Popular musician, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has brushed aside his rumored death. This came after rumour spread on Monday that the 83-year-old has passed on. However, in a video on Tuesday morning, Obey-Fabiyi dismissed rumours of his death, affirming that he is alive, strong and healthy. In a spirited performance, in Yoruba, English and Pidgin, he described the news as false. “Hello, my name is Professor Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi. “Satan, you don lose o, Satan, you don lose o, you don pafuka. Na lie lie you dey talk, you don pafuka. “It is fake news that started a few hours ago claiming that I, Evangelist Obey, have passed on to glory. “It is a lie. I am alive, and that is not the word Jesus has written,” Obey-Fabiyi sang.

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has vowed that genuine members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC), will stop at nothing to kick out any government that brings pain and impoverishment on the masses. The CPC members are loyalists of former president Muhammadu Buhari and have been divided over support for President Bola Tinubu. While some of them are part of the coalition to unseat Tinubu, others are backing the president. However, Lawal told The PUNCH every genuine CPC chieftain who has the interest of the Talakawas— the poor and vulnerable— at heart, will stop at nothing to “kick out any government that brings pain and impoverishment to the people like the Tinubu administration” in 2027. He said, “These guys have given us a reason to come against them because the CPC is a Talakawa Movement. “It’s a movement that has at heart the needs and feelings of the lower class. That is our ideology, which we learned from Buhari. “The primary aim is how to serve the disenfranchised, discriminated people in the society, which this government has taken as a religion to cause suffering and marginalisation. It is as if the sight of a poor person annoys them. So they want to starve them to death. “Now if you are an original CPC person, it will pain you. It will push you into action involuntarily to change this type of system that is out to destroy and marginalise the underprivileged in society. That is what Buhari stands for. That is who we are and what we learned from him.” On Buhari’s blessing, he said, “First of all, we don’t need his (Buhari) blessing. We only needed to tell him what we wanted to do because we were adults. It is also not like we will go and tell Buhari to follow us. Of course, we are mature and intelligent people. “Even if Buhari says, hey, gentlemen, I will join you. It is our responsibility to say, No, Oga please keep off. You are too big for us. We don’t want to involve you. You are part of this government. Please remain there until you are fed up.” He said those still supporting Tinubu were merely scrambling for political appointments.

The Vatican has published the Will of Pope Francis. This came after the Catholic Pontiff passed on Easter Monday morning, throwing the over one billion Catholics and the entire world into mourning. His Will has now been published on the Holy See’s website. The document, titled “Testament of the Holy Father Francis”, is dated June 2022, detailing Pope Francis’s desire to be buried in a “simple” tomb and also the location of the tomb. It reads in full: In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen. As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place. I have always entrusted my life and priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest, awaiting the day of resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I wish that my final earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian shrine, where I go to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey to faithfully entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and to give thanks for her gentle and maternal care. I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica, as indicated in the enclosed plan. The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the appropriate instructions to Msgr. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter. May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have wished me well and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples. Domus Sanctae Marthae, 29 June 2022 FRANCIS

Minister of Works, David Umahi has claimed that President Bola Tinubu has ended the age-long marginalisation of the South-East region. The South-East has been crying of marginalisation since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. They feel they were still being made to suffer from the effects of the civil war, a development that has spiked agitation for Biafra. However, Umahi said Tinubu has broken the jinx of marginalisation suffered by the people of the South-East region in Nigeria’s political and infrastructural landscape. He stated this over the weekend during a civic reception organised in his honour by the Okposi Okwu community in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. A statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji quoted Umahi as thanking Tinubu for ending the decades of exclusion through equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy across the six geo-political zones. “The Minister thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for breaking the jinx of marginalisation in the South-East through equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy,” the statement partly read. Umahi also said that his appointment as Minister of Works, a first in Nigeria’s post-independence history symbolized a significant shift in inclusion.

Nigeria President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja. He arrived in the country at 9:50 p.m on Monday after a working visit and retreat in France and London lasting 18 days. The presidential 001 aircraft conveying the President landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Tinubu was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, among others. Tinubu departed Nigeria on Wednesday, April 2, spending some time in Paris, the French capital, before he reportedly proceeded to London two weekends ago. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, was also among the officials who received the President.

A total of N10 million has been raised in just four days for Quadri Alabi four days after he was released from detention. This was confirmed by human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who accused the police of claiming that Alabi was 18 years old to prosecute him in court, even though he is only 17. Effiong, who is the lawyer to the teenager, had appealed to Nigerians for financial support to enable Alabi and his family relocate to a new location in Lagos. During an interview on Monday with Channels TV, where he and Alabi were both guests, he confirmed that N10m had been raised. He also accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Amukoko Division  of subjecting Alabi to an internal police trial, along with Inspector Odigbe Samuel and other officers. He described their actions as part of an “evil, sinister, oppressive, and corrupt scheme” to frame a teenager for armed robbery, instigated by rogue ‘area boys.’ According to Effiong: “The boy sitting next to me, Quadri Alabi, as you know, went viral in 2023 during one of Peter Obi’s campaign tours. “He spontaneously jumped in front of the convoy, raised his hand, and the photo went viral. That moment changed his life. Donations were made, and he gained some popularity. “Unfortunately, with that fame came harassment. Local area boys began extorting him, saying he hadn’t ‘settled’ them. “They even told his mother to buy a cow, cook rice, and throw a feast for the community. When she refused, the threats continued. “This is actually the second time these same individuals, with support from the Amukoko Police, targeted him. The first time, he was quietly detained. “The second time, in January, he was returning home from work when he was arrested by area boys, specifically known as Leggy and Baba Waris, who accused him of ignoring them despite the money he had received from Peter Obi. “They handed him over to the police, claiming he was involved in a street fight. His mother was told the same. She even confronted one of the area boys, who admitted it was about the money. “Shockingly, he was detained for a full week before being taken to court on January 27. The DPO, CSP Ismaila Ulaniro, kept him in custody illegally during this period.”

There is growing outrage across the country as the death toll in the mayhem being unleashed on Benue State climbed to 72. Governor Hyacinth Alia of the State had in a speech during the Easter Sunday mass at the Government House, declared that the state was under siege and losing ground to armed Fulani herdsmen. He told the congregation, “If you hear something, say something, it will enable the security agents to move out there and repel the invaders. “We are under siege as a state, and those who are attacking us must have a face, must have an aim, and must have a drive. "They come, they drag people out, they kill to occupy. This is extremely unacceptable.” It has now been confirmed that at least 72 persons have paid the supreme price. This is following the recovery of 13 more bodies from the attacks on Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of the state. Principal Special Assistant (PSA) to Benue Governor on Media and Content Creation, Isaac Uzaan, who gave the update, said the bodies were found in both attacked local government areas. Uzaan told PUNCH that 12 bodies were recovered from Ukum and the remaining one in Logo, making the number of fresh recovery 13, while the total fatalities now stands at 72. Recall that many rural communities of Sankera axis comprising three LGAs of Ukum, Logo and Kastina-Ala came under attack between Thursday night and Friday morning, leading to the massacre of several individuals. Meanwhile, Alia has warned politicians who have taken advantage of the security situation to desist, saying it was not the time to do so. “I invite you politicians to stay clear. Don’t be part of those who are attacking us. "We have some machinery in place to dig deeper to let us know who is a culprit, who is involved in the destruction of our state. “A terrorist is a terrorist irrespective of his ethnicity or his religion. Criminality is criminality period! So whoever commits it is a terrorist and he should not be where the living are”, the governor stated.

Pope Francis died of a stroke, causing a coma and “irreversible” heart failure. According to AFP, his death certificate released by the Vatican on Monday showed the cause of death. It could be recalled that the 88-year-old Catholic Pontiff died on Monday morning. The cause of Pope Francis’ death has been identified as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. The Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, issued the official certification, and the Holy See Press Office released the report on Monday evening. According to the medical report, the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes. His death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography. “I hereby declare,” wrote Dr. Arcangeli, “that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above.”

Only one Cardinal from Nigeria, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke (62) is eligible to participate in the election of a new Pope, the Catholic Broadcast Commission of Nigeria, CBCN, confirmed on Monday. NATIONAL POST recalls that Pope Francis passed on early Monday morning at the age of 88. Other Nigerian cardinals not eligible to participate in the election of the new Pope include Francis Cardinal Arinze (92), Anthony Cardinal Okogie (88), and Cardinal John Onaiyekan (81). Age was given as reason for their ineligibility to be part of the papal conclave. This was contained in an unsigned statement posted on the CBCN Facebook page. The statement reads: "His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke (62) is the only Nigerian Catholic cardinal out of four cardinals currently eligible to participate( vote) in a papal conclave being under 80yrs of age—both to vote for a new pope and to be voted for as Pope. Other Nigerian cardinals who cannot vote .. Francis Cardinal Arinze - 92 Anthony; Cardinal Okogie - 88 Cardinal John Onaiyekan - 81 "WHY CAN'T CARDINALS OVER THE AGE OF 80 VOTE IN CONCLAVES? "The Church excuses them from voting out of concern for the Cardinals themselves. Selecting the Supreme Pontiff can be a great burden of responsibility, and especially so when one is advanced in age. These Cardinals instead take the role of supporting the electors by helping to lead the People of God in prayer during the election. "The reason for this provision is the desire not to add to the weight of such venerable age the further burden of responsibility for choosing the one who will have to lead Christ's flock in ways adapted to the needs of the times. "This does not however mean that the Cardinals over eighty years of age cannot take part in the preparatory meetings of the Conclave, in conformity with the norms set forth below. "During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, and especially during the election of the Supreme Pontiff, they in particular should lead the People of God assembled in the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome and in other churches in the Dioceses throughout the world, supporting the work of the electors with fervent prayers and supplications to the Holy Spirit and imploring for them the light needed to make their choice before God alone and with concern only for the "salvation of souls, which in the Church must always be the supreme law".

A young lady and her mother have been arrested by men of the Akwa Ibom State Command for allegedly selling a two-day-old baby. NATIONAL POST learnt that the suspects, Blessing Walter and her mother, Grace Walter sold the baby for N800,000 in Oron local government area of the state. Also apprehended were the syndicates involved in trafficking the child. The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, DSP Timfon John confirmed this in a statement on Monday. The statement reads, "The operatives of the command while on patrol along the Nsit Atai/Oron Road, intercepted a Mazda vehicle with registration number YAB 454 AA. "The vehicle was driven by one Bethel Anyanwu, a male, and had two female occupants along with a two-day-old baby. "Upon interrogation, the occupants could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the infant. "Following a series of interrogations one Nasikpo Sonia Labere, a female, and Inemesit Okin Akpan, a female, confessed to being sent from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by one Waazor Godwin, a female, and one Lilian Duru, a female, to collect the baby from one Miss Grace Inyang in Oron. "Further investigation led to the arrest of one Alison Eduno, who facilitated the connection between the buyer and the seller. "The grandmother and the mother of the baby, identified as Grace Walter, a 55-year-old female, and Blessing Walter, a 20-year-old female, both residing in Oti Oron, were also apprehended. "They confessed to selling the baby for the sum of eight hundred thousand Naira (N800,000)."

There is panic in Zamfara State following reported imposition of N60m levy on some communities in Zamfara State. Residents fear there could be attacks if they don’t pay the levy as imposed by the bandits. They include: Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya and Kabusu communities. The bandits operating in the north eastern part of the country accused the communities of aiding military raids. This was disclosed in a post on X by Bakatsine, a conflict and crisis journalist in northwest Nigeria. He wrote: "Bandits have imposed a N60m levy on 12 Zamfara communities: Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya & Kabusu for allegedly aiding military raids. Residents fear attacks if they don’t pay." NATIONAL POST reports that Zamfara is one of the states that have faced consistent attacks by bandits for several years. Governor Dauda Lawal, who inherited the security challenge, vowed never to negotiate with the terror group.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has confirmed that the Federal Government is carrying out a review process for the concessioning of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. There have been condemnations over reports that the airport has been concessioned for 80 years. However, the minister in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood said whilst it was true that the federal government was considering proposals for the concession of five major airports to ensure these vital facilities can meet and maintain international standards, it was untrue that it had concluded the process. While noting that many of the country's airports were presently running at a loss, Keyamo said it was noteworthy that the initiative to concession the airports started from previous administrations. The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to certain online reports/stories suggesting that a certain lengthy period of concession has been agreed upon regarding the Enugu International Airport. These reports/stories are utterly baseless and untrue. “At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession. “It is important to emphasise that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration. “All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation that will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before it is presented to the Minister for conveyance to FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded.”

A serving police inspector has been arrested in Abuja for allegedly attempting to transport live ammunition via the Nyanya Motor Park. The arrest occurred around 3:15 p.m. on April 19, when security personnel, in collaboration with members of the Keffi Motor Park Union, became suspicious of a package scheduled for delivery to Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State. A search of the parcel revealed an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition. The suspect, identified as Inspector Kasimu Usman, is attached to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. He was immediately taken into custody. During interrogation, Usman reportedly confessed that the ammunition was intended for another officer, Inspector Haruna Mohammed, who is currently serving with the 58 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Nasarawa State. Inspector Usman has been taken into custody as investigations continue into the unauthorized transfer of military-grade ammunition.

Roman Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis is dead. News of his demise filtered in on Monday. Francis died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. In a post on the social media platform X, the Vatican said that the pontiff died in his residence. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, disclosed that Pope Francis died at 7:35 am on Easter Monday. Speaking at the Casa Santa Marta, Farrell said: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. "With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Super Falcons player, Peace Ogebe is in a lamenting mood over the widespread killings in Benue State. The midfielder, in a post shared via her social media handle, lamented the ceaseless bloodshed ravaging her home state, stating that she’s been unable to sleep in recent days due to the disturbing news filtering in from the region. According to her, "I am just having sleepless nights these days because of what is happening in Benue State. “Like seriously, I can't just sleep. Why all the killing? What is their aim? I keep asking myself this question yet there’s no answer.” While accusing the authorities of not doing enough, she added: "Why is the government quiet over these killings? “Is it that they don't know what to do, or they just intentionally want to be mute.” Benue has remained under severe attacks by herdsmen, with tens of people already killed, many displaced and properties burnt.

Lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, (SAN) has come hard on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing him as the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court. Falana spoke in response to Wike, who taunted him “for losing a case, which he had won at the Supreme Court.” He said it was laughable that even though he appeared regularly in domestic and regional courts in Africa,  “Mr Wike dubbed me “a television lawyer”. Falana’s detailed response below: “In a recent media outburst, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, taunted me for losing a case, which he had won at the Supreme Court. Even though I appear regularly in domestic and regional courts in Africa,  Mr Wike dubbed me “a television lawyer”. I did not join issues with him on that occasion because Wike is the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court. Another reason for ignoring Wike’s vituperations is that it is no crime if a lawyer loses a case in any court. In other words, only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts. A couple of days ago, Wike subjected me to another scurrilous attack in a press conference held in Abuja to showcase the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory. In the course of the press conference, he veered off and was alleged to have accused me of lying about the defection status of certain legislators during an appearance on Channels TV. While referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling that addressed the issue of defection, stating, “A few days ago, the Supreme Court settled this matter of defection.” He then said, “If someone of Femi Falana’s calibre can go on national television and lie, it is very serious. Lies can cause a lot of crises.” He expressed concern that such misinformation, especially from a respected legal figure, could escalate tensions if not addressed. Specifically, Wike accused me of lying against the Supreme Court over its decision on the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Contrary to Wike’s assertion, I did not lie against the Supreme Court in respect of the judgment in question. All I said was that the matter of the defection of the 27 legislators was raised suo motu and determined by the eminent justices of the apex court. My comment was based on the undeniable fact that the vexed issue of the defection of the 27 legislators was pending in the Port Harcourt judicial division of the Federal High Court at the material time. In addition, there are video tapes and a sworn affidavit where the 27 legislators had confirmed their defection from the People’s Democratic Party  to the All Progressive Congress. It is public knowledge that Wike had praised the Supreme Court to high heavens and held a thanksgiving service to celebrate the decision on the defection of the 27 legislators. However, he decided to attack me for commenting on the same judgment without any legal justification. I wish to state, without any fear of contradictions, that my fundamental right to criticise the decisions of courts is guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. I would have ignored the minister’s latest gratuitous attack but for the fact that he had recently called on the Body of Benchers to discipline lawyers who had the temerity to criticise the judgments of Nigerian courts. However, unlike Wike, who calls judges names whenever they disagree with his politics of opportunism, I have always criticised the judgments of domestic and regional courts with the utmost decorum and in good faith. While Wike believes that it is a professional anomaly to criticise the decisions of Judges, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has always welcomed the criticism and review of its judgments because the justices believe that they are prone to make mistakes like all mortals. It is undoubtedly clear that Wike is not familiar with the case of Adegoke Motors Limited v Dr Babatunde Adesanya 2 1989 3 NWLR (Pt 109) 250 at 274, where Oputa JSC of blessed memory said,  “We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final.” About five years ago, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, said to lawyers, “As critical stakeholders in the task of justice delivery, you have the responsibility of drawing our attention to where things are going wrong or on the verge of going wrong.”  Justice Muhammad further stated that it would not be out of place for lawyers to subject justices in the country to criticism where necessary as a step to ensuring improvement in the justice delivery system. From time to time, many respected justices commend my criticism of the judgments of courts and the defence of the judiciary. It is on record that at a recent valedictory service held in Abuja, a retiring justice of the Supreme Court referred to one of my critical comments pertaining to the Nigerian Judiciary. In the light of the foregoing, Wike deliberately set out to incite the Supreme Court against me as the allegation levelled against me by him is spurious and tendentious in every material particular. Since he has become the unsolicited defender of the judiciary, I challenge him to report me to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for professional misconduct. No doubt, the decision of the Supreme Court is final on defection of legislators from the political party that sponsored them to another political party. In their wisdom, their lordships said that defection can only be proved with the production of the register of members of political parties. My fear is that this decision will be waived by unpatriotic politicians to justify political prostitution in Nigeria. In the interest of political stability and national morality, I have respectively called on the Supreme Court to continue to rely on the cases of the Attorney-General of the Federation 𝐯. Abubakar (2007) 10 NWLR (PT.1041) 1 at 178, Dapialong v Dariye (2007) 8 NWLR (Pt 1036) 332 and Abegunde 𝐯. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors (2015) LPELR-24588(SC), where it had been held that the consequence of a defection by a legislator is the automatic loss of his or her seat in the legislative house. Falana (SAN), a lawyer and human rights advocate, writes from Lagos

Contrary to the denial by the Nigeria Police, the Emir of Yashikira, Umoru Seriki, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State says a new terrorist group, 'Mahmuda' is allegedly occupying some parts of the Kwara North Senatorial District and Niger State. He claimed that concerned authorities have abandoned communities under attacks by the terror group. The Emir lamented that "the situation is that we are totally demoralized, we are not happy with what the authorities are saying that there is no presence of terrorists in our domains. "We are not happy and we feel abandoned by the government and left on our own, but as the situation is, we have no choice than to continue to defend ourselves.” "It is very unfortunate that we have complained about this thing earlier and nobody seems to pay attention to our plight," DAILY POST quoted him as saying. The attacks, according to the traditional ruler, are not only in Baruten and Kaiama local governments of Kwara state, but also Borgu Kingdom in Niger State. Seriki, while confirming last week's attacks by the terrorists, disclosed that the security vehicle bought by the people for operations by the vigilantes was bombed by the terrorists. "We are just lucky that our vigilantes survived the attacks though some suffered some bruises. "The casualties we suffered were not actually 15, but we suffered some casualties and the terrorists also suffered some casualties. "So that is the situation, what the social media is actually reporting is the truth, we are just praying to God to help and protect us in the current situation we are facing," he added. The Kwara State Police Command last week refuted the alleged emergence of a terror group named 'Mahmuda' within Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state. The command also categorically dismissed the claim that 15 vigilantes have been killed by the terror group, describing it as false and devoid of any factual basis. A statement by the spokesperson of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Saturday, said comprehensive and continuous threat assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations in the said areas have yielded no evidence of insurgent activity, coordinated terrorist formations, or mass casualty incidents as described.

A security expert, Bulama Bukarti has raised the alarm over prominent activities of Boko Haram members on social media. Bukarti, a senior fellow of the Extremism Policy Unit at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, said the terrorists were not prominent on TikTok and other platforms where they host live sessions. He said this while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “Right now, when you go on TikTok, you will see Boko Haram members’ accounts, "They host live programmes and live shows where they propagate Boko Haram’s ideology. "They justify the group’s violence, which they do in the Hausa language. They field questions from the audience and answer comments that are written. “Even this week, there was a Boko Haram member who posted a 10-minute video on TikTok attacking me for speaking up against the escalating violence of the group. But it’s not just that. "We know that Boko Haram now operates unmanned drones. They surveil military formations in the northeast with unmanned drones, “What we have seen over the past three months was over seven Boko Haram attacks on super camps, on Nigerian military super camps. "In Sabon Gari and lots of other places, they overran the camps. They dispersed the military, killed some, captured others and stole weapons, food, medicine and other equipment from those areas and fled into the bush.”

An activist and two-time governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo has asked the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate the incumbent Governor, Professor Charles Soludo and three of his appointees, for receiving a donation of N30 million from 60 support groups, backing the Governor for the forthcoming November 8 governorship election in the state. The money was meant to cover the governorship nomination fee of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Governor Soludo's re-election ticket. Recall that on April 5, 2025, the support groups under the aegis of All Soludo Support Groups (ASSG) presented a dummy payment bank cheque of N30 million to Soludo, during the "APGA for Governor Charles Soludo’s second tenure rally" at the International Conference Centre Awka. According to the donors, comprising political office holders, senatorial aspirants, government officials and other key stakeholders, this gesture showcased their commitment solidarity and trust in his leadership. But in his petition dated April 14, 2025, Okonkwo accused Soludo, the Commissioner for Finance, Anambra state, Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Obi Obiogbolu and Chukwuemeka Julius, the governor’s nominee and team leader of Soludo Fans Club, of breaching the mandatory provisions of the Code of Conduct for public officers under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The petitioner also accused the aforementioned public officers of fraudulent misrepresentation, money laundering and abuse of public trust. In addition, he alleged that the action of the Governor and his appointees, violated their oaths of office as public officers, not to allow their personal interest to influence their conduct or official decisions, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, and abide by the Code of Conduct for public officers, among other commitments. He urged the bureau to urgently investigate the allegations against Governor Soludo and his appointees, to protect the integrity of governance in the country. A copy of the petition, which was sighted by this reporter at the weekend, read: “Complaint against Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo (Governor of Anambra State) (Public Officer) pursuant to paragraphs 1, 6 (1), 8, 9 & 13, Code of Conduct for Public Officers for committing: “Acts prohibited by this Code by himself and through nominees, trustees or other agents in flagrant breach of the community reading of paragraphs 1, 6 (1), 8 and 9 “to wit: “1: A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities. “6 (1): A public officer shall not ask for or accept property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person, on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties. “8: No person shall offer a public officer any property, gift or benefit of any kind as an inducement or bribe for the granting of any favour or the discharge in his favour of the public officer’s duties. “9: A public officer shall not do or direct to be done, in abuse of his office, any arbitrary act, prejudicial to the rights of any other person, knowing that knowing that such act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy.” Highlighting briefly the facts of the petition, Okonkwo noted that Dr. Obi Obiogbolu, the Special Adviser on Political Matter who was among the notable attendees at the event, described the gathering as a strategic move to build momentum for Soludo’s re-election campaign. According to the petitioner, Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, the Commissioner for Finance and convener of Solution Youth Movement of Nigeria (SYMON) praised Governor Soludo’s fiscal prudence and governance, while Chukwuemeka Julius, the governor’s nominee and team leader of the Soludo Fans Club, expressed pride in the administration’s growing popularity and development initiatives. "Anambra youths also showed their support, making a donation of N10.5 million for Soludo’s re-election,” he stated. He further supported his petition with the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, containing the Oath of Office of Governor of a State and the Oath of Office of Vice-President, Deputy Governor, Minister, Commissioner or Special Adviser. He added: “Further reliance in support of this petition shall be the “Seventh Schedule: “The Oath of Office of Governor of a State: “That I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to the law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly, communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as the Governor of ……state, expect as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Governor, and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria.” Okonkwo prayed the CCB Chairman to urgently investigate his complaint against Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his nominees/agents to protect the integrity of governance in Nigeria.