General News
No judge in FCT High court will be staying in rented apartment, Wike assured
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu, in ensuring that no judge in the FCT lives in a rented apartment by the end of 2027.
The minister made the promise during the flag-off of the Design and Construction of Residences for the Heads of Courts of the FCT, in Abuja.
He assured that the era where judges stayed in rented quarters “will come to an end.”
According to FCT minister, “Let me also say what Mr President has done for the FCT. Before the first tenure of Mr President ends, no judge of the FCT will be living in a rented quarter. I said before the first tenure ends, no judge of the FCT High Court; I didn’t say Federal High Court, I didn’t say National Industrial Court, but of the FCT High Court, will be staying in a rented quarter,”.
He lamented, “When we were appointed by Mr. President to be ministers of FCT; the Minister Of State, FCT, and my humble self, one of the things that Mr. President said concerning about improving the welfare, enhancing the performance of judicial officers And with my experience as a former governor of a state, I said to Mr. President, one thing your government must show different is that we can’t afford to continue to see judges living in rented houses.
“Sometimes you don’t know the landlords of these houses. Sometimes you don’t know their neighbors. These judges preside over criminal matters or other serious matters indeed. And of course, you never can tell what will happen”.
He commended President Tinubu for his support and for changing the narratives for the judicial officers in the country.
He added that “I want to make it clear that what we are doing today, is not just for the heads of courts that when they retire, they go, No. As they retire, the property becomes their own. This is the approval of Mr. President, and that is why we issued the C-of-Os in their names. So all of you who are here now, don’t think that when they are leaving tomorrow, the buildings will be taken away from them. You will see the pages on newspaper; ‘Retired Chief Judge of FCT has taken our house. Retired Chief of Federal High Court has converted our house’. ‘The President of National Industrial Court has converted the house of National Industrial Court,’ ‘The President of the Court of Appeal has done the same’. Please, the policy of Mr. President in this sense of court is that, as they are retiring, they must go home with their houses. That is the true position.
“The representative of the President of the Court of Appeal has said and I can imagine how a presiding judge who is posted to Abuja, that would think that things are affordable for him to do his job, was squatting with his own brother for two years. Tell me how comfortable he would be in that house to do his work? Friends who come and visit his brother, will he say they shouldn’t come? It’s not his house, he’s a squatter . That is what you find our judges passing through.
“That’s also why when I was Governor of River State, I made it clear, no judge on retirement will not have a home. If you don’t want it physically, if you want it in cash, we did it”.
The FCT Minister also revealed that his administration is building for the Court of Appeal, 10 duplexes, and will be handed over by Mr. President by the end of the year, 10 for the Federal High Court, 20 for the FCT High Court.
He also assured that his administration don’t have history of starting projects and abandoning the projects, so there the projects would be completed before 2027.
“Let me also say what Mr. President has done for FCT. Before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, no judge of the FCT will be living in a rented quarter”, he said.
Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a collective commitment to strengthening the pillars of justice and governance in the nation’s capital.
“This project is about honour, dignity, and institutional pride, providing befitting residences for our esteemed Heads of Courts whose wisdom and integrity uphold the rule of law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she affirmed.
She, therefore, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose visionary leadership continues to redefine infrastructure delivery across the nation and particularly within the FCT, just as she applauded the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike for his dynamic leadership, relentless drive, and practical commitment to transforming Abuja’s infrastructure landscape.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in his goodwill message commended the FCT Minister, for his leadership and selflessness, to judicial reform and to widening access to justice for all Nigerians.
Fagbemi said, “The current administration’s clear prioritisation of institutional strengthening, judicial independence, and infrastructural investment has created the enabling environment for initiatives such as the construction of dignified residences for heads of our courts in the FCT. This of course includes the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. This project is a tangible expression of the President’s vision that a robust judiciary is essential to national development and the consolidation of democratic governance”.
General News
101-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Arrested For Selling Cannabis in Ogun, NDLEA Nabs N4.4BN ‘Loud’ in Lagos Ports
By Felix Umande
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, for allegedly dealing in cannabis in Ilisan, Ogun State, even as the agency intercepted more than 1.49 tonnes of “Loud” worth over N4.4 billion at Lagos ports.
The arrest and seizures were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday as part of the agency’s latest nationwide crackdown.
Ogunmabo was arrested on August 15, 2026, with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
According to the NDLEA, she admitted selling the substance in small quantities.
The centenarian reportedly told investigators that she resorted to drug dealing after a fire destroyed her provisions shop. She also disclosed that her daughter, who lives in Lagos, supplied her with cannabis every four days.
Following the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and subjected to counselling because of her advanced age. Her daughter was subsequently arrested.
In a separate operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a wooden boat allegedly heading towards fishing settlements in Cameroon. Three suspects were arrested with about 42.622 kilogrammes of illicit drugs.
The seizure included about 42.06kg of skunk, alongside other quantities of cannabis and 20 grammes of cocaine concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu.
The agency also announced what it described as its first seizure of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand through Nigeria’s maritime corridor.
Two containers containing cannabis indica, popularly known as “Loud,” were intercepted at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos.
One container, declared to contain dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries, was found to contain 1,090.5kg of the illicit substance.
A second container yielded another 400kg, bringing the combined quantity to more than 1.49 tonnes with an estimated street value exceeding N4.4bn.
The NDLEA said its operatives also recovered methamphetamine, skunk, opioids and other illicit substances during intelligence-led operations across Seme in Lagos State, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Abia and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency said the operations highlight the increasingly varied methods allegedly used by traffickers to move narcotics, including concealing cocaine in food items and disguising large consignments in containers declared as legitimate goods.
The NDLEA said it would continue to intensify operations against drug trafficking networks across the country, targeting both street-level dealers and larger supply chains involved in importing and distributing illicit substances.
By Nick Ibe
As another fake government agency, National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office has been exposed, Anambra State Government has revealed how they erroneously got involved with it.
According to Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Anambra was planning to host a fair in collaboration with the recently exposed fake Made-in-Nigeria Agency.
Mrs Nnake stated that the agency had tricked the government into hosting its maiden fair, which was billed to hold in December.
She further revealed how she was nominated as the state Focal Person for the agency, by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to represent the state in the fake agency.
The SSG was had to state her side of the story after her photograph went viral as the state Focal Person for the agency.
Nnake said:
“I wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the trending news concerning the purported ‘Made-in-Nigeria Agency,’ in which my photograph has been displayed and I have been identified as one of the State Coordinators.
“In January 2026, the Governor received a letter from the Made-in-Nigeria Office, said to be under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting the nomination of a State Focal Person. In response, the Governor, in February 2026, nominated me as the State Focal Person for Anambra State.
“Following the nominations, Focal Persons from the 36 states have been in a WhatsApp group engaging on issues relating to the activities of the office.
“More recently, the same office wrote to the State requesting that Anambra host the South-East Made-in-Nigeria Fair. The request was approved, and an inaugural meeting was held about two weeks ago, with the National Coordinator in attendance.
“Since then, the State Committee has been working on preparations for the fair, which is scheduled to take place from December 2 to 5, 2026.
“Beyond these official interactions and engagements, I have no knowledge of, involvement in, or connection with any other activities, claims, or developments attributed to the said office.
“I, therefore, wish to make it clear that anything beyond the above-mentioned official interactions is entirely outside my knowledge and involvement.”
General News
Alia Swears In 7 New Commissioners, Charges Them To Deliver ‘Results, NOT Rhetoric’ For Benue
By Felix Umande
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on Thursday, August 21, 2026, swore in seven new commissioners, charging them to prioritize competence, integrity and service delivery over personal or political interests.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.
The newly confirmed commissioners are: Hon. Chief Solomon Terver Iorpev; Hon. Mrs. Elizabeth Onma Ogenyi; Hon. Kuma Aii Yenge; Hon. Roy Ashirga Terna; Hon. Angwa Egbe Monday; Hon. Nick Eworo; and Hon. Amo Ankwa.
Addressing the appointees, Governor Alia said their emergence was “not merely an elevation to public office. It is a call to service; a solemn trust; and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development, stability and prosperity of our dear State.”
He reminded them that the oath of office was a commitment to the people of Benue, not to friends or interest groups.
“The people expect competence. They expect integrity. They expect fairness, accountability and diligence. Above all, they expect a government that listens to them, understands their challenges and works tirelessly to improve their lives,” the Governor said.
Alia urged the new commissioners to work as a cohesive team, stressing that government cannot function when Ministries, Departments and Agencies operate in silos.
“Your ministries may differ in mandate, but our destination is one, whether you are responsible for industries, sports, humanitarian, science, works, information or any other sector, your work must ultimately contribute to the same objective: a stronger, more prosperous, peaceful and sustainable Benue State,” he said.
He charged them to communicate, cooperate and share ideas, warning that “the success of one ministry strengthens the entire government, while the failure of one sector can affect the credibility of our whole administration.”
The Governor acknowledged that the task ahead would be difficult, with competing demands and limited resources. He urged them to remain focused, consult widely, and “always put the public interest first.”
Alia assured them of his administration’s support but stressed that it comes with expectations.
“I expect you to be accessible to the people. Listen to their concerns. Visit your villages and interact with electorates… Our people deserve results, give us results,” he said.
He also called for innovation in governance, urging the use of technology, data and modern management to make public service more efficient.
Governor Alia reminded the commissioners that public office is temporary but legacies endure.
“Be ministers of service, not merely holders of office. Be accessible without compromising authority. Be firm without being arrogant. Be compassionate without compromising standards. Be ambitious for Benue, but humble in your service to her people,” he stated.
He concluded that at the end of their tenure, what should matter is “not the number of meetings you attended or the length of your speeches, but the difference your ministry made in the lives of ordinary Benue people.”
The appointments are part of Governor Alia’s administration’s drive anchored on “renewed hope, responsible governance, development and service to the people.”
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