General
Emeka Ugwuonye Arraigned in Court Again
By Destiny Ugorji
Disbarred Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Emeka Ugwuonye, was on Monday arraigned before Magistrate Court 9, Wuse, Abuja, presided over by Abdulaziz Omezia on a nine-count charge of obstruction and interference with Police investigation, offensive publications among other seven charges.
The charge reads “extortion by threat of accusation, an offence punishable by death, injurious falsehood, defamation, giving false information, with intent to mislead public servant, obstructing public servant in discharge of his duty, use of insulting or abusive language, influencing course of justice, fabricating false evidence, inciting disturbance, failing to assist public servant when bound by law to assist and influencing course of justice contrary to sections 295, 393, 392, 140, 148, 399, 182, 158, 114, 150 and 182 of the Penal Code.”
Some other charges preferred against him are within the jurisdiction of the High Court and would be appropriately filed when High courts resume from holidays.
When the charges were read out to him in court on Monday, he pleaded not guilty. The matter is adjourned to August 23, 2018. He was however granted bail under stringent conditions, including two Civil Servants not below grade level 12, among other requirements. As at the time of filing this report, he is yet to fulfil the bail conditions.
Mr Ugwuonye was arrested last Friday by men of the FCT Police command in Abuja over his alleged infamous role in the obstruction of investigations into the murder of Abuja business woman, Charity Aiyedogbon.
His arrest followed a petition against him over offensive publications and alleged obstruction of police investigations in the case of late Charity Aiyedogbon.
The Petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Abuja, written by Juris Associates, signed by Uzoma Nnona, Esq, captioned “Complaint of Offensive Publications and Distortion of facts amounting to Interference with ongoing Police investigation into the death of Mrs. Charity Aiyedogbon, against Mr. Emeka Ugwuonye”, dated 25th June, 2018; urged the Police to investigate Mr. Ugwuonye over his recent online posts on the late Mrs. Aiyedogbon’s case.
The petition reads in part:
“It is important to note at this point that the said confession of the arrested suspect, Mr. Chukwuemeka Paul Ezeugo clearly corroborated the eye witness account of Mr. Emeka Ugwuonye, which was published on his Due Process Advocate page on Facebook in May 2016, suggesting that he had pre-knowledge of the crime but concealed it.”
“It is also on record that Mr. Ugwuonye did not report to the Police the information about the disappearance and now death of our client’s estranged wife, which he now claims to have had before the confession of the principal suspects, even though he was invited several times by the police over this matter.”
“…the Commissioner of Police should kindly direct that Mr. Emeka Ugwuonye be invited, for questioning, over his recent statements on his Due Process Advocates page on Facebook, as it is obvious that he has privileged information on the disappearance and eventual death of Mrs. Charity Aiyedogbon, having discredited the investigation of the FCT Police Command and the parade of the principal suspects in this matter.”
Mr Ugwuonye had, shortly after the confessional statement and eventual parade of the principal suspect in the case of the late Charity Aiyedogbon, Chukwujekwu Ezeugo, posted several disturbing comments, discrediting police investigation and procedure. He allegedly claimed to have conducted a private investigation that was superior to that of the Police, a claim he is said to have bungled all opportunities created by the police to enable him prove himself.
Mr Ugwuonye is also accused of interfering with police investigation by allegedly aiding the suspect to escape arrest sometime in 2016.
Meanwhile, Mr Ugwuonye is facing three other suits over his alleged defamatory statements against some persons in relation to late Charity Aiyedogbon.
One of them is a N10 billion suit instituted against him by ex-husband of late Charity, Mr David Aiyedogbon, who approached the Court to seek redress following the alleged refusal of Ugwuonye to desist from posting materials he considered defamatory on his Facebook group, The Due Process Advocates. He also wrote Mr. Ugwuonye through his lawyers, demanding an apology and retraction, but he refused to heed, leaving Mr. Aiyedogbon with no option, but to approach the court to seek justice.
Mr Ugwuonye had falsely accused Mr. Aiyedogbon of having a hand in the sudden disappearance of his estranged wife, Charity Aiyedogbon, a claim he is unable to substantiate till date.
In addition to the Ten Billion Naira damages, the Suit, with number CV/2750/16, between David Aiyedogbon (Plaintiff) and Emeka Ugwuonye (Defendant) on defamation of character, before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 14, Apo, Abuja; also prays that the defendant be ordered to pay for the cost of the litigation.
The Plaintiff is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the Defendant, his Agents, Privies, Associates or whosoever called” from making further defamatory publications against him and his family members.
Mr Ugwuonye is accused of posting severally on The Due Process Advocates (DPA), a Facebook group, claiming to have evidence of the involvement of the late Charity Aiyedogbon’s ex-husband, David Aiyedogbon in her sudden disappearance. One of the posts reads in part:
“I now have overwhelming evidence that Mr. David Aiyedogbon killed his wife, Chacha. David has an idea of the kind of evidence at my disposal.”
In another development, lawyer to Mr. Aiyedogbon, Tony Ogbulafor also dragged Mr. Ugwuonye to Court for what he also sees as a defamatory publication on the same Due Process Advocate against him.
Similarly, Ugwuonye is facing a case of injurious falsehood and false evidence before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse zone 2 area of Abuja, presided over by Chief Magistrate Mabel Bello.
He was first arraigned alongside two Abuja-based lawyers, Nsikak Udoh and Farouk Khamagam before the Chief Magistrate Court for their alleged criminal roles in the disappearance of missing Abuja woman, Charity Aiyedogbon.
Mr Ugwuonye is charged with false evidence and injurious falsehood, contrary to sections: 158 and 393 of the Penal Code; while the other two lawyers were charged with criminal conspiracy, forgery, impersonation, giving false information with intent to mislead a public servant contrary to sections 97, 364, 179, and 178 of the Penal Code.
He was recently disbarred in Nigeria and his License to practice as a Lawyer revoked. Investigations revealed that he is presently being investigated in the United States over unethical practices, following a petition by one Oluchi Enaworu.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Maryland Mall, one of the prominent retail and entertainment centres located in Lagos, has been put up for acquisition.
In what is shaping up to be a competitive bidding process targeted at qualified investors, the offering coordinated by Broll Property Services in partnership with Renaissance Capital Africa describes the property as a “high-yield income-generating investment” situated in a prime commercial corridor within the commercial capital.
According to details contained in the investment teaser seen by Business Post, interested investors are expected to submit expressions of interest before proceeding to due diligence and final bid submissions.
Final bid submissions are scheduled to close by 12 pm on Monday, June 30, 2026, according to the advisory firms.
The sale process is expected to attract interest from institutional investors, private equity firms, real estate funds and high-net-worth investors seeking exposure to Lagos’ commercial property market.
The mall, strategically located along a major road network in Maryland, boasts strong visibility and accessibility, factors considered critical in retail real estate performance.
The document disclosed that the facility, which hosts facilities like Genesis Cinema and Workstation, currently maintains an occupancy rate of 87 per cent and is professionally managed to maintain operational standards.
However, people who frequent the facility told our correspondent that the facility has faced several operational challenges. This development presents challenges for potential investors who will likely scrutinise factors such as tenant sustainability, operating costs, power expenses and consumer spending trends before making final commitments.
Under the outlined transaction process, shortlisted bidders will enter negotiations following due diligence and submission of financial offers.
Launched in June 2016 by Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the then governor of Lagos State and Mr Atedo Peterside, Chairman of Stanbic IBTC, Maryland Mall boasts the largest outdoor LED screen in West Africa, under Purple Group’s management.
In 2020, the company officially rebranded the mall from Maryland Mall to Purple Maryland as part of its broader lifestyle and mixed-use real estate strategy. However, due to some macroeconomic headwinds, the company fell into a receivership in October 2023, with Mr Richard Ayodele Akintunde named the Receiver Manager.
Years ago, the management agreement between Purple Group and the receiver manager was terminated, and Broll was appointed the new Facility Manager.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its development partnership with Kano and Jigawa States, as part of its long-term commitment to development and reform in northern Nigeria.
The Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission Abuja, Ms Cynthia Rowe, recently completed high-level engagements with governors of both states as well as senior government officials and civil society leaders.
The discussions underscored the UK’s modern approach to development as a genuine partnership with Nigeria, which prioritises state-led ownership and sustainable development that delivers lasting impact through strengthening systems and partnerships grounded in investment, trade, climate financing, technical expertise and joint accountability.
According to a statement, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, via the British High Commission, said Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most significant development partners, adding that the engagements underlined the strength and ambition of the bilateral relationship reaffirmed during the recent UK-Nigeria State Visit.
In Kano, Ms Rowe met with Deputy Governor Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo and senior officials, including the newly confirmed Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the State Government. The visit recognised Kano’s progress on climate finance, health system reform and private sector investment supported through UK technical assistance.
In Jigawa, she met with Governor Umar Namadi and heads of key ministries, departments and agencies. The meeting celebrated more than 25 years of UK-Jigawa partnership, one of the most longstanding bilateral development relationships at the subnational level in Nigeria. Discussions covered the state’s continued progress on health systems reform, agriculture, and governance and the path forward under UK technical assistance.
Since 2022, PLANE has supported Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa to strengthen state-led education delivery systems, working through Ministries of Education, SUBEB and key agencies. Its RANA+ foundational learning packages have reached 1.4 million pupils across the three states, alongside wider system strengthening.
Speaking on this, Ms Rowe said, “For more than 25 years, we have worked side by side with state governments, including Jigawa and Kano states, their communities, and civil society to build stronger health systems, improve learning outcomes for millions of children, support farmers to grow their businesses, and help states attract the investment they need to thrive.
These visits have reinforced our confidence in what this partnership can achieve. We are working together to deliver lasting change, and deepening a relationship built on genuine mutual respect and shared ambition for Nigeria’s growth and development.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on data sharing to enhance economic productivity.
This was done at a meeting at CBN Head Office in Abuja, where the weather body led by its Director General, Mr Charles Anosike, on Wednesday, highlighted the importance of integrating weather and climate data into economic research, especially in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and transportation.
He noted that extreme weather events can reduce agricultural productivity and threaten food security.
He added that the collaboration aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises food security through major agricultural investment, including the cultivation of 10 million hectares of land and the distribution of mechanised equipment.
Mr Anosike cited a 2026 World Bank report that showed that extreme weather driven by climate change is significantly affecting global food security, with more than 87 million people facing hunger in East and Southern Africa and 52 million in West and Central Africa.
He also referenced the latest Berkeley Earth Report, which projects that 2026 is likely to be the fourth warmest year on record, a trend that continues to shape agricultural and energy market projections.
In his remarks, Mr Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate of the CBN, said the signing of the MoU marked an important step in strengthening the partnership between two key national institutions whose mandates intersect in data, research, and policy support.
He emphasised that, in an increasingly complex and dynamic economic environment, timely and reliable data remain essential for effective policy decisions.
According to him, the Economic Policy Directorate relies heavily on timely and credible statistical information from NiMet, saying that such data are critical for inflation monitoring, agricultural sector assessment, and broader economic policy advisory functions.
He described the initiative as both timely and important, adding that strong institutional partnerships are essential for strengthening evidence-based policymaking and improving the robustness of national data systems.
At the close of the event, Mr Anosike and Mr Sani Abdullahi signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.
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