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Kogi to Nigerians: Ignore EFCC’s forfeiture joke as desperate concoction of confused ‘unintelligent officials’

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…Says ‘EFCC is Nigeria’s corruption headquarters under convicted Chairman’
The Kogi State Government has called the Nigerian public’s attention to what it described as the ridicule the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has made of the fight against corruption in Nigeria with its “disgraceful fixation on the State in the pursuit of desperate political interests of its Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa and his godfathers.”
The Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, said in a statement on Wednesday that Bawa had shown, like many honourable Civil Society Organisations had pointed out, that his mandate at the EFCC was to bring down perceived enemies of those who planted him there at the expense of the nation’s integrity.
He said the fact that the EFCC could send out a press statement, titled, “Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of 14 properties linked to Kogi State Government”, showed clearly that uninformed minds had been picked to oversee the affairs of an agency as important as the EFCC, adding that the “forfeiture joke is clearly a desperate concoction of confused, unintelligent officials.”
According to him, for the avoidance of doubt, the Kogi State Government has no property that can be forfeited to the Federal Government under any guise, it is a campaign of calumny taken too far.
Fanwo noted that it was clear that the EFCC had declared a tactless open war against the Kogi State Government, owing mainly to the Governor’s unflinching loyalty to the All Progressives Congress and not individuals, stressing that the Governor was not one that could be cowed once he believes in a cause.
“Nigerians, and indeed, the international community are not as ignorant as the convicted Bawa and his sponsors. They know, with the different onslaughts against the Kogi State Government, and its officials, that this is clear persecution by a desperate and power drunk EFCC. In due course, Nigerians will confirm that the EFCC, under Bawa, is the capital of corruption amongst agencies in Nigeria,” the state government said.

The Commissioner stated, “Unlike the convicted Bawa, who has no regard for the courts. We want to state clearly here that, from what we have read in the media, not one we witnessed, this is a forfeiture proceeding and the order is an order of interim forfeiture, which gives persons who allegedly own the properties rights to come to court to establish their ownership of the said properties. We will follow through with the courts.
“For now, it is clear the EFCC has declared a tactless open war against the Kogi State Government, owing mainly to the Governor’s unflinching loyalty to the All Progressives Congress and not individuals. We will prove our innocence in court. It is a matter of time.”
The state government thanked Nigerians for standing by what is right and pointing out the mess that had become of the fight against corruption under an “emergency chairman”.
“On this note, we advise the public to ignore Bawa’s EFFC’s latest naked dance in the market square as the desperate last kicks of a dying horse,” the statement said.

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Contempt of Court: Enugu Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital MD, Health Minister face jail terms

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14 hours ago

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April 18, 2026

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A contempt proceeding has been initiated against Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health over alleged disobedience to a court order.

Also joined as contemnor is the Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr Unaogu Ngozika.

The duo are said to have disobeyed an order of court which ordered the immediate reinstatement of Prof Monday Igwe as the Medical Director.

A judgement of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, had nullified the appointment of Dr. Unaogu as the Medical Director of the Hospital and ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director following the declaration that the earlier termination of his appointment is null and void.

Recall that Justice E. D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, had on 11th December 2025, delivered a judgment in which he ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe to office as the Medical Director after he declared the earlier termination of his appointment as null and void and also nullified the later appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi.

The court found that the termination of  Prof. Monday Igwe’s appointment did not follow laid down disciplinary procedure.

It also held that the appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi during the pendency of the suit in which she was a party rendered it a nullity.

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However, several months after the judgement was served on the Defendants, they have refused to comply with the judgment orders.

Lawyer to the plaintiff, Mr. Michael O. Okorie, Esq, had told the court that Ngozi Unaogu “has continued to perform the functions of office, including awarding contracts, bank transactions, staff appointments and other official functions despite her appointment having been declared a nullity with the legal effect that contractors and bankers dealing with her are doing such at their own peril, especially as the said judgment has not been stayed by any order for stay of execution.”

Okorie has consequently filed and served Form 48-Notice of consequence of disobedience of court orders-against the Minister of state, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Unaogu, the Medical Director.

According to the lawyer, “the Minister of State is the supervising minister who issues/conveys/signs appointment letters to the Medical Director of the Hospital on behalf of the President.

“It is time for the Minister of State to reassess his legal team at the Ministry so that they do not end up misleading him into running foul of the law which he has sworn to protect as public servant.”

Meanwhile, court documents obtained by our correspondent show that the contempt proceeding was initiated pursuant to Order IX, Rule 13(1-3) of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules, Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004, Order 63 of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure).

“TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained the order of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division delivered on the 11th December, 2025 which declared null and void the termination of appointment of the Applicant, Prof. Monday Igwe, nullified the appointment of DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA as the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and ordered the re-instatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and also, ordered the payment of the arrears of salary to Prof. Monday Igwe, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison. A copy of the said order of court earlier served on you is hereby annexed for your on-the-spot reference.

“This Court has been informed that as at today, Tuesday, 14th April, 2026 that DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA has continued to perform functions of the office of the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE while Prof. Monday Igwe has not been reinstated to office in utter disregards to the subsisting orders of this Honourable Court which execution has not been stayed,” the court notice already served on the alleged contemnors read.

Dr Unaogu and her lawyers could not be reached by The Advocate at the weekend to ascertain why she has not vacated the office of the Medical Director as ordered by the Industrial court in Abuja.

which ordered her to vacate the Medical Director of the hospital has not been

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Army raises alarm over low South-East recruitment

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14 hours ago

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April 18, 2026

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Brig-Gen Uche Nnabuihe addressing youths in Anambra
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By LUCY OSUIZIGBO-OKECHUKWU

Brig.-Gen. Uche Nnabuihe has raised concern over low enlistment from the South-East, revealing Anambra recorded only 117 applications out of 38,000 nationwide.

Nnabuihe led an Army delegation to sensitise youths in Awka, noting the figure was recorded on April 7, before a nationwide awareness campaign began.

He said the exercise aimed to encourage more youths from Anambra and the South-East to join the 91 Regular Recruits Intake before the May 27 deadline.

“We observed with concern that out of 38,000 applications received nationwide, only 117 came from Anambra as of April 7.

“This sensitisation is to correct that imbalance and encourage our youths to take advantage of opportunities in the Nigerian Army,” he said.

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Nnabuihe urged eligible youths to apply, noting the Army offers a structured career path and opportunities for national service.

Lt.-Col. Ogbemudia Osawe said training infrastructure had expanded, with new institutions in Abakaliki and Osogbo to accommodate incoming recruits.

Osawe listed benefits, including career progression, regular pay, continuous military education, specialised training, and exposure to diverse cultures.

He added personnel enjoy welfare packages, free medical care for families, pensions, gratuities, and opportunities for international assignments.

Permanent Secretary, Anambra Ministry of Youths, Ifeatu Emodi, commended the initiative, describing military enlistment as crucial for South-East youths.

Emodi said declining interest among youths stemmed from misconceptions and misinformation about the Army.

Traditional ruler, Igwe Michael Okeke-Uche of Enugwu-Agidi, praised the Army’s welfare structure and urged youths to enlist for better regional representation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the sensitisation held at the Ministry of Youths in Awka, attracting a cross-section of young people. (NAN)

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Shock, as U.S.-based doctor dies during free medical mission in Abia

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15 hours ago

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April 18, 2026

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Late US-based Dr Uzoma Nwaubani
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By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of a U.S.-based Nigerian physician, Dr Uzoma Nwaubani, who was in the state for a medical mission.

Otti, in a condolence message signed by him and issued on Friday in Umuahia, said that he received the news of her passing with shock, describing her as a dedicated and compassionate medical practitioner.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) organised a five-day free medical outreach that held from April 13 to April 17.

The governor noted that the late Nwaubani was a member of the association and had returned to Nigeria with her husband and daughter, a final-year medical student in the United States, to provide free medical services to residents of Abia.

He said that while participating in the ongoing medical outreach, she developed a medical emergency and was immediately taken to a hospital.

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According to him, a team of ANPA and local medical experts worked together to provide urgent critical care in a bid to save her life.

“Despite the gallant efforts of the highly skilled medical team to resuscitate her, she could not make it,” Otti said.

The governor extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, her loved ones, and members of ANPA, adding that the state government was already in communication with her family and the leadership of the association.

He promised that the government would provide the necessary support to the bereaved family and ANPA during the period of mourning.

Otti also commended the family of the late doctor and ANPA for allowing the medical mission to continue in spite of the loss.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the health and well-being of residents and visitors to the state.

The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for strength for her family to bear the loss. (NAN)

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