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Citizen drags Office of Imo Speaker to EFCC, alleges corruption
A citizen of Imo State, Dr. Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha has dragged the Office of the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon.
Benjamin Chukwuemeka Uwajumogu [Pictured] to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging serious breaches of corruption.
Mr. Iwuoha cited road contract scam, employment racketeering, salaries scam, financial assistance scam, general supply fraud, advertorial rate, stipend for correspondents fraud, amongst others as the many sins of the Uwajumogu-led office.
The petitioner also not only volunteered to appear anywhere on invitation to defend his allegations, but ‘to go to jail with hard labour if he fails to prove his allegations with documented evidences’.
Attached beneath low the details of the petition:
The Chairman,
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Abuja – Nigeria.
My Dear Sir,
Fraud in Imo Speaker’s Office
I am constrained to draw your attention to the fraudulent activities going on at the office of the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly.
On the 20th of December 2013, I officially informed the Executive Governor of Imo State of the fraudulent activities at the Speakers office involving the Chief of Staff (Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe) and the acting Senior Special Assistant on Media (Mr. Emeka Ahaneku). Your office was duly copied the said letter. In the said letter, I requested the Governor to compel the leadership of Imo Assembly to set up a probe panel that would invite me to clarify on my allegations. Till this moment, it has not been done.
Also, on the 7th of November 2013, I officially informed the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Chukwuemeka Uwajumogu of the criminal and fraudulent activities in his office involving his Chief of Staff (Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe). I requested him to set up a four (4) man panel to be made up of Honourable members of the House that would invite me to clarify on my allegations. The said letter was also copied to the clerk of the House and other Honourable members. The Speaker rather than investigate my allegations instead protected his Chief of Staff and thereafter issued me with a query (36 days later) on the 13th of December 2013. I quickly responded to the query by insisting that a four man panel be set up for me to make clarifications. The intrigues that followed at the Speakers office and the obvious threat to my life (some aides have died) made me to resign my appointment on the 17th of December 2013.
It is therefore on the strength of the failure of the Executive Governor of Imo State and the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly to set up panel to investigate these fraud allegations in the Speaker’s office that I am humbly petitioning your commission to investigate, arrest and prosecute the criminals involved in corrupt and fraudulent practices at the Imo Speaker’s office. I shall be failing in my duties and responsibilities as a patriotic citizen if I do not expose corruption. I shall also provide technical and physical assistance and evidence (documents) throughout the period of this investigation.
The investigation will concentrate in the following areas.
(1) ROAD CONTRACT SCAM – The Chief of Staff to the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly (Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe) went outside his confinement of duties to award road contracts on behalf of Imo State government to inexperienced contractors in Imo State. He signed so many road contract papers for contractors; I shall make some of these documents available. He also delved into road construction while retaining his position as Chief of Staff to Imo Speaker. The question that must be asked is; who authorized Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe to award and sign road contract papers for contractors? Which law empowers him as Chief of Staff to Imo House Speaker to award and sign contract papers for contractors? His Boss (the Rt. Honourable Speaker) is not even empowered by any known law in Nigeria to award or sign contract papers for contractors; talk less of his Chief of Staff. This abnormal legislative function of the office of the Speaker has led to the award of road contracts to inexperienced, ill equipped, non-challant and “wait and take” emergency contractors. The resultant effect is the execution of shoddy road jobs in our state Imo. Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe so abused his office as chief of staff to the extent that other aides of the Speaker were equally awarded road contracts, namely; (1) Mr. Dan Orji (special Adviser on inter-governmental matters) (2) Mr. Emeka Ahaneku (using fronts) etc.
Also, friends of the leadership of the office of the Speaker who were residing abroad were asked to return home, which they did and road contract jobs were given to them as fronts even though they never had any experience in road contract assignment and execution. It should be noted that road contracts were awarded to these “wait and take” contractors on the condition that ASPHALT materials are procured from a particular plant located along Onitsha road Owerri and owned by the Speaker of Imo state House of Assembly which was established few months after he emerged Speaker. It should be noted that through various manipulations in award of road contracts, state funds running into Billions of naira were diverted and used by the Rt. Honourable Speaker to acquire eye popping properties scattered across the country and abroad.
(2) EMPLOYMENT RACKETEERING – Within few weeks of his appointment as Chief of Staff to the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe recruited over one hundred and twenty (120) people as aides for Speaker Uwajumogu. But ordinarily, only about thirty (30) people were supposed to have been recruited. Conversely, it is safe for me to assert that over ninety (90) persons were illegally employed by the Chief of Staff. Various levels of salaries were also approved for these over 90 persons with the understanding that they allegedly part with a percentage of their salaries to the Chief of Staff. These over 90 persons have never for one day reported for work. So they can be described as “Ghost workers” who received monthly salaries but who give certain percentages to the Chief of Staff. This anomaly and fraud continued until it was discovered by other Honourable members who threatened to deal with Rt. Honourable Benjamin Uwajumogu. They ordered Imo Speaker to bring down the number of “employed” aides or face “appropriate” action. Speaker Uwajumogu responded by bringing down the number of “aides” (Ghost workers) from the 120 to about 90, which is still too much. The Chief of Staff is so corrupt and fraudulent that he pay-rolled his very old mother who is 85years as a
Special Adviser to Imo Speaker even though she has never reported to work. Her name is Madam Monica Anamekwe. The Chief of Staff equally pay rolled his relations residing abroad as Imo Speaker’s aides. This unusual situation made the office of the governor (office of the Principal Secretary) to write to the leadership of the Imo House of Assembly in the Second quarter of 2013 to furnish it with the actual number of political appointees at the Speakers Office. Till this moment, they leadership of the Assembly is yet to respond to that letter.
(3) SALARIES SCAM – Any aide of the speaker who must be promoted must go into an understanding with the Chief of staff to have the new salary shared with him (the Chief of Staff). Also, if a new aide is
employed today, he will have his appointment letter backdated by several months and the accrued “salaries” would be allegedly shared with the Chief of Staff.
(4) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCAM: Any aide of the Speaker who is in need of financial assistance to help solve a personal problem will have the request kept pending until he agrees to do “business” with the Chief of Staff. For example, Mr. Emmanuel Adoba (former Special Adviser to Imo Speaker on
Administration) had his own “Financial Assistance” of N1.3 million naira approved for him by Imo Speaker through the Chief of Staff. Emmanuel Adoba cashed and collected the sum of N1.3m from the Accounts Department of the Imo State House of Assembly in December 2011 and allegedly gave the sum of N300, 000 to the Chief of Staff. Also, the Chief of Staff is in the habit of bringing people from Ihitte/Uboma LGA for such deals and who will in return pay certain percentages to him.
(5) GENERAL SUPPLY FRAUD – I will explain in details if invited to prove my allegation.
(6) Advertorial Rate > I will explain in details if invited to prove my allegation.
(7) STIPEND FOR CORRESPONDENTS FRAUD > I will also explain in details if invited to prove my allegation.
(8) IMO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FUNDS PRIVATE businesses and NGOs of the Speaker’s Sister, Dr. (Mrs.) Chidinma Uwajumogu. I will explain in details if invited to prove my allegation.
(9) Imo Speaker allegedly acquired properties abroad using the Sister Dr. (Mrs) Chidinma Uwajumogu as front.
From the above, it is very obvious that the major reason why the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly refused to set up the panel to probe into my allegation of fraud and corruption against his Chief of staff and other aides is because he is in the know of the criminal activities going on in his office. He is the one facilitating fraudulent activities in his office using his Chief of Staff as front. Hence he has used the proceeds of the crime to acquire several properties in Nigeria and abroad as follows.
(1) A N500 million naira Asphalt plant along Onitsha road Owerri, acquired in the first quarter of 2012.
(2) Several mansions along Chief Ben Uwajumogu Street Federal Housing Estate Umuguma Owerri – West LGA, acquired in 2013.
(3) JASMINE Hotels and suites behind Imo Concorde Hotel valued at over N70 million and opened in November 2012
(4) Over 200 plots of land located in Owerri West LGA and acquired in 2013
(5) Renovated, furnished and converted his father’s village one storey building at Ihitte/Uboma LGA into a palace at a value of over N400 million.
(6) Built 2 other mansions in Ihitte/Uboma
(7) Renovating his father’s Hotel (Eastern Comfort) in Umuahia to the tune of over N100 million
(8) Acquired mansions in Aba and Umuahia
(9) Acquired a crush rock industry in Ebonyi State to the tune of over N760 million naira in 2013.
(10) Converted the Imo State Liaison Office Abuja into his personal property. The Imo State government reportedly “leased” out the five floor state liaison office for 20 years at the sum of N70,000,000
million to Imo Speaker, who in turn ejected all Staffs of the Office forcefully in August 2013. So far, Imo Speaker has spent over N750 million in converting the edifice into a Hotel.
(11) Imo Speaker in presently developing a Hotel in Lagos valued at over N500 million naira.
(12) And so on and so forth
Yet this is the same Imo Speaker who could not fund his House of Assembly election in April 2011 to the extent that he allegedly sold some of his father’s property and even borrowed some money to fund his election. Available records and information shows that he allegedly borrowed N10.6 million from a One “Arm” businessman from Ehime Mbano LGA, N15 million from his former Godfather from Ehime mbano LGA and another N11.5 million from a PDP bigwig from Ihitte/Uboma LGA.
The EFCC will have to demonstrate to the Presidency, Nigerians and the international community that it is serious in fighting corruption and fraud in high places by proving her efficiency and effectiveness in the way and manner it handles this petition against the Office of the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly involving Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe, Mr. Emeka Ahaneku and of course Rt. Honourable Benjamin Chukwuemeka Uwajumogu.
I shall be ready to go to jail with hard labour if I fail to prove my allegations with documented evidences. Please accept my warmest regards.
Citizen (Dr.) Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha FCAI
Former Senior Special Assistant on Media
Immediate Past Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties
07032934037, 07045148195
Nationwideinitiative@gmail.com
CC:
(1) The Presidency
(2) The National Assembly
(3) The Force Headquarters
(4) Nigerians
(5) The Press
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The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million foreigners holding US visas, aiming to identify potential violations that could trigger visa revocation or deportation.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting.”
Officials will examine any indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorism, or support for terrorist organisations.
If authorities find evidence of such violations, they will revoke the visa, and individuals already in the US could face immediate deportation.
Officials stressed that the review targets both individuals residing in the United States and those holding multiple-entry visas abroad.
Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, targeting not only undocumented migrants but also holders of student and visitor exchange visas.
The current vetting process extends far beyond prior reviews, potentially affecting individuals who initially received approval to stay in the US.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, last year the US had 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.
Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals living abroad with tourist or business visas. She questioned whether allocating resources to review people unlikely to return justifies the scale of the initiative.
Alongside the review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety risks and threats to American jobs.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.
The administration recently strengthened English proficiency requirements for foreign truckers following incidents where language barriers contributed to accidents. State Department officials confirmed they are pausing the processing of new work visas to reassess screening and vetting protocols.
“Ensuring that every driver meets the highest standards protects American workers and maintains a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department added.
Experts warn the broader implications of the review could ripple across the US economy. Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained that the administration’s policies aim to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from employing foreign workers.
“The economic consequences will extend far beyond individual visas,” Alden said, emphasizing that employers risk compliance issues if they continue hiring foreign staff.
The review represents the most comprehensive enforcement action in recent US history and signals that the administration will aggressively monitor both legal and temporary visa holders to maintain national security and prioritize domestic employment.
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.
“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.
“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.
“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.
I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.
The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.
Nigeria has secured a $238 million loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the expansion and modernization of the national power grid.
The deal, confirmed during engagements at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, reflects a strategic shift towards implementation-driven energy development.
President Bola Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria’s participation at TICAD9 focused on concrete, outcome-oriented partnerships rather than ceremonial diplomacy.
“We are moving from planning to implementation, from agreements to delivery, and from promises to measurable results,” he said.
Details of the JICA Loan Project
The $238 million loan, supported by a Federal Executive Council counterpart funding of ₦19,083,192,805.30, will finance significant upgrades to Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.
Key components of the project include:
Construction of 102.95 km of new 330kV double-circuit lines
Construction of 104.59 km of 132kV double-circuit lines
Development of four 330/132/33kV substations and two 132/33kV substations
Multiple line bay extensions to improve efficiency and reduce system losses
According to Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the partnership with Japanese companies such as Toshiba, Hitachi, and Japan’s Transmission & Distribution Corporation is essential for unlocking Nigeria’s energy potential.
“Our focus is on transmission infrastructure, operational efficiency, and strategies to reduce system losses.
This $238 million loan from JICA provides the backbone for that transformation,” Adelabu explained.
Adelabu acknowledged Japan’s consistent support for Nigeria’s power sector, highlighting contributions in infrastructure, technical studies, training, and financing.
He emphasized that JICA’s backing is critical to expanding access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity across the country.
The project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s power transmission network, improve system reliability, and enhance overall efficiency, ultimately supporting industrial growth and meeting rising electricity demand nationwide.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued a fierce warning to Hamas, declaring that Gaza City will face complete destruction if the militant group refuses to accept Israel’s conditions for ending the war.
Katz, in a statement shared on social media on Friday, August 22, 2025, used sharp words to describe Israel’s next steps.
He said the “gates of hell” would open on Hamas if it failed to disarm and release all hostages.
“Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas’s murderers and rapists in Gaza until they agree to Israel’s conditions,” Katz wrote.
He added that if Hamas refused, Gaza City would suffer the same fate as Rafah and Beit Hanoun, two cities previously flattened by Israeli offensives.
His comments mark one of Israel’s strongest warnings since the escalation of the conflict.
The minister’s remarks came only hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that negotiations had been ordered to free the hostages held in Gaza.
Netanyahu explained in a video address that Israel’s military operation in Gaza City would not stop during talks. “Defeating Hamas and releasing our hostages go hand in hand,” he said.
The prime minister also confirmed the mobilisation of 60,000 reservists to join the offensive.
Meanwhile, mediators have been waiting for Israel’s response to a ceasefire plan that Hamas accepted earlier in the week.
The proposal suggests a phased release of hostages, but Israel insists that only a deal ensuring the release of all captives at once will be accepted.
Israel’s hardened stance has sparked growing concern worldwide.
International leaders have cautioned that an expanded assault on Gaza City could worsen the humanitarian disaster already unfolding in the region.
Gaza’s health ministry says more than 62,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed since Israel’s military campaign began.
The United Nations considers these figures credible.
The war was triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which left 1,219 people dead in Israel, mostly civilians.
Since then, the conflict has intensified, with both sides showing little sign of compromise.
With Katz’s threat to turn Gaza City into rubble if demands are not met, the conflict appears to be entering an even deadlier stage.
The international community continues to press for a ceasefire, but Israel’s leadership insists that victory over Hamas and the release of all hostages remain its top priorities.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over the circulation of fake Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachets in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 22, 2025, the agency explained that the counterfeit milk is packaged to look like the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk,” but it is unauthorised and unsafe for consumption.
NAFDAC clarified that Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, the authentic manufacturer, stopped producing Cowbell “Our Milk” in September 2023.
The product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.” Despite this, fake versions of the old product have found their way into Nigerian markets.
Picture of Fake cowbell milk.
The counterfeit sachets bear the brand name, NAFDAC registration number, and familiar packaging design, making them difficult for unsuspecting buyers to identify as fake.
Health Dangers of Fake Cowbell Milk
NAFDAC warned that the consumption of these counterfeit products poses serious health risks.
Fake milk could contain toxic chemicals, harmful additives, or diluted ingredients that endanger human health.
Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are the most vulnerable. Possible dangers include:
- Foodborne illnesses
- Allergic reactions
- Organ damage
- Long-term health complications
- In extreme cases, death
Counterfeit Product Details
- Product Name: Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachet
- Purported Manufacturer: Promasidor Nigeria Ltd
- Production Date: 04/2025
- Expiry Date: 12/2028
Picture of original cowbell milk.
NAFDAC Issues Strong Warning
The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing the counterfeit milk.
Healthcare professionals, distributors, and consumers have been advised to report suspicious sales of substandard or fake products immediately.
Reports can be made through:
The nearest NAFDAC office
Toll-free line: 0800-162-3322
Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
NAFDAC also called on traders and retailers to stop selling the fake sachets.
The agency assured the public that strict enforcement measures are being taken to remove the counterfeit products from circulation.
This is not the first time Nigerians have faced risks from fake food and beverages.
Experts warn that counterfeit consumables are becoming more sophisticated, often making them difficult to spot.
Consumers are advised to always check product details, expiry dates, and packaging changes announced by manufacturers.
By highlighting the dangers and raising awareness, NAFDAC says it hopes to protect Nigerians from avoidable health crises linked to fake milk products
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