
Uncategorized
‘Every Naira stolen robs Enugu of development’ — Gov. Mbah charges Public Officers on Accountability
Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has urged public office holders to embrace the three pillars of his administration, namely, transparency, accountability and traceability, noting that every naira lost to corruption, financial misconduct and non-compliance ultimately deprives the people of the state of quality social services and critical infrastructure.
Mbah gave the charge on Thursday when he declared open a two-day training programme, Compliance with Anti-Corruption Policies and Financial Regulations Frameworks, organised by his administration for the state’s political appointees and civil servants.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, spoke on the theme, “Enhancing Governance through Compliance: Navigating Anti-Corruption Policies, Financial Regulations and Emerging Taxation Frameworks.”

He said the training, facilitated by Xavine Consulting Limited, was designed to strengthen compliance with anti-corruption laws, financial regulations and emerging tax policies as well as equip participants with the knowledge required to uphold ethical standards and improve public sector governance.

He described corruption as one of the greatest obstacles to development because resources are diverted through fraudulent practices, thus directly reducing government’s capability to provide essential social services.
“Therefore, Enugu State, under our leadership, set out three governance principles that would serve as a guide for our governance thinking and delivery strategy —Transparency, Traceability and Accountability. These three pillars have informed a lot of our procurement and systems-thinking model, our e-governance initiatives and our financial management across the state.
“This is because every naira lost to corruption, financial irregularities and non-compliance means fewer resources for smart schools, primary healthcare centres, roads and other critical infrastructure. Our governance is built on transparency, traceability and accountability, and compliance begins with knowledge,” Mbah said.
He urged public servants to stay abreast of emerging taxation and regulatory frameworks, stressing that ignorance of the law would no longer be an excuse for non-compliance. He also tasked participants to cascade the knowledge acquired to their colleagues in their various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and assured that government would continue to monitor compliance across the public service.
Speaking at the event, the consultant, Justin Kuatsea, noted that corruption had become deeply entrenched and could only be overcome through collective action and exemplary leadership.
Kuatsea, a certified management trainer and retired Deputy Director, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), maintained that the anti-corruption fight must begin with individuals in their homes, workplaces and communities, while political leaders must lead by example by demonstrating integrity and accountability.
Kuatsea identified employment irregularities, recruitment abuses, concealment of official files, irregular promotions, contract inflation, payments for unexecuted contracts and other financial misconduct as common corruption indicators in the public service.
“That was why I said that the fight against corruption must start with individuals, but political leaders must lead by example,” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Xavine Consulting Limited, Catherine Kadiri, said the training was designed to ensure that civil servants fully understand anti-corruption policies, financial regulatory frameworks and emerging taxation laws.
Kadiri said the programme would significantly tackle ignorance of ethical and operational standards in the public service, noting that participants would gain practical knowledge applicable to their respective roles.
She disclosed that 16 resource persons, including experts from the ICPC and Nigeria’s financial regulatory sector, were engaged to facilitate the sessions and expose participants to global best practices in governance and compliance.
According to her, the programme underscored the Mbah administration’s understanding that it could not build its envisioned $30 billion economy without a solid, committed, ethical, accountable, and highly responsible public service.
“There should be no excuse for non-compliance. This programme is designed to ensure public officers understand the dos and don’ts of governance, financial regulations and anti-corruption frameworks.
“We are also adding integrity to the core pillars so participants leave with the right values to drive good governance,” Kadiri concluded.
Uncategorized
Police arrest three Anambra women over alleged sale of child for ₦2 million
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three women for their alleged involvement in child trafficking and the sale of a four-year-old boy for N2m.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, were arrested by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters at a motor park in Onitsha.
Ikenga alleged that the suspects belonged to a child trafficking syndicate that specialised in trafficking children and selling them to buyers for various sums of money.
According to him, the suspects were arrested during a raid on their hideouts on Saturday evening, while other members of the syndicate escaped. He added that some children were rescued during the operation.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command, on the evening of July 11, recorded another breakthrough in its sustained fight against child trafficking with the arrest of three female suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, at a motor park in Onitsha by police operatives attached to Awada Divisional Headquarters.

“Preliminary information revealed how Chinasa Daniel allegedly brought two children, a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old child, on two separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.
“Chinasa further disclosed that the four-year-old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for the sum of N2 million, while the two-week-old baby was allegedly sold to another woman, who is currently at large.”
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, described child trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity and directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation.
“The CP has also ordered operatives to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend every member of the trafficking syndicate and to commence coordinated operations aimed at locating, rescuing, and reuniting the trafficked children with their biological families.
“The Command appreciates members of the public whose timely and credible information led to the successful operation and urges residents to continue supporting the police with useful intelligence,” the statement added.
Uncategorized
Soldiers intercept illicit drugs on Lagos-Calabar road, arrest driver
Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and arrested its driver.
The interception followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on July 9, 2026, after troops received actionable intelligence from a credible source.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit consignment was being transported to the Berger general area of Lagos State.
“However, the suspect could not provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership or intended recipient of the drugs,” the statement read.

It added, “In line with established procedures, the suspect and the recovered illicit drugs were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and prosecution.”
The handover was carried out by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lt. Col. S. Adeojo.
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, praised their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.
He urged them to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of action within the division’s area of responsibility.
The Army said the operation underscored its continued collaboration with relevant security agencies in tackling drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
Uncategorized
Three brothers charged with murder after beating mother’s boyfriend to death
Three brothers have been charged with murder in Eswatini after allegedly beating their mother’s boyfriend to death over claims that he was involved in a romantic relationship with her.
The accused — Mlondi Mbuli, 25, Sakhelwe Mbuli, 18, and Lindani Mdziniso, 23 — appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court in connection with the killing, which reportedly occurred on June 28, 2026, in Hholoshini, located in the country’s Hhohho Region.
During the hearing, Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati ordered that the three men remain in custody until July 10, 2026, while prosecutors prepare to transfer the case to the High Court, where murder cases are typically tried.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly attacked the victim, identified as Njabulo Ngwenya, using bricks, stones, sticks, punches and repeated kicks, inflicting injuries that proved fatal.
Police believe the alleged assault stemmed from accusations that Ngwenya was having an affair with the
brothers’ biological mother.

The incident came to the attention of authorities after Sibongile Motsa reported finding her son dead inside her sister’s home in the early hours of June 28.
Court documents state that Motsa discovered Ngwenya’s body at about 1 a.m. before notifying the Royal Eswatini Police Service, which subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the three suspects.
Following their first court appearance, the accused were remanded in custody pending the next hearing and the formal transfer of the matter to the High Court.
Authorities have not disclosed additional information beyond the facts presented during the initial court proceedings.
The case has drawn widespread public interest across Eswatini as investigations continue.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland before Mswati III officially renamed the country in 2018, is a landlocked nation in southern Africa bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Under the country’s judicial system, serious criminal offences such as murder are generally transferred from the Magistrates Court to the High Court after the initial hearing.
-
News3 days agoFour policemen arrested for extorting ICPC chairman of N53,000 in Abuja
-
News3 days agoGroup sues Umahi, IGP, others over Mary Habila’s death
-
News1 day agoGunmen kill four herders from same family, raze cattle camp, slaughter cows in Anambra
-
News1 day agoPlateau gov apologises to Igbo over civil war
-
News1 day agoPFIPC Probe: Why Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Head of Service, Accountant-General should step aside — Opara
-
Bello Bodejo
Bello BodejoNews3 days agoAlleged $2.63m money laundering: Court grants Miyetti Allah president N2bn bail
-
News2 days agoICPC grills Gbajabiamila over PFIPC scandal
-
News21 hours agoDeputy Speaker Kalu breaks silence on N780m Budget controversy, says Fund not meant for Churches alone






