Metro

Protest Rocks Enugu Judiciary Legal Year Opening

Published

3 months ago

January 26, 2026

Events marking the opening of the Enugu State judiciary’s 2026 legal year were disrupted on Monday as protesters invaded the Enugu State High Court premises to demand the release of a detained Labour Party lawmaker, Bright Emeka Ngene.

Ngene, a lawyer, had been imprisoned over the past year in a matter involving his community, for which many have condemned.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “NBA save your member from political imprisonment,” “Free Barr. Bright Ngene,” “Injustice to one lawyer is injustice to all lawyers,” “Say no to miscarriage of justice,” “Release Bright Ngene now,” and “Chief Judge, Enugu State must not stall Bright Ngene case.” Their protests had disrupted the activities of Judiciary members who were observing their opening year.

Speaking to journalists, Dr Casmir Uchenna Agbo, Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, described Ngene’s continued detention as an injustice to humanity and an affront to the will of the people.

He said: “I am here in solidarity with this group and my party. Injustice to one is injustice to all. What they are doing to Bright Ngene is an injustice to humanity. Whatever the problem is, it should not be the reason to deny this young man the mandate freely given to him by the people of Enugu South Urban.

“Enough is enough. Bright Ngene should be released and allowed to enjoy his mandate, even if it is for 24 hours. The Labour Party won the election fair and square. I see no reason why the young man should be behind bars. Governor Peter Mbah, you know what to do. We urge you to release this man and allow him to enjoy the mandate he received from the people.”

Speaking, the leader of the protesters, John Chukwuemeka Ewoh, said he was a co-accused with Ngene but had since been discharged and acquitted.

“I was sentenced alongside Bright Emeka Ngene on 28 June 2024. By the special grace of God, my case was determined on 23 September 2024, and I was discharged and acquitted. That is why I am here talking to the press,” he said.

Ewoh lamented Ngene’s prolonged detention, noting that he won the Enugu South Urban constituency seat in 2023 and even emerged victorious again in a rerun election in August 2025 while still in prison.

“Which means the mandate of the people for Bright Emeka Ngene is whole and entire. The people have made their choice, but his voice cannot be heard because he has continued to be incarcerated,” he said.

Another protester, Kachukwu Benedict, accused judicial officers of stalling the case.

“Over this period of two years, judicial officers have tactically been recusing themselves. Justice A. Ajah recused himself on the day of judgment. The case went to Justice Olaedo, and the same thing happened. This is not justice. We are asking that this case be dispensed with so it can proceed to the Court of Appeal,” he said.

The protesters called on the Nigerian Bar Association, the Enugu State judiciary and the state government to intervene and ensure Ngene’s release or the speedy conclusion of his trial.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.