News
Umahi Opens Section Of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Urges South-East To Delivers Up To 80% Votes To Tinubu
Umahi Opens Section Of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Urges South-East To Delivers Up To 80% Votes To Tinubu
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON on Thursday, April 2, 2026, officially opened a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure across the Southeast and Nigeria in general under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Speaking during the event, the Minister pondered on the past condition of the road and its importance to the region:
“The journey of Enugu to Onitsha was taking about 7 hours before 2023. The most important road in South East is this road.”
He explained that the project, which was initially under a tax credit arrangement involving MTN Nigeria and executed by RCC, had stalled before quick intervention from the President.
“We inherited this road under Tax credit of MTN and executed for them by RCC but everything was on stand still until I went to plead with President Tinubu.”
According to the Minister, the President’s intervention brought renewed direction and improved construction standards:
“The President didn’t only give acceleration to the construction of this road but he directed that atleast 50% of it must be on concrete and like that of Lagos Calabar coastal Highway.”
He added that the project had earlier been awarded without significant progress before the current administration reviewed and restructured it:
“The project was awarded before the coming of President Tinubu with no meaningful progress made. We reviewed it and allow MTN to continue with their contract sum excluding 72KM.”
Highlighting the scale of commitment, he said:
“It takes a lot of courage to do what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing. The entire road is being reconstructed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Providing updates on the current status, the Minister noted:
“The first 50km of reinforced concrete pavement is about 97% completed but the President directed me to come and open the road so that the people of SouthEast will not suffer during the Easter period and that why I am here to open the first 15km of the road.”
He further outlined several ongoing and completed road projects across the Southeast:
“The third legacy project is connecting southeast to Abuja in less than 4 hours. The section of that project is going on in southeast, 123km, 455b and it’s being done in reinforced concrete pavement.”
“That is not enough, we have Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe, 64km, it’s being reconstructed under Dangote Tax credit, 193b, concret work is ongoing.”
“The Aba Ikot Ekpene Road, 1 Carriageway is completed, the second one is being engaged.”
“Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene is 95 percent done.”
“The Umuahia – Aba being executed by Arab contractors is 99% done.”
“The Owerri-Aba road, being constructed by Arab contractors is 70% done.”
“The second Niger By Pass, 17.5km with multiple bridge and flyovers, 174b, being done by CGC, that work is ongoing, 30% being paid for.”
“The Enugu-Abakaliki, 183b, 30% fully paid, that project is ongoing.”
“You come to multiple section, Enugu to Portharcourt. First section from Enugu being done by CGC, 60km dualized, about 70% of that project is done. We have directed that the remaining project of about 64km should be done on concrete. That is being done by CGC and that is 100b.”
“You come to the Setraco section, 99% finished. You come to the Arab contractors from Umuahia to Aba, 99% finished. Infact, we have to change the section in Aba, the last lane to be on concrete.”
“You come to Aba to Portharcourt, it’s being done by CCECC, one full carriageway done, second carriageway redesigned to be done on concrete.”
“Time will fail us to say all that the President is doing in SouthEast.”
“Owerri – Onitsha, that project is ongoing by CGC.”
“You come to one of the biggest Flyover in the country at Ekeobinagu, that project is 99% done. It’s almost 1km of Flyover. You all witnesses to the quality and the beauty and it’s for the President to commission it.”
He also referenced key emergency interventions:
“Talk about the two bridges that collapsed at Artisan section of Enugu State, within 9 months, the President reconstructed them with solar light.”
On the Enugu–Onitsha expressway, he added:
“You can see this Enugu-Onitsha, it’s going to be solar light all through. That’s what’s happening in Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway, that’s what’s happening Sokoto Badagry.”
Speaking on regional development and inclusion, the Minister stated:
“When I boldly say that the Biafra we are looking for is here and that’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“In 2027, the people of SouthEast must be very strategic. We want these projects to be completed.”
“God already told me, you know this is David, the only man that is both Priest and king. And God has told me that President Tinubu will win again, he will win again.”
“It’s important that our people are strategic. We will not mount the seat of presidency by foul language, by mere wish, nobody will give it to us. We have to be strategic.”
“I will not stop telling the southeast, no matter who has the presidential ticket of other political parties, Southeast people must be strategic to support the president.”
On concerns about marginalization, he noted:
“The marginalization we are talking about, it’s over, for the first time, your son is Minister of Works.”
Speaking to leaders of South East, he said:
“I want to plead with leaders of SouthEast, we need to be vocal in telling the people what the president is doing for us. No more marginalization.”
“We never had service chiefs before but this administration, we have two, one before and one now. So, all the marginalization we are talking about is over now. It may not be 100% but the president have just begun. And so we have to support him.”
He also referenced earlier political agreements:
“Yes, South East deserves to be president but in 2023, we gave that right, Southern president to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We all met in Asaba, all the Southern Governors and we said it’s our turn, Emilokan, Emilokan will be over in 2031.”
On political engagement and unity, he said:
“My mouth will not close in telling the people of South East, in leading them, in appealing to them for us to be wise.”
“Anybody that is not supporting who you are supporting, you start attacking them, what sort of politics is that?”
“We vote for our brother in SouthWest, when it’s our turn, they will vote for us, that’s the strategy.”
On the economy and governance, he stated:
“The president has done extremely very well. You have to understand the kind of economy Mr. President inherited but the macro economy are all breathing very very well. They are all alive, the worst is over, the president is dealing with the micro economy.”
“When you talk about fuel economy and so on and so forth, strategic meeting was held yesterday on how to handle the unfortunate incident of the Iran war which has brought hardship on our people, so, the president is not asleep on this.”
He further called on regional leaders:
“I want our leader the Governor of Imo State to charge all the leaders of South East to be very vocal about supporting the President.”
“We will not support the President keeping quiet. Leaders must meet. We must collectively proclaim what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing for us.”
“And I am bold to say that all the Governors of southeast are supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“But we have to take it down to our supporters, let them know what the president is doing for us.”
“Let them know that when we appreciate what he has done for us, he will do more for us.”
He emphasized the essence of governance:
“Governance is about development. Governance is about infrastructure. Governance is about fairness, equality and justice.”
“For the first time, we are part of being at the helm of affairs. As we are developing other regions through the support, finances, leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, South East for the first time is not left behind.”
He concluded with remarks on leadership, courage, and ongoing work:
“Even if our son becomes president at the right time, unless people like me and many people like me who get courage, I get courage, I don’t fear, that’s the only person that can attempt to do what the president is doing for us. Not anybody.”
“I have directed on this road to review all the failed asphalt sections on this road so that we can review it.”
“I have directed full solar light from Enugu to Onitsha.”
“I have directed full tree planting from Enugu to Onitsha.”
Umahi Opens Section Of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway
“That is the proof of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He will do more for us.”
“We should not be aiming to give him anything less than 80 percent. Do that and leave the rest for us. We will boldly go to negotiation table.”
“Let nobody split our votes. Let nobody mislead us.”
“I was shouting it when I was Governor like John the Baptist, prepare the ways of the Lord. This time I am shouting it again. Be strategic in voting for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“If you are not being vocal to let the people know what the president is doing for us then you are not for us.”
“We need our leaders to begin to be very vocal and to be bold and begin to declare this divine president as a gift to the people of South East.”
“And he has asked me in furtherance to his love and commitment to the people of South East to come and open this road.”
“This first section is very strategic in the life of our people.”
“No more trailers falling at Ugwu Onyema, no more people suffering.”
“And we are going to put all the road architecture and our people will be very happy with what Mr. President has done for us.”
Francis. Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works.
April 3, 2026
Court Affirms Final Forfeiture Of N293m, Properties Linked To Major General Atewe
The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos, ordering the final forfeiture of over N293.97 million, multiple landed properties and investment assets linked to a retired military officer, Major General Emmanuel Jebe Atewe, to the Federal Government.
Eereporter.com
In a unanimous judgment read by Justice Boloukuromo Moses Ugo on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the appellate court dismissed Atewe’s appeal against the judgment of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, which granted the application of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for the final forfeiture of the assets.
The forfeited assets include the sum of N293,970,000.00, 30,000 MTN -linked units in Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, several high-value properties in Abuja, including plots of land at the Outer Northern Expressway, Jahi, Sabon Lugbe, Kuje, Gaube Farmland Extension II Layout, Sector Centre B Layout, Kuje, as well as a commercial property in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Commission traced the assets to funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Investigations pointed to the diversion of money released for the operations of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield.
In the Investigations by the EFCC, about N8.537 billion released to the Joint Task Force was allegedly diverted through a network of companies and individuals acting as proxies. The investigation further established that billions of naira were transferred to companies for services that were never rendered, with portions of the funds subsequently used to acquire various assets allegedly linked to Atewe through companies associated with him.
Specifically, the Commission’s findings showed that N297 million traced to Cisco Nobots Limited was used in a property transaction in Port Harcourt, from which N290 million was eventually recovered by the EFCC.
The Federal High Court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order before making it final after holding that Atewe failed to satisfactorily explain the legitimate source of the assets.
Dissatisfied with the judgment, Atewe appealed, arguing, among other grounds, that the forfeiture proceedings were incompetent because he was entitled to the protection of Section 123 of the Armed Forces Act, that the proceedings ought not to have commenced while criminal charges against him were pending, and that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the application.
However, the Court of Appeal resolved all three issues in favour of the EFCC.
The appellate court held that Section 123 of the Armed Forces Act and the decision in General Jafaru Mohammed v. EFCC did not apply to Atewe because he was a retired military officer at the time the forfeiture proceedings were instituted.
The court noted that Atewe admitted his retirement in his affidavit before the trial court and held that the statutory protection under Section 123 is available only to serving members of the Armed Forces.
The court further held that Atewe failed to sufficiently show how he legitimately acquired the assets in question, observing that his explanations merely referred to honoraria without establishing a lawful source for the assets.
Court
On the appellant’s contention that commencing forfeiture proceedings while his money laundering trial was pending amounted to an abuse of court process, the Court of Appeal rejected the argument, holding that the institution of civil forfeiture proceedings during the pendency of criminal proceedings does not constitute an abuse of the judicial process.
Consequently, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court ordering the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government.
Eereporter.com
News
IGP Disu Declares Open Two-Day Workshop On Strategic Communication And Media Relations For Commissioners Of Police
IGP Disu Declares Open Two-Day Workshop On Strategic Communication And Media Relations For Commissioners Of Police
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, today declared open a two-day workshop themed “Enhancing Strategic Communication and Media Relations” for Commissioners of Police (CPs) drawn from commands nationwide.
Eereporter.com
Holding at the Nigeria Police Public Relations School (NPPRS), Abuja Centre, the workshop was attended by members of the Force Management Team, resource persons, and senior police officers.
In his welcome address, the Provost of the School, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtd), mnipr, fana, fnpa, fnisma, traced the institution’s growth from Kulende, Ilorin, through Lafia, to its present Abuja Centre. He reminded participants that Police Public Relations Officers do not create the image of the Force but manage it, noting that the true face of the Police remains its field officers, whose professionalism ultimately wins public affection. He charged the CPs to cascade lessons from the course down to junior officers at their commands, and disclosed that seven resource persons had been lined up for the engagement.
In his remarks, IGP Disu commended police officers nationwide for their daily dedication and successes, noting that media engagement has not traditionally featured in the career path of many officers ahead of their elevation to CP, a gap this workshop is specifically designed to close. He told the gathering that the office of a CP extends far beyond its outward prestige, stressing that CPs are, first and foremost, managers who must lead from the front. He urged them to attend social functions, visit schools, and leave lasting legacies in their host communities.
The IGP charged the CPs to dominate the media space, describing internal security as the NPF’s core mandate and reaffirming its standing as the foremost security agency in the country. He commended the clearance operations led by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Police Mobile Force and the Commissioners of Police of Kogi and other states.
He urged the CPs to be proactive rather than reactive, build their character and media presence, and treat journalists as partners rather than adversaries. He charged them to engage the public with humility, respond swiftly to unfolding situations, and build relationships with the media before crises occur. “Guns protect lives, but your voices protect our reputation,” the IGP stated.
IGP Disu
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to equipping its senior officers with the communication skills required to project a professional, accessible, and people-oriented police Force nationwide.
CSP ANIETIE OKOKON EDEM INIEDU, ANIPR,
Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters, Abuja.
22nd July, 2026.
Eereporter.com
NAF Provides Frontline Insight To Media, Strengthens Transparency And Public Trust
In a strategic effort to deepen public understanding of ongoing counter-terrorism operations, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted a media familiarisation visit to the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East theatre.
Eereporter.com
The media delegation, led by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, comprised defence correspondents from various media organisations who were provided firsthand insight into the planning and execution of air operations, reaffirming the NAF’s commitment to openness, accountability and effective strategic communication. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, emphasised that transparency and credible communication are essential to sustaining public trust and ensuring balanced reporting of the sacrifices and achievements of military personnel.
The correspondents embarked on day and night air and ground patrols, interacted with air and ground support personnel and shared meals with frontline troops, providing a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the realities, challenges and unwavering commitment of personnel serving in the theatre.
They also witnessed the exceptional professionalism, discipline and sacrifice of personnel working tirelessly round the clock to protect citizens, while operating in close synergy with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to restore peace and stability in the region. The visit further afforded journalists a deeper appreciation of how precision air operations contribute to degrading terrorist capabilities and protecting civilian communities.
NAF
During the engagement, the Air Component Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Air Commodore MB Ahmed, provided a vital brief on ongoing air operations and underscored the importance of accurate and responsible reporting in enhancing public confidence and countering misinformation. Similarly, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, Major General AE Abubakar, highlighted the pivotal contributions of the Air Component in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), air interdiction and air mobility missions, which continue to enhance the flexibility, responsiveness and effectiveness of joint operations.
The initiative aligns with the CAS’s command philosophy of building a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power effects in synergy with surface forces for the realisation of national security objectives, while reinforcing public trust and support for ongoing military operations.
Eereporter.com
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