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Governors Forum (NGF) Backs Constitutional Role For Traditional Rulers

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Governors Forum (NGF) Backs Constitutional Role For Traditional Rulers

Governors Forum (NGF) backs constitutional role for traditional rulers. He said the government is committed to peace and stability, and this demands more than centralised responses.

Gov. Hope Uzodimma, chairman of the joint committee of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and National Council of Traditional Rulers (NCTRN), has pledged the forum’s support for traditional rulers.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Mr Uzodimma addressed journalists following the forum’s meeting on the proposed bill to establish the national council for traditional rulers.
He affirmed the NGF’s commitment to ensuring the bill’s passage, which is currently before the National Assembly.

“With the bill now at second reading in the Senate, this meeting offers a timely platform to refine our collective stance,” he said.
He stressed the need for the bill’s provisions to reflect real conditions and practical governance realities across communities.

Mr Uzodimma, who is also the Imo governor, said the amendment offers an opportunity to embed traditional institutions in the nation’s governance framework.

He noted that including traditional rulers in state and national security councils is not merely symbolic but both strategic and long overdue.
“Last year, the NGF held a special meeting with the NCTRN to discuss involving traditional rulers in rural governance and administration,” he recalled.

He added that the ongoing constitutional amendment process presents a chance to recognise and assign defined responsibilities to traditional institutions. He also revealed that a subcommittee comprising NGF and NCTRN members was formed as a result of that meeting.

The subcommittee developed proposals to strengthen traditional rulers’ constitutional roles and to secure NGF’s support for their inclusion in the amendment.

Mr Uzodimma said the latest meeting featured presentations from the subcommittee, which nearly secured full support from forum members. He stated: “Our final report will go to the wider NGF board for consideration and possible adoption.

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“If adopted, we will liaise with the National Assembly to ensure inclusion in the constitutional alteration.” Mr Uzodimma emphasised that the meeting came at a time of rising security challenges and weakening community bonds in some regions.

He said the government is committed to peace and stability, and this demands more than centralised responses.

“Community-driven solutions must be part of the strategy, drawing on the authority and influence of traditional rulers,” he noted. He reiterated that the proposed amendment gives Nigeria a chance to integrate traditional institutions into formal governance structures.

Mr Uzodimma stated: “Tackling insecurity should start at the grassroots. Traditional leaders are well-placed to warn early, reconcile disputes and support state actions.”

Crime

Olukoyede Tasks Teenagers to Shun Cyber Crime , Embrace Integrity

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EFCC Warns Students Against Negative Use Of Internet

Olukoyede Tasks Teenagers to Shun Cyber Crime , Embrace Integrity

The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede has charged teenagers across the country to shun cyber crime and other offences, urging them to embrace integrity, hard work and legitimate means of achieving success.
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He gave the charge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday, September 7, 2026 on the topic “Internet Fraud-Dangers, Consequences and Godly Alternatives”.

Represented by Superintendent of EFCC, SE Akpos Mezeh-Ekisowei, Olukoyede stated that internet fraud involved the use gadgets to deceive people for financial gains and may be linked to such activities as online investment scams, romance scams, identity theft, social media impersonation, online shopping scams, cryptocurrency scams and fraudulent job offers, admission scam, among others.

“The desire for quick wealth, peer pressure, social media influence and economic hardship are some of the factors that could lure young people into internet fraud. Do not fall into peer pressure and if you do after this sensitization from the EFCC, then you must face the law”, he said.

He however cautioned the teenagers against comparing themselves with individuals who display wealth and luxury on social media, stressing that “not everyone displaying wealth is successful, and not everyone successful displays wealth.”
The Chairman further warned that internet fraud has far-reaching consequences, including the destruction of character and reputation, harm to innocent victims, involvement in other criminal activities and the loss of future opportunities.

On the legal consequences of cybercrime, Olukoyede stressed that perpetrators of fraud should not assume that their activities could remain undetected, noting that law enforcement agencies like the EFCC deploys digital forensics, financial intelligence, bank records, device analysis and international cooperation in tracking fraudulent activities.
The teenagers were therefore reminded that involvement in internet fraud could lead to arrest, investigation, prosecution, conviction, imprisonment and forfeiture of proceeds of crime.

EFCC Warns Students Against Negative Use Of Internet

Olukoyede Charges Students

The EFCC boss also highlighted the impact of internet fraud on families, noting that the consequences of a young person’s criminal activities extend beyond the individual to parents, siblings and the wider family.

“The family’s reputation may be affected. Many parents spend years building a name that can be damaged by a reckless decision’, he said.
Rather than using technology to defraud others, Olukoyede urged the teenagers to harness it for legitimate purposes by acquiring digital skills such as programming, cybersecurity, digital marketing, graphic design, video editing, content creation, artificial intelligence and data analysis.

Also, he encouraged the teenagers to develop entrepreneurial skills, discover their talents and purpose, choose their friends wisely, seek positive mentors and focus on long-term success rather than instant gratification.
“The internet offers countless legitimate opportunities and these skills can generate income locally and internationally”, he said.

Emphasising the importance of integrity, the EFCC boss urged the teenagers to understand that genuine success requires patience, discipline and hard work.

On her part, Assistant Commander of Narcotics, ACN Ugochukwu Olisaemeka-Iyi from National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA sensitised the teenagers on the dangers of substance and drug abuse, with emphasis on the influence of family, culture, peer pressure and others . She urged them never to experiment with any substance offered to them, warning that “A trial might condemn you”.

She encouraged the teenagers to confidently say “no” to drugs and other harmful substances rather than giving a hesitant or shy refusal. She further charged them to remain connected to God, stressing that excellence is possible when young people build their lives on a relationship with God.

The Teenagers Ministry Coordinator, Godknows Ogbonna expressed appreciation to the EFCC and NDLEA for the sensitization.
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Crime

Court of Appeal Affirms Ex-NEXIM Bank MD, Orya’s 490 Years Jail Term for N2.4b Fraud

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Appeal Court

Court of Appeal Affirms Ex-NEXIM Bank MD, Orya’s 490 Years Jail Term for N2.4b Fraud

Justice Muhammed Danjuma of the Court of Appeal, Abuja on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, affirmed the conviction and sentence of a former Managing Director of Nigeria Export Import Bank, NEXIM, Robert Orya by Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja.
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Orya was convicted and sentenced to 490 years imprisonment for bank fraud on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

The convict was arraigned in 2021 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 49-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud to the tune of N2.4 billion.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, he approached the Appellate court for reprieve.

Leading two other Justices, Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche on Tuesday to deliver a unanimous judgment, Justice Muhammed stated that, “I have considered all briefs filed by counsel and have gone through the record of the trial court and adopted it and the issues as formulated by this appellate court in resolving this appeal. I looked at each and every issue and in my final analysis, all the issues formulated for the determination of this appeal are resolved in favor of the respondent and against the appellant.

This appeal is devoid of any merit and is hereby dismissed. The judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered on February 5, 2026 in charge number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021 is hereby affirmed.”

The trial judge, Justice Messiri, had earlier judged that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt and found the defendant guilty as charged on all the 49 counts and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on each, totaling 490 years. The sentences, however, are to run concurrently.

Appeal Court

Appeal Court

The convict served as the Managing Director of NEXIM Bank between 2009 and 2016. He was appointed to the position on August 14, 2009 by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.
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Economy

EFCC Celebrates Zonal Directorate 2 with Colourful Pull-out Parade to Honour His Retirement

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EFCC

EFCC Celebrates Zonal Directorate 2 with Colourful Pull-out Parade to Honour His Retirement

It was a day of splendour, nostalgia and celebration in Lagos on Friday, September 4, 2026, when the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, held a colourful pull-out parade to honour its retiring Head of Legal and Prosecution, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Deborah Adamu-Eteh.
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At the well-attended event, held amidst pomp and circumstance, principal officers, colleagues and family members took turns to celebrate Adamu-Eteh in glowing terms as she marked her 60th birthday and retired from service after several years of meritorious service.

In his goodwill message, the Acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, commended Adamu-Eteh for her meritorious service to the Commission and her immense contributions to the work of the Directorate.

Kaltungo, who was represented by the Head of Investigations, ACE II Moses Oguzi, particularly acknowledged Adamu-Eteh’s leadership of the Legal and Prosecution Department, noting that the Department recorded numerous successful prosecutions under her watch.

He also described her as a committed and experienced officer whose professional contributions had strengthened the Directorate’s prosecutorial efforts and advanced the Commission’s mandate.

He further thanked her for her service and wished her a fulfilling retirement.

Also speaking, the Head of Medicals, Lagos Zonal Directorates 1 and 2, ACE I Caleb Bwala, described Adamu-Eteh as a disciplined legal practitioner whose commitment to her work was exemplary.

In a moving tribute, ACE I Orhieoghene Adewunmi, a staff member of the Legal and Prosecution Department, also extolled Adamu-Eteh’s leadership, while highlighting her humane disposition.

Responding, an obviously excited Adamu-Eteh expressed gratitude to the management and staff of the Directorate for the honour and the support she received throughout her years of service.

Reflecting on her career in the Commission, she reminisced about the demanding nature of prosecutorial work and the challenges she encountered while serving in different parts of the country.

She also recalled some of the difficult experiences she faced while working in the Legal Department, particularly in the South-South and South-East regions, where she handled several high-profile cases in the course of her duties.

According to her, “The work sometimes came with intense pressure, including threats from defence lawyers and defendants in court.”

Adamu-Eteh, however, said the experiences tested her resilience and strengthened her resolve to discharge her duties professionally and uphold the principles of justice.

She also expressed appreciation to her colleagues for their cooperation and support throughout her years in the Commission, while urging officers still in service to remain committed to the fight against economic and financial crimes.

EFCC

Retirement celebration

 

Born on September 6, 1966, Adamu-Eteh, who hails from Ogwule-Kaduna, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, joined the Commission in 2006 and rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Director, holding several leadership positions across the Commission’s Headquarters and the Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kaduna and Lagos Zonal Directorates.
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