Author: bibncollar

Owerri — The Imo State Police Command has dismantled a major kidnapping syndicate, arresting two alleged kingpins and seven other suspects while recovering a cache of firearms, ammunition, and other items from a hideout in the Egbema River creek.The suspects include Confidence Vitalis, 28, from Ukugba in Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, and Ishiaya Rejoice, 32, from Emuoha in Rivers State. Police said the arrests, based on credible intelligence and confessional statements, triggered a successful raid on the gang’s operational base.During the operation, security operatives rescued three kidnapped victims unharmed. The victims reportedly identified some of the…

Gregor Kobel delivered a moment of pure goalkeeping brilliance, producing a crucial penalty save that propelled Switzerland into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954.The Swiss keeper denied Colombia’s Cucho Hernández in the decisive shootout phase, securing a 4-3 victory following a tense, goalless 120 minutes at the last-16 stage. Switzerland will now face defending champions Argentina in a blockbuster quarterfinal clash at Kansas City Stadium on Sunday.The penalty drama unfolded with high stakes from the first kick. Colombia defender Davinson Sánchez rattled the underside of the crossbar, but Switzerland quickly relinquished the early edge when…

Abuja — The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ICT Department has moved to quell growing concerns over the recently published Preliminary Voters Register for the 2026 National Officers Election, describing allegations of irregularities, padding, and proxy voting as “unfounded, technically inaccurate, and legally misconceived.”In a detailed clarification issued on Tuesday, the department affirmed that the register was compiled strictly in line with the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2025). It comprises the names of legal practitioners who paid their Annual Practising Fees on or before the constitutional cutoff date of March 31, 2026.“The appearance of any eligible member’s name on…

Abuja – The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has invited all candidates and members of the Bar to a hybrid Candidates’ Debate and Manifesto Day scheduled for today, Wednesday, July 8, 2026.The event, which will combine physical and virtual participation, is set to commence at 11:00 a.m. West Central African Time at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja. Candidates contesting for national offices in the forthcoming July 18 elections are expected to present their manifestos and engage in debates.Participants wishing to join virtually are required to register in advance via the official Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PL2g6nAuRwCN7tUBZMrydgUpon successful registration,…

Abuja – The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has firmly rejected a circulating document that purportedly suspends the 2026 NBA National Elections, describing it as unauthenticated and lacking any official backing.In a public statement issued on Tuesday, the Committee urged lawyers across the country to disregard the document, which it said does not emanate from the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation.“The document appears to be an unofficial publication and should not be relied upon by members,” the ECNBA stated. The Committee reaffirmed its independence as a body established under the NBA Constitution 2015 (as…

Owerri – Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Monday hosted top officials of Anoh Gas Processing Company, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to a strategic partnership aimed at harnessing the state’s abundant gas resources for economic development.The meeting, which took place at the Governor’s office in Owerri, also served as an opportunity for the company to formally introduce its new Managing Director, Mr. James Makinde. He was accompanied by the General Manager, Operations, Engr. Amaechi Nwogbe.Governor Uzodimma, while welcoming the delegation, reiterated his administration’s dedication to forging meaningful collaborations with progressive organisations to drive sustainable growth and shared prosperity…

Abuja — Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has urged newly appointed judges of the lower courts to steer clear of unsolicited gifts and avoid lavish celebrations that could expose them to petitions and integrity issues.The CJN gave the charge on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of an induction course organised for the new judges by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.Justice Kekere-Ekun, who was represented by NJI Administrator, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, stressed the need for the judges to prioritise speedy dispensation of justice, noting that timely resolution of cases remains critical to sustaining public confidence in the judiciary.She…

Abuja — President Bola Tinubu has taken a decisive step toward realizing state police in Nigeria, inaugurating a high-powered Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to develop the legal framework for the new security architecture.The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, formally inaugurated the committee on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The move comes shortly after the National Assembly passed the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which paves the way for a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and State Police Services across Nigeria’s 36 states.According to a…

ABUJA — In a firm stance against ongoing security challenges, the Senate on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to immediately end the rehabilitation and reintegration of former Boko Haram insurgents into Nigerian society, insisting instead that all suspected terrorists be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.The upper chamber expressed deep concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation, which it described as increasingly complex, persistent, and alarming. Terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes continue to claim lives, destroy livelihoods, and severely disrupt economic activities across the nation.The resolutions emerged from a motion of urgent national importance…

Lagos — A Federal High Court has struck down the N60 billion penalty imposed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) on Facebook Nigeria Operations Limited, ruling that the regulator overstepped its powers and breached the company’s constitutional right to fair hearing.In a judgment delivered on June 18, 2026, Justice Yellim Bogoro declared ARCON’s Notice of Violation/Demand for Compliance, dated October 21, 2024, unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void. The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining ARCON, its officials, agents, and privies from taking any further steps to enforce the notice.The case, with suit number FHC/L/CS/2205/2024, stemmed from ARCON’s…