News From Nigeria
The counsel to Henry Omoile, E.N Offial, who is standing trial with a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele,over an alleged $4.5bn fraud, , on Thursday, January 15, 2026, told Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, that his client was never harassed by the EFCC during interrogation.
Emefiele is currently facing a 19-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on receiving gratification and making corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor.
His co-defendant, Omoile, is facing a three- count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent.
Both defendants have pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
At the resumed sitting on Thursday, Omoile’s lawyer, during cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo ,SAN, admitted that the defendant was cautioned in his presence and that he signed the caution.
He also admitted participating in the process and that he knew what the second defendant wrote could be used against him in court.
When asked by Oyedepo whether he had complained or filed a petition regarding the investigative team’s alleged conduct, the witness answered in the negative
He also admitted that the Judge who heard the fundamental rights enforcement case did not find the EFCC guilty of any misconduct and that his client was never harassed in his presence.
Earlier in the proceedings, he had falsely accused the EFCC of attempting to pressure his client into implicating the first defendant, Emefiele.
Offial, who was testifying in the trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of Omoile’s statement to the EFCC, had claimed that the investigators made various promises to him in exchange for indicting Emefiele.
Offial stated that Omoile told him that the Head of the EFCC team that interrogated him assured him that he would get bail and might not be charged at all if he cooperated by revealing incriminating evidence against the first defendant. All these were later found to be unfounded.
The witness also testified that the Interrogation was conducted in a question-and-answer format, and that his client was required to answer the questions satisfactorily before being allowed to write them on the statement sheet.
Consequently, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till January 16 for the continuation of the hearing.
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Media & Publicity
January 15, 2026
Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of $150,000 Linked to Vetifly Global Boss
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, ordered the interim forfeiture of the sum of $150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars) linked to one Emmanuel Okoh, Director, Vetifly Global Inc.
The Judge gave the order, following a motion ex parte filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,through its counsel, A.M.Dambuwa.
Moving the application for the interim forfeiture, Dambuwa stated that the petitioner, sometime in February, 2022, invested the sum of $1,500,000.00 ( One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in the aviation business of Vetifly Global Inc.
He stated that the parties agreed that Return on Investment (ROI) would be 100 percent of the investment sum, which would be paid exactly 365 calendar days from the date of issuance.
He also told the court that Okoh, however, reneged on the terms of agreement and also travelled out of the country, with the investment sum of $1.5m.
According to him, “ All efforts by the petitioner to reach Okoh were unsuccessful, hence he approached the EFCC.
“ Investigation conducted on the “Aircraft Service Agreement” between Velifly Limited and Zejet Limited led to the invitation of the Managing Director of the Xejet Limited, and one Emmanuel Ayuba Iza, who reported and volunteered a statement.
“ In his statement to the Commission, Iza said that Okoh needed Air cargo and he approached Xejet Limited for a partnership through a letter written in July, 2021 for the purpose of cargo air service.
“An agreement named “Aircraft Services Agreement” was later executed between Vetifly Limited and Xejet Limited.
“The aircraft service agreement between Emmanuel Okoh and Xejet Limited is to the effect that Vetifly Limited will provide funding for an air cargo service operation while the Xejet Limited is to provide cargo aircraft and handle the regulatory, operation and technical aspect of the service.
“ On March 2, 2022, the sum of $1,499,990.00 One Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Dollars) was lodged by one REMX Capital Limited belonging to Vetifly Limited.
“The lodgement made to the First Bank account of Vetifly Limited on March 2, 2022 ( the sum of $1,499,990.00 (One Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Dollars) is in correlation with the Swift document submitted by the petitioner.”
He, therefore, prayed the court to grant the application seeking an interim forfeiture of the property, which is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
In her ruling, Justice Bogoro granted the application, and also directed the Commission to publish the interim order in a national newspaper for any interested party to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Judge adjourned the case till February 11, 2026 for a report of compliance.
Media & Publicity
January 15, 2026
Alleged ₦110.4bn Kogi Fraud: EFCC Tenders More Bank Records in Trial of Yahaya Bello
The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja continued on Thursday, January 15, 2026 with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC tendering more bank records as evidence.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of 1N10.4 billion.
At the resumed trial on Thursday, the prosecution team, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the case was slated for further cross-examination of Prosecution Witness Six (PW6), Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, who was present in court.
Cross-examining the witness, counsel to the first and second defendant J.B Daudu SAN requested for Exhibit S1 and asked the witness to clarify his earlier testimony that the statement of account had eight columns. “At the beginning of your testimony, you said there are eight columns in the statement of account. By ‘description,’ what do you mean?” Daudu asked.
Responding, the witness said, “It is the description of the transaction, my Lord. ”Referring to page three of Exhibit S1, the witness explained that the first column showed an entry dated January 20, 2016, with the description: “Cq 158 Abdulsalami Hudu for ₦10,000,000.”
He further pointed out another entry which read: “ZB chq 155 paid Halims Hotels and Tours, Lokoja, ₦2,454,400, my Lord.”
When asked if he knew the purpose for which the ₦10 million collected by Abdulsalami Hudu or the amount paid to Halims Hotels and Tours was used, the witness replied, “I won’t know the purpose the ₦10,000,000 collected by Hudu and equally that of Halims Hotels, how it was spent and for which purpose.
Daudu then requested for Exhibit X1 and asked the witness to confirm whether his attention had been drawn to certain entries in the account.
The witness replied that it was the account opening document of a company with account number 1014878995, domiciled at the Lokoja branch of Zenith Bank.
Daudu further asked the witness to confirm whether there were 21 transactions between March 10 and March 12, 2016. The witness, however, responded that the entries he started with were from November 14, 2016. Directing the witness to December 6, 2016, Daudu asked him to read the entries. The witness stated that the first entry was a transfer from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, a credit of ₦74,378,483.20.
“The second entry on December 6, 2016 is a cheque paid to Mohammed Jami’u Sallau in the sum of ₦10,000,000, my Lord,” the witness said.
When asked whether the column stated the purpose of the payment, the witness answered, “No, my Lord. Sorry, my Lord, looking at the narration, I would not decide the reason for the payment.”
He added that the same applied to another credit entry of ₦10,000,000 in favour of Mohammed Jami’u Sallau.
Z.B. Abbas then cross-examined the witness on behalf of A.M. Aliyu, SAN, counsel to the 3rd defendant.
Abbas asked whether all withdrawals made by the 3rd defendant were by cheque. The witness answered, “Yes, my Lord, they were cheque withdrawals. He further confirmed that the cheques were duly signed by the authorised signatories. Abbas also asked if Exhibit X1 was the statement of account of the Government House account, to which the witness responded in the affirmative.
On Exhibit X2, Abbas asked whether the 3rd defendant had been introduced to the bank as a civil servant and accountant. The witness answered, “Yes, my Lord, he is an accountant.”
Abbas then suggested that the 3rd defendant was merely carrying out his duty as an accountant. This drew an objection from prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who argued that the witness was not a civil servant working for the Kogi State Government and therefore could not testify to that fact.
Justice Anineh sustained the objection.
When asked about the signatories to the account, the witness listed three individuals: Chris Onyepola, Permanent Secretary; Onyechukwu Daniel L., Chief Accountant; and Abdulsalami Hudu, Accountant.
“These three individuals are the signatories to the account,” the witness confirmed.
Pressed further on transactions dated February 19, 2016, the witness stated that there was an inflow from UBA for a Police Reform Programme or payment of security fund amounting to ₦10,000,000 per tranche, made in six tranches, totalling ₦60,000,000.He further explained that on May 3, 2016, there was an inflow with the narration “payment of sec/fund” dated February 24, 2016, amounting to ₦50,000,000, followed by another transfer for payment of “sec fund” in the same amount.
The witness confirmed that after these inflows, the 3rd defendant made withdrawals. He also testified that on September 14, 2016, there were two inflows of ₦50,000,000 each, totalling ₦100,000,000, and that the 3rd defendant made a withdrawal the following day.
On September 20, 2016, he said there were two tranches of ₦10,000,000 and ₦15,000,000 described as “His Excellency Special Sec Vote.”
Similarly, on September 22, 2016, there was an inflow of ₦50,000,000 followed by a withdrawal by the 3rd defendant. Asked to confirm whether Exhibit X1 originated from Zenith Bank, the witness replied, “It came from our bank.”
He added that while abbreviations are standard in banking, he did not know the meaning of “sec” as it was not a term used by their bank.
On August 9, 2016, the witness confirmed there was an inflow of ₦50,000,000, after which the 3rd defendant made withdrawals. He also stated that on August 18, 2016, six withdrawals were made by one Umar Comfort, and that another withdrawal by the same individual occurred on August 23, 2016. When asked whether the first defendant was the only person operating the Government House account, the witness answered, “No.” Following the conclusion of the cross-examination, Pinheiro said the prosecution had no re-examination and applied that the witness be discharged. He also informed the court that the prosecution had a short witness from Keystone Bank to be called as Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7).PW7, Mohammed Bello Hassan, was thereafter sworn in. Led in evidence by Kayode Enitan, SAN, the witness identified himself as an executive trainee with Keystone Bank. He told the court he appeared pursuant to a subpoena.
The prosecution tendered the subpoena, certificate of identification, and the statement of account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction covering January 1 to December 31, 2021. Counsel to the 3rd defendant objected, stating that reasons would be given later.
The documents were admitted in evidence and marked accordingly.
Referring to Exhibit Z1, Enitan asked the witness to confirm whether the statement had columns and narrations. The witness said it had seven columns. Drawing his attention to page two, the witness confirmed that on February 17, 2021, there were several credit entries of ₦10,000,000 each. He further confirmed that entries on February 18, 21 and 22, 2021, were also credits of ₦10,000,000 each.
Explaining the narrations, the witness said that on February 17, 2021, Maigari Murtala transferred ₦10,000,000 in six tranches, totaling ₦60,000,000.
He added that Yusuf Mubarak transferred ₦10,000,000 on February 17, another ₦10,000,000 on February 21, and ₦10,000,000 on February 22. “In total, there were nine transfers of ₦10,000,000 each by Maigari Murtala and one transfer of ₦10,000,000 by Yusuf Mubarak, making ₦100,000,000,” the witness confirmed.
Under cross-examination by J.B. Daudu, SAN, the witness said he had been an executive trainee for two years and worked in the marketing department. He admitted that he was not the account officer of Dantata and Sawoe and that he was sent by the bank to comply with the subpoena. He also said he did not personally know Maigari Murtala or Yusuf Mubarak.
Under further cross-examination by counsel to the 3rd defendant Aliyu, the witness stated that he had never encountered the name Abdulmumini Hudu, did not know when the account was opened, and was unaware of the account signatories.
With no re-examination, PW7 was discharged. Enitan then called Prosecution Witness Eight (PW8), Gabriel Ocha, a compliance officer with FCMB, No.4, Gwani Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. He also appeared under subpoena, bringing along a certificate of compliance and other documents covering the period from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2024, in respect of Kunfayakun Global Limited.
Counsel to the 3rd defendant objected to the admissibility of the documents, reserving reasons for later. Nevertheless, the court admitted them and marked them as Exhibits AA (subpoena), AB1 (certificate of identification) and AB2 (account opening package).
Led by Enitan, the witness explained that the statement of account had seven columns, representing date, reference, description, value date, deposit, withdrawal and balance. Referring to page seven of the statement, the witness read an entry dated November 1, 2021, showing a debit of ₦30,000,000 from Kunfayakun Global Limited in favour of the American International School for Abdul Bashir.
He further testified that on November 1, 2021, there were three web transfers of ₦10,000,000 each, credited from Haruna Gana and Haruna Gaddafi, totalling ₦30,000,000.
He also confirmed a NIBSS transfer on the same date from Behamas Global Ventures in the sum of ₦25,959,000.
On November 2, 2021, the witness said there were transfers of ₦10,000,000, ₦10,000,000 and over ₦8,000,000 to Zadakkayak Global.
After cross-examination by counsel to the defendants, the prosecution called Prosecution Witness Nine (PW9), A.D. Ojoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank. He also appeared under subpoena with a certificate of compliance and the statement of account of Bespoke Business Solutions Limited.
While counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants did not object to the admissibility of the documents, counsel to the 3rd defendant objected, reserving reasons for later.
Led in evidence by Pinheiro, the witness identified several credit entries, including a transaction of over ₦57 million on March 5, 2019.
On April 3, 2019, he identified a credit entry described as “NAFFS Kogi State payment commission for March 2019,” from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, amounting to ₦138,492,215.91.
He also identified another credit entry on May 3, 2019, described as “NAFFS Kogi State 2019,” from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, in the sum of ₦136,809,102.70.
On August 6, 2019, the witness said there was a credit entry from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service for payment of contractors amounting to ₦183,645,647.31. He further testified that on August 15, 2019, there was a credit entry of ₦242,250,000 for the purchase of OBPEH.
Justice Maryanne Anineh thereafter adjourned the matter till Friday, January 16, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Media & Publicity
January 15, 2026
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the death of renowned journalist and one of the founders of Newswatch Magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, as a colossal loss to the media industry in Nigeria.
Yakubu Mohammed, a one-time pro-chancellor and chancellor of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, died on Tuesday at the age of 75. He was a well-celebrated journalist, author, columnist, and publisher.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the death of the renowned journalist is painful and heartbreaking. He said the rich experience and knowledge of Yakubu Mohammed will be sorely missed.
He said: “The death of former Managing Editor of Newswatch and ex-Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Newswatch Communications Limited, Yakubu Mohammed, is a great loss to journalism and the media industry in Nigeria, his family and friends. The journalism icon, who was a role model to many media practitioners in Nigeria, would be greatly missed.
“Yakubu Mohammed was a bold, courageous and uncompromising journalist, editor, columnist and publisher who spent his lifetime to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria.
“He was a role model to many journalists in Nigeria, having nurtured and provided platforms for media practitioners who have become leading voices in the noble profession and leaders in different sectors.
“On behalf of the people and government of Lagos State, I sympathise with Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, the Mohammed family and the people of Ologba in the Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State over the demise of the veteran journalist.
“I also commiserate with the deceased’s friends, colleagues, and the media industry in Nigeria over the passing of the accomplished journalist. I pray that God will grant Yakubu Mohammed eternal rest and those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
14 JANUARY 2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to alert the public of planned campaigns of calumny by politicians and groups having vested interests in suspects being investigated or facing prosecution by the Commission.
A motley crowd of paid jobbers comprising politicians , academics, so-called civil society activists and some Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora have been recruited by these disgruntled elements to orchestrate campaigns of calumny through sponsored media attacks targeting the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede and the institution itself with phantom allegations of political bias in the execution of the Commission’s mandate.
Their objective is to befuddle the works of the Commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate the Commission into a timid mode, where it will be afraid to investigate opposition politicians for fear of being labelled as partisan.
This campaign is likely to intensify as the political space becomes charged, in the months leading to the 2027 general election.
The Commission wishes to put those recruited into this ignoble enterprise on notice that their activities are under close watch, and EFCC will not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission. As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations. Commentaries about presumption of innocence of a defendant in court are in line with the provisions of the Constitution and not intended as defence of any individual or group. Additionally, the Commission has no alliance or working relationship with any political party. All these facts are unassailable.
The EFCC will not be pressured or blackmailed into making public disclosures of politically exposed persons being investigated for one alleged corruption case or the other. Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
January 7, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU CONGRATULATES OGUN DEPUTY GOVERNOR, SALAKO-OYEDELE AT 60
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who clocked the age of 60 years on Thursday.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a congratulatory message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, praised Engr Salako-Oyedele’s commitment to the growth and development of Ogun State.
He also praised the deputy governor for being a trustworthy, committed, hardworking and dependable partner to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, saying the cordial relationship between the two of them has contributed positively to the success of their administration.
Governor Sanwo-Olu further described Engr. Salako-Oyedele as a seasoned and principled technocrat, administrator and public servant who has used her position as deputy governor to bring about positive change to Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
He said: “On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke, the people and government of Lagos State, I wish Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, many happy returns as she celebrates her 60th birthday today.
“Engr. Salako-Oyedele is worth celebrating at 60 for her remarkable contributions to humanity and the society. She has distinguished herself as a seasoned and principled technocrat and administrator in the private and public sectors for over three decades.
“As Engr. Salako-Oyedele celebrates her 60th birthday today, I pray that God will increase her in good health to enable her to render more service to humanity, Ogun State and Nigeria.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER, MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
08 JANUARY 2025
PRESS RELEASE
The Governor of Lagos State and Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on his 63rd birthday celebration.
The Governor described the Senate President as an amazing personality whose life has remained a shining example of service, strength and uncommon leadership in public office.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said Senator Akpabio’s leadership continues to exemplify vision, passion, courage and unwavering dedication to national growth and development.
The Governor also praised Senator Akpabio’s uncommon transformation and remarkable contribution to the development of his home State, Akwa Ibom, and Nigeria at large as a Commissioner, Governor, federal lawmaker and now Senate President.
He said: “On behalf of my wife, family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the occasion of his 63rd birthday.
“Senator Akpabio, as an amazing personality and transformational leader, has committed himself to serving his state, Akwa Ibom, and beloved country, Nigeria, passionately. He has shown remarkable dedication to the advancement of nation building.
“He has recorded significant strides in his public service to impact his generation positively. As the leader of the legislative arm of government, he has contributed immensely to the robust relationship between the executive and legislature, as well as the success of the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Nigeria.
“The Senate President has also contributed positively to his constituency, the Senate and Nigeria in general, through qualitative representation, laudable intervention and legislative business.
“On this momentous day, I join Senator Godswill Akpabio’s family, friends, and associates in conveying best wishes for a joyous 63rd birthday celebration. I pray that the Almighty God will bless him with good health as he continues his dedicated service to our beloved nation.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
09 DECEMBER, 2025
OKPE LEADERS OPPOSE DELTA MONARCH
Top Okpe leaders on Sunday kicked against the narrative of Okpe as Urhobo, listing the errors in Orodje’s recent declaration.
‘’At its meeting on November 15, 2025, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union (Worldwide) exhaustively discussed Orodje’s declaration. Relying on historical facts in debunking the grave errors in the Orodje’s declaration, the union provided the evolution of the Orodje’s disturbing flip-flop of policy pronouncements, a flip-flop which falsifies Okpe History and exposes Orhue l as an enemy of the Okpe Kingdom whose national interests he swore to promote and defend when he was crown as the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom on July 29, 2006’’.
In the response to the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom by the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union (Worldwide), the union narrated how His Royal Majesty began to move away from his role as the chief promoter and defender of Okpe Identity in favour of his personal aggrandizement.
‘’He cautioned the then NEC of the Okpe Union (Worldwide) to stop the agitation for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, because, according to him, the advocacy will diminish his chances of becoming the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council. That notwithstanding, the Orodje was trying to walk on both sides of the street at the same time by internally espousing Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality while externally he was collaborating with the anti-Okpe Identity forces to undermine the internal cohesion of the Okpe Nation’’
The union accused Orodje of sacrificing Okpe national interest for a pot of Ukodo prepared by his political masters ahead of the 2027 elections.
‘’This is political correctness gone awry. The Okpe Union, and indeed all sons and daughters of Okpeland, are greatly distressed by the video of HRM Orhue l making rounds about our identity. As proud children of Okpe, we have access to several literatures and ancestral information about our origin which has never been disputed by the Orodje who is the traditional ruler as at today. Perhaps he is in possession of new facts and documents which have altered our ancestry. The time to produce it is now. It is highly regrettable that our revered Traditional ruler would grant such weighty interviews about the core of our existence without presenting facts and references’’.
The union denounced Orodje’s declaration, which undermines the rich cultural heritage and dignity of the Okpe people.
‘’As the mouth-piece of the Okpe Nation, the Okpe Union rejects the Orodje’s de-marketing of our ethnic nationality and asserts our pride in our identity, culture, and sovereignty. While we sympathize with various political actors who in a bid to score political mileage have been manipulating ethnic boundaries for political gains, we cannot comprehend how the custodian of our rites and traditions will join the fray. Several monarchs have betrayed their respective countries. Why did Orodje shift from his strong position as a promoter of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality that he brilliantly articulated on September 1, 2007, to become a shameless apologist for Urhobo ethnic nationality? Historians will compare the declaration of Orhue l and the dictatorship of Esezi l, to determine which of the two is more injurious to the Okpe Nation’’.
The union called on members of the Okpe Union (Worldwide), and indeed all Okpe sons and daughters to remain united under the umbrella of the Okpe Union in the continued advocacy for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
‘’The struggle is going to be long and difficult, but the redemption of the Okpe Nation is worth the battle. A kingdom exists because there was a Nation that produced it. Thus, a king or an Orodje cannot be superior to the Nation that birthed it. This is particularly true of the Okpe Kingdom where the Okpe Nation congregates to elect one of its male citizens as the Orodje via a democratic electoral process. The sovereignty of an Orodje does not grant him an absolute or dictatorial power or authority, but is derived from the results of the electoral process on behalf of the Okpe Nation. When the four princely brothers, our ancestors – Orhue, Orhoro, Evbreke, and Esezi – decided to establish the Okpe Kingdom, they did so from the bowel of the Okpe Nation. Thanks to the Okpe Union, the Okpe Kingdom in the modern era was resuscitated in 1945 after an interregnum of 166 years. During this period, there were no Orodjes because there was no kingdom, but the Okpe Nation continued to exist and was represented by power brokers in several Okpe communities that exercised independence and sovereignty. It is therefore our historical and sacred responsibility, as members of the Okpe Union, to ensure that the Okpe monarchy remains a symbol of unity and strength of the Okpe Nation, and not to degenerate into anarchy and dictatorship.
The statement signed by Prof. O. Igho Natufe, President General, Okpe Union (Worldwide), Barrister Kingsley Ehensiri Akpederin, General Secretary, Okpe Union (Worldwide) and Barrister Victor Oruno, National Publicity Secretary, Okpe Union (Worldwide) recalled a study initiated and financed by HRM Orhue l, where Udogun Okpe stated emphatically that “Okpe is indubitably known to be a distinct and autonomous Kingdom, an ethnic entity from its beginning.
‘’The people and their language are distinct and are named after their progenitor, Okpe, whose four sons founded the present day Okpe Kingdom. But externally, simultaneously, the Orodje’s emissaries, mostly Palace Chiefs, continued their anti-Okpe Identity narratives by their false claim that “Okpe is Urhobo”. The Orodje’s declaration that “Okpe is a dialect of Urhobo” lends credence to the statements of his emissaries that “Okpe is Urhobo”. From all available historical sources, Okpe is a distinct language from the Urhobo language. The Orodje’s declaration is not only a blatant distortion of Okpe History, but a shameless public denial of Okpe Identity. History will Judge if this seismic shift was influenced by the Orodje’s personal interest or by Okpe national interest’’.
On November 5, 2025, an undated video of HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, appeared on several Okpe platforms, as well as on some non-Okpe platforms. In the video Orhue l categorically declared that “Okpe is a dialect of the Urhobo” and therefore not a distinct ethnic nationality. This declaration injected another level of schism between the Okpe Union and HRM Orhue l. We consider this declaration a falsity by a Monarch who is supposed to know the truth.
The Union highlighted the three main migratory waves from Benin Kingdom to the present territory of Delta Central Senatorial District in the Ogiso period of Benin Monarchy.
‘The first was in the 1170s under the reign of the 1st Oba of Benin, Oba Oronmiyan (1170 – 1200 AD) that saw the settlement of a group known as “Usobo” (Urhobo) in Ughelli and other villages. The second wave was the last Usobo migration that settled in contemporary Abraka in the 1370s, under the reign of the 10th Oba of Benin, Oba Ogbeka (1370 – 1400 AD). The migration of Okpe from Benin Kingdom occurred during the reign of the 16th Oba of Benin, Oba Ozolua (1483 – 1504 AD). Oba Ozolua conquered several territories, including Ijebu Ode, Ondo, and towns in contemporary Edo State. For his unprecedented military conquests in Benin History, he earned the appellation “Ozolua, n’ ibaromi” meaning “Ozolua the Conqueror”. He had several sons, including Prince Eze of Aboh, and Prince Igboze that migrated to contemporary Delta Central Senatorial District in 1550, and whose son, Prince Okpe had four princely sons: Orhue, Orhoro, Evbreke, and Esezi. They resided individually and collectively in several villages, moving from Olomu to Okperikpere (Okpe Isoko) and through contemporary Ozoro en-route to Orerokpe. It is instructive to note that, when the Four Princely Brothers, our forefathers founded the Okpe Kingdom with its headquarters in Orerokpe, it was established as an independent ethnic nationality and not as a clan or an appendage of any other ethnic nationality. This historical fact underlines the distinct ethnic nationality of the Okpe of Delta State which was extinguished by the British Colonial Office’’.
For purely its administrative convenience, the Union said the British Colonial Office fused diverse ethnic nationalities into one.
‘’This British policy gave rise to the falsity of classifying Okpe as a clan of Urhobo. Most contemporary Okpe were born and raised in this falsity.
‘’By administering the Okpe under the Urhobo umbrella, the British set in motion a process that led to the gradual but systematic attempt to deny Okpe ethnicity which was erroneously subsumed under the Urhobo. Over time, this grave error of British colonialism assumed a “truth” of its own as the outside world and several Okpe began to refer to the Okpe as “Urhobo.” This falsity was inherited by post-colonial Nigerian governments. A similar fate befell the Isoko of “Eastern Urhobo.” However, unlike the Okpe, their western counterpart, the Isokos were able to extricate themselves from the Urhobo appellation and restored their independence as a distinct ethnic nationality. Okpe and Urhobo do not share a common ancestry, or a common language. The Urhobo argument that Okpe is “Urhobo” is anchored on the concept of transferred colonialism from British rule to Urhobo rule in post-colonial Nigeria. This diabolical plot is facilitated by internal fifth columnists that, in most cases, have an Urhobo parent and therefore posit that “Okpe is Urhobo”.
The Union also underscored a growing realization among leading Okpe personalities to follow the Isoko example.
‘’Two subjective factors seem to conspire against this legitimate proposition. First, the Urhobo argument is that Okpe will be weakening the Urhobo nation if they emulate Isoko. Second, some Okpe, after being assimilated into the Urhobo fabric as a consequence of flawed colonial policy, seem conditioned to accept Urhobo as their nationality. Both viewpoints are based on weak and false argumentations. To endorse either is to condone the denial of Okpe nationality. And to suggest that by upholding their nationality the Okpe will weaken the Urhobo nation, we are invited to accept the lie that “Okpe is Urhobo”. On the contrary, the extrication of Okpe from Urhobo will strengthen the independence of both ethnic nationalities. They each need to re-define their respective identities’’.
The union said the uniqueness of the Okpe Nation was that each Okpe national is a descendant of one or two of the four ruling houses of the Okpe Kingdom, as depicted in the genealogy of the Okpe people: Orhue, Orhoro, Evbreke, and Esezi.
‘’Thus, the Okpe ethnicity satisfies all the properties of statehood and nationality as the nationals share the same common ancestry, the same language, culture, and traditions. The Okpe Kingdom has a clearly defined territory under a single monarchy and a permanent population of Okpe ethnicity. In fact, Okpe is one of the few ethnic nationalities in Nigeria that possess these clearly defined properties. The others are, inter alia, in alphabetical order, Benin, Nupe, and Itsekiri, etc’.
Major General Felix Mujakperuo (RTD) was crown as HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom on July 29, 2006; after a 2-year interregnum. He immediately positioned himself as the chief advocate of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. Not only did he and several Okpe chiefs participate actively in the deliberations of the 1st Okpe Voice World Conference held in Sapele, October 17 – 18, 2006, he hosted a delegation of Okpe leaders drawn from the Okpe Union Nigeria, the Okpe Union of North America (OUNA), and the Okpe Union UK, under the auspices of the OKPE VOICE, at the Palace, on October 20, 2006, to review and approve the resolutions and communiqué of the Conference. The communiqué included, the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, the establishment of an all Okpe federal constituency, the teaching of Okpe language in all primary and secondary schools in Okpe Nation, etc.
HRM Orhue l delivered a powerful landmark address entitled Tradition and Governance in the Okpe Kingdom: A Keynote Address, on September 1, 2007 AT THE 3RD ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE OKPE UNION OF NORTH AMERICA HELD AT MARRIOTT HOTEL, COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND, USA AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 03, 2007. This was a defining moment in the struggle for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
The Orodje succinctly declared: “Okpe is a unique ethnic nationality. It has distinctive roots in ancient history, tradition, culture, customs and language.”
He added: “Our people are rooted in migration from the Bini Kingdom. This historical experience is similar to most other ethnic nationalities of the Western Niger Delta. Of all these nationalities however, Okpe History, language, tradition, and culture are closer to those of Bini which form part of the Edo group of languages”.
Orhue l endorsed the conclusions of R. E. Bradbury and Rev. Dr. Charles E. Osume, (The Okpe People, 2006 edition), about the origin of the Okpe, he classified Okpe as “a unique ethnic nationality” with “distinctive roots in ancient history, tradition, culture, customs and language” irrespective of its similarity “to most other ethnic nationalities of the Western Niger Delta”.
Regarding the wrongful excision of Okpe territory from the Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhue l was very categorical in expressing the position of the Okpe on this issue. He averred: “Let me also mention briefly that although the Okpe Kingdom covers the two local government areas of Sapele and Okpe, our people and communities are located in towns and villages presently and wrongly included in some neighbouring local government areas, for example, Ohorhe in Uvwie Local Government”.
In the keynote address, HRM Orhue l positioned himself as the chief promoter and defender of Okpe national interest. He subsequently established an Udogun Okpe Education Committee to liaise with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to ensure the recognition of Okpe Language as a teaching subject in Okpe Nation.
Wike-Backed PDP Expels Makinde, Mohammed, Lawal, George, Others
It also approved the dissolution of the State Executive Committees in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti States. The Edo State Exco, led by Nosa Ogieva, was, however, affirmed.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has expelled Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
It also expelled the party’s former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara; former National Vice Chairman, Chief Bode George; and the newly elected National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
It also approved the dissolution of the State Executive Committees in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti States. The Edo State Exco, led by Nosa Ogieva, was, however, affirmed.
These decisions were taken at the PDP group’s NEC meeting held on Tuesday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
Its National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, read the communiqué of the NEC meeting, which stated in part:
“NEC approved the expulsion of the following: Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel, and Emmanuel Enorden,” he said.
“These people have been expelled from our party based on anti-party activities, disobeying of court judgements and other (acts) that cause disaffection in the party.”
He assured party faithful and stakeholders that the decision to expel the members was to stabilise the PDP, insisting that the party would not tolerate any form of impunity or indiscipline within its fold.
The pro-Wike PDP Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, who presented the memo recommending the expulsions, said the affected party leaders flagrantly disregarded court judgments, thereby bringing the party into disrepute.
This decision followed last Saturday’s PDP national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, where Wike and ten others, including former governors, serving lawmakers, and key party figures were suspended over alleged anti-party activities.
The Ibadan convention, convened by the other faction of the party, accused Wike’s bloc of attempting to “destabilise the party structure” ahead of a planned nationwide reorganisation.
Earlier on Tuesday, both groups arrived at the PDP National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, to hold parallel NEC and Board of Trustees meetings.
The clash triggered a chaotic scene, as security operatives struggled to separate supporters from both camps, resulting in heated arguments, pushing, and an eventual shutdown of parts of the secretariat before the meetings proceeded separately.
COURTESY: CHANNELS TELEVISION
PRESS RELEASE
The Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday sought the support of investors to make the approved Lekki–Epe International Airport, a reality.
He said the Lagos State Government is committed to partnering with the Federal Government and its agencies, as well as investors, in building a stronger, safer, more competitive aviation industry for Nigeria.
The Lekki-Epe International airport is an initiative of the Lagos State Government.
Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke during the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) National Aviation Conference held at Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was attended by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Governors Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), represented by his deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele; and Board Chairman of FAAN, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, among others.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State will work hand-in-hand with all federal agencies to ensure that the Lekki–Epe International Airport and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) become models of what is possible when federal and sub-national governments work in the same direction.
He said: “The Federal Government has granted approval to Lagos State to build a new international airport in the Ibeju–Lekki axis as a public-private partnership project.
“The airport is designed as a Code F-compliant facility, capable of handling the Airbus A380 and other wide-body aircraft, and is planned to sit on about 3,500 hectares of land, roughly 10 kilometres from the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The master plan provides for an initial capacity of five million passengers annually, with modular expansion as demand grows.
“Lekki–Epe International Airport is not a vanity project. It is a strategic response to decongesting MMIA and building resilience; positioning Lagos as West Africa’s preferred hub; unlocking new opportunities in MRO, training and aviation services; and supporting the Lekki industrial corridor, which is already home to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, and an emerging industrial and residential city.
“We are committed to working hand-in-hand with FAAN, NCAA and all federal agencies to ensure that the Lekki–Epe International Airport – and indeed MMIA – become models of what is possible when federal and sub-national governments pull in the same direction.
“Here in Lagos, together with the Federal Government and our partners, we are determined to create a future in which Nigerian aviation is safe, modern, competitive and inclusive – a future in which our airports are not bottlenecks, but bridges to opportunity,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating an integrated mobility ecosystem in which rail, road, water and air transport are seamlessly connected in Lagos State.
He said his government over the last few years has made historic progress with the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line, running from Marina to Mile 2, and the Red Line, linking Agbado to Oyingbo, adding that it has also signed an MoU and unveiled plans for the Green Line, a 68-kilometre rail corridor from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
“We are building an integrated, multi-modal transport backbone designed to move more than 20 million residents and the millions who come to do business with us,” he said.
Also speaking during the conference, Governors Uzodinma, Zulum and Abiodun highlighted aviation as a driver of economic growth, showcasing new airports, integrated transport systems, and investment opportunities across Imo, Borno and Ogun states.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
17 NOVEMBER 2025
VIBROFLOTATION AND GEOTECHNICAL, PRISONERS CARE, OTHERS EULOGIZE ELSIE AJAYI IKOLI AS DIGNITARIES GATHER IN LAGOS