News
Tinubu departs for China on official visit

President Bola Tinubu is expected to depart Abuja for Beijing, China, on Thursday on an official visit.
A statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) said the President will have a brief layover in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In China, the President will meet with President Xi Jinping and will hold meetings with Chinese business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
The statement said Tinubu will be accompanied by senior government officials on the trip.
Ngelale, had earlier on Tuesday announced the trip, saying that the president will engage in series of meetings with his Chinese counterpart and 10 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of different major corporations for the economic benefit of the country.
He said that President Tinubu will also engage in bilateral agreements and sign Memoranda of Understand (MoUs) to deepen cooperation in various sectors.
According to him, the issues of national, regional and international security will also be part of the discussions.
He added that other areas of concern in his visit would be on the completion of Abuja to Ibadan segment of the Lagos-Kaduna standard railway.
Ajuri added that issues on information technology, refining, oil and gas, satellite technology would be on front burner.
The special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said: “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will depart for the People’s Republic of China, most specifically, Beijing, from the nation’s capital within the first week of September, to engage in a series of meetings and activities with immediate and future benefit to the Nigerian economy and the Nigerian people.
“First and foremost, His Excellency, Mr. President, will conduct site visits to two major Chinese corporations; Huawei Technologies, as well as the China Rail and Construction Corporation, (CRCC).
“This is with a view to achieve one of Mr. President’s top agenda items, which is the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high speed rail line.
“Thereafter His Excellency, Mr. President, will meet 10 selected chief executive officers of 10 major Chinese corporations with assets under management totalling over $3 trillion US dollars across multiple sectors of the economy, including information and communications technology, refining oil and gas, aluminium production, seaport construction, harbour construction and dredging services, financial services, satellite technology development, as well as many other critical sectors.
“Mr. President will also meet with his Chinese counterpart in the person of President Xi Jinping, where several MOUs will be signed. The MOUs will involve agreements in deepening cooperation, in green economy, in agriculture, in satellite technology development, in media enterprise development and promotion, as well as blue economic development and national planning cooperation.
“This is going to be part of a broader engagement where the two heads of state will discuss matters of mutual interest across, not just the economy, but also on issues of national, regional and international security.”
Ajuri further stated: “His Excellency, Mr. President, would thereafter join the FOCAC Summit, where several African heads of state will be present to engage with Chinese leaders on various important matters.
“At this FOCAC Summit, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, will deliver remarks on behalf of the region and certainly would proceed to the high level peace and security plenary, where he will further deliver remarks on peace and security in the region and in Africa in his capacity as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This engagement is expected to yield very tangible, immediate and future dividends for the sake of the Nigerian economy and for the benefit of the Nigerian people and the President is placing a premium on deliverables, ensuring that this is not a talk-shop, but that this is something that will yield results for our people, justifying any expenditure that is made during the course of this trip.”
News
EFCC arraigns one for suspected internet fraud in Uyo

The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Omereonye Solomon Chigozie (a.k.a Kolor Cabiek Ye) before Justice Maurine A. Oyetenu of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for alleged internet fraud to the tune of $1,500 ( One Thousand Five Hundred United States Dollars).
He was arraigned on Thursday, March 20, 2025 on a two-count charge bordering on impersonation, possession of fictitious messages and obtaining by false pretence through a fictitious Facebook account: “Kolor Cabiek Ye”.
One of the charges reads, “That you Omereonye Solomon Chigozie (a.k.a Kolor Cabiek Ye) Sometime between 2019 and 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage fraudulently presented yourself as Kolor Cabiek Ye on social media platform (Facebook) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) (Amendment) Act 2024 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the scime Act”.
Count two reads “That you Chigozie Omereonye Solomon (aka Kolor Cabiek Ye) sometime between 2019 and 2024 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did take possession of the sum of $1500 (One Thousand, Five Hundred United States Dollars) while impersonating Kolor Cabiek Ye on Facebook which you reasonably ought to have known forms proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act”.
Chigozie pleaded not guilty to both counts when they were read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Enobong Ubokudom prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial and remand him in a Correctional Centre. Defence counsel, Ikwere Davies did not oppose the prayers.
Justice Onyetenu adjourned the matter to May 22, 2025 for trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Uyo.
Chigozie was arrested in Uyo on October 3, 2024 on credible intelligence regarding his suspicious activities on the internet. Investigations showed that he impersonated foreigners to defraud his victims across the world.
News
Catholic priest kidnapped in Imo

A Catholic priest identified as Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, has been abducted by unknown gunmen along Ejemekwuru road in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state.
According to a statement signed by the Secretary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri Reverend Father Patrick Mbarah, the priest was kidnapped on Sunday March 23rd, 2025 on his way to the Priests’ Annual retreat.
The Archdiocese called on all Christian faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest.
Meanwhile the Imo State Police Command through its spokesman Henry Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, has launched an investigation into the incident and has directed an intelligence led operation for the possible rescue and release of the priest unconditionally.
He urged the general public to help the police with any useful information that might aid the work of the police in securing the release of the abducted priest.
News
Fubara denies links with militants

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted allegations linking him with militant groups, dismissing recent social media posts and videos as fake and malicious attempts to incite tension in the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the Fubara condemned the circulation of fabricated videos purportedly depicting explosions at oil and gas facilities in the state.
The statement clarified that affected communities have debunked the claims, assuring that all critical infrastructure remains intact and operational.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal elements to undertake actions that threaten peace, security, or the economy,” the statement read.
Fubara restated his commitment to maintaining peace in Rivers State, emphasising that governance and development can only thrive in a stable environment.
He also warned against attempts to exploit the state’s ongoing political crisis for ulterior motives.
Fubara further cautioned bloggers and social media influencers against spreading false information, stating that their actions could escalate tensions and disrupt stability.
He urged security agencies to investigate and take decisive action against those responsible for spreading misinformation.
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