Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, who is standing trial as a principal suspect in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has told investigators that repeated denial of promotion to the rank of brigadier general pushed him toward supporting a military takeover. According to his statement, Ma’aji said his efforts to rally support for a coup began in 2023, motivated by frustration over being repeatedly overlooked for promotion, worsening insecurity across the country, and what he described as the declining welfare of serving and retired military personnel. Documents obtained by Premium Times indicate that the Niger State-born officer’s…
Author: Ini Sam
The ministry of foreign affairs says 65 of the 69 Nigerian ambassadors appointed by President Bola Tinubu have been accepted by their host countries. In a statement on Saturday, Kimiebi Ebienfa, ministry spokesperson, said the 65 accepted ambassadors represented a 97 percent acceptance rate. Ebienfa attributed the two outstanding appointments to Grace Bent, ambassador-designate nominee for Togo declining the offer, and Mohammed Mahmud Lele, ambassador-designate for Algeria dying in April. Lele died on April 19 in Ankara, Turkey, after a protracted illness. Ebienfa said the replacement process is ongoing. Though the spokesperson did not disclose the other two countries where…
By Iniubong Sam Stakeholders from Nigeria’s oil-producing communities, government agencies, regulatory bodies and civil society organisations have renewed calls for accountability, environmental justice and sustainable development in the Niger Delta. The call was made during the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Natural Resource Governance, Just Transition, Environmental Justice and Community Accountability, convened by the Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance (AKEJA) in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and the Clement Isong Foundation (CIF) under the Strategic Partnership Agreement II (SPA II) Programme, with support from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). The dialogue, held at D’Angelo Hotel, Uyo, with the theme “Advancing Community-Centred Natural…
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court registrars, and litigation staff to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official dealings with the Supreme Court, describing the practice as inconsistent with the professional standards expected at the nation’s apex court. The directive, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed in a circular dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi. According to the circular, the order applies to all legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars, and lawyers engaged in official business…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a total of ₦430 million in penalties on financial institutions for failing to promptly resolve customer complaints and for violating the apex bank’s consumer protection directives. The sanctions, contained in the CBN’s 2025 Annual Report, revealed that 21 penalties were issued against various financial institutions over infractions related to complaints management. According to the report, the affected institutions were sanctioned for delays in addressing customers’ complaints as well as non-compliance with regulatory directives issued by the apex bank. “The Bank imposed 21 penalties on financial institutions to the tune of ₦430.00 million…
Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening Group C match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat on Tuesday. After a goalless first half, Malawi broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute through Temwa Chawinga before Tabitha Chawinga doubled the lead six minutes later. Nigeria pulled one back in stoppage time when captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty to make it 2-1. Malawi restored their two-goal advantage moments later as Temwa Chawinga scored her second of the match. The Super Falcons continued to press and Uchenna Kanu reduced…
The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has announced with deep regret the death of one of its senior officers, Colonel AA Ude, who was killed following an attack by unidentified assailants at his residence in Phase 5, Army Housing Estate, Kurudu, Abuja. The incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Monday, 27 July 2026. In a statement, the Acting Assistant Director of Protocol at the Defence Intelligence Agency, Captain JE Oti, said the Agency was deeply saddened by the tragic loss. “The late senior officer served the nation with exceptional dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the defence and security of…
By Iniubong Sam Governor Umo Eno’s sustained commitment to environmental sanitation has become a defining feature of his administration’s efforts to build a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Akwa Ibom State. Through regular environmental sanitation exercises, continuous desilting of drainage channels, prompt evacuation of refuse, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and sustained public sensitisation, the government has demonstrated that environmental cleanliness is fundamental to public health, flood prevention and sustainable development. These initiatives reflect the Umo Eno administration’s broader vision under the ARISE Agenda to improve the quality of life of the people of Akwa Ibom through responsible governance and…
Prominent alumni of Cardinal Ekandem Seminary, Uyo, including the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Stephen Ntukekpo; Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Uko Umoh; and the Member representing Okobo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Pius Bassey, joined other old boys, clerics and guests to celebrate the institution’s 50th anniversary. The golden jubilee celebration, which climaxed on Saturday, July 26, at the seminary grounds in Uyo, began a day earlier with a road show and a novelty football match between the seminary’s Old Boys Association and Queen of Apostles Seminary,…
By Substance Nature If every detail must be part of it, the pace-setting 21-months scorecard of the Executive Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon. Uko Umoh, FCLM cannot safely be chronicled in articles or pictures on pages of newspapers. It probably can only be well captured in a voluminous compendium or a full-length book for most parts not to be omitted. But in the meantime, the record can be served in piecemeal, or slices, as the workaholic chairman aggressively unfolds his compacted programme of action for the present and future. His commitment to the mandate constantly reminds us of…