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Fake News: Anambra govt debunks old video of Soludo banning okada, Keke
Anambra state government has said that the video making the rounds on social media whereby Governor Chukwuma Soludo was purportedly giving directives banning commercial motorcycles and tricycles from some parts of the state, was an old video being recirculated by mischief makers who are sponsored by political detractors.
In a statement Monday, January 29, signed by Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Governor Soludo, the government said the directives were necessary then, due to security challenges in those communities at that time, adding that the situation has changed for the better in the affected areas and therefore no need to ban those means of transportation.
Aburime said- “The attention of Anambra State Government has been drawn to a video currently trending online, purportedly showing Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, announcing security measures banning commercial motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) operations in some LGAs of the state.
“We wish to categorically state that this video is an old recording of May 26, 2022, almost two years now, being misused by mischievous elements seeking to paint a wrong picture of the current security situation in Anambra State.
“The directives contained in the video were issued years ago as part of specific, time-bound measures to address temporary security challenges in certain Local Government Areas. These measures yielded significant positive results, and have since been reviewed and adjusted as the security situation has continuously improved.
“To be clear, the Anambra State Government is not imposing a blanket ban on Okada, Keke, or shuttle bus operations in any part of the state. These critical transportation modes continue to play vital roles in our economy and daily lives.
“The deliberate re-circulation of this outdated video is therefore a malicious attempt by enemies of progress to create false narratives of insecurity that could lead to tension and anxiety amongst Ndi Anambra.
“We urge the public to disregard this disinformation campaign and remain assured of the government’s resolute commitment to maintaining the improved security situation in the state.
“Under Governor Soludo’s leadership, Anambra State has witnessed a remarkable reduction in crime rates, with kidnappings and other criminal activities significantly curtailed. We encourage Ndi Anambra to go about their daily activities and businesses without fear, as Anambra remains safe and secure.”
The legal team of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, say they are ready with factil evidence to defend her in court.
The team received a formal summons in the case filed against her by the Federal Government at the Federal Capital Territory High Court last week.
On Friday, May 16, 2025, the Federal Government filed the suit, marked CR/297/25, over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.
The government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, citing Section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.
Among the witnesses listed to testify during the trial were Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Others include Asuquo Ekpenyong, a senator; Sandra Duru; Maya Iliya, investigating police officers; and Abdulhafiz Garba, investigating police officers.
However, in a statement issued Friday night by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) on behalf of the legal team, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers confirmed receipt of the formal summons and pledged to prepare all “factual and statutory defences” available to the lawmaker during trial.
“At about 2:30pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, containing three counts alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, made imputations she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate,” the statement read.
“We received the said information on her behalf through a letter of authority duly issued and filed in the court’s registry.
“The legal team will fully prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client during the trial.”
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will on Tuesday next week begin the take over of 4,794 properties in Abuja, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters, due to unpaid ground rent.
The PDP headquarters, currently under construction in Abuja’s Central Business District, is among the affected properties, having been revoked in March for several years of unpaid ground rent. The FCTA disclosed that 4,794 titles had been revoked for failure to pay ground rent, with some defaults dating back 43 years.
The affected properties are located in various districts, including Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape.
The defaulters owe over N6.96 billion in ground rent. The FCTA had given a 21-day grace period for owners with debts under 10 years, which has now expired.
The FCTA officials announced that the takeover would begin on Monday, May 26, 2025, with the sealing off and restriction of access to the affected properties.
The Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze emphasized that the revocations were carried out under Section 28(5)(a)(b) of the Land Use Act, which empowers the government to reclaim land when the terms of occupancy are violated.
Two people sustained serious injuries when a training aircraft crash-landed at the Ilorin International Airport on Friday.
Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, who disclosed this in a statement, said the incident occurred at 17:28 local time on May 23, 2025, during a simulated instrument approach on Runway 05 at Ilorin International Airport.
Oladeji said the aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop on the grass verge, leaving the two occupants on board injured.
She stated: “Both sustained serious injuries and were swiftly evacuated to a medical facility, coordinated by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA.
“In response, the NSIB Go-Team is currently preparing to depart from Abuja to Ilorin to conduct on-site investigations. The team will secure the site, collect physical evidence, interview witnesses, and retrieve operational data to establish the cause and contributing factors of the incident.”
Quoting the Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., she said “Our thoughts are with the injured, and we commend the swift medical and emergency response. Now, our focus is on understanding exactly what went wrong. Every investigation is an opportunity to improve safety. We are deploying our team to Ilorin to ensure that no detail is overlooked.”
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