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NO SACRED COWS AT THE BAR: SPI-LAW’S PETITION AGAINST FORMER AGF ABUBAKAR MALAMI AND THE IMPERATIVE OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY Following a careful study of the multiple alleged infractions, including allegations bordering on criminal conduct and clear issues of professional misconduct, attributed to Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation since his departure from office , for which he is still facing prosecution in respect of some of these matters, I became particularly concerned that the Nigerian Bar Association has remained unusually quiet in activating the obvious professional dimensions arising from these allegations, thereby allowing the criminal proceedings to proceed in isolation. I do not wish to dwell, on the alleged manner in which Malami conducted himself in office, or on the various acts attributed to him which, if established, would be unbecoming of a learned Senior Advocate, much less a holder of the exalted office of Attorney-General of...

Anambra Mayor-Elect Unveils Councilorship Achievements  RAYMOND OZOJI reports  With barely few days to his inauguration as the next Executive Chairman and Mayor of Idemili-South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Hon. Oluchukwu John Ilogbenu (Olutek), has unveiled his achievements as the Councillor who represented Nnobi ward 2 in the Idemili-South Congress of Councillors.  Ilogbenu who spoke to this journalist exclusively, disclosed that his constituents in Nnobi ward 2 felt the impact of his representation and stewardship at the Idemili-South legislative council as he was able to attract road constructions, education support, human capital development programmes, healthcare programmes and a host of other developmental projects and programmes to his constituency.  He told this journalist that as a Councillor, Nnobi ward 2 witnessed projects, interventions and initiatives which addressed critical needs of the people especially in the areas of road co...

PG ANISA/ANIAS, Chief Great Ugwuoke Sets To Represent Udenu Constituency In Enugu State House of Assembly  All is set for the emergence of Chief Great Ugwuoke, the President General (PG) Association of Non Indigenes Welfare in Anambra State(ANISA/ANIAS) as member representing Udenu Constituency In Enugu State House of Assembly. The development followed his emergence as Standard Bearer for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Udenu Constituency. Chief Ugwuoke brings to the many years of Cognate Experience. ENTERPRISE AND A CASE FOR SERVICE: From business leadership to community advocacy, the PDP’s 2027 Udenu House of Assembly flag bearer presents a record that deserves public scrutiny. Political ambition should face a simple test: What experience does a candidate bring, and how will that experience serve the people? For Ugwuoke Ikechukwu Eugenio, popularly known as Ambassador Chief Great Ugwuoke, the answer begins with his background in business, public administration ...

Arum Ji Ebenebe: Celebrating Harvest, Culture and the Spirit of Community The thunder of ogene bells, the rhythm of traditional drums and the aroma of freshly roasted yam filled the air as thousands of people gathered in Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, for the 2026 Arum Ji (Iri Ji) New Yam Festival. Dressed in colourful traditional attire, titled men, women, youths, clergy, traditional rulers and other guests turned the palace of the Traditional Ruler of Ebenebe into a vibrant celebration of culture, agriculture and community life. For the people of Ebenebe, Arum Ji is more than the eating of the first yam of the season. It is a thanksgiving to God for a successful harvest, a celebration of farming and an occasion for families and community groups to renew bonds of peace, unity and collective responsibility. The 2026 celebration also attracted political stakeholders and aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections, reflecting the importance of t...

COMEN Urges Anambra Residents to Embrace Health Insurance to Reduce Medical Costs From Seun Miracle  The Community Empowerment Network (COMEN) has urged residents of Anambra State to enrol in health insurance schemes to reduce the financial pressure associated with medical treatment. The organisation made the call during a health awareness outreach at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Urum, in Awka North Local Government Area of the state. Speaking at the event, the Secretary of COMEN in Anambra State, Albert Chinwuko, said health insurance could provide families with financial protection when they require medical attention, particularly during emergencies and other costly treatments. He said many households could be forced into financial hardship when faced with unexpected hospital bills, stressing that health insurance provides an opportunity to spread the cost of healthcare rather than paying the full amount when illness occurs. Chinwuko illustrated the benefit with the e...

Police operatives disrupt suspected cult gathering in Onitsha, arrest 1 suspect  From Seun Miracle  Operatives of Anambra State Police Command have on Sunday disrupted a suspected cult-related gathering at Abagana Street, Fegge, Onitsha,  The breakthrough was said to be as a result of credible intelligence received by operatives of Fegge Police Station. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, Tochukwu Ikenga(SP) revealed this in a press statement. Ikenga said, "Acting swiftly on the information, the operatives moved to the location and arrested Chinedu Ike, male, aged 25 years, while other persons suspected to be members of the group reportedly fled on sighting the Police. "During preliminary interrogation, the arrested suspect allegedly admitted to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity. "Following the development, the Police have immediately commenced intelligence-led efforts to identify, trace and apprehend the fleeing suspects, as...

UNGA 2026: WHEN WORLD LEADERS SPOKE — AND THE DELEGATES BECAME SPECTATORS NIGERIA: PRESENT, BUT IS THE PRESIDENT MISSING IN ACTION? The 81st United Nations General Assembly may have come and gone, but some of its speeches will not disappear into the usual diplomatic archives. Two addresses, in particular, commanded unusual attention: President Donald Trump of the United States and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. The lesson was unmistakable: at the UN, speeches may be diplomatic, but power politics remains very much alive. FOR TRUMP: “WHILE OTHERS HAVE TALKED, I HAVE ACTED” Trump came not merely to deliver another diplomatic address, but to challenge the prevailing philosophy of the international system. His principal messages were anchored on  American sovereignty first: No global government, global taxation or international institution should supersede the sovereignty of nations; UN reform: He argued that the UN possesses enormous potential but must cut bu...

NOTHING MUST HAPPEN TO PETER OBI: PRESIDENT TINUBU MUST ACT NOW; PROTECT PETER OBI , PROTECT THE DEMOCRATIC SPACE,-NIGERIA MUST NOT WAIT FOR TRAGEDY BEFORE IT ACTS.  As I attentively listened to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 presidential election, speak during a prime-time interview on Arise TV a night ago, I was deeply struck by the gravity of his expressed apprehension about his personal safety and whether he would remain alive until the 2027 election. That statement ought not to be dismissed as ordinary campaign rhetoric. It should trouble every discerning Nigerian, regardless of political party, ethnic affiliation, religious persuasion or preferred candidate. Indeed, when a presidential candidate publicly expresses uncertainty about his own safety in the period leading to a national election, the appropriate response from every responsible institution should be vigilance, sober inquiry and preventive action, n...

SWOFON Seeks Budget Accountability as Anambra’s Farm Spending Falls Below 1% From Seun Miracle  The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Anambra State Chapter, has challenged the Anambra State Government to make agricultural budgets more transparent, traceable and responsive to the needs of women farmers, warning that participation in policymaking means little without visible investments on the ground. The organisation made the call in Awka during the launch of its policy brief, Women Farmers: Voice to Action, where it also unveiled findings from the IBP–SWOFON Impact Assessment (2019–2025). The report examined six years of advocacy aimed at increasing women’s influence in agricultural budgeting and public policy. SWOFON said the assessment reveals a mixed picture: while women farmers are now more involved in budget consultations and policy dialogue, government spending has not kept pace with their expectations, leaving critical agricultural servi...

Testimonies as journalist's mother is laid to rest in Ukpor  By Isaac Ojo  Family, friends and associates on Thursday attended the Funeral Mass for Madam Rebecca Nwadiogo Ojiaku at St Mary Assumed Into Heaven Parish, Umuohama, Ukpor in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State. Madam Rebecca Nwadiogo Ojiaku is the mother of Anambra State based journalist, Chinonyelum Ojiaku. In his homily during the funeral mass, Rev Fr Victor Ikechukwu his Bible Reading from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 Vrs 1-4 and Romans Chapter 14: 7-12, emphasized the need for christians to tailor their lives after the order Jesus Christ. He declared categorically that death is an end all mortal must experience no matter how long an individual live on planet Earth. Rev Fr Ikechukwu thanked God for the life led by the mother of the journalist who according to him is common knowledge. "Even at her old age and frailty she was always early to the mass and other programs of the church, she would not just come on t...

DeCODE Seeks Anambra Ministry’s Support for Menstruation Policy The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) has sought the support and cooperation of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for the development and adoption of a state policy on menstruation. The organisation made the request during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Nkeiru Mokwe, as part of efforts to advance its Menstrual Ease for Girls (ME4Girls) Project. The ME4Girls Project is being implemented by DeCODE with support from Rise Up Together. Led by its Executive, Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze, the DeCODE team briefed the Permanent Secretary on the progress of the project and urged the ministry to lead the process of adopting the proposed state policy on menstruation. Enweonwu-Arinze said the project began with a baseline assessment of menstrual hygiene management in Anambra State, after which DeCODE convened civil society organisa...

SWOFON Demands Gender-Responsive Policies, Better Support for Women Fa By Seun Miracle  The Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Anambra State Chapter, has unveiled a policy brief advocating gender-responsive agricultural policies, increased budgetary allocations and improved access to resources for women farmers to strengthen food security. The policy brief was launched as part of SWOFON's national campaign, themed “Women Farmers: Voice to Action,” which seeks to amplify the priorities of smallholder women farmers and secure concrete commitments from government and development partners on agricultural policy, budgeting and implementation. In her welcome address, SWOFON Anambra State Coordinator, Mrs Georgina Akunyiba, said the event was aimed at presenting the key findings and recommendations contained in the policy brief and ensuring that the voices of smallholder women farmers are reflected in government policies and programmes. “We are here to...

Suspected thugs Attack Awlaw Development Coordinator In Own Community  By Seun Kuti The Coordinator of the Awlaw Strategic Development Initiative, Mr. Imah Felix, was attacked by thugs wielding dangerous weapons on Wednesday evening in his village. The incident occurred at about 6:35 p.m. around the Sir G.T.N. Tabansi Civic Centre in Ubaha, Awlaw, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State. In a Save Our Soul (SOS) message sent to journalists at the scene, Mr. Imah alleged that he had received intelligence on Tuesday about a plot to attack him. He said he was warned by party officials not to come close to his village but decided to go home, citing his right to freedom of movement as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. “At about 6:35 p.m. today, Wednesday, the Senior Legislative Assistant to Senator Osita Ngwu in Awlaw, Mr. Merit Akasieme Umebuani, and some other persons drove in from Enugu and attacked me. They attacked me at Afor Ubah, beat me up, took a video...

Anambra community on edge over New Yam festival by illegitimate monarch  *Igwesip tussle despite court orders By Chuks Collins, Awka  Sept 23,2026 An Anambra State High Court sitting at Umunze, Orumba South Council area has ordered Barrister Kenneth Maduka who until now had been parading and putting himself forward as the traditional ruler of Umuchukwu, to stop forthwith or face the consequences. Already a contempt process has been filled against him, the community 's President General and two others. Moreso the court noted that a pending case which to determine when to fix the selection process of Igwe of Umuchukwu has not concluded the final determination of the suit before it. The court presided over by Honourable Justice Jude Obiora after painstakingly listening to the arguments by the parties in the suit before it between Hon Emeka Onwusoronye and others Vs Barrister Kenneth Maduka, Emeka Adunchezor( the President General of Umuchukwu community), and Mgbike Tw...

Catholic Bishop Ezeokafor, Ebube Muonso, Odumeje bless, honour philanthropist who brought ultra modern mall home By Chuks Collins, Awka Sept 22, 2026 The Ifite-Dunu community in Dunukofia Council of Anambra State has has thrown the doors of her new ultra modern shopping Mall/market open. This was sited at the Ukpomili village Square, Ifite-Dunu community market square. The grand opening of the mall which now added beauty to the area also broadened means of steady income to the community folks. The project which was facilitated by their illustrious son- Chief Vincent Udobi(Ike- Dunukofia) was consecrated and commissioned by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Paulinus Okafor. The event was celebrated alongside the community's 2026 New Yam festival, which made the gathering very grande and well attended by people from all walks of life. Chief Udobi a renowned philanthropist and humanitarian's presence drew a lot of governmental, political, business and religious heavy weight...

EDO ON THE EDGE: OKPEBHOLO’S BLOODY RHETORIC AND THE POLITICAL TIME BOMB BUILDING UNDER TINUBU’S WATCH There are moments in the life of a nation when responsible citizens must speak, not because the fire has already consumed the house, but because smoke is unmistakably coming from the roof. Edo State may be approaching such a moment. Since assuming office on November 12, 2024, Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has repeatedly engaged in unusually combative rhetoric against political opponents, particularly in the context of the emerging 2027 political contest. Some of these utterances have generated public controversy and have been interpreted by opposition figures and civil-society actors as threatening, even though the Governor and his administration have, on occasions, rejected that interpretation. The July 2025 controversy surrounding NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi is instructive. Governor Okpebholo publicly warned Obi not to come to Edo without security clearance....

Anayo Orjiako Showcases First Term Achievements In Ihiala Local Government Area  By Raymond Ozoji, Awka  Transparency and accountability are two cardinal principles of public administration and good governance especially at the third tier of government. Also the deployment of public funds for public good especially when such funds address the most pressing and fundamental needs of the people with direct positive impacts on their living conditions, exemplifies presence of government in the lives of the citizens.  This is the situation in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where the reelected Chairman and Mayor, Hon. Engr. Anayochukwu Charles Orjiako has deployed public funds for public good as evident in the plethora of projects and programmes that have direct positive impacts on the living conditions of Ihiala people.  Anayo Orjiako in this report showcased his first term achievements as Ihiala Local Government Chairman with concrete projects ...

Disability Advocate Uzoamaka Stella Ike Honoured for Digital Inclusion Nigerian disability rights advocate and digital storyteller, Uzoamaka Stella Ike, has been honoured with the Social Media for Social Good Award 3.0 for her efforts to promote digital inclusion and amplify the voices of persons with disabilities. The award was presented during the International Peace Summit in Abuja, organised by the Engage Empower Educate Initiative (EEEI). Ike, who could not attend the ceremony, was represented by Capt. John Miracle, who received the award on her behalf. The recognition acknowledges her work in using digital communication, storytelling and social media advocacy to draw attention to issues affecting marginalised communities, particularly women and young persons with disabilities. Ike is the Founder and Chief Executive Director of FalconsCare Initiative for Women with Disabilities Empowerment (FIWDE), Chief Executive Officer of the Young Persons with Disabilities Network ...