The Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja is currently boiling, as Police confirmed the killing of two of its officers by members of Shi’ite in what it termed “unprovoked attack.”
The FCT Police Command confirmed the incidence today, August 25, in a statement by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police (SP).
The statement narrated how the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group, launched “unprovoked attack on some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force attached to FCT command at Wuse Junction by traffic light, where two police personnel were killed, three left unconscious in the hospital, and three Police patrol vehicles set ablaze.
“The proscribed organisation attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked, wielding machetes, improvised explosive devices (locally made bombs in bottles with kerosene), and knives.”
The statement said that several arrests have been effected, saying that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth C. Igweh, had formally condemned the unprovoked attack on Police officers.
“He promises to bring those involved to book.”
The police said that the situation is presently under control and normalcy has been restored.

A group known as De Noble Club 10 Kogi Central has called on the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to embrace good people, including those from the opposition to help him in running a good governance.
In a message of congratulation to the governor over the final victory he secured at the Supreme Court long after his electoral victory in the November 11, 2023 election, the Club stressed the need for the governor to put politics behind and face governance squarely.
In the message signed by the President, Alhaji Abdulrazak Leramoh, the Club described the electoral and subsequent judicial victories as testament to the resilience and the faith that the people of Kogi State have in Ahmed Usman Ododo’s leadership.
It advised the governor to continue on the path of dexterous service to the people of the State, and prayed that he would always govern with wisdom, humility, and a heart dedicated to the progress and well-being of the people.
“The challenges ahead are great, but they also present a unique opportunity to write a legacy of peace, prosperity, and unity. “Surround yourself with those who share your vision and are committed to the growth of Kogi State.
“Lead with fairness, and may your tenure be marked by development, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of all Kogites.
“May God guide your every step as you strive to bring the very best to your state.
“Once again, congratulations, and may your journey ahead be as victorious as this moment.”

The Supreme Court has confirmed the election of Alhaji Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor in the November 11, 2023 election in Kogi State.
A five-member panel of the apex court, who delivered the final judgment in the suit today, August 23, in Abuja, held that the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, marked: SC/CV/654/2024, was without merit.
Justice Sadiq Umar, who authored and read the lead judgment, resolved the three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Onyekachi Otisi on July 11, 2024, had upheld the decision of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
The appellate court held that the SDP and its governorship candidate failed to prove the allegations contained in their appeal beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.
The court dismissed the appeals filed by Action Alliance and its governorship candidate, Olayinka Braimoh, and that of the Peoples Redemption Party and its governorship candidate, Dr. Abdullahi Bayawo, challenging Ododo’s victory.
Justice Otisi, while delivering judgment on SDP and Ajaka’s appeal, agreed with the election petition tribunal, which sat in Abuja.
The judge said the tribunal was right to have expunged the evidence of the Prosecution Witness 1 called by the petitioners on the ground that the evidence tendered by the witness was a documentary hearsay.
She said that witnesses, whether subpoenaed or normal, are supposed to front-load their witness statements on oath as required by law.
The judge held that the petitioners’ witnesses were incompetent because their statements did not accompany the petition in line with the electoral laws.
She agreed with the tribunal that there were inconsistencies in the case of the appellants.
According to her, the allegation of forgery of document that Ododo submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission is a pre-election matter, which is handled by the Federal High Court and not the tribunal.
Justice Otisi held that the action happened before the conduct of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state and as such cannot be legislated upon by the lower tribunal.
The judge also held that the allegation of forgery of document ought to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The tribunal had on May 27, 2024 affirmed the victory of Governor Ododo.
The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, held that the petition was bereft of substance and accordingly dismissed it.
The tribunal held that SDP and Ajaka failed to prove the allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 in the petition.
The panel, in a unanimous decision, held that all the witness evidence filed before it were incompetent and full of inconsistencies.
It also agreed with the submissions of the respondents that the allegations of forgery raised in the petition were pre-election matters, which ought to have been raised 14 days after the documents were submitted to INEC.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has warned that it will not spare anybody that violates the Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy.
Chairman of the Commission, Musa Aliyu, told newsmen on the sidelines of the sixth General Assembly of the Network of National Anti-corruption Instructions in West Africa (NACIWA) in Abuja, that the Commission would give a close watch especially on State Governors.
“For any person at the state level to breach that decision is gross misconduct, which is an abuse of office.
“We at ICPC, are going after anybody that goes against the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue of local government autonomy.’’
The Supreme Court, on July 11, granted local governments across the country financial autonomy.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has described allegation by the former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar that Mr. Wale Tinubu held 49 percent stake in the alleged acquisition of NNPC Retail Ltd as “pedestrian.”
“Contrary to the false alarm raised, neither Wale Tinubu nor the President has any interest in the OVH acquisition.
“As a businessman, the former Vice President should know that effectiveness in business leadership is best measured by balance sheets and bottom lines rather than pedestrian considerations.”
In a statement today, August 22, debunking Atiku’s allegation via his spokesperson, Paul Ibe to the point of lamenting “the criminal hijack of the NNPC by corporate cabals around the current President,” the NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye reminded Atiku that NNPCL is a commercially-focused and profit-driven company managed by professionals who are committed to adding value to the nation.
Soneye stressed that Investment decisions by NNPC Ltd Management are strictly determined on the basis of commercial viability and national interest.
“At the time NNPC Ltd acquired OVH in 2022, Oando (in which Mr. Wale Tinubu has equity interest), had fully divested its equity in OVH to the two other partners – Vitol and Helios. Oando actually began its divestment in 2016, with Vitol and Helios coming in as equity partners, leading to the change of name from Oando to OVH.
“In 2019, Oando fully divested its equity interest in OVH resulting in Vitol and Helios holding 50% equity interests respectively.
“Upon acquisition of OVH by NNPC Ltd, both NNPC Retail Ltd and OVH effectively became subsidiaries of NNPC Ltd. However, based on professional advice and sound commercial considerations, NNPC Ltd opted to merge NNPC Retail Limited into OVH, and thereafter retain NNPC Retail Limited as the company name post-merger.
“The first step of merging NNPC Retail Ltd into OVH has been completed and the post-merger renaming as NNPC Retail Ltd is ongoing.
Atiku had alleged that Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd as a compensation for the alleged acquisition of NNPC Retail Ltd by OVH in which he claimed Wale Tinubu held 49% stake.
Atiku further alleged that the NNPC Retail Ltd—OVH acquisition deal was part of a grand scheme by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to integrate his personal business interests into Nigeria’s public enterprises at the federal level.
However, Soneye stressed that management of NNPC Ltd, under the leadership of Mele Kyari, has done very well in growing the company’s fortunes as shown in the 2023 Audited Financial Statement (AFS), where it reported N3.3 trillion as profit after tax.
“NNPC Ltd as a commercial entity is devoid of political interest and shall continue to conduct its business full of commitment to national interest and value creation for the benefit of all stakeholders.
“NNPC Ltd shall resist any attempt to draw its Board and Management into partisan politics.”