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Tag: Enugu State

  • Collapsed flyover bridge: FRSC diverts traffic into Enugu metropolis

    Collapsed flyover bridge: FRSC diverts traffic into Enugu metropolis

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a road advisory to motorists and diverted traffic along Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Expressway following the collapse of a Flyover Bridge on the road.

    One of the flyover bridges across Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Expressway collapsed on Monday morning. The incident happened at kilometer-one section of the Expressway between Naira Triangle and New Artisan Market axis of Enugu.

    The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Sokunbi Adeyemi, in Enugu said he had dispatched Corps’ officers and men to the scene to control and divert traffic.

    Adeyemi said that the incident happened at about 12:30p.m., adding that it took officials of the FRSC only five minutes to rush to the scene of the incident.

    He said that the incident was caused by natural disaster.

    The sector commander said: “For safety, motorists and other road users should take alternative routes.

    “Motorists coming from Port-Harcourt/Aba axis to Abakaliki are advised to take Bricks Estate Junction close to New Kenyetta Market (Army check-point)  through Okpara Square to New Haven Junction by Otigba Roundabout – Ogui Roundabout- Abakpa Junction (by 82 Division) straight ahead to Abakaliki.

    “Motorists from Abuja/Abakaliki to Aba/Port Harcourt, are advised to go through Abakpa Junction (82 Division) – New Haven Junction by Otigba Roundabout – Okpara Square and hit Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Expressway at New Kenyetta Market (Army check-point) to continue their journey to Aba/Port Harcourt”.

    Reacting to the incident, the Police Command in Enugu State told NAN that it had effectively cordoned off the portion of the Collapsed Flyover Bridge of the Federal Highway.

    The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed that no life was lost in the incident, adding that no one sustained any serious injury during the incident.

    Ndukwe said that police operatives had joined in traffic control and diversion of  traffic to safe alternative routes within Enugu metropolis.

  • Truck, lorry trapped as flyover bridge collapses in Enugu state

    Truck, lorry trapped as flyover bridge collapses in Enugu state

    An old bridge collapsed in the New Artisan Market in the Enugu State Capital on Mionday morning, a fully-loaded truck and an unidentified lorry were on the bridge when it suddenly collapsed.

    The Enugu state government has confirmed the incident.

    However, no casualty has been reported as of the time of filing this report.

    A statement signed by the Commissioner for Works in the State, Engr. Gerald Otiji, urged the members of the public to make use of alternative routes.

    “The Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure wishes to notify the General public of the bridge collapse which occurred on 25th September 2023 along Kilometer One, Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway, i.e, between Naira Triangle and Goshen Flyover.

    “The general public and road users are hereby advised to detour to Nza through New Haven, or Ogui Road to their various destinations, while the authorities are coming up with measures for immediate repair on the failed section,” he wrote.

  • Enugu Government attracts N26b investment, to create employment

    Enugu Government attracts N26b investment, to create employment

    The Enugu State Government has recently attracted investment worth ₦26 billion from foreign and local investors through the transport sector, to grow the economy of the state and also create employment.

    This was disclosed by the  Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, who noted that the investment would lead to the revival of the Enugu State Transport Company (ENTRACO) and create over 10,000 jobs for residents of the state.

    Ozor disclosed this while addressing newsmen after the State Executive Council and Enugu State Executive Leadership Retreat, organized for senior government officials on Friday at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.

    He said with the investment, the Enugu economy is expected to grow by an additional N26 billion through massive investments by investors. who had already indicated interest.

    Ozor stated that the state was creating diverse opportunities in the economy through intra-state and inter-state Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) -powered buses.

    He added that the investments would further attract assembly plants for buses and other vehicles which would enable efficient and affordable transportation system in the state.

    “This monumental transaction by Gov. Peter Mbah will not only bring efficient transportation but will also move Enugu close to its industrialization goal,” the Commissioner said.

    On the economic impact on the lives of the people, Ozor insisted that the investments would create thousands of jobs for the residents, create skills through the assembly plants and “save over 3,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum”.

  • BREAKING: Unknown gunmen kill 2 police officers in Enugu

    BREAKING: Unknown gunmen kill 2 police officers in Enugu

    Two police officers have been killed and another was injured in a Wednesday evening attack by gunmen in Enugu State.

    The incident happened at about 7:30 pm along the Udi-Ozalla Road as a team of police officers from Operation Restore Peace Enugu was on routine patrol.

    The slain officers were identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Danjuma Joseph and Inspector Abu Elamaje. They were rushed to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla for treatment but were pronounced dead on arrival.

    Inspector Udeme Udomeng, who also sustained bullet wounds, was treated and discharged from the hospital.

    A police source who confirmed the attack added that efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

    “MINE and other command tactical teams reinforced at area of incident on cordon and search operation for possible arrest of suspects. Further development shall be communicated,” the source said.

    The police have yet to comment on the development officially.

  • Tribunal dismisses LP, PRP NYSC certificate forgery suit against Gov Mbah

    Tribunal dismisses LP, PRP NYSC certificate forgery suit against Gov Mbah

    The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu, on Thursday, dismissed NYSC certificate forgery suit brought by the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Labour Party against Gov. Peter Mbah.

    The three-man tribunal, chaired by Justice Kudirat Akano, said there was no evidence before it to support the petitioners claim that a forged certificate was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Mr Chris Agu of the PRP and Chijioke Edeoga of the LP had separately filed suits against Mbah challenging his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate on the ground of it being forged.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petitioners had alleged among others that Mbah was not qualified to contest the election and was not lawfully elected.

    According to the tribunal, section 177 of the 1999 constitution is not a requirement for contesting governorship election.

    The tribunal rejected Edeoga’s witnesses and ruled that the LP candidate did not present any admissible evidence to prove that Mbah’s certificate was forged.

    On PRP’s petition, Akano said that the issue was not contained in the petitioner’s affidavit, stating that to prove forgery, both the original and the supposedly forged certificate ought to have been exhibited before the tribunal.

    The tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove that the respondent possessed the minimum requirements to stand for the election including school certificate or its equivalent.

    It said therefore, there was no evidence to substantiate the claims adding that Mbah was not qualified to stand for the election.

    On the issue of plea bargain by Mbah, the tribunal averred that the exhibit presented by the petitioners did not show any plea bargain by the respondent.

    Akano further ruled that Mbah was duly elected by majority of votes cast at the election held on March 18.

  • Enugu CP deploys operatives to rescue Rev Father, 3 others abducted

    Enugu CP deploys operatives to rescue Rev Father, 3 others abducted

    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the deployment of more men to rescue a reverend father and three other persons abducted on Sunday in the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Monday in Enugu.

    “The Commissioner has ordered the deployment of more operatives and operational resources of the Command for the immediate rescue of one Marcelous Okide (m), identified as a Reverend Father, and three others, alleged to have been kidnapped.

    “Their abduction happened between Eke-Egede axis of Eke/Akpakunenze Road, in Udi Local Government Area of the state, on Sept. 17 at about 7 p.m.,” Ndukwe said.

    He further explained that the deployment was to aid the ongoing rescue operation of the victims within the locality.

    “The CP has assured that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring the rescue of the victims and fishing out of the perpetrators.

    “Further development shall be communicated, please,” he added.

  • Just In: Supreme Court affirms Mbah’s Enugu guber election victory

    Just In: Supreme Court affirms Mbah’s Enugu guber election victory

    The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress and its candidate in the last Enugu State governorship election, Uche Nnaji, challenging the victory of Governor Peter Mbah.

    Mbah was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party during the election.

    The APC candidate, who polled a total of 14,575 against Mbah’s 160,895 votes, to place a distant fourth in the election, asked the court to disqualify Mbah; the Labour Party Chijioke Edeoga, and that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Frank Nweke Jr.

    He claimed the candidates were not qualified to contest the election, having allegedly run foul of the asset declaration law among other reliefs.

    Nnaji petition was dismissed by the Justice K.M Akano-led Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on June 20, 2023.

    Dissatisfied, Nnaji approached the court of appeal, praying it to send the dismissed petition back to the Tribunal for hearing and determination of the suit.

    The Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Tribunal and dismissed the suit, awarded the sum of N250,000 each against Nnaji and the APC.

    Delivering judgement on the appeal, a five-member panel of the apex court on Friday held that the legal team of the APC and Nnaji filed an invalid brief of argument and failed to convince the court with cogent reason why the appellants’ incompetent brief should be allowed.

    In the lead judgment, Justice Tijani Abubakar held that since the appellant’s brief was found to be invalid, the invalidity also affected the appeal in respect of which the appeal was filed.

    He proceeded to dismiss the brief and appeal filed by the appellants.

  • 4 siblings die in building collapse in Enugu

    4 siblings die in building collapse in Enugu

    The Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA) has confirmed four children of the same family killed in a building collapse in the Agric Quarters in the Mgbemena axis of Coal Camp in Enugu.

    The Chairman of ECTDA, Mr Uche Anya, made the confirmation to journalists on Saturday after inspecting the site of the collapsed building.

    Anya noted that the bungalow building located at the Agric Quarters in Coal Camp area collapsed on Friday night around 8pm after a downpour.

    He said the structure was approved for animal husbandry but was converted for residential.

    While lamenting that the collapsed building was not healthy for human residence, the ECTDA chairman revealed that the structure had 44 rooms with about 200 residents.

    “As soon as we got the intelligence, we rushed to the place. Four children died in the episode.

    “It was danger waiting to happen. The construction was irresponsible.

    “The place should never have been occupied by human beings. In fact, go there and see.

    “Apparently, they claim that they are doing animal husbandry and poultry there but it turned out that there are 44 rooms that human beings are occupying and there must have a population of over 200 people there.

    “The fence line was totally unacceptable, nobody does that, and unfortunately, the people we lost in that tragedy are innocent children and it is very painful,” Anya added.

    The chairman said that the agency would continue to sensitise the public on the need to live a more conducive environment to avoid future occurrence of the unfortunate incident.

    According to him, the compliance unit of the agency under his leadership would ensure that structures erected by landlords and contractors adhere strictly to the approval plan.

    The ECTDA also gave immediate quit notice to residents of the building and four other buildings close to the scene of the incident.

     

  • Enugu residents protest against IPOB’s Sit-At-Home order

    Enugu residents protest against IPOB’s Sit-At-Home order

    Residents of Enugu State and civil society organisations (CSOs) on Monday staged a protest against the weekly “Sit-At-Home“ order by the Simon Ekpa faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The protesters, who  converged at the popular Michael Okpara Square as early as 8:am, moved through the Presidential Road, Ogui Road, Ogbete Main Market, Okpara Avenue, Garden Avenue, New haven, Bisala Road and back to Okpara Square.

    They  carried banners and placards with inscriptions such as ”Enough Is Enough”,  “Say No To Sit-At-Home In Enugu”, “Allow The Poor To Breathe”,‘Our Mumu Don Do”, “Enugu People Must Be Freed From The Shackles Of Those Who Want To Hold Them Down”, among others.

    Mrs Onyinye Mammah, the Executive Director, Heroine Women Foundation, who spoke on behalf of the coordinators, said they decided to take the bold initiative following the devastating effects the every Monday “Sit-At-Home“ order were having on state’s economy and that of the entire South-East.

    She said the protesters were made up of residents, CSOs, media, members of women organisations and representative of the 17 council areas in the state.

    “How can you continue to do something that has not benefitted you since it was started? We pay school fees and our children don’t go to school and businesses are shut on Mondays.

    “A few people have decided to create anarchy, take laws into their hands and make life uncomfortable for others.

    “We cannot continue this way and that is why we think there is need to support Gov. Peter Mbah in his effort to end the Mondays Sit-At-Home order”, she said.

    A protester, Mr Arthur Edeh, described the Sit-At-Home order as cancer to Enugu people, its economy and development, pointing out that anybody telling Enugu residents to Sit-At-Home was an enemy to the state.

    According to him, whoever that live abroad and is telling people of the South-East to “Sit-At-Home“ on Mondays do not have their interest at heart.

    “People should feel free to go about their businesses… The security network in Enugu is massive and nobody should threaten you with illegal “Sit-At-Home order“ he advised.

    A representative of Nsukka Council Area, Mr Emeka Nwangwu, said they participated in the protest because they were tired of the “Sit-At-Home“ order.

    “I came from Nsukka to support our governor to end this menace and I am here also to inform our people that Nsukka is free from Mondays “Sit-At-Home“ directive.

    “Opi, Nsukka, Ugwuogo Nike Road are free for movement and people are free to travel anytime without threat and attack.

    “I advise our people to come out en masse to support our governor as we are losing a lot from sitting at home,“ he said.

  • Gov Mbah didn’t forge NYSC certificate– DSS report

    Gov Mbah didn’t forge NYSC certificate– DSS report

    The Department of State Services, DSS, has countered the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, to the effect that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general election and incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, forged his NYSC discharge certificate.

    The service in a report tendered to the Enugu Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, also lampooned the NYSC of shoddy and hasty investigation in coming to the conclusion that Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate was fake, saying that certificates in Mbah’s series were found to have been issued to corps members in Lagos, contrary NYSC’s claim.

    This came as the LP immediately countered the report, describing it as personal and not emanating from the DSS because it did not bear the letterhead and stamps of the service.

    The DSS had in a Statement on Oath adopted by its representative, Mr. Yahaya Isa Mohammed, at the ongoing Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Enugu, disclosed that the NYSC had misplaced Mbah’s original file and opened a temporary one for him, after he had returned back from Law School to complete his NYSC.

    Mohammed, who is the DSS Deputy Director, Operations and Strategic Department, was subpoenaed to give evidence in defense of Mbah’s NYSC certificate.

    He noted that NYSC was also unable to trace to whom or which state or states of the federation 12 of its certificates, A808297 to A808308 were issued, adding that the security agency commenced investigation into the discharge certificate controversy following a petition to it by Dr. Mbah dated February 8, 2023.

    He added that Mbah’s NYSC certificate issue arose because the NYSC had issues with maintaining a proper record keeping system.

    Mohammed said in their findings, they discovered the following:

    “Mbah served for six months and went to Law School and later completed his youth service

    “We discovered that Peter brought application from Law School through the Lagos State NYSC office to national headquarters

    “The correspondence has a reference number: and the letter was replied permitting him to go to law school. After his Law School, he reapplied through the same means for reinstatement to complete his service

    “We discovered a temporary file was used for reference. That means his initial file could not be traced.

    “NYSC provided the six-series certificate which was signed and collected by corps members and the eight series

    “We discovered that the numbers are in series. But NYSC could not account for 12 certificates among which includes Mbah’s certificate”.

    However, during cross examination, LP lead counsel, Chief Adegoke Awomolo (SAN), observed that the report presented by the DSS official did not come with the letterhead and stamps of the security agency as against the normal practice, and sought to know the reason from Mohammed, to which he responded that his signature sufficed.

    Also, when asked why he did not come to the court with authorizing letter or directive by the Director General of the DSS, Mohammed, said he appeared in court because of the subpoena.

    Furthermore, when the DSS official was asked why the report he presented did not have attached documents backing his statement, he also answered that they were in his office.

    When he was asked if his investigation revealed that Mbah became the Chief of staff to the then governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani between July 10, 2003 and November 2003, the same period he was supposed to be serving as corps member, Mohammed said no, adding that it was not within his purview to investigate that.

    Earlier, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Wednesday, failed to present any witness to defend the allegation by candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Chijioke Edeoga, that the 2023 governorship election that produced Peter Mbah as governor was manipulated.