
News
Two die as masquerades wreak havoc in Enugu
The incidents, which took place on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, have reignited fears and concerns about the unchecked aggression associated with these traditional performers.
The first fatality occurred along Aku Road, in the Obechara area of Nsukka, where a middle-aged woman tragically met her death.
Witnesses reported that she was being pursued by one of the Oriokpa masquerades when she ran directly into an oncoming truck. The impact killed her instantly, sending shockwaves through the crowd and leaving residents in fear.
In a separate incident at Nru Junction, a male student from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), also lost his life under unclear circumstances.
Eyewitnesses suggest that the student may have been attempting to flee from the masquerades when chaos erupted. Although details remain sketchy, his death has further heightened tensions in the community.
The Oriokpa masquerades have long been associated with violent behavior during traditional festivals, causing apprehension among both residents and visitors. Their aggressive actions, often seen as excessive, have led to numerous confrontations in the past.

This latest series of events echoes a similar episode earlier this year, in April 2024, when a viral video surfaced showing the brutal flogging of a nurse on her way to work by the same Oriokpa masquerades. The incident, which took place on April 28 in Obechara, Nsukka Local Government Area, shocked many as the woman was mercilessly beaten and thrown into a roadside drainage while begging for mercy.
The viral video sparked national outrage, with human rights groups, women’s organizations, and concerned citizens condemning the masquerades’ violent behavior and demanding justice. Despite the public outcry and calls for action, the Oriokpa masquerades’ brutal tendencies have continued unchecked.
In the wake of these recent deaths, community leaders and concerned residents have ramped up their demands for government intervention. Many are calling for stricter control over the activities of the masquerades, with some pushing for their outright ban until reforms are made.
Mr. Okoro Nnadi, a resident of Nsukka, expressed his frustration, stating, “We can’t continue to live in fear of our own traditions. The government must take immediate action. We’ve lost too many innocent lives to this madness.”
As of now, the Enugu State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incidents, but sources suggest that investigations have been initiated to bring those responsible to justice. The community, meanwhile, remains on edge, fearing further violence from the Oriokpa masquerades.
News
FG reforms NYSC, replaces military leadership, redesigns uniform
President Bola Tinubu administration has approved the comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Under the new arrangement, the military will no longer head the scheme.
Instead, the agency will be led by a civilian in its operational leadership, while the military will continue to handle security for corps members across the country.
The development was announced on Monday by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande, to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to reflect all the approved reform measures, enabling immediate implementation of the new framework.
Some of the landmark reforms include:

A technology-driven call-up process.
Risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members.
A redesigned six-week orientation programme with a stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills, and specialised career streams.
Skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways.
Modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support.
Improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system.
A new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, and a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.
News
Group asks court to disqualify Tinubu from 2027 Election over alleged Certificate Forgery
The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to court documents seen by Daily Trust, the plaintiff alleged that Tinubu presented forged academic certificates from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.
The suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, lists Tinubu, INEC, and Chicago State University as defendants.
The plaintiff contended that Tinubu never attended Government College Lagos as claimed, noting that the school was established in 1974, four years after Tinubu allegedly graduated.
The CSO further argued that Tinubu does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which is the minimum constitutional requirement to contest for the presidency.
It claimed that INEC had failed to act on its petition dated June 19, 2026, demanding clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.

In its statement of claims, the group referenced a 2023 U.S. court ruling in Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099), which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.
The plaintiff insisted those records revealed false entries and inconsistencies, including a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.
The prayers asked by the plaintiff included declaration of forgery against Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate, issuance of an order directing INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election, directing CSU to strike Tinubu’s name from its records and perpetual injunction restraining INEC from uploading Tinubu’s name as a candidate.
The plaintiff also submitted affidavits of non-multiplicity of action, witness statements, and letters to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.
News
Firm expresses concern over repeated missing Court File in Ojukwu Property case
Ojukwu Transport Limited, OTL, has raised concerns over what it described as the repeated absence of court records in its ongoing property dispute with Bianca Ojukwu and her sons, even as it filed a motion for stay of execution pending the determination of its appeal.
Proceedings before Justice A.M. Lawal of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, last Monday were stalled for the second time in six weeks due to the unavailability of the case file.
The matter was adjourned after the file was reportedly not returned to court.
A similar situation occurred on May 8, 2026, when the case could not proceed because the file was unavailable.
OTL alleged that the file had been taken from the Ikeja Judicial Division to Lagos more than two months ago for the execution of a warrant and had not been returned.
The claimants’ legal representatives were absent from court on both occasions.

Describing the development as troubling, OTL said the repeated absence of the file had effectively stalled proceedings and raised questions about accountability in the handling of court records.
Amid the delays, the company disclosed that it had filed and served a motion for stay of execution at the Court of Appeal, seeking to halt enforcement of the judgment pending the determination of its appeal against the 2022 decision in Suit No. LD/1539/2012.
OTL maintained that the application became necessary because steps were being taken to enforce the judgment despite its pending appeal.
The company also contended that the properties in dispute had previously been the subject of a warrant of execution arising from a separate judgment delivered in 2018 by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji in Suit No. LD/794/2011.
The case was subsequently adjourned to October 8, 2026.
Present in court on both adjourned dates on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Limited was one of its directors, Dr. P. Ike Ojukwu.
Counsel to OTL are Ifeanyi Okumah Esq and Chief O. Ugolo, SAN, while Bianca Ojukwu and her sons are represented by Nick Omeye Esq and Co.
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