Crime
Onitsha Traditional Council Knocks Soludo Over Lawmaker’s Murder, Demands Justice
Onitsha Traditional Council Knocks Soludo Over Lawmaker’s Murder, Demands Justice
Onitsha Traditional council knocks Soludo over lawmaker’s murder, demands justice. The Onitsha Traditional Council has condemned the killing of the member representing Onitsha-North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.
The council also expresses sorrow and disappointment over the state of security under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
Azuka was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, while returning home for Christmas.
His lifeless body was discovered by security operatives at the Second Niger Bridge in the early hours of Thursday, February 6, 2025—40 days after his abduction.
PUNCH Online had reported four days ago that the state police command said it had arrested nine suspects in connection to the death of the lawmaker.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chief of Staff of the Onitsha Traditional Council (Imeobi), Chief Osita Anionwu, the council described the abduction and murder of Azuka as evidence of the state government’s failure to fulfill its promise of ensuring the security of residents.
The statement was released following a town hall meeting held on Monday at Imeobi, Onitsha, where members of the community voiced their concerns over the growing insecurity in the state.
The town hall gathering was shocked beyond belief at the circulation of a disturbing video on social media featuring one of the suspected killers with the body of Justice Azuka in the background, which appears to be orchestrated by security agents for self-praise.
“It was noted that instead of sensationalising the discovery of the dead body, the authorities should focus on preventing such heinous crimes and ensuring justice is served,” the statement read in part.
The council expressed concern that Azuka’s murder was the second high-profile killing of young, aspiring leaders from Onitsha within four months.
It recalled the recent attack on Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Mba, and his wife, which resulted in the death of Onitsha Youth Council leader, Kpajie Offiah.
The community questioned the government’s handling of Azuka’s case, asking why it took over 40 days to locate him and whether the response from security agencies was adequate.
Council members also raised concerns about the lack of communication from the authorities to the public and Azuka’s family throughout the ordeal.
Participants at the town hall meeting reminded the administration of Soludo’s inaugural speech in March 2022, where he declared that “fixing Onitsha is the key to fixing Anambra State, which in turn is the key to fixing the South-East.”
They questioned whether that commitment still held, given the deteriorating security situation in Onitsha, which remains the economic hub and revenue base of the state.
The council also highlighted Azuka’s dedication to public service, recalling his role during the COVID-19 pandemic as a member of the Onitsha Community COVID Response Team, his efforts in rehabilitating stroke survivors, and his commitment as a legislator to his constituents.
They further demanded a transparent investigation, raising concerns over the alleged ransom payment.
The communique read, “An electronic movement of the alleged large sum of money ought to be traceable through the banking system.
“The images of the alleged abductors do not reflect persons handling large sums of money, thus raising the question of possible other accomplices.”
The Onitsha community called on the authorities to establish the truth “without fear or favour” and to ensure that those responsible for Azuka’s murder are brought to justice.

Soludo
The statement added, “How can the community work together to restore peace and security to Onitsha and Anambra State?
Will the state government address the root causes of insecurity and establish a mechanism for providing emotional and material support to victims’ families?”
The council urged residents to come together to honour Azuka at his funeral on Saturday, February 15, adding, “May his legacy inspire us to work towards a safer and more secure Onitsha.”
Crime
EFCC Grills Raheem Abiodun Wasiu for Alleged $12,000 Fraud in Enugu
EFCC Grills Raheem Abiodun Wasiu for Alleged $12,000 Fraud in Enugu
Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have commenced investigations into the activities of one Raheem Abiodun Wasiu, an alleged serial fraudster, for an alleged case of fraud to the tune of $12,000 (Twelve Thousand United States Dollars).
Eereporter.com
Wasiu, 38, was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, following a complaint by one Ezekulie Stanley Chukwuamuanya, a Bureau De Change operator who claimed that he was defrauded the sum of $5000 (Five Thousand United States Dollars) by the suspect.
In the course of investigation by operatives of the EFCC, it was discovered that the suspect rents different Toyota Hilux trucks, disguises as a wealthy contractor, moves with escorts and meets BDC operators in the south-east and allegedly tricks them into parting with their had earned money, by presenting fake alerts in Naira to them, after collecting their money.
According to Chukwumuanya, “I gave him the dollar and he counted it by himself. After confirmation, he then asked for my bank details. After giving him my account number, he mentioned my name that popped up on his bank application, I confirmed it. The next thing he told me was that it had gone through, which I waited for the alert to come, to no avail. Because of time, he asked me to go and that I will get it, that it could be network issues and I left because of his personality”. He alleged that soon after that, the suspect became incommunicado.
Another petitioner, based in Owerri, Imo State, one Chief Nwaoha Ubaferem equally alleged that Wasiu defrauded him of the sum of $7,000. He said, “the dollar on me was $2,600, then I called my office to bring additional $4,400 to me to complete it as he requested for $7,000. As we were waiting, he complained that he was running late and we decided to move to Royce Road from Port Harcourt Road where he finally collected the money from me, resumed transfer, called my name and informed me that the transfer had gone which I believed but continued to expect alert from him”.

EFCC
Further investigations revealed that the suspect has toured the South-east, and Akwa Ibom State, using the same pattern to allegedly defraud BDC operators.
Items recovered from the suspect include: A Hilux truck (Akwa Ibom KTR 379 AA), various bank ATM cards, different bank transfer tokens, digital National Identification Number slip with the name Sunday Abiodun, two complimentary cards with the name Engineer Abiodun, a designer bag (Emporio Amani), One iPhone 17 Promax, One Samsung phone, 4G internet pocket WIFI, One Patek Philip wrist watch, vehicle particulars, One gold bangle and a pair of shoes (Alexandra MC Queen).
The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Eereporter.com
Crime
EFCC Boss Orders Withdrawal of Charges Against Maryam Shehu, Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad
EFCC Boss Orders Withdrawal of Charges Against Maryam Shehu, Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has compassionately ordered the withdrawal of charges preferred against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad, who were, on Thursday August 20, 2026 arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged cybercrime and peddling malicious information against the Commission.
Eereporter.com
While the Commission considered the arraignment of the two defendants for cyber stalking to be contrary to Section 24(2) (c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended) 2024 and punishable under Section 24 (2) (c) (ii) of the same Act, the Executive Chairman, nonetheless, considered the passionate pleas and apologies of Shehu’s father and appeals of well-meaning Nigerians for leniency.
To this end, he has directed that charges filed against the two young Nigerians be dropped and warned that the EFCC would no longer tolerate any wilful attack on its image in any form, medium or platform.

Ola Olukoyede
The EFCC’s boss assured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to function in line with its assigned mandate and in the best interests of the nation.
Eereporter.com
Crime
President Tinubu Orders Immediate Arrest, Sacks Three Perm Secs as ICPC Uncovers New Fake Agency
President Tinubu Orders Immediate Arrest, Sacks Three Perm Secs as ICPC Uncovers New Fake Agency
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of one George Buchi Nwabueze and the suspension of three permanent secretaries over the discovery of another fake agency operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Eereporter.com
They include M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN disclosed this to State House correspondents on Friday after briefing the President for the second time in two days, following an earlier meeting on Thursday.
Aliyu said the newly uncovered fake office, operating under the name “National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office,” had been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the OSGF, contrary to extant laws and without presidential authorisation.
He said, “Upon further briefing by ICPC to Mr President on the ongoing investigations into the fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and procedural weaknesses in the public service, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has uncovered another fake agency and office operating under the name National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, which has been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Aliyu said.
He said the discovery emerged in the course of the commission’s broader investigation, as earlier directed by President Tinubu, and identified the promoter of the fake office as one Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, who was found to be operating under multiple aliases.
“The fake agency office, National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was promoted by one George Buchi Nwabueze, with active suspected collaborators in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to extant laws and without authorisation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He revealed that the ICPC had engaged the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ascertain vital information relating to the fake office under investigation, and had comprehensively briefed the President on the new developments.
“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly,” he said.
Aliyu said following the discovery, “Mr President has directed as follows: the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze; the immediate suspension of the following permanent secretaries; M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah,” he said.
Friday’s development is the latest in a scandal that began with the exposure of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, whose self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is currently facing prosecution on charges of forgery and impersonation.

Tinubu
The ICPC’s interim report, submitted to the President on August 6 after a 30-day investigation, had earlier disclosed the existence of two other fictitious bodies, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office is the fourth fake agency uncovered after the PFIFC scandal since early April.
Eereporter.com
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