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Legal Team Calls For Investigation Into Chiefs’ Role In Cross River Gun Trade, Community Strife

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Legal Team Calls For Investigation Into Chiefs’ Role In Cross River Gun Trade, Community Strife....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A group of legal experts, led by former Special Adviser on Prosecution to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to initiate an inquiry into clan and village heads in Ebom community of Abi LGA, Cross River State.

The lawyers allege these leaders’ involvement in gun trafficking and funding periodic communal conflicts against the Ebijakara people within the same local government area.

Their petition, dated June 17, 2024, follows the recent apprehension of Solomon Christian Okori from Ebom, who was found in possession of sophisticated firearms by James Musa from Taraba State. Musa implicated Okori, along with the clan and village heads, in financing his activities.

Obono-Obla explained, “This petition aims to draw the Inspector General of Police’s attention to troubling developments that may shed light on the incidents dating back to January 2006 and ongoing instability in the region, characterized by intermittent communal violence resistant to government intervention.”

The legal team clarified that they represent the Ebijakara people as their legal counsels, urging a thorough investigation into James Musa, the alleged gunrunner from Taraba State, and Solomon Christian Okori, currently evading capture and a native of Ebom.

Meanwhile, James Musa, apprehended by operatives of the Cross River State Governor’s Security Adviser on June 11, 2024, openly confessed that Solomon Christian Okori financed the weapons he brought into Ebom community.

Reports indicate that hostility between Ebom and Ebijakara communities erupted in January 2006, allegedly resulting in Ebom displacing the entire Ebijakara community and destroying their homes. Allegedly, they recruited, funded, and deployed a militia armed with advanced weaponry, including explosives and rifles, to launch devastating attacks on Ebijakara.

Sources reveal that the displaced Ebijakara people have sought refuge in neighboring communities such as Usumutong, Ediba, Ugep, Biase, and Calabar.

A source mentioned, “Over five hundred Ebijakara individuals were reportedly killed by the Ebom militia.”

Although the Cross River State Government previously established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice S. Obi to investigate the causes of the violence and issued a white paper, no further action has been taken.

Obono-Obla criticized, “The state government’s ambiguous and indifferent stance has emboldened the Ebom community.”

David Etta, representing Abi LGA and an Ebom native, asserted that peace has gradually returned to both communities in recent years, with ongoing efforts from him and other stakeholders to sustain dialogue.

Bassey Eyo Bassey from the University of Calabar and an Ebom indigene emphasized, “The arrest of the gunrunner in Ebom community does not correlate with the regrettable events between Ebom and Ebijakara communities since January 11, 2006.”

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From Rivals To Rescue? Keyamo Stuns Public With Offer To Settle Peter Obi’s Airport Debt!.

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Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has agreed to a proposal by Mr. Nnaemeka Ikerionwu to pay the ₦25,000 airport parking fine issued to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Origin of the Fine: The fine was imposed after Peter Obi allegedly violated parking regulations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

  • Context of the Dispute: Keyamo previously issued a seven-day ultimatum for Obi to pay the fine and publicly apologize to airport staff following claims Obi made in a podcast interview that he was being targeted and harassed at the airport.

  • Evidence Provided: To address Obi’s allegations of unfair treatment, Keyamo released CCTV footage showing the moment the parking violation occurred.

  • Resolution and Reaction:

    • Following an offer to pay the fine by Ikerionwu, Keyamo instructed him to contact the Director of Commercial and Business Development at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to arrange payment.

    • Despite accepting the payment, Keyamo still expects an apology from Obi to the airport officials.

    • Keyamo stated that the ministry successfully refuted Obi’s claims and warned the candidate to avoid making “outlandish” statements in the future intended to secure “sympathy votes”.

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Nationwide Renaming Spree! Major Landmarks Across Nigeria Now Bear President Tinubu’s Name!.

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The Federal Government has officially renamed the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway. Minister of Works David Umahi explained that this decision honors the President, noting that the project’s original vision began nearly 30 years ago during Tinubu’s time as the Governor of Lagos State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This recent renaming, announced on July 16, 2026, joins a significant and growing list of public assets and institutions that have been named or established in President Tinubu’s honor since he took office in May 2023.

Public Assets Named After President Tinubu

  • Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna: In March 2024, the airport—formerly the Abubakar Imam International Airport—was renamed by Governor Umar Bago to acknowledge the President’s support for Niger State.

  • Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, Abuja: Following its reconstruction in May 2024, the Abuja Southern Parkway, which connects the Christian Centre to Ring Road One, was renamed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

  • Bola Tinubu Building (National Assembly Library): Inaugurated by the President in May 2024, this newly completed library was named in his honor by the National Assembly.

  • Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC): Formerly the Nigeria Immigration Service command and control centre, this facility was renamed in December 2024 to serve as a hub for border security and technological innovation.

  • Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic, Gwarinpa: Established in January 2025 by the Federal Government, this institution focuses on entrepreneurial, vocational, and technical education.

  • Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, Asokoro: Named by the Nigerian Army in January 2025, this new military facility features operational infrastructure, residential quarters, and sporting amenities.

  • Tinubu International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja: Following comprehensive renovations, the Abuja International Conference Centre was renamed in June 2025 by the FCT Administration.

With the inclusion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, at least eight major public facilities or infrastructure projects have been renamed or established to bear the President’s name during his administration.

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The Power Struggle Continues: Ondo APC Aspirants Take Their Fight To The High Court!.

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Several All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants in Ondo State, who are loyal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have initiated legal action against the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the National Assembly primary elections. These aspirants, who were unsuccessful in their bids, are challenging the candidate list submitted to INEC, citing irregularities in the nomination process. Represented by the law firm of Remi Olatubora (SAN), the plaintiffs are seeking a judicial review to determine if the list provided to INEC accurately reflects the results of the primaries.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Involved Aspirants: The group includes several politicians, such as Gbenga Elegbeleye, Taiwo Fasoranti, Leke Akingboye, Rasaq Obe, Kayode Ijalana, Oyerinmade Matthew, and Olumuyiwa Daramola.

  • Stakeholder Concerns: Some party stakeholders worry that this litigation could hinder the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections and are encouraging the use of internal resolution mechanisms to maintain party unity.

  • Similar Dispute in Benue State: A comparable situation has developed in Benue State, where aspirants loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026 to prevent the alteration of their state’s candidate list.

  • Status Quo Order: In the Benue case, Justice I.E. Ekwo has ordered all parties to maintain the status quo while the court reviews the matter.

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