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Controversy as tenant dies in Imo community

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By Francesca Hangeior

Tragedy struck in Umuokoto village, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, when Anthony Nwanna, a tenant of Mr. Aloysius Ekeocha, died under controversial circumstances.

While some reports accused the landlord of causing Nwanna’s death over unpaid rent, the Umuokoto Community Council (UCC) refuted these claims, stating that Nwanna did not die in the village or on the landlord’s premises.

According to a statement on Friday by the Umuokoto Community Council (UCC) Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Ugwuegbulam and Secretary, Tochukwu Obiako “contrary to the report, the deceased did not die in the village or on the premises of the landlord.

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“We urge the public to disregard reports of Nwanna’s death being caused by the landlord or vigilante, as these are false and aimed at spreading hatred and misinformation.”

The community council alleged that the late tenant was in the habit of attacking his co-tenants violently due to his indulgence in hard drugs.

“The deceased was a known habitual hard drug user and was often violent due to his indulgence in hard drugs,” said Tochukwu Obiako, Secretary of the UCC.

According to the UCC, Nwanna was a tenant of Ekeocha, who resides in Lagos State and rarely visits his property in Umuokoto.

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When Ekeocha came to the village to bury his younger brother in May 2024, he met with Nwanna over the accumulated rent owed to him.

However, Nwanna refused to pay the rent and became violent, leading to his properties being taken to the vigilante office.

“After signing an undertaking to quit the building, his properties were immediately released to him,” said Ugwuegbulam. “It is on record that he even drove his motorbike himself back to his house,” UCC explained.

The UCC urged the public to disregard reports of Nwanna’s death being caused by the landlord or vigilante, stating that these are false and aimed at spreading hatred and misinformation.

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The council has also expressed empathy with Nwanna’s family over his demise.

However, some reports have alleged that Nwanna was beaten and detained by the vigilante, leading to his death.

The Imo Police Command has been called upon to investigate the matter and ensure that those responsible for Nwanna’s death are held accountable.

“We are calling on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nwanna’s death,” said a human rights activist.

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The police spokesman, Henry Okoye, was yet to respond to an enquiry about the incident.

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Metro

N36m fraud trial: Court adjourns judgment on Blessing CEO’s bail

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has revealed that a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has reserved a ruling on the bail application filed by social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, in her ongoing N36 million fraud trial.

In a statement shared on the commission’s official X handle on Friday, the statement noted that the defendant is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

In the statement, the Commission said: “Court reserves ruling on Blessing CEO’s bail application. Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, June 5, 2026, reserved ruling until June 9, 2026, on the bail application filed by social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO.”

The EFCC said she is being prosecuted by its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 over allegations that she obtained N36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretence of leasing a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos.

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During earlier proceedings in the matter, the defence counsel told the court that N24 million had already been refunded and urged time to resolve the outstanding balance. However, the EFCC opposed any private settlement, insisting the criminal trial must proceed.

Justice D.I. Dipeolu had earlier ruled that the proceedings could not be halted by negotiations between the parties, ordering that the defendant remain in custody pending further hearing of the case.

The matter has now been adjourned till June 9, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.

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DSS And Forest Guards Intercept Medical Supplies Suspected To Be Meant For Injured ISWAP Fighters In Borno State

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The Department of State Services (DSS) in Borno State, in collaboration with forest guards, has intercepted a large consignment of medical supplies allegedly intended for fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), following recent intelligence-led counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.

According to Zagazola Makama, security sources said the interception was carried out on Friday in Kaga Local Government Area during a coordinated operation along a suspected supply route used by insurgent logistics networks operating within forested areas in the state.

The seized items reportedly include substantial quantities of pain relief medications, anti-malaria injections, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical products, as well as other consumables believed to support battlefield resupply efforts.

The sources added that the consignment was linked to attempts to replenish ISWAP fighters who were said to have suffered heavy casualties and disruptions during recent intelligence-led operations involving US-AFRICOM and Nigerian security forces.

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Although officials did not provide full operational details, the interception was described as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle insurgent logistics chains and block the movement of supplies to remote terrorist enclaves.

Preliminary investigations suggest the materials were being moved in small, concealed batches to avoid detection along forest routes used by security patrols.

The intercepted items have been taken into custody for forensic examination, while security agencies are expected to intensify operations aimed at disrupting remaining supply networks.

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EFCC Arraigns UNIBEN Staff Over N3.2m Salary Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a staff member of the University of Benin over alleged salary duplication fraud of ₦3.2m alongside other defendants in separate fraud cases involving N650 million money laundering and N500,000 false pretence across Edo and Borno states.

In a statement shared on its official X handle on Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said:

In Benin, the EFCC’s Zonal Directorate brought Segun Bode Adedeji before Justice E. G. Adekanmbi of the Edo State High Court on a four-count charge “bordering on fraudulent practice to the tune of N3,285,396 (Three Million, Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Six Naira) only.”

The commission said intelligence gathered by its operatives indicated that the defendant, while serving as a staff of the University of Benin, was allegedly receiving salaries from two public institutions simultaneously.

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“Segun Bode Adedeji… was also drawing salaries from the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin City, at the same time,” the EFCC said.

In another case in Maiduguri, the EFCC arraigned Abubakar Muhammad before Justices Shehu Umaru Adamu of the Federal High Court and Amina Mustapha Ibrahim of the Borno State High Court over alleged money laundering and criminal conversion involving N650 million.

The anti-graft agency said the defendant, between 2021 and 2026, allegedly converted funds through multiple bank accounts, under the guise of a mining investment scheme.

“Directly converts the aggregate sum of N650,000,000.00 (Six Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) via your account numbers; 2270202119, 0003515514 and 5072107609 domiciled with United Bank for Africa Plc, Taj Bank and Moniepoint Microfinance Bank,” part of the charge read.

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The EFCC said the defendant pleaded not guilty, while prosecution counsel Mukhtar Ali Ahmed urged the court to fix a trial date and sought remand in its custody. However, defence counsel B.G. Zanna applied for bail.

Justice Ibrahim granted bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties, one of whom must own property worth N400 million, and adjourned the matter to June 11 and 15, 2026, for hearing.

In a separate Maiduguri case, the EFCC also arraigned Bilal Muhammad, Chief Executive Officer of GDF Home Sales Enterprises Ltd, before Justice Amina Mustapha Ibrahim over an alleged obtaining by false pretence involving N500,000.

The agency said the defendant allegedly obtained the money from Adamu Abubakar under the claim that it was meant for the purchase of a tricycle, a representation it said was false.

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“That you, Bilal Muhammad, whilst being the Chief Executive Officer of GDF Home Sales Enterprises Ltd… obtained the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from Adamu Abubakar… under the false pretence that same is meant for the purchase of a Tricycle (aka Keke Napep), a representation which you knew to be false,” the charge stated.

The defendant pleaded not guilty. Prosecuting counsel A.D. Abdulmalik urged the court to fix a trial date and requested remand in a correctional facility. The court adjourned the matter to June 22, 2026 and ordered his remand at the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility.

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