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Wike probes flood disaster in FCT ….declares war on illegal structures blocking Abuja water ways

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FCT Minister Barr.Nyesome Wike

By Our Correspondent

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blamed years of violations of the Abuja Master Plan for the devastating flooding along the Airport Road corridor and Lokogoma, declaring that all structures obstructing waterways will be demolished.

Speaking during a media chat on Tuesday, Wike said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had launched a full-scale investigation into the flooding to determine its causes and identify permanent solutions.

He disclosed that immediately after receiving reports of the incident, he directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Director of Development Control to inspect the affected areas, including Airport Road, Lugbe and Lokogoma.

According to the minister, the investigation will establish whether the flooding resulted from human activities or natural causes.

He noted that while man-made problems can be addressed, natural disasters require different interventions, making a thorough assessment necessary.

Although he acknowledged that the recent rainfall in Abuja was unusually intense, Wike said preliminary findings showed that widespread violations of the Abuja Master Plan had significantly worsened the flooding.

He explained that several buildings were illegally erected on natural waterways and designated road corridors without proper approvals, obstructing the natural flow of water.

The minister vowed that the FCTA would strictly enforce the Abuja Master Plan and remove every structure found blocking waterways, particularly along the Airport Road corridor.

He identified Lugbe as one of the worst affected areas, saying developers had consistently ignored planning regulations by constructing buildings without approval and encroaching on roads and drainage channels.

Wike also revealed that the administration had begun disciplinary action against officials who aided illegal developments on green areas and waterways.
He disclosed that a director had been suspended under civil service regulations for issuing unauthorised temporary approvals to businesses operating on designated green areas, while another official was sanctioned for unlawfully reallocating park land under the guise of security clearance.

The minister dismissed claims that some buildings slated for demolition had government approval, insisting that approvals secured through undue influence or issued in violation of established policies would not protect owners from enforcement.

He maintained that government policy prohibits any form of development on green areas and waterways, stressing that such illegal approvals would not be recognised.

On infrastructure delivery, Wike assured residents that every ongoing project awarded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, as well as inherited projects, would be completed before the end of the administration’s tenure.

He said 76 of the 107 road projects awarded by the current administration in the FCT had already been completed, while another 10 would be delivered before the forthcoming elections.

The minister further disclosed that the administration had completed 23 of the 25 projects inherited from the Muhammadu Buhari administration and six of the eight projects inherited from the Goodluck Jonathan administration, while also reviving abandoned projects dating back to the Olusegun Obasanjo era.

He described the feat as unprecedented since 1999, saying no previous FCT administration had awarded and completed such a high number of projects, adding that records of the achievements had been made public through national television broadcasts.

Defending the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, Wike urged Nigerians to demand accountability from state and local governments, which now receive increased federal allocations.

He cited the revival of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit system and major road infrastructure projects across the FCT as evidence that the policy was yielding visible benefits.

The minister also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent comments on restoring fuel subsidy, arguing that attention should instead focus on how states have utilised the additional funds generated by the subsidy removal.

According to him, the reforms have enabled states to pay salaries and pensions more regularly, while governments now have greater capacity to execute projects and public universities have enjoyed uninterrupted academic activities.

Wike also paid tribute to his late political associate, Chief Dan Orbih, describing him as a principled and courageous leader who remained steadfast despite intense political pressure.
He recalled visiting Orbih at the London Clinic before his death and admitted that the loss had deeply affected him.

On Rivers State politics, the minister reaffirmed his commitment to political stability in the state, revealing that key political stakeholders had united under a “Rainbow Coalition” in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while dismissing the chances of a divided opposition in future elections.

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Law & Crime

Fake Agency Probe: Reps C’ttee absolves Gbajabiamila of Complicity *Says OSGF officials facilitated office accomodation for agency *Uncovers 12 other fake agencies with existing bank accounts

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House of Reps Panel on Fake Agency

By Our Correspondent

The House of Representatives Committee probing the Unestablished Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council PFIPC has absolved the Chief of Staff to the President Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila of any wrong doing in the allegation that he approved the existence of the agency.

The panel said all available documents to it had revealed that the Chief of
Staff to the President immediately alerted all relevant security agencies of the existence of the agency as soon as he got information on its existence and the appointment letter of the embattled Director-General of the agency was not signed by the office holder.

The Committee however did not exonerate the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSFG of the allegation that its official approved the federal secretariat office complex if the agency

The panel also said that it has uncovered an additional twelve (12) other existing fake agencies with existing bank accounts in the course of its investigation into the activities of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Council.

Chairman of the House Committee Hon.Yusuf Adamu Gagdi disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a press briefing at the National Assembly where he said that the report of the committee is based on records, oral testimonies and interview of the heads of agencies involved in the saga

He said that the Committee held very painstaking investigative hearings on the matter with a view to unraveling the truth adding that the report is a preliminary report and not a final report on the matter.

The Plataeu born lawmaker had hinted that the House Committee had invited and grilled the heads of government agencies and other government officials from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSFG, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, State House, Ministry of Finance, Nigeria Police Force NPF, Department of State Service DSS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC for the investigation

The other agencies grilled by the House Committee are Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, Federal Roads Safety Commission FRSC, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation OSFG, other institutions and private organizations

The House Committee had stated in its report that none of these agencies invited and grilled at the hearings had presented documents showing the authorzied existence of the controversial agency.

It however revelealed that some of these invited agencies presented inconsistent documents to the committee during the probe panel.

The Committee had stated that the documents presented by the embattled Director-General of the agency Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi is fake as no such appointment was approved by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The Committee also said that there is a fabrication of take-off funds documents of the agency that is also fake

They added that the format and administrative feature of the appointment letter alleged to have been issued by one Mr Akanbi iAdewale the Director of Administration Support Services State House is fake as the office is non existent from their inquiries

The House panel listed the other fake agencies as United Nations Youths Agency, United Nations Global Foundation, World Entrepreneurship University Limited, World Enterprises Limited, FCT Investigation Council and Olubafan of Ibadan Foundation among others.

The House Committee Chairman said that all these fake agencies and they have fifty-eigjt (58) bank accounts linked to Bank Verification Numbers BVN adding that they are linked to the embattled Director-General of the agency.

The probe panel said that it took exception to the non-appearance of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSFG at the investigative hearing despite repeated invitations and warned that it has been given one more opportunity to appear Unfailingly or risk sanctions.

The House Committee Chairman Hon.Gagdi said that the panel is still investigating the matter with these entities and assured that final report will be presented to the House in session at the conclusion of the investigation.

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Law & Crime

Customs Compt. hands over 7,560 packages of live ammunition containing 189,000 rounds to NCCSALW for further action

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Niger/Kogi Area Compt.Sani Mohammed Umar hands over live ammunitions to Director of the NCCSALW North Central Zone, Abdul Adamu Eneche,

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Nigeria Customs Service says it is working closely with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) and other security agencies to stop the movement of illegal arms and ammunition into Nigeria.

The Controller of the Niger/Kogi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Sani Mohammed Umar, stated this in Minna while handing over 7,560 packages of live ammunition containing 189,000 rounds to the NCCSALW for further action.

Umar said the ammunition had been kept at the Customs premises since 2018 because of court cases and other legal processes.

He said Customs officers intercepted the consignment while on patrol around the Wawa axis of Niger State, close to the border, following information about the movement of the ammunition.

According to him, each of the 7,560 packages contained 25 rounds, making a total of 189,000 rounds of ammunition.

The Controller said the suspect connected with the consignment escaped and was still at large, but the Customs Service was making efforts to arrest him.

He said allowing such a large quantity of ammunition to enter the society illegally could have serious consequences, especially because of the security challenges facing the country.

Umar said the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, had directed officers to remain vigilant and strengthen operations along the borders to prevent the illegal movement of arms and ammunition.

He added that the Customs Service would continue to cooperate with other security agencies to prevent illegal arms from reaching criminal groups.

Also speaking, the Director of the NCCSALW North Central Zone, Abdul Adamu Eneche, commended the Customs Service for its cooperation and for handing over the seized ammunition.

Eneche, who represented the Director General of the Centre, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, said the ammunition would go through the required process before being destroyed.

He said the destruction would ensure that the ammunition did not return to the society or fall into the hands of criminals.

Eneche described the cooperation between the Customs Service and the Centre as important in the fight against the spread of small arms and light weapons.

He called on other security agencies to strengthen their cooperation with the NCCSALW, saying no single agency could successfully fight illegal arms trafficking alone.

He said the availability of illegal arms and ammunition was contributing to terrorism, kidnapping, insurgency, communal clashes and other criminal activities in the country.

The NCCSALW North Central Director said the Centre had, since its establishment, facilitated the destruction of more than 19,000 arms in the presence of relevant stakeholders.

He said the Centre was also carrying out awareness campaigns and training for security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, communities and other stakeholders.

According to him, security agencies are being trained to identify new methods used by criminals to move illegal arms and ammunition.

He added that communities were also being encouraged to provide useful information to security agencies whenever they noticed suspicious activities.

Eneche said the NCCSALW would continue to work with the Customs Service and other security agencies to reduce the spread of small arms and light weapons in the North Central and other parts of the country.

He expressed optimism that stronger cooperation, information sharing, effective border control and public awareness would help reduce the availability of illegal arms to criminal groups.

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Law & Crime

2027 : IPOB gives FG 14 days ultimatum to attend to Kanu’s Appeal or face election

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By Our Forrespondent

Disturbed by Nnamdi Kanu’s continous detention in prison, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has slammed 14 days ultimatum on Federal Government, to attend to Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal or face total boycott the 2027 general election in the Southeast zone and beyond.

Giving the ultimatum through her spokesperson, Emma Powerful, it lamented that FG was in a hurry to prosecute and convict its leader, Kanu but was not in a hurry to attend to his appeal on the conviction now before the Court of Appeal.

According to the spokesperson, “IPOB therefore gives Nigeria fourteen days to list and hear Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal.

“Under which extant written law was Mazi Nnamdi Kanu convicted on 20 November 2025? What specific crime, cognisable under Nigerian law, justifies his continued detention after nearly six years?

“There is also a challenge before the Supreme Court to the legality of the purported “continuation” remittal itself.

“By what constitutional or statutory authority can a terminated criminal proceeding, whose counts had been quashed, be ordered to “continue”?

“A court may possess inherent jurisdiction to hear an appeal. But subject-matter jurisdiction is conferred only by the Constitution or statute.

It cannot be created by judicial declaration.It cannot be manufactured by simply calling a dead proceeding a “continuation.”

“Nigeria must therefore defend both the conviction and the jurisdictional foundation upon which the resumed trial was built.

“Failure to list and hear the pending appeal within fourteen days will lead to IPOB declaring a total boycott of the coming elections across Biafraland and beyond.

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