News
Gov Otu urges NDDC to revive abandoned projects in Cross River

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to take urgent action on numerous development projects across the state that have been neglected for years.
He made the call when the managing director of the commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku called on him in his office in Calabar.
Otu listed some of the long-neglected projects like the youth centre in Akpabuyo, the Adiabo-Ikoneto road, the abandoned Ikom Medical Centre.
The governor also called for NDDC’s intervention in refugee support, noting that the state currently hosts over 54,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Otu used the opportunity to explain that the state does not have issues with NDDC.
About two weeks ago, some government officials blocked the agency from commissioning some of their projects, claiming ownership.
Otu explained, “We don’t have any issues with the NDDC. What may have occurred in the past was a breakdown in communication, which we are now set to fix. Our approach is lawful, organized, and people-centered”.
He called for the inclusion of more Cross River-specific needs in the Commission’s work plan.
He appreciated the renewed partnership and the willingness of NDDC to re-engage stalled or abandoned projects, while also advocating for greater state inclusion in project planning and execution.
Remarking, NDDC boss, Ogbuku commended Cross River’s cooperative stance and highlighted ongoing partnerships with private and public institutions such as NLNG and NNPC in delivering infrastructure, including the world-class hospital project underway in Ikom.
Both parties agreed to deepen technical engagement.
News
Police finally returned my stolen AI Ray-Ban sunglasses – Sowore

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has returned the Artificial intelligence, AI, Ray-Ban sun glasses back to activist politicians, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore had alleged that the sun glass was stolen during a protest by retired police officers on July 21, 2025 at the Force headquarters.
The protest was organised to demand improved welfare and retirement benefits for Nigerian police officers.
During the peaceful protest, Sowore had claimed that the glass was stolen by one Aku Victor Chiemerie.
However, Sowore confirmed the return of the glasses in a post on X.
“Today, the Nigeria Police Force returned my stolen Ray-Ban Meta eyeglasses, stolen by the National Thief, Aku Victor Chiemerie, to me,” he wrote.
News
VP Shettima commissions library, other projects in Calabar

The Vice President, Kasshim Shettima has commissioned a state of the art library in Calabar recently refurbished by Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River State
He also commissioned the two newly acquired aircrafts by the government of Cross River State in the Margaret Ekpo international airport Calabar.
The two now increases the fleet of Cally Air airline to four.
The Vice President, who represented President Bola Tinubu, commended the State government for the feat.
Governor Bassey Otu expressed gratitude to the President for permitting Shettima to represent him at the auspicious occasion.
Otu said he is consolidating on the efforts and achievements of his predecessors, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke and Ben Ayade who laid good foundation in three different important areas.
He said the Foundations have helped him to consolidate.
“Donald Duke came with tourism mentality, Senator Imoke focused on rural development while Ayade looked at industries.
“It was Ayade that initiated the aviation business. He actually purchased the first two aircrafts.
“I am now building on their efforts. With these two new aircrafts we’re poised to bolster the tourism potential of the state.
“We’ll add two more aircrafts before long to dominate the gulf of Guinea air route.”
News
Nigerian Govt arraigns Al-Shabab terrorists over killing of 40 worshippers in Owo church

The Federal Government on Monday arraigned five men before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which over 40 worshippers died
The five accused persons are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
Over 40 people were reported to have died in the attack, while over 100 others sustained injuries.
The five defendants were arraigned on a nine-count terrorism charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 filed by the Department of State Services, DSS.
They are accused of being members of Al Shabab terrorist group, belonging to a cell in Kogi State.
The defendants are also alleged to have carried out the attack in furtherance of their religious ideology.
They pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them by an official of the court.
Following their not guilty plea, prosecuting lawyer, Calistus Eze urged the court to order that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS pending trial.
Defence lawyer, Abdullahi Muhammad however prayed the court to order the DSS to allow members of the defendants’ families and their lawyers to have access to them.
Muhammad said the defendants have been in custody since 2022 when they were arrested and have not had access to family members and lawyers.
Eze said it was the standard practice that detainees’ family members and lawyers should be granted access after a formal written request.
He noted that it has become inevitable at this stage that the defendants be allowed access to their lawyers to enable them prepare their defence.
Ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the DSS.
Justice Nwite also ordered that the DSS grant the defendants access to members of their families and their lawyers.
He then adjourned till August 19 for the commencement of trial.
Some counts in the charge read:
* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar adults, males, with others still at large, sometime in 2021, did join and became members of AL Shabab Terrorist Group, with cell in Kogi State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 30th May, 2022; 37 June, 2022 and 4 June, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA, Kogi State and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo State, respectively, attended and held meetings, where you agreed to and planned for the terrorist attack, which you carried out on 5™ June, 2022, at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(a) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to further your religious ideology and while armed with IEDs and AK 47 rifles, did attack worshippers, held them hostage and in the process, caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including Onileke Ayodele, John Blessing, Nselu Esther and Ogungbade Peter and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the same Act.
* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, had in your possession IEDs and AK 47 rifles, with which you attacked worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, held them hostage, killed over 40 persons and caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(1)(2) and (3)(v) and punishable under Section 24(1) and (2) of TPPA, 2022.
* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause death, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which led to the death of over 40 persons, including: Ajanaku John; Onuoha Deborah; Onileke Esther and John Bosede and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 42 (a)(ii) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
* That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church , Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including: Onuchukwu Happiness, Ogungbade Vivan and Nnakwe Paschaline Ugochinyerem and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 42(a)(i) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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