four Months To Retirement

    An indigene of Okpuala in Ngor-Okpuala, Imo State, serving in the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Imo state, has shot himself in front of the 144 Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOB) gate.

    Identified as Vitalis, a senior non-commissioned soldier, Command Sergeant Major (CSM), he reportedly shot himself without leaving a suicide note.

    Before his death, he served with the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barrack, Ohafia, Ohafia local government area of Abia State.

    According to security sources who spoke to The Nation, a thorough and discreet investigation is necessary to determine the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s suicide.

    Speculation or premature conclusions could compromise the investigation’s outcome, which is being led by the army’s leadership in the state. Notably, there were no reported incidents of domestic violence or disciplinary actions against the soldier prior to his death, suggesting that the motives behind his actions may be complex and require a thorough inquiry.

    The tragedy struck the military camp when the soldier, reportedly just months away from retirement in October, committed suicide after mysteriously disappearing without communication for two weeks.

    The sudden reemergence of the soldier, who apparently returned to the camp and then took his own life, shocked his colleagues and left many wondering what could have driven him to such despair.

  • Road accident claims 25 lives in Enugu 

    Road accident claims 25 lives in Enugu 

    A tragic road accident at Ugwu Onyeama in Enugu State along the Enugu-Onitsha federal highway has claimed the lives of at least 25 people.

    According to reports on Wednesday, the accident involved 10 vehicles, including both private and commercial buses. The crash is believed to have been caused by a Nigerian Army checkpoint.

    Many individuals with severe injuries are currently being transported to hospitals in and around the state capital.

    An eyewitness reported that a truck failed to brake and collided with multiple vehicles that had stopped on the hilly road, leading to the unfortunate loss of lives.

    A trailer traveling on the newly constructed lane experienced brake failure and crashed into more than 10 vehicles, both private and commercial.

    “The army checkpoint at that axis continues to claim lives.

    “More than 25 persons lost their life instantly and many rushed to the hospital,” one of the eyewitnesses reportedly said.

  • EFCC hands over recovered assets to Enugu governor

    EFCC hands over recovered assets to Enugu governor

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday, handed over 14 recovered assets to Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State.

    During the handing over ceremony held at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, Olukoyede revealed that the assets recovered by the commission was forfeited to the Federal Government.

    He added that the EFCC began an investigation into the development since 2007, and had achieved the conviction of persons in relation to the matter.

    He also noted that the President, Bola Tinubu, ordered the handover of the assets which includes – real estate, radio and television transmission equipment, and medical facility, amongst others, to the Enugu State Government, following a request by the EFCC.

  • Igbos in diaspora write Gov Uzodinma, to support Nnamdi Kanu’s release from detention

    Igbos in diaspora write Gov Uzodinma, to support Nnamdi Kanu’s release from detention

    A group of Igbos in diaspora has formally written Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma pleading passionately for his intervention in the on-going struggle to get the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu released from detention by the Federal Government.

    The group solicited Uzodinma to be interested in the travails and trial of Kanu in treasonable felony by the federal government and join the bid for the way out of the logjam.

    The group operating under the aegis of American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) asked the governor to have a change of heart in the matters of Kanu and throw his support for his release for genuine peace to reign in the South East Region.

    Their letter dated April 14, 2024, was signed by
    Dr. Sylvester Onyia, AVID President and Dr. Godson Obiagwu as Secretary.

    The group claimed that the incerceration of Kanu by government has done havocs than good for all the Igbo speaking States and reiterated the need for his release to enable business and commercial activities bounce back for the people in the region.

    In the letter, the group criticized the lukewarm attitude of the governor to insecurity in the region, especially in Imo State, where they claimed that several lives have been lost without any concrete response from the state government.

    The letter read in part, “A worrisome show of contempt for Igbos is covert conspiracies against the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) since his infamous extraordinary rendition from Kenya into Nigeria in the year 2021 and the persecution that ensued.

    “It has become obvious that you do not want Mazi Nnamdi Kanu released from the unlawful incarceration the Federal Government of Nigeria subjected him to.

    “While we are aware that several meritorious applications had before now been made to the trial Federal High Court Judge for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on bail, we have come to the ugly realization that Your Excellency is behind the continual refusal of such bail applications.

    “You are aware that in so far as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains unlawfully detained in the Nigeria security service’s facilities, there would be no peace in Igbo land and the spate of youth restiveness and violence would know no bounds.

    “Nigerians know how the infamous attempt at Kanu’s life under Operation Python Dance
    was planned and executed.

    “While we regret the entirety of your acts and deeds against Igbo nation and your secret
    vows to ensure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu rots in detention, we honestly believe that you
    can turn over a new leaf.

    “We therefore request that Your Excellency returns the Igbo spirit of ONYE AGHANA
    NWANNE YA and work toward peace in Igbo land.

    “And howsoever Your Excellency does
    it is not material to us provided there is a return to peace and tranquility.

    “We are very optimistic that Your Excellency would have a change of heart and work
    towards peace in Igbo land”, the letter said.

  • Anambra Governor Soludo Appoints Yoruba Man As Permanent Secretary

    Anambra Governor Soludo Appoints Yoruba Man As Permanent Secretary

    Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed an Osun State indigene, Bayo Ojeyinka as a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service.

    The appointment, which was based on merit, was commended by civil servants in the state, describing it as deserving.

    According to Business Day, Ojeyinka has been in the Anambra state public service system since 1995, after completing his National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC) in the state.

    He received the award as the best-serving corps member during his service year and was subsequently retained by the state government.

    Speaking on his promotion, Ojeyinka expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo and promised to increase his productivity, transparency, and fairness in his work.

    He said, “I am so excited to be considered. I don’t see this as a right but rather a rare privilege because so many brilliant officers also merited the promotion.

    “I thank Mr Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo for this honour, and Ndi Anambra for all their love, kindness and support in my 29 years of living in Anambra State.

    “I will repay the state with increased efficiency, productivity, transparency and fairness in my work.

    “I thank my colleagues to, the Head of Service, Her Honour, Barrister Mrs Theodora Igwegbe for her wonderful support. I promise to live up to the great expectations.”

  • Alleged Terrorists: Imo monarchs killers face fresh charges, March 12

    Alleged Terrorists: Imo monarchs killers face fresh charges, March 12

    The two suspected terrorists, Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku are to face fresh terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 12.

    Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022.

    The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4M cash from his family.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) filed the 3-count terrorism charges against them.

    In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

    They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022.

    The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act.

    When the charges were read to them before Justice Binta Nyako, they pleaded not guilty.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),.Simon Lough who is leading the prosecution for the Inspector General of Police told the court that Police has amended the charges following the arrest of more suspects by operatives.

    He requested for a date for the other suspects to be brought to court to take plea in the amended charges.

    Justice Binta Nyako granted the request and fixed March 12 for the fresh arraignment.

    The Judge ordered that the two defendants be remanded at Kuje Prison in Abuja and be returned to court on the adjourned date.

    Count One of the charge read “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56 yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA Imo State and others now at large on about the 17th December, 2022 at 71/2 junction Umumegwu Amanze village Obowo LGA Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert conspired together to commit Felony to wit: acts of terrorism and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

    Count two “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA of Imo State and others now at large on about the 17th December, 2022 at 71/2 junction Umumegwu – Amanze village Obowo LGA of Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert and armed with guns and other offensive weapons attacked, kidnapped and killed HRH Eze Basil
    Njoku of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community in Imo State on his way from Federal Medical Centre Umuahia having collected a ransom of N4,000,000.00 (four million naira) from his family and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 2(2) (f) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

    Count three “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56 yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA of Imo State and others now at large on about the 20th December, 2022 at Amanze village Obowo LGA of Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert and having information through your communication with the kidnappers that HRH Eze Basil Njoku of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community in Imo State was attacked and kidnapped on his way from Federal Medical Centre Umuahia which information was material to the apprehension of the kidnappers, you failed to immediately disclosed the information to relevant agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 16(1)(b) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.