An Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakiliki has sentenced a 60-year-old man, Alo James, to death by hanging for the murder of Edwin Omar.

Justice Esther Ota, in a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. HKW/55C/2025 convicted James of causing the death of Omah during an altercation at a drinking joint in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.

The prosecuting counsel, Lilian Anya had told the court that the convict assaulted Omah with fist blows on Sept.

6, 2025, at New Jerusalem, also known as Azuegu village, Umuhuali community in Ishielu LGA.

Anya, a Senior State Counsel in Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice said the victim later died in hospital from injuries sustained during the assault.

Testifying in the court, the deceased’s son, Nnabuike Samuel, said his father was attacked at about 11 p.m. on the said day, following an altercation with James at the village square.

Mr Marcel Akamabe, the Defence Counsel and State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, said his client would appeal the judgment.

“This is a charge that carries the maximum sentence of death.

“I feel bad because my expectations were quite high, considering the way the matter went and the manner in which we defended it.

“Definitely, we will apply for the Certified True Copy of the judgment, study it and then seek redress at the appellate court,” Akamabe said.(NAN)

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Enugu State Government has announced measures to restore free movement on major roads across the Enugu metropolis, with a ban on traffic obstruction, indiscriminate passenger pick-and-drop, roadside trading and other activities impeding vehicular and pedestrian movement.

The government also directed commercial vehicles and tricycles to use only designated parks for loading and offloading, warning that violators would face sanctions under a new enforcement regime aimed at making the state capital safer, cleaner and more accessible.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof.

Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Government House, Enugu, while addressing stakeholders from the transport, environmental, market and local government sectors.

Onyia announced the establishment of the Access and Sanitation Taskforce, comprising representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies, the three municipal councils, transport unions, market associations and security agencies.

He said the taskforce would commence operations in two weeks, stressing that it was not a revenue-generating mechanism but an enforcement body established to ensure compliance with the government’s access management policy.

The SSG recalled that the state government, upon assumption of office in 2023, issued an Executive Order aimed at removing unauthorised barriers and obstructions from roads across the state.

According to him, it would be contradictory for the government to remove physical barricades only for motorists and traders to recreate similar obstructions.

“Most of you remember that the first Executive Order at our assumption of office was access management. We said we would remove all obstructions on the roads. We cannot remove those barricades and allow vehicles to form a new kind of barricade on the roads,” Onyia said.

He explained that the initiative also had a security dimension, noting that blocked roads could impede security operations, particularly when security personnel were pursuing suspects or responding to emergencies.

The SSG said vehicles, tricycles and roadside traders apprehended for violating the policy would be taken to the appropriate local government headquarters and would not be released until the prescribed conditions had been met.

He disclosed that the government was working with the Attorney-General to finalise the penalties, including proposed fines of N50,000 for buses and N30,000 for tricycles.

Onyia added that an impounded vehicle would not be eligible for the release process until seven days after apprehension, with offenders required to fulfil stipulated conditions, including psychiatric evaluation.

He, however, assured roadside traders, particularly those dealing in perishable goods, that the government would adopt a humane approach.

The taskforce, he said, would work with market leaders to develop appropriate sanctions that would serve as deterrents without unnecessarily destroying livelihoods.

While warning against repeated violations, Onyia said additional measures would be developed for serial offenders in consultation with the Attorney-General.

He also warned members of the taskforce against compromising the exercise, stressing that there would be no room for favouritism or interference on behalf of offenders.

“The purpose of this taskforce is not to catch anybody; it is for people to do the right thing,” he said.

The Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Chidiebere Aniagu, commended the initiative, saying state roads, including major and internal roads, were meant to remain free for easy movement.

Aniagu pledged the association’s support, assuring that its members would comply with the policy and work towards achieving a cleaner, safer and more efficient transport system.

He also commended Governor Peter Mbah for what he described as the achievements of his administration and reiterated the association’s support for the government.

Similarly, the State Chairman of the Tricycle Transport Union, Kingsley Edeh, described the meeting as fruitful and pledged the union’s cooperation for the successful implementation of the exercise.

Edeh also assured the government of the continued support of tricycle operators and their commitment to supporting Governor Mbah’s re-election bid in 2027.

Speaking after the meeting, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA), Richard Onaga, said the sanitation component of the exercise would target persons blocking drainage channels, littering the streets and throwing refuse from moving vehicles.

Onaga warned that persons apprehended for violating environmental regulations would face prosecution for environmental offences.

BBNaija Season 11 housemates Aikou and Flora, who were previously guaranteed places in the finale but barred from winning the grand prize as Gambits, have been reinstated as full housemates and are now eligible to compete for the ₦160m prize.

The development was announced on Monday, following Sunday’s “Operation Release the Gambit” twist, which gave viewers the power to decide whether one or both housemates would be released from the special status.

“Flora and Aikou are officially out of Gambit mode. Biggie has reinstated them as full #BBNaija housemates, making them eligible to compete for the prize money,” the organisers announced.

The organisers added that the two housemates could now face eviction if nominated.

“If nominated, their fate now rests with the voting public,” they said.

Recall that Aikou and Flora became the first Gambits of the season after viewers voted them into the special positions. Flora emerged as the female Gambit with 29.38 per cent of the votes, while Aikou secured the male position with 9.10 per cent.

Their selection guaranteed them places in the house until the grand finale but meant they were ineligible to compete for the ₦160m grand prize.

However, during Sunday’s live show, host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced the “Operation Release the Gambit” twist, handing viewers the power to decide whether one or both housemates should be reinstated into the main competition.

“Big Brother has one more twist for you tonight. Operation Release the Gambit begins immediately after the live show. The polls will open, and you will decide whether to release one or both of the Gambits, giving them the opportunity to play for the prize. The power is in your hands,” Ebuka announced.

With their Gambit status removed, Aikou and Flora will now compete alongside the other housemates, with their eligibility for the ₦160m prize restored. If nominated for eviction, however, their continued stay in the competition will be determined by the voting public.