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“Ancestral Beliefs Targeted! Protest Grows Against Clampdown on Anambra Worshippers”

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A human rights advocacy group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has urged the Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Governor Charles Soludo, to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of all citizens—especially traditional worshippers in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has urged the Anambra State Government, under Governor Charles Soludo, to respect the constitutional rights of its citizens—particularly those of traditional worshippers across the state.

In a strongly worded statement released to journalists over the weekend in Enugu, the group demanded that individuals arrested for alleged criminal offences—whether felonies, misdemeanours, or simple infractions—be either charged to court or granted administrative bail within constitutionally stipulated timeframes.

The statement was jointly signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Lead Researcher/Head of Intersociety; Chinwe Umeche, Human Rights Lawyer and Head of Democracy and Good Governance; Chief Anayo Leonard Okoli, Board Member; Comrade Chibueze Nwajiaku, Deputy Head of Policing and Law Enforcement Department; and Comrade Samuel Kamanyaoku, Head of Field Data Collection and Documentation.

Intersociety condemned the operations of the state-backed security outfit, Agunaechemba/Udo Gachi, accusing it of conducting indiscriminate crackdowns on traditional worshippers and chief priests of long-established communal deities—including custodians of ancient market deities—through arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions without trial.

The group urged the government to desist from what it described as “reckless resort to false labeling, hearsay conclusions, and the entertainment of frivolous or fabricated petitions,” which have allegedly led to the unjust arrests and prolonged detentions of thousands of innocent citizens across the state.

It further stated:

“The process leading to the invocation of arrest powers by both conventional and unconventional security outfits across Anambra must be guided by proper investigations and the principle of fair hearing.”

Intersociety claimed it had received credible reports indicting state actors of routinely violating constitutional rights, based on testimonies from victims, their relatives, and community members. The group alleged that many citizens have been arbitrarily branded and detained for extended periods—ranging from three to five months or more—without trial or access to administrative bail.

It also accused the Agunaechemba/Udo Gachi security team of abusing their powers under the guise of combating crimes such as “Okite ritualism”, ritual killings, internet fraud, and the use of charms by criminals. The group said that chief priests of communal deities and guardians of sacred market traditions were among those unjustly accused and detained.

As a concrete example, the group referenced the case of the Udo Orie Market Deity and its chief priest, who they claim were falsely labeled and criminalized due to ignorance and the absence of cultural expertise among security operatives and policy enforcers. Intersociety warned that such generalizations have led to the stigmatization of indigenous religious institutions, erroneously linking them to crime and “money rituals.”

The group also criticized the Anambra State Homeland Security Law of 2025, describing it as lacking rigorous research, statistical backing, and credible investigative procedures, which has allegedly resulted in widespread abuses during its enforcement.

Intersociety disclosed that it had sent a 12-page petition to the Anambra State Executive Council through the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, outlining these alleged violations and calling for immediate redress.

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AMVCA 2026 Shock: Funke Akindele Misses Out Despite Massive Online Hype

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Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele missed out on the Best Supporting Actress award at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), losing to her colleague Linda Ejiofor for her performance in The Herd.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that Akindele, despite widespread expectations, left the ceremony without a win even though her film Behind the Scenes received four nominations across major categories.

The movie, which grossed over ₦2 billion at the box office, was nominated for Best Movie, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.

However, Ejiofor clinched the Best Supporting Actress award in a highly competitive category that included top stars, with Akindele also among the favourites due to strong online buzz surrounding her performance.

Other nominees in the category included Bisola Aiyeola (Gingerrr), Sola Sobowale (The Covenant), Nadia Dutch (Aljana), Amal Umar (The Herd), Juliebrenda Nyambura (MTV Shuga Mashariki), and Olamide Kidbaby (Oversabi Aunty).

Ejiofor’s winning role in The Herd saw her portray the wife of a kidnapped man played by Daniel Etim-Effiong in a socially driven satirical drama focused on insecurity and societal challenges in Nigeria.

Although The Herd had a modest box office performance compared to Behind the Scenes, it gained stronger traction on streaming platforms and secured multiple AMVCA nominations.

Ahead of the awards, Akindele had topped several online prediction polls, but the final decision rested with the AMVCA jury chaired by veteran actress Joke Silva.

In the Best Supporting Actor category, Bucci Franklin emerged winner for his role in To Kill A Monkey, beating nominees including Lateef Adedimeji, Gabriel Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Femi Branch, Uzor Arukwe, and Simileoluwa Hassan.

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“It Is A Lie” — Lere Olayinka Debunks Claims Of Supreme Court Ruling Against Wike-Backed PDP Faction.

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Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports claiming that the Supreme Court nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention held in Abuja on March 29–30, 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports suggest that Olayinka’s reaction follows claims tied to a Certified True Copy (CTC) of a recent Supreme Court judgment in the PDP leadership dispute, which allegedly favoured one faction over the other.

There were also claims that the apex court declared the Abuja convention invalid and upheld the suspension of key figures in the Wike-backed faction, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Kamaldeen Ajibade.

However, speaking in an interview with ARISE Television on Saturday, Olayinka insisted that such claims were false, stating that the issue of the March 29 convention was never before the Supreme Court.

He argued that the Supreme Court only dealt with matters that originated from the Court of Appeal, stressing that the apex court cannot rule on issues not presented before it.

Olayinka explained that the case in question concerned the suspension of Samuel Anyanwu, which he said was addressed at the appellate level and affirmed by the Supreme Court.

He further maintained that if a matter or individual was not referenced at the Court of Appeal, it could not suddenly become part of the Supreme Court’s judgment, insisting that claims about the convention being nullified were misleading.

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2027: Seriake Dickson Declares “Everyone Is Free To Contest Any Position” In NDC

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The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has stated that all aspirants in the party are free to contest any position in the 2027 elections without restrictions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that Dickson made the remark on Saturday during the party’s first national convention held in Abuja.

He explained that the NDC does not have internal factions like other political parties in the country and is not facing any legal disputes or internal conflicts.

According to him, there is currently no court case or appeal against the party, and all members are at liberty to contest for any leadership position in the 2027 elections.

Dickson also emphasized that the party remains united, stressing that no group or bloc exists within its structure that could create division.

He further maintained that any actions taken in the past that appeared to challenge freedom of association were violations of constitutional rights.

Reaffirming confidence in the party’s future, Dickson said the NDC, despite early opposition, has come to stay and has gained unprecedented public acceptance within a short period.

He claimed that no political party in Nigeria’s history has enjoyed the level of trust and enthusiasm currently being shown toward the NDC.

The former Bayelsa State Governor also stressed the importance of sustaining multiparty democracy in Nigeria, noting that the NDC was formed after concerns that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been weakened.

He recalled the legal and administrative challenges faced during the party’s registration, which was eventually approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following a court ruling.

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