IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has visited victims and families of those affected by the recent spate of killings in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

In a statement shared via his official X handle on Monday, the 63-year-old expressed sorrow over what he termed “senseless killings,” describing the violence as unacceptable in a country not officially at war. “Yesterday, I travelled from Abuja to Jos, Plateau State, to condole with and show solidarity with Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the people of Plateau State over the recent senseless killings in the Bokkos area of the state,” he wrote.

The former Anambra governor’s visit included a trip to Bokkos, where he met with displaced persons, children, and survivors of the attacks. Obi lamented the scale of the destruction and called for urgent action to protect innocent lives.

“What has happened in these communities is very saddening and utterly unacceptable. Nigerians should not be killed or forced to flee their homes when we are not at war. Every life is precious, and no Nigerian, regardless of where they live, should have to live in fear or uncertainty,” the former governor said.

Offering his condolences, the businessman added, “My deepest condolences go to the families and communities who have suffered tragic losses. No words can truly capture the pain and devastation that such senseless violence brings”. 

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed the rescue of two men from the rubble of a collapsed building under construction on Agarawu Street, near Aroloya Central Mosque in Idumota, Lagos Island.

According to Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, the incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. on Monday. The agency’s response team from its Lekki base arrived promptly after receiving a distress call via the emergency lines.

The victims received first aid treatment from the LASEMA Pre-Hospital Care Unit. No fatalities have been reported so far.

The scene has been secured by law enforcement, while investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse. Search and rescue operations have now concluded. 

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified their crackdown on oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, dismantling 18 illegal bunkering sites and arresting 28 suspected oil thieves across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma. According to the statement, the operations were conducted between April 7 and 13, 2025, in collaboration with other security agencies. “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have thwarted several attempts to re-establish new illegal bunkering camps in the Niger Delta region. These efforts led to the arrest of 28 suspected oil thieves, the dismantling of 18 illegal bunkering sites, and the recovery of over 72,000 litres of stolen products across the region,” the statement noted.

It further stated that in Rivers State, troops intensified operations that disrupted illegal bunkering activities around Joinkrama 4 Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area, where welding machines and newly constructed drums were recovered. It added that, following credible intelligence, troops raided De Tropicana Hotel in the same LGA and intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles loaded with over 1,300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), which were abandoned by fleeing drivers. 

At Krakrama Wellhead 12 in Bille, Degema LGA, three suspects attempting to compromise the facility were arrested. Three wooden boats loaded with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil were also recovered, while four other suspects were arrested during follow-up operations at the same location. Several pieces of equipment used in illegal activities were destroyed in Okarki. 

The attention of the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) Planning Committee has been drawn to comments attributed to the Administrator of Rivers State, suggesting that the state government paid for hosting rights of the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2025 AGC.

We wish to make it clear that the decision to hold the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024. This decision was not the outcome of a bidding process, nor was it tied to any form of hosting rights or financial obligations from any state. The NBA does not confer or sell hosting rights, nor is there any representation that the conference must be held in any specific city.

As is customary, due to the significant cost of organizing the AGC, the NBA Conference Planning Committee routinely seeks support from public and private organizations—including state governments—on an unconditional basis. These contributions are considered goodwill gestures and not payments for hosting privileges.

In recent years, various state governments, corporate bodies, ministries, departments, and agencies have supported the NBA AGC as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives and in alignment with the NBA’s vision. The financial support received from the Rivers State Government falls within this tradition and was given as a gift, not as consideration for hosting rights.

Our focus remains on delivering a world-class conference for members of the Bar, and we will not be distracted by unnecessary controversies.

Emeka Obegolu, SAN

Chair, 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee 

Peter Okoye of P-Square on Monday testified against his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, in an ongoing trial over alleged money laundering involving N1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Jude and his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos on a seven-count charge.

The charges stem from a petition filed by Peter, who told the court that Jude was the sole signatory to group accounts and mismanaged funds, including halting financing of Peter’s Ikoyi home project.

Peter also alleged that Jude created a similar company and withheld financial records and backend royalties after the group’s reunion in 2021.

Jude pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial continues. 

A federal judge in Boston has halted former President Donald Trump’s attempt to revoke the legal status of over 500,000 immigrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Haiti.

District Judge Indira Talwani issued an emergency order stopping the move, ruling that the administration misapplied immigration law. The affected migrants were admitted under a parole program launched by President Joe Biden in 2022, allowing 30,000 people per month to enter legally for two years.

Talwani said the migrants, lawfully present under the program, could not be subjected to rapid deportation procedures meant for illegal entrants. The Trump administration’s order, which was set to take effect April 24, would have stripped legal protections just 30 days after being announced.

The ruling marks another legal setback for Trump’s aggressive immigration agenda, which includes promises to deport millions if re-elected.