News

Ebonyi: Gov. Umahi appoints SSG, Chief of Staff, security aides, others

Published

7 years ago

June 19, 2019

Eric

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, Wednesday approved the appointments of Dr. Kenneth Ugballa as the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and Dr. Offor Okorie as his Chief of Staff.

Others appointed with immediate effect included; Barr. Joseph Ekummanka as the SSA on Abuja Liaison Office, Saint Nchekwube Anako as the SA on Security & Utility – Capital City, while Benedict Nworie is the SA on Security & Utility – Ebonyi North zone.

Also, Nwoba Onyekachi is the SA on Security & Utility – Ebonyi Central zone and Chika Nwangele as the the SA on Security & Utility – Ebonyi South zone.

The appointments were contained in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Abakaliki by the media aide to the governor, Eze Collins.

The statement revealed that the approved persons are to be sworn-in today by the governor at the state exco- chambers government house Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.

It reads: “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State has approved the appointment and swearing-in of the following people on Wednesday, 19th June, 2019 by 12noon at the Exco Chamber: Hon. Clement Nweke (Principal Secretary). Dr. Offor Okorie (Chief of Staff).

“Dr. Kenneth Ugballa (SSG). Barr. Joseph Ekummanka (SSA Abuja liaison office). Saint Nchekwube Anako (SA on Security & Utility – Capital city) 6. Benedict Nworie (SA on Security & Utility – Ebonyi North zone).

“Nwoba Onyekachi (SA on Security & Utility – Ebonyi Central zone) and Chika Nwangele (SA on Security & Utility – Ebonyi South zone,” it stated.

News

Otunba of Lagos Adekunle Ojora is Dead

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

Eric

A former Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited and Otunba of Lagos, Adekunle Ojora, is dead. He was aged 93.

The popular business tycoon reportedly died on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Details soon…

News

Diezani Appears in London Court, Denies Bribery Allegations

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

Eric

Former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke on Tuesday denied multiple bribery charges as her trial opened at Southwark Crown Court in London, where prosecutors accused her of living a “life of luxury” funded by illicit payments.

British prosecutors told the court that Alison-Madueke, 65, accepted bribes between 2011 and 2015 while serving as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the prosecution, individuals seeking “lucrative oil and gas contracts” with Nigeria’s state-owned oil company provided her with “significant financial and other advantages” in exchange for influence.

“She should not have accepted benefits from those doing extremely lucrative business with government-owned entities,” the prosecutor said.

Alison-Madueke is accused of receiving financial and other inducements from individuals linked to the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups, which secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries.

The court heard that the alleged benefits included £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, refurbishment work and staff costs at London properties, as well as school fees for her son and luxury items from stores such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton.

Alison-Madueke, who also served as president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries from 2014 to 2015, has been linked to several legal cases globally, including in the United States.

In Nigeria, courts seized properties belonging to her and valued at several million dollars in 2017.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission still has pending cases against the former minister.

She has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and formally charged in 2023. She has consistently denied all allegations.

The UK National Crime Agency said at the time it suspected she had “abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.”

Two others, Doye Agama, her brother, and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also standing trial on related bribery charges.

Trial Judge, Justine Thornton said she hoped the trial would conclude by April 24.

News

Tinubu Stumbles, Falls During Welcome Reception in Turkey

Published

2 days ago

January 27, 2026

Eric

The incident occurred as he walked alongside Turkish President Recep Erdogan.

Tinubu appeared to have missed his step but was quickly assisted by officials, helping him regain his balance.

Tinubu had arrived at the Turkish presidential palace with a black limousine car.

Immediately after Tinubu alighted from the car, the military band played Nigeria’s national anthem, which was followed by the Turkish national anthem.

After the band’s rendition, there was a moment when the Turkish president used his hands to adjust Tinubu’s body to properly face the band.

Tinubu had departed Abuja for the state visit to Turkey on Monday, to strengthen the “existing cordial relations between the two countries and exploring further areas of cooperation in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation”, according to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.