General
Imo LG Invasion: Accord Party Demands Prosecution of Perpetrators
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the political parties in Nigeria, Accord Party, has thrown its weight behind the decision of Governor Emeka Ihedioha to suspend officials of the local governments in Imo State, describing their election as unconstitutional.
The party also wants perpetrators of the January 6 2020 invasion of the 27 local government areas in the state prosecuted.
Chairman of the party in Imo State, Mr ThankGod Ibe, informed newsmen at a parley that the recent invasion of the council headquarters by suspended Chairmen and other officials and appointees of the immediate administration of Mr Rochas Okorocha was uncalled for, arguing that Governor Ihedioha acted within the law, by suspending the officials.
“We have taken time to study and review the unwholesome act of invading the Imo LGA Headquarters on 6th January, 2020 by agents of the immediate past governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his son-in law, Uche Nwosu who purport as elected local government officials and appointees.
“We wish to reiterate that Accord filed a case (Suit No. HOW/613/2019) against the then government headed by Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
“We challenged the constitutionality and validity of the Local Government elections which the administration of Rochas Okorocha purportedly conducted on the 25th of August, 2018 before the expiration of its tenure. The grounds on which the suit is predicated include a ground, stating that the Independent State Electoral Commission (ISIEC), which purportedly conducted the election was not properly constituted according to law and another which alleges that there was actually no election held in accordance with the electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and failure to constitute an Election Petition Tribunal etc,” he said.
“We took this legal action on a major ground that ACCORD is the only party, apart from Rochas Okorocha’s party, the APC, which participated in what turned out to be a sham called election. We also wish to emphasize that the case was filed by ACCORD before the end of Rochas Okorocha’s administration and before the present administration of His Excellency Emeka Ihedioha was inaugurated, but government being at Law a continuum, the Ihedioha administration inherited the case as respondents.
“We also recognize the fact that while the substantive suit filed by ACCORD was pending, (and is still pending), certain developments took place with respect to Local Government administration in Imo State.
“There were upon assumption of office by Mr Emeka Ihedioha, conflicting Court judgements on the status of Local Government officers in the state,” he added.
“There was also a notice of allegations of serious misconducts bordering on high fraud and financial mismanagement against all the Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councilors and other political appointees. There was public outcry which jolted the Imo State House of Assembly to pass a resolution urging the Governor to act in accordance with the law.
“ACCORD is not unaware that the administration of local governments in Imo State is governed by the Imo State Local Government Law No. 15 of 2000 as amended by Law No. 28 of 2019 of the same name. We refer to this law (combined) as the Imo State Local Government Administration Law of 2000 (as amended in 2019).
“Under section 26A of this Law (as amended), the Governor is empowered to suspend a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Councilor or any other political appointee of a local government where (a.) there is a case of emergency; (b.) there is notice in writing of any allegation against the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Councilor or political appointee of any Local Government.
“Under section 4 (1) of the same law, “emergency” is defined to include “a situation where there are conflicting Court Judgements, Rulings and Court Orders or uncertain legal environment.” There were other situations included by the Law as “emergency” each of which the situation which existed in Imo State at this early period of the Ihedioha administration could aptly fit into.”
“Acting upon the above scenario, Imo people who spoke through their representatives in the State House of Assembly raised their voices in a resolution paving the way constitutionally for the Governor to suspend these officials and political appointees of the local governments. We are also aware that the Governor set up a Committee to look into the Notice of Misconduct and turn in their findings.
“We are also aware that the Committee set up to investigate the financial corrupt practices has already unearthed mind-bogging cases of abuse of office, misconduct and fraudulent financial practices against the suspended officials and appointees. The committee has turned in an interim report and asked for more time to conclude, pursuant to which the governor, by an instrument under his hand and pursuant to the same law as aforesaid, has extended for another six months the tenure of the Interim Management Committees of the Local Governments.
“It is against the above background that ACCORD supports every step being taken by the State Government and the security agencies to apprehend those that perpetrated the criminal actions of 6th January 2020 and bring them to account under the criminal laws of the state,” he stated further.
By Adedapo Adesanya
To boost fertiliser production, strengthen food security and advance Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has signed a 16-year Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with Indorama Fertiliser FZE for the supply of up to 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Assa North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Processing Facility.
The agreement was signed by the chief executive of Renaissance, Mr Tony Attah, and Indorama’s counterpart, Mr Manish Mundra, with both executives describing the deal as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, industrial development, and agricultural growth aspirations.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to unlocking the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through partnerships that create real and lasting impact,” Mr Attah said, adding: “By supplying natural gas to a major fertiliser producer such as Indorama, we are supporting a value chain that is critical to food security, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and economic development.”
The agreement will provide Indorama Fertiliser with a secure and reliable source of natural gas to support uninterrupted production and enable the company to meet growing domestic and regional demand for fertiliser products.
The resulting increase in fertiliser availability is expected to contribute to improved crop yields, enhanced agricultural productivity, and strengthened food security across Nigeria and Africa.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr Mundra said the deal was an important milestone for the company in its ambition of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“Reliable access to natural gas is fundamental to fertiliser production, and this long-term arrangement provides a strong foundation for sustainable operations and future growth,” Mr Mundra said. “We appreciate the partnership with Renaissance and look forward to leveraging this collaboration.”
The transaction aligns closely with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and further demonstrates the strategic role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and enabling economic diversification.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About 48 properties linked to the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), have been forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.
This was after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, secured the final forfeiture of the properties, which include Rayhaan University in Kebbi State, including the Rayhaan University Permanent Site, Rayhaan University Temporary Site, Rayhaan University Third Site, the Rayhaan University Vice Chancellor’s House and Rayhaan Radio along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi.
Delivering the judgment yesterday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, held that the EFCC had successfully established that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired from lawful sources of income.
The court further held that the respondents merely claimed ownership of the properties without providing proof of how they acquired them with funds from lawful sources.
According to the court, non-conviction-based forfeiture proceedings require respondents to adduce evidence showing the lawful sources of the funds used in acquiring the properties, and not merely make bare assertions of ownership.
On January 6, 2026, Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim forfeiture order following an ex parte motion moved by counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), and on May 27, 2026, the case was heard before Justice Abdulmalik, who adjourned the matter for judgment yesterday.
The other properties finally forfeited to the federal government are: a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Plot No. 3011 within Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama District, Abuja (File No. AN 11352); a two-winged large three-storey building situated at No. 3 Onitsha Crescent, Area 11, Garki, Cadastral Zone A03, Abuja (formerly Harmonia Hotels Limited); Plot 683, Jabi District, Cadastral Zone B04, comprising a five-storey building (now luxurious Meethaq Hotels Ltd., Jabi, with 53 rooms/suites); Property No. 3130 within Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja, comprising terraces; Property No. 3 Rhine Street, Maitama, Abuja (Meethaq Hotels Ltd., Maitama, with 15 rooms); and Plot No. 1241B, Asokoro District (No. 11A Yakubu Gowon Crescent), Asokoro District.
Others are: Shop No. C52, Citiscape – Shariff Plaza, Plot 739, Cadastral Zone A07, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, FCT, Abuja; No. 4 Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano; Plot 157, Lamido Nasarawa GRA, Kano; a commercial plaza comprising commercial toilets, laundering facilities, warehouse tanks adjacent to Birnin Kebbi Market; 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road; and another 100 hectares of land along Birnin Kebbi–Jega Road.
Others are: a four-bedroom bungalow at Gesse Phase II, Birnin Kebbi; Shops Nos. A36 and B3, Vegas Mall, Wuse II, Abuja; No. 26 Babbi Drive, BUA Estate, Abuja; No. 27 EFAB Estate, 5th Avenue, 59th Crescent, Gwarimpa, Abuja; a four-bedroom house with two-room boys’ quarters at No. 10B Doka Crescent, Abakpa GRA, Kaduna; Plot No. 13, IPENT 7 Estate, Karsana District, Abuja; a bedroom duplex with boys’ quarters at No. 12 Yalinga Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja; two warehouse shops B40 and B46, Wuse Market, Abuja; acquisition of twin houses at Zone E, Apo Legislative Quarters, Cadastral Zone B01, Plot 1401, Gudu District, Abuja; and properties acquired by Khadimiyya for Justice & Development Initiative at the Academic Garden City, Birnin Kebbi, sold by the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage, namely: nine units of three-bedroom bungalows, three units of two-bedroom bungalows, and 5.4 hectares of land.
Also forfeited are the Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory in Kebbi State, including the factory buildings, factory machines and plant units, factory mosque, Rayhaan Mill staff quarters, and the Rayhaan Bustan Building, Azbir Arena, Kebbi State, including Azbir Hotel, Printing Press, Gallery, Gardens, Mosque, Azbir Clothing, and Azbir Pharmacy and Supermarket.
Other forfeited properties include the Al-Afiya Energy tanker garage opposite Rayhaan University Health Centre along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi; Rayhaan Security House off Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi; an uncompleted two-storey plaza located opposite Central Motor Park (Eastern Park), Birnin Kebbi; Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd. filling station structure along Sani Abacha Bypass Road, Birnin Kebbi, near Jambali Automobile Workshop; the assets of Zeennoor Hotel at Kabuga Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano, with 131 rooms; Zeennoor Mosque at Kabuga Satellite Town, off Gwarzo Road, Kano; and the old Zeennoor Hotel building.
By Adedapo Adesanya
French President Emmanuel Macron will undertake a state visit to Nigeria later this year in a move aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic and security cooperation between the two countries as it seeks to reset its Africa strategy more towards Anglophone Africa.
French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Marc Fonbaustier, announced the proposed visit during the celebration of France’s National Day in Abuja on Tuesday.
He described the visit as a major milestone in the growing relationship between Nigeria and France, adding that the trip is expected to take place anytime from late September to November. It would come two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris.
Mr Fonbaustier said the meeting between the two leaders would provide an opportunity to assess the progress made under the existing bilateral roadmap and define new areas of collaboration that would deliver mutual benefits for citizens of both nations.
“I am pleased and honoured to announce that, two years after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will travel to Nigeria for another state visit this fall,” the ambassador said.
“Together, our two Presidents will assess the progress of our roadmap and outline the key elements of our relationship for the years to come. These will undoubtedly be ambitious and mutually beneficial for our two peoples.”
The French envoy said the partnership between Nigeria and France was built on mutual respect and equality, stressing that both countries engaged with each other as partners rather than through interference or imposition. According to him, both governments remain committed to open dialogue, joint decision-making and pursuing shared interests.
He noted that Nigeria and France were working together to promote economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards while protecting the environment, biodiversity and natural resources.
The envoy pointed to recent commercial partnerships involving Carrefour and HyperCity, Accor and Shoreline, as well as Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, saying they reflected expanding economic ties between both countries.
Mr Fonbaustier also praised the initiative spearheaded by Nigerian businessman, Mr Abdul Samad Rabiu, to establish a House of African Worlds in Paris, describing it as another symbol of strengthening cultural and economic relations between France and Africa.
On governance, the ambassador said both countries remained committed to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and equal opportunities, adding that the French Embassy continued to support programmes focused on empowering women, young people and persons with disabilities.
He also highlighted ongoing cooperation in agriculture through the French Development Agency, particularly projects aimed at strengthening food security and improving agricultural value chains across northern Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.
Speaking on security, Mr Fonbaustier said Nigeria and France continued to work closely in tackling terrorism and strengthening regional stability, noting that both countries were supporting efforts to improve the capacity of nations confronting extremist threats across West Africa.
The ambassador further revealed that Macron’s interest in Africa was shaped by his six-month stay in Nigeria as a student more than two decades ago, saying the experience significantly influenced the French President’s vision for Africa and his approach to diplomacy on the continent.
