Category Nigeria News

A 400-level University of Port Harcourt student was hanged for the murder of his girlfriend, according to a sentence issued by the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt.

The incident took place on October 20, 2023, inside the convict’s apartment in Mgbuosimini, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, according to court records.

READ MORE: NDLEA Refuses Attack By Suspected Cultists During Drug Raid In Rivers.

Justina Otuene, a 300-level Biochemistry student at the same institution, was killed, according to the prosecution, but also dismembered her body and put the parts in a wheelbarrow in an effort to dispose of them before he was apprehended.

The prosecution had established every conceivable doubt in a detailed judgment, according to Justice Chinwe Nsirirm-Nwosu, the trial judge.

The judge noted that the witness testimony and exhibits in court “left no room for contradiction,” calling Okoligwe’s actions “intentional, calculated, and chillingly coordinated.”

After the sentence was issued, Justice Nsirirm-Nwosu mandated that Okoligwe be hanged by the neck until proven dead.

The prosecution’s attorney, Charles Mbaba, applauded the verdict, claiming it represented justice for both Justina and her battling family.

He expressed confidence that the judgment would effectively deter other people.

In connection with Justina Otuene’s gruesome murder, justice has been shown to have been committed.

Desmond Okoligwe brutally murdered Justina in circumstances reminiscent of ritual intentions despite that she was the only child of her parents.

We only hope that Justina’s soul can rest peacefully now that he has been found guilty of the murder of her, he continued.

Further, the attorney continued, “I think this decision will deter youths who think shortcuts in life are the only way to become wealthy as quickly as possible.”

Members of the victim’s family both expressed relief and sorrow over the decision, while the convict’s attorney declined to comment.

Osatawaji Otuene, Justina’s brother, said the family now experiences some sense of closure after months of agony.

I really want to commend the judge for his thoroughness of judgment. Today’s court hearing was flawless, and I’m happy to see that the judgment was made.

He said, “It’s a relief that my sister didn’t just die for nothing; therefore, the judgment was given and the judgment was deserved, so it’s a relief to the family.”

In Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area (LGA), the state’s Ogun government, in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), seven battery recycling facilities were shut down for lead emissions, among other risky practices. &nbsp,

According to NESREA, the factories were sealed as a result of the operators’ failure to adhere to the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024.

The organizations committed to managing ULAB slag and base metal residue in a safe, environmentally sound, and socially responsible manner, as well as to prioritize staff health and safety, including providing Personal Protective Equipment and conducting annual blood lead testing, according to a statement released on its website.

In addition to their obligations to the host community and their environmental responsibility, recyclers are required to conduct annual environmental impact audits of the surrounding communities, switch to cleaner recycling methods, and take part in pilot projects for slag reuse for brick and cement raw materials.

Ola Oresanya, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, said the action became necessary to safeguard the public’s health.

According to Oresanya, the government takes proactive measures to lessen the impact of the emissions.

He assured the commissioner that there was no reason to be alarmed. ORESYNA directed all businesses on the state’s axis to adopt best international practices for their operations.

The state has also pushed for an immediate ban on lead-ingot export from the state.

OGUN DESPERATES THE TEMPORARY SUPPORT OF LEAD INGOT EXPORTS, SHUTS SEVEN RECYCLING PLANTS, AND SUSPENSIONS OF OTHER PLANTS

In a bid to conduct an in-depth investigation into alleged lead contamination in the Ogijo region of Sagamu, the Ogun State Government has requested an immediate, temporary suspension of lead ingot exportation. twitter.com/czoZNT1QZb

According to Oresanya, who led a team of experts from the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) and the National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in the industrial town, the government will conduct a health and process audit of the industries and test for the level of lead in the air, water, and soil.

While questioning the previous test’s design, the commissioner made the promise to make the findings known to the general public.

 , see more photos below.

1,095 property titles that have recently been revoked due to non-payment of statutory land charges have been subject to enforcement actions by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The senior special assistant to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Lore Olayinka, made the disclosure on Friday.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barr., is hereby notified to the general public, particularly those who own property in the FCT. According to the statement, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has approved the start of enforcement actions against 1,095 properties in the Federal Capital City (FCC) for defaulting on various payments.

He claimed that the Federal Capital City (FCC)’s Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse districts had affected properties.

INCLUDED: Nigeria Is Not Included In US Plans to Review Green Cards for 19 Countries.

While 835 properties involved ground rent default, 260 others involved land use conversion fees and other fines.

The administration warned defaulters to clear their debts or face losing their titles over a number of public notices distributed between May and November 2025, according to the administration’s press release.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued several publications and public notices to defaulters, including ground rent, certificate of occupancy (C-of-O) bills, penalties/violations, and land use conversion fees, but these are all published in a statement that reads, “The underlisted property holders have failed to comply,” the statement read.

This conflicts with the terms and conditions of grant of the respective Rights of Occupancy, as well as Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.

Following the expiration of the final 14-day grace period on November 25, Wike’s attorney claimed his principal approved the enforcement.

Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, expressed gratitude to the state’s governor for his continued goodwill toward the people of the state during a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. &nbsp,

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Soludo made the disclosure in a post on his X handle on Friday. &nbsp,

His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was honored on Thursday with a courtesy visit to his dear friend and brother of over 22 years at the State House in Abuja, according to the post. &nbsp,

“Mr. President welcomed me with his customary warmth, smile, and welcoming arms. He personally thanked me once more for the overwhelming victory the good people of Anambra State had won in the recently concluded governorship election, describing it as a testament to the trust and confidence Ndi Anambra has in our shared vision for a livable and prosperous homeland.

LINK to [Anambra Poll] INEC Presents Return Certificates to Governor Soludo, Deputy Governor

His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and my dear friend and brother of over 22 years were received yesterday at the State House in Abuja as a courtesy visit.

Mr. President showed me his customary warmth, smile, and warm embrace. He personally thanked me for the… image once more. twitter.com/wfWKYmegfQ

The governor of Anambra thanked Tinubu for supporting his government’s efforts to improve the state and nation.

He predicts that Nigeria’s aspirations will come true with such a partnership.

Governor Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who was just elected for a second term, expressed his deep gratitude to Mr. President for his immediate congratulatory message on that historic day and for his continued goodwill and support for Anambra State. &nbsp,

“We are one Nigeria, and we will build the Anambra and the Nigeria of our dreams together with God on our side.” May Anambra keep winning”! ,

Below are some images from Soludo’s trip to Tinubu:

Tigran Gambaryan, former Binance Head of Financial Crime Compliance in Nigeria, filed a lawsuit against the NSA and the EFCC.

Gambaryan had brought legal action against the NSA and EFCC over alleged unlawful and drawn-out detention.

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the Binance agent’s fundamental rights enforcement action was an abuse of court procedure.

No court had the authority to halt the police’s or EFCC’s investigative powers, according to Justice Umar, who ruled that the NSA had carried out his legal duties within his purview.

The lawsuit was subsequently dropped by the judge, who ruled that Gambaryan had provided no evidence to support his claim that he had been barred from prosecution under Nigerian law.

READ MORE: FG Dismisses Gambaryan’s “False Allegations,” Says Binance Offered $5m Payment

In connection with the allegations against Binance Holdings Ltd. of money laundering and foreign exchange contravention, Gambaryan and his coworker Nadeem Anjarwalla were taken into custody at the NSA’s office.

However, Anjarwalla escaped from a reputable custody and fled the nation in early 2024.

However, Gambaryan fought for the protection of his fundamental right in the lawsuit brought by his attorney, Tonye Krukrubo, SAN.

Krukrubo had requested that the NSA and EFCC apologize for his client’s detention there.

In the affidavit that was included with the lawsuit, the lawyer claimed that the Federal Government was using Gambaryan’s protracted detention as a means of “holding on” Binance.

He further explained to the court that his client, an American citizen, only accepted an invitation from NSA and EFCC representatives to meet with government officials in Nigeria on February 26, 2024.

He added that his client, who is not a member of Binance’s board, was taken into custody after accepting the invitation.

Therefore, he urged the court to declare that the respondents’ unlawful detention of the applicant (Gambaryan) between February 26 and February 27 (period of detention prior to the remand order) and March 12 through April 8 (period of detention after the remand order expired until arraignment) has resulted in significant hardship and emotional stress for the applicant, his wife, children, and other members of his family.

However, the EFCC and NSA urged the court to reject the application in a counteraffidavit.

Olanrewaju Adeola, the attorney for the anti-graft organization, brought a charge against Binance Holdings Ltd &amp, another, filed on March 28, 2024, to Justice Emeka Nwite’s attention.

Justice Nwite is in charge of the case, which involves allegations of money laundering and foreign exchange fraud against the cryptocurrency company.

The attorney then demanded that the lawsuit be dismissed because it constituted a flagrant abuse of court procedures.

He further urged the judge to take into account the circumstances surrounding the sister court’s proceedings in order to render a fair decision.

He claimed that during the time the incident occurred, Gambaryan had received a remand order.

Justice Umar stated in the judgment that the court would not “interfere” with the Nigerian authorities’ role in the investigation of suspected foreign exchange fraud and alleged money laundering involving the cryptocurrency platform under the pretext of Gambaryan’s fundamental rights claims.

The judge made it clear that Binance’s criminal cases from 2024 are still pending.

He pointed out in the affidavit evidence that Gambaryan had previously been arraigned before Justice Nwite and later placed on administrative leave.

The court rejected Gambaryan’s bail application on the grounds that he was “a flight risk,” according to the judge.

Justice Umar ruled that Binance and its officials’ affidavits established that the EFCC and the NSA had received intelligence reports regarding alleged money laundering and FX contraventions.

Fundamental rights may be curbed, according to the judge, who argued that they are not absolute.

Following the coup that overthrew the West African nation’s government, former president Goodluck Jonathan resigned from Guinea-Bissau.

Additionally, the ministry of foreign affairs confirmed that Jonathan is safe and has flown on a special plane with his delegation.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former president of Guinea-Bissau, is safely and out of the country. According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry’s spokesperson, “He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Ibm Chambas.”

Read more about Nigeria’s “Unfortunate,” which condemns coup in Guinea-Bissau and demands the restoration of the Constitutional Order.

Before the military announced the end of power, Jonathan, who is the West African Elders Forum’s election monitoring mission, was in the nation to watch the presidential and legislative elections held last Sunday.

Three days after the West African nation’s legislative and presidential elections were held by military officers in Guinea-Bissau, military officers suspended the country’s electoral process and closed its borders.

A command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice,” according to General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, in the early afternoon.

Umaro Embalo, the incumbent president, was in favor of winning the election on Sunday.

General Horta N’Tam, the army’s chief of staff, was appointed as the nation’s new leader on Thursday for a year-long appointment.

Condemns Coup by FG

The government of Nigeria called for the West African nation’s government to rescind the coup on Thursday and demand that the country’s democracy be restored.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed disappointment at the incident and called Guinea-Bissau’s military takeover an “unfortunate” situation.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, wrote, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, in the strongest terms, condemns this act of military insurrection that undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability of the entire West African sub-region.”

The ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means, and this coup d’état is a flagrant violation of those fundamental principles.

We demand the full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions in Guinea-Bissau, the safety and security of all those detained, and the immediate and unequivocal restoration of constitutional order, “we stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau,” he continued.

  Guinea-Bissau Military Appoints General As Leader After Coup;

Officials’ release is demanded by ECOWAS.

Election observers from the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also voiced their concerns about the coup and demanded that the military release government officials who had been detained during the incident.

The West African Elders Forum’s President Goodluck Jonathan, the African Union’s Election Observation Mission’s former leader, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, and the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission’s Issifu Baba Braimah Kamara signed a statement.

It’s unfortunate that this announcement was made just as the missions were meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who had assured us that they would support the people’s demands.