Author: Vardiafrica

The Rivers House of Assembly has called on the state’s chief judge to set up a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. The assembly members, who made the call through a unanimous vote during plenary on Friday, vowed to continue with the impeachment process despite Mr Fubara’s alleged blackmail. “In line with section 188 Sub-section 5, we’ll forward a letter to the chief judge of Rivers state calling on him to immediately set up a seven-member panel to begin investigation of the allegations against His Excellency and deputy governor of Rivers…

Nnamdi Offia, counsel to Henry Omoile, co-defendant of Godwin Emefiele, ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked his client to provide incriminating evidence against Emefiele. Offia on Thursday appeared before the special offences court in Ikeja, Lagos, as the defence witness in the trial-within-trial of Omoile. BACKGROUND Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demands as CBN governor. Omoile is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by a public officer. One of the prosecution witnesses had previously told the court…

Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their earlier calls for restraint and reaffirmed their support for the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. Addressing journalists at a press conference on Friday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the lawmakers said the governor had failed to show remorse over the allegations brought against him by the assembly. The state legislature had last week initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy last week, following the presentation of allegations of gross misconduct. The charges were read on the floor of the house by…

In a political development filled with symbolism and far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general election, Abubakar Atiku-Abubakar, the son of former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu. Popularly known as Abba, the younger Atiku was received on Thursday at the National Assembly by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator BarauJibrin, alongside top APC leaders from the North-east geopolitical zone. Party leaders described the defection as a symbolic and strategic gain for…

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Maitama has struck out the criminal charge instituted by the federal government against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central. Chizoba Orji, presiding judge, struck out the suit on Thursday following a notice of discontinuance filed by the federal government. At the court session, West Idahosa, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, moved for the matter to be struck out following the prosecution’s application for discontinuance. He also prayed the court to release all documents belonging to the defendant and her sureties. The prosecution counsel did not oppose the application. Consequently, the case was struck out, and Orji…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday, January 15, unveiled an upgraded passport tracking system amid widespread complaints over processing delays. The update posted by the service on X on Thursday followed rising public clamour over delays in passport issuance and collection. According to the service, it had observed that hundreds of passports produced had remained uncollected, leading to increasing complaints from applicants. The updated system introduces a new status, “Produced (Passport produced, ready for collection)”, to the existing passport tracker. The feature is intended to give applicants clearer visibility on when their passports are ready for pickup or courier delivery, thereby reducing uncertainty…

The Federal Government has commended the Super Eagles for their performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, assuring the team that Nigerians remain proud of them despite their semi-final exit from the tournament. In a statement released on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government praised the players for representing the country with pride, dignity and resilience throughout the competition. “Nigeria remains proud of you,” Idris said, noting that the Super Eagles displayed character, teamwork and commitment even in defeat. He said the players’ conduct and fighting spirit embodied the values associated with…

Former Kano State Governor and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has made it clear that any potential move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) will depend entirely on firm political guarantees, particularly concerning the control of Kano State and the protection of his supporters. He stated this on Wednesday at his Miller Road residence in Kano while receiving party leaders and members from Rano and Dawakin Tofa Local Government Areas. Kwankwaso said he remains open to political realignment but will not risk repeating past mistakes. ​According to him, discussions about joining the…

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have signed a new agreement aimed at improving the quality of the university education system and ensuring stability. The new agreement replaces the 2009 pact that triggered several industrial actions over unresolved issues. The signing and unveiling of the agreement took place on Wednesday at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad. ‘We’re optimistic’ Speaking at the unveiling of the…

Visa applications from Nigeria, Russia and at least 73 other countries will no longer be processed by United States embassies and consulates as Washington moves to tighten immigration screening over concerns about welfare dependence. The US Department of State has directed consular officers to pause visa processing for the affected countries from January 21, pending a broad reassessment of screening and vetting procedures. The directive was contained in an internal memo first reported by Fox News. Under the instruction, visa officers are to refuse applications using existing provisions of US immigration law while the review is ongoing. The pause applies…