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Alleged N2.5b fraud: Court Orders substituted service on Enugu APC Chairman, Agballah, Guber candidate

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• Orders executed Wednesday

An Enugu State High Court on Wednesday ordered a substituted service on the chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ugochukwu Agballah and the governorship candidate, Chief Uche Nnaji, in a lawsuit by the Leader of the Concerned Enugu APC Members, Comrade Adolphus Ude, seeking an order of court compelling the duo to account for N2.5 billion party funds allegedly embezzled by them

The Court also ordered a substituted service on Ugochukwu Agballah in another suit instituted by Comrade Ude seeking to perpetually restrain Agballah from parading himself as the chairman of the APC in Enugu State.

The orders were made by Justice Kenneth Okpe following applications for substituted service by the plaintiff, Comrade Udeh. The plaintiff’s counsel, Iyobosa Izevbigie, told the trial judge that whereas the other defendant in the suits, APC, was served on February 16, 2023, all attempts to serve Ugochukwu Agballah and Uche Nnaji proved abortive as they allegedly evaded service.

The court therefore ordered for both men to be served by pasting the court processes at the APC secretariat located at No. 80 Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu.

The orders were also executed on Wednesday.

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It is recalled that Comrade Ude, who was also the Chairman of Mainstream Enugu APC, had dragged Ugochukwu Agballah and Chief Uche Nnaji before the court in Suit No. E/47/2023 over alleged misappropriation of N786 million, which he said the state chapter of the party realised from sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

Ude also alleged that the APC, Enugu State, realised an additional estimated sum of $1.5 million from consultations and logistics from Presidential aspirants during the 2022 presidential primaries, but which he said were expropriated by Agballah and Nnaji.

Ude is therefore seeking an order of court compelling them to render and publish a detailed account of the use and proof of disbursement of the said funds.

But in in Suit No. E/74/2023 before the same judge, Comrade Ude is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining Ugochukwu Agballah from parading himself as the chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the APC.

“By a letter dated 19 August 2022, the 2nd Defendant’s ward, the Udi/Agbudu Ward in Udi Local Government Area suspended the 2nd Defendant from being a member of the Ward and expelled him from the Ward and debarred him from holding Party Office in APC.

“The effect of the suspension and expulsion from his ward was that the Agballah ceased to be a member of the APC with effect from the date of the letter and thus lost the right and privilege to hold any office in the Party or to participate in any of the activities of the Party”, he stated.

He however told the court that Agballah continued to “parade himself as the Chairman of APC, Enugu State and to meddle in the affairs of the Party with impunity and without authority” in spite of his suspension and expulsion from the party.

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Final-year female varsity student found dead in Kogi

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The deceased student, Sarah Ojodomo Idoko
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The lifeless body of a final-year female student of the Federal University Lokoja has been discovered along the Felele–Lokoja Road in Kogi State.

The deceased, identified as Sarah Ojodomo Idoko, was a final-year student of the Federal University Lokoja. Her body was reportedly found on Saturday night near the Crusher area along the busy Felele axis after she was allegedly dumped there by unknown assailants.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that a vehicle was seen stopping briefly near the location at about 8 p.m. before speeding away. Shortly afterwards, passers-by reportedly discovered the victim’s body by the roadside and alerted authorities.

Initial reports suggested that Sarah was a student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, after an identity card bearing her name and academic details was recovered at the scene.

The card indicated that she was enrolled in the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme in the Department of Office Technology Management for the 2024/2025 academic session.

However, the Kogi State Police Command later clarified that the deceased was actually a student of the Federal University Lokoja.

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Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Kankarofi, said investigations had commenced.

He noted that the police were working to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and track down those responsible.

According to the police commissioner, details of the investigation would be made public at the appropriate time, while assuring residents that the command remains committed to ensuring justice for the deceased.

The tragic death of Sarah Ojodomo Idoko has once again raised concerns about the safety and security of students and residents along the Felele corridor, a major gateway to Lokoja that has witnessed several security-related incidents in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Association of Nigeria Female Students (ANFS), Kogi State Chapter, described the killing as cruel, unfortunate, and unacceptable.

In a statement issued by its State Coordinator, Comrade Celina Ojoniko James, the association expressed deep sorrow over the loss and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

The group also urged government authorities and security agencies to strengthen safety measures around campuses and student communities to prevent similar tragedies in the future. (TRIBUNE)

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Gunmen kidnap ex-minister Adelabu’s sister, children in Ibadan

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Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu
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The sister of the former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress 2027 governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, and her twin children have been kidnapped in Ibadan, the state capital.

An eyewitness told PUNCH Online that the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the incident in a statement, one of the media aides to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, said, “The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of APC in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

“Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Mrs. Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.

“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America.”

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“Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by armed gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.

“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children,” the statement read.

The family, therefore, appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations.

It also solicited prayers and support from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.

The family further urged anyone with useful information that may assist security agencies in their investigation to promptly report such information through the appropriate channels.

The statement added, “The family will continue to cooperate fully with security authorities and will provide further updates as events unfold.

No fewer than 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

It will also be recalled that a chieftain of APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December, 2025.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 7:06 pm at his office located at PJ Square Shopping Complex, beside the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited station, Elewure, along Iyana Ajanla, Akala Expressway, New Garage, Ibadan.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in a blue Micra vehicle with two occupants—a driver and an armed man—who forcibly seized Oriade and whisked him away in the same vehicle.

“The nature of the attack and the precision with which it was carried out have caused deep concern within his community,” the eyewitness

Reacting in a text sent to Crime Reporters Oyo platform, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said, “I can not independently verify this for now, but please hold on.”

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Pastor beats 14-year old girl to death over alleged theft in Cross River

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Tragedy truck in Wula, in Eastern Boki, Boki local government area of Cross River state when a pastor allegedly beat a 14-year-old girl, Nancy Peter to death.

The Incident sparked outrage after allegations that she was first beaten by her mother and later flogged by a pastor over claims of theft.

In a statement by the Cross River State Police Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, he disclosed that preliminary findings indicate that the victim, identified as Miss Nancy Peter, was first assaulted by her mother, Mrs. Agnes Peter, 45, before being taken to Pastor Samson Roman Dago, 43, who allegedly subjected her to further corporal punishment with a cane.

He said a full-scale investigation has begun to really establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the involvement of all those linked to the tragedy.

The command also dismissed, for now, social media claims that the girl was sexually assaulted, saying no evidence had been found to support such allegations.

It added that medical examinations and other investigative steps were ongoing.

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Some village sources said the teenager became unconscious after the beating and was rushed to a medical facility in Wula Community, where doctors confirmed her dead on arrival.

Vanguard gathered that the community has now been left in shock, as the death has revived painful concerns about the dangers of corporal punishment and the need for greater child protection.

A child rights advocates, James Ibor esq, and principal Counsel at Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, ( BRCI)said that physical punishment does not correct children; it scars them, deepens fear, and can lead to irreversible harm.

“It is reprehensible and heartbreaking , that in 2026 this kind of barbaric act will still be happening, after the child rights act was passed since 2023.

“I’m calling on the Commissioner for police not to allow this girl’s murder to go unpunished , neither should it be forgotten like other murders of this nature.

“A child should never be disciplined to the point of collapse. This is a tragedy that should never have happened, the police must do everything possible to ensure the girl get’s justice , it is a sad development, ibor said.

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