The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed plans to probe the complaints filed against members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State.

Recall that the electoral commission declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election on September 21, 2014, in Edo State.

However, during a recent conversation with journalists, the spokesperson for the anti-corruption body, Demola Bakare, revealed that several complaints have been received against some INEC officials.

Reports had emerged earlier speculating how election observers who were present during the state’s recent election stormed the ICPC’s headquarters to lodge complaints against the INEC.

These observers, primarily legal professionals, had gathered under the umbrella of Tap Initiative, specifically calling for the arrest and prosecution of the commission’s officials for allegedly producing two sets of result sheets (EC8A).

The Executive Director of Tap Initiative, Martin Obono, had indicated that the commission’s actions had escalated to a point where they should be reported to USAID, EU, UK, and other international organizations.

However, the ICPC spokesman told Daily Trust yesterday, “When we are addressing a petition, we do not disclose the details.

“You can be sure that the petition was received, it was acknowledged. Definitely, if there is substance in it, we will do something about it.

“But it is not our tradition to tell anybody about what we are doing. We received the petition and it was acknowledged. Be sure that something will be done.”

Gov Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced that state employees will receive double salary payments in December.

According to Eno, the introduction of the 13th month salary, referred to as ‘Eno-Mber,’ is intended to enhance the festive season for civil servants, particularly in light of the delays surrounding the implementation of the new N80,000 minimum wage.

According to Vanguard, the harmonization committee, led by the Head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, may not meet the one-month deadline set by the State government for the submission of its report, with the completion of the task now projected for the first quarter of 2025.

In an effort to allay the concerns of the workforce, the Governor announced the double salary payment during a church service at the Eternity Mission International Church in Uyo on Sunday, serving as a temporary relief prior to the rollout of the new minimum wage.

“I am aware that quite a number of our civil servants have relocated within Nigeria while others have gone abroad. We have to be sure that those receiving payments are real civil servants. My watchword since assuming office has been transparency and honesty in service deliverables and we have to ensure that we carry this through this verification exercise, which would soon be completed,” he noted.

The Akwa Ibom governor also warned those constantly working to disrupt the smooth relationship between the state government and the organized labour to have a rethink.

“Since we came in, we have paid critical attention to the needs and the welfare of civil servants in this state. To date, we have paid N35 billion in gratuities to retired state, local government workers and primary school teachers in the state,” he recalled.

Other interventions which the Governor said should encourage the workers to imbibe good work ethics included the institution and payment of a bonus regime of N1.1billion naira to all public servants, prompt payment of salary, pension and gratuities.

The governor had also released funds, and ensured prompt payment of wage award to the State workers for three months to cushion the effect of high cost of living occasioned by the federal government’s fuel subsidy removal as well as free 150 homes at the Grace Estate for civil servants of grade levels one to eight.

Popular Nigerian actress, Sarah Martins has revealed that she became a gold digger after her past relationship with her ex-lover.

In an Instagram post, she revealed that she gave 50% of her salary to her ex-boyfriend for six months, only to discover he was using the funds to support another woman’s business.

According to Sarah Martins, this betrayal has left emotional scars, making her cautious about loving deeply.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command, has ordered a comprehensive probe into the shooting of a 21-year-old student, David Ilechukwu in Kubwa area of the territory.

It was gathered that Ilechukwu, a Nasarawa State University student was shot dead at a checkpoint allegedly by the police on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

The father of the 200-level Computer Science student who spoke to newsmen on Sunday alleged that his son was shot after the policemen accused him of being an internet fraudster and demanded N200,000 from him.

He explained that his son fell into a nearby gutter after he was shot in the foot and was brought home by some commercial motorcyclists.

According to him, his son is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital where doctors confirmed that two of his bones were broken.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, November 10, said the perpetrators are yet to be identified.

"The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to an incident involving Mr. David Ikechukwu, who was reportedly shot by yet-to-be-identified gunmen allegedly operating from a tricycle and wearing blue and black uniforms on November 09 2024,” the statement read.

"The Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to apprehend those responsible and to uncover the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.

"The FCT Police Command assures the public that a dedicated team of detectives is actively investigating all aspects of the case. This investigation aims to provide clarity and hold those involved accountable for their actions.

“We urge members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement efforts. The FCT Command is committed to ensuring justice is served and to maintaining the safety of all residents. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”

A 47-year-old man identified as Mr. Anthony Onyeukwu, has been remanded in a correctional centre by a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Enugu East Magisterial District over the alleged killing of his 11-year old houseboy, Goodluck John.

This, the Enugu State Government said, was in line with its sustained war against all forms of child abuse.

According to the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu Mrs. Ngozi Enih, Mr Onyeukwu was arrested following a tip-off from one of the Ministry’s whistle-blower channels that Master Goodluck John’s death was linked to abuse at the hands of the family where he lived as a houseboy.

However, Mr. Onyeukwu was said to have quickly conveyed and had the remains of the 11-year old boy buried in the boy’s hometown in Abia State without reporting his death to the appropriate authorities.

Although he was said to have claimed that the boy had died from an ailment at the Park Lane Hospital, Enugu, there was no record to show that the boy was admitted in the hospital or that his corpse was deposited in the hospital’s morgue.

Arraigning the suspect last week , the Police Prosecutor- Inspr Calista Ifeanyi, told the presiding Chief Administrative Magistrate, Ngozi Edeh Anih that Mr. Onyeukwu had committed an offence punishable under the Criminal Code (Revised) Laws of Enugu State.

The charge sheet marked: CME/631C/2024 read, “That you, Onyeukwu Anthony ‘m’ on 15th day of October, 2024 at about 20:30 hours at No. 4, Mike Onyeka Close, Loma Linda Extension, Maryland, Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did unlawfully kill one Goodluck John ‘m’ aged 11 years and thereby commited an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, CAP 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”

The Chief Magistrate subsequently ordered the suspect’s remand in the Correctional Centre, Enugu and, adjourned the matter to 20th November, 2024 when the report from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Enugu, is expected.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, has warned against any form of child abuse in the state, as no such act would go unpunished.

Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has stated that he is not too young to become a state governor.

Speaking at the annual Obasa Youth Crusade held in the Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State on Sunday, Obasa made this declaration during an event organized by the Obasa Youth Alliance (OYA) to celebrate his birthday. Obasa will turn 52 on Monday, November 11.

Emphasizing the importance of party loyalty, Obasa affirmed his commitment to following the directives and progress of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He noted that adherence to party decisions was more critical than personal political ambitions.

“Though I am not too young to become the governor of Lagos State, I want to emphasize that our focus must remain on the progress of the party rather than individual aspirations,” Obasa said. “We will continue our work, especially concerning party mandates. This is not about personal ambition or a desire to become the governor.”

He stressed that his primary concern was the development and strengthening of the APC across Lagos State, stating, “Our main objective is to build the party, support it at the grassroots, and ensure that it flourishes across the state. For those who think our actions are driven by self-interest, we need to correct that perception.”

Obasa also urged members to prioritize the success of the party over individual political pursuits and warned against allowing the party to face setbacks in future elections.

“We all witnessed the challenges of the last election, where voting patterns were influenced by tribal, ethnic, and religious sentiments,” he noted. “It is essential that we prevent a repeat of this.

“Many reasons have been attributed to the party’s performance in the first election, particularly pointing to the Igbo community. However, this was not the first time we’ve had elections in Lagos. The Igbo have long been part of the state, so we must identify and address any underlying issues.”