– ICPC chairman

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Musa Aliyu (SAN), says Nigeria cannot defeat corruption through arrests and prosecutions alone, but that the country’s anti-corruption campaign must begin in classrooms, where values and professional ethics are formed.

Aliyu said this on Friday at the ICPC and Nigerian Law School Kano Zonal Workshop on Integrating Anti-Corruption Education into Nigerian Universities and the Nigerian Law School.

He regretted that corruption continues to place heavy costs on ordinary Nigerians by weakening institutions, undermining justice, slowing development and eroding public trust.

“The public pays for corruption,” he said, adding that the fight against the menace requires a stronger focus on prevention through education.

To the ICPC chairman, investigation and prosecution remain key aspects of the commission’s mandate, but preventing corruption by instilling ethical values in future professionals is equally important.

Aliyu posited, “There is no more fertile ground for prevention than the classroom,” noting that legal education plays a critical role in shaping the ethical standards of future lawyers, whose professional decisions have significant implications for governance, accountability and the administration of justice.

He warned that the justice system is weakened whenever legal practitioners compromise ethical principles, urging universities and the Nigerian Law School to make integrity a central component of legal training rather than an afterthought.

He explained further that the Kano workshop is part of the commission’s broader initiative to institutionalise anti-corruption education in legal training, following an earlier engagement with deans of law faculties and the Nigerian Law School in Abuja.

He promised that a similar workshop would be held for stakeholders in the South-West in Lagos.

To him, the commission was not seeking to impose a rigid curriculum but to develop a framework that strengthens ethical standards with academic realities:

“The Commission will support and facilitate this process. We are committed to providing the institutional support required because we believe the impact of this initiative can extend beyond legal education to other professions and eventually across the public sector.”

Aliyu asked participants to imagine a young lawyer being confronted with the temptation to compromise justice years after graduation saying:

“The decision that the lawyer makes will be influenced by the values we choose to teach today.”

Aliyu demanded that legal education must produce lawyers who are recognised not only for their knowledge of the law but also for their commitment to truth, justice and accountability.

Consequently, he urged participants to consider whether legal education should produce professionals who strengthen national development or individuals who use their legal knowledge to frustrate justice.

He finally thanked participants and resource persons for contributing to the national conversation and paid tribute to Professor Isa Chiroma for his contributions to the initiative.

He equally reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting reforms in legal education, while calling on parents, teachers and members of the legal profession to lead by example in promoting integrity:

“I hope that one day we will all look back with pride and know that we made a difference in the history of this country.”

By Philip Nyam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abdulrazak Namdas PhD. as the new Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga announced this in a statement in Abuja.

Dr Namdas replaces Dr Dakorinama Alabo George, who resigned to contest for an elective post in his home state.

A former member of the House of Representatives representing Ganye/Jada/Mayo Belwa/Toungo federal constituency of Adamawa State, Namdas was the spokesperson of the 8th House of Representatives, and an aspirant in the just-concluded governorship primary election in Adamawa State.

As a seasoned journalist and public relations practitioner, he also served as Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Boni Haruna of Adamawa State.

Also, President Tinubu has appointed Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, as the Executive Director, Strategy & Commercial, of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

President Tinubu also reappointed Mr Chukwuma Umeoji as Executive Director, Corporate Services of the NDPHC.

Obahiagbon replaces Engineer Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who resigned from his position as Executive Director, Strategy & Commercial, to pursue his political aspiration in his home state.

Obahiagbon served in both the Edo State House of Assembly and the National Assembly.

Mr Umeoji, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Anambra State, in the 9th National Assembly, was reappointed as Executive Director, Corporate Services, after resigning to pursue his political ambition in his home state.

All appointments are effective immediately.

–Gov Alia Calls for Calm, Immediate Probe

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in Benue State, Ardo Muhammad, and one Yakubu Isah have been killed by gunmen in Otukpo Local Government Area, an incident that has triggered tension in Otukpo and neighbouring Ohimini LGA.

His eldest son confirmed the incident to journalists late Friday, saying his father was ambushed and killed while returning from the meeting.

It was gathered that the MACBAN chairman attended a peace meeting on Friday convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohimini with leaders of Ayunne community in Ohimini LGA. The meeting was part of efforts to address a previous crisis in Ayunne where some people were killed.

When contacted, Chairman of Ohimini LGA, Adole Gabriel, said the meeting was fruitful and the MACBAN chairman left afterward. “Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him with one other person,” Gabriel stated.

Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the killing and said there was palpable tension in the community and environs. “It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon. The killing has raised tension in the community and environs,” Ogiri said, urging residents to remain calm while security operatives handle the situation.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed she had received the report and said an investigation was ongoing.

In a statement issued Saturday June 27, 2026, Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed deep shock and sadness over the killing of “Alhaji Ardo Risku and his friend.” He said the heinous act came at a time when the state was witnessing a significant return to peace and stability.

“It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting,” the governor said, describing it as “a direct attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and the atmosphere of reconciliation” his administration has worked to foster.

He directed security agencies to launch a thorough and transparent investigation immediately to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing. He emphasized that the security should leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators and bring them to justice swiftly.

The governor urged MACBAN members and the public to remain calm and law-abiding. “We must not allow those who profit from chaos to succeed in inciting further violence or disrupting the peace we have taken time to build,” he said.

Alia extended condolences to the family of the deceased and the entire MACBAN community, adding: “Our administration remains resolute: Benue is a home for peace, and we will not allow the shadows of the past to eclipse the bright future we are currently building.”