Iheanyi Chukwudi Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned people following the self acclaimed Nnamdi Kanu’s disciple, Simon Ekpa to immediately retrace their steps before they fall into a ditch with him. IPOB said the warning has become necessary as Ekpa last week confirmed the groups pronouncements that he was not working for IPOB or the good of Biafra, as he went hiding when a Biafran rally held in Finland on July 7 near his (Ekpa’s) building. The pro-Biafra group in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, insisted that the agitation for Biafra was not for criminals and scammers who were paid by the Nigerian government to create insecurity and criminality to blackmail IPOB and Kanu. Powerful who commended IPOB hardcore members who attended the July 7, 2023 Finland rally held at Lahti, explained that it was part of IPOB’s global sensitisation agenda on the plight of Biafrans and illegal incarceration of their Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, assuring that the rally would continue around Europe. His statement reads in parts, “IPOB leadership commends all and sundry who participated in the just concluded rally to educate the people of Finland and the rest of the world that IPOB is a peaceful and one organisation without any factions. It is unfortunate that during the epic event at Lahti, Finland, the self-acclaimed Biafra Crime Minister was nowhere to be found. “Finnish people wondered why the so-called Biafra Prime/crime minister didn’t show up to address his people but chose to hide even when the rally took place in front of his apartment building. We thought he dared IPOB to come and protest in Finland, but at last, he was nowhere to be found. How can a true IPOB member hide from fellow Comrades? “We are using this medium to warn the ignorant followers of this scammer and one room Crime Minister to retrace their steps before it becomes too late. It is obvious that there is nothing in the fish brain. The message has been passed to Finnish people so that they will not be deceived.” IPOB stated unequivocally that Biafra agitation was not for criminals and scammers, while insisting that those contracted and backed by the compromised Nigeria Security and government to enforce a non-existing sit-at-home will be held accountable someday. “Many days are for a thief, but one day will be for the owner of the house. Let the public be notified that IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu never ordered and enforced any sit-at-home in Biafra territory. “We want to pose this question to some media houses especially local media and a few foreign media houses who present the infiltrator as factional leader of IPOB or Biafra Prime Minister (PM), why did he not come out and address his fellow comrades who came to visit him, if he claims to be an IPOB leader?,” the group said. Powerful however, appealed to the media to stop conferring on Simon Ekpa credibility by making him appear as if IPOB has a factional leader, saying, “There is nothing like that. “If the leader of the auto pilot criminal group, the master scammer and agent provocateur called Simon Ekpa is an IPOB member, why was he not present or refused to attend the IPOB protest and rally held in Lahti, Finland at the front of his apartment building close to his residence in the city of Lahti, Finland on the 7th day of July 2023? This was the protest and rally ground in that city and was only a few poles from his living quarters? “We also want the public to be aware and recall that our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, categorically said in his numerous and landmark broadcasts on Radio Biafra that IPOB does not belong to the Kanu family. IPOB is a well structured and organised movement by Biafran volunteers in all parts of the world seeking the exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a referendum.”

Iheanyi Chukwudi Traditional rulers in Enugu State under the auspices of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council have call for more ruthless actions against kidnappers and the enforcers of sit-at-home order in the state. The Monarchs commended the State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, over the security measures he has taken since assumption of office and assured his administration of their unswerving cooperation in strengthening community policing in their respective communities. Speaking when they had an interactive session with the Governor on Wednesday, at the Traditional Rulers Council Chambers at the Enugu State House of Assembly Complex, the monarchs charged Gov. Mbah to be more ruthless in flushing out kidnappers and enforcers of sit-at-home order, pointing out that such aberrations were not known to the Igbo people. They also urged him to deploy joint security operatives across different communities in the state in order to reinforce the confidence of their subjects so that they could go about their normal businesses. The custodians of culture and traditions lamented that the illegal Monday sit-at-home order being enforced by some criminal elements to intimidate innocent residents did not represent the true identity of what the Igbo people were. Furthermore, they informed the Governor of their resolve to support possible stringent measures that his government deemed proper to secure the state and make it the choice destination for investment and hub of industrialisation in the South East zone. In support of the resolution, the traditional rulers assured Mbah of their readiness to take charge of their communities as chief security officers. Some of the traditional rulers who spoke on behalf of their Senatorial Dcccistricts included Igwe Simon Osisi Itodo, Igwe RSN Eze, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Igwe Godwin Madu, Igwe Julius Nnaji and Igwe Greg Ugwu. They noted that kidnapping incidents and other security breaches in the state, particularly along the Nike-Ugwogo-Nsukka road had been flushed out as a result of the timely security response by the Governor, enjoining him to keep up with the pace. “Enugu State and all the traditional rulers in the state are behind any decision you are taking to secure the state against enforcers of illegal sit-at-home order and other hoodlums. We are glad you are walking the talk, and security in the state has significantly improved. “At Ugwogo Nike, we now feel safe with your security measures unlike what we used to have in the past. Your security architecture is clearing all the hurdles. We want you to reinforce community policing like the Neighbourhood Watch. “We are equally appealing to the Governor to ensure that there is presence of security personnel in every street and community especially on their purported sit-at-home days. This will build the confidence of our people to come out and go about their normal transactions,” they royal fathers said. The royal fathers also called on the Governor to sanction erring public servants and other business owners who refuse to go to work or open their businesses for transactions. They said, “Let there be consequences for those who refuse to work on Mondays and other days. “You should also consider making us the chief security officers of our various communities and see us act. Hold us responsible for security breaches in our domains." Earlier, Governor Mbah informed the royal fathers that the meeting was convened to appreciate them for their support during the election and to also brief them on the security measures taken so far to rid the state of criminal elements and attract the promised investments to the state. He stressed that the only way to make the state the premier destination for investment, eradicate poverty, build theme parks, attract over three million tourists every year, provide employments for the youths, and move the state's gross domestic product from its current $4.4 to $30 billion was by ending insecurity posed by hoodlums hiding under the guise of sit-at-home to hurt the economy and inflict pain on the citizens. Mbah said the war against the criminals could only be won with the support of the traditional rulers by talking to their subjects to avoid being used by criminals from other states who operate from somewhere in Finland and other countries, and by taking charge of the security of their communities. Noting that sustainable development, peace and security are mutually reinforcing, the Governor expressed readiness to partner with the traditional rulers to combat insecurity through strengthening community policing, deployment of technology and intelligence gathering and sharing. He said the only way private investors would be interested in the state was by making sure that the state is safe for investment, saying that it’s time to eradicate any impression or perception of insecurity in the state through adequate collaboration. He said, “We cannot concede to those we didn’t give our mandate to direct our affairs. If you have not given anyone your mandate to lead you, they should not direct you. We must tell them they have no right to direct our affairs. “You know our plan to make Enugu the premier destination for investment. We cannot do it alone. It begins with forging a common front to address the big elephant in the room – sit-at-home – escort it out of Enugu and tell it there is no room for it in Enugu State. You should talk to your children and subjects to also go about their routine businesses. “We must challenge the temerity of anyone telling us to sit at home even when their own state is not observing sit-at-home. “As you know, we are in a hurry to fulfil our promises to develop Enugu and drive it to take back its pride of place in the commity of states. We promised to provide water in 180 days, and we know it’s remaining about 134 days. Some places have already started having water in their homes. We will extend our water scheme to all the parts of the state through boreholes, solar-powered water schemes, among other technologies." Mbah urged the people to ignore the false impression being created on social media by the few hoodlums and their accomplices, saying their weapon was to create panic and instil fear through fake news. The Governor reiterated that the government had already identified the hoodlums, going after them in all fronts and is defeating them through its modern security architecture.

Iheanyi Chukwudi Six pupils have broken the 2023 National Common Entrance Examinations record by having the lowest score of 01. In the breakdown of the result released by the National Examinations Council (NECO), which conducted the examination, 76 pupils had the highest score of 203. Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, who gave the breakdown of the examination result said 69,829 pupils sat for the examination. He said, “A total of 72,865 pupils registered compared to 71,738 for 2022 with Lagos State having the highest number of 18,644 and Taraba with the lowest of 102. With 38,801 female registrants against 34,064 males, we are making progress with bridging the gender parity; Sixty nine thousand, eight hundred and twenty nine (69,829) pupils sat for the examination. “3,036 pupils were absent; 76 pupils had the highest score of 203; The lowest score was 01 mark and this was scored by six pupils." The Permanent Secretary noted that Federal Unity Colleges have become the first port of call for most parents in the country and assured that government is working hard to ensure better conditions for effective teaching and learning. Adejo said, “I would like to thank everybody that have contributed to making this day possible, starting from the examination council the examination monitors, markers, pressmen who were with us. The conduct of the exam was hitch-free and it indicates that NECO is improving in the delivery of its examinations “As you are all aware, our Federal Unity Colleges have become the first port of call for most parents in the country. Although we are currently facing challenges of infrastructural development, feeding, and teacher quality, I want to assure you that the Federal government is doing its best to ensure better conditions for effective teaching and learning in our schools.”

By Madu Obi SECURITY operatives in Anambra State Wednesday gunned down two persons during gun battle along the Uga -Ezinifite road in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Adeoye said the hoodlums refused to stop when police operatives asked them to and rather opened fire on the security men. He said the joint security operatives attached to Forwarding Operating Base, FOB, on patrol observed that the hoodlums came in two vehicles and were driving suspiciously in an ash highlander jeep and a white Lexus 305 and refused to stop when they were asked to. He said the occupants started shooting sporadically to escape from the police, adding that the joint forces engaged the armed hoodlums, neutralized two of the gang members and recovered one of the operational vehicles, two automatic pump action guns, eleven live cartridges, and a bag containing one walkie-talkie, one cell phone and incriminating items, while others escaped the scene with other vehicles. "In an intense chase by the joint forces, the deadly gang abandoned the white Lexus 350 jeep and took to their heels. "Further scrutiny showed evidence of blood stains on all the vehicles as they escaped with bullet wounds", the CP said. Adeoye also said that yesterday, the police, in collaboration with Anambra State Vigilante at Ichida bus stop along the Ichida -Igboukwu road, rescued a woman from kidnappers and arrested two members of the gang. Items recovered from them include one Ak47 rifle, two pump action guns, two Ak47 magazines, 32 live ammunition and one Highlander jeep belonging to the victim. According to him, preliminary information revealed that the gang of eight hoodlums were operating with two vehicles namely, a grey Highlander jeep and a white Lexus 350 and abducted the victim in her ash coloured Highlander jeep. He said investigation is on to track the remaining gang members.The Commissioner urged operators of public and private hospitals in the state to admit, but report anyone with bullet wound or related injuries to the nearest Police Station.

Iheanyi Chukwudi Ex-international footballer and philanthropist, Kanu Nwankwo and 29 other personalities have been named by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti in his appointment list. In the list of the Governor's appointees released in a press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Otti, Mr Kasie Uko, on Wednesday included also, music star, Martins Okechukwu Justice, popularly known as J. Martins. While KANU Nwankwo is appointed Chairman, Enyimba Football Club of Aba, J. Martins, who hails from Ohafia Local Governments Area, was appointed as Special Assistant on Entertainment and Tourism. The appointees whose appointments are with immediate effect includes Mr John Sam Obuh, the former coach of Nigeria’s Under -17 national team, who has been appointed as the new Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club and Boniface Alozie Uche, Chairman, Abia Comets Football Club. Also appointed are Mr Ugochukwu Okoroafor, Special Adviser, Monitoring and Evaluation; Mr Iheanacho Obioma, Special Adviser on Political Matters; Professor Ijeoma Iheukwumere, Senior Special Assistant on Environment; Mr Odinakachib Eric Eme, Senior Special Assistant on Multilateral and Donor Agencies; Nwaka Inem, Special Adviser, Trade, Commerce and Industry; Magdalene Ugoanusi, In the list are other appointments: Senior Special Assistant, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; George Chidozie, Special Assistant, Special Duties; Okorougo Aji, Special Assistant on Lands and Housing and Obioma Mgbe, Special Assistant on Transport. Chukwunenye Alajemba, Special Assistant on Homeland Security; Ven. Joshua Onyeike, General Manager. Others are Abia State Oil Producing Communities Commission and Development (ASOPADEC); Dike Nwankwo, Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency; Dr Uloaku Ukaegbu, Director General, Abia State Agency for Control of AIDS; Eric Egwuibe, Senior Special Assistant on Budget Planning; Anthony Nwaubani, Senior Special Assistant on Finance; Mr Ogbonna Okereke, General Manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency and Donald Chinagozi, Special Assistant on Digital Economy. The list also includes Chinedu Ekeke, Deputy Chief of Staff/Senior Special Assistant on Sports and Youth Development; Oluebube Olunna Chukwu, Senior Special Assistant, Due Process; Kennedy Wiper, Special Assistant on Religious Activities; Col. Ezichi Kalu, General Manager, Abia State Traffic and Safety Management Agency; Mrs Mathilda Anyamele, Special Assistant, Due Process; Mrs Chinwe Kanu Ibe, Special Assistant on Women Mobilization; Mrs Chinwe Onyeukwu, Special Assistant on Women Affairs and Benson Nwaigburu, General Manager, Abia State Debt Management Office.

By Madu Obi An official of the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Anambra State, Mr. Phrank Kez, has cleared the air on the purported disappearance of an Anambra industrialist and proprietor of Best Aluminium, Chief Pius Nweke from prison custody in Awka, saying the man is not missing. Nweke was recently convicted at the Federal High Awka, presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on a two - count charge of possession of firearms and ammunition without a licence. Nweke's Abba community in Njikoka local government area of the state had alleged that there was a reasonable suspicion that their kinsman was missing from custody. But Kez, who is the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Anambra State described the community's allegation as untrue. He said: "We don't have record of any missing inmate. Who said that he is missing? Most times, people insinuate when they don't understand something. "The worrisome aspect of it is that most times they know the right thing, but just want to buy sympathy by insinuating." "Nweke is in our custody; he is not missing. Nobody has declared him missing. If he is missing, the media would have been notified." "If he is missing, his people would have gone to the streets with placards. Don't they know that it was the court that convicted him and sent him to prison?" "He is the property of the court and they can go back to tell the court that the person is missing."

By Madu Obi Awka- AS part of preparations for the impending flood, the Anambra State government is training 120 health workers drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state.The trainees are undergoing a one -month training on life saving skills on how to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the flood - prone areas. The training is being sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health. The state reproductive health coordinator in the Ministry, Dr. Uju Okoye explained that the flood- prone areas contributed more trainees because of the problems usually encountered in those areas during flood seasons. Okeke said: "Basically we want to empower the health care workers on the skills that are necessary in health facilities. We believe that as their skills are upgraded, maternal and infant mortality will reduce drastically in line with the three- year plan of the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo in the health sector." According to her, the state is doing well in the national survey on maternal and child mortality, adding that the state's 281 per 100,000 deaths is far above the national rate of 512 per 100,000 deaths. One of the trainers, Professor Brian Adimma, who is a professor of Reproductive Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, said the people being trained would mainly look after pregnant women in their areas. "They are taught the basics of antenatal care and problems that might arise during childbirth. They are also taught how to handle child delivery and record keeping in the maternity." Adimma commended the Anambra State government and UNICEF for being proactive, adding that "a state can build beautiful hospitals, but if there are no competent workers, such hospitals are as good as useless." The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike urged the trainees to take the training serious to be able to impart the right knowledge on other health workers down the line.

By Madu Obi THE rulling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra State has urged the senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, not to politicize security in the state. Recall that at a recent meeting with his constituents in Nnewi, Senator Ubah, who was elected on the platform of Young Progressive Party, YPP, promised to set up security structures in Anambra South to counter the activities of the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Simon Ekpa, whose followers have been enforcing Monday sit -at - home in the South East. The national coordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe described the senator's pronouncement as laughable and mere propaganda.According to him, the undeniable truth is that Ubah does not have the interest of security in any part of Anambra South, alleging that what he plans to do is to assemble youths that would be used in Anambra South during election. Obigwe said: "Senator Ubah must be told in plain language that Governor Chukwuma Soludo is not the type of leader he will usurp his duties and he is not the type of governor that will allow anybody to undermine his office. "He should know that as a senator, he has limitations and that he will not be allowed to direct the affairs of any part of Anambra State in executive capacity because doing so would amount to the usurpation of the powers of Governor Soludo. "Governor Soludo has done a lot in security and he is ready to welcome anybody that sincerely wants to support what his administration is doing in that sector."Anybody that sincerely wants to support the commendable efforts of the governor on the security sector should do that by donating to the Anambra Security Trust Fund set up by the state government. "Ifeanyi Ubah is not constitutionally empowered to exercise the powers he wants to be exercising in Nnewi and all parts of Anambra South senatorial zone.""He knows the right channel to follow to get things done, but if he decides to do otherwise, he will be confined to where he rightly belongs. We have only one governor in Anambra and that is Governor Soludo. "What the government will not tolerate is the politicisation of security issues in the state which might result in the breeding of militia groups that will be used to terrorize the good people of Anambra State during election period.""Ubah must be told in plain language that Governor Soludo administration will not allow him to play politics with Anambra security because there is time for everything." "Soludo is completely in charge and anybody that undermines his authority will have himself or herself to blame." "If not for Governor Soludo's efforts on the security sector, the 2023 general elections would not have been conducted peacefully in Anambra South, particularly in ihiala, Nnewi South, Aguata , Orumba North and Orumba South""ifeanyi Ubah claimed that he wanted to support security in Anambra South, but did not do that through Anambra Security Trust Fund." "He knows very well that Anambra has an existing security architecture and that the right thing to do is to channel any security support through Anambra Security Trust Fund so that it will serve as a support in funding Anambra security. Nobody is against ifeanyi Ubah's political ambition, but he will not be allowed to breed political militias in Anambra South." Obigwe said Governor Soludo is ready to welcome support from any public spirited individual, adding, however, that such a person must follow the right channel to give the support.

Iheanyi Chukwudi Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worlwide has described her late ex- President General, Professor Joe Ogbonna Irukwu (SAN), as a moral edifice and one of Igbo's brightest.The apex Igbo group which said it received with rude shock the sad news of Irukwu's demise, also described him as an accomplished legal luminary, insurance and risk management wizard, erudite scholar of world renown and Igbo leader. The Abịa State-born Irukwu who passed on at 89, was elected the President -General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 2003 and he served meritoriously and bowed out in 2007. Eulogizing late Igbo leader in a statement issued on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze said, "During his incumbency, Irukwu added colour, glamour, zest, robust intellect and panache to the Igbo umbrella socio-cultural organization. "One of his works- Nation Building and Ethnic Organization: A Case Study of Ohanaeze in Nigeria, published by Spectrum, is an intellectual Magnus opus that fascinated the scholarly community in 2007 as one of the best sellers. In the same year, before the expiration of his tenure, Irukwu led other Igbo leaders to commission a multi-million naira complex comprising of a 1,500 -seater auditorium, library and conference room which he built single-handedly “as part of his own legacy to the Igbo man's quest for equitable recognition and accommodation in the Nigerian polity." Ohanaeze's statement continued, "One recalls with nostalgia and immense delight, the social skill, wisdom and organizational acumen that Irukwu displayed in the face of the turbulence which was occasioned by the political intrigues that confronted his tenure as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. "Professor Joe Ogbonna Irukwu was called to the English Bar in 1962 and enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the same year. He has held many top positions in both Private and public Sectors of the Nigerian economy. "Irukwu resisted the lure by Dr. M. I Okpara, the then Premier of the Eastern Region, to join partisan politics;. instead, he chose to pursue his dream of applying his knowledge in Law to build an enviable insurance industry in Nigeria. Irukwu painstakingly achieved his set goals and became a foremost risk management expert, Professor of Insurance, educationist, award winning author and holder of many distinguished fellowships and academic awards. Above all, Irukwu showed a remarkable patriotism as a delegate at the National Political Reform Conference in 2005. "The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba) could not withhold his emotions on hearing the sad news of the demise of the great Iroko, a senior advocate of Nigeria and member of his Presidential Advisory Council (PAC). "Iwuanyanwu lamented that we have lost a well fulfilled man with a large heart; unassailable friendly finesse and amazing public relations. He added that Professor Irukwu was a quintessence of courage and character whose legacies in Ohanaeze Ndigbo will always be remembered with deep emotional attachments. He lamented that Irukwu has left him when his wise counsel is most needed. "On behalf the National Executive Committee (NEC) and indeed all the structures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, we send our condolences to the immediate family, the government and good people of Abia State. While we ask the Almighty to grant the soul of Professor Joe Ogbonna Irukwu an eternal rest in his bosom, we urge the immediate family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude and serenity."

By Madu Obi Awka- Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central, has said that the 10th National Assembly would not accept any budget from the executive arm of government which does not make adequate provision for education. Umeh, spoke at Aguluzigbo during his appointment as the Chancellor of Tansian University, Umunya, said the national assembly would make government to understand that education is key to the development of any nation. The Senator said although private universities were doing a lot to improve the quality of education in the country, the problem is that many people cannot afford it due to poverty. He said: "The public universities owned by government have suffered so much because of disputes between the academic staff and government due to poor remuneration of the lecturers. "Poor attention is paid to education through budget as the country is very far behind the globally recommended budgetary provision for education, which is necessary to meet the required standard. "Any budget the government brings to the national assembly that does not make adequate provision for education will be resisted. If we give our children quality education, we would have laid a solid foundation for a bright future for our country." Umeh said he accepted to be the Chancellor because it is a call to service, adding, "For considering me a fit and proper person to be appointed the Chancellor of this great university, I feel so challenged as I know that the responsibility will go with a lot of dedication." "I will strive to make Tansian University a worthy citadel of learning and it is, therefore, an honour and privilege to be part of a highly principled and God - fearing university. I will use my reach, contact and everything to help promote the ideals of this university." The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Eugene Nwadialor, who was accompanied by the management of the institution, said the board did a thorough search and eventually zeroed on Senator Umeh. He said: "Looking at your pedigree, experience, commitment and doggedness to issues you believe in, the board decided that you should be appointed the Chancellor." The message of the Visitor to the university, Peter Cardinal Okpalaeke, is that you should bring that experience to bear in the affairs of the university. "Before now, Okpalaeke was the chairman of the board, the visitor and Chancellor, just to make sure that we survive. Recently, the board thought it wise that under the separation of functions, the post of Chancellor should be given to a worthy son of the soil," the Vice Chancellor said. He recalled that Umeh had been part of the university, having been one of the first honorary doctorate degree awardees of Tansian University. Tansian University was founded in 2009 by the late Professor Johnbosco Akam, a Reverend Monsignor in the Catholic Church.

Iheanyi Chukwudi The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has tendered documents against Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, at the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, over his alleged forged NYSC discharge certificate. Among the documents tendered by NYSC who is the Petitioners Witness 1 (PW1) in the case filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, are, the alleged forged discharge certificate, as well as the original discharge certificate which Mbah ought to have collected. NYSC also tendered a letter written by Oma and Partners, an Abuja-based law firm, which had asked the Corps to scrutinize the discharge certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by the Governor. The Petitioners' lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), led the Petitioners Witness 1 (PW1), the Director of Certification, NYSC, Aliyu Abdul Mohammed in evidence at the resumed hearing and commencement of LP's evidence against the election of Mbah as the governor of Enugu State. Mohammed adopted his written deposition on oath and Awomolo sought to tender the witness's deposition on oath as evidence before the tribunal. But the counsel to the third respondent, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Ani (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the document and opted to move a motion dated and filed on the July 7, 2023, which seeks to pray the tribunal to strike out the written deposition on oath of the PW1 on the ground of incompetence. Counsel to 1st respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and that of the 2nd respondent (Peter Mbah) aligned themselves with the submission of Ani and prayed the court to strike out the written deposition of Mohammed (PW1) for lack of competence. The respondents' counsel relied on the Court of Appeal decision in the case of ANDP & anor V INEC as well as that of Damina & anor V Adamu and ors, in asking the court to strike out the written deposition on oath of the PW1. In their responses the petitioners' lawyers relying on the case of Ararume & anor V INEC, which according to them, is a conflicting decision with the authorities cited by the respondents' counsel, asked the court to admit the written deposition on oath of the PW1. In in a short ruling, the Tribunal admitted the document and reserved ruling on the objections raised by the respondents for final judgement. Then the PW1, Mohammed was taken in for examination-in-chief and he told the Tribunal that he acted on a subpoena served on the Director General of the NYSC or any other official to appear before the tribunal for the purposes of giving evidence in order to clear some issues bothering on the certificate purportedly issued by the agency. The subpoena was admitted in evidence without objection from the respondents and was marked as exhibit PTC/01/06. In paragraph three of the Petitioners' Witness's deposition on oath, the witness stated that in obedience to the subpoena by the tribunal, he came with the authentic discharge certificate of the governor, as well as the one purportedly given to him. The respondents' counsel objected to the admissibility of the documents and reserved their reasons for final written addresses. The tribunal admitted the documents and marked them as exhibits PTC/ 01/08 a and b. The Petitioners also fielded another witness, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mary Nneoma Elijah, a principal partner in the law firm of Oma and Partners, as Petitioners' Witness 2. The Petitioners' counsel sought to tender her written deposition on oath as evidence, which was objected to by the respondents' counsel, citing the same grounds raised in the first stage but the court admitted the document and reserved the ruling during judgement. The Tribunal also admitted as exhibit the subpoena of the tribunal dated June 21, 2023; the witness's letter to INEC, as well as the reply given by INEC; a letter addressed to the presiding justice of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, for the production of the appointment letter dated 14 July 2003, appointing Barr. Peter Mbah as the Chief of Staff to the then governor of Enugu state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani in the same year he (Mbah) claimed he was serving. After cross-examination, the matter was adjourned to Tuesday, July 11, 2023 for further hearing.

*May drag Ikpa, others to ICC Iheanyi Chukwudi The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has declared that the state is wining the war against sit-a-at-home enforcers and will never take orders from people he described as murderers and enemies of Igbo land. Mbah said there is no way Enugu can become the premier destination for investment, living, and tourism or its economy grown from $4.4 billion to $30 billion when the people were still talking about or taking orders from faceless persons outside the state, insisting “we cannot be defeated by evil and we must not allow that to happen." Speaking during his maiden media chat with newsmen and media executives in Enugu at the Government House, Enugu, at the weekend, the Governor urged the people not to be deceived by those who use the name of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a cover for their criminalities, noting that Mazi Kanu had since expressed his displeasure at the enforcement of sit-at-home and consequent havocs on Igbo land. He disclosed that Enugu state is exploring the option of dragging both the instigators and enforcers of violence and illegal sit-at-home order in the State before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague to answer to the crimes against humanity, noting that in the 21st Century, nobody should be allowed to stay in one part of the world to enjoy life while causing deaths and pains in other parts. Mbah said, “As media people, it is important you educate our people for them to know that these sit-at-home enforcers are not after Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s welfare or freedom. We must be able to separate the two. “Ndigbo are on one page in demanding for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. I have also seen the President over this matter. Other Igbo leaders have made the same demand and we are not relenting.“However, the so-called sit-at-home enforcers are mere criminals and our people must face them frontally.” Technology he said had already been deployed to guarantee safety of residents, adding that there are no longer hideouts for criminals in the state. The governor urged concerted efforts by the media community and Enugu people against scaremongering and fake news, which he described as the latest resort by the sit-at-home promoters, having lost their capacity to inflict havoc on lives and property as was previously the case due to reenergised security measures applied by the government and security agencies since the ban on Monday sit-at-home in the state. He urged newsmen to be professional in their duty by seizing the opportunity presented by investigative and modern journalism to fact-check and verify the authenticity of information before feeding them to the public. “The truth is that we have won the actual war against sit-at-home enforcers and murderers out to destroy Enugu State and Igboland. We have unleashed the security resources on them and they have been thoroughly defeated and discomfited. “Because they no longer have the capacity to unleash terror on lives and property of Ndi Enugu, that is why they have now resorted to scaremongering, peddling of fake news, and all manner of dramas to instil fear in our people and control their minds and actions." “We practice democracy. We can never allow murderers and terrorists to dictate to us. We must not allow those who do not have the mandate of the people dictate for us how to live our lives; when to go out; when to close our businesses and when to sit at home." “What we are facing now are media terrorists using the social media to instigate fear and peddle fake news. We must not allow them to succeed. It is totally unacceptable. Nobody can make you inferior without your consent. These hoodlums are very few compared to our numbers. We cannot be taking instructions from hooligans." “We must not allow those without our mandate tell us how to live our lives. We have a duty to ensure that we flush them out in all directions. They have no stake in the affairs of our state. “It is, therefore, our responsibility to re-orientate our people to start coming out and going about their normal businesses. We have a duty to kill fake news and counter it with our superior pen and media." “Therefore, as we are leaving here, we must begin to tell our people the right thing; that nobody can make them inferior without their consent; that we can’t be cowed by the cowardly acts of a few people,” he stated. In their response, members of the media community lauded the efforts of the government in stamping out insecurity, offering suggestions on how to bring lasting peace and security to the state. They expressed their readiness to collaborate with and support the government to achieve its plans for the people, promising that they would play pivotal role to ensure the people return back to work through their reports.