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I’m not a thief, Kalu Cries Out at Senate valedictory session

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It was a moment of Solemnity at the ninth Senate as Orji Kalu, burst into tears while giving his valedictory speech on the floor on Saturday.

Kalu, while weeping, stated that he was labelled a thief by some entities who conspired against him.

He said, “Before I came into politics, I could buy anything money could buy. I’m not a thief. Those who put me in prison know the reason. They took over my businesses and wanted to kill me, yet I survived it, and I’m in the Senate with you.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned the former Abia governor and Ude Jones Udeogu, a former director of finance and accountant, on 36 counts of money laundering to the tune of N7.1 billion.

On December 5, 2019, Kalu was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, while Udeogu got a 10-year sentence.

The Supreme Court later nullified the trial of Kalu and his co-convicts.

The apex court held that Mohammed Idris, the trial judge who had been elevated to the court of appeal at the time of the case, ought not to have presided over the matter while he was an appeal court judge.

No fresh charges have been filed against him.

The chief whip said before he ventured into politics, he was wealthy and played a critical role financially in the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Senator Kalu stated, “I have never lacked, while I was in the Peoples Democratic Party where I served for two terms as governor, I brought the money they used to form that party, every penny, in 1997 and 1998, and I later became a thief.

“People I gave transport money from my house in Victoria Island became agents. This is what Nigeria represents.”

Senator Kalu, who is also a frontline contender for the leadership of the 10th Assembly, said that the country was not fair.

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NISO restores national grid after nationwide blackouts

The previous day,there was a nationwide blackout as the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) recorded 0Mw total energy generation at 16:00 hour.

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• A power generation site

The Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO) has restored the national grid to 2,126 megawatts (Mw) total energy generation at 20:00 hour.

The previous day,there was a nationwide blackout as the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) recorded 0Mw total energy generation at 16:00 hour.

NISO also raised the total energy sent to the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to 1,895Mw at 21:02 hours.

The grid developed issues that the NISO was yet to report its cause and restoration measures at press time, leading to the cut in the supply to the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) from the average of 4,000MW on a normal day.

According to the NISO website dashboard, the system dipped from 148.30MW at 15:00 hour.

On its distribution profile, the NISO revealed that total energy sent to the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) at 16:46hour was 305MW.

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Operation Awatse nabs six suspected drug dealers in Lagos

The suspects include Okoduwa Odianose (38, Edo State), Obagede Abraham (25, Osun State), Abdulahi Umate (18, Borno State), Bala Abdullahi (18, Kano State), Mallah Umate (18, Borno State), and Habeeb Badmus (34, Kwara State).

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Image of the six suspects / NAF

In furtherance of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal and terrorist activities within its Area of Responsibility (AOR), the Headquarters Joint Task Force South West, Operation AWATSE, has conducted a joint multi-component kinetic and non-kinetic operation code-named Operation EMBER Guard.

The operation, aimed at strengthening public confidence and enhancing inter-agency cooperation, led to a successful raid on a suspected drug den located along Idinmu Road, Egbeda, Lagos State, on 28 December 2025 at about 2300 hours.

During the operation, six suspects were arrested in connection with illegal drug-related activities.

The suspects include Okoduwa Odianose (38, Edo State), Obagede Abraham (25, Osun State), Abdulahi Umate (18, Borno State), Bala Abdullahi (18, Kano State), Mallah Umate (18, Borno State), and Habeeb Badmus (34, Kwara State).

The Items recovered from the suspects include three pieces of crack cocaine, 29 packs of ice, six bottles of codeine, 70 pieces of loud, six wraps of backwood, three small wraps of backwood, two wraps of Russian cream, 49 pieces of colos, two pieces of rohypnol, as well as other personal belongings.

The suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, on 29 December 2025 at the Nigerian Air Force 651 Base Services Group(BSG) 3 Provost, Sam Ethnan AirForce Base, Ikeja, Lagos for further investigation and prosecution.

The Theater Commander, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation AWATSE, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha was ably represented by the Commander 651 BSG, Air Commodore IM Imam who handed over the suspects to NDLEA officials.

The Commander 651 BSG reiterated the operation’s commitment to sustaining joint operations with relevant security agencies to curb criminality and ensure the safety and security of lives and property within the South West region.

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Ex- AGF Malami ‘s court trial begins at FHC Abuja

Malami is being tried for alleged money laundering, concealment of illicit funds, and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at more than ₦1.014 billion.

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The former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on corruption charges.‎ 

Malami is being tried for alleged money laundering, concealment of illicit funds, and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at more than ₦1.014 billion.

Malami is facing 16‑count charges alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe.‎‎

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a 16‑count charge against Malami, accusing him of multi‑billion‑naira money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets. ‎‎

Malami and his co‑defendants are accused to have knowingly handled, transferred, and concealed funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Investigators traced ₦1.014 to a Sterling Bank account linked to the transactions.

‎‎EFCC filings claim Malami laundered billions to acquire choice houses in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and other locations, with assets valued at about ₦212.8 billion allegedly traced to him and his associates.‎

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