Category: News

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Efeke Murna Dadaza, has renewed the scheme’s appeal to the state government to increase feeding allowances during orientation and the monthly state stipend for corps members.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Orientation Course on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Government College, Kaduna, Dadaza said the adjustment would further improve corps members’ welfare.

“As we move forward, we respectfully reiterate our earlier request for the augmentation of feeding allowances during orientation and the monthly state stipend to further enhance corps members’ welfare,” she said.

She commended corps members for their discipline and resilience throughout the three-week orientation exercise, urging them to uphold the values learned in camp and to remain good ambassadors of the NYSC wherever they are posted.

“Wherever you are posted, settle in promptly and strive to make a meaningful contribution to the people and institutions you will serve,” she added, encouraging them to also engage actively in Community Development Service projects.

Dadaza also appreciated the Kaduna State Government for its support, as well as collaborating agencies and camp officials for ensuring the success of the orientation programme.

In a speech delivered on behalf of Governor Senator Uba Sani, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Gloria Ibrahim, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the National Youth Service Corps scheme.

She said the administration would continue to provide a safe and enabling environment for corps members, while urging them to accept postings in good faith, especially to rural communities where their services are most needed in education and healthcare.

The governor also encouraged corps members to take advantage of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to acquire practical skills that could make them self-reliant.

He officially declared the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Orientation Course closed.

By Jabiru Hassan

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has confirmed an attempted robbery incident at the Ogbomosho Transmission Substation in the early hours of May 10, 2026.

According to preliminary reports, a group of armed men gained unauthorized access into the substation premises by scaling the perimeter fence near the gate between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

The intruders reportedly advanced toward the gate house in an attempt to attack and immobilise the vigilante security personnel on duty. However, the security team successfully repelled the attackers by firing warning shots, forcing them to retreat and flee through the same route they used to gain entry.

During their escape, the suspects abandoned some tools and personal belongings near the fence wall.

An early morning inspection of the premises revealed abandoned implements suspected to have been used in the attempted attack, as well as traces of blood and footprints leading toward the escape route.

A further search conducted after daylight reportedly led to the recovery of a bag containing additional tools believed to belong to the fleeing suspects.

TCN stated that the incident has been reported to relevant authorities and that the company is currently collaborating with security agencies to investigate the matter and prevent future occurrences.

The company confirmed that no personnel were injured during the incident and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding critical power infrastructure and ensuring the safety of staff nationwide.

According to the statement, a formal report of the incident has also been scheduled for presentation to the Oba’s Palace on May 11, 2026.

The Director-General of the Bayelsa Electricity Regulatory Agency, Rosalyn Dressman, says the BYERA Licensing and Market Entry Regulations 2026 are designed to attract investment, protect consumers, and establish a credible state electricity market under the Bayelsa State Electricity Law 2025.

Speaking during a stakeholder review forum in Yenagoa, Dr. Dressman explained that the proposed regulations go beyond administrative procedures.

“These regulations are a fundamental tool for attracting investment,” she said. “They also protect consumers, regularize the participation of existing operators, and create a credible state electricity market.”

She stated that the engagement session focused on the rationale behind the regulations, their scope, and how they are expected to support the growth of Bayelsa’s electricity sector.

According to her, the draft framework also outlines the institutional support required from government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.

Dr. Dressman added that the framework seeks to formalize the operations of existing market players while creating clear pathways for new entrants into the electricity market.

Also speaking at the forum, Chairman of BYERA, Austin Adigio, said the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at developing rules that are fair, transparent, and aligned with present economic realities.

Adigio noted that the proposed regulations are intended to protect consumers, encourage fair competition, and allow innovation to flourish without creating unnecessary barriers to entry.

According to him, the regulations could determine whether local entrepreneurs in Yenagoa are able to launch electricity-related products and whether foreign investors consider Bayelsa’s power market viable.

He emphasized that the consultation was not merely ceremonial, urging stakeholders to critically review the draft regulations, identify gaps, and point out any unintended consequences.

Adigio assured participants that contributions from the engagement would be documented, analyzed, and reflected in the final draft before approval.

He called for constructive discussions, describing the forum as an important opportunity to shape regulations that would benefit both the public and investors in Bayelsa’s electricity sector.

By Francis Wilfred

Justice Maryann Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has revoked the bail earlier granted to former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, and issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his absence in court during his ongoing criminal trial.

Mamman has reportedly remained out of circulation since he was convicted on May 7, 2026, by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering involving ₦33.8 billion.

The former minister, alongside seven others, is also being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Anineh on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and intent to defraud to the tune of ₦31 billion.

During proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that Mamman was absent and that no explanation had been provided either by the defendant or his legal team. He noted that no reason was also given for Mamman’s absence during his conviction before Justice Omotosho on May 7.

Responding, defence counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, argued that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to produce the defendant in court following his conviction and the earlier bench warrant issued against him.

Oyedepo subsequently urged the court to continue with the trial in Mamman’s absence, citing Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

In her ruling, Justice Anineh granted the prosecution’s requests, revoked Mamman’s bail, and issued a bench warrant compelling his appearance at the next adjourned date.

The court further ruled that the trial would continue in his absence in line with Section 352 of the ACJA 2015.

The matter was adjourned till May 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.

By Francis Wilfred 

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has fixed June 2, 2026, for ruling on the bail application filed by Felix Njoku, one of the defendants standing trial in the alleged ₦2.04 billion money laundering case involving officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

Njoku, a former Director of Finance of the NRC, is being prosecuted alongside three other senior officials over alleged fraud and money laundering offences.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, counsel to the first defendant, Mordecai Adejo, informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail dated February 3, 2026, supported by a four-paragraph affidavit and a written address.

Adejo urged the court to allow his client continue enjoying the interim bail earlier granted by the court, arguing that Njoku had complied with all conditions attached to the temporary release.

According to him, the defendant had neither absconded nor violated the court’s directives, adding that he consistently reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office as required.

The defence counsel further prayed the court to grant bail pending the conclusion of the trial.

Opposing the application, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, told the court that the EFCC had filed a counter-affidavit and written address against the request.

Muhammed argued that the defence failed to provide sufficient information about the defendant’s family ties in Nigeria, which he said was necessary in determining whether the defendant posed a flight risk.

He further submitted that the anti-graft agency had evidence suggesting that Njoku might abscond if admitted to bail.

The prosecutor also expressed concern that some of the prosecution witnesses were staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, where the defendant previously served, warning that he could interfere with witnesses and evidence if released.

Following arguments from both parties, Justice Abike-Fadipe reserved ruling on the application till June 2.

The prosecution thereafter opened its case by calling its first witness, Clement Ngbolu, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc.

Led in evidence by Muhammed, the witness told the court that he had worked with the bank for about 16 years and was responsible for responding to requests from law enforcement agencies.

Ngbolu explained that Zenith Bank received a letter from the EFCC in June 2025 requesting the statement of account of FC Njoku and Company Ltd.

He said the documents were generated from the bank’s system, verified and forwarded to the EFCC.

The prosecution tendered the EFCC’s letter, the bank’s response and account opening documents for the company, which were admitted as exhibits after the defence raised no objection.

The witness identified Njoku Judith Chidima and Njoku Nyaku as signatories to the account and also confirmed several inflows into the account.

Justice Abike-Fadipe subsequently adjourned the matter till May 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.

By Francis Wilfred

Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has admitted in evidence newspaper publications tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, over the alleged unlawful redesign of the naira.

While leading the eighth prosecution witness, PW8, Jegede Oluwasegun, in his testimony, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, presented certified copies of publications from The Punch, ThisDay, Vanguard, Daily Sun and The Nation newspapers.

The documents reportedly contained reports relating to the alleged unlawful naira redesign, alongside payment receipts for the purchase of the newspapers.

According to Oyedepo, the witness and documents were presented in response to a motion filed by the defence counsel requesting that the prosecution produce all press releases and newspaper publications connected to the alleged unlawful act.

The documents were tendered and admitted in evidence without objection from the defence team.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, Olalekun Ojo, the witness stated that his duties at the National Library were limited to attending to readers’ information needs and certifying newspaper documents.

He further clarified that he was neither the author of the publications nor in a position to speak on the contents of the reports, noting that his role was strictly to certify the newspapers presented before the court.

Emefiele is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC on a four-count charge bordering on the alleged unlawful printing of new naira notes.

From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Troops of the Nigerian Army on Sunday neutralised a suspected terrorist during a coordinated ambush operation along bandit crossing routes within the Adankolo Forest Reserve in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The operation, carried out under Operation TIGER PAW II, also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition and other items believed to belong to the fleeing criminals.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, disclosed this in a press statement, saying troops acted on credible intelligence regarding the movement of suspected terrorists within the area.

According to him, troops of the 12 Brigade Quick Response Group laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point in the early hours of Sunday, May 10, 2026.

He explained that the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, during which one terrorist was killed while others escaped into the surrounding bush with gunshot wounds.

Items recovered after the encounter included two AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, six magazines and 145 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Other recovered items were a camouflage bandolier, one Honda motorcycle, Diclofenac medication, three mobile phones, three power banks and the sum of ₦62,900.

Lt. Abdullahi stated that troops were currently combing the forest to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

He added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to deny terrorists freedom of movement and strengthen security across Kogi State and neighbouring areas.