Headline

Shakeup as Army Appoints New Spokespersons

Published

7 years ago

February 11, 2019

Eric

The Nigerian Army on Sunday approved new positions for senior military officers.

The shake-up involved removal and replacement of the spokespersons for the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters, according to an announcement of the development released Monday morning. It appeared a part of an ongoing reshuffling exercise activated by Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai, as the country’s military and other security forces grapple with deadly Boko Haram insurgency and other security threats.

John Agim, a brigadier-general and spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters since January 2018, has been removed. He was replaced by Onyema Nwachukwu, a colonel who was the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army operations in the Boko Haram war.

Sagir Musa, a colonel, was appointed as acting spokesperson for the Nigerian Army. His predecessor, A.A. Yusuf, was transferred to Nigerian Army 82 Division in Enugu after spending barely four days as acting army spokesperson.

The fresh redeployment also affected N.J. Okah, a brigadier-general, who has been posted from Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies (NAITES) to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and appointed the acting director of engineering services.

From Army Headquarters’ department of policy and plans, M.A. Masanawa, a brigadier-general, was posted to ACADA and appointed commander; while H.T. Wesley, a brigadier-general, was posted from Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and named the director of clothing and store.

Also, H.G. Tafida, a brigadier-general, was transferred from Nigerian Army Central Workshop Rigachukwu to Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics and appointed the director of engineering and maintenance

Another brigadier general, B.A. Ilori, has been posted to Army Headquarters department of policy and plans and appointed the deputy director of equipment procurement.

Also, A.A. Adereti, a brigadier-general, was posted to National Defence College and appointed directing staff.

A colonel, A.D. Isa, replaced Mr Nwachukwu as the spokesperson for the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole. The new acting corps commander of Nigerian Army Medical Corps is S. Adama, a colonel.

The announcement also said O.G. Olaniyi, a colonel, was posted from Nigerian Army School of Music to Nigerian Army Band Corps and appointed acting director; while E.I. Okoro and I.P. Bindul, both colonels, were posted to Army War College Nigeria as directing staff. Other officers who were not named were said to have been redeployed.

Premium Times

Headline

UK Court Acquittal: Diezani Goes Spiritual, Says God Will Always Be God

Published

3 days ago

June 18, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reacted to her acquittal by a London court after bribery charges brought against her were dismissed.

The Southwark Crown Court in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday acquitted the former minister of all charges, including five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Reacting to the judgment, Alison-Madueke expressed relief and said she and her family had endured years of emotional distress over the case.

Speaking to News Central, she said she has remained in the United Kingdom since the legal proceedings began 11 years ago.

She said: “I’m just thankful to God, it’s been arduous, almost 11 years. It’s been traumatic not just for me but for my family, friends, my 93-year-old mother in Port Harcourt and for my son.

“It has been a hard journey, but I tell you this, God will always do as He will. God will be God and God is not a man that He should lie; when He promises you something, He will see it through.

“For almost 11 years I have been here. I did my job to the best of my ability.”

Headline

I Never Saw Report that Led to Natasha’s Suspension, Says Ireti Kingibe

Published

3 days ago

June 18, 2026

Eric

The lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), at the Senate, Ireti Kingibe, says she did not see any report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Kingibe made this disclosure on Wednesday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

She said she was at a retreat with Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, when she heard about the report.

“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee.

“We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time.

“It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it.

“I even complained to other Senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now,” she said.

Headline

UK Court Clears Ex-Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke of All Corruption Charges

Published

4 days ago

June 17, 2026

Eric

Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke was on Wednesday found not guilty by a London jury of six bribery charges, after ‌a rare corruption trial of a high-profile former energy official.

Alison-Madueke, minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-president Goodluck Jonathan, stood trial charged with five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, which she denied.

Prosecutors ⁠alleged Alison-Madueke, 65, was given “a life of luxury” in London from oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria, which has long grappled with mismanagement and corruption.

But the former minister, who was also briefly president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, said she never took any bribes and had no real influence over the awarding of lucrative government contracts.

After a trial at London’s Southwark ‌Crown ⁠Court, Alison-Madueke was acquitted by a jury of all six charges she faced after more than 46 hours of deliberation.

The not guilty verdicts are a major blow to British authorities, which began their investigation into corruption allegations against Alison-Madueke ⁠more than a decade ago.

Alison-Madueke stood trial alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who was charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke ⁠and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.

Alison-Madueke’s brother Doye Agama, 69, was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery ⁠with his sister relating to payments made to Agama’s church.

Both Ayinde and Agama denied the charges against them and were also acquitted by the jury.

Source: Reuters