News
SouthEast Bishops Declare Enugu Governor-Elect Unfit, Ask Police to Arrest Him for Forgery

Three days after the Southeast Zone of the Network of Evangelical Bishops of Nigeria (NEBN) accused the Enugu state branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being composed of “a tiny band of buccaneers” planning to “kidnap the finances of the state”, it has described the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the March 18 election, Peter Mbah, as unfit for public office.
“Mbah is fast gaining the reputation of a forger and blackmailer”, declared the bishops in a statement in Enugu today in reference to the National Youth Service Corps Discharge Certificate A808297 purportedly signed on January 6, 2003.
The NYSC director general, Brigadier General Yushau Dogara Ahmed, was on Arise Television on Friday morning to mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary and used the opportunity to refute the claim that the discharge certificate Mbah submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (NYSC) emanated from it.
The police should arrest Mbah immediately and prosecute him for forgery, according to the NEBN.
“He is not a fit and proper person to hold public office, let alone the exalted office of the Enugu State governor”, they stated.
“The NYSC DG has corroborated the statement by the NYSC Director of Certification, Alhaji Ibrahim A. Muhammadu, on February 1, 2023, that the certificate is false and forged”, said the bishops in the statement signed by their president, Bishop Samuel Ani, and the acting secretary, Bishop Emmanuel Eneh.
Mbah had on May 15 obtained an ex parte order from Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the NYSC from testifying on the authenticity of the discharge certificate and has even announced a N20bn libel suit against the NYSC for its position that the certificate is not genuine.
“Only a pathological liar, forger, and blackmailer would have the audacity to announce to sue the NYSC for N20b for telling the truth which everyone knows”, the religious leaders observed.
“Only a person with integrity can sue for libel where he or she will prove that his reputation has been tarnished by a publication.
“A forger has no reputation to protect and, therefore, does not have the grounds to sue for libel or slander”.
The bishops continued: “The PDP candidate is merely striking postures meant to cow the public institutions and our society at large, so that he can find himself into Government House on May 29 and begin to use the state resources and apparatus brazenly to barricade himself against the long arms of the law”.
On January 13, 2020, as David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was preparing to be sworn in the next day as the Bayelsa State governor, the Supreme Court passed a judgment shattering his ambition because it was discovered that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremioye, had presented false documents to the INEC.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s first Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, was forced to resign on September 14, 2018, after it was reported that she presented a forged NYSC Discharge Certificate in her curriculum vitae (CV).
“Mbah can run, but can’t hide”, said the bishops who reiterated their position that “he is not the Enugu State governor-elect because he did not win.
“Hiring an almost countless number of the most paid Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) from different parts of the country with resources of the Enugu State people to intimidate the judiciary in the name of representing him at the Election Petitions tribunal can’t help him.
“The Enugu people voted overwhelmingly for the Labour Party, the party that defeated Mbah’s foremost backer, Governor Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, in his polling booth, polling unit, and local government area when the outgoing governor sought to be voted into the Senate on February 25 on the PDP platform”.
The bishops also took a swipe at Justice Inyang Ekwo for granting Mbah the ex parte motion stopping the NYSC from testifying against the PDP candidate’s credentials and asked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to punish the judge.
“An ex parte order can be granted only in an emergency, but Nigerians are unable to see the emergency which prompted the order in this case”, they stated.
“For failing to heed the counsel by different Chief Justices in Nigeria over the years against granting frivolous injunctions, the National Judicial Council needs to remove people like Justice Inyang immediately from the Bench in the overriding national interest”.
Business
Afriland Fire: United Capital Confirms Death of Six Staff, Death Toll Rises to 10

Financial services firm, United Capital Plc, has confirmed the death of six of its employees in the tragic fire that engulfed Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
This announcement brings the official death toll to ten, following an earlier confirmation by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that four of its staff also died in the incident.

The fire, which broke out just before 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, tore through the six-storey commercial building, housing several offices and businesses, leaving widespread devastation and loss in its wake.
In an official statement released on Thursday, United Capital expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its staff.
“It is with profound grief that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the passing of six of our dear colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers,” the statement read.
“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void.”
The company extended its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased, assuring them of continued support during this difficult time. Plans are underway for a memorial service to honour the victims.
United Capital also expressed appreciation to emergency responders for their swift intervention during the incident.
“In this moment of untold grief, we stand together in solidarity, drawing strength from one another as we navigate this period. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the cause of the fire.
News
NNPC Trading Limited MD appointed as Nigeria’s OPEC representative
We congratulate Maryamu Idris, Managing Director of NNPC Trading Limited, on her appointment as the National Representative for Nigeria at the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Trading Limited says that its Managing Director, Maryamu Idris , has been appointed as Nigeria’s National Representative to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
NNPCL announced the development on its X handle on Wednesday, and said Idris’s new role marks a pivotal step in representing Nigeria’s interests within the influential cartel of oil-producing nations.
“We congratulate Maryamu Idris, Managing Director of NNPC Trading Limited, on her appointment as the National Representative for Nigeria at the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC),” the statement read.
The corporation hailed her achievements in many capacities in the oil sector.
Maryamu’s extensive experience in the energy sector includes leading Pricing and Valuation efforts within NNPC’s Crude Oil Marketing Division and serving as a Technical Advisor to Nigeria’s OPEC Delegation.
She also played a foundational role in Nigeria’s engagement with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and contributed to oil sector reforms through her work with the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Oil and Gas Implementation Committee (OGIC).
News
FIRS loses 4 senior staff in Lagos Afriland Towers Fire
The deceased staff were identified as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George, Assistant Director; Mr David Sunday-Jatto, Assistant Director; Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe, Senior Manager; and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye, Manager.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS) has confirmed the death of four of its senior staff members in the fire incident that gutted Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The deceased staff were identified as Mrs. Ekelikhostse George, Assistant Director; Mr David Sunday-Jatto, Assistant Director; Mrs. Nkem Onyemelukwe, Senior Manager; and Mr. Peter Ifaranmaye, Manager.
In a statement confirming the incident, Mr Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, said that the victims were trapped while on duty at the two FIRS offices located on the sixth and seventh floors of the building when the inferno broke out.
“Our Security and Safety officials quickly mobilized and contacted the fire service as soon as they were alerted. On getting to the scene, thick dark smoke was already billowing out of the building.
“The Management and entire staff are in deep shock and sorrow over the development,” he said.
-
News3 days ago
Abimbola Adebisi is new PPRO Lagos Command
-
News1 day ago
Large asteroid to pass safely near Earth on Thursday
-
News3 days ago
Guinness World Record Recognises Hilda Baci’s largest-serving of Jollof Rice
-
News2 days ago
BREAKING: Fire Outbreak at Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island (Photos)
-
Health3 days ago
JUST IN: Doctors in FCT Commence Indefinite Strike Over Outstanding Issues
-
News2 days ago
National ID Day: Tinubu explains why NIN use is mandatory in Nigeria
-
News2 days ago
UPDATE: LASEMA Promises Swift Action Following Ebute Meta Building Collapse
-
Business3 days ago
Real Estate Terms Every Nigerian Buyer Should Understand by Dennis Isong