News

Bekwarra crisis: Ousted female chairman alleges persecution

Published

3 months ago

January 5, 2026

The political crisis rocking Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State intensified on Monday as Governor Bassey Otu moved to swear in Hon. Egbung Odama Egbung as the new Executive Chairman of the council.

Egbung, who has been acting chairman, is scheduled to take the oath of office today, January 5, 2026, at the Government House in Calabar, following the removal of the elected chairman, Mrs Theresa Akwaji Ushie over a month ago

Ushie was initially suspended for three months in early 2025, a decision later extended by another three months by the State House of Assembly.

During the suspension period, her deputy, Egbung, assumed office in an acting capacity, backed by the state House of Assembly.

The planned swearing-in was delayed for about two weeks amid public outcry, legal threats and controversy surrounding Ushie’s impeachment by 17 councillors over allegations of financial and administrative misconduct and high-handedness.

During the suspension period, her deputy, Egbung, assumed office in an acting capacity, backed by the state House of Assembly.

In an interview with Ekwutosblog, Ushie described her removal as persecution driven by gender bias.

“I don’t feel happy at all. What they are doing is unfair, illegal and an abuse of power. All this is because I am a woman,” she said, insisting that her mandate, freely given by the people of Bekwarra, remains intact.

She alleged that hostility toward her leadership began immediately after her election victory, claiming that some stakeholders were uncomfortable with having a woman as council chairman.

Ushie also accused the Speaker of exhibiting intolerance toward female council chairmen in the state, citing an alleged incident some time ago involving the chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Mrs Mercy Nsor, when he threatened to slap her over money

While acknowledging that she wrote a letter dated December 8, 2025, to Governor Otu, Ushie maintained that it did not amount to a valid resignation.

She argued that under Nigeria’s Interpretation Act, a resignation addressed to the Governor is legally defective since she was elected by the people of Bekwarra and not appointed by the executive.

She further faulted what she described as contradictions in the Assembly’s actions, noting that the House initially removed her for alleged misconduct but later claimed that a resignation letter superseded the impeachment.

According to her, this raises serious questions about due process and legality.

Reacting, the Speaker, Ayambem maintained that Ushie’s removal was not arbitrary but followed due process.

He said the House acted based on the findings of an investigative committee which indicted the chairman for gross misconduct.

Ayambem added that the Assembly remained committed to transparency, accountability and the rule of law in local governance, stressing that its actions were taken in the interest of the state and the people, hence the decision to swear in the deputy chairman.

Up Next

Soldier allegedly k!lls teenager for challenging him for making sexu@l advances at his 15-year-old sister

Don't Miss

Presidency shares AI-generated image of Tinubu–Kagame Paris meeting

Click to comment

Business

Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers

Published

13 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.

The statement read

“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.

The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.

This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.

Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”

News

Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds

Published

13 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.

DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.

Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.

The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.

Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.

The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.

Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.

News

11 more arrested over Ozoro “r@ping festival”

Published

2 days ago

March 22, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The police in Delta state have arrested eleven more suspects over the sexu@l ass@ults recorded during what was described as a “r@ping festival” in Oramudu Quarters in Ozoro last Thursday, March 19.

In a statement released on Saturday, March 21, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.

Edafe said operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of eleven additional suspects identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. Edafe mentioned that these latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15)

“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate that the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexu@l v!olence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the Command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”the statement in part reads