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Okuama crisis : ‘You’ve no constitutional right to order military to fish out perpetrators’, Falana blasts Tinubu
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barrister Femi Falana has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ordering the Nigerian Army to fish out the perpetrators of the crime committed against its personnel in Delta state.
This is as the seasoned lawyer knocked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, saying he doesn’t have the right to send the Nigerian Army to investigate the carnage that happened in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta state. On the contrary, the activist and Eminent lawyer urged the president to recognize the fact that it is the role of the Police to investigate such matters while the military is saddled with issues of external aggression.
Falana, SAN noted that when a retired Army General was murdered in the North a few years back, it was the police that was saddled with the internal task of fishing out the perpetrators of the illegal, gruesome act of murder and not the Army.
Falana who spoke during an interview with CHANNELS TELEVISION on Monday explained that because of the loss in the judicial system, some Nigerians are applauding the military for invading the community because everybody embraces mob justice.
According to him, the President cannot order the military to go after civilians involved in the heinous act, noting that it is the job of the police.
His words: “On the night of the 16th, angry soldiers stormed Okuama village and set it on fire. For me, it is unavoidable. You can’t blame soldiers alone because there is a general notion in society that because of loss in the judicial system, everybody embraces mob justice. Even the statement of the President yesterday (Sunday). We are in a democratic system of government. The President cannot order military authorities to fish out civilians involved in a heinous crime. That is the duty of the police.”
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, by the Spokesperson of Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, disclosed that a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers, were all ambushed and killed by local youths on Thursday while responding to a distress call arising from a communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities.
Since the development, reports have emerged that some unknown arsonists invaded the coastal Community of Okuama in Delta State to set it ablaze in what many strongly alleged was a reprisal attack from the Nigerian Army over the killing of their personnel by irate youths in the area.
It was gathered that the community located between Bomadi and Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, went up in flames and chaos following the discovery of beheaded and mutilated bodies of 16 military personnel who were killed while allegedly on a peacekeeping mission.
Source: Newdiplomat
By Gloria Ikibah
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament will this week begin deliberations on strategies to position Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as key drivers of regional value chains, as part of efforts to boost economic integration and expand opportunities for businesses across West Africa.
The discussions will take place during a delocalised meeting of the Parliament’s Joint Committee on Industry and Private Sector; Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research; Administration, Finance and Budget; and Public Accounts, scheduled to hold in Cotonou, Benin Republic, from 27 to 31 July 2026.
The meeting will focus on the theme, “Empowering MSMEs as Formal Drivers of ECOWAS Regional Value Chains,” reflecting growing recognition of the critical role small businesses play in the region’s economy.
According to a media advisory issued by the Communications Directorate of the ECOWAS Parliament on 21 July 2026, “The ECOWAS Parliament is holding the delocalized Meeting of the Joint Committee on Industry and Private Sector | Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research | Administration, Finance and Budget | Public Accounts, on the theme ‘Empowering MSMEs as Formal Drivers of ECOWAS Regional Value Chains.’”
The meeting comes at a time when policymakers across West Africa are seeking practical ways to unlock the economic potential of MSMEs, which remain the backbone of the region’s private sector.
A United Nations policy brief on the subject indicates that MSMEs account for more than 90 per cent of all businesses and provide about half of total employment across ECOWAS member states. Despite their importance, many of these enterprises continue to operate outside the formal economy and face significant obstacles, including limited access to finance, weak infrastructure and barriers to cross-border trade.
Lawmakers are expected to examine these challenges and develop recommendations aimed at integrating MSMEs more effectively into regional value chains, improving their competitiveness and enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.
Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed claims that the Mexican government rejected his diplomatic appointment, attributing his delayed resumption instead to the ongoing FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by Mexico and the United States.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today last Monday, the former presidential aide said the delay was due to logistical and diplomatic considerations linked to the global football tournament, stressing that he was not the only Nigerian envoy yet to assume duty. Omokri said reports suggesting that Mexico had declined to accept him as Nigeria’s ambassador were false and were being promoted by political opponents.
“Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all,” he said.Politics He explained that the Mexican government is currently focused on hosting the World Cup alongside the United States, leaving little room to process the arrival of new diplomats. “You should understand that Mexico is right now hosting the World Cup, along with the United States of America, and all of their focus is on that,” Omokri stated.
According to him, several Nigerian ambassadors-designate are also yet to resume at their respective postings for similar reasons.Executive Branch “Most of us ambassadors have not resumed. So, I’m not the only one. A lot of my colleagues are in my situation, but it’s okay. These things happen,” he said. The ambassador-designate also accused members of the opposition of spreading misleading narratives about his appointment, insisting that such claims have no basis in reality. “The opposition will always say things like I have been rejected. We do not work on the basis of the opposition. We work on the basis of reality,” he said.
Omokri expressed confidence that Nigeria continues to enjoy cordial diplomatic relations with countries around the world and maintained that host nations would receive Nigerian envoys in due course. “The reality of it is that we have countries in the world that respect Nigeria, and they’re going to be taking Nigeria’s envoys,” he added.
A young Nigerian girl who was trafficked to Cotonou, Benin Republice for prostitution has d!ed.
Sewuese passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026 in Benue State after she was brought home.
Activist, Zege Orkwande, who has been facilitating the rescue of trafficked Benue girls said investigation is ongoing and those who trafficked her will face the full wrath of law.
“People are asking “who took Sewuese to Cotonou”. Trust my process,” he wrote.
“The people that trafficked/smuggled her to Cotonou for prostitution will sure face the law and serve in prison uniform.
“All information gathered. I’m waiting for her to be buried first. REST WELL.”
ECOWAS Parliament Moves to Strengthen MSMEs as Pillars of Regional Trade
Ambassador Omokri Amid Rejection Rumours Says World Cup Cause of his delayed resumption
Sad: Young Nigerian reportedly trafficked for commercial s*x dies after rescue
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