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SAD: Prison Inmates K!lled, Officials Injured As Overloaded Transformer Explodes In Uyo

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An overloaded transformer located along Metro road in Uyo has exploded, resulting in the death of two awaiting-trial inmates at the Uyo Medium Custodial Centre (MCC) along the Wellington Bassey Way (Government House Road).

Two inmates were confirmed dead, while two prison officials were critically injured.

The transformer, which serves part of the Deputy Governor’s Lodge and the prison facility, had exploded, causing devastating aftershocks and damage worth billions of naira.

The explosion also affected another nearby transformer located along Effiong UdoAkpan street by the Wellington Bassey Way.

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The state Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed the tragic passing of its two awaiting trial inmates, disclosing that the suspects were waiting to be arraign for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery before the unfortunate incident.

Speaking in an interview with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State council, on a fact finding mission to the Atan Offot, Uyo office of the Correctional Service, the State Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo, said the Centre was the worst hit with other facilities severely destroyed.

He recalled that during the explosion, the two deceased victims were thrown up by the force of the explosion where they were sitting, but sadly died at the University of Uyo Teaching hospital (UUTH) where they rushed to.

“They died after administration of first aid by the doctor who later pronounced them dead,” Okonkwo, explained.

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According to the Controller, though the victims were awaiting trial for conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbing; they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the Court, describing the situation as very unfortunate.

He said the families have been contacted and one of them has concluded the processes of retrieving the corpse for burial, maintaining that the Command would only release the corpse upon completion of investigations.

“It was very unfortunate because the thing caused a lot of damage, both to our facility and the families of the deceased.

“When that explosion occurred at the transformer, officials of PHEDC came and said the explosion was as a result of too much voltage. The thing affected us in that it actually destroyed or damaged all electrical appliances, computers etc in our facility.

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“It affected our Barracks as well, and even the official residence of the officer in -charge. But the most painful aspect of it was that it affected two of our inmates that finally lost their life as they were rushed to the hospital.

They were thrown off from where they were staying, and immediately our medical personnel administered first aid, and rushed them to the University of Uyo Teaching hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.

“It was a big loss, both to themselves and to the inmates especially when they were just awaiting trial, one of them was standing trial for conspiracy and kidnapping, the other one for armed robbery,” he stressed.

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Remains of popular Nollywood actor Ogogo arrives hometown, Ilaro for burial today

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The remains of Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have arrived in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, ahead of his burial on Monday.

The development was confirmed by some of those who accompanied the remains and through videos circulating on social media.

In one of the videos, one of Ogogo’s daughters was seen accompanying the remains. Traditional authorities were also present, with the staff of office of a traditional ruler brought to receive the late actor.

Ogogo’s remains were taken to Ilaro on Sunday following his death earlier that day at the age of 66.

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Veteran actor Jide Kosoko had announced on Sunday that Ogogo’s remains would be taken to Ilaro, where a lying in state ceremony would be held on Monday.

Jide said the ceremony would take place at 11am at the Pavilion in Ilaro.

The Ilaro Muslim Community also announced that the burial prayer would hold at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground at 10am on Monday, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Ogogo died at about 3pm on Sunday, after battling stage four cancer. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, during an emotional Instagram Live session.

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His death came only days after his daughters, Lima and Kira, publicly appealed for medical assistance for their father.

On August 17, Lima said the actor was battling stage four cancer and appealed to hospitals, medical professionals and other well wishers to help the family find treatment for him. She said his condition had deteriorated and that some hospitals had refused to continue treating him.

The family had also previously dismissed reports that Ogogo had died. On August 18, Lima described the report as false after a social media post claimed that the actor had passed away.

Ogogo, who was born in Ilaro, built a career spanning several decades as an actor, filmmaker and director and became one of the recognised figures in cinema.

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Fresh twist as Coordinator of fake agency releases appointment letter bearing OSGF letterhead

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A fresh twist as emerged as the coordinator of the purported National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, has released an appointment letter bearing the letterhead of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

Nwabueze shared the document on his LinkedIn page on Saturday amid controversy surrounding the alleged establishment and operation of the agency within the OSGF.

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The President also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries allegedly linked to the operation and directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the agency’s creation and activities.

ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, said the discovery was made during investigations into the activities of the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and other breaches of government procedures.

The appointment letter released by Nwabueze is dated October 3, 2025, with reference number OSGF/MIN/59310/11/205. It was purportedly signed by Nadungu Gagare, identified in the document as Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office.

Titled “Appointment as National Coordinator and Executive Director Made in Nigeria Project Office,” the letter stated that Nwabueze had been appointed National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the OSGF.

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It said the appointment followed an assessment of his commitment, contribution and capacity to deliver on the mandate of the Special Project Office.

According to the document, the appointment was for a five-year tenure commencing from July 2025 and was renewable.

The letter assigned Nwabueze responsibility for overseeing the development of programmes, projects and policies, as well as supervising regional and state coordinators.

He was also expected to organise exhibitions, trade expos and economic summits aimed at promoting indigenous products and services and supporting economic development.

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The document further stated that the project office was to operate from a temporary office at Room B53, Ground Floor, within the OSGF Complex.

It added that the appointment was subject to the pleasure of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and was aligned with the objectives of the Made in Nigeria initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Meanwhile, TheCable reported that Nwabueze had also written to several state governments seeking the nomination of state coordinators for the purported Made in Nigeria Project Office.

The development comes as the Federal Government intensifies investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged agency and the individuals and officials connected with its operations.

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How fake agency secured SGF office, built nationwide network – ICPC

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The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office claimed it had Federal Executive Council approval dating back to 2017, nine years before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission uncovered it.

The office, which was domiciled in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, also created a nationwide network of appointments covering geopolitical zones and states.

ICPC Chairman Dr Musa Aliyu said the commission uncovered the alleged fake office during its investigation into the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and other weaknesses in the public service.

“Upon further briefing by ICPC to Mr President on the ongoing investigations into the fake PFIPC and procedural weaknesses in the public service, the ICPC has uncovered another fake agency and office operating under the name National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, which has been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Aliyu said.

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He identified the promoter as George Nwabueze, alleging that he operated under several variations of the name with the suspected collaboration of senior public servants in the OSGF.

“The promoter Nwabueze was discovered to also operate under four other variations of his name: George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze,” Aliyu said.

A profile on the organisation’s website identified Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator”, while the website presented the outfit as a federal agency responsible for promoting Nigerian brands and local manufacturing.

The website claimed that the Federal Executive Council had approved a “National Campaign to Sensitize Nigerians on the Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products” at a February 1, 2017, meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

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It also listed the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as the implementing ministry and cited a purported “Bill for an Act to Establish the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission and for Related Matters”.

Beyond its claims of federal approval, the alleged agency had established a leadership structure spanning the geopolitical zones and several states.

At the national level, it listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF, Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director, National Administration, and Nwabueze as part of the leadership.

It also named zonal directors for the South-West, North and South-East, alongside state coordinators across the North-West, North-Central, North-East, South-South, South-East and South-West.

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The state officials were designated “State Coordinator, National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office”, with profiles carrying an official-looking green and white insignia bearing the inscription “National Brands Development, The Presidency, Made in Nigeria.”

The outfit also maintained social media accounts under the handle “@pmainpro” on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

However, the ICPC said its findings showed that the office had no presidential authorisation and was operating contrary to extant laws.

The discovery followed the earlier investigation into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, whose self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is facing prosecution for alleged forgery and impersonation.

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Following the ICPC briefing, President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and suspended three Permanent Secretaries M.S. Danjuma, Engr Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah pending investigations.

Aliyu said the commission had engaged officials of the OSGF to establish how the alleged fictitious office obtained accommodation within the Secretariat and would investigate the roles of the suspended officials and others connected with the network.

“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly,” Aliyu said.

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