IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arrested businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after her arrival from London.

Achimugu, declared wanted in March over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering, was ordered by a Federal High Court on Monday to appear before the EFCC and in court this week.

Her lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, confirmed the arrest, calling it a violation of a court order. He revealed that Achimugu has begun a hunger strike in protest.

EFCC sources justified the arrest, stating it was necessary to ensure her appearance. The commission’s spokesperson has yet to comment. 

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging for culpable homicide.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme delivered the verdict on Monday, ruling that the prosecution proved Nwachukwu’s role in his wife’s death on April 8, 2022.

Nwachukwu was arraigned on a 23-count charge, including homicide, spousal battery, and child cruelty. While pleading for leniency, his lawyer's request was rejected as the court imposed the maximum penalties, including multiple prison terms and fines. 

Canadians head to the polls today to elect a new government, with rising tensions over US President Donald Trump’s trade policies dominating the campaign.

Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau last month, faces a tough challenge from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Once trailing by 20 points, the Liberals surged ahead after Trump’s threats triggered a voter backlash.

Carney, a former central bank chief in Canada and Britain, has pitched himself as the steady hand needed to confront US pressures, warning that “America wants to break us, so they can own us.”

Poilievre, focusing on domestic issues like inflation and housing, accused Carney of offering more of the same Liberal leadership that, he says, weakened Canada’s resilience.

Final polls show a tight race, with the Liberals slightly ahead. Nearly 29 million Canadians are eligible to vote for 343 parliamentary seats, with 172 needed for a majority. 

In a major boost to education and infrastructure, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has commissioned a series of development projects across Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State. Over the weekend, Kalu toured several communities Bende town, Itumbauzo, and Uzuakoli rolling out a lineup of completed projects aimed at enhancing living standards and boosting economic growth in the area.

The projects, which span education, road construction, and water supply, include multiple blocks of renovated and newly constructed classrooms, kilometers of newly tarred roads, and solar-powered industrial boreholes.

Education Infrastructure Takes Center Stage

Highlighting his commitment to education, Kalu commissioned reconstructed classroom blocks at key institutions including Okopedi Community Primary School, Etitiulo Primary School, Bende Secondary Grammar School, Central School Bende, and Community Primary School Bende. In Uzuakoli, the Deputy Speaker also unveiled a brand-new 6-classroom block at Uzuakoli Boys Secondary School and refurbished classrooms at LG Amamba/Agbozu Primary School.

Speaking at the ceremonies, Hon. Kalu emphasized the transformational role education played in his personal journey, stressing the need to create a conducive learning environment for future generations.

"Education got me where I am today," he said. "If I didn’t go to school, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to stand before you. That’s why I’m passionate about giving the next generation a better chance."

Roads and Water Projects for Improved Livelihoods

Beyond education, Kalu flagged off major road projects including the 2km Ndiokorieukwu Road, the 1km Bende Market-Amaogwu-Agbomiri Ring Road, the 800m Okputong-Ndiekeugo Road, the 1km Okwu-Amuhie Road, and the 2km Ihemba Road in Uzuakoli Ward. A new solar-powered industrial borehole was also commissioned in Amamba to improve water supply.

The Deputy Speaker credited the achievements to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which, he said, had provided unprecedented funding for grassroots development, particularly in education.

"President Bola Tinubu is trying," Kalu told constituents. "He has pumped in the highest amount of funding into education since Nigeria’s creation. I urge you to continue supporting this government that is working for Ndi Igbo and all Nigerians."

Communities Applaud Efforts

Residents across Bende, Itumbauzo, and Uzuakoli warmly received the projects, describing them as transformative and a major step towards improved living standards.

They expressed profound gratitude to the Deputy Speaker, hailing his commitment to grassroots development and promising continued support for his leadership. 

The Kano State Government has uncovered 240 civil servants receiving double salaries and 217 individuals operating under the same Bank Verification Number (BVN), following a biometric verification exercise.

Dr. Sulaiman Wali Sani, Special Adviser to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Civil Service Matters and Chairman of the State Coordinating Committee, announced the findings at a press briefing on Sunday. He explained that the irregularities were exposed through the work of two committees overseeing state and local government payrolls.

Sani described the discovery as part of ongoing efforts to reform the state’s civil service and fulfill Governor Yusuf’s campaign promises. He added that 1,335 workers also failed to present themselves for verification, raising further suspicions of ghost workers.

Similarly, Alhaji Umar Idi, Chairman of the Local Government Standing Committee, said a recent audit identified 247 suspicious names on the local government and primary healthcare payrolls, including retirees, deceased persons, and unauthorised staff extensions. Only eight individuals appeared to verify their employment, while the remaining names were slated for removal, saving the government about ₦27.8 million monthly. 

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jesutega Onokpasa, has said President Bola Tinubu has "failed woefully" in delivering good governance, warning he could end up a one-term president if there’s no improvement.

Speaking on Arise Television on Sunday, Onokpasa criticized the focus on defections from opposition parties, insisting the APC should prioritize performance over political gains.

He also dismissed the recent defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori—whom he described as his cousin—as inconsequential, stressing that defections undermine democratic principles.

“It’s not about who joins us; it’s about whether we are governing well. In that sense, we have failed woefully,” Onokpasa said, adding that Tinubu’s administration has struggled to provide relief for Nigerians.