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Tag: Enugu State

  • No voting in rescheduled Enugu South re-run

    No voting in rescheduled Enugu South re-run

    Hoodlums on Wednesday disrupted the Enugu rerun election for Enugu South 1 State Constituency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says.

    INEC said this in a short note on its verified X social media handle on Wednesday.

    “Report from our Enugu State office indicate that hoodlums have disrupted the electoral process in the state constituency.

    “Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but election materials were destroyed, and voters were obstructed from casting their votes.

    “Our officials have been safely evacuated with assistance from security agencies.

    “In contrast, the supplementary election in the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State is unfolding peacefully across three local government areas,” it added.

    The disruption meant there was no voting on Wednesday in the rescheduled Enugu South Urban State Constituency re-run election.

    The development followed a disagreement between Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the period allocated for the election between 8a.m. and 2p.m.

    Reacting, Mr Sam Ngene, the PDP Candidate for Enugu South Urban State Constituency re-run, said that the election would not hold due to “lack of authentic result sheets for the election”.

    “We are not happy with the current development as it is not fair to my party. We have made formal complaints to INEC, alleging that INEC official hoarded the authentic result sheets.

    “This election should not hold and should not stand. That is PDP stand,” he said.

    On his own part, Mr Emeka Ngene, LP Candidate for Enugu South Urban State Constituency re-run, accused the PDP of deliberately ensuring that the election would never go smoothly.

    Ngene said that the authentic result sheets were available here as presented by INEC and was sighted by all stakeholders at the CBN on Tuesday.

    “The election should go on and this is for the interest of tax payers, whose money is being used to prosecute this election.

    The election, which was supposed to hold on Feb. 3, was rescheduled for Feb. 14,” he said.

  • 4 brothers arrested as EFCC swoops in on fraudsters in Benin, Enugu

    4 brothers arrested as EFCC swoops in on fraudsters in Benin, Enugu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State.

    Its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    According to him, they were arrested on Saturday at different locations in Benin-city,   following actionable intelligence on their  suspected nefarious activities.

    “The suspects are  Oniovosa Destiny, Enoferodion Kingsley, Elvis Mohammed and Igneweka Endurance.

    “Items recovered from them include four exotic cars – Mercedes Benz GLE 43 AMG,  Two Mercedes Benz  GLE 250 AMG and Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic and phones.

    “The suspects will  be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

    EFCC arrests 4 brothers, 30 others over alleged internet fraud

    Similarly, the EFCC has arrested four brothers and 30 others, for alleged internet fraud.

    EFCC’s Spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    He gave the names of the siblings as Chukwuebuka Egbo, Chibuike Egbo, Francis Egbo and Victor Egbo.

    According to him, the other suspects include, Great Eze, Ani Callistus, Ekpe Chigbo, Eze Eric, Nnaemeka Gabriel, George Tochukwu, Uche Divine and Chiamelie Ede.

    Others included Enenta Ebube, Treasurer Osinachi, Ejiakor Chidiebere, Kingsley Olisa, Ugwuanyi Ekpere, Uzor Godson, Tochukwu Firminus, Ebuka Comas, Okwudili John, Samuel Otti, Agada Olema, Odoh Nnabuike.

    “The other suspects include Okeke Harrison, Oriasotie Meshack, Ekperechi Ebube, Ugwu Sebastian, Eli Ogbonna, Martins Ugwu, Aloysius Alphonsus, Sunday Cross, Aroh Chinecherem and Miracle Obiora,” he said.

    He said all-male suspects were arrested on Feb. 9, in an intelligence-driven sting operation at various locations within Enugu state.

    “Items recovered from them include mobile phones and different exotic cars. The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

  • Gentle lady with heart of steel sentenced to death by hanging in Enugu

    Gentle lady with heart of steel sentenced to death by hanging in Enugu

    An Enugu State High Court, on Wednesday, sentenced one Miss Chiamaka Ifezue to death by hanging for killing Miss Ijeoma Nweke, a make-up artist on Nov. 11, 2020.

    The court, presided over by Justice Kenneth Okpe, in a two-hour judgment, found the accused guilty of killing the deceased by forcing her to drink poisonous substance, which led to her death.

    Okpe said, “The defendant was in Count 2, charged under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Enugu State Cap. 30 Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004, which prescribes death sentence as punishment.”

    He said that the defendant, though  having a gentle mien, had the heart of steel.

    According to the judge, the defendant carried on through the trial with a sense of fulfilment that the mission was accomplished and that her freedom was a matter of time.

    “There was no remorse shown from the beginning of trial to judgment day.

    “I hereby sentence the defendant, Ifezue Chiamaka, to death by hanging until she is dead. May God have mercy on her,” Okpe said.

    Nweke was said to have left her house on Nov. 11, 2020 for a job but went missing thereafter until her corpse was found on Nov. 16, 2020 in a refuse dump at Maryland area of Enugu

    The Enugu State Director of Public Prosection, Mrs C C Chigbo, described the judgment as victory for justice.

  • INEC announces supplementary election for Taraba, re-run in Enugu

    INEC announces supplementary election for Taraba, re-run in Enugu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slated a supplementary election in Taraba and a new re-run election in Enugu State on Feb. 14.

    The commission said this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Olumekun said that the decision was taken by the commission at its Tuesday regular meeting where it deliberated among other issues, the outcome of the Saturday re-run and by-election.

    The by-election was held in nine constituencies to fill vacant seats resulting from demise or resignation of members elected during the 2023 General Election, both at the National and State Houses of Assembly.

    Additionally, re-run election also took place in 39 constituencies as ordered by the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals.

    Olumekun said that the by-election was concluded successfully across all designated constituencies, with the exception of the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.

    He said that the final declaration of the election was postponed due to over voting in some polling units, impacting the margin of lead between the candidates with the highest number of votes.

    Olumekun said that the details of the polling units would be published on Wednesday.

    “Regarding the re-run election, disruptions occurred at two Polling Units in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State and across all polling units in the Enugu South State Constituency of Enugu State and Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.

    “This was due to violence, thuggery and the hijacking of election materials.

    “The commission had previously suspended the re-run election in these areas in accordance with Section 24(3) the Electoral Act 20 of 22.

    “Following additional reports from our officials in the affected States, the Commission supports the Returning Officer’s decision to announce results in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, as the number of registered voters in the two polling units did not affect the outcome of the election.

    “The Commission has resolved to conduct a supplementary election in Taraba and a new re-run election in Enugu State on Wednesday Feb. 14.

    “Due to security concerns, the election in Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency will be held at a later date, after further discussions with security agencies and stakeholders,” he said.

  • Police arrest 2 robbery suspects in Enugu, recover firearm

    Police arrest 2 robbery suspects in Enugu, recover firearm

    Police in Enugu State arrested two armed robbery suspects in Enugu on Wednesday, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, stated in Enugu on Sunday.

    He stated that one locally-fabricated, cut-to-size gun loaded with a live cartridge, was recovered from the suspects aged 25 years and 27 years.

    “The suspects shall be arraigned upon the conclusion of investigations,’’ Ndukwe stated.

  • Enugu local government election postponed

    Enugu local government election postponed

    The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) says the Local Government Election scheduled for Feb. 24 has been postponed to Oct. 5, 2024.

    The Chairman of ENSIEC, Dr Mike Ajogu, disclosed this in a statement in Enugu on Wednesday.

    Ajogu said the postponement followed the court order requesting the Commission to adjust its original guideline and time table published in the official gazette of Enugu State on Sept. 26, 2023.

    “The postponement was pursuant to a High Court Enugu State Judgment delivered by his lordship Hon. Justice C. O. Ajah in the case of Action Alliance vs Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission in suit no E/682/2023.

    “The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission has been ordered to make the following adjustment to its original guideline and Time Table published in the official gazette of Enugu State and dated Sept. 26, 2023

    “The Enugu State Local Government Election 2024 originally scheduled for Feb. 24 has been shifted to the 5th Oct. 5, 2024,’’ he said

    Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior official of the commission said the shifting of election date was in compliance with the High Court judgement which says that “we cannot hold election on that date.”

    “The court said that we supposed to give a 360 days’ notice of which what we gave was 120 days’ notice. The judge said the judgement was based on the Electoral Act.

    “The court said we must follow Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guideline; that we cannot use a different guideline other than that of INEC, even though we have been using the local government law. ”

    The official further said that there may likely be an appeal but “that is not for us, it’s left to the state government to decide”.

  • Police vows to rid Enugu black spots of criminals

    Police vows to rid Enugu black spots of criminals

    The Enugu State Police Command says it has strengthened its operational and investigative activities to rid the Holy Ghost and Railway axis in Enugu metropolis of criminal elements.

    The command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, made this known in a statement issued in Enugu and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

    Ndukwe stated that the command recently intercepted a viral audio recording by a young man, alleging that heinous crimes go on at the Holy Ghost and Railway axis of Enugu metropolis.

    According to him, although the command has yet to identify and properly debrief the alleged victim, it has, however, strengthened operational and investigative activities in the area to rid it of any form of crime and criminality.

    “To this end, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has urged the alleged victim to make himself available for the police debriefing,” the statement added.

    It further quoted the commissioner to have argued that the debriefing was necessary to authenticate the allegation to make ongoing policing actions in the area more purposeful and productive.

    “The CP, however, advised residents  against hastening to share and spread such security situations in the media, without first reporting and allowing the Police to diligently act on such information.

    “He notes that such acts hamper and make effective policing and crime management difficult and unproductive,” he said.

    The statement added that the commissioner urged the residents to remain supportive and promptly report suspected or experienced acts of crime to the nearest police station.

    “The residents should call the Command’s hotlines, 08032003702, 08086671202, 08075390883, or 08098880172. or alternatively, send emails to infoenugupolice@gmail.com,” it added.

  • Commissioner pays delivery bills of detained mother of triplets in Enugu

    Commissioner pays delivery bills of detained mother of triplets in Enugu

    Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, has paid the bill of a woman, Mrs Joan Orajiobi and her triplets, detained by an Enugu private hospital.

    Orajiobi, who delivered triplets at Praise and Grace Hospital and Maternity, Enugu, on New Year day, was detained by the hospital over the family’s inability to pay delivery bill.

    She had pleaded to Nigerians and organisations for assistance to enable her settle the bill and go home with her special gift.

    Paying the bill on Saturday, the commissioner who also had triplets, said he was touched by the story as reported.

    “You know that my wife and I have a set of triplets, two boys and a girl who are already in secondary school now. So I was touched by story when I read it on Friday,” he said.

    Confirming the payment, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Shedrack Emeribe, who was absent when the commissioner visited, said he received a call that the Commissioner had cleared all the bill.

    The mother and her new born babies, two girls and a boy, had been detained since Jan. 8, for inability to pay the hospital bills totalling N352,350.

    The mother of triplets, a native of Nnewi in Anambra, living at Ologo Quarters, Uwani Enugu, had told NAN that upon discharged, the hospital held her and her babies pending when the bill would be completed.

    Orajobi said the total bill of the hospital was N482,350, but her husband was only able to pay N130,000, living the balance of N352,350.

    She said the bill was high because she gave birth to the triplets through a Caesarean.

    She thanked the commissioner for his benevolence and for coming to rescue them.

    Aside the commissioner clearing the bill, the family also received some cash donations from some Nigerians for the babies.

     

  • How we will fund Enugu 2024 budget – Gov Mbah

    How we will fund Enugu 2024 budget – Gov Mbah

    Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has said that this year’s budget of N521.6 will be financed through the internally generated revenue (IGR).

    Mbah also gave assurance that the budget would be implemented to the letter to address the lingering poverty and hardship occasioned by the subsidy removal.

    He further said that the government would review workers’ welfare and purchasing power and called on them to be ready to put in their best.

    He said this at a Mass organised at the Government House Chapel, Enugu, to mark the resumption of work in the New Year and pray for God’s blessings upon the state in the new year.

    Mbah, who said that only about 12 per cent of the ₦521.6 billion budget would be funded through borrowing, appealed to the people for more support through tax payment and protection of public assets.

    “Now that we have this ambitious budget, which we are committed to implementing to the fullest, it is also for our people to continue to support the government.

    “We must make sure that we protect government’s assets. They are our assets.

    “We should not vandalise or steal government’s assets because you would only be cutting your nose to spite your face when you do so as they belong to the people of Enugu State.

    “We also encourage our people to pay their taxes and they will see what the tax money they pay is used for.

    “A lot of this spending is going to come from mobilising domestic revenue. We do not intend to borrow much.

    “In fact, we are only borrowing less than 13 per cent of the total budget size,” the governor said.

    He also said that the sort of spending by the government would be capable of tackling unemployment.

    “We are also going to deal with a lot of things as I have just mentioned, with more funds available to our civil servants and indeed to the entire people of Enugu State,” he said.

    He affirmed that his administration would tackle the dearth of infrastructure, provide quality and affordable education system through the construction of 260 smart schools.

    He said that the ongoing construction of 260 Type-2 primary healthcare centres across the state would help to ensure a healthy population of workforce for the much expected investment.

    “From the over ₦414 billion capital expenditure, we are doing a number of radical things that we believe will impact the wellbeing and lives of the civil servants.

    “We are going to be building 260 smart schools.

    “What that translates to is that civil servants will no longer have a need to look for money to send their children to private schools.

    “Each smart school also comes with teachers’ quarters.

    “What that means is that the teachers will no longer have to bother about transportation or accommodation because these are all embedded in the smart schools that we are developing.

    “In our mass housing effort, we plan to do 20,000 units in this same year’s budget,” the governor said.

  • Firefighter feared dead as fire razes shops in Enugu market

    Firefighter feared dead as fire razes shops in Enugu market

    The Director, Enugu State Fire Service, Mr Okwudiri Ohaa, has confirmed the death of a fire officer during a fire incident at the Auto Parts Market, Coal-Camp, Enugu.

    Ohaa, in an interview in Enugu, said that personnel of the fire service later brought the fire, which started at 3.00a.m. on Wednesday morning, under control.

    He bemoaned the loss of the fire officer, whose name was not given, describing the deceased as a dedicated and courageous fire fighter.

    The fire chief said that the officer’s death was a huge loss to the fire service and the state.

    “We are in pain, in sorrow and grief after our efforts to resuscitate the officer by rushing him to the hospital and medical experts attending to him failed,” he said.

    Also, Mr Mike Nome, President, Auto Spare Parts Market Association, Coal Camp, Enugu, said that goods worth millions of naira were lost to the fire that razed over 40 shops.

    Nome said that the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained, but added that the incident might not be unconnected with electrical surge.

    He said that the fire, which started from one of the shops; was noticed by security guards in the market, but who had difficulty entering the shop because of the burglar proof fixed on the windows and door.

    “They were still struggling with the shop’s burglar proof when the fire spread to the adjoining fast food shop and a gas cylinder exploded, making things more difficult.

    “We invited the fire service and they responded to our call. Unfortunately, one of the fire-fighters collapsed owing to the thick smoke from the fire.

    “When his colleagues noticed it, they raised the alarm. We rushed him to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu but he didn’t make it. It is quite a sad development.

    “The fire affected over 40 shops and destroyed goods worth hundreds of millions.

    “We are appealing to the government and good spirited individuals to come to our rescue,” the president said.

    A security guard at the market, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that there was an electric spark after power was restored following which smoke was noticed within the affected line.