News
Kogi lawmakers suspend Ibaji LG boss over alleged N536.1m graft
• Ibaji people behind my suspension – Iko-Ojo reacts
The Kogi State House of Assembly on Thursday suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, William Iko-Ojo over alleged misappropriation of public funds, security threat, gross misconduct and abuse of office.
But reacting to the decision of the state lawmakers, Iko-Ojo described his suspension without any opportunity offered to defend himself of the allegation, as political, adding that some of his traducers from Ibaji Local government could be behind the act.
He, however, expressed gratitude to the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for the opportunity given to him to serve as Local Government Chairman, assuring that he would continue support the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC as a stakeholder in the state.
The suspended council boss also urged the people of the Local government to remain steadfast in their support for the party (APC) especially in the forthcoming governorship election slated for November 11, 2023.
The Advocate reports that the suspension of the Council Chairman was based on a petition written to the Assembly by one Jibril Ojochenemi which was read by the House Majority Leader, Suleiman Abdulrazaq, a member representing Okene Town.
Abdulrazaq said the petition alleged that the sum of N536, 137, 064.9k (Five hundred and thirty-six million, one hundred and thirty-seven thousand, sixty-four naira and nine kobo), was spent as overhead cost without budget provision by the Chairman.
The Majority Leader said the alleged misappropriation was reported in the audited consolidated financial statement of the 21 Local Government Area of Kogi State for the period covering 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021.
Abdulrazaq urged the House to look into instances of security breaches in high disrespect to the rule of law, saying such conduct portrays the ”man to act above the law”
In view of the graft allegation contained in the petition before the house, the Majority Leader, therefore, called for the suspension of the embattled Council boss, which was immediately seconded by Deputy Speaker, Enema Paul, who represents Dekina Okura State constituency.
The Deputy Speaker in his submission noted that the allegations against the Local Government Chairman were weighty, adding that he should step aside pending the conclusion of investigation by the House.
In their various contributions, the members representing Ogori Magongo State Constituency Bode Ogunmola, Dekina/Biraidu, Ochidi Usman Shehu, Kogi Koton Karfe, Aliyu Maikudi, Okene South, Yusuf Zakari Eneve all threw their weight behind the removal of the Ibaji Council boss.
They said under the watch of the embattled Council boss, a crisis broke out in Ibaji which led to the death of a woman.
” If the executive Chairman cannot control security problems and is busy inciting crisis in his domain, my submission here is that the Chairman should be suspended,” one of the lawmakers said.
In his rulings, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Umar Yusuf directed the Vice Chairman to take over the activities of the Local Government in an Acting capacity.
The House, however, set up a seven Man committee chaired by Deputy Speaker, Enema Paul to investigate the allegations.
“He is becoming a security threat to the place he is supposed to provide security. As a Chairman that was democratically elected, the party that the Chairman belongs to has equally petitioned his character. But all effort to see that he behaves well was not forthcoming.
“When you have a Chairman that is supposed to provide an enabling environment for people to go about their lawful business, is now seen inciting communities against each other, threaten to remove traditional rulers or install new ones before were it exist. That cannot be tolerated. The security reports against the Chairman are not favourable” the Speaker stated.
He called on the Nigeria Police, and Department of State Services, (DSS) to put the suspended Chairman on security watch to avert any breakdown of law and order.
The embattled Council boss, who spoke with The Advocate when contacted on Friday, said: “As far as I’m concerned, I don’t know anybody answering the name Jibril Ojochenemi in Ibaji but whatever it is I am ready to defend myself of the allegation. Unfortunately, I was not given the opportunity to do so before the sudden decision by the State Assembly.
“I want to thank God Almighty for my life and also appreciate the governor, His Excellency (Yahaya Bello) for the time I have spent with him and for giving me that opportunity to service. I want to tell the people that the governor is good man.
“What is happening now is the handiwork of my people from Ibaji Local Government. Their reason is best known to them but I want to declare that I will continue to support my party the APC. As far as APC is concerned, I am a stakeholder in Ibaji and Kogi State and I will continue to tell my people to support the ruling party.”
Continuing he said: “As per my suspension, I have taken it in good faith. We will continue to support our party especially in the forthcoming November 11 election as we put everything in prayers.
“As per the money they are alleging, since the House of Assembly has not communicated me, I cannot speak about it for now as I only saw the publication on the social media. If the need arises I am ready to give account of what I know any time.”
A founding member of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Chief Ralph Obioha is dead, aged 80.
In a statement by his son, Chima Obioha on behalf of the Obioha family in Enugu, said: “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Chief Ralph Obioha, “Okpuruisizuruoha II of Arondizuogu announces his passing on October 3, 2026, at the age of 80.
Chief Obioha was first and foremost a beloved father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend. His kindness, strength, humor, generosity, faith, and unwavering devotion to family will always be remembered .
“Many Nigerians knew Chief Obioha as a patriot, elder statesman, political leader and businessman. Indeed, his very eventful life spanned various business sectors and the Nigerian political and socio- economic space.
“He was deeply committed to Nigeria’s progress and the ideals of service, leadership, and nation-building. His was a respected voice in the land, and he was a firm believer in Nigeria’s enormous potential.
“His passing has left an immeasurable void in our family, but we find comfort in the fullness of his life, the people he touched, and the legacy of service he leaves behind.
“The family is deeply grateful for the prayers, condolence messages, and expressions of love that have already been received. We, however, respectfully request privacy at this time while we mourn and come to terms with this profound loss.
“Details of the memorial and funeral will be announced in due course. May his soul rest in complete peace.” the statement added.
Lagos, Nigeria, October 6, 2026: The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced the addition of the Lagos, Delta, Imo and Ekiti state governments, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Access Bank Plc and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to the list of partners for its 10th Annual Conference.
The conference begins on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, 38 to 40 Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The first day will feature a presentation by Max Amuchie, Publisher of Sundiata Post, on “The Sundiata Post Model: Building the African Newsroom for the Long Term.”
This will be followed by a presentation on “AI and Prompt Engineering for Online Publishing” by Biodun Durojaiye, Publisher of The Lagos Times.
The final presentation will be “Monetisation of Digital Media Business” by Dr Monday Ashibogwu, Publisher of Quick News.
The presentations will be followed by lunch with GOCOP partners, while the association’s Annual General Meeting will round off the day.
The second day of the conference, Thursday, October 8, will focus on the theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, will deliver the keynote address, while Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Founding Partner of Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), will chair the session.
The panel will feature CP Abayomi Shogunle, Commissioner of Police, Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Prof Tayo Popoola, Head of Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos; Adaora Onyechere Sydney Jack, Creative Director of Gender Agenda and Founder of WEWE Network Afrique; and Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Deputy President of GOCOP and Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Mr Olumide Iyanda, said preparations had been concluded.
“All is set for our 10th anniversary conference. We are delighted that the Lagos State Government, the Imo State Government, the Delta State Government and the Ekiti State Government, as well as Access Bank, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, and NASENI, Nigeria’s foremost agency driving indigenous technology and industrial innovation, have joined our long list of sponsors. Their support underscores the importance of the dialogue we are convening,” Iyanda said.
The new partners join those previously announced, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Nigeria Customs Service, Dangote Group, Seplat Energy, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bank of Industry (BoI), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), TAJBank, Emadeb Energy, Setraco Nigeria Limited, Sovereign Trust Insurance and Nestlé Nigeria Plc.
Iyanda thanked all sponsors and partners for their support, noting that their contributions would help GOCOP sustain its conference as a platform for engagement on professional journalism, democracy and national development.
GOCOP is a business membership organisation of 127 corporate online publishers in Nigeria. The Annual Conference, now in its 10th edition, brings together media executives, policymakers, academics, business leaders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to discuss issues of national importance.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives following the accident involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The CAS described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, expressing heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives. He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during this difficult period.
NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board. No survivors have been found. The crew members were:
CREW
1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)
5. Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)
PASSENGERS
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
The CAS has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses and urges the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families. A condolence register has also been opened at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force
6 October 2026
-
Entertainment2 days agoBREAKING: Temi Nkem wins BBNaija season 11
-
News1 day ago
NAF confirms ownership, launches rescue operation after aircraft crash in Ondo
-
News1 day ago
NAF aircraft crashed with 32 passengers, crew – Keyamo
-
News1 day ago
Bandits allegedly kidnap 18 Oyo students, kill driver
-
International2 days agoSix people missing as plane vanishes from Bermuda to Boston
-
News2 days ago
Kidnappers torture 20 corps members, demand N5m each NYSC
-
News1 day ago
Kidnappers torture 20 corps members, reduce ransom to N100m — Relatives
-
News18 hours ago
“Stop chasing shadows” – Obi’s camp fires back at Soludo over anti-Obi campaign
