NEWS
Man Who Cuts off Wife’s Hand in Enugu to Face Criminal Trial

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Enugu State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh has revealed that the criminal trial of Sunday Echeji, who cut off the hand of his wife, Chinonso Echeji will start next week.
He added that the trial of the suspected killer of the popular musician, Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo Jah, would equally start next week.
Udeh, who disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu while interacting with journalists in his office, said the Ministry of Justice has qualified and competent lawyers to prosecute both cases efficiently.
He noted that the ministry under him is prosecuting many criminal cases, revealing that they treat over one hundred criminal case files every month, which he admitted is on a high side.
The commissioner, however, pointed out that the Peter Mbah-led administration has initiated different strategies to ensure quick dispensation of justice, which include digitalisation of court filing process, virtual trial of cases, and introduction of Witness Support Fund.
“Now His Excellency the governor has approved what we called the Witness Support Fund, money earmarked for calling witnesses, especially in the criminal case.
“It was one of the things that stalled quick dispensation of justice before the current administration.
“You know that criminal prosecution is done by the state. You know that the government is not the victim or complainant in the case, and we call witnesses.
“Before now, no money was assigned to the prosecutor for calling witnesses. You may be asking if the witnesses are paid to come to the court. We don’t pay them, but we provide them with logistics.
“So if you are calling a Pathologist to come and give an expert evidence as an expert witness, they wouldn’t come until you give them money not to pay them but their logistics,” the Attorney-General said.
He informed the journalists that the state government is using every legal instrument at its disposal to decongest the correctional centres in the state, including granting of State Pardon to deserving inmates.
Udeh announced that the Supreme Court has granted Enugu State full ownership of the Hotel Presidential, which, according to him, ended all litigations previously hindering the government from doing the needful.
“Criminals were using Hotel Presidential as a hideout because it was a massive structure, no security there, so criminals were having a field day there.
“The court ordered us to go there and the place in order and pursue criminals out because it has become a security threat. So we did that and started putting things in order.
“And then we started pursuing with speed knowing that there is a limit we can go because of litigation against the state. So, we started pursuing the case, which was at the Supreme Court,” he added.
NEWS
Nigeria Condoles India over Tragic Plane Crash

The Federal Government on Thursday condoled the Indian government over the tragic crash of Air India Flight-171 in Ahmedabad.The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of theMinistry.Tuggar said, “Nigeria expresses profound sorrow and extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India over the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
“This devastating incident which claimed the lives of over 290 individuals has left the global community in mourning. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss.“While initial reports indicate no Nigerian citizen was aboard the flight, the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi remains in close contact with Indian authorities to verify this information and provide consular assistance where necessary.“In this moment of shared sorrow, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to global aviation safety and supports the call for thorough investigation into the crash with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.”The minister further commiserated with the families of the bereaved and all those affected by this tragic incident. (NAN)NEWS
Benue Speaker Advises Youth to Participate Actively in Politics

The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, has advised youths in the state to participate actively in the economic and political development of the country.Dajoh gave the advice in his Democracy Day message issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Terver Zamber, in Makurdi.
The speaker urged youths to show more interest in the economic and political development of the country. He said that they had the required education, exposure, and numerical strength to make a positive impact on both the economy and governance. Dajoh assured the youths that the assembly under his leadership would continue to enact laws to protect democracy and the rule of law.The speaker urged Nigerians to be more determined in ensuring that democracy worked in the country.He said that democracy remained the best option for the country.The speaker added that through the determination of the citizens and their active participation in the democratic process, Nigeria would be a great country.He saluted the heroic deeds of patriots who worked assiduously to actualise democratic rule in the country, especially the symbol of the June 12 struggle, the late M.K.O. Abiola.According to him, only a truly great, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria could be a befitting compensation for their sacrifices.He commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue for their roles in upholding democratic principles.Dajoh said that more sacrifices were required from the citizens to ensure that the country got the best of democracy. (NAN)NEWS
Cross River Communities Resume Hostility with More Casualties

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
There is another round of hostility arising from communal skirmishes between two brotherly communities of Etono 2 and Biakpan in Biased Local Government Are of Cross River State.The resumption of hostilities happened some days ago when youths from Etono 2 were alleged to have attacked and killed a visitor to Biakpan and another youth whose identity was not immediately known.
Before then there were reports that nearly 50 persons had been killed on both sides. In the latest resurgence, a source said, “Sporadic shootings were heard on Monday and Tuesday inside Biakpan. A few persons have been killed.”State security adviser Southern district, Patrick Odion told our correspondent that he has his men on ground to calm the situation.Recall that about three weeks ago, Commissioner of Police in the state, Olusegun Omosanyin summoned the two sides to his Headquarters in Calabar and cautioned them.The police commissioner had disclosed how there was massive arms buildup by the two communities and said he would launch police action to retrieve the arms from them.He had expressed anger that the two sides had earlier refused to appear before him three times when he summoned them, adding that he had also dispatched his key officers to the two communities.Following the resumption of the hostilities, the police commissioner again met with the leadership of Biase LGA in his office.He assured that he would mobilize his men today to Biakpan and Etono 2 to quell the uprising.When DAILY ASSET spoke with some concerned stakeholders from the two communities they lamented that often when police and soldiers sent to douse tensions would leave, hostilities would resume soon after.A youth leader from Etono 2 who gave his name as Egwu Jerry, lamented, “The presence of the security men usually give us confidence but once they leave, our safety is no longer guaranteed. We’re few compared with those from Biakpan.”He also lamented that they do not have access road elsewhere than the one into Biakpan which reason, their adversaries usually encircle and easily attack and kill them.But a chief from Biakpan who gave his name as Onun Ekpezu alleged that Etono people were too aggressive and violent, and have destroyed their important properties and farms, and have killed their people and visitors.”Because of these, our youths have positioned themselves to defend our women and properties”, Ekpezu said.