Metro

Court Grants Prof. Uduk Bail Over Alleged Electoral Fraud In Akwa Ibom

Published

3 months ago

March 20, 2025

The High Court sitting in Uyo has granted Prof. Ignatius Uduk bail on alleged electoral fraud pending the appeal against his conviction due to his critical health conditions.

Justice Okon Okon, on Thursday in Uyo, in his ruling on the bail application for the applicant while granting him bail, said the applicant is granted bail on the sum of N2million with two sureties.

The Judge added that the applicant should not travel out of the country within the period of bail and should deposit his international passport with the court.

The suit was brought before the Court with charge No: HU/240c/2020 between Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Prof. Ignatius Uduk.

The INEC was represented in the Court by Mr Daniel Nwike and Uduk was represented by Chief Kalu Umeh, SAN, Senator Ita Enang OFR, Dr Joe Udoinyang and George Ezegwu.

Speaking to newsmen after the judgement, Senator Ita Enang, said they were happy with the ruling of the court.

Enang, who spoke on behalf of Umeh – SAN, said they will expedite action to meet the bail conditions to ensure that the applicant is released to go and treat himself, pending appeal.

“The Honourable Court has granted bail pending appeal to the applicant Prof. Ignatius Uduk in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in like sum and to be residents within the jurisdiction of the court.

“The applicant will also deposit his International passport and should not travel out of jurisdiction within the period of the bail.

“We are taking urgent steps to perfect the conditions of the bail, while at the same time working very assiduously to make sure the appeal entered the Court of Appeal soon.

“The records have been completely compiled and are being transmitted to the Court of Appeal for the expeditious prosecution of the Appeal.

“So, we are very grateful to the Court and we are taking every step to make sure the conditions of bail are perfected and the applicant is released from custody pending appeal.

“We are very grateful to every person who worked with us, especially our lead counsel, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Kalu Umeh,” Enang said.

It would be recalled that Uduk was sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud related to his role as Collation/Returning Officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency seat during the 2019 general elections.

Metro

Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals For Economic Sabotage, Orders Repatriation

Published

3 hours ago

June 8, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced nine Chinese nationals, including two women, to one year’s imprisonment each for offences bordering on economic sabotage and financial terrorism.

Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the judgment on Wednesday, following the defendants’ guilty plea under a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The convicts — Zhao Xiang Hui, Liu Hai Rong, Liu Gang, Du Ji Geng, Li Dong, Huang Bo, Xhiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, and Deng Wei Qiang — were each fined N1 million in addition to their custodial sentences.

The court further ordered their repatriation to China upon completion of their prison terms.

The EFCC had arrested the convicts on December 10, 2024, during a massive raid on a building on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Lagos.

Over 700 suspects were apprehended during the operation, which targeted a suspected cybercrime and economic sabotage syndicate.

During proceedings, counsel for the EFCC, Nnemeka Omewa, informed the court that the defendants had opted for a plea bargain, which the commission found acceptable.

Counsel for the defence, Folarin Damela, also confirmed the arrangement and urged the court to adopt it.

Justice Osiagor thereafter read the amended one-count charge to the defendants, to which they all pleaded guilty

The charge accused them of accessing computer systems in December 2024 with the intent to destabilise Nigeria’s economic and social structure.

It further stated that they employed Nigerian youths to commit identity theft and impersonation for financial gain.

The court ruled that their prison terms should commence from December 10, 2024, the day of their arrest.

Additionally, the judge ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from the convicts — including furniture, laptops, and other computer gadgets — to the Federal Government.

Justice Osiagor also mandated the Nigerian Immigration Service to deport the convicts after they serve their sentences.

Metro

Man On Hard Drugs Dies After Jumping Into Well

Published

1 day ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Kwara State Fire Service on Saturday recovered the lifeless body of a 43-year-old man who jumped into a well in the Edun area of Ilorin West Local Government Area, following Sallah celebrations.

The deceased, identified simply as Kareem, was said to be under the influence of a hard drug, Synthetic Cannabinoids locally known as ‘Colorado’.

Kareem jumped into the well at Ile Alapo, Edun, shortly after returning from the Eid-el-Kabir prayers on Friday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, by Head of Media and Publicity for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the recovery of the body.

According to the statement, “The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well,” adding that firefighters were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they successfully retrieved the body.

“The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.

“The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the C Division Police Station, Ilorin.

“The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.”

Efforts to contact the spokesperson of Kwara Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi was proved abortive unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages sent to her WhatsApp number as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, expressed sadness over the tragic incident.

He seized the moment to urge residents of the state to steer clear of drug abuse, warning that such habits often lead to devastating consequences.

Metro

NAF Airstrikes Kill Terrorists, Destroy Hideouts In Borno

Published

1 day ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said it has carried out precision airstrikes on key Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State, neutralising several terrorists.

The service also said the airstrikes crippled terrorists logistics infrastructure ahead of the Eid celebrations.

According to a statement on Saturday, by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the airstrikes were conducted under Operation HADIN KAI on June 5 and 6, targeting terrorist enclaves in Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia, located in the Southern Tumbuns region of the state.

The strikes, which he said followed credible intelligence reports, were aimed at structures used by the insurgents for storage and operational coordination.

He noted that Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures.

Ejodame said, “In a series of precision airstrikes conducted on 5 and 6 June 2025, the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation HADIN KAI, decimated key Boko Haram hideouts at Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia in the Southern Tumbuns, Borno State.

“Acting on credible intelligence, NAF aircraft targeted terrorist structures reportedly used for storage and coordination, delivering direct hits and crippling planned attacks aimed at disrupting Eid celebrations.

“Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures. This pre-emptive action underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives and supporting national security objectives.”