Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has described as untrue, the ₦700 billion fraud allegation leveled against his immediate predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, by the Network against Corruption and Trafficking, and being probed by anti-graft agency EFCC. “I don’t know where they get those figures from because it can’t be from Akwa Ibom State; it can’t be from us – we don’t have such figures,” Eno said at a town hall meeting in the Abak area of the state on Saturday. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor condemned what he described as a vilification of the past governors of the oil-rich…

The United Nations has urged women around the world to stand their ground in the face of adversity. The call was made as the world celebrates the 2025 International Women’s Day on March 8. According to the human rights group, the IWD is a chance to rise and make the world equal and better for everyone. “On International Women’s Day (8 March), that is the bold call for action for all women and girls worldwide. As we mark the 30th year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the world is deeply unequal. “International Women’s Day is a chance…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund on Saturday cautioned students against applying for student loans via fake portals and websites. The Fund warned that while it remains committed to ensuring that eligible students get the student loan, students should be cautious of fake websites posturing as the official website of the Fund. The clarification was made in a statement by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the Director of Corporate Communications at the Fund. “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund wishes to reiterate that the ONLY official portal for student loan applications is [www.nelf.gov.ng (https://www.nelf.gov.ng). “Students and the public are advised to disregard any other links,…

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the case of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to another judge. This development was disclosed in a statement signed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, on Saturday in Abuja. Recall that Kanu had requested the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako, the judge presiding over the seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government. While Justice Nyako recused herself from the trial and transferred the case file back to the Chief Judge for reassignment, the case file was, however,…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Prince Doyin Okupe, a seasoned medical doctor, politician, and strategist who made significant contributions to Nigeria’s political and healthcare sectors. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and associates of the late Okupe, acknowledging his impactful role in the nation’s political landscape. “A prominent son of Iperu-Remo in Ogun State, Prince Okupe served as President Goodluck Jonathan’s senior Special Assistant on public affairs and President Olusegun Obasanjo’s special assistant on media. “During…

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has rejected her six-month suspension from the Senate. According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, she remains a legitimate senator amid what she called an “illegal” suspension. This was contained in a statement in which she reacted to the decision of the Red Chamber. “Against the culture of silence, intimidation, and victim-shaming, my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness, and equity. “The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I will continue to use my duly elected position to…

Mabel Dorothy Okanima Segun, one of Nigeria’s most accomplished literary figures and a trailblazer in broadcasting and sports, has passed away at the age of 95.  Her family announced that she died peacefully in the early hours of March 6, 2025. “It is with gratitude to God for a life well spent in the pursuit of excellence in Literature, Broadcasting and Sports that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mabel Dorothy Okanima Segun (nee Aig-Imoukhuede) in the early hours of the 6th of March 2025. She was 95 years old. Funeral arrangements will be…

The Nigeria Sanctions Committee has designated 17 individuals and organisations terrorism financiers. Those named on the list include: Simon Ekpa, Godstime Promise Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, and Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali. Others are Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, Ogomu Kewe, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company, and Lakurawa Group. According to a document obtained from the committee on Thursday, the list was approved by the President upon the recommendation of the Attorney General of the Federation. “The Nigeria Sanctions Committee held a meeting on March 6, 2024,…

The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules.  Her suspension followed her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio who she accused of sexual harassment, a claim the latter has denied. “That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her claims.…

The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, has summoned blogger Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for “criminal defamation” of the reputation of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo. In the court summons dated March 5, 2025, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the defendant, VDM, to appear in person before the court on March 13, 2025, to answer the charges levelled against them by the complainant, Chinwo. The criminal summons stemmed from alleged defamatory statements made by VDM on social media, accusing Chinwo of involvement in a contractual dispute and the purported diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record…