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The Court of Appeal Abuja has nullified the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission for the conduct of the state local government polls which has now been conducted. Delivering judgement, the special panel led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, held that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter as Section 28 of the Electoral Act does not cover elections conducted by states, only federal elections, governorship and area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory. The…

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has stated that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will be extradited to the country to face charges against him. Speaking on the arrest of Ekpa in a short press statement made available to newsmen, the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with Ekpa’s trial. Gusau wrote: “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.” Recall…

A former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign, Doyin Okupe, says the 2023 presidential election was not rigged by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Okupe, a former spokesman for President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos. “If Peter Obi (2023 LP presidential candidate) or the Labour Party says APC rigged elections, how come Obi was able to win in the home base of President Bola Tinubu? “How come APC lost election in the home base of the sitting President (Muhammadu Buhari)? How come APC lost election in…

A Finland district court in Lahti on Thursday, ordered the imprisonment of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on probable cause for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria. Ekpa was accused of using social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda linked to IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria. The court alleges that the offences date back to August 23, 2021. Finland authorities have also investigated Ekpa in the past for alleged financial crimes, including the collection of funds through questionable means. The head of the…

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa and four other individuals have been arrested in Finland over terror-related activities. A local report in Finland said that Ekpa, the self-declared Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. In a Thursday statement published on its website, the Central Criminal Police in Finland said it arrested five persons on suspicion of terrorist crimes, The Sun reported. The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime…

There was a mild drama on Wednesday in Anambra State when a local vigilante group and a police team opened fire at each other after mistaking themselves for pro-Biafra gunmen. The incident happened around 7 p.m. at Izuchukwu Junction along Nnobi-Nnewi Road in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state, residents told Premium Times Wednesday night. The scene of the incident is close to Otolo Nnewi, the hometown of Ifeanyi Ubah, the deceased Nigerian senator, billed to be buried on Friday. Some residents who spoke to Premium Times on Wednesday night said they thought pro-Biafra gunmen who had threatened…

The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 35 suspected internet fraudsters during an early morning sting operation on Wednesday, 20 November 2024. In a post on its Facebook page, EFCC said the suspects include 34 males and one female. Those arrested have been identified as Emmanuel James, Ukaomo Jefferson, Felix Onyema, Daniel Chimaobi, Chukwuemeka John, Prince Ogbonna, Charles Daniel, Emmanuel Igboanugo, Eric Uke, Emmanuel Ogechukwu, Chibuike Prosper, Obi Victor, Emmanuel Onwuchekwa, Prince Kingsley, Uchechi Awo, Chinonso Callistus, Edward Wisdom, Ejiogu Justice, Precious Edward, Moses Meshael, and Kalu Victor. Others are Ujoatu Goodluck, Ikeh Sochima,…

The Nigerian community in the United Kingdom has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support the repatriation and burial of Ifeanyi Obi, a 34-year-old Nigerian man who was found dead in his apartment in Birmingham on Thursday, 14 November 2024. The campaign, launched by members of the Nigerians in Diaspora community, aims to cover the costs of transporting Obi’s remains to his hometown of Ojoto in Anambra State, Nigeria. Funds raised will also contribute to funeral arrangements to ensure his final rites are conducted in line with local traditions. In a statement shared on their X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday,…

The chairman of the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area in Enugu State, Eric Odo, has justified his appointment of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) on Agriculture to boost food production. Mr Odo told reporters in Enugu on Wednesday that the appointment of SSAs on agriculture, specifically on garden egg, yam and pepper, was a strategic move. He said the appointment was meant to boost the production of these crops in large quantities to satisfy local demands and for export. The chairman said the LGA was good at growing these crops and had a great comparative advantage, hence the need to engage individuals…