About a month after closing down the Onitsha Drug Market, popularly known as ‘Ogbo Ogu Market’, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reopened the market.

NAFDAC officials in charge of the South-East zone had closed the market following searches and discovery of fake and substandard drugs in the market.

The South-East zonal director of the regulatory agency, Mr Martins Iluyomade, announced the re-opening of the market on Thursday during a meeting with officials of the Anambra State government, officials of the drug market association as well as traders from the adjourning markets selling timbers, plumbing materials, among others.

Speaking on the findings of the agency in the markets, the NAFDAC South-East zonal director said: “It is saddening to see that we have people amongst us whose only way of making money is by destabilising the country and killing people.

“We have confiscated over 50 trailers of fake and substandard drugs. We have many still in warehouses in town and we are coming after them. The volume of narcotics we saw here is enough to destabilise any nation. There is a link between the circulation of narcotics and insecurity. Check any country that there is insecurity and breakdown of law and order, you will see that narcotics is in high supply.

“This is a sad story, the number of narcotics we have found here. The people dealing in it know the effect, but they are doing it because people say the sale of narcotics is more lucrative than cocaine.

“We have also seen people who deliberately go and bring substandard and fake drugs. People import tablets in nylon bags with no label and they will bring it here and put it in packs and put label on them for sale. We saw a lot of it. We saw medicines that had been banned as far back as 2007, but people are stocking it.

“Many of them were banned because they cause cancer, and new replacement produced, but people still stocked them. That is wickedness. Another category is unregistered drugs. The volume of those medicines are usually small on the counter, but has large cache of them in warehouses outside the market.”

Iluyomade said even some genuine drugs were stored in manners that they lost their efficacy and even become harmful, far before their expiration date.

“The storage of the drug is also a problem. There is no ventilation in all the packing stores we visited. Medicine are supposed to be kept under certain weather where they maintain their effectiveness. Medicines are chemicals and even those who sell registered original medicines have had them expired long before the expiry date.

Iluyomade said even though the market would be reopened from Friday, March 7, about 4,000 shops would, however, remained locked until their owners come to the agency and explain certain drugs found inside their shops.

Leaders of the market unions expressed happiness about the news to reopen the markets, while pledging to work with the agency to identify traders who deal in illegal drugs.

Chairman of the Plumbing Materials Market, Mr Chikodili Ejiofor, expressed shock about the quantity of drugs found in his market. He said: “I don’t deal in drugs, my market is for plumbing materials and I was shocked at the number of drugs found in my market. Tramadol, codeine and many others were all found in the market to my amazement.”

Also, Ogbogwu Market chairman, Mr Ndubuisi Chukwuleta, said: “Before now, we were trying to check fake drugs in our own capacity, but now that NAFDAC has come in, our duty is quite less. We will always report to you. We will tell neighbouring markets to put their ears on the ground and ensure that they help us. This suffering our members are into, only a few people caused it for us, but thank God you are here now.”

Anambra State government officials at the meeting, who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Pharmaceuticals, Dr Nnadozie Godwin, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, both pledged the support of the state governor in cleansing the markets of fake drugs.

Obidike said: “Sanitising drug trade saves more lives than what hospitals save. The lives that NAFDAC has saved so far through this exercise is more than what hospitals saved. We thank the traders for cooperating with them the day they came because if it wasn’t so, maybe the outcome would not have been what we have seen today.”

There was a dramatic turn of events at a Kwara State Magistrate’s Court on Thursday when Abdulrahman Mohammed Bello, the prime suspect in the murder of a final-year College of Education student, Hafsah Lawal, shockingly exonerated his co-defendants.

Bello, who was arraigned alongside Ahmed Abdulwasiu (41), Suleiman Muyideen (28), Jamiu Uthman (29), and Abdulrahmon Jamiu (31), interrupted court proceedings, insisting that the other accused persons were innocent of the crime.

He pleaded with the presiding Magistrate S.B. Mohammed, “I want to say something, Ma.

“The remaining suspects don’t know anything about the crime I committed. I committed the crime alone, and I hereby appeal to this court to release them.”

How Hafsah Lawal Was Killed

The court, intrigued by his statement, asked him to explain what transpired on the day of the incident.

He said, “When Hafsah arrived at my house, she said she was hungry because she hadn’t eaten before coming. I told her to cook, but because she was very hungry, I decided to buy food for both of us.

“After we ate, we started romancing and later had sex. But because God had destined that she would die that day, she died in the process.”

Why I Dismembered Her Body – Bello

Bello further admitted to dismembering Hafsah’s body, revealing that panic led him to make irrational decisions.

He claimed, “The only mistake I made that day was not calling for help. I became nervous, so I decided to dismember her body. I packed her remains and dumped them in a public dustbin, where the police later recovered some parts.

“The only part found in my house was her hands, which I hadn’t disposed of because I was scared and ran away.”

When asked if he had committed such a crime before, Bello denied being a serial offender.

He said, “I have never done such a thing before. This was my first time. It was a spirit that entered me, and once it left, I realized what I had done was bad. Please allow the other suspects to go free.”

In her ruling, Magistrate Mohammed stated that the State Attorney General’s legal advice had confirmed that all five suspects had a case to answer.

“This case is beyond the jurisdiction of this court,” the magistrate ruled. “The matter has been transferred to the State High Court, where the accused persons will stand trial.”

The case was adjourned until March 20, 2025, for further hearing.

Dangote Industries Limited (Dangote Group), along with its subsidiaries, has announced it paid over ₦402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.

Naija News reports that Dangote’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, disclosed in a statement on Thursday.

Chiejina stated that Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and its subsidiaries, namely, Dangote Cement, NASCON, Dangote Packaging Limited, among others, remitted a total of ₦402.319 billion for the out-gone year as taxes as responsible business enterprises.

The company’s spokesman said as a responsible business organisation, DIL and its subsidiaries were committed to their obligations to the government in tax payment at all levels or to host communities in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“Recall that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had in late 2024 recognised DIL and its subsidiary, Bluestar Shipping as the most tax compliant organizations in the country during its Special Day at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

“The Federal Inland Revenue Service is Nigeria’s agency responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The Group’s corporate strategy has evolved just as its businesses have grown, matured and diversified into new sectors and regions over the last four decades, noting that Dangote Group has almost single-handedly taken Nigeria to self-sufficiency in cement and refined petroleum products and is expanding rapidly across Africa.

“Dangote Group and its and its subsidiaries, were recognised as number one most compliant in tax payment in the country, just as its subsidiary Dangote Cement, the country’s leading cement manufacturer, at another occasion won three awards at the FMDQ Gold Awards in Lagos as the most active business in the Foreign Exchange market,” it read in part.

The 10th Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday suspended the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for six months over alleged misconduct in the red chamber.

Naija News reports that the suspension followed the consideration and adoption of the report presented by Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, during plenary.

Here is a list of senators who have previously faced suspension:

1. Femi Okurounmu (Ogun Central) – 1999

Senator Okurounmu was suspended in 1999 after alleging that fellow senators were planning to impeach President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was later recalled after tendering an apology to the Senate.

2. Joseph Waku (Benue) – 2000

In 2000, Senator Waku suggested that a military coup would be preferable to allowing President Obasanjo to continue ruling as a dictator. This statement led to his suspension due to its controversial nature.

3. Arthur Nzeribe (Imo, Orlu Constituency) – 2002

Senator Nzeribe was indefinitely suspended in November 2002 over a ₦22 million fraud allegation.

4. Isah Mohammed (Niger Central) – 2004

In October 2004, Senator Mohammed was suspended for two weeks after physically assaulting Senator Iyabo Anisulowo outside the National Assembly lobby. The altercation was reportedly related to the disbursement of committee funds.

5. Ali Ndume (Borno South) – 2017

Senator Ndume was suspended for six months in 2017 after calling for an investigation into allegations involving then Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.

6. Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) – 2018

In 2018, Senator Omo-Agege was suspended after opposing the election reordering bill. Despite apologizing for his stance, he sought a court order to prevent the Senate from suspending him, which led to his suspension.

7. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) – 2024

Senator Ningi was suspended for three months in 2024 after alleging that the National Assembly padded the 2024 budget by ₦3 trillion.

8. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central)

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on the 6th of March, 2025, was suspended for six months over alleged misconduct in the red chamber.

Controversial Nigerian Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable has revealed the reason behind his Instagram name, ‘Elizabeth Joyce.’

In a video circulating on social media, Portable is seen chatting with content creator Egungun of Lagos during a car ride.

In a viral video circulating which started trending on Tuesday, Portable is seen conversing with content creator Egungun of Lagos during a car ride.

When asked about the unusual name on his profile, the singer disclosed that he originally created the account while attempting to learn internet fraud, commonly known as Yahoo Yahoo.

“Make i no lie for you, E get one Facebook and Instagram account wey be say that time i wan learn Yahoo ( internet fraud),” Portable admitted.

“Yahoo no gree, Na hin i just open that account down, as i con hear say them dey look for me say i don blow, na hin i come go edit am, delete oyinbo commot, Na working account.”

Portable rose to fame in December 2021 with his breakout single Zazoo Zeh, featuring Olamide and Poco Lee. Since then, he has remained in the spotlight for both his music and frequent controversies.

Earlier this year, he clashed with Ogun State officials, which led to his arrest and arraignment on a five-count charge, including assault.

Authorities accused the singer of leading a violent attack against officials attempting to seal his bar due to permit violations.

He was declared wanted on February 18 but turned himself in the following day. Portable was later granted N2 million bail, with his case adjourned until March 5.

Click the link below to watch the video:

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

PUNCH Online reports that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs resubmitted the petition during Thursday plenary, after her earlier petition was rejected by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.

Speaking during the presentation, the Kogi lawmaker said the newly submitted petition was filed by her constituents, led by one Zubairu Yakubu.

Following the presentation, Senate President Akpabio inquired whether there were any legal impediments to accepting the petition and she responded that there were none.

Thereafter, the Senate President instructed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate and was subsequently referred to the Ethics committee led by Senator Neda Imasuen, with a directive to report back to the plenary within four weeks after legislative review.

Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan had presented a petition of sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio during Wednesday plenary, which sparked controversy.

The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40.

He argued that the matter could not be entertained or referred to the Ethics Committee, as it was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President.

Monguno also contended that the petition could not be considered since Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.

As a result, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has intercepted a dismissed immigration officer who was allegedly attempting to sell sophisticated firearms to bandits operating in the Abuja-Kaduna forest.

The dismissed officer, whose name was not disclosed, was intercepted and arrested following an intelligence-led operation by the police.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Mustafa Mohammed, said the operation prevented the arms from reaching criminal elements whom he said could have made them deadly.

He said, “Acting on intelligence, the command intercepted these guns from a dismissed immigration officer attempting to sell them to bandits terrorising the Abuja-Kaduna forest. The intelligence was received in time, and the arms were intercepted while he was trying to make the delivery,” Mohammed stated.

Mohammed said among the recovered weapons was a Scorpion CZ EVO3, an advanced, fully automatic firearm with an inbuilt silencer.

“This is the latest model, the 2022 version of the Scorpion series.

It can be used in single, automatic, or burst mode. It is a highly sophisticated weapon, and its magazine can hold between 20 and 30 rounds, depending on the configuration. We also recovered 52 rounds of ammunition which could have posed a severe threat had they fallen into the hands of criminals.“

Speaking earlier, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, said 300 suspects were arrested between January and February 28, 2025.

He said, “In its sustained effort to rid the Federal Capital Territory of crime and criminal elements, the FCT Police Command has intensified its operations, carrying out a series of high-impact raids from January 1 to February 28, 2025. These decisive actions, driven by intelligence and executed with tactical precision, have led to the arrest of 300 suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances. The total number of armed robbers arrested: 59. The total number of kidnappers and informants arrested: 10. The total number of armed robbers neutralised: nine.

The total number of kidnappers neutralised: seven. The total number of cultists arrested: 16.”

He also said targeted raid and clearance operations were conducted in identified criminal hideouts.

Disu said, “Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the safety of residents, the command deployed specialised tactical teams to raid identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the FCT. These operations covered high-risk areas, including Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, and Maitama.

“Additionally, abandoned buildings across the city, frequently used as hideouts and bases for planning illicit activities, have been identified and will be subject to continuous monitoring and raids.”

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed reports of the alleged ritual killing of a 28-year-old Lagos State University graduate, Adedamola Ogunbode.

The command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, while reacting to an inquiry by PUNCH Metro, on Wednesday, confirmed that Ogunbode was declared missing.

He, however, clarified that his mutilated body was not found as circulated on social media.

However, Hundeyin confirmed that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the case, including a prophet.

He said, “A report was made to the police that the said graduate was missing and three suspects were arrested, including a prophet.  However, the police did not discover any mutilated body of the missing graduate as being circulated on social media.  He is still missing and we are investigating a case of a missing person, not murder. There is no dead person anywhere.”

The development came after the management of the university demanded justice for the missing graduate who was alleged to have been killed by the prophet.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Registrar and Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile.

Thomas-Onashile stated that investigations by the security agencies revealed that the deceased’s mutilated body was purportedly found buried in the compound of a popular church in the area.

The statement read, “The university management is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ogunbode, a recent graduate of LASU. The deceased, fondly known as Horlar, was allegedly killed by a prophet in the Ojo area of Lagos State, reportedly for ritual purposes. According to the report received by the management, Ogunbode, a 28-year-old graduate of Political Science Education, had been missing since January 16.”

The Deputy Registrar while condemning what she described as a senseless act of violence, called for swift and thorough action by the relevant security agencies to ensure that those responsible face justice.

“The prophet of the church has been arrested and is currently assisting the police with their investigation. The university management extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew him. His untimely death is a terrible loss to the entire university community, and we share in the grief of all who are mourning his passing.

“We call for swift and thorough action by the relevant security agencies to ensure that those responsible face justice and that the perpetrators of this horrific crime do not go unpunished. In the meantime, we urge our university community, especially our world-class students, to remain calm, while the authorities carry out their investigations.”

She encouraged the students to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

“The safety and security of our students remain our top priority, and we are committed to collaborating closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that our university remains a safe environment for all,” the statement added.

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, has urged Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to remain focused and committed to be able to keep delivering legislative interventions to Nigerians.

The CSOs under the auspices of Stay Alert Human Right Awareness Initiative, gave the advice in a statement on Thursday in Abuja by its Executive Director, Lary Onah.

Onah also passed a vote of confidence on Akpabio, describing his leadership as president of the 10th senate as impactful and most gender tolerant.

He said that despite unfounded allegations of sexual harassment, which Akpabio had denied ever attempting, Nigerians and lawmakers believed in his ability to navigate the complexities of governance.

He described the allegation as a distraction designed to undermine democracy and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“We praise the senate president for his professionalism in the manner he conducted himself in the plenary during the altercation by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over seating arrangement.

“Natasha is wrong to go against the rules of the senate over seating arrangement.

“She should apologise for her wrong conduct and withdraw her petition of sexual harassment against the most performing senate president of Nigeria.

“The accusation is only meant to distract the senate from applying sanctions on her and coerce the leadership to always do her bidding,” he said.

He urged Akpabio not to be distracted by the ”cheap blackmail” but to focus more on discharging his duties for the good of Nigerians and ultimately for the prosperity of the nation.

He said the CSOs were further mobilising for a solidarity march in support of the Senate President and the leadership of the country.

(NAN)

Nigerian singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, has lost his mother, Ifeoma Edith Ajibade.

The artist shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram today, March 6, alongside a touching tribute and a photo of them together.

He wrote, “Thank you, Mummy For your strength, your sacrifices, your unwavering faith. For raising us with love, discipline, and devotion to God. For teaching me confidence, entrepreneurship, forgiveness, and family.

“You were my greatest protector, my toughest critic, and truest Fan.”

“You were not perfect, but you were perfect to me. Your legacy lives on. Rest well lfeoma Edith Ajibade.”