Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi has said that most households in Nigeria now resort to prayers when they are sick, instead of procuring medicines to treat themselves.

Obi stated this on Wednesday at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, while delivering a keynote address during the 6th Public Lecture of the Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN).

He bemoaned the state of the nation’s health sector saying many pharmaceutical companies have left the country, making drugs very expensive for the poor, which is reason most homes now resort to prayers.

Obi, who was the keynote at the event with the theme, ‘Access to Quality Medicine in An Unstable Environment’, said rather than partner local pharmaceutical industries for manufacturing of high quality drugs, government has instead been issuing licences for importation of drugs and collection of revenues from the importers.

“I visited a primary health centre in an outskirt of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and, discovered that there were 50 pregnant women in the hospital, and, there was just one medical staff attending to them.

“There are about 24,000 primary health centres in the country, but how many of them are functional?

“The allocation to health as contained in the current national budget is nothing to write home about. There is need to prioritise issues concerning health such that in addition to providing health insurance to all the citizens, there should be a deliberate policy by government to ensure local production of drugs and medicines.

“We need to dismantle the type of leadership we have in the country, and, everyone must show commitment to install a government that will provide good governance, otherwise, we can’t move forward.

“[b]The prices of drugs today are so high that in most homes, the only good medicine they know is prayers. We can not continue like this[/b],” he said.

Earlier, the chairman BOF-PSN, Dr Joel E. B. Adagadzu praised Obi for his commitment and sacrifices in championing the crusade for a new Nigeria.

He stated that pharmacists in the country are also committed to improving the health sector in the country.

i can’t believe i’m in a police bus otw to badagry to track my new driver who stole my car today, his first day of work.

they finally caught and arrested the guy last night. can you believe this guy took the car to church and did testimony that God surprised him with a new car?

My laptop was in my car and i was very sad at first, but then it helped us in tracking the guy, cuz i didn’t have car tracker. can you believe he sold my new macbook pro in alaba for 100k. i’m just grateful to God that i got both my car and laptop back exactly how i got it

i’m so so grateful for the CP tactical team C in surulere police station. they were so so professional, efficient, assuring, smart, during the whole ordeal, i was so amused by their work rate. they tracked him down, kept reassuring me and making sure i was okay and calm

they’re definitely not the average police, they were really quick, sharp, well-trained. i’m just extremely grateful to God that every single thing in my car was intact, my bags, they hadn’t wiped my laptop yet, exactly how i left it. it can only be God.

thank you to everyone who checked on me, prayed for me, i’m really grateful. the last 36 hours were not funny at all but as always i’m grateful to God for always being so kind and loving to me

men doesn’t this sound like a skit? God will really help us in nigeria 🙏🏾

A 34-year-old Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi drop-out, Glory Samuel, has been arrested by the State Command of the Nigeria Police for alleged wire fraud of the sum of N120 million.

The suspect was said to have allegedly defrauded his bosom friend of 15 years and a well-known businessman in the state of the sum of N120 million.

The arrest stemmed from a complaint filed on April 1, 2024, regarding suspicious withdrawals of money totalling N2,068,000 from the complainant’s company bank account.

Acting under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, the State Intelligence Department promptly investigated the case.

The meticulous efforts of the personnel revealed that the suspect had unlawfully withdrawn a significant amount of N120 million from the complainant’s bank account over a while.

According to the Command PPRO, SP Ahmed Wakili, during interrogation, Glory Samuel admitted to betraying the trust of his neighbour, the complainant, with whom he had shared a market space for over fifteen years.

Glory Samuel further disclosed that a friend he had met at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi in 2011, before dropping out of a Computer Science course, convinced him that he could make money by accessing a wealthy individual’s mobile phone.

Exploiting the complainant’s trust, Glory Samuel deceitfully borrowed his friend’s phone, allowing his accomplice to install financial applications such as Opay and MoneyPoint, access that enabled them to transfer the funds to different bank accounts on various occasions.

Following the investigation by Police personnel, the following items were recovered from the suspect: Eight Tricycles (Keke NAPEP), N35,000,000 in cash, Two uncompleted buildings, Sixty bags of cooking charcoal, thirty bags of fertilizer, two motorcycles and two industrial sewing machines.

The Police assured that consequently, the suspect will face legal charges in court.

The Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, urged the public to remain vigilant and ensure the security of their financial platforms.

The Command also urged members of the public to report complaints regarding Police misconduct to PPRO: 08034844393, CRU: 08036392107 or on Facebook at BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND or COMPLAINT BAUCHI and X @crubauchi.

The Anambra State Government has apprehended one Mr Ike Okoye in Isuofia for allegedly molesting and engaging in same-sex activities with young boys in Isuofia, Aguata local government area of the state.

The arrest was carried out through the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in conjunction with the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA, Brigade. According to a statement posted Wednesday morning, June 26, on the official Facebook page of the Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo, the incident was reported to the ministry by the President-General of Isuofia Peoples Assembly, Chief Jude Chikadibia-Okeke.

The Chikadibia-Okeke alleged that Okoye has been molesting and engaging young men in homosexual activities for a long time but that anytime he got arrested, he usually got bailed by higher individuals in the state. Chief Chikadibia-Okeke narrated that they caught Mr Okoye over the weekend having sexual relationships with lots of boys and young men and quickly put a call through to the Women Affairs Commissioner who instructed them to apprehend him immediately.

The suspect Okoye, a native of Okpoko village, Isuofia, and a retired teacher, earlier denied the same sex allegations on the basis that it was his haters at work. However, he later revealed that he had at some point romanced some of the boys, and held their private sexual organs but never penetrated them as alleged. He begged for forgiveness.

Meanwhile, two of his victims who pleaded anonymity said that the suspect usually comes under the guise of either assisting one with financial issues or allowing them to do his house chores and get paid.

One of his victims, who is currently 25 years old, explained that the suspect first molested him when he was 17 years old and ever since then has been on his case until he decided to involve his mother. The other, 31-year-old, stated that the suspect usually gets satisfied when he holds his private part but he got uncomfortable with the whole thing.

Both victims alleged that after they left, the suspect kept pressuring them and even threatened them at some point. The suspect was handed over to the police for further investigation.

Elder statesman Edwin Clark has written to President Bola Tinubu, seeking his intervention over the lingering crisis rocking Rivers State.

Worried by the situation, Clark urged the President to act decisively and uphold his democratic principles to restore peace in Rivers State and address security challenges elsewhere in the country.

In his letter dated June 25, he warned that Wike’s loyalty is only to himself and that his actions may undermine the President’s efforts to resolve the crisis.

“Mr. President, you can see clearly the wicked and mischievous confession of your Minister Nyesom Wike sabotaging the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State and his legitimate administration in order to bring down the government because he wants to be the leader and continue maintaining his structure in Rivers State,” he stated.

“Nyesom Wike has definitely danced naked in the market with one leg in PDP and the second leg in APC, using the two legs to create crisis and insecurity in his own State, Rivers State and it may be too late for Mr. President to discover him.

“Mr President, even though you trusted Nyesom Wike to the extent of appointing him as Minister of FCT, you did not really know who Nyesom Wike is.

“Wike is only loyal to himself and nobody else, irrespective of his feigned allegiance. He may kowtow and genuflect before a political leader, as he is currently doing in Abuja, but once he can no longer use you, he goes into a fit of incoherent vituperative verbal assault, denigrating his benefactors.”

See the full statement below:

June 25, 2024

His Excellency,

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,

President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,

Federal Republic of Nigeria,

State House,

Abuja.



My Dear President,


CHIEF CLARK BESEECH PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU TO HALT THE THREATENING POLITICAL CRISIS IN RIVERS STATE


I wish to congratulate you for your prompt action taken by the Presidency to douse the political tension in Rivers State. Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media to Mr. President disclosed the President’s position during an interview on TVC on Saturday, 11th May, 2024. And it has been warmly received by Nigerians particularly in Rivers State. The crisis is no doubt will gradually died down if the statement is upheld by the Presidency, and it will enable us to face the security problem in other part of the country.

According to the Presidential media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, he said, “I believe that anyone who believes that by their actions, whether it’s from the federal level, state level or the legislative branch in the state or the legislative branch in the state or the executive branch in the state, if they are banking on Mr. President to take sides on this matter, they are mistaking and they will be disappointed”.

I am now 97 years and by the grace of God while I may be in my last journey, I have therefore deliberately decided to address the Rivers State issues historically, factually, and courageously without fear or favour to anyone in the interest of Nigeria as a result of your Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike’s continuous threat to remove from office the elected Governor of Rivers State. Your Excellency, you have done what was expected as the father and President of Nigeria, we are all happy to note that with the statesmanship statement from the presidency, the tension in Rivers State is gradually dying down and the peace and good governance is returning to Rivers State. Mr. President, we all know you as an experience and matured politician and historically, you have bravely passed through this way before when democracy was introduced in 1999, and therefore Mr. President, know what I am talking about.

I am confident and proud to say that I have known you for many years even though we have never work together but in our various positions, we successfully fought against anti democratic policies of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime between 1999 and 2007, and I developed special admiration for you when you boldly and courageously spoke against President Olusegun Obasanjo’s interference with your State Local Government system. You are therefore responsible for the growth and wealth of Lagos State today and Nigerians all over the country admire you because you never compromise your constitutional right as provided in section 5(2) of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended which gave you the power and authority to manage the affairs of Lagos State because the constitution recognized the autonomy of the State and they are not subsidiary of the Federal Government. What changes now?

Nyesom Wike has deliberately made a plan with the Rivers State members of the National Assembly to stagger their thanksgiving service and reception for over a long period of time where he will always have the opportunity to criticise the government of Rivers State and harass the Governor because the Governor must accept him as a political leader of Rivers State. It must be remembered that these National Assembly members took oath of office in June 2023. A situation which we now found ourselves by Mr. President allowing Nyesom Wike to rule Rivers State from Abuja while he is no longer the Rivers State Governor and at the same time performing his job from Abuja undisturbed as Minister of FCT is unacceptable; hence we are legitimately resisting it.

Nyesom Wike and the 27 former members of the Assembly and the so called Chairman of the APC caretaker committee in Rivers State, Mr. Tony Okocha, have been issuing inflammatory and provocative statement harassing the Governor to the extent that he recently threatened to impeach Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State.

Another divisive and provocative statement made by Nyesom Wike was on Sunday 7th January, 2024, during his confession having hand in the impeachment of the governor, because of the governor’s hand to impeach the former Speaker and some members of the Rivers State House Assembly.

He continued his public outburst at a so called grand New Year luncheon at the banquet hall of his private residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Speaking on the Rivers crisis he said;

“Ask people why this matter came to this level. When people went and plotted the removal of the Speaker you think we would fold our hands to remove the Speaker an Obio/Akpor son?”

But unfortunately, he miscalculated, when he directed the Speaker, his kinsman, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and the 26 members to defect from PDP, the political party that sponsor them to the APC that does not have a single member in the Rivers State House of Assembly, gleefully singing APC song and waving APC flag. They did not realize that by their action, they automatically lost their seats in accordance with the 1999 Constitution as amended and the series of Supreme Court judgement on the same matter. The remaining four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who did not defect also went to court. Since the former Speaker, Martins Amaewhule was also included in the defection who later became the Speaker went to court where the court confirmed his defection that those who defected including the Speaker have lost their seat in the State House of Assembly, and also approved Martins Amaewhule as the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly who thereafter duly informed the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu about their decision. There is strong evidence that APC under the leadership of Tony Okocha held a very successful reception where the defected former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were received into APC with fan fare.

EFCC @officialEFCC officials early this morning invaded Annex and Regional hotels in Isashi ojo Lagos, owned by same person.

They broke into rooms, assaulted guests and workers, stole ATM cards, money and phones. Shot sporadically at guests, injured innocent customers, and arrested lots of people.
For clarity, the room they broke into in this CCTV footage belongs to workers and staff of the hotel.

The person in there is the manager, whom they assaulted.
She heard their noise and woke up from sleep by past 4:am. Only for them to break into the room and they started assaulting her. They did the same thing to most of the guests. They beat and assaulted many of them. Both women and men.

The camera was installed in the workers general room by the management of the hotel, so workers don't sell out the room, or engage in acts the hotel is against, or even smuggle things in there. It's just for sleeping, but the convenience has no camera.

Celebrating #Pride in #Nigeria is an act of defiance.⁠
⁠
In a country where same-sex relationships or public displays of affection are illegal and many #LGBTQ+ Nigerians use the word ‘queer’, as a safer term to encompass their identities, attending any #Queer event is risky.

That didn’t stop over 500 guests from attending the Fola Francis Ball in Lagos. Even the venue had to be kept secret until a few hours before.⁠
⁠
Party organisers Ayo Lawson and Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim were inspired by a similar event they had been to. ⁠
⁠
“We thought we were very queer and very out there, but going to experience a ball really changed our perspective of what it is to be queer and what queer joy really is,” says Lawson.⁠
⁠
This year the ball was named in honour of a transgender woman called Fola Francis, who before her death last year had been at the heart of the burgeoning underground ballroom scene.⁠
⁠
For many, the Fola Francis ball was an opportunity to pay their respects. “I want to celebrate Fola,” said one of the platform-heeled revellers. For another of the trans women attending for the first time, it was a “dream come true”.⁠
⁠
Others came to compete in the LGBTQ+ ballroom culture competition with categories including butch queen realness, femme queen realness, body, face, voguing and best dressed. Judges included Ashley Okoli and writer-designer Ozzy Etomi, both mainstream figures in Nigeria.⁠
⁠
For the organisers, the ball is a space for self-expression and to celebrate the beauty of diversity, even in the face of fear.⁠
⁠
And that fear is never far away.⁠

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has ordered the arrest of two officers of the Commission allegedly involved in the manhandling of a female staff of Regional Hotel, Ojo, Lagos.

In a video trending online, the EFCC officials who dressed in mufti were seen badging into one of the rooms of the hotel.

An unidentified lady said to be a worker at the hotel was seen trying to open the door from inside when the men opened it forcefully.

One of them was seen slapping the lady reportedly before he ordered her out of the room.

The incident was captured on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV).

In his statement, Oyewale said the incident happened during an early morning sting operation.

He said the operation led to the arrest of a sizable number of suspects who were still being profiled.

“The EFCC’s boss has also ordered detailed investigations of the operation carried out at the hotel and assured that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against any of the officers found to be culpable,” the statement read.

“Olukoyede assures the general public that the EFCC would continue to ply its job professionally and with profound respect for the rule of law.”

ISRAEL Vs HEZBOLLAH:
THE RISK of WAR NOW IS THE HIGHEST IN RECENT WEEKS", SAYS US INTELLIGENCE

A large-scale confrontation between ISRAEL and Hezbollah is likely to break out in the next several weeks if Jerusalem and Hamas fail to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza, U.S. intelligence indicates.

U.S. officials are trying to convince both sides to deescalate — a task that would be significantly easier with a cease-fire in place in Gaza. But that agreement is in tense negotiations and U.S. officials are not confident Israel and Hamas will agree to the deal on the table in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah have drafted battle plans and are in the process of trying to procure additional weapons, according to two senior U.S. officials briefed on the intelligence.

Both sides have publicly said they do not want to go to war, but senior Biden officials increasingly believe that intense fighting is likely to break out despite efforts to try and prevent it.

The risk is higher now than at any other point in recent weeks, according to another senior U.S. official, who, like others in this story, was granted anonymity to speak freely about sensitive intelligence.

A war between Israel and Hezbollah could ignite a conflict that forces the U.S. to help defend Jerusalem and pushes the Biden administration to engage more deeply in a region it has for years tried to leave. It also risks another humanitarian disaster, punching the aid community at a time when it is already stretched thin and trying to manage the crisis in Gaza.


The U.S. intelligence offers a slightly more conservative assessment than those coming from parts of Europe.
Some European countries calculate that a war between Israel and Hezbollah could happen in days. Many have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon. Canada is also preparing to evacuate thousands from the country.

The State Department on Thursday issued a travel advisory for U.S. citizens, urging them to “strongly reconsider” travel to Lebanon.

National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the administration is working toward a “diplomatic resolution” that would allow Israeli and Lebanese citizens to return to their homes.

The Biden administration has for weeks tried to persuade both sides against going to war. Top U.S. officials, including Amos Hochstein, an envoy to the Middle East, have traveled to the region in recent days to try and restore calm.

Despite those efforts, senior Biden officials have said that the escalating tensions on Israel’s border — and the lack of any significant movement in cease-fire negotiations — are trending toward war.

“The logic of Nasrallah … is that it is all tied to Gaza, and until there is a cease-fire in Gaza the firing at Israel won’t stop,” a senior Biden administration official told reporters on Wednesday. “We frankly, completely reject this logic.”

U.S. officials told POLITICO the intelligence indicates the catalyst for war — a major attack by either side, for example — is likely to happen with little notice.

ISRAELI Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who visited Washington this week, told reporters Wednesday that Israel does “not want war.” He added: “The goal is to bring our citizens back home safely. We prefer to do it via understandings, but we are preparing for every possible scenario.”

A Nigerian national, Adam Mohammad Bakur Mohammad Ibrahim, 24, has been seeking Russian citizenship since May 2024.

He joined the Skif Cossack battalion in November 2023, where he was given the call sign 'Vanka' and participated in special military operations (SVO) as a member of the unit.

In December 2023, Russian media featured a story on Vanka, a Nigerian national who had captured a Ukrainian soldier, as seen in a video posted online, RT reports.

After completing his six-month contract, Adam returned to Voronezh, where he had previously studied at the Academy of Sports. He hoped to resume his studies and obtain Russian citizenship, but faced obstacles in acquiring a Russian passport.

Seeking assistance, Ibrahim reached out to RT. His journey in Russia began in September 2023, when he enrolled in the Voronezh State Academy of Sports. Two months later, in November 2023, he took a leave of absence from his studies to join the special military operation (SVO), with the academy's consent.

“In November 2023, I wanted to volunteer for the Northern Military District,” Adam told RT. “I went because I wanted to stay in Russia after studying and become a citizen of this country.”

As a non-Russian citizen, Adam was unable to enter into a contract directly with the Ministry of Defense. However, there is a legal workaround for foreign nationals who wish to support Russia's military efforts: they can sign an agreement with an organization authorized to carry out tasks assigned to the Russian Armed Forces in the Northern Military District.

Adam enlisted in the Skif Cossack battalion, which is part of the Terek Cossack brigade, and was given the call sign 'Vanka' during his service.

Adam signed the agreement on November 11, 2023, and was initially assigned as a shooter.

However, he quickly demonstrated his versatility and acquired an additional skillset as a UAV operator while on the front lines. During his deployment, Adam participated in combat missions in the Soledar direction, earning a reputation as an exemplary warrior, as noted by the chief of staff of the Skif DRO in his official description of Adam's service.

The document reads, “During his participation in the special operation for the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine and being in the Adam Mohammad Bakur detachment, Mohammad Ibrahim with the call sign Vanka, in the position of shooter, established himself as a responsible, courageous, conscientious, strong-willed, disciplined warrior.

“In the performance of his patriotic duty, he performed combat missions, despite the conditions directly associated with the risk of life. During the period of a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine for the specified period, as part of the 35th separate volunteer detachment "Skif" repeatedly participated in hostilities in direct contact with the enemy on the front line of defense of the detachment. He enjoys well-deserved authority and respect within the team.”

When Adam's contract with Skif expired on May 4, 2024, he returned to Voronezh, planning to resume his studies and expecting to do so as a newly minted citizen of the Russian Federation, having hoped to have his citizenship application processed during his time away fighting.

While Adam was serving on the front lines, President of the Russian Federation's Decree No. 10, dated January 4, 2024, came into effect.

The decree stipulates the conditions for foreign citizens, like Adam, who have signed a military service contract with the Russian Armed Forces or affiliated military formations, and their family members, to be admitted to Russian citizenship

According to the presidential decree, Adam is eligible for simplified Russian citizenship, allowing him to bypass the usual naturalization process and gain citizenship through a more expedited route.

Despite being eligible for simplified citizenship under the presidential decree, Adam's efforts to obtain Russian citizenship have been met with failure so far.

The young man alleges that he sought assistance at the Voronezh EMC, but was left without guidance or support. Meanwhile, returning to his home country of Nigeria has become a risky proposition for Adam, as he faces potential imprisonment for mercenary activities.

Adam said, “I stayed on the front line for six months, my contract expired on May 4.

“Now I have a problem with obtaining citizenship. For now I am in Voronezh and continue to study at VGAS. At home they could arrest me, they could give me 20 years in prison.”

Pregnant Nigerian woman and unborn triplets die in UK three days after celebrating her 36th birthday.

Prudence Daniel-Obia, a 36-Year-Old Pregnant Nigerian Woman, has tragically passed away in the UK.

According to a post by the Nigerian community in the UK, Prudence died on Friday, June 21, 2024.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Nigerian in the UK who tragically died on Friday, the 21st of June, 2024," the Nigeria Community in the UK wrote in a GoFundMe page.

"We’re raising funds in memory of Prudence Daniel-Obia."

Prudence, who became pregnant late last year, was eagerly anticipating her first childbirth.

With her new immigration status, she was excited about becoming a mother and starting a family with her husband.

Tragically, just three days after celebrating her 36th birthday, Prudence went to bed and never woke up.

She passed away along with her unborn triplets, leaving behind her heartbroken husband and aged parents.

Nnamdi Emeh, Nigerian Who Exposed Organ Trafficking Ring In Anambra Police Command, Incarcerated In Prison Despite Meeting Bail Conditions



A Nigerian whistleblower, Nnamdi Emeh, who exposed an organ trafficking ring in the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police Force is in incarceration despite meeting his bail conditions, SaharaReporters has learnt.

SaharaReporters learnt that though his release warrant has been signed since May 15, 2024, court officials have been frustrating his release.

Similarly, in October 2023, Nnamdi Emeh petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja over his continued incarceration despite being granted bail.

Emeh in the petition dated October 3, 2023, through his Counsel, Justus Ijeoma accused the Deputy Chief Registrar, Federal High Court in Awka, Nkem Mba, of alleged “unprofessional conduct” in processing his bail because his family could not pay N1 million she allegedly demanded as gratification to process the bail.

Nnamdi Emeh was apprehended in connection with a blog post published by Gistlover, a well-known online platform, which alleged that Patrick Agbazue, a police officer in Anambra, was involved in extortion, abduction, murder, and organ harvesting.

He was accused of running the blog and exposing the atrocities perpetrated by police personnel at the Rapid Response Squad Annex, Akwuzu, formerly known as SARS Awkuzu.

The police brought 12 charges against Nnamdi, including possession of firearms, money laundering, defamation of character and unlawfully transferring N47 million from someone's account into another account.

However, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, SaharaReporters learnt from one of his relations that the National Youth Service Corps was still being detained despite meeting his bail conditions.

"They have continued to incarcerate the corps member that was accused of running Gistlover blog and exposing the atrocities at the defunct Awkuzu SARS despite meeting his bail conditions," the family source said.

"Even though his release warrant has been signed by the presiding judge, for some reasons the court officials do not want to take the release warrant to the correctional service."

Nnamdi Emeh is at Ekwulobia prison in

Anambra State, SaharaReporters was told.

SaharaReporters also learnt that the judge signed the release warrant for Nnamdi on May 15, 2024.

Last October, in his petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nnamdi Emeh accused the Deputy Court Registrar of demanding N1 million to process his bail.

Titled: “A Petition Against the Deputy Chief Registrar, Awka Division of the Federal High Court. Re: Charge No. FHC/AWK/C/60/2023, The Inspector General of Police Vs. Emeh Nnamdi Daniel," the whistleblower who had been in detention for long, from various police cells to prison, alleged that Mba was deliberate in refusing to process his bail after meeting all the conditions the trial judge, Justice F. O. Riman, imposed.

The petition read, “We are counsel to the defendant in the above-mentioned case, who is in custody, and by whose instruction and consent we write to Your Lordship. We shall hereinafter, where the context permits, simply refer to him as the defendant.

“The defendant, a serving youth corper with the Anambra State Police Command, was arraigned on a 12-count charge bothering on, among other things, “making false publications against the OC Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS” and “stealing” before my lord, Hon Justice F. O. Riman, on April 25, 2023.

“Consequently, the defendant was admitted to bail by the court on May 17, 2023.”

It also noted that all necessary terms for bail were promptly followed up and met, but the DCR (Mba) had frustrated all efforts made.

“The unfavourable disposition of the DCR started when she, sometime in May 2023, when we commenced the process of perfecting the bail of the defendant, had demanded that we should pay her the sum of one million Naira (N1,000,000.00) as the bail processing fees.

“We refused and told her that the defendant’s family does not have such money to pay and that such payment does not form part of the order of the court. Since then, she has been acting in the most unprofessional ways towards the process of perfecting the defendant’s bail. The circus of delay has continued without any respite in sight.

“Wherefore, we pray my Lord to direct that this matter be investigated with a view to curbing corruption and bringing the unscrupulous to justice. We cannot allow the DCR to continue as if attaining any position in public service is a license to act at one’s whims and caprices. Thank you, my noble lord, in anticipation that this petition will receive your kind judicial attention in the interest of justice,” the statement continued.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the court granted the whistleblower bail and while he was yet to meet the stringent bail conditions, the police were already planning to re-arrest him on the court premises.

It had been reported that the police on May 12, 2023 arraigned Emeh, before a Federal High Court in Awka, on 12 counts charge, accusing him of committing crimes alleged to have violated several regulations and laws.

Emeh pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court later admitted him to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

Democrats Urge Biden To Withdraw From Presidential Race After ‘Shocking’ Performance At Trump Debate

After Thursday's debate, where President Joe Biden faced challenges in his encounter with former President Donald Trump, his Republican opponent, some Democrats have started urging Biden to drop out of the presidential race, allowing the party to select an alternative candidate to run in his place.

As reported by NBC News, Democrats are concerned that the Biden who participated in the debate - a version that embodied the criticisms and caricatures leveled by Trump and his supporters, portraying him as unfit for office - will ultimately prove unelectable in the November elections.

"This was like a champion boxer who gets in the ring past his prime and needs his corner to throw in the towel," said a Democratic lawmaker, adding that he meant Biden should exit the race. If President Biden doesn't voluntarily step down, the possibilities for a replacement are scarce.

It would require a remarkable uprising among Democratic National Convention delegates, most of whom were elected on the condition of supporting Biden's nomination. However, some Democrats were indeed contemplating this scenario on Thursday night.

It's “time to talk about an open convention and a new Democratic nominee,” said a second Democratic lawmaker who has been a solid Biden supporter.

Despite desires for a replacement, many doubt the feasibility of replacing Biden, are uncertain about which alternative candidate could secure the party's nomination, and question whether a new candidate could defeat Trump in the November election.

Going into the debate, which was hosted by CNN, polls showed a close race between Biden and Trump.

“There is a sense of shock at how he came out at the beginning of this debate. How his voice sounded. He seemed a little disoriented. ... There are going to be discussions about whether he should continue,” David Axelrod, a top adviser to former President Barack Obama, said on CNN.“Only he can decide if he’s going to continue.”

Axelrod forecasted that Biden would be unlikely to withdraw from the race, citing his strong sense of pride and self-confidence.

Historically, the last instance of an eligible president opting out of a reelection bid was in 1968, when Lyndon Johnson, facing likely defeat in the Democratic primaries, decided not to pursue a second full term, a scenario that may hold relevance in the current political landscape.

Still, several Democrats predicted that calls for Biden to take the Johnson route would multiply in the coming days.

“The chatter of replacement is absolutely going to explode,” said a veteran Democratic strategist who has worked on presidential campaigns. “There is no coming back from this disaster.”

If Biden were to withdraw, it would trigger a potentially divisive and contentious struggle within the Democratic Party over whether to automatically promote Vice President Kamala Harris, who made history as the first Black and female vice president.

This conflict could fragment crucial voter bases at a time when unity is essential for the party's success. Despite this risk, some party strategists believe Biden's departure is necessary, even if it leads to a fierce intraparty battle.

"They need to change nomination now," a Democratic operative said. "Or just put Harris on top of the ticket."

A Democratic strategist with connections to Capitol Hill revealed that lawmakers are hesitant to openly urge Biden to drop out of the race, saying, "No one wants to be the first to do so." However, the strategist noted that many are discreetly reviewing Democratic National Committee rules and procedures.

While the strategist expressed personal admiration for Biden's accomplishments, including his handling of international conflicts, key appointments, and domestic policies, as well as his triumph over Trump in 2020, they believe it's essential for Biden to step aside and allow another candidate to take the reins.

"I am for the first time beginning to think calling for Biden to step aside isn't heretical; it's the only responsible thing to do," he said. "If we lose this election to Trump because we were too afraid to admit we were wrong about his age or too worried of an open convention, we can no longer call our party the defenders of democracy."

Several current and former Democratic elected officials opted to remain silent when asked about Biden's performance on Thursday night, choosing not to publicly comment on the matter.

One Democratic lawmaker jokingly replied, "The best thing I can do to help Joe Biden is to pretend I didn't get your text," indicating a desire to avoid publicly criticising or distancing themselves from the president.