News

N1bn damages sought against ex–Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer

Published

4 months ago

February 28, 2026

A legal dispute is brewing between two lawyers over an alleged defamatory social media post.

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a former counsel to jailed Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu, has been asked to pay N1 billion in damages to Larry Olisa of Larry Olisa Chambers, Asaba, Delta State, over statements he published on his X handle on February 19, 2026.

In a five-page letter dated February 23, 2026, and signed by the Head of Chambers, Vivian Ndidi, the firm accused Ejiofor of making defamatory claims against its principal. The letter also demands that Ejiofor retract the publication in both a national and a local daily newspaper within 48 hours and issue a public apology. The statements were reportedly published on X and reproduced online by a national newspaper.

According to the letter, Ejiofor alleged that Olisa, who previously acted as counsel to Akopma Quarters in Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, conspired with another lawyer representing Issele-Azagba to fabricate and file terms of settlement without the knowledge of the Ogbe-Ozoma community in Suit No: HCI/5/2012.

The letter further stated that Ejiofor claimed that the signatures of individuals unknown to the Ogbe-Ozoma community and not parties to the suit were forged to obtain a consent judgment. Ejiofor also allegedly said that after being debriefed by the Ogbe-Ozoma community, Olisa filed another civil action on behalf of Issele-Azagba to enforce the disputed consent judgment.

Larry Olisa Chambers denied the allegations, insisting that at no time did its principal forge signatures or procure a consent judgment without proper authorisation from the Ogbe-Ozoma community.

The firm described the publication as malicious and damaging, arguing that it portrayed Olisa as fraudulent, dishonest, unethical, and professionally irresponsible. The letter claimed the statements had already affected Olisa’s professional relationships, with colleagues and clients reportedly questioning his integrity and some threatening to withdraw their briefs.

The chambers maintained that Olisa is a respected legal practitioner of good standing and said it has firm instructions to pursue legal action if Ejiofor fails to comply with the demands. It warned that failure to issue a retraction and apology within 48 hours would result in court action, including a claim for aggravated damages.

Sources indicate that the controversy stems from a land dispute involving property said to belong to Issele-Azagba but currently being developed by Cubana Group without the community’s authorisation.

News

Edo cracks down on cultists, kidnappers

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2026

The Exclusives

Monday Okpebholo

Edo State Government has established a Special Criminal Court to expedite the prosecution of cultists, kidnappers and other criminal offenders as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.

The Chief Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osawaru, disclosed on Friday that the court was established at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to Osawaru, the Special Criminal Court will handle cases relating to cultism, kidnapping and other matters that may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and curbing the growing wave of cult-related violence and abductions across the state.

“The move is expected to address the rising cases of cult-related violence and kidnappings by ensuring quick prosecution of offenders and serving as a deterrent to criminal elements,” Osawaru stated.

Edo State has in recent months witnessed a surge in violent crimes, particularly incidents of kidnapping and cult clashes in several communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality from the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for the Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, the governor assured residents that decisive measures were being taken to restore security and public confidence.

He said efforts were underway to create a safe environment that would enable farmers displaced by insecurity to return to their farmlands without fear.

The governor stressed that criminal elements terrorising communities would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Governors are ready to fight insecurity across the nation. The perpetrators will be exposed, and they will run away from the country. In Edo State, there will be security, and our farmers will be able to return to their farms,” he said.
Okpebholo added that his administration would not allow kidnappers and bandits to find refuge in the state.

“I am determined to ensure that kidnappers and bandits do not find a haven in Edo State. Our decisive action against criminals will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

The governor further declared that tough measures against convicted criminals would discourage others from engaging in crime.

“I am serious about the fight against insecurity. By the time we execute one, two, three and more of these criminals, others will run away from Edo State,” he stated.

News

Why insecurity persists in the north, by Nasarawa governor

Published

3 days ago

June 26, 2026

The Exclusives

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has identified some of the reasons for the incidences of insecurity and out-of-school crisis in the northern part of Nigeria.

Speaking at a Summit on enhancing human capital development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Sule said the Almajiri system is “the single largest structural contributor” to Nigeria’s education emergency.

The Almajiri is a traditional system of Islamic education prevalent in northern Nigeria, where young boys leave their families to study the Quran under the guidance of religious teachers (Mallams). Originally a respected scholarship tradition, it has devolved into a socio-economic crisis, leaving millions of out-of-school children vulnerable to destitution and exploitation.

The country has an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children, and recent data shows Almajiri children make up roughly 72% to 81% of that total, concentrated in the North.

He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to permanently outlaw the Almajiri system.
“Many minors recruited into banditry graduated from the Almajiri system,” Sule said.

Nasarawa accounts for about 430,000 out-of-school children.

At the event, the governor recalled the 2020 mass repatriation of Almajiri children by Nasarawa and Kaduna states but said enforcement alone isn’t enough without alternatives.

He is proposing a total ban on the Almajiri system, replaced with mandatory formal education and skills acquisition.
Sule is seeking total collaboration of the Northern intelligentsia, the political class, and the traditional system.

He urged Northern leaders to turn summit discussions into actionable draft bills, arguing that “policy changes are the only way to defeat regional poverty.”