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Rivers Police Dismiss Three Officers Over Graduate's KillingThe Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three police ...
02/09/2026

Rivers Police Dismiss Three Officers Over Graduate's Killing

The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three police officers implicated in the fatal shooting of a University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo, during a patrol operation in Port Harcourt.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, announced the dismissal on Wednesday while parading the officers before journalists in Port Harcourt. He also disclosed that an inspector attached to the patrol team, who allegedly fled after the incident, has been declared a deserter and is being sought by the police.

Anthony Obodo was reportedly shot last Thursday along the Ada George axis near Agip Junction after a police patrol team attempted to stop his vehicle. During the chase, Corporal Alfred Louis allegedly fired three shots at the vehicle after claiming the driver refused to stop, fatally hitting Obodo.

According to the Commissioner of Police, the officers were immediately arrested and subjected to an orderly room trial following a detailed investigation into the incident.

Adepoju said the investigation established the culpability of the officers, leading to their dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force. He added that the dismissed officers would be arraigned in court to face prosecution.

He stated that the command acted swiftly by detaining the officers at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while efforts were intensified to apprehend Inspector Solomon Nwrogu, who allegedly absconded after the shooting.

The police commissioner stressed that the Rivers State Police Command places a high premium on professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of lives and property.

He assured the family of the deceased and the public that the command would not shield any officer found guilty of misconduct or criminal acts.

Adepoju said the disciplinary action reflects the command's zero tolerance for abuse of office, excessive use of force and other acts of misconduct by police personnel.

He reaffirmed the command's commitment to transparency, accountability, professionalism and the protection of the rights and lives of residents across Rivers State.

Wike Defends Inclusion of EFCC Probe Suspects in CampaignsFederal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has def...
02/09/2026

Wike Defends Inclusion of EFCC Probe Suspects in Campaigns

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has defended the participation of individuals under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in political campaigns, arguing that being under probe does not strip anyone of the right to canvass votes.

Wike made the remarks during a media parley on Wednesday, following controversy over the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.

The former Rivers State governor questioned what he described as double standards in public discourse, noting that individuals facing investigation or even standing trial have contested elections and won without being barred by law.

"You were asking the moral justification of putting someone who has an EFCC case in a campaign council," Wike said. "Somebody cannot be in a campaign to canvass votes for a candidate, but somebody who has an EFCC case can contest an election and win?"

He further argued that an ongoing investigation does not amount to a conviction and should not automatically disqualify a person from engaging in political activities.

According to Wike, there have been cases where individuals facing criminal charges were elected into public office, insisting that participation in a campaign team cannot be treated differently.

He also maintained that even a prisoner could lawfully express support for a political candidate.

"Even a prisoner can canvass votes. If I visit someone in prison and the person tells me to support a particular candidate, that prisoner has canvassed for votes," he said.

Wike also referred to a past situation involving an individual allegedly linked to a coup plot who, according to him, was still able to publicly support a political candidate.

His comments come amid criticism over the appointment of Betta Edu as Director of Women Mobilisation in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Edu was suspended as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs in January 2024 following allegations of financial impropriety and has been under investigation by the EFCC. She has, however, not been convicted of any offence.

Defending her inclusion earlier, APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Kemi Asekun-Sh*ttu, said Edu remains innocent in the eyes of the law until proven guilty.

She argued that it would be unfair to prevent her from participating in politics while investigations are ongoing, adding that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to belong to a political party and engage in political activities.

Asekun-Sh*ttu also described the composition of the APC campaign council as an internal party matter, noting that the list remains subject to review.

EFCC Withdraws Cybercrime Charges Against Two DefendantsThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdraw...
22/08/2026

EFCC Withdraws Cybercrime Charges Against Two Defendants

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the cybercrime charges filed against Maryam Isah Shehu and Abubakar Shuraim Abdulhamad following the directive of its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

The anti-graft agency said Olukoyede ordered the withdrawal after considering appeals for leniency, including a plea from Shehu's father and interventions by other Nigerians.

The two defendants were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cyberstalking and the dissemination of malicious information against the Commission.

According to the EFCC, the charges were brought under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

Despite maintaining that the prosecution was in line with the law, the Commission said its chairman decided to discontinue the case on compassionate grounds.

Olukoyede, however, warned that the EFCC would not tolerate deliberate attacks on its reputation through any medium or platform.

He also assured Nigerians that the Commission would continue to carry out its statutory mandate professionally and in the nation's best interest.

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