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Tears as veteran journalist Leon Usigbe is buried in Abuja

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By Bonaventure Melah

The remains of veteran journalist and Bureau Chief of Tribune newspapers, Dr. Leon Usigbe, have been laid to rest in Karshi, a suburban town in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital territory.

The burial which took place on Saturday, was attended by  friends, colleagues, members of his church and journalists from across Nigeria.

It was a sober and humbling moment for all the mourners when the respected journalist’s casket, draped in white was carried by pallbearers into St. Patrick’s Catholic Church which was received at the entrance of the church by the priest.

The funeral mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. David Osagie Akahomhen, amidst emotions and tears that overcame many mourners.

Preaching from Wisdom 4:7–15 and Romans 8:14–23, Rev. Fr. Osagie who spoke with a trembling voice, said:

“Leon was a man who offered support to the church, helped those around him shine, and faced life’s battles with courage. Even in his final days, he wrote to me: ‘Please Father, don’t worry about me. I have lived a good life,’ which the priest described as a testimony and proof of a man at peace with God.

It was however a moment of immense grief and sorrow when the casket was lowered into the earth at 12:40 p.m. in his Karshi residence.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, led by Chairperson Grace Ike, joined editors, State House correspondents, and Tribune staff to honour a colleague many described as “steadfast, ethical, and deeply humane.”

In a tribute on behalf of the family, Barrister Osose Ivy Usigbe, Leon’s daughter, described his late father as priceless.

“To the world, he was Dr. Leon Usigbe, the journalist. To us, he was our rock—our foundation and strength. He gave love freely, valued honesty above all, and treated everyone with humility. Daddy was our hero, and today we let him go, but his light will never fade.”

Usigbe, who passed on July 25 after a brief illness, would be remembered as a consummate professional and a man whose quiet generosity touched countless lives.

He is survived by his wife and children. May his soul rest in peace.

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Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.

While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.

 

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Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO

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President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.

Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.

Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.

Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.

The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.

He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.

If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.

Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.

 

 

 

 

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Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.

“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.

“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.

“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.

The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.

He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.

“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.

“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.

The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.

He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.

The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.

 

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