Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has designated Simon Ekpa, 14 individuals, and two entities for their alleged involvement in supporting terrorist activities and terrorism financing.

The committee directed financial institutions to freeze their assets and report any transactions linked to them to the NSC and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). The move aligns with Nigeria’s compliance with international standards on combating terrorism financing, as outlined in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The designated individuals include Simon Ekpa Njoku, who reportedly operated multiple fundraising campaigns between October 2023 and September 2024 to finance attacks on government and security facilities in Nigeria’s southeast. Others named in the sanctions list are Godstime Promise Iyare, Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi, John Anayo Onwumere, Chikwuka Godwin Eze, Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Joy Owoh, Ginika Jane Orji, and Awo Uchechukwu, among others.

The NSC also listed two entities: Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises and Seficuvi Global Company, which were allegedly used to collect funds for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Biafran Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE). Additionally, Lakurawa Group, linked to the militant group Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), was included for its alleged activities in Sokoto and Kebbi States, involving violent attacks, forced taxation, and ransom kidnappings.

Authorities have urged financial institutions to remain vigilant and report any suspicious transactions involving the designated individuals and entities.

The Supreme Council for Shari’a in Nigeria (SCSN) has defended the decision of some northern state governments to close primary and secondary schools during Ramadan, citing concerns for students’ well-being due to extreme heat in parts of the North.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the council urged states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa to follow the example, emphasizing that the move prioritizes students’ health and allows for proper religious observance.

The council dismissed objections from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs), asserting that state governments have the authority to set school schedules.

“This decision ensures continuous learning while preventing students from remaining idle for extended periods. It was carefully reviewed by the respective Ministries of Education and widely welcomed by parents,” the statement read.

SCSN also criticized threats of legal or industrial action over the closures, calling them unnecessary and a challenge to the authority of state governments.

“It is baffling that CAN, which remained silent during prolonged ASUU strikes that disrupted entire academic sessions, is now opposing a temporary, structured adjustment of just 25 school days,” the council added.

Citing the Education Law of January 1, 1964, the council emphasized that state governors have the exclusive right to determine school holidays, with the exception of Kogi State where the law does not apply.

SCSN further stated that CAN is not a stakeholder in northern states’ education policies, asserting that no government is required to seek external approval before making decisions that affect schools.

The council commended the affected state governments for prioritizing students’ welfare and called on other northern states to adopt similar measures. It also urged all stakeholders to respect the decisions of state governments and refrain from interfering with policies impacting students and their families.

The Federal Government has announced that all health facilities involved in organ transplantation in Nigeria must be registered and licensed before they can operate.

In addition to registration, these facilities are now required to set up independent Organ Transplantation Committees, separate from their medical transplantation teams.

The government also revealed that plans for a nationwide inspection of organ transplant facilities are underway. The inspection, aimed at accrediting and licensing the facilities, will be carried out by the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC).

Efforts are also in progress to establish a National Organ Transplantation Registry.

These updates were shared on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Standards and Guidelines for the Establishment and Coordination of Organ/Tissue Transplantation Services in Nigeria. The guidelines, developed by the Organ Transplantation Guidelines Panel under Professor Fatiu Abiola Arogundade’s leadership, cover key areas such as kidney, liver, eye tissue, hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow), gamete and embryo donation, storage, and surrogacy.

The document also sets ethical standards for organ donation and transplantation, introduces mechanisms for donor protection, ensures informed consent, and outlines clear processes for organ allocation.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako, emphasized the importance of the new framework, particularly in light of the rising cases of unethical practices in the sector.

“These guidelines provide a much-needed regulatory framework for organ transplantation. They aim to restore trust in organ donation in Nigeria by promoting transparency, accountability, and adherence to international best practices,” he said.

The Minister, represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Jimoh Salaudeen, highlighted the need for the guidelines, citing the exploitation of young Nigerians from poor backgrounds who have fallen victim to organ trafficking.

“These guidelines aim to restore trust in organ relations in Nigeria by promoting transparency, accountability, and adherence to international-based practices. This document is particularly important given Nigeria’s unique challenges. In recent times, we have witnessed troubling incidents of unethical organ harvesting and other excesses within the organ transplantation sector,” Salako added.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the reopening of the Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, following a one-month closure.

The South-East Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this on Thursday after a meeting with Anambra State government officials, led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Ben Obidike, and market leaders at the market premises. He confirmed that the market would resume operations on Friday.

Iluyomade stated that the decision followed persistent intervention by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and an agreement signed by market leaders to halt the sale of fake, expired, and substandard drugs.

“During the enforcement exercise that lasted three weeks, the agency uncovered 50 trailer loads of fake and expired drugs, a large volume of narcotics capable of destabilizing the country, and numerous drugs banned since 2007,” he said.

He emphasized that the market’s reopening would not stop ongoing enforcement operations, noting that 4,000 shops had been sealed for various violations and would only reopen after proper profiling.

Iluyomade further revealed that the confiscated fake and expired drugs were valued at over N1 trillion.

He commended Governor Soludo for his support in combating the sale of counterfeit drugs and acknowledged the cooperation of market leaders throughout the enforcement period.

Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Obidike, also expressed appreciation to NAFDAC on behalf of the governor and urged traders to strictly adhere to the terms of their agreement with the agency.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has scheduled August 9, 2025, for fresh local government council elections in the state.

RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced the date during a stakeholders’ meeting and the official unveiling of the 2025 local government election timetable and guidelines at the commission’s headquarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, Justice Enebeli reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and impartial election. He also urged political parties to adhere to the established guidelines.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, formally submitted a petition to the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. This action follows her previous allegations made during a national television interview.

In response, Senate President Akpabio denied the allegations, stating, “I will like to state clearly that at no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment on the said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman for that matter.”

Earlier in the day, protests erupted at the National Assembly complex, with supporters of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan calling for Akpabio’s resignation, while a pro-Akpabio group dismissed the allegations.

Prior to the formal submission, the Senate had stated that it could not investigate the allegations without a formal petition.

The Senate is expected to review the petition and determine the appropriate course of action in response to these allegations.

For further insights into the reactions surrounding these allegations, you might find the following video informative:

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday dispersed supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as they attempted to access the National Assembly Complex.

The protesters, who arrived at the assembly gate as early as 8:00 a.m., coincided their demonstration with the resumption of plenary and the scheduled hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

However, police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, citing security concerns and the need to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.

Following the intervention, the demonstrators reportedly relocated to the Unity Fountain in Abuja, where they continued their protest.

The demonstration comes amid rising tensions following a February 20, 2025, dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber. The disagreement led to her referral to the Senate’s ethics committee.

Last Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging that she was being targeted for rejecting his advances. The claims have intensified public scrutiny of the Senate leadership.

Supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and members of civil society organizations staged a protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him.

The protesters arrived at the National Assembly gate as early as 8:00 a.m., ahead of the day’s plenary session. Holding banners with inscriptions such as “Akpabio Must Go” and “Protect Women’s Rights”, they demanded accountability and urged the Senate to launch a probe into the allegations.

The protest follows accusations by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who alleged that Akpabio harassed her and retaliated after she rejected his advances. She made the claims during a live television interview, intensifying tensions within the Senate.

The controversy erupted after a seating arrangement change on February 20, 2025, which Akpoti-Uduaghan described as an act of retaliation.

A spokesperson for the protesting groups emphasized the need for an impartial investigation.

“We are here to demand justice for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensure accountability. No one is above the law,” the spokesperson said.

As of press time, neither Akpabio nor the Senate leadership had issued an official response to the demands.

The demonstration remained peaceful, with security operatives monitoring the situation.