Crime
Alleged attack on witnesses: SDP’s allegation reckless, stands logic on its head – Kogi Govt says
*Says it’s illogical to attack witnesses doing enough to make paymasters lose woefully in court
*Accuses SDP of stage-managing attack because its petition is suffering irreversible setback
*Affirms commitment to peace, security
The Kogi State Government has debunked what it described as a headless allegation by the Social Democratic Party that it masterminded attacks on witnesses at the ongoing Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, saying the allegation was not only reckless, but stands logic on its head.
The state government said, contrary to the propaganda of the SDP, discerning members of the public were following the Tribunal case and would know that there was no way anyone would plot an attack against witnesses that were already testifying against those who paid them to testify and doing enough to make SDP lose woefully.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, said it was, however, important to enlighten the SDP that the case at the Tribunal was between parties and that the State Government, which it accused, was not one.
Fanwo, who spoke at a press conference in Lokoja, on Saturday, noted that if any attack did happen as claimed by the SDP, “it must have been stage-managed by the SDP to justify their failure to produce the number of witnesses they claimed to have in line with their modus operandi as witnessed during the campaign.”
“Why would anyone attempt or even attack a witness that has testified against those that paid him to witness for them? The discerning public is following the tribunal case and understands there is no need to attack witnesses that are doing enough to make SDP lose woefully in the law court,” he said.
The state government noted that it was absurd and incomprehensible for the SDP to continue to exhibit anti-democratic tendencies and provoke the sensibility of the people in such a reckless manner, adding that “if they are so confident in their incompetent petition, why resort to self help?”
“As a legitimate Government, we won’t be soiled in the oil of subjudice that the SDP has engaged in with impunity. We will protect all the people and residents of the State and also protect our integrity and image,” the Commissioner stated.
He said, “We wouldn’t have bothered to respond to the barking of the SDP and its leadership as the State Government is busy with governance; but it is important to set the record straight and address the minds of the public to the tradition of lies by the SDP.
“The Kogi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, the democratically elected Governor of the State, will be undaunted in its resolve to serve the people of the State rather than be entangled in the propaganda festival by a jobless and idle party.”
According to him, the Kogi State Government is unwavering in its stance on security and constitutionalism as the basic minimum in ensuring a peaceful and secured state.
The Commissioner added that it was the responsibility of the Government to protect all citizens, irrespective of their political or religious persuasions.
“To this end, the State Government did not receive any report of politically stirred crisis and therefore surprised at the blatant, false, spurious and pedestrian claims by the Social Democratic Party in the party’s usual way of whipping up sentiments and spreading falsehood to win public sympathy,” he said.
The state government stated, “It is clear that SDP’s petition is suffering an irreversible setback at the Tribunal as the comedians they presented as witnesses probably didn’t rehearse their lines well or they are falling because their claims have their foundation in fiction. It will be unacceptable for them to vent their impending failure on the State Government that is doing all it can to provide security for all in the State.
“The Kogi State Government doesn’t subscribe to violence and actions that breach the peace of the State. We will also not accept statements deliberately made to incite the people against the Government and possibly spark panic. The SDP must always be prepared for the consequences of their actions and utterances against the Kogi State Government or its officials.
“The illogic of the SDP’s claims is characteristic of a party that is desperately making efforts to hug the limelight through propaganda.
“The Governor of Kogi State is a law abiding gentleman who is working hard to consolidate on the achievements of the immediate past administration. He promised to protect all Kogites irrespective of their political and religious beliefs. His commitment to fulfilling such promises is iron cast and unimpeachable.
“For the National Chairman of the SDP to make false claims against the Kogi State Government before gentlemen of the Press is further proof of the party’s irrelevance and the reason the party is not controlling any state in the Federation. Kogi State cannot be a podium for the SDP to test its songs of division, ethnic bigotry and violence.
“We urge the people of the State to go about their normal businesses as there won’t be any chance for anyone to attack any Kogite. No stone will be left unturned to ensure peace and security in the State.”
Crime
Delta APC Congress: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Bid as Thugs Invade Ethiope West Venue
Tension escalated during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Government Congress in Ethiope West Local Government Area on Saturday when violence erupted, forcing Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, to flee under heavy security in what her supporters and aides described as a targeted assassination attempt.
The congress, originally slated for Oghara Township Stadium but relocated to Ovade Primary School, was underway with delegate accreditation and consultations when suspected hoodlums—armed with cutlasses, guns, and other dangerous weapons—stormed the venue. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers caused widespread panic, injuring several supporters of the federal lawmaker and blocking access to the site, which disrupted the process of electing party executives.
Hon. Ibori-Suenu arrived at the new venue amid heightened tensions within party factions. Reports indicate that her supporters were attacked as they attempted to participate, with some alleging intimidation aimed at suppressing her group’s involvement. She reportedly escaped unhurt thanks to her security detail, while multiple delegates sustained injuries during the chaos.
The incident has been attributed by some sources to internal party rivalries, with claims of sponsorship by opposing political figures, though these remain unverified allegations.
The Delta State APC has denied reports of violence or any attack on Ibori-Suenu, dismissing them as media sensationalism and emphasizing overall party unity following the congress exercises across the state.
No official police statement on arrests or investigations has been released yet, but the event has raised fresh concerns about political violence ahead of future electoral processes in the region.
As Ivorian Excretes 82 Cocaine Wraps at Kano Airport.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered creative and high-stakes drug smuggling attempts across Nigeria, including a woman using a fake baby bump made from a calabash to hide thousands of tramadol capsules and an Ivorian national who ingested cocaine pellets for export to Europe.
In one bizarre case at the Seme land border in Lagos State on February 16, operatives intercepted 35-year-old Kano businesswoman Rabi Muhammad attempting to cross into Cotonou, Benin Republic. Suspicion arose from her prominently protruding abdomen.
A full body search revealed the “pregnancy” was fabricated — she had tied a pink-coloured calabash around her stomach to conceal 3,200 capsules of tramadol destined for sale abroad.
On the same day at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), NDLEA officers detained 41-year-old Ivorian Michael Gohouri (alias Anunwa Onyinye Michael) during outbound clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan, Italy, via Addis Ababa. A body scan confirmed ingestion of narcotics. Under medical observation, he excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms. The suspect, who arrived in Lagos from Milan in mid-January and shuttled between cities before loading the drugs in a Kano hotel, reportedly stood to earn €5,000 upon delivery. He holds an Italian resident permit and a Nigerian NIN under his alias.
In a significant hit against organized trafficking, NDLEA arrested Kolapo Oladapo Raji, 57, Chairman and CEO of real estate firm Trans Fortress Global Resources. Placed on the agency’s watchlist in 2025, Raji was nabbed at his Ikate, Lekki residence in Lagos on February 12 following surveillance after a UK trip. Searches recovered 89.20 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis in four large bags and a 2024 Toyota Hilux. Raji admitted entering the trade via financing for an overseas contact, with profits prompting him to build his own network.
Additional seizures and arrests occurred nationwide:
- Lagos: 56kg skunk from Ugwuja Kingsley in Agbara (February 19) and 76kg from Ekwe Arinze in Oshodi (February 17).
- Rivers State (Onne Port): 170,900 bottles of codeine syrup in a container, uncovered via joint intelligence-led inspection.
- Kogi State: 7,300 tramadol 225mg pills hidden in sound systems on a Lagos-Kano bus (February 15), leading to arrests of Ezenma Kingsley (26) and Ezeja Anthony (29) in Abuja (February 17).
- Ondo State: 195kg and 198kg skunk from suspects in forest raids (February 19).
- Bauchi State: 936kg skunk from Yahaya Adamu Gimba (48) in Azare, plus 85.8kg from him and three accomplices (February 17).
- Delta State: 37kg skunk in Ughelli (February 17).
- Edo State: Destruction of over 1,266kg skunk on three farms in Owan West, with 23kg processed cannabis recovered; arrests including 68-year-old grandmother Evelyn Ogenewu and Friday Iruoje (43) (February 17).
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised operatives from MAKIA, Seme, Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, Port Harcourt Ports, Ondo, Delta, and Kogi commands for their successes. He emphasized the agency’s dual focus on supply reduction through enforcement and demand reduction via War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization in schools and communities nationwide.
The update was released by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, to February 27, 2026.
The adjournment was announced on Friday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik during proceedings in the case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS), also known as the State Security Service.
The case, which involves allegations including terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms, could not proceed as scheduled due to a public holiday declared by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The holiday was proclaimed ahead of the scheduled area council elections in the FCT set for the following day.
Following the declaration, the court ordered that the defendants remain remanded in the custody of the DSS pending the next hearing date.
Malami and his son had earlier pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge when they were arraigned before the same judge. The matter had previously been adjourned to February 20 for consideration of bail applications and the potential commencement of trial.
This development marks another delay in the high-profile legal proceedings against the former chief law officer of Nigeria and his son. The case continues to draw significant public attention amid broader anti-corruption and security-related probes in the country.
The court is expected to reconvene on February 27 for further proceedings.
Delta APC Congress: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Bid as Thugs Invade Ethiope West Venue
NDLEA Busts Woman with Fake Pregnancy Concealing Tramadol (Photos)
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