Category Nigeria News

Former Labour Party presidential campaign council spokesman Kenneth Okonkwo has denied lying to Peter Obi, the party’s candidate for president, during the 2023 election.

In the poll, Okonkwo, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, claimed he never spoke with any of Obi’s rivals.

He continued, “I never consulted any politician when I worked for him.” I’m releasing a statement in front of the public. I’ve never spoken to any political parties. I was 100% loyal.

I told the entire world when I left, “I’m not going to speak for this person again,” I said.

They are unable to comprehend the meaning of betrayal. Anyone who mentions me in a letter or comment does not reflect who I am.

READ ALSO: Jandor and PDP Candidates Sitting On Gunpowder Keg In 2027

In July 2024, Okonkwo, a fervent supporter of Obi in the previous election, split up with the former Anambra governor and quit the Labour Party.

The actor-turned-lawyer-turned-politician had criticized LP’s internal disagreements and Obi’s failure to address them.

Obi was asked to tell the world how he betrayed him after leaving the party on Sunday by Okonkwo, who is now an active member of the coalition and is now hoping to defeat All Progressives Congress (APC) President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

“I’ll grant Obi the right to his opinion.” We don’t fight for God in our religion. Since he claimed that Jesus had 12 (disciples), one of whom turned against him. In the analogy, he is claiming to be the Jesus.

How is it possible to betray someone for whom you are not working? Okonkwo asked during the previous electioneering process, even as he refrained from obtaining money or a home from Obi.

Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue State, has suspended Mkor Aondona, his Special Adviser on Documentation, Research, and Planning, after she was detained by EFCC, SEC, and sextorted for allegedly extorting, cyberbullying, and blackmail.

The governor claimed that Tersoo Kula, his spokesman, had declared the suspension to be unconstitutional on Sunday.

The governor argued that the governor’s decision was one of upholding public service integrity, discipline, and accountability.

He claimed that any member of his administration who found themselves ineligible in matters of criminality or ethical misconduct would face legal sanction.

The Governor makes it clear that his administration will not tolerate any act that discredits or undermines public trust while assuring the public that the law will continue in its entirety without interference or bias.

READ MORE: EFCC Arrests Benue Governor’s Aid For Accusations of Sextortion and Cyberbullying

Following allegations by some female students that the suspect had acted in dishonest and criminal behavior on Friday, June 20, 2025, the EFCC had made the suspect’s arrest and report for alleged sextortion and cyberbullying in Makurdi.

The petitioners had asserted that Aondona frequently sought out slim and attractive women for tuxedo jobs in the ushering industry and that they had pressed for sexual favors as a selection precondition.

Aondona is also alleged to have been involved in blackmail, sending explicit videos of the girls that were allegedly hacked into without their knowledge or consent via various messaging services. Some of the videos are said to be available.

Eight suspected kidnappers have been detained and two have been rescued from the 22 Armoured Brigade’s deployment to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Patigi.

In order to continue the ongoing efforts to remove criminal elements from Kwara State and protect public safety, a coordinated raid on a suspected kidnappers’ enclave was carried out.

Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, the acting assistant director of the Army Public Relations 22 Brigade Ilorin, stated in a statement on Sunday that troops launched a tactical operation on Saturday, June 21, 2025, aiming to attack a hideout in the Patigi Local Government Area, citing credible information.

Read more here: Police Launch Manhunt For Rivers Council Attackers Administrator.

“Staff encountered a light resistance during the engagement, but they quickly subdued the criminals with superior firepower. Eight suspected kidnappers were detained as a result of the operation, which included the rescue of two kidnap victims, Mr. Amos Moses and Mr. Philip Michael.

However, one person, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed, was shot in the head during the firefight, and was taken to Bachita Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Two motorcycles and two empty cartridge shells, which are believed to be used by the suspects, were recovered as a result of additional exploitation in the area. The statement read in part, “All arrested people are currently in military custody for preliminary investigation and will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.”

The operation, according to the article, highlights the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to safeguarding people’s safety and property across the nation. &nbsp,

32 cows died in Osara village in Odedi Local Government Area of the state as a result of a landslide and lightning.

Omolola Odutola, the police public relations officer, confirmed this in a statement released in the state capital of Abeokuta.

Two Osara community herders reported the incident at Aregbe Divisional Headquarters, which involved the death of 32 cows in a nearby forest earlier that day, to her.

Read more about Tinubu’s order to defend the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

The herders, who are jointly responsible for the livestock, speculated that the deaths may have been caused by severe thunderstorms and lightning, but she claimed that the livestock’s total financial value was unknown at the time of the report.

The Divisional Police Officer performed a quick on-the-spot assessment. The cattle were discovered lying lifeless in various positions in the forest after initial observations revealed no obvious injuries or foul play on them.

The owners stated that they had not made any allegations or accusations but did not suspect any particular person or group.

The abduction of Hon. was vehemently condemned by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch. The act is a grave threat to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, according to Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, a current judge of the High Court of Bayelsa State.

On Saturday night, June 21, 2025, Justice Omukoro was allegedly kidnapped by masked gunmen at Kilimanjaro Eatery, which is located directly opposite Yenagoa’s well-known Ekeki Park.

Before the incident took place, he reportedly had just finished an engagement in Warri, Delta State.

In a lengthy statement signed by Barr, the head of the NBA Yenagoa Branch. The association expressed serious concern about the rising insecurity aimed at judicial officers, according to Somina Johnbull.

Read more about Tinubu’s demonization of the killing of 12 tourists in Plateau.

On Monday, June 23rd, 2025, the NBA Yenagoa announced a symbolic boycott of all courts in Bayelsa State. Legal professionals will stage a solidarity protest march in addition to the boycott.

By 9:00 AM, state attorneys from across the state are expected to converge at the High Court Headquarters in Yenagoa, dressed in regulation and wearing only bibs and uniforms. This is a show of unity and resistance.

The statement also states that protest letters will be formally delivered to the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police and the DSS’s State Director, urging them to take immediate and effective steps to ensure the judge’s release from custody.

The NBA emphasized that the protest is necessary to ensure that judicial officers are free to carry out their duties without fear or threat while taking symbolic steps to uphold the integrity of the legal profession.

The largest rare earth and critical minerals plant in Africa, which has the potential to produce over 10,000 jobs and jobs nationwide, has been fully supported by the Federal Government’s $400 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plan.

Dele Alake, the minister of solid mineral development, praised Hasetins Commodities Limited, the project’s funders, for their involvement in President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s value-adding campaign and for confirming that mineral processing is the best way to remove the unemployed from the streets.

Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, made this statement on Sunday. &nbsp,

As the company’s plans for the upcoming groundbreaking of the additional facility gain more weight, according to him, Hasetins hopes to increase its current installed capacity by 12 000 metric tons to 12 000 metric tons.

Read more about Tinubu’s order to defend the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

Alake said the establishment of the plant would promote skills transfer and increase the contributions of the solid minerals sector to the economy. It is a significant milestone in efforts to boost investor confidence in the mining sector.

Alake praised Hasetins for its strategic foresight and patriotic investment in a $400 million rare earth metals plant while addressing the company’s Managing Director/CEO Prince Jidayi Ijudigal and his team during a courtesy visit.

“I’m pleased that this groundbreaking initiative has come to an end with our ongoing engagements.” The largest rare earth and critical metals plant in Africa, right here in Nigeria, is now being built with your assistance. &nbsp,

I commend your commitment to this crucial sector on behalf of the president, the ministry, and the Nigerian people. Your patriotic fervor confirms that our policies are working out well and producing tangible outcomes, Dr. Alake continued.

Prince Jidayi expressed his deep gratitude for the Minister’s leadership and reforms, which, according to him, have significantly boosted investor confidence and streamlined access to the mining sector.

We’ve seen changes to the licensing process and the introduction of mining marshals to stop illegal mining. Our decision to invest a lot in this project has been directly influenced by these efforts. We are also establishing regional separation plants, strengthening local communities, and, he said, “besides this flagship plant, we are also setting up regional separation plants.”

According to Prince Jidayi, the company’s business model allows artisanal miners to earn money right away by pre-separating metals locally. Additionally, the initiative includes community engagement, protective equipment, and training.

Peter Butt, Hasetins’ director of corporate affairs, also gave a speech in praise of Dr. Alake’s revitalization of the mining industry’s purpose and structure. He emphasized that the Minister’s strong emphasis on local value added supported the company’s choice to pursue a sustainable, community-driven development.

Rare earth metals and Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are two of the key metals produced by Hasetins Commodities Ltd., a company that is dedicated to producing critical metals for high-tech applications and defense systems. &nbsp,