News

Crisis Looms In Ebonyi Assembly Over Umahi’s N33bn Loan Request

Published

3 years ago

April 15, 2023

There is a brewing face-off in the Ebonyi House of Assembly not unconnected to a recent alleged demand by Governor David Umahi for the approval of a fresh N33 billion loan by the Assembly.

It was learnt that Umahi wrote to the House demanding an approval to borrow the money to enable him complete his projects before handing over on May 29, 2023.

This development, The PUNCH gathered, has generated mixed reactions among residents of the state, wondering why the governor was requesting for such a whopping sum in a state already indebted to local and international financial institutions to the tune of N75 billion.

Others are querying the relevance of the loan for project completion, even when Umahi has barely five weeks to leave office.

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has remained adamant in its refusal to approve the N33 billion request from Governor Umahi despite persistent pressures from him and his foot soldiers.

A source said, “The House has approved the release of N6 billion for the settlement of accumulated gratuities and pensions owed to civil servants in the state since 2015 when Umahi came to office.”

The crisis has further deepened with a call from Assembly members to impeach the Speaker, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, if he refuses to resign.

The PUNCH reports that Nwifuru is also the governor-elect in Ebonyi State and has been the Speaker of the House since 2015.

A document, titled, “EBONYI SPEAKER UNDER FIRE TO RESIGN OR RISK IMPEACHMENT,” which was signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr. Egede Sylvester, obtained by The PUNCH, said the members demanded immediate resignation of Hon. Nwifuru and his deputy, Kingsley Ikoro, or they would face impeachment.

The call came barely three weeks after Nwifuru was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission as governor-elect of the state.

The document quoted the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Victor Chukwu, as having spoken on behalf of his colleagues, saying, “The members of the House are no longer satisfied with the leadership of the House under the administration of Chief Francis Nwifuru and urge him to resign in his honour and for the betterment of the State Assembly and the state at large.”

It added, “His resignation would afford him the opportunity to be fully involved in the affairs of his inauguration as the governor.

“On his part, the Speaker, Nwifuru, said he had duly listened to their plea and thanked them for revealing their grievances, urging them to trade with caution for the peace and development of the state.”

Reacting, the Speaker and Governor-elect, Nwifuru, said the only request from the executive arm of government was on remittances from the excess crude account.

“The request was for 60 per cent of the funds from the Excess Crude Account to be used to offset the state’s liabilities to the Federal Government. We duly approved the request and you did not hear anything about loans,” he said.

He also debunked the report that the Assembly members threatened him with impeachment if he did not resign to prepare for his swearing-in as governor on May 29.

“I did not hear such thing and do not know who told you about it. You should know that such report is fake. You should ask the Leader of the House and its Information Officer whom you claim told you such.”

Also, responding to the loan request, the Special Assistant to Governor David Umahi on Media and Strategy, Mr Chooks Okoh, said there was no official statement as regarding the development but that whatever the governor did had always been for the interest and development of the state.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

1 minute ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

18 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
‎
‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
‎
‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
‎
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
‎
‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
‎
‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
‎
‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
‎