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DSS Witness Details How ISWAP Unit Planned And Executed Owo Church Massacre

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A DSS lead investigator testified at the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the funding, arming, and mobilization of terrorists for the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo.

The witness detailed the roles of the defendants and stated that over 40 people died and more than 100 individuals sustained various injuries.

The prosecution also tendered what it described as a comprehensive investigation report on the incident, in court on Tuesday, which the court admitted in evidence in the absence of objection from the defence.

The witness, who was identified simply as SSI and featured as the ninth prosecution witness (PW9) testified at the resumed hearing in the trial of five men accused of complicity in the attack.

The five men are: Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25 years), Al Qasim Idris 20 years), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26 years), Abdulhaleem Idris (25 years) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47 years). They are being prosecuted by the DSS.

Led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), the witness said he is the Deputy Director in charge of Counter Terrorism Investigation and led the investigation team.

He said his team was mandated to unravel the perpetrators, the cause of the incident, their sponsors and any other findings that may arise .

SSI said: “With that, we proceeded to gather intelligence and also exploited technical resources, which eventually led us to the arrest of five persons in the month of August 2022.

“The arrest occurred both in Kogi and Ondo states and the persons we arrested were Al-Qasim Idris (2nd defendant) and his brother Abdulhalid Idris (4th defendant), then Omaiza Abdulmalik (1st), then his brother, Jamiu Abdulmalik (3rd),” he said, and gave the name of the fifth defendant as Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

The witness added: “Our investigation found out that the persons we arrested were members of Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), a proscribed terrorist group, who belong to a cell that operated around Okene/Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, as well as Omielafa and Omielege in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State under the coordination of one Odoba.

“Odoba usually hibernate around Ogaminana in Adavi LGA of Kogi State,” he said.

Giving details of how the attack was planned, the witness said: “On the 30th of May, 2022, Odoba called a meeting of some of the group’s members, who are members of his ISWAP cell. They go with alliance, Al-Shabab.

“So on the 30 of May, 2022, they met at the Government Secondary School, Ogaminana where Al-Qasim Idris was present in the meeting and Odoba passed the instruction for them to prepare to attack the Catholic Church Owo.

“And, his instruction was clear that they should attack on Sunday and ensure that they kill the priest. So when Al-Qasim returned to Omilafia, he gathered some of the cell members, including Abdulhalid (4th defendant), his brother, Jamiu (3rd defendant) and all the four were in the meeting, except the 5th defendant.

“There was equally one Kabir, who is a cousin to Al-Qasim and Addulmalik. The meeting was held after the jumaat prayer at the mosque where the Idris bothers’ father is the Chief Iman.

“He (Al-Qasim) told them (those at the meeting) to be prepared for the attack as instructed by Odoba. He only told them they will be getting two other persons to reinforce the team

“The names of these individuals (the other two) are Mohammed and Abdullahi. On Saturday, the next day, being the 4th of June, 2022, Abdulhaleem Idris (4th) travelled to Adavi, where he hired a Volkswagen Golf 3 car.

“He proceeded to lead Odoba, who supported them with five AK47, 10.magazines, rounds of ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IED) for the planned attack,” he said.

The PW9 said by evening of the same day, they all gathered in Abdulhaleem’s house in Omilafia, where Al-Quasim allegedly, reviewed with the others, the attack plan and subsequently engaged in some dry practice.

When asked to explain what he meant by dry practice, the witness said it is the practice done with weapon, without live rounds, to reorient oneself on the safety precaution of the weapons

He added that at the end of the dry practice, they all spent the night in Al-Quasim’s room, adding that on the night of June 4, Al Qasim took a motorbike belonging to his father, which he rode most of the time, to deliver items to Mohammed and Abdullahi, to facilitate their movement for surveillance on the church and also during the attack.

Giving a graphic detail of how the attack was carried out, the witness said: “The next morning, 5th of June, the first to 4th defendants and Kabir, now at large, were driven in the Golf car, with the weapons concealed in sacks, to the church about 8 to 8:30 am.

“They met Abdullahi and Mohammed. The got to the church, removed the sacks and pulled out their weapons. Two of them sat with a woman roasting corn.

“They bought some corns. A young man hawking stuff was observing them. One of them (the attackers) went and whispered to the hawker. When he was about leaving after being whispered to, he was shot dead instantly.

“This triggered chaos in front of the church. In the midst of that, they accosted a man coming from the Deeper Life Bible Church in a Nissan Sunny car. They snatched his car and drove into the church premises.

“Under Al Qasim’s directive, they proceeded in the directions he had told them to take. Abdulhaleem was carrying the bag containing the improvised explosives.

“They shot sporadically in the church’s sanctuary, outside and all over, including worshippers trying to escape.

“Abdulhaleem, who had the bag containing IEDs, detonated at least three explosives. Other attackers engaged the worshippers with gunshots.

“40 people, including women and children, died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC). 23 were wounded and rushed to the hospital.,” he said.

The witness added that apart from the 40 church members, who were killed, a non-member was the first to be killed by the attackers in front of the church, adding that some of the 40 deceased were taken to the hospital dead.

The prosecution subsequently tendered a medical report, signed by one Dr Ayodeji O.O, in respect of which the witness said: “We have made effort to see how the doctor could come but was not possible.”

The prosecution equally tendered 30 photographs taken from the incident’s scene by investigators, which the court admitted as Exhibit M – M30.

SSI told the court that at the end of the investigation, his team made a comprehensive investigation report.

On whether the fifth defendant played no role, since he spoke extensively about the first four defendants, the witness said it was an oversight that he did not speak about the fifth defendant.

He then proceeded to give details of the role the fifth defendant allegedly played in the whole incident.

The witness said: “Investigation revealed that the 5th defendant worked in tandem with the 1st to 4th defendants .He was operating a Point of Sales (POS) units in five deferent locations.

“About two to three weeks prior to the attack, his account was credited at two different instances with 800k. He used the POS machine to distribute the money to the individuals, who aree members of the Al-Shabab Unit of ISWAP, and the defendants were beneficiaries of this money, with no evidence of business transactions between them.”

PW9 added that technical evidence established that the fifth defendant was in communication with them (the other four), within the period of the attack.

He confirmed that autopsy examination was conducted on some of the dead bodies and a report was generated. The prosecution tendered the report which was admitted in evidence without objection from the defence.

The court also admitted in evidence, the comprehensive investigation report on the attack, which the prosecution tendered through the witness.

The defence lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad said he would not object to the tendering of the report, but would require time to study it, because it was served on his team few days ago.

He sought an adjornment to enable him study the investigation report before he could cross examine the witness.

In the absence of objection from the prosecuting lawyer, the court adjourned further proceedings till Wednesday, February 18 at 11am.

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Just In: Dangote Refinery Announces Petrol, Diesel Price Reduction

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery officially reduced its gantry prices for petrol (PMS) and diesel (AGO) following a series of price hikes earlier in the week.

According to a new pricing template released by the refinery on March 10, 2026, the gantry price of petrol has been reduced by N100, dropping from N1,175 to N1,075 per litre.

The refinery also stated that the price of PMS for coastal supply will now be N1,050 per litre. The difference in price reflects additional costs linked to maritime distribution.

Similarly, the price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) has been reduced to N1,430 per litre at the gantry, down from the previous N1,620 per litre. This represents a decrease of N190 per litre.

The refinery noted that these gantry prices do not include regulatory charges from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Meanwhile, JomogNews earlier reported on Monday that Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised its gantry PMS price to N1,175 per litre — the third upward adjustment in seven days

The refinery communicated the new ex-depot price to marketers and depot operators, up ₦180 from the N995 per litre announced last week Friday, an 18.1 per cent increase in three days.

 

 

 

 

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Drama At Rivers Assembly Over Nominee’s ‘I don’t pay tax’ Statement

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A video circulating online has captured a tense moment during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The footage seen shows the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, questioning one of the nominees, Charity Deemua, over the status of her tax clearance certificate.

During the screening of commissioner nominees, the Rivers State House of Assembly rejected nominee Charity Deemua after she claimed that as a politician, she did not pay taxes.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other lawmakers expressed shock at the statement, leading to the rejection of her nomination along with three others due to lack of tax compliance.

During the screening session, Amaewhule pointed out that the nominee’s tax clearance appeared outdated.

“I just wanted to know, so there’s no current tax clearance. Madam has not been paying tax since 2018. I just wanted to know if she’s been exempted from paying taxes. So let her tell us now,” the Speaker said.

Responding, Deemua explained that she had not had a steady source of income in recent years.

“Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work,” she stated.

When asked to clarify her employment history, Deemua told the lawmakers that she had previously served briefly in government.

“I was a member, a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission,” she said.

Amaewhule then pressed further about her role in a local government caretaker committee.

“When were you? Hold on… local government caretaker committee member, right?” the Speaker asked.

“I was just three months there,” Deemua replied.

“When? When was that?” Amaewhule asked.

“And I think November last year,” she responded.

“November when? What year?” the Speaker asked again.

“2025,” she answered.

The Speaker then questioned whether she earned income during that period.

“You were not paid salary? Were you not paid salary?” Amaewhule asked.

“In the caretaker committee, we were paid,” Deemua admitted.

“You were paid? Yes. Is that not income? But you said you have not had any income from 2018 to date as a politician. So no tax clearance, and that’s what you are telling Rivers people. Madam, that is not nice. You are misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” Amaewhule said.

In response, Deemua apologised and suggested she could address the issue.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. But I think I can still go back for…,” she began before being interrupted.

“No, but you say you have not had any income now,” Amaewhule replied before moving on to the next nominee.

The video of the exchange has since drawn reactions online, with many Nigerians asking that if politicians say they don’t work, what exactly are taxpayers paying for.

See video:

 

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Aiyedatiwa Loses Legal Bid To Stop Amendment Of Re-election Suit

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s appeal against a Federal High Court ruling in Akure that allowed Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo to amend a suit questioning the governor’s eligibility to run in 2028.

The suit seeks to clarify if Aiyedatiwa, having been sworn in twice already, is constitutionally barred from seeking another term.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that the trial court properly exercised its discretion when it granted an application by the plaintiff, Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, to amend his originating summons in the case.

Egbuwalo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, had filed a suit at the Federal High Court seeking the interpretation of Section 137(3) of the Constitution in respect of the eligibility of Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, to contest for a second term in office.

In a ruling on November 24, 2025, Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court in Akure granted the plaintiff’s request to amend the originating processes.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Aiyedatiwa lodged an appeal, alleging a breach of his constitutional right to a fair hearing.

He claimed the trial judge acted ultra vires her powers and wrongly assumed jurisdiction.

Owing to Aiyedatiwa’s contentions, the Court of Appeal in Akure, where the matter was initially lodged, directed the high court to halt proceedings, which were already slated for judgment.

The case was later transferred to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

Reading the lead judgment on Monday, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam ruled that Aiyedatiwa failed to show that the Federal High Court’s decision to allow the amendment occasioned any miscarriage of justice or denied him the right to a fair hearing.

The appellate court, therefore, dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and awarded N2m in costs against the governor.

The ruling affirmed the November 24, 2025, decision of the Federal High Court in Akure, which granted Egbuwalo leave to amend the originating summons in his suit challenging Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility for re-election.

Earlier in the proceedings, the Court of Appeal also dismissed an application filed by Aiyedatiwa, seeking to set aside an order it made on January 27, 2026, staying further proceedings in the suit before the Federal High Court.

The court held that the stay of proceedings did not amount to arresting the judgment of the trial court but was a lawful exercise of the appellate court’s jurisdiction aimed at protecting the integrity of its proceedings.

According to the court, the appeal had already been entered, records compiled, and briefs filed as of the time the order was made.

The panel further held that the order was necessary to preserve the res in the matter and prevent the appellate proceedings from being rendered nugatory.

It added that asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the order it validly made on January 27, 2026, would amount to inviting the court to sit on appeal over its own decision.

The court noted that the option available to the governor was to challenge the decision before the Supreme Court.

The panel subsequently ordered Aiyedatiwa to pay an additional N2 million in costs.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, speaking with The PUNCH, said the judgment of the appellate court was not the main case of the eligibility of Aiyedatiwa to contest the 2028 governorship election at the Federal High Court, Akure.

Adeniyan said the case was still pending in the lower court.

“The main case is still in court. This was just an appeal on an amendment to the main case,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa was first sworn in on December 27, 2024, to complete the tenure of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

He was subsequently inaugurated for a second time on February 24, 2025, following his victory in the governorship election held on November 16, 2024.

Although Aiyedatiwa has yet to indicate interest in running again, Egbuwalo approached the court in July 2025, insisting that Aiyedatiwa was not eligible to recontest in 2028, having already taken the oath of office twice.

The litigant sought an interpretation of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) regarding Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility to run for governor again.

Section 137(3) provides that a person sworn in as president to complete the term for which another person was elected shall only be elected to such office for a maximum of one additional term.

Meanwhile, Section 182(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) stipulates that any person sworn in as governor to complete the term of another elected official is disqualified from being elected to the same office for more than a single term.

 

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