Metro

Court Orders APC Served Hearing Notice In ₦10m Refund Suit

Published

1 year ago

May 20, 2025

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the service of a hearing notice on the All Progressives Congress following the absence of a representative to appear for the party in the ongoing nomination fee refund suit brought against it by a former aspirant.

The complainant, a former aspirant for the position of APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Sunny Moniedafe, in a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2434/2024, sued the ruling party, demanding the refund of the ₦10 million he paid for a Nomination Form in 2022.

Moniedafe explained that ahead of the APC’s National Convention on March 26, 2022, he purchased the ₦10 million Nomination Form to contest the position of Deputy National Chairman (North).

He further stated that during the convention, the party’s leadership, under then-President Muhammadu Buhari, urged aspirants to step down, as the position of Deputy National Chairman had been agreed to go to someone from Borno State in the North-East geopolitical zone.

According to Moniedafe, the leadership had reached a consensus on a candidate and directed other aspirants to step down, with ex-President Buhari instructing that those who complied should be refunded their money.

However, Moniedafe said, “Disappointingly, the leadership of the defendant reneged on its promise and blatantly refused, failed, and neglected to refund the said ₦10 million from March 2022 to the time of filing this case, despite repeated demands by me.”

At the resumed sitting on Monday, both the plaintiff, Moniedafe, and his lawyer, Okoi Obono-Obla, were present in court. However, no appearance was made for the defendant, nor was there any legal representative for the APC in court.

The presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, ordered that a hearing notice be served on the APC ahead of the next hearing date.

“The defendant is not in court and not represented,” Justice Halilu noted.

Justice Halilu acknowledged the statement of defence before the court but added that there was no proof that the plaintiff had been served. “I can see no proof of service here,” he said.

He instructed the court registrar to expedite the process by contacting the defendant’s counsel and providing them with the necessary documents so they could be served.

Obono-Obla responded, “My lord, we are very diligent. If we are served, we will respond immediately.”

The court acknowledged an application filed by the APC seeking an extension of time. In a brief ruling, Justice Halilu granted the request, stating, “The application filed by the defendant seeking an extension of time is hereby moved and granted.”

He proceeded to adjourn the case to July 15, 2025, for a hearing to determine whether the defendant had been served the hearing notice.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.