News
Alleged N3.1b Fraud: Suswam’s Absence Stalls Adoption Of Final Addresses
Alleged N3.1b Fraud: Suswam’s Absence Stalls Adoption Of Final Addresses
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, adjourned the trial of the former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam till September 25, 2026, for adoption of final written addresses.
Eereporter.com
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, at the start of the proceedings informed the court that the matter before the court was for the adoption of final written addresses but noted that there was a letter from Suswam’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, informing him of his inability and that of Suswam, the first defendant to make it to the court on health grounds.
The prosecution counsel further informed the court that the defence counsel in the letter urged him to apply for an adjournment based on the ill health of the first defendant.
“We are surprised that there is a letter from the first defendant’s counsel saying he will not be in court. I should oppose this application and urge the court to give us leave to move for the adoption of the written address, and not to seek adjournment in a case that is 11-years-old and your lordship is the fifth judge to come and sit on the case,” he said.
Though the prosecution counsel urged the court to adjourn the matter till Friday, July 17, 2026, he asked that the defendant should be made to connect to the proceeding by zoom.
“I would urge the court to adjourn this matter till tomorrow and ask the court to connect the defendant to zoom even if he is at home to join the matter. My lord we would have closed this case for more than a year now. We have seen the first defendant even last week attending public functions, they are making mockery of the justice system. They are bringing the justice system into disrepute. My lord, that is my humble application,” he said.
Counsel to the second defendant, Audu Agunga, SAN, on his part, stated that the excuses given in the letter suggested that the defendant needed to take a rest.
“We are an interested party. We are just lucky that we are in good health. On our own part, we are not opposed to the application, it is most warranted and in the interest of justice. The court will be better served and this court has the discretion in the circumstance,” he said.
The prosecution counsel in his response frowned at what he saw as the attempt of the second defendant’s counsel to take on the role of the counsel to the first defendant.
Court
“My lord, as you can see, my friend is taking over as counsel to the first defendant. The role of a respondent in an application is to either object or agree. But he has thrown himself as counsel to the first defendant, which he should not. Your lordship can even disregard the request for adjournment because there is no medical record before the court. Section 266 of ACJA says that an application can be taken even in the absence of the defendant,” he said.
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter till September 25, 2026, for adoption of the final written addresses by the counsel.
Eereporter.com
Peter Obi Would Flee to Cameroon if He Faces Challenges as President, Says Wike
Mr Wike spoke on Tuesday at Abaji Area Council during a Rainbow Coalition and Stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
Eereporter.com
The minister said Mr Obi would abandon the country’s problems rather than confront them, unlike President Bola Tinubu, whom he hailed for taking tough decisions to address Nigeria’s challenges.
According to him, Nigeria needs a president who could confront difficult situations rather than abandon the country when challenges arise.
Mr Wike maintained that ruling a country goes beyond public relations or political rhetoric; it requires competence and a willingness to be accountable in the face of challenges.
Meanwhile, he urged residents of Abaji Area Council to demonstrate their support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election by voting for him in the 2027 election.
He said he would not rely on Abaji political leaders’ promises to ensure Mr Tinubu’s victory but would assess their support by their ability to deliver their respective polling units and wards.
The minister added, “Nobody is competing with Rivers. I don’t know what you all think. The only people who are going to compete with Rivers are the FCT. Whatever I will do there, I will do it here. So make sure you beat Rivers.”
Mr Wike also cautioned them against repeating their mistake in the 2023 elections by voting for candidates who failed to maintain contact with their constituents after securing electoral victory.
The minister said residents should assess political officeholders based on their accessibility, performance and contributions to development rather than political promises.
“You went and elected somebody you don’t know. Is it not correct? Have you seen the person again? Has he come to address you? Has he asked you what your problems are? Has he moved anything that will affect the interest of the FCT?” he asked.
Wike, Peter Obi
Mr Wike also reiterated his commitment to addressing Abaji’s electricity challenges before the 2027 elections, directing the area council chairman to intensify efforts towards restoring power supply.
He described the Abaji engagement as the final meeting in his tour of the six FCT area councils ahead of the elections, saying he would return to assess residents’ satisfaction with the administration’s performance.
Mr Wike further disclosed that he would meet with youths in the FCT on Wednesday to discuss political mobilisation and other issues affecting their participation in the forthcoming elections.
Eereporter.com
Eastern Marine Customs Sets to Maximise Border Security Through Joint Naval Operations
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Eastern Marine Command has proposed joint operations with the Nigerian Navy to strengthen maritime security along the eastern sea border.
Eereporter.com
According to a press release signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Joshua Iliya, the Acting Comptroller in charge of the Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Ntongha Edet, remarked during a high-level visit to the Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
He commended the existing cooperation between both agencies. He called for joint patrol operations involving officers and men of the Eastern Marine Command and naval personnel to enhance maritime domain awareness.
“I am here to formally request the inclusion of Customs marine officers in joint patrol sorties with the Nigerian Navy to maximise operational reach within our area of responsibility,” he said.
Eastern Marine Customs, Naval
In response, the officer in charge of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, Navy Captain Adebowale Omotosho, pledged full support and emphasised that providing operational assistance to the Customs Service is vital.
“As the Navy secures the marine territory, Nigeria Customs protects our economic interests to ensure critical national development. I am assuring you that FOB Ibaka under my leadership will maintain an open-door policy and share operational success with Customs,” he said.
Eereporter.com
NNPC Extends Financial Literacy Training to Corps Members in 36 States
NNPC Corporate Social Responsibility arm, NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte., in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Sunday, 8th November 2026, hosted the NYSC Financial Literacy Training Programme for Batch C, Stream 2 Corps Members in Abuja, with simultaneous sessions held across NYSC Orientation Camps in the 36 states of the Federation.
Eereporter.com
The training provided Corps Members with practical guidance on making informed financial decisions, managing their finances and considering entrepreneurship as a path to self-reliance at the end of their service year.
Beneficiaries Exceed 1.4 Million as NNPC Extends Financial Literacy Training to Corps Members in 36 States
NNPC
Since its introduction in 2023, the programme has reached more than 1.4 million Corps Members, reflecting NNPC Limited’s commitment to widening financial inclusion among young Nigerians and preparing them to build stable livelihoods and contribute to national economic growth.
Eereporter.com
-
Crime2 years agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News2 years agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime2 years agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 years agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy1 year agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?