The Coal City Network

A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos State, has restrained the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from arresting any vehicle with a faded number plate. Justice Akintayo Aluko made the order on Friday while also restricting the FRSC from imposing any fine or punishment on any driver for driving with a faded vehicle number plate. Justice Aluko made the above orders while delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/253/2024, filed by Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube against FRSC. The applicant, Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube, in an Originating Summons dated January 12, 2024 and filed on February 13, 2024, by his lawyer, U.G.Nwokedi, had asked the court to determine the following: “Whether the Defendant, pursuant to Section 5 (g) and Section 10 (3)(f) of the Federal Road Safety Commission Act 2007 being the sole designer and producer of vehicle number plates in Nigeria, is not absolutely responsible for the quality and durability of the vehicle number plates as are produced by it?” Also, ...

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended no fewer than 366 suspected traffickers and seized 1,560.97kg (1.56 tonnes) of hard drugs within Enugu State in 2024. The NDLEA said that among the 1,560.97kg (1.56 tonnes) of hard drugs seized included: cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa (hemp) and methamphetamine, also locally known as Mkpurumiri, among others. The Commander of NDLEA Enugu State Command, Abel Wadahi, told newsmen on Friday in Enugu that those apprehended were 324 males and 42 females in the period under review. Wadahi said that in 2024, a total of 39 male suspects were convicted at the Federal High Court, Enugu. He added that 124 cases are still pending; and 118 cases filed at the Federal High Court, Enugu are at various stages of trial. According to him, 11 vehicles and 24 motorcycles were forfeited in 2024; while four vehicles and two motorcycles were seized and have been charged to court for interim forfeiture. “In the year 2024, NDLEA Enugu Stat...

A Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja has ordered the remand of popular social media influencer Reno Omokri for defamation. Omokri, along with a former Dunamis Church Pastor, Abraham Daniel, Mr. Enenche Enenche, and Alexander Enenche, were all remanded in prison custody for the same offense. Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Ayanna granted the warrant through an ex-parte order filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, through his lawyer, Francis Gabriel, Esq., on January 13, 2025. The motion (No: ME/07/2025) listed the Inspector-General of Police as the applicant, and Mr. Daniel Abraham, Mr. Enenche Idoga Alexander, Oboyinlo Enenche Peter, and Mr. Reno Omokri as the 1st to 4th respondents. The court ordered the police to produce the respondents in court on January 30, 2025. The order stated: "An Order of this Honourable Court for remand warrant of the Respondents (i) Mr. Daniel Abraham, (ii) Mr. Enenche Idoga Alexander, (iii)...

  Enugu residents are urged to tune in to Afia TV this Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12:30 PM for an important live broadcast featuring Engr. Okwudiri Daniel Ohaa FNSE , the Director of Enugu State Fire Service . Engr. Ohaa will discuss vital strategies for managing fire emergencies , offering expert advice on how to handle such crises effectively. Don't miss this informative session with one of the state's leading fire safety experts. Watch live on Afia TV , available on DSV Channel 254 and GOV Nigeria Channel 17 . Tune in and stay prepared!

Nigerian Socialite, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has publicly declared his support for Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as a potential candidate for the Lagos governorship in 2027. VeryDarkMan stated this in a video shared on his official Instagram handle on Friday, expressing his willingness to campaign for Seyi. “If Seyi Tinubu decides to run for governorship…I’m going to campaign for him. I don’t do politics but I’ll do politics because of Seyi Tinubu,” VeryDarkMan said. He believes Seyi’s potential governorship would signal a shift in Nigeria’s politics, allowing younger people to take over political offices. Seyi, who will be 42 in 2027, could become the youngest governor in Lagos’ history. “Based on my calculation, Seyi Tinubu is a bridge to get something that I want, something that I believe will make Nigeria work,” VeryDarkMan added. He also noted that Seyi seems to employ a strategic approach to politics, similar to his father’s, by positioning...

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Abduyari Shuaya’u Lafia, effective from 9 January 2025. In a wireless message addressed to all departments, units, and commands, signed by the Force Secretary, the Headquarters emphasized the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations governing the conduct of police officers on suspension, pending the outcome of his case before the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC). Titled “Suspension and Interdiction AP. NO. 41804 AIG Abduyari Shuaya’u Lafia,” the police authorities referred to the decision made by the Police Service Commission (POLSCOM), as detailed in their letter dated 9 January 2025, in accordance with PSR 100406, 2021, as amended. Furthermore, the authorities instructed the Assistant Inspector General of Police Budget and Payment to take immediate action to halt his salary. The communication, dated 10 January 2025, with reference number AP:41804/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.IV/3, ...

Footballer Collapses, D!es During Adeleke Memorial Football Competition... A footballer, Maicon Adeyemi Adewale, has been reported dead after he collapsed while participating in a football competition in Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Memorial Football Cup competition in Osogbo, Osun State. The deceased, said to be a player of the Ilesa West Local Government Area football team, reportedly slumped on the field and was rushed to a hospital where a doctor confirmed him dead. The sad incident occurred on Thursday, January 16, 2025, on the deceased’s 29th birthday. The State Police Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday in Osogbo. “Today, (Thursday) while the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match was going on at Ataoja School of Science, one Adeyemi Adewale ‘M’ 29yrs, a player of Ilesa West Football team, slumped on the pitch,” the statement read. “He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed d...

  The Nasarawa State Police Command has charged Timileyin Ajayi, a self-proclaimed gospel singer, with the gruesome murder of Salome Eleojo. The suspect was arraigned on Friday before a magistrate court on a one-count charge of culpable homicide punishable by death, in violation of Section 221 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria. However, the court ordered the suspect to be remanded at the Lafia Correctional Facility pending formal arraignment and further legal proceedings. The media had reported that Timileyin Ajayi, a 32-year-old man, was remanded in the custody of the Nasarawa State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia, the state capital. His arrest stems from allegations of murdering his girlfriend, Salome Eleoja Adaidu, a 24-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who worked at Nicon Insurance in Abuja. The incident occurred when Salome reportedly visited Timileyin’s residence in the Papalana axis of New Karshi, Karu Local ...

Tragedy unfolded in Anambra State on Friday, January 17, 2025, when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were ambushed by suspected internet fraudsters, known locally as Yahoo Boys, during a daring operation to apprehend them. The EFCC officers, dispatched from the Enugu Zonal Command, faced a hail of gunfire as they closed in on their targets. The confrontation escalated into chaos, resulting in the tragic death of an assistant superintendent who had only recently celebrated his promotion. Another officer was left fighting for his life, rushed to hospital amidst the turmoil. In the midst of the deadly crossfire, the operatives managed to apprehend one male suspect, but his identity remains shrouded in mystery. There is also uncertainty surrounding whether he has secured legal representation in the wake of the violent clash. According to ThePunch, a source near the scene who pleaded anonymity due to the sensitivity of the incident said, “The incident happen...

  Eight suspected gunmen were killed in Anambra state, just a day before the launch of the state’s new security initiative, Operation Udo Ga Di (peace must reign). The operation, aimed at combating insecurity, took place in the Ufuma–Ogbunka Communities within the Orumba North and South Local Government Areas. Governor Charles Soludo had earlier announced the launch of the operation, backed by 163 security vehicles and a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to tackle crime. A new security "situation room" has been set up to monitor criminal activities across all 21 local government areas in Anambra. Paulinus Uchendu, a member of the Joint Task Force on Security, confirmed that intelligence gathered from newly acquired security equipment enabled the forces to neutralize the gunmen who had been terrorizing the area. Two camps were destroyed, and many of the criminals fled with bullet wounds. The Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochikwu Ikenga, expre...

Commander Matuwo Olufokunbi of the U.S. Navy has made history by becoming the first Nigerian-American to qualify as a nuclear engineer under the U.S. Navy's prestigious Nuclear Propulsion Program. This remarkable achievement also makes him the third Nigerian-born officer to command a U.S. Navy warship. Victor Agunbiade, a fellow Nigerian-born U.S. Navy officer, celebrated the milestone on social media, expressing his pride in Olufokunbi’s accomplishments and wishing him the best in his new role. The USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) confirmed Olufokunbi’s new position as the commanding officer, replacing Commander Jason Nowell. The ship's official statement welcomed Olufokunbi and thanked Nowell for his leadership. Olufokunbi enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001 and advanced through the Seaman to Admiral Program. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 2008 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and has since earned several honors, including the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achi...

Commander Matuwo Olufokunbi of the U.S. Navy has made history by becoming the first Nigerian-American to qualify as a nuclear engineer under the U.S. Navy's prestigious Nuclear Propulsion Program. This remarkable achievement also makes him the third Nigerian-born officer to command a U.S. Navy warship. Victor Agunbiade, a fellow Nigerian-born U.S. Navy officer, celebrated the milestone on social media, expressing his pride in Olufokunbi’s accomplishments and wishing him the best in his new role. The USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) confirmed Olufokunbi’s new position as the commanding officer, replacing Commander Jason Nowell. The ship's official statement welcomed Olufokunbi and thanked Nowell for his leadership. Olufokunbi enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001 and advanced through the Seaman to Admiral Program. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 2008 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and has since earned several honors, including the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy ...

  The wife of retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has been kidnapped from her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State. Mrs. Odumosu was reportedly abducted in the early hours of Friday by heavily armed men who stormed her home, shooting sporadically. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, said the command acted swiftly by deploying operatives to secure her release. “Information was received regarding the kidnapping of Mrs. Odumosu, a female resident of Aminu Street, Arepo, Ogun State,” Odutola said. “Reports indicate that she was about to enter her home when four masked men attacked her, dragged her from her Lexus Jeep, and took her through swampy areas to an unknown location.” The Divisional Police Officer has led a team of officers to the scene, where they are currently combing the swampy bush area in search of the victim. Local security forces in the riverine areas have also been engaged...

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division has upheld Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. A three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka, delivered the judgement on Friday, reaffirming its earlier decision from November 13, 2024, which officially recognises Abure as National Chairman. The court confirmed that this verdict remains unchallenged by any other judicial authority. In a considered address, Justice Barka outlined the context of two separate appeals launched by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, the caretaker committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission. The court chose not to engage with the substantive issues surrounding the Labour Party’s leadership, deeming them as not justiciable. The ruling took a decisive turn as the court declared any actions taken outside its jurisdiction as null and void. It also struck down the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court on October 8, 2024, by Justice Emeka Nwite, labeling it ineffective d...

18 Kidnapped Victims Rescued In By Nigerian Army...  The victims were rescued during an offensive operation carried out between the borders of Taraba and Plateau States. Troops of the Three Division Nigerian Army and Operation Safe Haven have rescued three septuagenarians, alongside 15 others, from the kidnappers’ enclave. Operation Safe Haven Information Officer, Major Samson Zhakom, told journalists at the operations headquarters in Jos that the rescued victims have been reunited with their families after profiling and documentation by relevant agencies. The operations also led to the apprehension of some of the criminals and the recovery of dangerous weapons, including ammunitions and firearms. The troops reported that the released victims have been reunited with their families after profiling and documentation by relevant agencies. Meanwhile, Troops of Sector Five on Golden Peace Operations said they captured five bandits at a criminal hideout in the Tarangol in Bokkos Lo...

  Governor Approves Employment of 360 Cleaners into Civil Service... Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the employment of 360 citizens from the three senatorial districts into the civil service. In a statement released on Friday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, it was revealed that the newly recruited cleaners have been deployed to various ministries and parastatals to strengthen the workforce. The State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, disclosed this in his office in Benin City while briefing the press on the steps taken by the Okpebholo-led administration to embark on people-centred initiatives. Okungbowa explained that the previous administration relied on contractors and consultants to manage cleaning services, which left workers vulnerable to job insecurity and low pay. He noted that those employed by the present administration would receive the N70,000 minimum wage paid to all Edo State workers, demonstrating the Okpebhol...

  Another PDP Lawmaker has Defected to APC... Hon. Ashakia Pius, Member Representing Obanliku State Constituency in the House of Assembly, has defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a high-profile visit to his constituency in Obanliku Local Government Area. The defection was announced during a visit to notable political figures at the APC Secretariat, where he was received by Dr. George Ejikang, Chapter Chairman of the APC in Obanliku, and Hon. Chief Dr. Sunny Ayang, the current Local Government Chairman of Obanliku. As the only opposition member in the 25-member legislature, Hon. Pius’ defection marks the consolidation of the assembly under a single political banner—the APC.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that the recent rise in terror attacks in the Northeast and Northwest regions of Nigeria is largely due to the influx of foreign fighters. These foreign fighters, mainly from the Sahelian Region, are being aided by local collaborators who provide intelligence on the movements of Nigerian troops. In a press conference held in Abuja, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations for the DHQ, stated that the arrival of these foreign fighters has significantly bolstered the strength of terrorist groups. He also emphasized the critical role local informants play in relaying troop movements, contributing to the terrorists' strategic advantage. Despite these challenges, Major General Buba reassured the public that Nigerian troops remain committed to eliminating terrorism in the country. "Our strategic objective remains steadfast: to break the terrorists' will to fight," he said. The DHQ is focusing on disma...

  Former Minister and his Wife have been Sentenced To 14 Years and 7 Years Respectively for Corruption A Pakistani court convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, on corruption charges on January 17, 2025. Khan received a sentence of 14 years, while his wife was sentenced to 7 years. The charges stem from allegations that the couple accepted a gift of land from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in exchange for laundered money during Khan’s tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023, maintains that the charges are politically motivated. The couple allegedly allowed Malik Riaz to use laundered funds, totaling 190 million British pounds ($240 million), which had been returned to Pakistan by British authorities in 2022, to settle fines in a separate case. Khan has consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing the charges as part of a conspiracy by political rivals aimed at blocking his return to power. Following the ...

   Tinubu To Approve Creation Of New State President Bola Tinubu is poised to endorse the creation of Ijebu State, following a significant meeting with the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. The discussions, which took place on January 5 at the President’s Lagos residence, focused on the long-standing request for Ijebu to be carved out of Ogun State, making it the country’s newest state. The Awujale emphasized that Ijebu is the only colonial-era province that remains without statehood, arguing that the region is sufficiently endowed with resources to thrive as an independent state. He pointed to the area's industrial estates, a growing airport, and other vital infrastructure as proof of its capacity for self-sufficiency and development. Sources close to the meeting revealed that President Tinubu swiftly agreed to the proposal without extensive deliberation, signaling his support for the long-desired state creation. The push for Ijebu State gained significant trac...

  A group of Nigerian hackers has reportedly infiltrated the UnitedHealthcare database, stealing over six terabytes of confidential health records and personal information of 120 million Americans. The breach, which took place in February 2024, has been described as one of the largest in healthcare history. The cyberattack was part of a coordinated effort that led to the theft of sensitive data, including names, addresses, emails, and social security numbers of registered UnitedHealthcare clients. This data is now the subject of a class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, with over 60 Americans seeking redress after their private health data was compromised. According to court filings, the hacking operation, which began on February 21, 2024, was primarily orchestrated by the Russia-based BlackCat group, though much of the data was downloaded by Nigerian hackers, with some activity also originating from Russia and Brazil. The stolen file...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has officially withdrawn from participating in the upcoming local government area (LGA) elections scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2025. The party cited a lack of confidence in the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), accusing it of being incapable of conducting a free, fair, and credible election. Bakita Bello, the acting chairman of the PDP in Ondo State, confirmed the party’s decision, stating that it was a result of multiple consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, and the national leadership. The PDP had previously announced its participation in the polls, having fielded 15 chairmanship candidates and 131 councillorship candidates across the state. In an official letter, signed by the party's Director of Media and Publicity, Leye Igbagbo, the PDP expressed serious concerns about ODIEC's transparency and impartiality. The party’s findings, according to Igbagbo, revealed a pattern of double standar...

  The Rivers State government has confirmed the death of nine individuals following a suspected cholera outbreak in two local government areas, Andoni and Akuku-Toru. The outbreak has raised concerns among local health officials, who are closely monitoring the situation. Ada Oreh, the state’s Health Commissioner, provided an update on Thursday in Port Harcourt, confirming that three fatalities occurred in Andoni, while six others died in Akuku-Toru. In addition to the deaths, 41 suspected cases are currently being monitored across both local governments. "On behalf of the Rivers State Government, I urge the public not to panic, as measures have already been put in place to manage the situation," Ms. Oreh said, offering reassurances to residents. She added that health authorities are conducting tests to determine if cholera was indeed the cause of death. “The symptoms observed in the affected individuals align with the typical presentation of cholera,” Oreh stated. "...

In a fierce clash with terrorists, troops from the Defence Headquarters Special Operations Brigade eliminated six gunmen in Sokoto state and seized significant weaponry during a coordinated operation on January 11. The operation took place in the Lakurawa area, within the Gudu local government area of Sokoto. Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, the spokesman for Operation Fansan Yamma, confirmed the operation in a statement released on Thursday. He revealed that the encounter between the military and the terrorists resulted in a heavy firefight, during which six terrorists were neutralized. The troops also recovered critical weapons, including four AK47 rifles, 160 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a box of 12.7mm ammunition, among other military equipment. "During the ensuing firefight, our troops neutralised six terrorists and recovered a significant cache of weapons, including rifles and ammunition," Lt. Col. Abdullahi said. "Tragically, this operation resulted in...

  The Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, under the leadership of Chief Uche Nnaji, has announced a strategic prtnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to promote clean cooking technology across the country. This ambitious initiative seeks to address environmental concerns and improve public health by reducing Nigeria's reliance on traditional cooking methods, particularly charcoal, which has long been a contributor to deforestation, soil erosion, and a range of other environmental issues. In a press release, Chief Nnaji Nwakabie emphasized that this partnership is aligned with the ministry’s overarching vision of leveraging science, technology, and innovation to drive sustainable development. He expressed optimism that the collaboration with ALGON, which represents the country's 774 local government areas, would provide the necessary platform for the successful implementation of this initiative at the grassroots level. "The en...

Again, gunmen, suspected to be bandits, on attacked the Kankara General Hospital in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State and shot a medical doctor, identified as Murtala Dandashire, in the thigh. The Katsina State Police Command also exclusively informed PUNCH Metro that another individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was shot and injured in the attack. Our correspondent further gathered that five other people were abducted by the gunmen before they fled the scene. A banditry crisis analyst, Bakatsine, known on social media as @Dankatsina50, disclosed in a post on Wednesday that the attackers were members of the Boko Haram terrorist group. According to @Dankatsina50, Dandashire, a native of Kankara Local Government, was the best graduating medical student of the class of 2019 from the Ahmadu Bello University Medical School in Zaria, Kaduna State. He wrote, “Yesterday night, bandits stormed Kankara General Hospital in Kankara LGA of Katsina State; they shot Dr...

  On January 11th, Onyekachi Omeje, a well-loved youth leader in Enugu State, married his partner Favour Obianuju in a grand wedding held at Ugwuoye Primary School Field Nsukka. The ceremony, which started with a mass at St. Peters Chaplaincy University of Nigeria (UNN), was graced by dignitaries, family members and friends, including the Bishop of Nsukka Dioceses, Bishop Godfrey Onah.  Mr and Mrs Omeje expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the support from friends and family, viewing it as a reflection of their personal growth and the love he has received. They prayed for blessings for all attendees, and described each other as "God’s choicest blessing." ...Mr. Omeje, whose popularity transcends age and status, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming turnout at Ugwuoye Primary School, the venue for the wedding festivities. He viewed the support he received as a testament to the growth in his life, as well as the unmerited love and kindness he has experienced from both nea...