Metro

Protest Rocks Enugu Judiciary Legal Year Opening

Published

4 months ago

January 26, 2026

Editor

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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

15 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.