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Ebonyi communities where residents are dehumanised, banished for alleged witchcraft
Trial by ordeal, witch-hunt, dehumanisation, banishment and other forms of human right abuses are becoming the order of the day in Ebonyi State.
In the state, many people have been paraded naked, beaten and tortured or killed by youths in their communities with their property destroyed on the allegation of diabolism and witchcraft.
HRH Ugadu Ogba
Joseph Agwu banished from his community
Some of the victims were accused of murdering their family members and members of communities through occult means. In many cases, mischievous individuals connived with local prophets, and traditional priests to carry out the ugly trend.
Local mobs in the communities, after torturing the victims, subject them to oath-taking and force them to drink harmful and poisonous concoctions which led to their deaths or damage their health. The mobs have also destroyed houses, farms and crops of the victims after subjecting them to the inhuman and degrading treatments in public places. Those who are often targeted are political opponents, elderly, widows and other vulnerable persons in the state in most cases.
Places where the incidents have been recorded in the state included Izzi, Okposi, Afikpo, Ohaukwu, Ishielu, Ezza North, Ezza South and other places. Most of the victims who survived the human degradation have not recovered from the barbaric acts as they continue to count their losses.
Nnennaya Chuwu forced to drink concotion
Lamentations of victims
Joseph Agwu, a native of Ekwashi, Ngbo autonomous community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, was banished from the area on 4th August, 2025 after being tortured by villagers who tied palm fronds all over his body and paraded him round the community, including market squares.
Onwe Nwamaka
The villagers accused him of killing his brother’s child as well as other people in the area through diabolism. The villagers set his belongings, including his two compounds ablaze, and banished him for five years from the community after parading him against the plea of their traditional ruler.
Thomas Eze
Since that 4th August, the septuagenarian, who has been taking refuge in his maternal home, Umuezeaka autonomous community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, has been in exile without any effort to take him back to his community.
He narrated his ordeal thus: “I married four wives. One is late and the remaining three have many children and grandchildren for me. I am a native of Ekwashi Ngbo autonomous community in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State.
“This happened on 4th August 2025 and since then I have been in my maternal home in Umuezeaka autonomous Community Ohaukwu Local Government Area. I ran to my maternal home for safety, when my people tortured me to near death against our traditional ruler’s order.
“My attackers said I confessed to killing them when I was drunk at a burial ceremony. But to be honest with you, I am a traditional worshiper and not a wizard. I have not killed anybody.
“If I ever killed anybody, let me not see the next day, let moving vehicles kill me on the road as I go on my bicycle, to the extent that vultures feed on my flesh and I will not be given any burial rites.
“One of my brothers accused me of confessing to have killed his child who died years ago and many other people when I was drunk, but I am innocent. I am not a trouble maker. I am a good farmer. They just conspired and intimidated me out of my community so as to take over my vast lands and farms.
“When the incident was reported to our traditional ruler, he instructed my accusers to stop beating me but go to my compounds in search of evidence for their claims. He directed them to organise oath-taking process as our tradition demands to prove my innocence or otherwise, but they ignored all the orders.
“My children who tried to stop them from assaulting me were also assaulted, despite that the search parties didn’t find any evidence to their claims in my compounds.
“I also learnt that they accused one of my wives of hiding my objects of worship and compelled her to take oath, whereas they stopped me from taking an oath as the prime suspect.
“They have even come here to threaten my maternal relatives to throw me out.
“One of my brothers supplied the fuel used to destroy my property. I demand that government and all people of goodwill help me get justice and return to my home.
“According to our tradition, they are supposed to let me take an oath of innocence and not to beat and banish me from my family, lands and farms. After the said oath, if I am guilty as they claimed, I will die before the end of the year. If not, I will live to care for my family,” he lamented.
The story of 65-yearold Nnennaya Donatus-Chukwu of Mebiokpa Amaeke, Okposi community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state is even more pathetic. She also suffered inhuman treatment unleashed on her and two other members of the community by their village youths over the alleged killing of her husband ‘s nephew, Innocent Chukwu through witchcraft.
The said late Innocent Chukwu reportedly died in a road accident on his way home from Calabar, Cross River State to continue erection of his building. The woman and two other elders in the family compound were accused of killing him because they had earlier objected to his choice of the building site which they said was too close to their family deity.
Said the woman: “I was behind my house in the village where I was processing some palm fruits into palm oil on 21st February 2025 when a multitude of youths invaded our compound, chanting war songs and started destroying everything.
“Our windows and doors, household items, fully stocked yam barn, goat pens, 50 gallons of palm oil, my box of wrappers, those of my children, our motorcycles, solar panels and inverters, mattresses etc were destroyed.
“On sighting them, I hid myself but they later found me and beat me black and blue, accusing me of causing the death of Innocent Chukwu in collaboration with two others through witchcraft.
“The protesting youths looted and destroyed everything in both our family compound and that of my first son. They said since Innocent would not be alive to live in his house, that we would not have a house to live. I thank God my children were not at home because they would have been killed. Before now, I had no quarrel with Innocent, the mother or anybody. The more I tried to explain that I am innocent of the accusations, the more they beat me.
“After some time, I was taken to our traditional ruler who blamed the youths for beating me and destroying my family belongings. He advised them to hand us over to the police at Obiozara for in-depth investigations and prosecution in the court of law. But they refused.
“Rather, they took me and the other two persons back to our compound where they washed the dead man’s armpits, reproductive organs, mouth and face, added four kola nuts, and forced us to drink the water to prove our innocence. After the oath, they banished us out of the community till after our next new yam festival, if we are still alive.
“I plead with the state government, the wife of Ebonyi State governor, NGOs, National Human Rights Commission, human rights activists, security agencies and other groups to help me get justice. They accused me of killing someone who died in a road accident in the city the same day and time I was preparing palm oil in rural village. Since then, I’ve been on admission at the hospital,” the victim lamented.
On his part, first son of the victim, Ogbonnaya Donatus regretted that the youths also went to his personal compound and destroyed property worth about N50 million for alleged witchcraft perpetuated by his mother
“I call on both state and federal government to intervene in this issue. My property destroyed is not less than N50 million despite that I was not one of those directly accused of the alleged witchcraft,” he told Saturday Sun.
Kingsley Ibeh was also accused of witchcraft. Ibeh who hails from Afikpo area of the state said his accusers mixed faeces and fermented cassava and rubbed the mixture all over his body.
He further alleged that the villagers stripped him naked, tied rope on his waist and instructed women to parade him round the market in the area.
He called for arrest and prosecution of all those who dehumanised him.
He disclosed that the villagers accused him of causing misfortunes in the area, including causing deaths of some members of the community through diabolism.
He said: “I was accused of witchcraft in the month of June 2025. During the execution, my accusers mixed faeces and fermented cassava and rubbed the mixture all over my body. As if that was not enough, they striped me half naked, tied rope on my waist and instructed the women to drag me on the rope round our market,” he lamented.
Mrs Onwe Nwamaka from Ebele village, Umuogudu Akpu Ngbo community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state and her children, have been banished from the area after her husband was banished also for alleged witchcraft.
She said there have been many issues in her husband’s family since nine years of her marriage.
She said her husband’s brother became sick and later died of the sickness and her husband was accused of being responsible for his death.
The woman alleged that immediately the husband’s brother died, his brothers started accusing the man of being behind his death and he was banished from the community. She said she had not set eyes on her husband since then.
Nwamaka, who was later banished from the community alongside her children, narrated her ordeal: “I’ve been married to my husband for nine years. There have many issues in my husband’s family since I married him. This year, one of his brothers became sick and died later. His brothers alleged that he was the one that killed the man.
“My husband told his brothers that he was innocent. But they still mobilised villagers who beat him to near death and inflicted severe injuries on him. They banished him from the community and also banished me and our children from the community.
“They demolished my husband’s houses and destroyed every property he has. I have no father, I have no mother, I don’t have anyone. I took my children to where I was born. Few months ago, I went to our farm in my husband’s place to harvest crops and the villagers heard of it, came there and beat me to stupor.
“They harvested all the crops in our four farms and destroyed the farms. They reported me to our traditional ruler and said that they wanted to go and look for what killed my husband. We don’t have what we are eating now, our traditional ruler has been the one feeding us since they harvested all our crops and destroyed our farms.
“They have destroyed our economic trees, household belongings and every other property. I have not seen my husband since they banished him in 2022. I have not heard from him since the banishment and he has no phone for contact.
“My children have dropped out of school since they banished my husband. I want my husband to be taken back to his place, I want his houses to be rebuilt because they have destroyed our houses. We have no house anymore.”
Thomas Eze, from Ebele, Umuogudu Akpu in Ngbo community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state is still having bruises arising from the severe injuries inflicted on him by his villagers.
He was accused of burying a charm in his farm by one of the villagers and the villagers alleged that he was responsible for the misfortunes of some members of the community.
All efforts by the traditional ruler of the community to stop the people from torturing him, proved abortive. He was bound with ropes and tortured with sharp objects till he sustained severe injuries. He was subsequently banished from the community and warned not to set his toes on the community.
His words: “I was accused of witchcraft by a member of our community. He said that I buried charms in my land and I told him no, I didn’t do such a thing.
“They insisted that I buried charms on my land. I told him that I have been severally accused of this by the community and I was made to take an oath to prove my innocence.
“I then went and reported the incident to the traditional ruler
“The man went and informed our community members. Our community members said I should leave the community and banished me immediately. Before they banished me, they beat me up and inflicted several injuries on me. They tied my hands at the back.
“Our traditional ruler took me and started taking care of me. I want to go back to my community. The government should come to my aid.”
Action barbaric, wicked
The traditional ruler of Ngbo community, Godwin Ugadu Ogba condemned the actions of people of the area against the victims, describing it as barbaric, wicked and unconstitutional. He lamented that despite his appeal to the perpetrators to stop the acts, they have continued to disobey him. He vowed to work with relevant agencies to end the menace in the community.
“Some villagers in Ebele are driving people out of the village on allegation of witchcraft. These people don’t behave like human beings and I have been warning them to stop banishing people because their actions are against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“They said they are government, that no one tells them what they should be doing in the community. I brought those they banished back to the community but they refused to allow them to stay.
“I have been telling these people that are doing all these things that there is no law in Nigeria that permits what they are doing. This is why I came to the Human Rights Commission to complain about it, let this ugly trend stop. I will not allow them to continue dehumanising and banishing people,” he said.
A member of the community, Onwe Sunday called for sensitisation in the community to end the menace.
He said those perpetrating the acts are illiterates who never travelled out of the community. He advocated diplomacy in the community when sensitising the people to avoid being killed as according to him, those perpetrating the evil are heartless and can kill at will.
“Poverty and ignorance are the causes of what they are doing. When you go to the village, you see them selling Indian hemp indiscriminately.
“We need sensitisation in this community to stop these things they are doing. They need orientation, they need somebody to be going to them to talk about what they are doing and caution must be taken in talking to them because they are illiterate and they behave anyhow.
“If you want to talk to them when you get there, you must be diplomatic, otherwise they will kill you. These people are evil and they don’t reason like humans. They are an angry mob,” Onwe said.
The community had, in November 2024, stripped two teenage girls naked and flogged them to near-death on allegation of stealing fowls. The girls were forced to parade the community naked with the fowls (chickens) they allegedly stole.
The incident happened in Ojiegbe in the community. The video of their dehumanisation went viral on social media and the state police command arrested two members of the community who super-headed the torture.
The suspects, Dennis Ali and Ituma Sunday were later arraigned and remained in Abakaliki correctional centre after investigation by the police. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the state has called for an end to the human right abuses. The commission described the acts as gross human rights violation.
Speaking to Saturday Sun, the state Coordinator of the commission, Christopher Okorie said the inhuman treatment has become a pandemic. He noted that it is difficult to fight the ugly trend when the fighter believes strongly in the superstitions.
Okorie said: “This issue of unlawful accusations, meting out human rights violation at citizens of the state, is grossly against the law. It is also criminal in nature and now that all these matters are all coming up from here and there, they must be looked into.
“Unfortunately this ignorance is perpetuated by some human rights activists and even some members of law enforcement agents.
“It’s difficult to fight against the ills of superstition when the fighters believe strongly in those superstitions.
“We must find a way to first destroy the seeming appearance of those superstitions through constant enlightenment based on critical thinking, even when such approach is detested by those within the circles mentioned.”
Plea for action
On his part, the Director of Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Leo Igwe condemned the wanton destruction of property and inhuman treatment meted out to some residents of the communities people over alleged killing via witchcraft activities and called on the security agencies for in-depth investigations and prosecution of the culprits.
He said his group will continue to fight the acts through advocacy.
“We advocate to protect the rights of those whose rights are abused as a result of allegations of witchcraft. We emphasise on highlighting these allegations that often lead to banishment, torture, intimidation, killing and all sorts of human rights abuses.
“We also highlight abuses related to ritual attacks/believes. We are in Ebonyi to draw attention to these cases of human rights violations and hoping that we can rally supports of all the necessary institutions in the state to close the gaps. We advocate for stoppage of witch-hunt because witchcraft is superstition.”
Igwe has petitioned the state Deputy Speaker, Chinedu Onah, urging him to use his good offices to end the acts in his Ngbo community.
“The Advocacy for Alleged Witches is drawing your attention to cases of witch hunts and trial by ordeal in Ohaukwu in Ebonyi State. We understand that this community is a part of your constituency. We have received videos and reports of community members accused, paraded naked, beaten, tortured, disappeared or killed by youths in your community. Some of them have been accused of murdering other community members through occult means, without any evidence to support such claims and allegations.
“In many cases, mischievous individuals connive with local prophets, and traditional priests to carry out these atrocities. Local mobs in your community have beaten those so accused, subject them to oath-taking and forcing them to drink harmful and poisonous concoctions that have led to their death or health damage.
“Mobs from your community have destroyed houses, farms and crops of those so accused. They subject them to inhuman and degrading treatment in public squares. We have been informed that those who are often targeted are political opponents, the elderly, widows and other vulnerable members of the population.
“Hon Onah, these vile and repulsive practices in Ohaukwu must stop. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches urges you to use your good offices to end the abuses and ensure that perpetrators, including those who make false accusations of Igwo Nsi, magical poisoning, killing and harming others are brought to justice. Witchcraft accusation is against the law.
“Witch-hunting is against the constitution and violates human rights of Nigerians. As the deputy speaker, you need to act and help uphold the law, constitution and human rights of the people in Ohaukwu. You should not turn a blind eye to these abuses or enable them in any form.
“As a state actor, and a citizen, you need to ensure the state’s responsibility to protect citizens and victims of witch-hunts and false accusations of killing and harming people through magical means is guaranteed Thank you in anticipation of your support and intervention,” Igwe wrote. (By Uchenna Inya/The Sun)
…issues ultimatum to bandits, kidnappers, their sponsors to surrender or…
President Bola Tinubu has vowed that no mercy will be shown to terror purveyors who enable the killing and kidnapping of innocent Nigerians.
He also issued an ultimatum to bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state, disclosing that his administration had already neutralised over 13,000 terrorists in the past year alone.
Tinubu gave the warning in his national address delivered on the occasion of the country’s 27th consecutive Democracy Day celebration, his fourth as President since 2023.
According to him, although terror-related deaths had declined by 81 per cent since 2015, Friday’s Democracy Day celebration was subdued by the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states.
He declared, “To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”
The Nigerian leader said his administration had moved beyond training with allies to precision operations on the ground.
“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting.
“In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre.
Terror-related deaths are down by 81 per cent since 2015.
“Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year,” he stated.
Tinubu added that despite the neutralisation of terrorists, the door of rehabilitation remained open alongside the door of force.
“Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor,” he said.
The N5.41tn security allocation in the 2026 budget, Tinubu said, was a statement of national will to crush the current wave of terrorism, which has raged since 2009.
Beyond the budget, he said his administration had approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits, which, he revealed, was designed to address the persistent gap between the number of security personnel and the security demands of over 230 million Nigerians.
Tinubu acknowledged that even as the country celebrates 27 years of steady democracy, this year’s festive spirit of Democracy Day was weighed down by the continued hostage situation involving school children and teachers kidnapped in Oyo and Borno states, which has now entered its fourth week.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is a mirage.
“That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.
“Our 2026 budget commits N5.41tn, our largest ever, to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” he stated.
He called for national unity in the face of the security challenge, rejecting ethnic or religious framing of criminality and urging Nigerians to do the same.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity.
“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history.
“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” he declared.
On the intermittent power crisis of the past three years, the President explained the scale of the challenge he inherited and his response so far.
He said by 2023, the sector was “characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million.
“The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted, and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself,” he added.
Tinubu said in response, he signed the Electricity Act, granting states authority to generate, transmit and distribute power, authorised the Presidential Power Sector Task Force to raise a N4tn bond to settle verified legacy debts, and directed the Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, to deploy off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets and hospitals.
He explained, “To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power.
“The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise N4tn bond to settle verified legacy debts.
“The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals.
“Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.”
On the broader economy, Tinubu said federation revenues had risen, providing states and local governments with more resources, fiscal transparency had improved, and investor confidence had returned across agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and the creative industries.
He said non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent last year, over 1,000 small and medium enterprises had been certified for export, and the National Agricultural Development Fund was deploying 10,000 tractors over five years.
However, he acknowledged that hardship persists.
“Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.
“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket,” he stated.
Today, we celebrate not only democracy but also the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.
To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.
Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is a mirage. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.
We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.
June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.
June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.
The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.
Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.
Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.
By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.
To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.
Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.
Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.
We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.
Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.
Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.
Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.
Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.
Barrister Ayoka Lawani
Tunde Fagbenle
Oladele Alake
Olatunji Bello
Louis Odion
Segun Babatope
Sam Omatseye
Sir Ademola Osinubi
Bola Bolawole
Lade Bonuola
Femi Kusa
Debo Adeniran
Chief Ayo Opadokun
Chief Ralph Obiora
Ose Osayande
Barrister Osa Director
Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)
Dr Osagie Obayuwana
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
Barrister Titus Mann
Joe Igbokwe
Richard Akinnola
Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)
George Mbah
Dr Niran Malaolu
Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd)
Femi Aborisade
Jenkins Alumona
Gbemiga Ogunleye
Muyiwa Adekeye
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
Ike Okonta
We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle:
Major General MA Garba
Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
Col Umar Farouk Ahmed;
Col Sambo Dasuki;
Col Lawan Gwadabe;
Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
Col Musa Shehu;
Major General Chris Eze;
Major General Harris Dzarma;
Col Isa Jibrin;
Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin;
Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
Col J Okai;
Col Emmanuel Ndubueze;
Lt Col Yakubu Muazu
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.
The honours list will be released in the next few days.
Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.
Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.
May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.
Happy Democracy Day.
BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria
News
Mild drama as policemen, court bailiff storm Nwobodo’s Amechi Country home over Investor’s lawsuit
There was a mild drama in Amechi Awkunanaw, the native home of the former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, on Thursday morning as they tried to serve a court process.
A team from the Magistrate Court Enugu South, backed by a team of armed police officers, arrived to serve a court summons on the elder statesman’s wife, Patricia Nwobodo.
The dramatic encounter highlights an escalating legal dispute involving a prominent investor, Chief Basil Kenechukwu Ogbuanu.
The operation follows several failed attempts by court officials to deliver the legal documents to Patricia Nwobodo through regular administrative means.
Frustrated by the inability to effect service, High Court authorities took the unusual step of requesting a formidable security escort. The move was deemed necessary to ensure the safety of the court bailiff and to guarantee that judicial orders could be carried out at the high-profile country home.
The roots of the confrontation stem from a bitter legal battle between Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo and Chief Basil Kenechukwu Ogbuanu, a well-known investor in the region.
The civil matter follows the recent collapse of a criminal charge that had previously been brought against Ogbuanu at the instance of the Nwobodos. Following his clearance by the courts, Ogbuanu initiated the current legal action, claiming the initial criminal prosecution was a product of pure malice and falsehood.
Seeking redress for what he describes as a calculated attempt to damage his reputation and investment interests, Ogbuanu filed the suit to hold Mrs. Nwobodo accountable.
However, the progression of the case stalled due to the court’s repeated inability to officially serve her with the originating processes. This procedural bottleneck ultimately forced the Enugu State High Court to employ more assertive measures on Thursday.
The security convoy arrived at the main gates of the Nwobodo country home in Amechi Awkunanaw at exactly 8:47 AM, taking household staff and local residents by surprise.
The scale of the security deployment signaled how seriously the judiciary viewed the persistent evasion of court processes.
With the perimeter of the property secured, a small group consisting of the court bailiff, a female police officer, and an accompanying policeman stepped forward. They entered the main building of the estate to locate Mrs. Nwobodo and execute the court’s directive. Outside, the remaining heavily armed officers maintained a strict cordon, keeping an eye on the developing situation.
For nearly two hours, an anxious silence hung over the Amechi community as the team remained inside the Nwobodo residence. Journalists who had trailed the security convoy observed the developments from a safe distance outside the gates.
The prolonged duration of the exercise inside the house heightened speculation among onlookers that the team was encountering significant resistance.
When the bailiff and the two officers finally emerged just about 11:09AM, the mood outside visibly shifted. Observers noted that the expressions on the faces of the court official and the police personnels were tense and strained as it was alleged that the police team received orders from the State Command Headquarters to immediately vacate the premises of Jim Nwobodo. No immediate official statement was issued by the team as they made their way back to their waiting vehicles.
Adding to the tension, journalists monitoring the area noticed a man loitering near the perimeter of the property who was making urgent phone calls.
The individual, whose ties to the household could not be immediately confirmed, appeared to be monitoring the movements of the court officials. His body language suggested a rapidly changing security situation on the ground.
As journalists drew closer to understand what was happening, they overheard the individual calling for what appeared to be immediate security reinforcement or a “backup.”
Fearing they might be caught in an ensuing clash, the journalists covering the event made a swift decision to leave the vicinity immediately. The media corps evacuated the Amechi Awkunanaw axis to avoid further trouble, leaving the final minutes of the standoff unrecorded. The hasty retreat left the journalists unable to verify the ultimate outcome of the two-hour operation.
Consequently, it remains unconfirmed whether Mrs. Nwobodo was successfully served with the court papers or if the bailiff had to retreat without success.
Furthermore, journalists could not ascertain if the court intended for a personal delivery or if the operation was an attempt at substituted service, such as pasting the documents on the property.
The coming days at the Enugu State High Court will likely reveal whether the dramatic intervention succeeded in moving the investor’s lawsuit forward.
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