The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • IPOB denies involvement in violence in Southeast

    IPOB denies involvement in violence in Southeast

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday again denied involvement in the burning of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) facilities, owning a bomb factory and destroying electoral party paraphernalia in the Southeast.

    It urged the public to ignore the concocted lies associating IPOB with such destructive attacks.

    In a statement by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB accused the Nigerian government and its security agencies of working with criminals to blackmail IPOB because “we have refused to give up on Biafra restoration.”

    “They set INEC offices on fire and said it is ESN. They assassinated politicians and doctors to damage our hallowed name and say IPOB did it. We know that they want to rig the elections in the Southeast against Peter Obi and blame it on IPOB and ESN. They burnt markets and properties of our people and attributed it to IPOB. They declared a five-day ignored sit-at-home and killed our people and even killed an expectant mother, using IPOB and ESN identity.”

  • Umahi suspends aide over gross misconduct

    Umahi suspends aide over gross misconduct

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has ordered the suspension of his Special Assistant on Technical Affairs, Mr. Collins Eze, for acts of gross misconduct.

    This is contained in a statement issued to reporters yesterday in Abakaliki by Dr. Kenneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government/Coordinating Commissioner.

    According to the statement, the suspension is indefinite.

    “As a direct consequence of this indefinite suspension, the governor has, in exercise of his powers as enshrined in the State Honours Law, 2022, approved the cancellation and withdrawal of the honours award recently given to Eze by the state government.

    “Eze is directed to hand over government property in his possession to the Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner before the close of work on December 28,” the statement added.

  • Ikpeazu appoints electoral commissioners

    Ikpeazu appoints electoral commissioners

    Abia State Government has announced the appointment of six persons as commissioners in Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), headed by a former commissioner for Education, Dr. Nkpa Agu Nkpa.

    This was disclosed in a statement yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezemy.

    The nominees are Prince Dan Okoli, Onyebinanma Sunday Onyebinanma, Dan Onwutuebe, Henry Okachie Okere, Enyinnaya Ezere and Mrs. Precious Achumba.

    The names of the commissioners are subject to the confirmation of the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

    ‘Abians’ have called on the governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, to ensure he organises local government elections before he leaves office.

    Speaking about the appointment of commissioners into ABSIEC, a political analyst, Mr. Okorie Chukwuma, said although it was expected that the incumbent party in the state would manipulate the process to win the poll, running a local government system with Transition Committee chairmen (TC) was unconstitutional.

    Okorie, who expressed doubt about the readiness of the state government to organise election before the incumbent leaves office in 2023, urged Ikpeazu not to succumb to the pressure of appointing TC into office as the country and state head into 2023 general election.

    “We learnt that a lot of people have been lobbying to be appointed as TC chairmen.”

  • Anglican priest denounces polygamy, backtracks on claims

    Anglican priest denounces polygamy, backtracks on claims

    An Anglican priest in Nnewi Diocese, Anambra State, Rev. Ogbuchukwu Lotanna, has announced his decision to return to the church after resigning three months ago.

    The cleric had on September 10 resigned from the Communion, claiming to have received a divine mandate to encourage polygamy.

    He claimed he received a vision to reduce the rate of sexual sins.

    The lawyer was recalled on December 24 following an apology.

    In a letter titled “To all beloved in Christ and all it may concern: Rescinding from my pro-polygamy movement,” Lotanna pledged full attention to all God had called him to do.

    He urged the over 200 persons that indicated an interest in joining his proposed new church, to disregard his previous comments on the movement.

    He promised not to speak or work against the godly doctrines of his Church.

    The letter reads: “I wish to inform the general body of Christ and the general public that I have submitted a letter of apology to my Lord Bishop for resigning from being a member of the body of Clergy Association of Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion).

    “What led to my action was my misinterpretation of the revelations I received on a divine movement for sexual purity.

    “I have since pledged to give full and undivided attention to all that God has called me to do as a priest in obedience to the instituted authority of the church.

    “I have understood that for any program(s) to achieve sexual purity, it must of necessity be that which should build the Church of Christ and should be accepted by her. And I can not be numbered among those fighting the church.

    “Hence, I, Rev. Ogbuchukwu Makuo Lotanna (Esq), hereby withdraw my humble self from the propagation of the polygamy movement.

    Read Also: I won’t wish polygamy on my worst enemy, says Uche Nnanna

    “I plead with everyone (especially the over 200 persons that indicated interest for us to kick-start a church, which I personally, never did) to jettison all I have said so far on this movement.

    “I have backed off. I am fully back to my church and I have promised not to speak or work against the sound and godly doctrines of my Church.

    “I have also withdrawn and deleted all the videos and messages I have preached or posted on the subject from all my social media handles and have closed all the channels.

    “There are other programs for sexual purity the church will appreciate and be at home with, which will also help to build the society at large. I will henceforth be preoccupied with such programs to showcase my genuine intentions.

    “I thank those who have handled my case with love, prayers and maturity, and apologise to those who may have been disappointed in me, deceived or offended by my action.

    “I remain your brother and it is my desire that we all continue in the path of holiness and remain ‘rapturable’ in Christ.”

  • Police charge suspect to court over alleged fraud in Anambra

    Police charge suspect to court over alleged fraud in Anambra

    Anambra State Police Command has charged one Sunday Chukwuemeka (alias Sunny Bigman) to Court for alleged advance fee fraud and unlawful destruction of over 50 buildings belonging to different persons in the State.

    The property belonging to different families in the State, destroyed by the suspect, were said to worth about 20 billion naira in Oba, Idemili South local government area of the State.

    In charge No. FHC/awk/C/135/2022, between Inspector General of Police (complainant) Sunday Chukwuemeka and S. Bigman Multi -Business Concept (defendants), in a 22 count charge, the suspect, who is in Police custody at zone -13 in Ukpo. Dunukofia local government area was alleged to have committed the act on November 12, 2022.

    Some of the charges preferred against the suspect is that he and others at large, on or before the 12 November, 2022, at Jesus Favour Estate, Ugwugwu, Oba, Anambra State, within the Federal High Court Awka judicial division, did conspire to commit felony to wit by obtaining money under false pretence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud related Act 2006.

    “That the same person and others at large, on the same date, place and within the aforementioned judicial division, did willfully and unlawfully use caterpillar and bulldozer to destroy a story building, wall fence and gate valued at 7m, property of Godwin Onuoha and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the criminal code Cap C38, LFN 2004.

    “That the same person and others at large, on the same date, place and within the aforementioned judicial Division, did by false pretences and with intent to defraud obtain from Jesus estate Landlord Association, whose patron is Chief Michael Uzoeto, the sum of 11m by pretending that Anambra State government have allocated all the land at the said estate to you and that if they pay the said amount, you will re allocate it to them, a pretence you knew to be false and there is no truth in it and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(i)(a) (c) (3) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act 2006.

    “That same person and others at large, on same date,  place and within the aforementioned judicial division, did willfully and unlawfully use caterpillar and bulldozer to destroy a story building and a plant house valued at 25m, property of Sir Steven Nwankwo and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the criminal code Cap C38 LFN 2004.

    “That same person and others at large, on same date, place and within the aforementioned judicial division, did willfully and unlawfully use caterpillar and bulldozer to destroy a wall fence, palm trees, cassava farm valued at 23m, property of Hon Barr. Chuba Oranusi and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the criminal code Cap C38, LFN2004 among others.”

  • Eha Amufu massacre: IPOB accuses Army of protecting herdsmen

    Eha Amufu massacre: IPOB accuses Army of protecting herdsmen

    As emotions and tears flowed on Thursday in Abuja as over 200 indigenes of Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo Local Government of Enugu State protested against the incessant killings of their people by suspected Fulani militia, the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB has blamed the military for the massacre.

    The protesters including men and women said hundreds of people living in Eha-Amufu have been killed in different attacks since 2021.

    IPOB on Saturday said the clandestine cover given by the military to herdsmen led to the killings.

    “We the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) want to inform the world that Nigeria Military masterminded the Fulani herdsmen terrorist genocidal attacks against the innocent people in Eha Amufu community in Enugu State, they said in a statement by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful.”

  • 2023: Enugu communities endorse Ugwuanyi for Senate

    2023: Enugu communities endorse Ugwuanyi for Senate

    It was wild jubilation in Ukehe, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area and in Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area, yesterday, when the Governor of Enugu State and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for Enugu North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi visited the two communities.

    Ugwuanyi was in the communities to witness the presentation of Christmas gifts to widows and the less privileged by his commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh and a member of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta, Barr. Patrick Onyema Omeke, respectively.

    Ugwuanyi who received loud ovation from the people of the communities on arrival, got their endorsements to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly in 2023 in recognition of his commitment to peace and good governance as well as his passion for charity, almsgiving and the wellbeing of the less privileged in the society.

    In Ukehe, the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Aroh, disclosed that Governor Ugwuanyi has been supporting the widows’ empowerment programme even before he became governor, adding that the event was in line with the governor’s long-held policy of sharing with the needy and the less privileged.

    Aroh revealed that the provision of Christmas gift items comprising 2,000 bags of 50kg rice, 2,000 bags of 25kg rice, 2000 bags of 10kg rice, 1,400 pieces of wrappers, 200 cartons of tomatoes, and 200 bags of salt, for the widows, was made possible because of the support that Governor Ugwuanyi has been giving him and his entire family.

  • Fedpoly Nekede accesses N400m TETFund for research development in four years

    Fedpoly Nekede accesses N400m TETFund for research development in four years

    The Rector of Federal Poly Nekede, Owerri Dr. Michael Chidiebere Arimanwa has disclosed that the institution has accessed N400 million from TETFund to carry out research and innovation development at various levels in the last four years.

    He said such researches had helped the institution to develop electric car, gas fire crucible burners, rice distoning machine, coconut dishusting machine, canal cracking and separation machine, palm fruit digesting machine, press-up machine, and cassava grading machine.

    Arimanwa made his achievements known during the 2022 end of the year solemn assembly held at the campus 1000 capacity.

    Addressing the management, staff and students of the institution, Arimanwa said that the school had also in the last four years of his administration developed surveillance aircraft that can be programmed to send messages to security authorities about a development around the school community.

  • Stakeholders drag Bayelsa PDP candidate to CCB for receiving double salaries

    Stakeholders drag Bayelsa PDP candidate to CCB for receiving double salaries

    Some stakeholders have dragged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate for Ekeremor Constituency 2, Mitin Living Ebikebena, to the Code of Conduct Bureau for allegedly receiving double salaries.

    Messrs. Akporhona Noah and Seiyefa Captain in a petition written to the CCB through their legal firm, A.O. Ishokare Esq, called on the CCB to investigate their allegations that Ebikebena, an employee of the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe breached the provisions of the code of conduct for public servants.

    The firm in the petition dated December 9, 2022 and received by the CCB on December 19, 2022 claimed that the PDP candidate violated paragraph two part one of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    It was gathered that Ebikebena had been in the employ of the polytechnic as an Accountant since July 10, 2014 and currently on a salary grade GL 09 CONTEDISS step five.

    But Ishokare said: “Our clients further informed us that while still in the employ of the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe and without resigning same, the said Mitin Living Ebikebena accepted another salaried employment and was employed by the Bayelsa State Petroleum Task Force from 2016 to 2019, as well as Bayelsa State Governor’s Special Representative, Ekeremor between 2019 and 2020.

    “Mitin Ebikebena was also employed by the Bayelsa State Government as the Ekeremor Constituency 2 Director, Bayelsa State Centre for Youth Development from November 2020 to April 2022. He received salaries and emoluments for each of the employment from the Government of Bayelsa State.

  • Ikpeazu sacks Abia council chairmen, deputies, councilors

    Ikpeazu sacks Abia council chairmen, deputies, councilors

    The governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has dissolved all the elected officers serving across the 17 local government ares of the state.

    Those affected were the 17 local government chairmen, their deputies and councilors.

    Our correspondent reports that the dissolution of the serving officers came on the heels of the two years expiration of their term in office.

    They were asked to hand over local government properties in their custody.

    “Following the expiration of the tenure of the Executive Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Council, the governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has approved their dissolution. The governor thanked them for their services and wish them well in their future endeavors.

    “The governor further directs that they hand over to the Head of Service of their various Local Government Council. The dissolution takes immediate effect.”