Category: PM News

The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court sitting in Awka on Thursday ordered the remand of a 45-year-old bricklayer, Ikenna Muojekwu, for allegedly defiling his 14-year-old daughter.

The defendant, who resides at Nduana village, Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra, is facing a charge of defilement.

The prosecutor, Insp Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the offence was committed sometime in March at Nduana village, Aguluzigbo.

Okechukwu said the girl moved in with her father in 2025 after separating from her mother.

She said the girl told police that the defendant, who often returned home drunk, had been sleeping with her until she could no longer bear it and reported the matter to a tenant in the house, who alerted the police.

The prosecutor said a medical examination conducted at the Ntasi Sexual Assault Referral Centre, General Hospital, Enugu-Ukwu, confirmed that the girl had been defiled.

She said the offence contravened Section 3(2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Anambra State, 2017.

Okechukwu prayed the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility, in line with Section 130(2)(a)(b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs U.E. Onochie, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre.

Onochie adjourned the case until Aug. 12 for further hearing.

Isaac Fayose has delivered a damning verdict on Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the 2027 general election, declaring that the African Democratic Congress and Nigeria Democratic Congress have been pushed back to ‘square zero.’

Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, said the legal crises confronting both parties had severely damaged their preparations for the election.

He spoke on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday while expressing concerns about the growing influence of the courts in Nigeria’s electoral process.

‘Take a look at what they are doing to the opposition: the African Democratic Congress and the Nigeria Democratic Congress. They have taken them to square zero,’ Fayose said.

His comments followed major legal setbacks suffered by both opposition parties.

The Court of Appeal recently upheld a judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led ADC leadership. Premium Times

The NDC has also been battling for survival after a Federal High Court withdrew the legal recognition previously granted to the party, throwing the fate of its 2027 candidates into uncertainty. The Guardian

Fayose predicted that the 2027 presidential contest would eventually become another courtroom battle.

‘We’re looking to 2027, but it will still end up in court. We will have a coronation,’ he claimed.

He accused the judiciary of wielding excessive influence over the emergence of Nigerian presidents, arguing that repeated post-election litigation had weakened public confidence in the democratic process.

Fayose went further by claiming that Nigeria no longer had an effective electoral commission or functioning democracy.

‘There is nothing like INEC or democracy in Nigeria. What we have now is government of the court, by the court and for the court,’ he said.

He also alleged that the judiciary’s involvement in political disputes explained government housing projects for judges. However, he presented no evidence connecting those projects to electoral judgments.

Fayose maintained that Nigeria was increasingly being governed by civilian leaders who behaved like dictators, although they did not wear military uniforms.

The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 40-year-old content creator Ifeanyi Ogbonna, popularly known as Odogwu, for allegedly raping a 20-year-old lady.

The victim, Favour Agbro was reported to have been a nursing student in Asaba who wanted to learn content creation. Ogbonna, the suspect, alleged leverage on this and lured her into his hotel room, where he tormented and raped her.

Favour, before committing suicide, made a video detailing her encounter with Ogbonna.

The Delta State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed Ogbonna’s arrest via his X handle.

‘The Delta State Police Command has arrested a popular content creator, one Ifeanyi Ogbonna, male, aged 40, also popularly known as Odogwu of Asaba, in connection with the alleged rape of a 20-year-old girl. The suspect invited the victim to Asaba under the guise of teaching her content creation, lured her to his hotel room, and allegedly tortured and rápêd her. The victim, who could not bear the agony, recorded a video of her meeting and then took insecticide; she died while seeking treatment,’ he wrote.

Ogbonna in a now viral video was seen appealing to the victim’s family. He claimed the incident was a ‘terrible mistake’.

‘This is a very terrible mistake. I’m ready to give everything,’ he stated.

A teacher and school counsellor, Mr. Olatunde Olutoye, has shared a chilling account of his 56-day captivity after he was abducted during an attack on his school by armed men who claimed to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Speaking on a morning programme on Naija Info FM Lagos and monitored by PM News Nigeria, Olutoye recounted how a routine school day turned into a nightmare as gunmen stormed the school, forcing students and teachers to flee for their lives.

According to him, despite being unwell on the day of the attack, he chose to report for duty and joined his colleagues in supervising tests for students in Junior Secondary School One to Three.

‘On the fateful day, I went to school even though I was sick. We were conducting tests for JSS1 to JSS3 students alongside other colleagues when we suddenly heard the sound of motorcycles and gunshots,’ he said.

The teacher explained that panic broke out immediately as students and staff members fled in different directions in search of safety.

He said he attempted to escape by jumping through a window but injured himself in the process.

‘I jumped through a window while trying to run, but I landed badly on my left leg, which was already giving me problems. Because of the pain, I could not move fast. I told the children running with me to leave me and save themselves while I hid under some leaves.’

Olutoye said his hiding place was eventually discovered after a student who refused to abandon him was spotted by the attackers.

‘A student saw me and decided not to leave me. Unfortunately, the student was seen by one of the attackers, and that led them to where I was hiding. The man who found me was surprised that I was hiding and immediately grabbed me.’

According to him, the captors assured those abducted that they would not be harmed if they cooperated.

‘They told us to cooperate and promised not to hurt us,’ he recalled.

The teacher said life in captivity was difficult, with the victims surviving on simple meals throughout the seven weeks they spent in the forest.

‘They served us rice with Maggi and salt and sometimes beans. We never tasted pepper throughout the seven weeks we spent there,’ he said.

In one of the more surprising aspects of his experience, Olutoye claimed the captors gave him medication that quickly eased his arthritis.

‘They gave me a drug, and within minutes my arthritis disappeared,’ he said.

He added that while the abductors encouraged them to pray, they warned them against praying loudly.

‘They would ask us to pray, but not loudly.’

The teacher said the armed men mostly spoke Hausa, with occasional Yoruba, and insisted they were neither bandits nor Boko Haram fighters.

‘They told us they were not Boko Haram or bandits. They said they were ISWAP.’

Olutoye revealed that he was the last person captured during the attack on the school.

He also described the harsh conditions they endured, noting that none of the captives was able to wash their clothes throughout the 56 days they spent in captivity.

‘For 56 days, we did not wash our clothes,’ he said.

Recounting their eventual release, Olutoye said the captors later handed them over to motorcycle riders who transported them to another location.

‘After the motorcycle ride, we still trekked for about another hour before we eventually saw officials waiting for us,’ he said.

However, the sight that greeted them initially sparked fresh fears.

‘When we saw the buses, we were afraid again because they had tinted windows and no number plates. The men around them were also speaking Hausa, so we were unsure of who they were.’

He said their fears were allayed when the officials identified themselves as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

‘They asked us to calm down and showed us their DSS identity cards before we agreed to enter the buses. They also called two individuals who confirmed to us that we had truly been rescued and were safe.’

Olutoye also paid tribute to two teachers who lost their lives during the attack, describing them as dedicated colleagues whose deaths remain painful.

‘The two teachers who were killed were my colleagues. I met them in that school. I had wanted to seek a transfer from the school, but they encouraged me to stay,’ he said.

He identified the deceased as Mr. Michael Oyedokun and Deacon Olaleye, both mathematics teachers.

The teacher added that before the attack, he relied on a motorcycle for his daily commute to the school.

Speaking on the period immediately after their release, Olutoye disclosed that they were provided with fresh clothing in Ibadan before being reunited with their families.

‘Our clothes were changed in Ibadan after we regained freedom,’ he said.

Mr Olatunde is one of the freed abducted Orire teachers and students.

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has declared that the South-East will undergo a historic transformation under President Bola Tinubu.

Soludo said the President was deliberately rebuilding the region and using major infrastructure projects to heal wounds left by the Nigerian Civil War.

The governor made the declaration after Tinubu approved the design and procurement of two strategic federal roads connecting Anambra and Imo states with Kogi and the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The projects are the Otuocha-Anam-Abaji Road linking Anambra to Kogi State and the Oba-Nnewi-Uga-Ihube Road connecting Anambra and Imo to the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Soludo described both roads as critical game-changers that would improve movement and economic connectivity across the South-East, South-South and North-Central regions.

‘I can’t contain my joy and that of my people regarding the great news from DIKESIMBA Anambra; DIKESIMBA NDIGBO, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ he wrote in a statement on X.

The governor, who belongs to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, said Tinubu’s interventions demonstrated a genuine commitment to correcting the South-East’s longstanding infrastructure deficit.

‘President Tinubu has a date with history, and even more so with the South-East,’ Soludo declared.

‘He continues to demonstrate his avowed commitment to orchestrating the reconstruction of the South-East, thereby finally healing the wounds of the Civil War.’

Soludo disclosed that he met with Tinubu on July 1 and discussed the importance of the two roads.

The following day, Minister of Works David Umahi contacted him and requested detailed information about the projects.

Soludo submitted the requested details on July 3 before receiving confirmation on July 15 that the President had approved both roads for design and procurement.

The governor said the speed with which the request received presidential attention demonstrated the value of constructive engagement between political leaders.

He described several federal infrastructure projects currently being undertaken in the region as an unprecedented and foundational rebirth.

‘The man who tamed the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos is certainly redefining politics, and the South-East won’t be the same again,’ Soludo said.

The governor maintained that Tinubu’s latest approval would improve regional integration, unlock commercial opportunities and strengthen connections between communities across three geopolitical zones.

The crisis within Nigeria’s opposition deepened on Wednesday after Buba Galadima accused supporters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of attacking Peter Obi instead of confronting President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, said supporters of the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso ticket were being insulted and accused of attempting to impose an Igbo candidate on Nigeria.

He spoke during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme while defending calls for greater political cooperation between the North and the South-East ahead of the 2027 election.

According to Galadima, the attacks are coming not only from the APC but also from rival opposition figures who should be working towards defeating the ruling party.

‘We have been called several names, saying we are bringing an Igbo man,’ he said.

‘Unfortunately, it’s not only the government of APC. Even some opposition political parties, instead of us fighting our common opponent, that is the APC and its government, we are fighting ourselves.’

Galadima reserved his sharpest response for supporters of Atiku, questioning their justification for attacking Obi after the former vice-president selected him as his running mate in the 2019 presidential election.

‘And we asked, where did we pick Obi from? Where did we get Obi from? We got Obi from Atiku. He was his vice-presidential candidate,’ he said.

Galadima also recalled that Atiku had previously selected Ben Obi, Peter Obi and Ifeanyi Okowa as running mates during his different presidential campaigns.

He consequently questioned why anyone supporting Atiku would condemn the proposed alliance on the grounds that it promotes an Igbo candidate.

Beyond the current opposition battle, Galadima argued that political cooperation between the North and the South-East was not new.

He cited the alliance between the Northern People’s Congress and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons around the time of independence.

Galadima recalled that northern leaders, including Ahmadu Bello and Kashim Ibrahim, worked with Nnamdi Azikiwe and other NCNC leaders during the struggle to end colonial rule.

Following independence, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became prime minister while Azikiwe served as Governor-General before becoming Nigeria’s first president in 1963.

Galadima said the arrangement reflected Nigeria’s unity in diversity before the military coup of 1966 brought the First Republic to an end.

He rejected attempts to blame civilian leaders or ethnic groups for the collapse of that government, insisting that the military was responsible for destroying the democratic system.

The NDC chieftain maintained that the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance should be viewed as a national political partnership rather than an ethnic project.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday unveiled five landmark social and development programmes worth about 3.05 billion dollars to accelerate poverty reduction, strengthen community resilience and deepen investment in human capital.

Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, inaugurated the programmes at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The initiatives comprise the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Additional Financing (NG-CARES AF) and the Solutions for Internally Displaced and Host Communities (SOLID).

Others are; the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE-GOV, HOPE-PHC and HOPE-EDU).

‘This is not just a set of programmes; these are promises kept.

‘Today, we act on our pledge by protecting the vulnerable, empowering communities and building the human capital that will carry Nigeria forward,’ Tinubu said.

He said the programmes formed a single national strategy to translate recent macroeconomic gains into improved livelihoods through investments in livelihoods, healthcare, education, social protection and support for displaced communities.

Tinubu said NG-CARES would receive about 1.25 billion dollars in additional World Bank financing to support smallholder farmers and small businesses, while SOLID would deploy 300 million dollars to assist internally displaced persons and host communities.

He said the 1.5 billion-dollar HOPE package would strengthen primary healthcare, foundational education, teacher support and governance reforms in public education nationwide.

‘These five programmes are one coordinated national strategy for poverty reduction, human capital development and community resilience.’

Tinubu said Nigeria’s economic reforms had strengthened the foundation for inclusive growth, citing rising foreign reserves, declining inflation and improved economic performance.

‘These are not abstract figures; they are the foundation for the next phase of our national development.’

He added that expanded cash transfers had reached 15 million vulnerable households.

The president urged federal, state and local governments, development partners and implementing agencies to ensure effective implementation, stressing that delivery and accountability would determine the programmes’ success.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, described the interventions as a whole-of-government response to poverty, the cost-of-living crisis and human capital challenges.

‘These programmes represent another milestone in translating the Renewed Hope Agenda into concrete interventions that directly touch the lives of poor and vulnerable Nigerians,’ Bagudu said.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the 570 million-dollar HOPE-PHC programme would improve primary healthcare services for about 40 million Nigerians, especially women, children and adolescents.

He said the programme would reduce maternal and under-five mortality, strengthen primary healthcare facilities and improve service delivery through performance-based financing.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the 562 million-dollar HOPE-EDU programme would benefit nearly 30 million pupils, support 500,000 teachers and strengthen 65,000 public schools across the country.

World Bank Country Director, Matthew Verghis, said the programmes demonstrated that Nigeria’s greatest asset remained its people, adding that the institution would continue supporting reforms that improve education, healthcare and social protection.

Also speaking, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, said the interventions would help vulnerable and displaced Nigerians transition from emergency relief to resilience and productive livelihoods.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the National Assembly also pledged full support for implementation of the programmes.

The event was witnessed by governors, ministers, development partners, top government officials and stakeholders from the relevant sectors.

Victor Osimhen is on course to become the new captain of Turkish champions Galatasaray following the departure of Mauro Icardi, marking another significant milestone in the Nigerian striker’s growing influence at the club.

Icardi recently left Galatasaray after the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to a successful four-year spell with the Istanbul giants. During his time at the club, the Argentine forward established himself as one of the team’s most influential players, helping the Yellow and Reds win four Turkish Super Lig titles and several domestic honours.

With Icardi’s exit creating a leadership vacuum in the dressing room, Galatasaray are expected to hand the captain’s armband to Osimhen, who served as the club’s vice-captain last season. The move would underline the confidence the club’s management and coaching staff have in the Nigerian international both on and off the pitch.

Osimhen has become a fan favourite since arriving at Galatasaray, thanks to his impressive goalscoring record, work ethic and leadership qualities. The 27-year-old played a crucial role in the club’s recent successes, helping manager Okan Buruk’s side secure back-to-back league titles with a series of standout performances.

Beyond his goals, Osimhen has also emerged as one of the leaders within the squad, often motivating teammates and taking responsibility in key matches. His influence has continued to grow, making him a natural candidate to succeed Icardi as captain.

If officially confirmed, the appointment would represent a major achievement for the Super Eagles star, who has steadily developed into one of Africa’s most respected footballers. It would also place him among a select group of Nigerian players who have captained major European clubs.

For Galatasaray, the decision reflects the club’s belief that Osimhen can lead the team into a new era as they continue their pursuit of domestic dominance and success in European competitions.

With his experience, commitment and winning mentality, many supporters believe he is the ideal player to carry the captain’s armband.

The family of Mary Habila, who died under unexplained circumstances at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has asked the police to terminate their investigation and release her body for burial.

In an affidavit seen by P.M. NEWS, the deceased’s father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, rejected the planned autopsy and declared that the family did not suspect foul play in her death.

The document, titled ‘Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case,’ was filed before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State.

Habila died on June 27, 2026, after reportedly accompanying the minister’s medical team to Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Before her death, she worked at the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja.

According to her father’s affidavit, Habila worked in the minister’s office for about three years and served as a personal nurse to Umahi and members of his immediate staff.

The document disclosed that Umahi requested an autopsy to determine the cause of her death, but the family refused to grant consent.

‘While I welcome steps being taken to unravel the cause of my daughter’s death, my family and I will not accept any autopsy on my daughter’s body,’ the affidavit stated.

The family appealed to medical and investigative authorities to leave Habila’s body and organs intact and discontinue all further inquiries into the case.

‘I also wish not to proceed further with the investigation and further request to have my daughter’s body released to me for burial,’ her father said.

He added that the family would not honour further invitations from the police or courts concerning the death.

The affidavit maintained that the decision was made voluntarily, without pressure, inducement or interference from any individual.

Despite the affidavit, the Ebonyi State Police Command said it would continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death and proceed with arrangements for a post-mortem examination.

Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu said the command received a distress call on June 27 concerning a medical emergency involving Habila at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu.

According to Ukandu, officers who arrived at the hospital were informed that Habila had been brought in dead.

The Commissioner of Police subsequently transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.

Preliminary police findings indicated that Habila and another medical worker were attached to Umahi’s team and had accompanied the minister to his hometown.

Investigators said Habila died inside a room within the compound of the minister’s residence.

Detectives have since visited the scene and obtained statements from individuals considered relevant to the investigation.

The command said it was also making arrangements to engage a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination and determine the cause of death.

While acknowledging the family’s objection, the police maintained that an autopsy remained necessary because of the sensitive circumstances surrounding the case.

The command said it was awaiting the presence of Habila’s family or a duly appointed representative before proceeding with the examination.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday said its prosecution of former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai took another significant turn on Wednesday.

ICPC said this was as El-Rufai lead defence counsel, Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, distanced himself from three separate applications seeking the recusal of the trial judge.

The defence lawyer also requested leave of court to file a fresh application.

ICPC said this while giving an update in the trial of the former governor before Kaduna State High Court.

The matter, instituted by the ICPC, was scheduled for the hearing of the defendant’s motion for the recusal of the presiding judge.

But ICPC in a statement by John Odey, its spokesperson, said at the commencement of proceedings, lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, informed the court that although the matter had been fixed for hearing of the defendant’s recusal application filed on 6 July 2026, the defence had, between the last adjourned date and the day’s proceedings, filed three separate applications for recusal, including one that was served on the prosecution shortly before the court commenced sitting on Wednesday, the 15th of July

Responding, Erokoro told the court that he could neither identify with nor adopt the three applications filed by junior counsel, Mr. Ubong Akpan.

He described them as containing combative language and extraneous matters. He consequently sought leave to file a fresh application and undertook to withdraw the earlier motions.

ICPC said in the interest of fair hearing, it did not oppose the application for an adjournment.

The court thereafter adjourned the matter by consent of both parties to 22 July 2026 for the hearing of the fresh motion for recusal.

The criminal trial arises from charges filed by the ICPC against the former governor over allegations of abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and other corruption-related offences allegedly committed during his tenure in office.

The Commission remains committed to diligently prosecuting the case in accordance with the law.