₦airaland Forum

Tansian University: Ezeonwuka Vows To Battle Fr Obiora In Court Over Ranet Industries Property

Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, Managing Director of Rojenny Stadium and Games Village Oba, says he stands with every point he made on Gbam Podcast regarding his property, Ranet Industries, Oba which he contributed as a takeoff campus for Tansian University.

Ezeonwuka said this while reacting to an alleged suit instituted by one Fr Edwin Obiora against him, the host of the podcast, Mr Chijioke Igwendu and his wife.

Ezeonwuka has appeared on the podcast to make clarifications regarding his property at Ranet Industries , Oba which he said he contributed as equity at formation and takeoff of the University.

He alleged that Fr Obiora was scheming to take away the property from him without regard to the agreement he had with the founder, Msgn. John Bosco Akam.

An online reports says Fr. Edwin Obiorah has instituted a suit against Ezeonwuka, Igwendu and his wife over an interview granted by the former on the letter platform regarding the long-running dispute over the ownership and control of Tansian University.

Ezeonwuka said that he contributed property, Ranet Industries Oba facility in Oba as the university’s take-off campus and that he was ready to prove all his claims in court.


He said his involvement in the formation of the University was contained in the record of the Nigeria University Commission.
"My dispute with Fr Obiora is in regards to my property, Ranet Industries Oba which I provided as a takeoff of Tansian University.

"The University itself was Willed to Missionary Servants of the Church by the founder Msgr Johnbosco Akam which is recognised by Nigeria Universities Commission," he said.


Ezeonwuka who issued a statement from his base in America said though he had not been served the process, he would respond to every point raised by the Catholic priest with facts.

He described the said suit against Igwendu as a legal ambush and challenged the priest to counter the issues raised in the podcast on issues.

Ezeonwuka said it was unfortunate that the priest had maintained undignified silence over the issue of Ranet Industries and denial of his honorarium as contained in the consent agreement between him and Msgnr John Bosco Akam, the Founder of Tansian University.

He said that Fr Obiora had no place in the history of the institution in terms of conception, foundation, funding and operation until when he was employed by the late monsignor to act as his Legal Advisor.

‘I am not aware that I have been sued by Fr Obiora because I have not been served.

“I also heard that Chijioke Igwendu, the owner of Gbam Podcast was sued with his wife, this is most unfortunate and shameful.

“I had expected that Obiora would counter the issues I raised regarding my property but to use the court to ambush and attempt to intimidate people speaks volumes about a man who is not ready to face the facts.

“I made my property available for NUC accreditation of Tansian University which was founded by late Msgn John Bosco Akam, our shared history about the University is documented.

“I have not been served, when I am served, I will respond to every point and raise new ones, he cannot fraudulently take away my property and be using it without paying me from me,” he said.

Ezeonwuka regretted that the University he invested hisproperty and goodwill in had been in the news for the wrong reasons.

He maintained that only truth and justice will liberate the institution from the joke and embarrassment it had become.

COOU VC Appointment: A Test Of Legality and Discretionary Powers


By Augustine Nwankwo

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has fixed Oct. 15 2026 for delivery of the judgment in the matter between Prof. Chike Osegbue vs Kate Omenugha and five other respondents concerning the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University(COOU).

The journey to the appointment of substantive Vice Chancellor of COOU started on Jan. 2 2025 with the announcement in the Vanguard newspaper of vacancy for the position by the University's Registrar as directed by the Prof. Chidi Odinkalu-led Council.

Prior to the announcement, there was serious tussle over the election of three members of the Senate who would be its representatives on the joint selection committee.

There was also debate by some members over the eligibility of the then Ag Vice chancellor chairing the Senate session because of her interest in the post.

This bothered on the COOU Law 2014 which provided that any person who had personal interest in a matter for discussion should recuse from being a part of decision making. as well as the question of quorum and accreditation.

However, 3 members of the Council representing the Senate who were sympathetic to the outcome of the 24th December 2024 Senate meeting wrote a petition to the visitor against the decision of the Council.

Following a Senate meeting in July 2025, three representatives were elected to join the Council nominees and make up a 7-man joint Appointment and Selection Committee.

The committee comprised three Senate members, three government appointees and a representative of the congregation.

At the end of the Search and Nomination Committee stage, nine candidates out of the 23 applicants were shortlisted for interview.

After the interview which was held on July 29, 30, and 31, 2025, the joint Council and Senate Appointment and Selection Committee, Prof. Chike Osegbue, Prof. Leonard Onuba and Prof. Chudi Okani emerged top three in descending order.

The final list of candidates as reported in media showed Prof. Chike Osegbue was top with 83 percent, Prof. Leonard Onuba finished second with 81 percent, Prof. Chukwudi Okani scored 78 percent to place third.

On August 1, 2025, the Committee through Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council transmitted the report and recommendation to the Visitor for appointment in line with relevant sections of the University Law.

The COOU Law of 2014, in Ordinance II(4)(d) specifically stipulated that the Council shall recommend the candidate who places first on its merit to the Visitor, (that is, the Governor) for appointment but shall include the names of the candidates who placed second and third justifying its order of merit.

Accepting the report, Soludo commended the process as rigorous and credible while appreciating the joint committee for conducting a transparent exercise.

Expectations were high that the Visitor would act according to the Law and follow the recommendations of the committee he empanelled and which report he praised, by appointing the candidate who finished top.

But on August 6, 2025, the governor announced Prof. Kate Omenugha as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University through a letter delivered through the Secretary to the State Government in a move that left many stunned.

Omenugha, a Professor of Mass Communication, was Commissioner for Education in Anambra for eight years and was
until her confirmation, the Acting Vice Chancellor since December 2023.

The announcement which came as a surprise to many was greeted with mixed feelings from within and outside the University because it was not consistent with the outcome of the dutiful, rigorous and painstaking process which lasted for about eight months.

Arguments have been advanced in support and in opposition to the decision of the governor.

Some persons say that the Visitor, as the Chief Appointing Officer had the reserved right and prerogative of appointing who he seemed fit provided it was in the interest of the system.

But others say that the Visitor had no powers in the Law to appoint whomever he wished as Vice Chancellor, and must do so within the ambit of the law, in this case within the provisions of COOU Establishment Law.

A group within the University community known as ‘COOU Collectives’ said they were baffled that the outcome of the University Council’s painstaking job was discountenanced by the Visitor for an arbitrary choice.

The group said the “COOU’s Vice Chancellor selection was a test of law, integrity and institutional honour” noting that appointing a fifth placed candidate in the order of merit lacked both authority and legitimacy.

The COOU Collectives rejected what they called the flagrant abuse of the COOU Law and called on Soludo to uphold merit by appointing the top ranked candidate, in accordance with the University’s statutes.

They said this appointment was not only a violation of the University Law but against the recommendation of the 2014 Visitation Panel Report which accepted that all organs involved in appointing the Vice Chancellor must duly and fully comply with the provisions of the University Statute.

Quoting Ordinance II(4)(d) of the COOU Law, they said the.Council was required to recommend the candidate who placed first on its own merit to the Visitor for appointment but shall also include the names of the candidates who placed second and third respectively, justifying its order of merit’’.

“It's unfortunate that after commending the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council for an elaborate, rigorous, transparent and credible job, the governor approved the appointment of Omenugha who scored 73 percent citing benchmarks that are alien to the COOU Law 2014,” it said

Another group known as COOU Progressives however has applauded the appointment of Omenugha claiming that she had performed creditably as Ag Vice chancellor and that her CV dwarfed those of the other candidates.

The group observed that Professor Omenugha has over 800 Google scholar citations and scopus indexed publications, has attracted €400m among other qualities over other candidates who have not attracted anything to the university.

Not satisfied with the perceived injustice, Osegbue went to court in August to seek interpretation for the law governing the appointment of Vice Chancellor with the prayer that the decision of the Visitor be overturned.

In the the suit marked NICN/ARJ/275/2025, Osegbue argued the appointment of Omenugha by Soludo was in defiance to Ordinance II (4) (d), read together with Statute VI (1) of the 1 Schedule to the COOU Law 2014 and therefore was illegal, absurd, arbitrary, condemnable and wrongful

He sought a declaration that the appointment of Omenugha by Soludo as the Vice Chancellor is null, void and of no effect.

Omenugha and her legal team have responded to the issues and argued their case in court.

As the public waits in baited breath for the verdict of the court, they say that whichever way the verdict goes, it will set a precedent that would bear serious historical precedence in the appointment of Vice Chancellors in public institutions.

They said the judgement will not only put a big question mark on the place of University Governing Councils in the administration of higher institutions in Nigeria and also to what extent University Laws can be effective and who should obey them.

It will also affirm or repudiate the notion that President and Governors who are visitors to these institutions can make appointments into the positions of Vice Chancellors arbitrarily or in disregard to extant laws.

©Augustine Nwankwo, a Socio Commentator writes from Uli

Ojukwu Varsity Top VC Candidate Urges Court To Set Aside ‘Illegal’ Suspension


Prof. Chike Osegbue of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam has prayed the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to set aside his suspension by the management.

Osegbue, a professor of Political Science and a top candidate in the recent Vice Chancellor selection process is challenging his suspension and demanding damages amounting to N2,620,000,000 from the Vice Chancellor and other members of the institution.

Defendants in the suit marked NICN/AWK/30/2026 are Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Governing Council of COOU, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Prof. Kate Omenugha, Dr Agary Nwokoye, Prof. Azikiwe Onwughalu and the Registrar.

Osegbue was suspended in January for allegedly not teaching a course Pol/PSC.811:environmental Politics and Sustainable Development to postgraduate students.

When the matter was called up for mention on Thursday, the Plaintiff through his Counsel, Kaine Ananwune in his filing urged the the court to determine whether the students in question (2024/2025 MSC) were valid students of the University in view of the University Law, Academic Regulations for Postgraduate studies and and NUC Regulations,

He prayed the court to declare every disciplinary action taken against him were in defiance to relevant laws of the University and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


The respondents Counsel asked the leave of court to file out of time which was granted.


M.C. Udechukwu represented Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Kate Omenugha, Dr Agary Nwokoye and the Registrar while O.M. Ezenwa-Ohaeto represented the Governing Council of the University.






Odinkalu and Onwualu were not represented


The presiding Judge, Hon. Justice John Targema granted the application and adjourned the matter to Nov. 24 for hearing.

Ojukwu Varsity Top VC Candidate Urges Court To Set Aside ‘Illegal’ Suspension


Prof. Chike Osegbue of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam has prayed the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to set aside his suspension by the management.

Osegbue, a professor of Political Science and a top candidate in the recent Vice Chancellor selection process is challenging his suspension and demanding damages amounting to N2,620,000,000 from the Vice Chancellor and other members of the institution.

Defendants in the suit marked NICN/AWK/30/2026 are Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Governing Council of COOU, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Prof. Kate Omenugha, Dr Agary Nwokoye, Prof. Azikiwe Onwughalu and the Registrar.

Osegbue was suspended in January for allegedly not teaching a course Pol/PSC.811:environmental Politics and Sustainable Development to postgraduate students.

When the matter was called up for mention on Thursday, the Plaintiff through his Counsel, Kaine Ananwune in his filing urged the the court to determine whether the students in question (2024/2025 MSC) were valid students of the University in view of the University Law, Academic Regulations for Postgraduate studies and and NUC Regulations,

He prayed the court to declare every disciplinary action taken against him were in defiance to relevant laws of the University and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


The respondents Counsel asked the leave of court to file out of time which was granted.


M.C. Udechukwu represented Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Kate Omenugha, Dr Agary Nwokoye and the Registrar while O.M. Ezenwa-Ohaeto represented the Governing Council of the University.






Odinkalu and Onwualu were not represented


The presiding Judge, Hon. Justice John Targema granted the application and adjourned the matter to Nov. 24 for hearing.

Tension In COOU As Court Sets Date For Judgment On Suit Seeking Sack Of Omenugha As VC


The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) will on Oct. 15 deliver judgment on the matter between Prof. Chike Osegbue vs Prof. Kate Omenugha and five others over her appointment as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University(COOU), Igbariam.

This followed the oral addresses and adoption of written processes by parties in the suit on Tuesday.

Osegbue in suit marked NICN/ARJ/275/2025, is asking the court to nullify the Aug. 6, 2025 appointment of Omenugha as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Anambra government owned University.

Other respondents in the matter are Gov. Soludo Chukwuma Soludo, Attorney-General of Anambra, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the COOU Council and the University itself.

Osegbue is praying the court to declare him the substantive vice-chancellor having finished first in the selection process and recommended by the university’s governing council to the governor who is the visitor for appointment.

Mr J.S. Okutepa(SAN), Counsel to Osegbo argued that the appointment of Omenugha was in flagrant disregard to the law of the University and due process as exercised by the selection committee under the then Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu.

Okutepa who was represented by Kaine Anawune said the Claimant did not complain to the Visitor or the Vice Chancellor because they were responsible and beneficiary of the injury he was seeking remedy for.

He prayed the court to dismiss the objections of the defendants and declare that he be appointed Vice Chancellor in line with the Law of COOU.

“The crux of the matter is that there was a vacancy for the position of VC and the claimant with others applied.

“After the process, the claimant was first and recommended for appointment but the governor ignored him and appointed his candidate who did not come close or fall among the third in the scoring,” he said.

In his argument, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) counsel to Omenugha and Soludo urged the court to determine the case based on the document before it.

He adopted his processes and urged the court to dismiss the prayers arguing that the selection process was not fully compliant with the law of the University.

Ikwueto urged the court to determine whether the committee followed its own criteria and whether their recommendation to the governor followed the criteria in the University law.

He said the governor visitor acted within the law and exercised reasonable discretion to make the appointment.

After hearing the argument Justice John Tergama who presided over the matter fixed Oct. 15 for delivery of judgement.

Anambra APC: Anosike Suffers Setback As Court Rejects Bid To Set Aside Sack


A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday struck out Sen. Emma Anosike's motion seeking to nullify the judgment that sacked him and his executive.

Anosike through his counsel, Ojukwu SAN and Najim Esq. who represented APC had prayed the court to set aside his sack and reinstate him.

Mr Tony-Uche Ezekwelu, the State Publicity Secretary of APC who disclosed this in a Statement said the court held that it had no jurisdiction as the case was already at the Court of Appeal.

He said the court advised the plaintiffs to withdraw their motion of set-aside on the grounds that it had no jurisdiction to entertain such.

“The Court ordered all parties to prosecute their case at the Court of Appeal,” he said.

On the motion for Stay of Execution, he said the court granted it only on a temporary basis because there was no evidence before it that it had been effected.


He said Chief Ifeanyichukwu Osegbo's, through his lawyer, informed the court of his intention to furnish it with the report of the Execution of the Judgment which was completed on July 3.

Ezekwelu said nothing changed as the party was still under the chairmanship of Osegbo.

He congratulated the APC in Anambra and urged members to remain calm.

Fresh Scandal Rocks Ojukwu University As ICPC Quizzes 92 Staff Over Alleged Procurement Breach


The ongoing controversy at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, the Anambra State Owned University is yet to be over as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has invited about 92 members of staff for questioning.

The issue this time is about the disbursement of a special intervention fund meant for the University by the authority of the institution and involvement of the summoned members of staff.

The Commission in a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor and dated July 2 directed invited persons to appear before it between July 7 and July 24.

Below is the text of the letter:

The Vice Chancellor,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State.

INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES

The Commission is investigating allegations of diversion of public funds, abuse of office and conflict of interest which violate some provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

2. In view of the above, and Pursuant to section 28(1) of the said Act, you are requested to release the following staff to appear before the undersigned for an interview at the Commission's office.


3. They are to come along with either a Lawyer, Justice of Peace, Staff of a Legal Council of Nigeria or any individual of their choice, pursuant to section 17(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Act, 2015.

4. Accept the assurances of the Commission's highest regards, please”.

Police, EFCC Urged To Probe Sacked Anambra APC Chairman Over Allegation 25 Bank Accounts

The Nigerian Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been urged to investigate multiple accounts allegedly linked to Sen. Emma Anosike, sacked chairman of the party in the state.

Chief Arinzechukwu Awogu, Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra made the call in his response to the petition of Anosike to the Inspector General of Police and EFCC chairman where he alleged that there were about 25 bank accounts traceable to the ousted chairman.

Anosike who is also the Chairman of Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA) had petitioned against Awogu for defamation and cyber bullying following allegation of embezzling N 1.5 billion party fund, leadership rascality and call for his resignation.

Awogu who said the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), had waded into the matter said the discovery further underscored character and dealings of the former chairman during the short period he was in office.

He said rather than respond to the issues against him, the party chairman resorted to threat and blackmail by dragging him to the IGP.

He said provided the graphic details of Anosike's party funds meddling and other shocking revelations to anti corruption agencies including the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

Reports further alleged that the APC National secretariat staff, who were deployed to Anambra to screen and conduct Primaries for the 30 State Constituencies in State were yet to be paid their entitlements which were elaborately provided for.

One of the staff who protested at the National secretariat said the ousted chairman asked them to return to Abuja on and promise that he would send them off money but had failed to do so.

"We came to Anambra State as secretariat staff for the State Assembly Primaries and after the primaries he asked us to go back that he will send our money but uptill this moment we have not seen any money.

“We have been calling the candidates to help us beg senator to release our money but nothing has happened,’ the source said under anonymity.


Some APC State House Assembly candidates have also bemoaned the level of extortion they were subjected to during the process of obtaining Nomination and Expression of interest forms at the Awka.

The candidates are also calling in the party secretariat to consider whether there could be a review.

Protest Erupts In Anambra Over APC Chairman's Alleged Leadership Rascality


Sen. Emma Anosike was elected the chairman of All Progressives Congress in Anambra but less that four months in the saddle all that were left in the party before his coming on board have been lost to reign of impunity.

Already, some Local Government chapters in the state have taken to the streets to call for his removal following allegations of financial recklessness, lack of respect for rule of law and collusion with opposition parties to field weak candidates.
.
In this unedited piece, Mr Arinzechukwu Awogu, a chieftain of APC in Anambra, state treasurer and coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ogbaru Chapter bears it all.

Excerpts:



Anambra State Chairman of APC, Sen. Emma Anosike, Squandered Over N1 Billion Naira Party Funds

In less than 4 months of being in the saddle as the state chairman of the party, Sen. Emma Anosike has misappropriated over N1 Billon naira meant for the party in Anambra State:

1. Abuja fund raising where over N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) was raised.

2. Awka fund raising where over N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) was also raised.

3. N150,000,000 (One Hundred And Fifty Million Naira) meant for the State Congress of the party.

4. Close to N200,000,000 (Two Hundred Million Naira) meant for Anambra delegates' participation at the APC South-East Zonal Congress.

5. Over N600,000,000 (Six Hundred Million Naira) meant for Anambra delegates to the party’s National Convention in Abuja (till today most delegates have not received their money).

6. Huge some amounting to over N100,000,000 meant for the just concluded party primaries in Anambra State; including other monies and donations and contributions from party stakeholders.

He squandered all of them without records.

Turning the bank account of the party into his personal account, and disbursing party funds through his personal bank account.

My feud with Sen. Emma Anosike started when on March 29th, 2026, as the State Treasurer of the party.

I wrote a memo to him dated 29th March, 2026, demanding for accountability and the establishment of a proper accounting system as funds were bypassing my office to destinations I didn't know.

He felt that by asking for accountability that I have gone beyond my briefs.

He immediately swapped my office as the elected State Treasurer of the party with that of Mr. Vincent Okafor, the Anambra North Zonal Vice Chairman.

Whereas positions were zoned local government by local government and the office of State Treasurer was zoned to my local government, Ogbaru, and as such cannot be whimsically swapped because I made an innocent demand for accountability. Sen. Emma Anosike has thereafter continued to disparage my office as the elected State Treasurer of the party.

I have repeatedly petitioned the office of the National Vice Chairman, South-East and the office of the National Chairman of the party, in addition to bringing complaints to individual stakeholders of the party in the state who appear tired of Sen. Emma Anosike, as his behavior has become a common knowledge.

His penchant for gaining unfettered access to illegality has remained unbridled.

He colluded with and collected several millions of money both in dollars and in naira from the opposition in the state to field weak and inexperienced candidates, and in some state constituencies not fielding at all.

In his own local government of Anambra East, and also Anambra West,. four credible aspirants came forward to pick nomination and expression of interest forms but he said no to them and ended up not fielding any candidate from Anambra East and West state constituencies.

Sen. Emma Anosike is heavily compromised and is fit state to lead the party into the 2027 general elections. He has inadvertently traded off the party candidates' tickets ahead of the polls.

He has to be shown the exit door for APC Anambra State to find a pathway to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections, otherwise, compromised Sen. Emma Anosike will sabotage the election.

His sole interest is money, and not in APC winning seats in the coming elections.

He has since becoming the state chairman of the party created so much confusion and division within the party, and has factionalised the party in most local government areas by creating parallel local government party executives other than the ones elected through various local government party congress held on the 21st of February, 2026; which is an offence under Article 21 of the party constitution.

"Creating a factional parallel party organs at any level," is a sanctionable offense by the party.

"Engaging in anti-party activities or conduct likely to bring the party into hatred, contempt, ridicule, or disrepute," are all offenses punishable by removal from office, both of which have been committed by Sen. Emma Anosike.

He created parallel local government party executive in Ogbaru Local Government Area as well as five other local government areas that were different from what was produced by the local government congress that was held.

In the case of Ogbaru, he said if I don't accept his imposition of someone who was never a part of the local government congress as his choice for the chairmanship of APC in Ogbaru Local Government that "Ogbaru Will Go Down."

I mean, that was a reckless statement, very unbridled and certainly very unbecoming of a former Senator-not far from the realities of the effect of diminishing returns.

Of course, Ogbaru refused to accept his imposition and would never do so!

And will also not descend so low as to talk down on his own community, Umueri, in like manner.

For the records, Ogbaru did not offend Sen. Emma Anosike, but he chose to set up a fight with us, an unnecessary fight, by illegally substituting the name of the chairman that was produced by the local government congress that was held on Saturday 21st February, 2026 (13 clear days before the State Congress that produced him).

And we said no, that we will not accept the illegality of imposing a sitting YPP Chairman of Ogbaru LGA on us as Ogbaru APC Chairman, who was at the time of the local government congress not a member of APC.

He also does not have e-registration docket as a member of the party till today, but Sen. Emma Anosike said we must accept the imposition or else "Ogbaru Will Go Down," isn't that madness, isn't that acting God? Isn't that dictatorial?

In a pluralistic society such as ours where caps of deep thoughts are individually worn with pride?

Sen. Emma Anosike is completely oblivious of his manifest illegality being a catalyst for vitiating the entire congresses held in Anambra State and nullifying the entire process?

What was like an isolated case with his assault on the sensibilities of Ogbaru APC has now snowballed into a plague affecting the whole APC in the entire state.

Sen. Emma Anosike mindlessly doctored the original congress lists of the congresses held in Anambra State and tampered with the list of not less than six local government areas including Ogbaru Local Government Area,

He flagrantly removed a number of those who were elected into the State Executive of the party from their various local governments and has continued to juggle the list of the members of the State Exco such that no one knows who is in what position; is that not madness and power drunkenness at its zenith?

Anambra is a civilised environment, an elite society; the numero-uno east of the Niger, such unguarded and uncouth roughshod has got its ignominious consequences.

As the State Treasurer of the party, I have advised him to desist from the ignoble path of putting forward elements that were not products of ward, local government and state congresses and I'm sure that other well meaning and respectable members of the party have also advised him.

But he is bent on a downward spiral. We now have more local governments in Anambra State in crisis than we ever had before.

We now have a sharply dysfunctional and isolated State Exco than we ever had before, because of the very reprehensible attitude of a man who perhaps is not the true chairman of APC Anambra State.

This is my first public statement on the deep murky waters that APC Anambra State has been plunged into by Sen. Emma Anosike whose lack of administrative knowhow is already a common sight.

His inept and incompetence have left everybody in Anambra State wondering why a State Chairman of a national party could choose personal aggrandizement, abuse of office and rehabilitation of irretrievably waned.

He chose his personal political fortunes which has since nosedived, rather than building on the achievements and successes of the party recorded in the last one and half years.

Having exhausted all internal alternatives to dispute resolution mechanisms (ADR), APC Anambra State will resist a descent into mediocrity by any means possible.

Let it be known that Sen. Emma Anosike is on a mission to destroy and merchandise Anambra State APC and has succeeded in making the few respectable leaders of the party who are seen around him to be viewed with negative lenses.

They are adjudged as though they don't mean well for APC Anambra State, this is an opinion now held strongly deep-down the subconscious minds of genuine members of APC in Anambra State.

Sen. Emma Anosike has continued to behave like the lord of the manor, pointing at Douglas House, Owerri, at every calamitous display of his, as the source of his emboldenment.

The hitherto good dispositions of Governor General is now being subjected to ridicule as a result of a man who claims to take every bit of his destructive actions against the party in Anambra State from the seat of power in Owerri.

The e-registration exercise of APC in some states is heating over 500,000 registered members, and Anambra State is having paltry 45,999 registered members only, the least in the entire 36 states of the federation.

Yet, Sen. Emma Anosike who has not added a single new member to APC in the state since becoming the state chairman of the party has the effrontery to open his buccal cavity to say he has expelled 30 quality members of the party.

He should further consult the constitution of the party to better digest the processes of expelling members from the party.

He should also know that he can not expel me as a State Exco member as himself.

It can only take the South-East Zonal Exco of the party, which is a high organ of the party to discipline me if I have erred, that is the position of the Constitution of the party.

Of course, I have repeatedly petitioned and inundated the Zonal office of the party as well as the national secretariat with comprehensive details of Sen. Emma Anosike's high-handedness, perfidy and exceptionally corrupt dispositions.

It is indeed time to save APC Anambra State that is fast adrift under Sen. Emma Anosike's proclivity.

You can reason for yourself, he conveyed a stakeholders meeting yesterday and no single Anambra State APC stakeholder of note was there.

The faces of the party in Anambra State have literally turned their back on the party because of the misgivings and oddities of a terribly compromised Sen. Emma Anosike.

Half of the State Exco members stayed away from the yesterday's meeting, a sign that there is need for surgical operation to be carried out with alacrity in the leadership structure of the party in the state.

I thus call on Chief Olisa Metuh, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Chief Okey Ezenwa, Chief Emeka Okafor, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, Nze Chidi Duru, Engr. Azuka Okwuosa, Engr. Nelson Onubuogu, Chief Dozie Ikedife, Sir Basil Ejidike, Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo, Engr. Chidi Oji, to as a matter of urgency, meet to provide leadership for the party to avoid an imminent implosion lurking around the party in the state.

__Excerpt from an interview granted by *Sir Arinzechukwu Awogu, the APC Anambra State Treasurer,* on the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting conveyed to discuss how to save the soul of the party in the state._
_13/06/2026.__

My purported Sack Can't Legitimise Omenugha’s Fraudulent Appointment




Prof. Chike Osegbue, a top candidate for the Vice Chancellor position at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University says his purported sack from the university is a deliberate ploy to shift attention from the real issue of appointment of illegitimate Vice Chancellor.

Osegbue who described his alleged sack as a desperate and unnecessary distraction said the hasty action could not confer legitimacy on the alleged illegal appointment of Prof. Kate Omenugha as substantive VC of the University.Q


Osegbue, a professor of Political Economics and Development Studies who spoke to journalists in Awka said he was not aware of his dismissal as he had not been formally communicated.

Recall that a report which circulated during last weekend purported that the University Council had sacked Osegbue after its inaugural meeting on June 12.

The top VC candidate said to the best of his knowledge, he was suspended on the basis of ‘fabricated’ allegations not teaching a postgraduate course, PSC 811: Environmental Politics and Sustainable Development.
and administering examinations on the students in question.

But Osegbue had earlier responded that there was no wrongdoing on his part as there were no students available to be taught the course during the period in question because they were admitted a few days before examinations commenced.

The Don told journalists that purported sack was a ploy to divert attention from the alleged irregularity in the appointment of the current Vice Chancellor who finished fifth after the selection process over him who was first placed.

He said the matter was already in court and sacking the Pro Chancellor or himself would not legitimise the appointment for which he was in court with the Visitor and Vice Chancellor.

“I am not aware I have been sacked, I was illegally suspended in January for three months which was later extended by the person whom I am on court with over her appointment allegedly for not teaching a course to Msc Students.

“We contested the position of the Vice Chancellor and I came first, I was recommended by the Council to the Visitor but the Visitor appointed her came fifth, this was in August last year.

*So I went to court to seek interpretation of some relevant sections of the law and we have been in court for three times but each time they come with frivolous motions that makes the court adjourn, so they are buying time, I will not dwell on that,” he said.

Osegbue said the recently inaugurated Council which purportedly sacked him did not have the full complement of the components which included government appointees and elected representatives of Senate, Congregation and convocation as provided by the University law.

“As it stands today, what the University has is an improperly constituted council with only government appointees and Senate representatives even though the government appointees were reappointed against the University law.

“They are just in a hurry to bury the issues and twist the narrative but justice shall prevail,” he said.

COOU Crisis Deepens As Embattled VC Sack Top VC Candidate, 4 Others


Prof. Chike Osegbue, top candidate for the Vice Chancellor position of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University has been dismissed by the University Council.

The University Council under Prof. Peter Onwualu, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, approved the sack of Osegbue and two others during its first meeting on Friday.

Recall that the Visitor to the institution, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo inaugurated the newly reconstituted governing Council on June 11.

Osegbue, a professor of Political Science is currently in court against the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha where he is challenging her appointment over him who finished first after the selection exercise.

Osegbue is praying the court to nullify the appointment of Omenugha on the grounds that her appointment did not meet criteria for appointment into the position as she only finished 5th at the end of the process.

Recall that the Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the Pro Chancellor who supervised the VC recruitment exercise has earlier been sacked by the Visitor.

The University Council said Osegbue was sacked because he abandoned his duties as a lecturer without any excuse or justification.

He had earlier been suspended for three which was extended for another three months in April before his dismissal.

Two other lecturers, Profs C. C. Nwabachili and Ifeoma Kakulu of the Faculty of Law, were also sacked for gross misconduct while Dr. I. H. Iheukwumere and Mr. Emeka Nwabunnia, of the Department of Microbiology, were dismissed for allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation.

The Council also approved the promotion of at least 13 Readers to full professorship.

Onwualu congratulated the new professors and urged them to justify their promotions.

Tansian Varsity: Ezeonwuka Says Silence Catholic Church’s Silence No Longer Golden

Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, Managing Director of Rojenny Stadium and Games Village Oba, has called on the Catholic Church to speak up on the crisis rocking the Tansian University which he co-founded with a priest, late Msgr JohnBosco Akam.

Ezeonwuka who made the call in a Statement on Friday said the Catholic Church in Anambra should not continue to pretend to be silent while they one father Edwin Obiorah covet his property and investment in its name.

He said he was surprised that a religious organisation which should champion truth and justice in the society was looking away while a Rev. Father who was neither a party to the formation of Tansian University was brazenly claiming ownership of the institution.

“The silence of the Catholic Church over the covetous and criminal activities of Fr Edwin Obiorah is no longer golden when the man is actually doing it in the name of the Church.

“I co-founded Tansian University with late Msgr John-Bosco Akam who is the Founder of Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi. I made the property of Ranet Industries Oba, my company available as a takeoff campus.

“Obiorah who was engaged as a lawyer by late Akam has not only violated the letters of the consent judgement, he has gone ahead to claim ownership of the University, covert my property at Oba Campus and even ejecting members of the congregation.

“The Priest is fighting with me, he is fighting with members of the Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi, students are thrown out of the campus and parents do not even know the fate of their children.

“I think the Catholic Church in Anambra should speak up because I have contributed in no small measure to the Church, I was at the forefront of the beatification ceremony of Blessed Iwene Tansi where we derived our name,” he said.

Ezeonwuka alleged that the title to Ranet Industries, Oba which he provided as a takeoff campus had been fraudulently altered, vowing that nobody would criminally covet his investment in the institution.

He said he would employ every legitimate means to reclaim what rightly belonged to him.

COOU’s Leadership Conundrum: When Appointments Undermine Accountability

By Gerald Okoye

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University is caught in a governance crisis that new appointments have deepened, not solved.

The recent removal of the Governing Council Chair, the controversial appointment of a Vice Chancellor who placed 5th in the selection process, and the naming of her referee as Chancellor have raised questions of due process, conflict of interest, and institutional credibility.

These moves sit atop unresolved allegations of financial misconduct, academic fraud, and record falsification.

For COOU to regain public trust, the Visitor must prioritize respect for rules and transparent reforms over ceremonial appointments.

Appointments and Council Shake-Up

On the 21st of April 2026, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, acting as Visitor to COOU, appointed Most Rev. Dr. Mathew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as Chancellor of the University.

This announcement followed the dissolution and reconstitution of the University’s Governing Council.

Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, who served as Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman, was removed along with other government appointees.

The law establishing COOU provides for a 4-year non-renewable tenure for government appointed Council members. Odinkalu’s team had served 22 months.

The reconstituted Council retained nearly all former members. Those reappointed include AIG Chris Ezike (Rtd), Chief Ndubuisi, and Igwe Chidume Oranu, while the two notable exits were Prof. Odinkalu and Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Vice Chancellor Selection That Won’t Go Away

Between January and August 2025, the Odinkalu-led Council conducted the selection process for a substantive Vice Chancellor.

At the end of the process, the three shortlisted candidates finished in the following order, Prof. Chike Osegbue, 1st; Prof. Leonard Onuba, 2nd and Prof. Chudi Okani, 3rd.

On Aug. 4, 2025, Gov. Soludo announced Prof. Omenugha as substantive VC.

The appointment bypassed the top three candidates and triggered immediate criticism from sections of academia, alumni, and civil society.

A suit challenging the legality of the appointment is now pending before the National Industrial Court. Until the court rules, the VC serves under a cloud of litigation.

The VC who serves under a cloud of litigation (has proceeded to suspend initially for three months and extended the suspension of Prof. Chike Osegbue for another three months for allegedly not teaching and examining a Postgraduate course PSC 811.

Osegbue claims he refused to teach and examine students who were admitted one week to the exam because it violates the Postgraduate school Academic Regulations.

The University community remains polarised, with staff unions and student groups issuing conflicting statements on the state of the university.


The Optics: Referee Becomes Chancellor

Bishop Kukah was listed as a referee to Prof. Omenugha during the VC selection process. With his appointment as Chancellor, the University’s ceremonial head and its chief executive now have a documented mentor–mentee link from a contested process.

Meanwhile, the Council Chair who supervised that process has been removed 26 months before the end of his statutory term. The sequence has created a strong perception of conflict of interest.

Critics argue it rewards loyalty over process and sidelines the one actor with no personal stake in the outcome.

Institutions survive on public trust. When appointments appear to validate contested outcomes, that trust erodes. The question is no longer just who occupies the office, but whether the process that put them there can withstand scrutiny.

Beyond Appointments: COOU’s Structural Deficits

Leadership changes have dominated headlines, but COOU’s core problems are operational and systemic but takeholders consistently cite governance and finance, allegations of contract diversion and inflation in capital projects, lack of/poor budgeting and disregard to Council oversight function, use of the office of VC to benefit family and friends.

On academic integrity, there have been persistent claims of admission racketeering across departments, certificate racketeering which undermine the value of COOU degrees in the labor market.

In the area of infrastructure and services, lecture halls, hostels, and laboratories on multiple campuses are dilapidated and grossly inadequate.
There are also claims of exploitative ICT fees with unreliable services for students.

In human capital, there are general complaints of low staff morale linked to irregular promotion, poor welfare, and fear of victimisation. This has resulted in a brain drain of qualified academics to other institutions.

Records and Documentation

Unresolved controversy around the VC’s age declaration. Petitioners cite discrepancies between official Church documents and a handwritten “To Whom It May Concern” baptismal revalidation letter obtained from the Catholic Church.

The letter’s provenance is disputed. Observers question how St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nnobi, can certify that it holds baptismal registers for 1910–1926, 1952–1955, and 1967, yet declares the 1956–1966 registers missing. The matter remains unaddressed by the church.

What Good Governance Demands of the Visitor

The COOU Law vests the Council, with the support of the Governor, as Visitor, with supervisory powers to ensure the University is run in accordance with law, equity, and good conscience. Swapping Councils and Chancellors does not discharge that duty.

The visitor must Insulate Appointments from Patronage

Chancellor, Council, and principal officers should be appointed through criteria that prioritise institutional need and public confidence. Where relationships exist between appointees, recusal and disclosure standards must apply.

There is also a moral question for Bishop Kukah, a respected national voice on governance and ethics.

His acceptance of the Chancellorship, while legally permissible, places him at the centre of COOU’s storm. Some argue he should decline to preserve his moral authority and protect the Church from entanglement in a controversy marked by litigation and fraud allegations.

Others however, believe his presence could help mediate and reform.

It is rather instructive to note Kukah is co-ordinator of the national Peace council which supposedly was in Anambra to secure a peaceful election in Nov last year. The optics of accepting an appointment so soon thereafter from a party in the election are not good.

He also is pro chancellor by appointment by Tinubu, another whose election he guaranteed. Is this a pattern? How credible is the National Peace council now? Who will believe it?

Again, The visitor is Catholic; VC is Mama Fada; Chancellor is Bishop. Is it the Catholic University of Anambra State?

The critical test is not the Bishop’s intent, but the institution’s context. If the underlying disputes remain unaddressed, the office of Chancellor risks being seen as conferring legitimacy on a flawed process rather than inspiring reform.

Appointments Are Not Validation

COOU’s crisis is not a vacancy crisis, it is a validity crisis and University needs validation on three fronts:

Process: That the VC emerged through merit, not preference.

Integrity: That its contracts, admissions, and certificates are clean.

Purpose: That governance serves students, staff, and Anambra people, not political or personal networks.

Until the Court runs their course and judgement is made public, every new appointment will be interpreted as an attempt to manage perception rather than fix problems.

The Visitor has a chance to reset the narrative. That reset begins with truth, not titles.

Gerald Okoye, a concerned Anambra Citizen writes from Igbariam

Ojukwu Varsity VC War Intensifies As Omenugha Extends Rival’s Suspension


The Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof Kate Omenugha has extended the suspension handed down to Prof. Chike Osegbue by three months.

The University extended the suspension through a letter signed by Mr CHRIS U. OBI, the
Registrar of the institution.

Osegbue, a leading candidate in the last Vice Chancellorship selection process was suspended for three months on the allegation of not teaching a course assigned to him.

Osegbue was banned from entering the university effective Jan. 7 and warned not to be seen anywhere within and around the campus during the period of his suspension unless on invitation.

The letter said the additional three months extension was to enable the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee conclude its investigation on your case.

“The extension of your suspension by another three months takes effect from April 14.

“All the restrictions and directives pertaining to your initial suspension as contained in my memorandum to you dated Jan. 7 also apply to this extension,” it said.


The plot to suspend Osegbue started with a query by Dr Agary Nwokoye, the Ag. Head, Department of Political Science on Sept. 9, 2025 which purported that Oseghue failed to teach PSC 811, a postgraduate course.

This was followed by another query by the Registrar, Chris Obi on the directive of the Vice Chancellor dated Dec. 3, 2025 regarding the same subject matter.

“Sequel to your response to the query issued you dated Dec. 3 2025 for not teaching PSC 811, assigned to you during the second Semester of 2024/2025, as alleged, I am directed to suspend you from the University for a period of three months, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

“You are to resume duties in the University on April 8, 2026, depending on the outcome of the investigation of the Disciplinary Committee,” it said.

Osegbue is currently in court contesting the appointment of Prof. Kate Omenugha ahead of him who finished first position in the selection process .

Osegbue is contending that Omenugha did not meet the criteria to be so appointed having not made it to the top three as specified by the University Establishment Law.

Meanwhile, Osegbue, a Professor of Political Economy and Development Studies in the Department of Political Science, had responded by saying he could administer examinations to students who did not meet the criteria as stipulated in the University guidelines.

He said he would not be coerced into examining students who were admitted less than one month to the exams and did not attend lectures.

He said he was available to teach the course but there were no students registered to be taught the course during the required lecture period.

Osegbue said the students in question did not meet the requirement that postgraduate student should attain at least
75 percent lecture attendance, calculated over a minimum of nine weeks of intensive lectures.

“I declined to participate in the awarding of unearned grades or in the certificate racketeering practices into which COOU has unfortunately degenerated.

“The procedure that the Postgraduate (PG) Board of each department should consider applications and recommend qualified candidates for admission was not followed in admitting the students referenced in the query.

“The published timetable indicated that examinations would commence on Sep. 2
2025 and PSC 811 was
scheduled for that same date but the 12 students who authored the petition against me were admitted between 28 days and eight days before examinations commenced.

“In line with the academic regulations of the PG School of COOU, none of these students met the eligibility requirement of
75 percent attendance over nine weeks of lectures, only one student attended two lectures.

“Despite their ineligibility, these students were permitted to sit for examinations in
courses other than PSC 811, contrary to Section 23.1(b)(i) which stipulates 14 weeks of lectures and two weeks of examination totalling 16 weeks per semester.

“This exemplifies the ongoing mass production
of grades and certificate racketeering that has characterized COOU over the past eight years and worsened since 2023,” he said.

Ojukwu Varsity VC War Intensifies As Omenugha Extends Rival’s Suspension



The Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof Kate Omenugha has extended the suspension handed down to Prof. Chike Osegbue by three months.

The University extended the suspension through a letter signed by Mr CHRIS U. OBI, the
Registrar of the institution.

Osegbue, a leading candidate in the last Vice Chancellorship selection process was suspended for three months on the allegation of not teaching a course assigned to him.

Osegbue was banned from entering the university effective Jan. 7 and warned not to be seen anywhere within and around the campus during the period of his suspension unless on invitation.

The letter said the additional three months extension was to enable the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee conclude its investigation on your case.

“The extension of your suspension by another three months takes effect from April 14.

“All the restrictions and directives pertaining to your initial suspension as contained in my memorandum to you dated Jan. 7 also apply to this extension,” it said.


The plot to suspend Osegbue started with a query by Dr Agary Nwokoye, the Ag. Head, Department of Political Science on Sept. 9, 2025 which purported that Oseghue failed to teach PSC 811, a postgraduate course.

This was followed by another query by the Registrar, Chris Obi on the directive of the Vice Chancellor dated Dec. 3, 2025 regarding the same subject matter.

“Sequel to your response to the query issued you dated Dec. 3 2025 for not teaching PSC 811, assigned to you during the second Semester of 2024/2025, as alleged, I am directed to suspend you from the University for a period of three months, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

“You are to resume duties in the University on April 8, 2026, depending on the outcome of the investigation of the Disciplinary Committee,” it said.

Osegbue is currently in court contesting the appointment of Prof. Kate Omenugha ahead of him who finished first position in the selection process .

Osegbue is contending that Omenugha did not meet the criteria to be so appointed having not made it to the top three as specified by the University Establishment Law.

Odumegwu Ojukwu Varsity Now Theatre Of the Absurd Under Madam VC

By Jerome Okonkwo



There is growing discontent among students and staff members of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) over what they consider as an absurd, exploitative academic and governance rot under the current Vice Chancellor.

The issues include arbitrary imposition of levies on students, poor learning and teaching environment, inadequacy of academic content of the semesters and poorly motivated workforce.

Observers say that Gov. Chukwuma Soludo should take interest in the situation by calling the embattled Vice Chancellor to order with the aim of saving the university from further administrative rascality.

For the students, no fewer than 10,000 new intakes (many of them admitted less than one week to the first semester exams in March 2026)were billed N10,000 for what the management called a matriculation brochure entitled “Ifenkili” which turned out to be a book written in praise of the Vice Chancellor.

Secondly, and without the approval of the University Council, the Vice Chancellor embarked on an ICT transition programme where the University Portal was pulled down and a contract for a new one was awarded without a bid and as required by the Public Procurement Act and the COOU Law.

To access the new portal to register courses and make payments, every student of the University was directed to pay a mandatory sum of N15,000 by the management.

This was confirmed by a circular issued by the Directorate Of Information & Communication Technology, signed by the Director Engr. Prof. J.P. Iloh, who said the deadline for course registration for 1st Semester 2025/2026 on the new COOU App had been extended to April 15.

According to the circular, the extension is to enable the students to have enough time to download the app, complete their initial login process, make the necessary payments and complete their course registration on the app.

“The students are therefore expected to take advantage of this extension to complete their course registration,” the ICT memo said.

Students of the University have been protesting the obnoxious levies and poor academic content of the session and learning environment across different social media spaces.

In a widely circulated open letter of protest, a 100-Level Law Student (name withheld) expressed frustration over what he considered a regime of strangulating levies for services which ordinarily should be free.

The student questioned why the newly launched COOU Portal App should attract a mandatory burden of N15,000 ICT fee on students when it should actually be an institutional investment.

“I must therefore ask, what exactly is this N15,000 ICT fee for because the current charge raises legitimate concerns about proportionality and transparency.

“With an estimated student population of about 30,000, a compulsory payment of N15,000 per student amounts to N450,000,000, this is not a trivial figure, and it naturally prompts serious questions,” the student said.

Going further, the student said they were required to purchase a publication titled "Ifenkili" for N10,000 as a condition for entry into the examination hall.

He described the book as a collection of poems in praise of the Vice Chancellor with no academic relevance as it contained only photographs of school management and the names of matriculating students.

“Today it is N15,000 for an application, tomorrow, it may be even higher charges for necessities that should ordinarily be accessible,” he lamented

Another sad turn of event is the Vice Chancellor’s abandonment of University administration for open involvement in partisan politics.

More worrisome is the Vice Chancellor's donation of a whooping sum of N10 million to members of a political party and gleeful announcement of the same in the media space.

For a university that is grappling with an acute infrastructure deficit such that most departments have just one classroom to service its entire students from year one to final year, the Part Time and, the Postgraduate programs, one wonders where Madam Vice Chancellor got the spare money to fund a political party.

Obviously, that money was neither approved by council nor Senate and if she claims the money is her personal money, how much of such donation.has she made before her assumption of office as Vice Chancellor.

It may be convenient to say that Madam Vice Chancellor whose appointment fell short of all laid down processes and hangs precariously in the balance as it is a subject of litigation, is running as an empress in line with the procedural impunity that enthroned her.

Could it be that she has made as much money through the numerous windows she created to milk parents and guardians of students, such that she now has enough to recklessly throw around without recourse to decency.

For the lecturers, the motivation for research and teaching is poor as some of them say they earn as low as 40 percent of what their contemporaries in the Federal University and some state Universities are paid.

The lecturers say hopes were high when a professor and world acclaimed scholar became the visitor of the institution but expressed disappointment that conditions of service had gone worse moreso, with the soaring inflation.

He said the infrastructure in the University was grossly inadequate and the increasing deference to NUC carrying capacity and the JAMB admission quota by the Vice Chancellor, especially in the past three years, was collapsing the existing facility.

According to one of them, we expected by now that new facilities would have been built because the immediate past Vice Chancellor left an infrastructure fund amounting to about N5 billion. But what we see is the university gate facelift even though the perimeter fence is collapsed all round the university and the safety of students on campus is not guaranteed.

Resign, You Have Failed Nigerians–-Chief Uzodike Tells Amupitan 







Chief Joemartins Uzodike, a Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to honourably resign from his position.




Uzodike, an elder statesman made the call in a Statement issued on Sunday while reacting to INEC’s withdrawal of recognition of the Sen. David Mark leadership of ADC.




Uzodike, also a lawyer, said he was disappointed by what he considered a disgraceful and mischievous 

Interpretation of a court order by INEC under the chairmanship of Amupitan who was a professor of law and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).




He said the Amupitan's INEC did not only fail to hide their bias by relying on an order submitted to it by an individual but also displayed deliberate ignorance of the law by pretending to not to know what Status Quo Antebellum meant or where it should be applied.




He said the action of the INEC chairman had brought serious embarrassment to the legal system community by relying on a court order to create a leadership void in an opposition political party where nature abhors one.




The three-time member of the Old and New Anambra state government Executive Council said INEC should stop regarding and interpreting an individual as a faction because Nafiu Balas neither has secretary nor lead any executive committee 




“I have been around in this country since independence and I have been actively part of many elections in Nigeria, I make bold to say that an electoral umpire has never descended so brazenly and carelessly into the arena as we have now.




“The Chairman is a professor of law and a senior advocate, how can he not be able to interpret the meaning of Status Quo Antebellum which means go back to where you were before you came to court.




“At what point was ADC before Nafiu Bala went to court, who was the chairman at that time ?




“The court simply said whosoever was there should continue before the matter is determined but Amupitan's INEC is saying ADC does not exist and this is not true.




“The INEC chairman has failed the law, he has shown he is not capable of presiding over our electoral affairs without bias, he should resign,” he said.




Uzodike said Amupitan should have been concerned about saving and strengthening Nigeria's democracy rather than serving the interest of a few who wished to destroy it.




He said the TV interview of the INEC chairman also showed he was acting under intense pressure.




“INEC destroyed the Res by contemptuously removing ADC leadership when the court ordered all parties INEC inclusive to maintain the Status quo.




“From his demeanor on TV interview, it is clear that the INEC chairman is not a man of himself, for someone who has risen to the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor of a university, a professor and SAN, he should be a man of honour,” he said.

N2.1M Gate: FirstPower MD Cuts Supply To Anambra Community, Blackmails Journalist For Failure


The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) through its subsidiary, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company (FpEDC) has thrown residents of Amudo village, Awka into perpetual darkness as punishment for revealing that they were extorted to have their broken down transformer repaired.

Mr Okechukwu Okafor, Managing Director of FpEDC said at an interaction recently that he ordered the cut off of supply to over 200,000 residents as proof that FpEDC did not levy customers for repair of their transformer.

Residents of Amudo had complained to a journalist, Mr Okechukwu Obeta that the community reached an agreement with the management of FpEDC to contribute money for the repair of their damaged transformer which was out of service for over three weeks.

Mr Afam Nwanna, the chairman of the village had told Obeta that they levied residents between N2,000 and N5,000 to raise the sum of N2.1 million before their supply was restored.

The claim was confirmed by Izunna Okafor, the company's Communication Manager who was quoted as sympathising with the residents for being in darkness and advised them to raise the N2.1million ‘as requested’ so that their light could be restored soon.

“It is the responsibility of our company to replace the vandalised transformer, but if left for the company to do, it might not happen soon, and that might keep them in darkness indefinitely,” he said.

Embarrassed by the leakage of the nefarious agreement which places the burden of fixing the transformer, the Managing Director of FpEDC decided to cut off supply to the area with a view to set the residents and the journalist on collision path.

Recall that Okafor had wept recently over his wife's soured soup as a result of lack of electricity. One wonders how he is now mischievously using the report of N2.1 million as a ground for his inability to supply power to Amudo village.

It is unfortunate that the company which deployed every strategist at its disposal including a threat to stop electricity customers in Anambra from protesting against poor power supply on March 14, will claim to deliberately cut supply because of a factual report it was not comfortable with.

Okafor through his action has from inability of EEDC or FpEDC to supply power to putting Obeta on the spot as reason for the company's failure.

How does one explain cluelessness when a service provider punishes no fewer than 200,000 innocent customers and deny his own company revenue just to put journalist in harms way as reason FpEDC inability to supply electricity.

If EEDC or FpEDC did not persuasively or coarsely levy residents to repair the transformer serving them, a rejoinder or redress would have been enough to address that and not breach the business contract between the company and its customers.

Rather, Okafor insisted that Obeta retract his story and apologise when evidence abound that residents were made to pay money for transformer repair.

The life and safety of Okechukwu Obeta now rests with Mr Okechukwu Okafor given the volume of threats he has received.

Obeta who has already reported to the Police Command in Anambra, now living in hiding.

Okey Obeta is an experienced and factual journalist who has championed the course of the voiceless and changed destinies through his reports.

Engr Okafor can not use the life of journalists to make up for his failure, if he claims he has energy but cannot supply to Amudo village because of Obeta’s report, who is responsible for the darkness in Okpuno, Agu-Awka, Ifite, Amawbia, Udoka and Ngozika Estates ?

We call on the Anambra government through the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Agency, the Department of State Services and Police Command should caution Okafor from further mischief.

They should also take deliberate measures to protect Obeta and indeed journalists whose duty to the society is guaranteed under Section 22 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ezeonwuka Urges Anambra Gov’t To Nullify C-of-O Erroneously Issued To Private University





Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, managing Director of Ranet Industries Ltd has called in the Ministry of Land, Anambra State to deregister the Certificate of Occupancy in relation to the company land erroneously issued to a Catholic priest in favour of Tansian University.



Ezeonwuka made the call in a letter to the Commissioner for Land entitled “Request For Deregistration of Certificate Of Occupancy (C of O) With File No. PAN 2893”



The businessman and managing Director of Rojenny Stadium Stadium, Oba is alleged the CoO issued to Sons Of Blessed Tansi in January 2017 was fraudulently obtained and based on a fake power of attorney.



He said the C of O PAN 2893, dated Aug. 10, 2017 must have been registered in error and should be deregistered because the land in question already had an existing C of O registered since April 1989.



Ezeonwuka who supported his letter with the search report and other relevant documents, said the land in question was documented as no. 60 in page 60 volume 1269 and No. 61, page 61 in volume 1269 on April 11, 1989.



He said under the Land Use Act of 1978, a Certificate of Occupancy is meant to be issued once for a particular plot of land adding that no plot of land should have double C of O.



Ezeonwuka also cited alleged irregularities in the documents which was used to build the file upon which the double C of O was extracted.



According to him, if a C of O is issued to a person while another person already holds a valid, existing right to the same plot, the latter is typically considered invalid, null, and void.



“There is also a consent judgment that further proves that the properties belong to me, a copy of the consent judgment is attached for ease of reference.



“We request that the Honourable Commissioner do the needful based on the fact that my property already had an existing C of O,” he said.



Speaking further, Ezeonwuka said there was a consent agreement between Ranent Industries and the founder of Tansian University, Very Rev. Msgn Joinbosco Akam which showed that the land was not in contention.



He said the judgment stipulated the terms and structure which Tansian University would pay him for using the property and wondered why some persons would want to hijack the property after the death of the founder.

Court Adjourns Hearing On Ojukwu Varsity VC Case To May 21



The National Industrial Court, sitting in Awka has fixed May 21 for the hearing of the matter between Prof. Chike Osegbue and Prof. Kate Omenugha and five others over the appointment of substantive Vice Chancellor for Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

Osegbue in his suit NICN/ARJ/275/2025 is praying the Court to declare the appointment of Prof. Kate Omenugha as illegal and void.

He also prayed the court to declare him the substantive Vice Chancellor of COOU on the grounds that he was the first of the three candidates recommended by the Governing Council of the university.

Recall that Gov. Chukwuma Soludo who is the visitor of the institution on Aug. 6 appointed Omenugha as the substantive VC following the conclusion of the selection process.

The selection process was conducted by a Joint Committee of University Council and Senate representative, under the chairmanship of Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the Pro-chancellor who is also a defendant in the matter.

Other defendants in the suit are the Governor of Anambra, the Attorney- General of Anambra, Prof. Odinkalu, Council of COOU, the Council of COOU and COOU as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants.

Osegbue claimed that the appointment of Omenugha was against the Law of COOU which provides that the candidate with the highest score should be appointed or the second or third placed candidates on the recommendation of the council.

In the suit, he said that the appointment of Omenugha by Soludo was in defiance to Ordinance II (4) (d), and Statute VI (1) of the 1 Schedule to the COOU Law 2014 and was therefore illegal, absurd, arbitrary, condemnable and wrongful

The Claimant prayed for a declaration that the purported appointment of Omenugha as VC, was null, void and of no effect in that is contrary to and done in violation of Ordinance 11 (4) (d), read together with Statute VI (I) of the I Schedule to COOU Law 2014.

He argued that Omenugha was not amongst the first three candidates recommended by the Joint Committee of Council and Senate Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

Osegbue asked the court to “determine whether the governor could exercise such unbridled whimsical and or untrammeled powers to arbitrarily and unlawfully refuse, fail, ignore and or neglect the recommendation of the Council in the appointment of the VC.

When the matter was called up on Thursday, Kaine Anunwune of JS Okutekpa Chambers whi appeared for the Claimant moved an application to regularise a counter motion to the preliminary objection of the defendant.

Patrick Ikweto SAN who appeared for the first and second defendant also moved an application for further counter to the suit and to submit a cleaner copy within seven days.

Justice John Tergama who presided over the matter granted the two applications.

Justice Tergama said all applications and the substantive suit would be heard together.

He adjourned to May 21 for hearing of the matter.

Bombshell As COOU Lecturer, Prof. Chike Osegbue Replies Omenugha On Suspension


Prof .Chike Osegbue is a professor of Political Economy and Environment Studies in the Department of Political Science Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State.

He contested the Vice Chancellor position and finished tops but was not appointed and is currently in court contesting the appointment of Prof. Kate Omenugha.

The University Management under Omenugha in January suspended him for three months on mere allegation of not teaching a course assigned to him.

This is the unedited text of his response to the query before his suspension.



The Registrar, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Administration Building, Igbariam campus. RE: QUERY
I am in receipt of a query dated 03/12/25, collected on 05/12/25, which you stated was issued
at the directive of the Vice Chancellor. The query concerns the same issue for which the
Acting Head of the Department of Political Science, Dr. Agary Nwokoye, had earlier issued a
query to me, and to which I have already responded (attached as Annexure 1). That document
was filed as part of the court processes in my suit against the Governor of Anambra State and
others, including Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, who is listed as the 6th Defendant. May I observe that COOU currently does not have a recognised Vice Chancellor, as the
position is the subject of litigation before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Awka
Division. Under normal circumstances, I would have disregarded this query, as you lack the
authority to issue one to me under the COOU Law and the Staff Conditions of Service. However, I am compelled to respond due to the continued deterioration and abuse of
administrative and academic regulations within the University, and because of the
implications this has for institutional growth and for the students we are mandated to nurture
in both knowledge and character. This query has provided an opportunity to restate the obvious decline into which COOU has
fallen, and to draw the attention of the public and relevant regulatory bodies to the ongoing
certificate racketeering within the University. It is my hope that this unfortunate situation will
receive the urgent attention it deserves. Response to query
I did not teach the course PSC 811: Environmental Politics and Sustainable Development
referenced in the query because no students were admitted into the course, and available to be
taught during the required lecture period. I was available to teach it, but the course had no registered students. Furthermore, I declined to participate in the awarding of unearned grades
or in the certificate racketeering practices into which COOU has unfortunately degenerated. I am an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and the University of Jos, where
I was trained in environments that uphold quality teaching, learning, and global best
academic practices, including compliance with NUC regulations. Upon assuming duties at
the then Anambra State University (now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University), I
was eager to replicate the academic standards and values acquired from my alma maters. I
wish to commend those colleagues who shared this vision and worked sincerely toward building a university that reflects excellence. This collective commitment once shaped
academic activities at COOU, including postgraduate programs. However, the situation has deteriorated over the past eight years and worsened significantly
in the last two years. This decline is largely attributed to external interference from
individuals connected to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in collaboration with internal
actors who appear indifferent to the erosion of academic integrity. Addressing this decay
formed part of my motivation for contesting the position of Vice Chancellor of
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, as outlined in my Vision and Mission
Statement. In addition to Annexure 1, I respectfully state the following in response to the query:

1. The Postgraduate School has an academic regulations document that contains policies, procedures, and requirements for the award of postgraduate certificates (Annexure 2).

2. The Chair of the Board of the Postgraduate School is the Vice Chancellor of the
institution, who is expected to be fully conversant with these regulations.

3. The regulations provide criteria for admission, lectures, examinations, and other
academic requirements of the Postgraduate School.

4. The document also outlines statutory bodies, their membership, and their functions.

5. Part 2.4.2(b) of the current regulations provides for the Postgraduate Board of each
department, which is empowered, among other responsibilities, to consider applications
for admission and recommend qualified candidates to the Faculty Postgraduate Board, which in turn recommends them to the School of Postgraduate Studies for admission. This procedure was not followed in admitting the students referenced in the query.

6. Part 22.1 on eligibility for examinations requires a postgraduate student to attain at least
75% lecture attendance, calculated over a minimum of nine (9) weeks of intensive
lectures, in order to qualify to sit for examinations. The students in question did not meet
this eligibility requirement.

7. There are 13 students in the M.Sc. class, and 12 of them allegedly signed a petition
claiming that I did not teach PSC 811: Environmental Politics and Sustainable
Development, and that they were denied the opportunity to sit for the examination in the
first semester.

8. Attached herewith as Annexures 3 and 4 are two documents, Batches 6 and 8, containing
the admission lists where the names of the students appeared.

9. Batch 6 contains five (5) students and was published by the Postgraduate School on
05/08/25.

10. Batch 8 contains five (5) students and was published on 26/08/25.

11. On that same 26/08/25, the Acting Head of the Department of Political Science, Dr. Agary Nwokoye (who, in 2008, as a lecturer, was involved in an examination
malpractice incident in which he wrote an examination for a female student, Miss Adaobi
Iheme - now his wife - in a course I taught titled International Economic Relations (PSC
314)), published the first-semester examination timetable for postgraduate students, including M.Sc. students (Annexure 5).

12. The published timetable indicated that examinations would commence on 2 September
2025, and PSC 811 (Environmental Politics and Sustainable Development) was
scheduled for that same date.

13. The twelve (12) students who authored the petition against me were admitted between 28
days and 8 days before examinations commenced, as reflected in Batches 6 and 8.

14. In line with the academic regulations of the Postgraduate School of Chukwuemeka
Odumegwu Ojukwu University, none of these students met the eligibility requirement of
75% attendance over nine (9) weeks of lectures. Only one student, Mr. Orjinta Hilary, attended two lectures and submitted an assignment

15. Despite their ineligibility, these students were permitted to sit for examinations in
courses other than PSC 811, contrary to the regulations. Section 23.1(b)(i) stipulates: 14
weeks of lectures + 2 weeks of examination = 16 weeks per semester. Yet these students
- and others admitted under Batches 5, 6, 7, and 8 - were allowed to take examinations
without meeting statutory requirements. This exemplifies the ongoing mass production
of grades and certificate racketeering that has characterized COOU over the past eight
years and worsened since 2023.

16. This systemic decay becomes even clearer when viewed alongside the findings of three
separate university investigative committees (chaired respectively by Professor Osita
Chiaghanam, Professor Mathias Ananti, and Professor OBC Nwankwo) formed to
investigate certificate racketeering in the Faculty of Law. The investigations revealed
that the immediate past Dean allegedly graduated 70 students without proper
examination records - some of whom had withdrawn from the programme at early stages, including from 100 level. All three committees found him culpable and recommended
dismissal. However, the university administration has suppressed the reports and
prevented them from being sent to Council for action. The OBC Nwankwo Committee
even observed that individuals who have never entered the university campus hold
COOU postgraduate certificates (Annexures 6 and 7). Meanwhile, the indicted Dean
remains in office.

17. In the Department of Political Science at COOU, the Postgraduate Board has never
convened to consider applications, monitor teaching standards, or approve course results. Yet students are being graduated and certificates issued. It is no surprise that the
Governor of Anambra State publicly referenced COOU as a certificate-issuing factory—
highlighting the award of over 800 PhDs in just a few years—both during a Convocation
ceremony and at an Executive Council meeting.

18. How could students whose admission lists were released less than ten (10) days before
examinations claim they were not taught, and further be enabled to write petitions and
examinations?

19. How were these same students permitted to sit for examinations in other courses despite
failing to meet the statutory minimum 75% lecture attendance requirement?

20. What then is the value and credibility of certificates issued by COOU?

21. There is an urgent need to end the certificate racketeering culture that has overtaken
COOU.

22. This is the same university where Professor Innocent Nganga graded a student 0/70 in an
examination, yet later published a final score of 58% for the same student in the same
course (Annexures 8 and 9). The student graduated despite carrying over 22 uncompleted
courses. Rather than sanctions, Professor Nganga was rewarded with the position of
Director of General Studies, held for over five years, and is now Dean of Students
Affairs. Those who objected to his actions continue to face intimidation, humiliation, and
institutional frustration.

23. This is a university where the spouse of a Students’ Adviser in the Faculty of Law
threatened the LAWSA President with severe consequences—including preventing his
graduation—because he refused to release student funds for her personal use. The
student is currently barred from proceeding to Law School, while the staff member and
her spouse enjoy protection from university leadership (Annexure 10: Petition by six
professors in the Faculty of Law).

24. This is a university where staff holding full-time appointments in two different
universities are shielded and rewarded. One example is Dr. Onyinye Ucheagwu of the
Faculty of Law. Following an investigation by Admiralty University, Ibusa, conducted
jointly with COOU staff - including yourself, Mr Registrar - evidence confirmed that she
held full-time positions in both universities. While Admiralty University terminated her
appointment and demanded repayment, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha appointed her
Deputy Chief Legal Officer of COOU. To date, your report has not been forwarded to
Council for action.

It is clear that the university is no longer operating under lawful, ethical, or academically
credible standards. I refuse to participate in the decline that this once-great institution
has suffered under the current administration.

25. The tragedy of a stolen mandate is that merit has been discarded while mediocrity and
impunity have become the hallmark of the system.

26. In COOU, “the cow is only as valuable as the field in which it grazes".

I wish to reiterate that the students - who later admitted to being coerced into signing the
petition against me by the Acting Head of the Department of Political Science, Dr. Agary
Nwokoye, in collaboration with the current university administration - were not eligible to sit
for the first semester examinations. They did not satisfy the mandatory 75% lecture
attendance requirement calculated over a minimum of nine (9) weeks, as stipulated in the
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Postgraduate School Academic Regulations, nor was any official waiver granted to exempt them from this requirement. Accordingly, I formally request that the Postgraduate School Board cancel all examinations
written by students who failed to meet the eligibility criteria. This action is necessary in the
interest of the affected students, the integrity of the university, and the already declining
public perception of our academic standards and awarded certificates. I also request that, in your capacity as Secretary to Council and Senate, you present this
document before both bodies for their attention and appropriate action.

Thank you. Professor Chike Osegbue.


1. The Pro-Chancellor and chairman of Council Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
University
2. The Executive Secretary National universities commission Abuja
3. The chairman Council for legal education Law school road Bwari Abuja
4. The chairman Independent corrupt Practices commission Abuja
5. The National President Nigerian political science Association NPSA university of Ilorin.

The Management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) has suspended Prof. Chike Osegbue, a leading candidate in the last Vice Chancellorship selection process for three months on the allegation of not teaching a course assigned to him.

The Vice Chancellor also banned Osegbue from entering the university and warned him not to be seen anywhere within and around the campus during the period of his suspension unless on invitation.

Osegbue’s suspension was conveyed in a letter dated Jan. 7 and signed by the Registrar, Chris U. Obi on behalf of the Vice chancellor.

The plot to suspend Osegbue started with a query by Dr Agary Nwokoye, the Ag. Head, Department of Political Science on Sept. 9, 2025 which purported that Oseghue failed to teach PSC 811, a postgraduate course.

This was followed by another query by the Registrar, Chris Obi on the directive of the Vice Chancellor dated Dec. 3, 2025 regarding the same subject matter.

“Sequel to your response to the query issued you dated Dec. 3 2025 for not teaching PSC 811, assigned to you during the second Semester of 2024/2025, as alleged, I am directed to suspend you from the University for a period of three months, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

“You are to resume duties in the University on April 8, 2026, depending on the outcome of the investigation of the Disciplinary Committee.

“You should immediately hand over any University or Department property in your custody to the Chief Security Officer and should not be seen within or around the University while you are on this suspension without an official invitation by the Vice Chancellor,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee of the institution has extended invitations to Osegbue for what it called an ‘interaction’ on the alleged failure to teach and examine PSC 811.

The invitations came long after the Don had been expeditiously suspended on mere allegations.

Recall that Osegbue is currently in court contesting the appointment of Prof. Kate Omenugha ahead of him who finished first position in the selection process .

Osegbue said Omenugha did not meet the criteria to be so appointed having not made it to the top three as specified by the University Establishment Law.

Anambra Gov't Congratulates Orakwe On Victory As Amanuke Town Union President General


The Anambra government has congratulated the people of Amanuke Community in Awka North Local Government Area for the successful conduct of their town union election on Jan. 31.

Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government, Community Affairs and Chieftaincy Matters conveyed the goodwill message in a letter of recognition to the Simon-Ikechukwu Orakwe leadership on its victory.

Orakwe contested against Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra Council.

The Commissioner said the Amanuke Development Union which was held on Jan. 31, 2026 at the Union Primary School Field was free, fair and credible.

“I hereby certify that the underlisted elected officers are the bonafide executive members recognised by Anambra State Government with effect from Jan. 31, 2026,” he said

The Commissioner listed the elected officers to include Simon-Ikechukwu Orakwe,President General; Godwin Nwandibe, Deputy President General; Okechukwu Agbata, Secretary General; Christopher Nwoye, Assistant Secretary General.

Others were, Francis Alagbuna, Treasurer; Uchechukwu Nnamezie,Financial Secretary; Obinna Nwankwo, Social Welfare Officer; Hyacinth Okafor, Public Relation Officer; Charles Nnanwube, Provost I and Chigozie Ekulide, Provost II.

Nwabunwanne said the tenure of the executive team was three years and would run from Jan. 31, 2026 Jan. 31, 2029.

“Accept my congratulations,” he said.

APGA Chieftain Backs Soludo On Actions To End Sit-At-Home


Mr Chinedu Obigwe, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called on the people and residents of Anambra to support Gov. Chukwuma Soludo's effort towards bringing the Monday sit-at-home culture to an end in the interest of the state.

Obigwe who is the National Coordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum made the call while expressing his support for the decision of Soludo to shutdown Onitsha Main Market for a period of one week.

Recall that Soludo had directed the closure of the market on Monday with the threat to shut it down for the rest of the week if traders did not open on Monday.

He said those who were supporting Monday sit-at-home were the real enemies of Anambra and the entire of the Southeast

He said Soludo should be commended for taking bold steps to end Monday's sit-at-home menace as it had dealt a heavy blow on the economy of Southeast and the people of the region.

He said Monday sit-at-home was not being observed in Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu and Abia but wondered why it should exist in Anambra.

He said those using the name of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for continued observance of sit-at-home were deceits clutching on to the name to perpetrate criminality and cripple Igbo's economy.

“As a matter of fact Mazi Nnamdi Kanu stated in a widely circulated press release that he is not in support of Monday sit-at-home home and has advised our people to put an end to it.

“The people claiming that they are doing it as a civil disobedience measure to protest the detention of Nnamdi Kanu are deceiving themselves,”

“Those saying that Soludo should fight for Kanu release from detention instead of fighting to end Monday's sit-at-home are being economical with the truth,” he said.

Obigwe said Soludo had been a leading voice in the clamour for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and that the governor's efforts to restore the economy of Anambra should be supported by all people of good will.

He said the action of Soludo was in line with the position of Nnamdi Kanu who had long disowned the shutdown of businesses.

Obigwe said Soludo was doing well and should be support in his policies to enable him to do more for us.

“Let us say no to Monday sit-at-home to revive the economy of our state.

“Governor Soludo is the first governor in Igbo land to call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.

“When he came in as Anambra Governor, he paid Nnamdi Kanu a visit at DSS detention facility and had frank discussion with him.

Why APGA Should Consider Ofemili Zone
For Awka North Council Chairmanship Ticket


As the 2026 Anambra Local Government Council election gears up, it presents an opportunity for the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to tighten its grip on the state through promoting inclusiveness and giving the masses the best candidates.

The beauty of democracy is understanding the customary or peculiar administrative composition of a people and being able to let it shape their political lives without rancour.

This will not only guarantee political stability and even development but also further etch the values and principles of APGA in the heart of the people as an equitable, egalitarian and truly brothers’ keeper political party.

This is why Awka North Local Government Area, an agrarian people within the Awka Capital Territory should be of special interest to the leadership of APGA as the permutations continue on who should be and where the next Council Chairmanship slot should go to.

Firstly, Awka North is made of two political blocs, namely Enu-Ana comprising Achalla, Amanuke, Isuanocha, Mgbakwu and Urum and Ofemili made up of Amansea, Awba Ofemili, Ebenebe, Ugbene and Ugbenu.

It is noteworthy that since 2006 when APGA took over government in Anambra, only two council elections had been held and in both elections Enu-Ana zone was made to produce candidates for the party and they won their election with massive support from Ofemili bloc.

These were not accidents but as a result consensus reached by the people. For example, because in 2013, because Chief Dennis Ngene, an Ebenebe man from Ofemili was the last elected chairman, it was agreed that only Enu-Ana should produce candidate for APGA

The was what made aspirants from Ofemili including Deacon Felix Ekeh from Ugbenu, Chief Benjamin Ezenagu from Ebenebe, and Anthony Nchekwube from Amansea who has declared interest to shelve their ambitions to make way for Chief Cosmos Okonkwo from Isuanocha of Enu-Ana bloc to fly APGA ticket and eventually became Chairman of the council.

Also in 2024, the ticket of APGA went to ThankGod Anago from Mgbakwu of Enu-Ana who was subsequently elected Chairman of Awka North for two years even though it was not their turn.

The decision of the governor and the party to nominate all the Transition Committee Chairmen as candidates of APGA for the council election was the happenstance that secured the ticket and Chairmanship for Anago.

Apart from serving out their two years tenures, these two chairmen from Enu-Ana also enjoyed additional periods in of six months to 15 months as transition chairmen making the zone to have presided over the affairs of Awka North for approximately cumulative six years while Ofemili people are yet to have a bite.

It may interest us to know that under Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, Enu-Ana has solely occupied the Awka North Council Chairman seat, recall that Emmanuel Ucheze (Abiola Achalla) had been the transition committee chair for one year before Anago whose tenure would elapse in October stepped in.

There is therefore no gainsaying that the Ofemili bloc has demonstrated loyalty, good faith and sacrifice to both APGA and the internal agreement between them and Enu-Ana on the allocation of political offices available to them.

Also, there is an agreement of rotational one term for both Council Chairmanship and House of Assembly seats between them.

Currently, Ofemili is occupying the Awka North State Constituency seat while Enu-Ana is holding the position of Awka North Council Chairman and if the consensus is respected, Ofemili should go to the Council while Enu-Ana should go to the House of Assembly.

The task of respecting existing understanding between the two political blocs in Awka North becomes a lot easier because they are in the same political family of APGA which are both the ruling party in state and dominant in the area.

It is the onus of APGA under the national leadership of Soludo and national chairman of Mr Sly Ezeokenwa to ensure that peace, unity, equity and fairness is fostered among the good and loving people of Awka North by giving to Cesar what rightly belongs to him.

It is clear from the points above that rotation, equity, justice, fairness and positive reward principle favour Ofemili bloc for the Awka North Local Government Council Chairmanship ticket in the 2026 election.

It is also a call and moral responsibility for Enu-Ana to use this opportunity to show that they are true brothers and party people by living above selfishness, proclivity and greed as the Awka North Council election beckons.

ARD-COOUTH To Join NARD's Jan. 12 Strike Action










The Association of Resident Doctors, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (ARD-COOUTH) Branch has said it will comply fully with the strike directed by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).




ARD-COOUTH declared it's position in a communiqué issued after an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held to deliberate on the proposed total, indefinite and comprehensive strike by the national leadership.




The communiqué signed by Dr Joy Okwumuo and Dr Albert Okoye, President and Secretary of ARD-COOUTH was made available to journalists in Awka on Saturday.







NARD had in November 2025 suspended its nationwide strike after 19 days following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government.




ARD-COOUTH said it had resolved to comply fully with the NARD directive for members to down tools when it resumed the industrial action on Jan.12 2026 over unpaid salary arrears, allowances, unresolved welfare and career progression-concerns.




The doctors appealed to members to remain steadfast, united, and resolute throughout the period of industrial action.







“After extensive deliberations, Congress unanimously resolved to fully comply with and join the nationwide strike action in solidarity with NARD, standing together as one united union, it said.

.

ARD-COOUTH said the resumed strike would also be used to draw the attention of management to demands which were internal to them including substandard or absent call rooms lacking basic amenities and appropriate infrastructure.




The doctors also lamented the living conditions of house officers in the House Officers' Quarters, who lack regular electricity, water supply and standard call-duty meals.




The said the hospital lacked adequate manpower, resulting in excessive workload for doctors as well as lack of consultants in several subspecialties, which had disrupted residency training




“Failure to pay Specialist Allowances to some registrars, non payment of outstanding CONMESS arrears, accoutrement and promotion allowances.




“Lack of accreditation in some departments, a prolonged issue that has hindered residents' full participation in training programmes and adversely affected members due for postgraduate examinations.




“Absence of gratuity and pension schemes for deserving doctors upon retirement and non implementation of the most recent CONMESS allowances,” it said.

The Medical Doctors said the unresolved issues had continued to undermine the welfare, morale, and professional development of doctors in COOUTH, with negative consequences for healthcare delivery and patient care.

"Recall that when this strike was declared by NARD last year, COOUTH did not join because management promised to address some of our demands but no item in the agreement was granted, so we have to join this time and even if they call it off, we will continue until our demands are met.


“We also appeal to the appropriate authorities to urgently address these concerns to ensure industrial harmony, sustainable medical training, and the overall health of the nation.

Monimichelle Construction Warns Against Unauthorised Use Of Biodegradable Coconut-Fiber


Monimichelle Ltd, a foremost sports facility construction company says the company is the is the sole and lawful owner of a registered patent
of biodegradable infill technology produced from crushed coconut fibers.

Ebi Egbe, Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle ltd said this in a statement personally used by him and made available to journalists on Monday.

Egbe warned all installers, suppliers, distributors, contractors, and agents involved in the manufacture, importation, supply, distribution,
installation, marketing, or use of football turf and artificial grass systems in Nigeria against unauthorised use of the brand.

He said the patent covered all biodegradable products, compounds, blends, and derivatives originating from coconut fibers for
football turf and artificial grass applications within Nigeria.

He said rebranding, reformulation, or minor modification does not exempt any product or activity from infringement.

According to him, the protected invention include crushed, shredded, powdered, granulated, or processed coconut fiber infill, coconut coir–based performance infill materials and blended or modified coconut-fiber biodegradable infill

“Others are any coconut-fiber-derived material marketed or used as turf infill, performance infill,
or environmental infill for football pitches,” he said.

Egbe said nobody or firm should without prior written authorisation from Monimichelle engage in manufacturing or processing coconut-fiber-based turf infill, importation or supply of the patented materials as it would amount to infringement.

He said any entity or individual found engaging in the above activities would be liable under applicable Nigerian
patent and intellectual property laws.

The Monimichelle boss said the consequences include immediate cease, civil litigation for damages, profits, and injunctive relief, seizure of infringing materials and claims for costs, legal fees, and reputational damage.

He advised all installers, suppliers, and contractors to immediately cease any unauthorised activity involving coconut
biodegradable turf infill to stop and conduct due diligence on product sources and intellectual property status.

Anambra Sports Commission Chairman Shuns SWAN Week Lecture Third Time

Two weeks after Anambra was not participating at the 2nd National Council of Sports Meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, the Patrick Estate Onyedum led Anambra Sports Development Commission was not represented at the just concluded 2025 Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Week Lecture and Recognition.

SWAN Week is an annual event where stakeholders in the sports sector gather to reflect on the activities in the outgoing year and also confer recognition to deserving persons and friends of sports.

The event marked the end of the two-day 2025 edition of SWAN Week by the Anambra Chapter of the association which started with Medical Outreach for journalists where no fewer than 50 benefited.

Investigation showed the chairman was invited as a Special Guest and Keynote speaker to inform the public about the development in Anambra sports sector in the last one year and by extension under Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.

It is on record that the Chairman never attended the event which brings together sports Journalists, sports administrators and other stakeholders since he assumed office in 2022.

His absence was so obvious that his predecessor, Tony Oli who spoke after receiving an honour expressed displeasure that Onyedum was not in attendance at such a crucial gathering of the sports family.

According to Oli, I am surprised that my successor, Patrick, is not here, this is where he should be to feel the pulse of the public , you don't stay away from where issues about you are discussed.

This was the same question Dr Law Mefor, the Commissioner for Information asked in the 2024 edition when he served as Chairman of the occasion.

Insiders say that was a huge opportunity missed or most likely, there was nothing to present to the public as a scorecard.

However, the 2025 SWAN Week Lecture and Recognition Night was a huge success with lectures on two crucial topics “Sudden Death Phenomenon: Why Fitness Alone is Not Enough” and “Positioning Anambra for Multi Million Dollar Sports Economy “ discussed.

Dr Chukwudi Njelita, Chief Medical Director of Rock Foundation Hospital, Awka and Henry Duru PhD of the Department of Mass Communications, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka delivered the lectures respectively.

In his lecture Njelita
called on members of the public to go for regular checks of their vitals such as blood pressure, sugar levels, pulse and oxygen level.

Njelita said irregular or abnormal rates if these indicators could lead to medical emergencies such as syncope, diabetes and stroke.

He said blood pressure could only be managed but not cured and encouraged patients with high or low blood pressure to be religious in taking their management medicines while urging anybody above 40 years to take vasoprin daily to prevent stroke.

The medical expert said while it was important for people to engage in physical exercise in a bid to keep fit, they should avoid strenuous workouts that could drain them and trigger unhealthy changes in their blood pressure or heartbeat.

On his part, Duru called on Soludo to prioritise sports as a key economic sector because sports had become both a major industry and external image strategy for advanced countries

He said it was regrettable that Anambra had not shown readiness to harness the opportunities in the sports economy.

He said that the transformative success in sports hinged on two foundational pillars: strategic Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and purpose driven infrastructure development.

He said the scale of investment required for a modern sports ecosystem far exceeded the capacity of government budgets alone.

According to him, there is also the need for modern, multi-purpose sports infrastructure which is the physical foundation necessary for talent discovery, athlete conditioning, and hosting commercially viable competitions.

“Infrastructure is the most visible sign of commitment to a sports economy, it ranges from community playgrounds and local sports halls to international standard stadiums.

“The challenge lies not just in policy formulation but in the consistent and transparent implementation of these plans.

“For Anambra to fully tap into the lucrative sports economy, the convergence of political will, private investment, and professional management will be essential,” he said.

Special recognitions including Mr Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Gov Chukwuma Soludo and CP Ikioye Orutugu, Commissioner of Police, Anambra Command for their positive contributions to sports and the society.

Aburime was honoured for his contributions to the media and support for sports journalism in Anambra while Ikioye was recognised for his community policing strategy which had stability to Anambra security environment.

Other honourees at the event were Chief Tony Oli Pioneer Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission for vision and impact on sports as well as Dr Chukwudi Njelita, Chief Medical Director of Rick Foundation Hospital for Public Health Advocacy crusade.

Chief Obinna Ezema, Managing Director CEO Cosmila Suites and Hotel for promoting sports in the hospitality sector while Barr Chukwudi Oli for his intervention in sports infrastructure in his community, Nri Anaocha Local Government Area.

Lagos Corrections Controller, Daramola, Others Want My Husband Dead — Mrs Okpala Cries Out


Mrs Nkechi Okpala, wife of an inmate at the Ikoyi Medium Security Custodial Centre, has alleged that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service want to kill her husband.

Okpala called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Inspector-General of Police, and human rights organisations to urgently intervene and save her husband’s life.


She said the life of her husband was in danger because the officials were denying him medical care against a subsisting court order mandating his treatment and had secretly transferred him to the New Abeokuta Correctional Centre in Ogun State.

Okpala in an affidavit said her husband of more than over 25 years was in critical condition having suffered multiple severe medical ailments previously managed by his doctors.


She said the Court of Appeal had directed that he continue treatment at the hospital where he had been receiving specialist care but due to ‘wilful disobedience’ by the Lagos State Command under Controller George Daramola, her family approached the Federal High Court to enforce his fundamental human rights.

She said Justice Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court also ruled that the inmate must be granted access to his physicians.

Okpala alleged that upon the posting of Controller Daramola to Lagos in 2023, he ordered the Matron of the Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre clinic to remove her husband's drip and transfer him to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre thereby effectively stopping his treatment for months.

She further alleged that Deputy Controller of Corrections, Mr Gbenga Alagbe, officer in charge of the Kirikiri Maximum facility, worked with others to disrupt the treatment.

According to her, it took the intervention of inmates in Block 2—who confronted the officer after witnessing several incidents of Mr Okpala slumping in the bathroom for him to be rushed to Navy Town Reference Hospital, Ojo, where he was admitted.

Despite this emergency, she alleged that Controller Daramola insisted she must continue giving them money, threatening that her husband would be removed from Block 2 and pushed into the general cell ‘where he may not survive’.


She added that her husband’s scheduled appointment at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, was also blocked after the family told the controller they could no longer meet his financial demands.

Mrs Okpala further accused Squadron Leader U. Udoh William, Akinremi Lanre, and an officer identified as Mr. Muhammed of repeatedly removing her husband from the hospital against medical advice.


She claimed they once removed his drip and attempted to take him away from his hospital bed and that when confronted by hospital management, they said they were acting on orders from the Controller and the officer in charge.

She said she had videos and photographs documenting these incidents.

She said the matter was reported to the Inspector-General of Police on March 13, 2025, but the officers boasted that nothing would come out of the investigation.

They said their colleague, a Deputy Controller serving as adviser to the Minister of Interior, would ensure the case was “swept under the carpet.”

She alleged that on Sept. 15, 2025, a team led by then Assistant Comptroller-General of Corrections, Ope Fatinikun; Lagos Command Controller, George Daramola; Deputy Controller Gbenga Alagbe; Chief Superintendent Udoh William of the Arms Squad; a Squadron Leader; and about 18 masked armed men invaded the hospital and whisked the sick inmate into an awaiting vehicle.


Police officers from the Rapid Response Squad and the Area G Anti-Robbery team reportedly confronted the correctional officers, but the inmate was still taken to the Alagbon Close office of ACG Fatinikun and Controller Daramola.

Mrs Okpala alleged that her husband was tortured at Alagbon and later handed over to Mr Julius Ogueri, Deputy Controller and officer in charge of Ikoyi Custodial Centre, where he was kept as a “lodger” under the guise of investigation.

She alleged that everything was aimed at intimidating the family into paying more money.

She claimed her husband was detained at the Ikoyi facility from Sept. 15 without treatment and when they were eventually directed to take him to the hospital, they allegedly ignored medical advice.

“Instead, they warned him to withdraw all court cases and petitions against senior correctional officials or face death.

“They threatened to suffocate him and rely on the Ikoyi clinic doctor to prepare a cover-up report,” she said.

Okpala said in spite of several letters from the hospital and repeated requests from his lawyers urging officers to obey the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court orders, the inmate was allegedly denied access to his doctors.

“On Dec.22025, Dr. Aluko refused to sign my husband’s referral, saying the judge who gave the order should come and take him to the hospital himself.

‘He will die here like others,’ he said,” she alleged.

According to her, he has no access to his doctors or family, and has been surviving only on fruits, which are the only items officers allow into the facility.

She also claimed that Controller previously extorted about seven digits from her husband in exchange for medical access and placement in Block 2 at the Maximum Security facility, and that the harassment intensified when he could no longer meet the controller’s alleged financial demands.


She said the family had written to the Ogun State Controller of Corrections, the officer in charge of the New Abeokuta facility, and ACG Zone A, Lagos, but had not received any response.

“We are afraid of losing him, the situation is getting worse, and there are signs they may move him to another unknown destination.

“We have written through our lawyers to all relevant authorities, yet no one has questioned these officers, a lot will be revealed about the Lagos Corrections Command under George Daramola,” she said.

Anambra SWAN Week: CP Ikioye Says Sports Crucial To Peaceful, Secure Society


Anambra CP
CP Ikioye Orutugu, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra has described sports as a potent instrument for keeping youths away from crime and channeling their energy to positive engagement.

Orutugu said this when the leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter, paid him a courtesy visit in Awka.

The SWAN leadership led Chimezie Anaso and Uche Ndeke, the Chairman and Secretary respectively presented the CP with a customised jersey and formally invited him to the association’s forthcoming End of Year SWAN Week scheduled for Dec. 11 and Dec.12 in Awka.

Orutugu who expressed delight at the gift of a branded jersey commended SWAN for recognising the efforts of the Command towards creating a safe environment for people of Anambra.

He said sports remained one of the most effective ways of taking youths away from crime, cultism, drug abuse and other social vices which had plagued many communities.

“I want to assure you that the Police under my watch will continue to provide maximum security so that sports and other legitimate activities can thrive without fear in Anambra.

”A crime free society is essential for sustainable sports development, so, I accept this gift and promise to work with SWAN because, there is a lot we can achieve through sports,” he said.


Earlier, Chimezie commended the Commissioner for his proactive policing style since assuming office which has led to significant reduction in crime .

The SWAN Chairman commended the community engagement approach of the Command and its openness to collaboration with stakeholders.

He said the strategy had restored public confidence and encouraged more youth participation in sporting activities.

He said the visit was in furtherance to strengthening the existing relationship between the association and the Command adding that there was a nexus between sports and security.

“I want to appreciate the Anambra Police Command under your watch for all have been found and I want to encourage you not only to protect sportsmen and women everywhere in the state but also adopt sports as a policing strategy,” he said.

Bloodbath Averted As Police Intercept Cultists On Hit Mission In Anambra

The Police in Anambra have arrested two suspected cultists on a mission to fight a rival group.

The suspects, Oluebube Ifediorah, 21 and Offorbuike Emmanuel 25 were arrested by operatives attached to the Special Anti Cult Squad (SPACS) Enugwu-Ukwu in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra said the Police received information regarding the gathering of a dangerous cult group for a planned rivalry fight in the early hours of Dec. 4 and swiftly mobilised to the scene.

“The team also recovered a locally-made double-barrel shotgun and two live cartridges, the recovered firearm was found in a red bag which Ifediorah had on him.

“Other members of the cult gang managed to flee the scene into the surrounding bush, efforts are in top gear to track down and apprehend the remaining members of the gang who escaped,” he said.

Ikenga said the operation was part of the ongoing efforts by the Anambra State Police Command to rid the State of cult-related violence and criminal activities.

“ CP Ikioye Orutugu has urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to aid in the fight against cultism and other forms of criminality in the State,” he said .

PEDAN Anambra Hails Soludo’s Victory, Pledges Support For Administration


The Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) Anambra State Branch has congratulated Gov. Chukwuma Soludo on his decisive victory in the Nov. 8 governorship election in the state.

Mr Izukanne Chibuike, chairman of PEDAN, Anambra in his message of congratulations on Monday described the victory as reflecting the people’s desire for continuity of Soludo’s visionary leadership.


He said the landslide victory of Soludo with over 70 per cent of the votes was a new high in Anambra election while thanking members and the larger Anambra electorate turning out in large numbers and showing civic maturity.

He said PEDAN had had a long‑standing partnership with the Anambra government assuring that the members association would support the Soludo administration by ensuring steady supply of products across the state.

He called on Soludo to streamline levies payable by marketers in the state by appreciating a consolidated revenue structure and save them from harassment, intimidation and exploration of agents at various levels including local government officials.

“PEDAN stood ready to collaborate with the incoming government to address challenges such as fuel scarcity, prompt payment of venue.

“This is a mandate for change, and we, the petroleum dealers, pledge to support the new administration in creating an enabling environment for our businesses to thrive.

“We look forward to a prosperous partnership for the benefit of all Anambra citizens,” he said.