The Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the trial of former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano over alleged ₦4 billion fraud, indefinitely.

This followed an application by the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the matter be adjourned sine die. (Indefinitely)

When the case was called before Justice Mohammed Umar, the prosecuting counsel Mr S.O. Obila informed the court that the matter was coming up before the judge for the first time.
He, however, said that he had instruction from the lead prosecuting counsel to ask the court to adjourn the matter sine die.

“In the light of this, I have the instruction of the lead prosecuting counsel in this case, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, SAN to apply to the Chief Judge that since we had called nine witnesses before the previous judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, we should wait for him to return and conclude the matter,” he said.

He therefore prayed the court to adjourn the matter “sine die”.

Responding, counsel to Obiano, Mr Onyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN said that he was not opposing the application for adjournment since the prosecutor explained to him the difficulty his team had in getting the nine witnesses who had already testified.

The trial Judge, Justice Mohammed Umar subsequently adjourned the matter sine die.

Obiano, who was governor of Anambra from March 2014 to March 2022, was arraigned by the EFCC on Jan. 24, 2024, on a nine-count money laundering charge.

The anti-graft agency alleged that he misappropriated over ₦4 billion from the state’s security vote account, diverting funds into private entities and converting some into foreign currency.

In April 2024, Justice Ekwo refused to quash the case, ruling that the court had jurisdiction and that a prima facie case had been established against him.

It would be recalled that nine witnesses have so far testified in the trial, including a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator who claimed he received about ₦416 million over eight months from the state’s security vote account.

The case was stalled, in part, because of Justice Ekwo’s suspension by the National Judicial Council.

The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive governance through a strengthened partnership with TAF Africa, with a focus on improving participation and access for Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs).

Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop for 31 Disability and Gender Desk Officers in Port Harcourt, the Head of Service, Dr Inyingi Brown, said the state had designated officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to drive disability-inclusive reforms within the public sector.

Brown, represented by the Director of Administration in the Office of the Head of Service, Mr Chimenum Mpi, said collaboration between the state and TAF Africa was essential to building systems that promote fairness, access, dignity and visibility for citizens with disabilities.

She praised TAF Africa for its sustained partnership, describing the training as a crucial step toward a public service where no one is left behind. She urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to influence institutional practices and deliver tangible improvements within their MDAs.

Brown noted that the Office of the Head of Service would continue to support frameworks that mainstream inclusion and align public service delivery with global standards.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of TAF Africa, Mr Jake Epelle, said the initiative would strengthen accountability, enhance policy implementation and improve service delivery for PWDs in the state. He commended the Rivers Government for establishing and approving the training of the desk officers, describing it as a milestone for disability-inclusive governance.

Epelle explained that the programme formed part of the Disability Inclusive Governance Project in Rivers, funded by the Disability Rights Fund, and was designed to equip officers with practical tools to champion disability inclusion within government structures.

According to him, the prompt response of the State Government reflects a renewed commitment to protecting the rights and participation of PWDs and integrating disability considerations into policy, systems and services. He said Rivers State was charting a transformative path towards a governance model that reflects disability inclusion in practice, and pledged TAF Africa’s continued support in ensuring compliance with national and international standards.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Krakrafaa Bestman highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusivity in governance, stressing the need for PWDs to be meaningfully involved in decision-making, policy development, service delivery and accountability processes. He urged leaders to move from compliance to excellence by translating commitments into measurable outcomes.

The event brought together government officials, development partners and public service stakeholders to explore pathways for shifting from policy declarations to practical implementation in disability inclusion.

The Abia Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, says the state Executive Council (EXCO) has given approval for the retrofitting of the long abandoned Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum.

Kanu said this while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of Monday’s state EXCO meeting.

He said that the approval followed agreements between the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the state’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

He said, “The council has approved the comprehensive retrofitting of Ojukwu Bunker, a major historical monument in the state and country.”

“The innovation and upgrade of the facilities will modernise both the iconic heritage site, enrich and restore visitor experience to the centre, and reposition the bunker as a leading tourist site in the state and country.

“This intervention, therefore, reinforces the State Government’s unwavering commitment to preserve our history while elevating the state’s tourism potentials.

“Also, it will ultimately and further provide employment and business opportunities for the people of Abia.”

The commissioner also announced that the three-day Abia–Turkey Investment Summit, slated to begin on Tuesday, would showcase the state’s investment opportunities and strengthen Nigeria–Turkey and Abia–Turkey business relations.

He said that the event would feature exhibitions that would cover areas such as manufacturing, agriculture, textiles, leather, energy, infrastructure, trade, and logistics.

Kanu said that the summit would hold at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

He also announced that preparations were ongoing for several Christmas events organised by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

He said the events include Comedy Fest, scheduled for December 12, in Umuahia, and the 2025 Abia Christmas Carol, which would hold on December 20.

He said the activities aimed to enrich the state’s festive atmosphere for residents and visitors.

Also, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuruibe, confirmed the approval for the retrofitting of Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum.

Ekwuruibe recalled that delays in the commencement of the renovation project were caused by federal processes since both facilities belong to the federal government.

He said the state had reached the stage of finalising its Memorandum of Understanding agreement with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy.

He further said that work should begin within three weeks to one month and described the project as a key campaign promise of Governor Alex Otti of Abia.

Ekwuruibe said the Abia Comedy Fest would be organised by Enyioha Global Promotions in partnership with the State Government and would feature homegrown talents.

He further said that preparations were ongoing for the Christmas Carol and other festive activities.

Ekwuruibe said that the beautification works were underway in Aba, in partnership with Nigerian Breweries.

He said that the state had retrofitted monuments on BCA Road and would soon begin erecting new ones and expressed government’s efforts to enhance Abia’s environmental outlook.

The Nigerian Navy has commenced training for land operations to support security forces in the fight against insurgency and rising insecurity across the country.

Rear Adm. Victor Choji, Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Onne, Rivers, made this known during a simulation exercise codenamed ‘Exercise Wash Down’ on Monday.

He said the decision to adopt new strategies was informed by the constantly evolving security environment in the country.

According to him, the current security landscape in the country is volatile, complex, and ambiguous, necessitating the Navy to adjust its strategies to meet present realities.

“We find ourselves in a situation where our training strategies must reflect these realities.

“Therefore, the Nigerian Navy has added a new layer to its curriculum that is mainly dedicated to land operations.

“This recognises that our trainees will be deployed to various parts of the country, including non-maritime areas,” he said.

Choji explained that Exercise Wash Down was designed to give trainees an appreciation of the real land-combat environment in which they would operate, as well as to equip them with the requisite skills.

He expressed confidence in the level of competence displayed by the trainees and praised their ongoing transformation from civilians to individuals capable of confronting security challenges.

“We witnessed when the trainees were admitted into the facility as raw civilians, but now they have learnt a lot in becoming personnel,” he added.

The commandant reiterated the navy’s mandate to ensure that personnel are adequately equipped to enable them to operate effectively in any environment.

“Until we provide our trainees with skills that will enable them to function effectively, we will not be able to achieve our mandate and mission effectively,” Choji said.

In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army Port Harcourt, urged Nigerians to regard security as a collective responsibility rather than the exclusive duty of security agencies.

He explained that in times of war, not only the armed forces that go to war but the entire nation.

According to him, terrorists, insurgents, and other criminals perpetrating violent crimes are not only targeting the military and security agencies but also citizens.

“Security belongs to everyone, and so every individual has a role to play in securing the country.

“Citizens must support the military and security agencies because it is a fight for everybody, not just for the armed forces alone,” he noted.

Emekah stated that Nigeria’s security challenges are largely land-based and commended the Nigerian Navy for reviewing its Batch 36 training curriculum to include land-component exercises.

He said that the revision of the curriculum had become imperative because land troops were overstretched owing to ongoing security operations across different parts of the country.

“We need more men on the ground, and so we are delighted that the Batch 36 trainees, after their land-operations training, will join the field.

“I strongly believe that soon we shall see a different environment in the field, considering that most of the trainees will be supporting land operations.

“It is a joint effort, not just the armed forces but including sister services, the Police and other security agencies, and the intelligence community,” Emekah concluded.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed optimism of presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers in the new Rivers State Assembly Complex.

Governor Fubara gave the hint on Monday, November 24, 2025, after the inspection of the Hallowed Chamber Complex being reconstructed by Monier Construction Company Limited.

The governor, who was accompanied by Hon. Boniface Emerengwa, member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, and Management of MCC Nig Ltd, expressed satisfaction with the work done at the complex, saying that there is hope that the complex will be ready at the end of December 2025.

He assured that he is committed to ensuring the completion of the Assembly Complex on schedule to enable the lawmakers resume sitting at the Hallowed Chamber adding that when that is done, he will be presenting the 2026 budget at the Main Hallowed Chamber in the way and manner it is required.

“We have been working hard to ensure their permanent sitting Chamber is put in place. You know the drama that surrounded our relationship before, but by the grace of God, now that everything has been sorted out, it is our desire to ensure that the Assembly returns to their normal place of sitting.”

He pointed out that though the job had been on before the emergency rule, a period it was believed that nothing was being done. “So I came here to ascertain the extent of work done, and I feel very impressed with what I have seen,” stressing that the Contractor informed him that he had already sublet the interior and some external works to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to accelerate work and meet the scheduled timeline to deliver the work.

The governor assured that once the main chamber is delivered, the remaining part of the complex will be handled by the Legislature once they resume sitting at the complex.

The government of the United States of America has agreed to assist Nigeria end violent attacks in the country. This followed the conclusion of a high-level Nigerian delegation to the United States of America.

A delegation, led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu had last week, met with senior officials across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War over the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.

According to President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, while giving details of the agreement said the discussion will help strengthen security partnerships between Nigeria and the US.

“Following these engagements, the United States Government affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria.

“This includes enhanced intelligence support, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles, subject to availability to reinforce ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.

“The United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms,” Onanuga said.

The presidential spokesman stated that both countries “agreed to implement immediately a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to the agreed areas of cooperation”.

“In return, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures”, he said

Bayo noted that the outcome of the meeting has also opened new avenues for cooperation to protect Nigerian citizens.

He stated that during the engagements which took place in Washington, DC, the Nigerian delegation refuted allegations of genocide in Nigeria.

According to Bayo, the Nigerian delegation to the US insisted that violent attacks in Nigeria affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines.

“The delegation strongly rejected wrongful framing of the situation, saying such would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground.