NEWS
Ex-Anambra Governor Faces Trial Over Alleged N4bn Fraud
In a significant legal development, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ruled against former Governor Willie Obiano’s attempt to challenge the EFCC’s jurisdiction in prosecuting him.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, presiding over the case, delivered the verdict on Thursday, deeming Obiano’s application lacking in merit and deserving of dismissal.
This decision comes after thorough consideration, with the judge rejecting all grounds presented by Obiano’s legal team.
The judge emphasized that determining the former governor’s connection to the alleged offenses would require proper legal proceedings.
Specifically, Justice Inyang Ekwo highlighted that the pivotal issue revolved around whether the state’s security votes originated from the federation account, thus affirming the validity of the prosecution’s case.
The judge said “As long as the EFCC Act has not been declared unconstitutional, this court cannot stop the implementation of the act. The powers of the EFCC ought to be a question of law and has bearing in the 1999 Constitution.
“State security votes come from the federation account making the development a constitutional issue..This court has no powers to preempt the case of the prosecution, ”
Subsequent to the ruling, Mr. Obiano’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, made a plea for the release of his client’s international passport to facilitate medical treatment abroad.
Ikpeazu cited the defendant’s health condition and the necessity of sixty days for his treatment, assuring compliance with any conditions set by the court.
In a conciliatory stance, counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, stated the prosecution’s lack of opposition to the application. However, Tahir expressed reservations regarding the 60 days treatment duration.
Mr Tahir said, “We are not opposed to the application but we have issues with the 60 days because the trial has been truncated already.”
The judge was inclined to grant the application, with the condition that the former governor return his international passport to the court’s registrar upon his return.
Furthermore, he adjourned the proceedings until June 24th to 27th, indicating the commencement of the trial.
Mr. Obiano, who was arraigned on January 24th, is facing trial on a nine-count charge amounting to alleged N4 billion fraud.
Previously, he filed an application challenging the EFCC’s jurisdiction to prosecute him, seeking to dismiss the charges, alleging them to be an abuse of court process and asserting the absence of a prima facie case against him.
Mr. Obiano asserted that there was no correlation between the evidence presented by the EFCC to the court and the accusations against him. He contended that no witness testified to him issuing directives for the disbursement of security votes and other government funds in Anambra State.
Furthermore, Mr. Obiano argued that he couldn’t be held responsible for any alleged unlawful actions by Anambra government officials, citing the absence of vicarious liability in the criminal justice system.
His motion on notice was based on legal provisions including sections 6 (6) (a) and (b), section 36(6) (6) b of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and section 1(1) & (2), 266, 271(b), 383(4) & 492 (3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Among other requests, Mr. Obiano sought an order from the court to dismiss the current charge, arguing that it constitutes a flagrant abuse of the judicial process and undermines the integrity of the criminal justice system.
Additionally, he requested an order to quash the charge due to the alleged failure to disclose a prima facie case, asserting that the nine-count charges lacked specificity and precision.
NEWS
FCT Police Warn Motorists Against One-Way Driving, Reject Calls From VIPs
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, cautioning that influential connections or calls from senior police officers and government officials will not shield offenders from prosecution.
The Command said the practice, particularly around road construction sites, diversion points and restricted routes, poses serious risks to lives and property.
SEE ALSO: Ogun Police Win Public Safety Award as Ojajuni Emerges NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador
In a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Command was concerned about the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions to avoid congestion.
Adeh stressed that no individual, regardless of status, position or connections, would be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations.
She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, had directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs) to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify enforcement operations.
According to the statement, the directive includes the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.
The Commissioner also warned police officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting the operation to extort motorists, stressing that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in line with existing police rules and regulations.
The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and follow instructions from authorised traffic officers, noting that saving a few minutes through reckless driving was not worth the risk of losing lives or damaging property.
It also called on residents to remain security-conscious and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
The Command provided the following emergency contact numbers for security-related reports: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
NEWS
FCT Police Chief Inspects Worship Centres, Commends Residents for Peaceful Conduct
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, has inspected security deployments at churches across the territory, urging officers to maintain professionalism and vigilance during religious activities.
The inspection was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.
Sanusi conducted the inspection on November 8, 2026, to assess the operational readiness of personnel deployed to worship centres and evaluate security arrangements for residents and worshippers.
SEE ALSO: October 1 Protests: FCT Police Call For Increased Vigilance Among Residents
The exercise followed a similar inspection of mosques across the FCT on Friday, November 6, as the Command sustained efforts to strengthen security around religious centres.
During the visits, the police commissioner charged officers to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties.
He also commended residents for their peaceful and orderly conduct following mosque and church services, noting that public cooperation remained essential to maintaining security and public order across the territory.
The commissioner urged residents to continue cooperating with the police and other law enforcement agencies, remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.
He further encouraged residents to utilise the Command’s emergency lines, 08032003913 and 08061581938, to report security concerns.
Adeh said the Command’s Public Relations Office remained open and accessible to members of the public for enquiries, complaints, information and other security-related matters.
The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting residents and worshippers and maintaining security across the Federal Capital Territory.
NEWS
2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Akwa Ibom occupies a strategic position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with major federal investments expected to strengthen infrastructure and economic activities across the state.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
One of the major projects is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which has an approximately 82.8-kilometre stretch passing through Akwa Ibom.
The project, according to the statement, “promises improved connectivity, expanded trade, greater investment and new economic opportunities for communities across the region.”
Beyond infrastructure, the administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment and social protection are also designed to improve livelihoods and broaden economic participation.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) is among the initiatives highlighted, complementing Governor Umo Eno’s investments in roads, aviation, tourism and human capital development.
The statement noted that the Uyo rally provides “another opportunity to strengthen the APC’s growing political presence in the South-South and make the case for continuity in 2027.”






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