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The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Apo has dismissed attempts by Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, to stop his ongoing trial over alleged forgery and impersonation.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who delivered rulings on several pending applications on Wednesday, also restrained Giwa, his associates and agents from making public comments about the case in the media or on social media platforms.

Victor Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, are being prosecuted over allegations involving forged documents and impersonation linked to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu.

According to prosecutors, the defendants allegedly used forged documents to mislead the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation into withdrawing an earlier criminal case against Giwa before an FCT High Court in Maitama.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Eristo Asaph and Saleh Nafisa appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Farouk Akambi represented the first defendant. Ogbu Aboje appeared for the second defendant, while Levi E. Nwonye held a watching brief for the nominal complainant.

In one of the major rulings, the court dismissed Motion M/7/57/25, in which the defence challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the court was properly constituted and competent to continue with the trial.

The judge also dismissed Motion M/12210/25, which sought to strike out the charge because sufficient material evidence had not been disclosed.

The court ruled that service of court processes on the first defendant was proper and adequate.

Another application seeking the judge’s recusal and transfer of the matter to the FCT Chief Judge over alleged bias was also rejected.

“I have gone through the application, and there is not an iota of truth in it,” Justice Onwuegbuzie said.

“He who asserts must prove. All steps taken so far follow due process. The court is not biased; we stand for justice at all times.”

The court further rejected an application seeking temporary release of Giwa’s international passport for medical treatment abroad, citing inadequate documentary evidence to justify the request.

However, the judge granted an application restraining the defendants and their associates from making further public statements on the matter through newspapers, television broadcasts or social media.

On the prosecution’s request for revocation of Giwa’s bail, the court declined the application, ruling that bail could only be withdrawn where there was clear evidence of misconduct.

Citing the case of Ameh Obute & Five Others v. State, Justice Onwuegbuzie noted that although the conduct of the first defendant appeared unprofessional, it did not meet the legal threshold required for revocation of bail.

“If the misconduct continues, we will look into it,” the judge warned.

The court also refused an application by the prosecution seeking leave to amend the charge, holding that the proposed amendment introduced a separate offence which should be filed independently.

The matter was adjourned to May 18 and 25 and June 3, 4 and 10, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

FCT High Court rejects lawyer Victor Giwa’s bid to stop forgery trial

The family of late Nollywood Actor Alex Ekubo, on Wednesday, explained the circumstances surrounding his death, stating that Ekubo endured pain with strength before succumbing to cancer.

The family in a statement released on the actor’s official social media accounts disclosed that Ekubo passed away at Evercare Hospital due to complications arising from the illness caused by advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Son, Brother, and Friend, Alexx Ikenna Ekubo-Okwaraeke.

“After a brief but courageous battle, Alexx passed away at Evercare Hospital due to complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer,” the statement read.

According to the family, Alexx endured his painful journey with remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and enduring hope, holding firmly to the belief that his testimony would one day inspire others.

“During this deeply painful time, we humbly ask for privacy and prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul, and for all who mourn this immense loss”.

The family in the statement also expressed gratitude to friends, supporters, and well-wishers for their love, support, and understanding.

The statement added that details regarding funeral arrangements and other family matters would be communicated in due course.

Alexx Ekubo was celebrated for his talent, charisma, and significant contributions to Nollywood, earning admiration from fans both within Nigeria and internationally.

Alex Endured Pain With Strength Before Cancer Death — Family is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Peter Obi, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and his Enugu state counterpart, Peter Mbah were among prominent leaders that attended the burial ceremony of the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu.

Other dignitaries at the event include former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila, former governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi, senators, members of the House of Representatives and many other government officials from within and outside the state.

Forty-two members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, and Catholic Archbishops in the country were also in attendance during the funeral service which took place at the St. Theresa Cathedral, Abakaliki, where the late bishop’s remains was committed to mother earth.

Pope Leo XIV, represented by his representative in Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Grotty, consoled the clergy, religious and laity of the diocese of Abakaliki.

The Pope said he was touched by the passing of the late bishop and prayed God to repose his soul.

In his homily, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical province, Lucius Ugorji, described late Bishop Chukwu as a shepherd that was very close to his flock. He said Chukwu left no one in doubt that he was a bishop.

Ugorji further described the late bishop as an impactful pastor who made the joy and hope, and grief and anguish of his flock his own. 

“To his work, Bishop Chukwu brought intelligence and wisdom, the spirit of enterprise and resourcefulness as well as his gifts of gentleness and good humour, a tireless prophetic voice, a strong voice of the voiceless, and active crusader for social justice.

“Bishop Chukwu also brought to his ministry courage, always fearlessly speaking truth to power in condemnation of social injustice, greed and graft.

“Above and beyond, he brought to his ministry, faith and love, humility and commitment. He lived true to his motto -“I’m totally yours” which is an expression of Marian spirituality and resolve to serve God and his flock with total dedication.

“The spirit of total dedication was a driving force of his entire pastural ministry as a bishop,” Ugorji stated.

In his tribute, the President Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev. Mathew Man-Oso Ndagoso, described Chukwu who until his death, was Assistant Secretary of the Conference, as a true servant who embraced his pastoral duties with extraordinary blend of humility, courage and unwavering faith.

He said within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the late bishop was a cherished voice of wisdom and fraternal charity which led to his election as the Assistant Secretary.

Ndagoso said the Conference will miss Chukwu’s gentility, patience and timely words of encouragement.

“He never sought the spotlight but his quiet, calmness, competence and spirituality made him a pillar amongst us. The Conference has indeed lost a faithful collaborator,” he said.

In his own tribute, Governor Francis Nwifuru lamented that Chukwu died when the state and Nigeria urgently yearns for leaders of his moral stature, spiritual depth and fearless disposition, and at a time when society battles erosion of value and morals, insecurity, economic uncertainties and weakening value systems.

He said the late bishop was an icon of hope, integrity and moral rebirth and that his departure was very painful and difficult to comprehend.

Nwifuru said “Bishop Chukwu lived not for comfort, but for conviction. I say this because he was one of those rare servants of God whose voices echoed beyond the altar into the conscience of society.

“Our late Bishop stood for truth even when truth became unpopular. He defended justice even when injustice appeared powerful. And he remained courageous even when fear had become fashionable. The late Bishop was also a stickler for excellence and discipline.

“He never pretended to be neutral where morality and societal conscience were concerned, but carried the burden of spiritual leadership with uncommon sincerity and discharged his episcopal responsibilities with conviction, intellectual versatility, charisma and candour.

“In an era where many leaders have chosen silence in the face of moral decline and social uncertainties, our late Bishop Chukwu chose the difficult path of truth. He reminded us that the Church must never surrender its prophetic voice and that leadership must always be anchored on justice, accountability and the fear of God.

“Today, as we commit his remains to mother earth, one painful question echoes in our hearts: why did death strike at a time when Ebonyi State and Nigeria urgently yearn for leaders of his moral stature, spiritual depth and fearless disposition?

“At a time when society battles erosion of value and morals, insecurity, economic uncertainties and weakening value systems, our Bishop represented an icon of hope, integrity and moral rebirth. His departure at this critical period is painful and difficult to comprehend.

“Yet, as Christians, we are comforted by the eternal promises of God. Apostle Paul through The Holy Scriptures reminds us in the book of 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

“Without doubt, the late Bishop fought the good fight of faith. He served God with sincerity. He defended the weak. He strengthened the hopeless. He preached Christ with courage and dedicated his earthly journey to the advancement of God’s kingdom

“His episcopacy witnessed spiritual revival, expansion of evangelism, strengthening of Catholic institutions and deepening of moral consciousness within our dear Ebonyi State. He was not merely a preacher on the pulpit, but a shepherd among his flock, a father to the vulnerable and a moral compass to leaders”.

The late Chukwu died on Friday, 10th April, 2026, at 60.

Chukwu was born on November 5, 1965 in Ededeagu Umuezekohoha, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

After attending the Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Owerri, where he completed his philosophical studies (1985-1989), he completed his theological studies (1990-1993) at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu.

Subsequently, he studied at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio (2000-2001) and at the Marquette University in Milwaukee, in the United States, obtaining a Doctorate in Philosophy (2002-2007). He was ordained a priest on 3 July 1993, incardinating himself in the Diocese of Abakaliki.

Obi, Nwifuru, Mbah, Anyim, others attend Ebonyi Bishop’s funeral

Former Ekiti State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kayode Fayemi, has commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for what he described as the visible infrastructural renewal and developmental transformation taking place across Oyo State. Fayemi gave the commendation while speaking at the 2026 Oyo State International Tourism Summit held in Ibadan, […]

The post Fayemi hails Makinde’s development agenda in Oyo appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Recording Academy, the organizers of the Grammy Awards, has announced the dates for the 2027 edition of its awards ceremony and nominations.

The organizers revealed the date on Tuesday during an upfront presentation in New York.

Nominations will be announced November 16, 2026, with eligible albums having been released between August 31, 2025, and August 28, 2026.

The Grammy awards ceremony will be held on February 7, 2027.

The ceremony will be aired live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on ABC and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

The development is a break from the Grammy’s 54 consecutive years partnership with CBS.

Also announcing the news on its Instagram page, Grammy, wrote: “IT’S TIIIIIME! The road to the 2027 Grammys officially begins now. Mark your calendars for submissions, nominations, voting, and all the key moments leading up to Music’s Biggest Night. Grammy Season.”

Grammy announces date for 2027 awards nominations

Ahead of the 2027 elections, Kaduna Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has approved the constitution of a high-level consensus committee on party harmonisation and aspirants’ engagement as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen internal democracy, promote cohesion among stakeholders, and sustain party unity ahead of the forthcoming general elections. This was contained in a statement issued […]

The post 2027: Gov Sani constitutes consensus committee to deepen APC’s unity appeared first on Tribune Online.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted accreditation to all 49 academic programmes presented by Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, with 43 securing full accreditation and six receiving interim status. The NUC communicated its decision in a letter dated 7 April 2026, addressed to Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, with a copy […]

The post NUC grants full accreditation to 43 programmes at Emmanuel Alayande varsity appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed a suit filed by the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for being improperly commenced.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a judgment, held that the suit was incompetent because it was initiated by originating summons despite the allegations of fraud.

“Adopting this mode of suit is in itself hostile,” Justice Nwite said.

The judge held that allegations of crime or fraud cannot be proved by an originating summons and require a writ of summons, which allows for full trial, including oral testimony and cross-examination of witnesses, unlike an originating summons which is restricted to affidavit evidence.

“It is a well-established issue of law that the appropriate mode of commencement of a suit where there is an allegation of fraud is writ of summons,” he said.

He stated that the mode of commencement of a suit is fundamental, as it determines jurisdiction, and where improperly filed, it would rob the court of jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The judge further held that the procedure adopted deprived the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the case of the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses on depositions contained in the affidavit evidence, and thus “will affect their right to fair hearing.”

The judge held that the case was instituted by improper procedure and could not be sustained.

“The preliminary objection of the defendants stands.

“I am of the view and I so hold that the appropriate order is to set aside the entire proceedings,” Justice Nwite said.

The judge held that the suit was unmeritorious and accordingly dismissed it.

The plaintiffs in the suit include Umar Ardo, who claimed to be the promoter of the party; Marjorie George, Anthony Ojeshina and Alhassan Nuhu.

Others are Qoussim Opakunle and Agbo Ndidiamaka Justina.

They had filed the suit in January against INEC and sought an order compelling the commission to register ADA.

In March, Akin Ricketts and Aminu Ahmed were joined in the suit as 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

The suit followed ADA’s application for registration as a political party, which it claimed met all statutory requirements.

The association argued that it satisfied the conditions under Sections 222 to 224 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act 2022 and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

The plaintiffs contended that despite meeting these requirements, INEC failed to register the association within the timeframe provided by law.

It further argued that INEC’s response letter dated Dec. 18, 2025, was issued 71 days after its application of Oct. 9, 2025, thereby breaching the 60-day statutory window for response.

In its originating summons, they asked the court to determine whether, having met all legal requirements under the constitution and the Electoral Act, INEC was not under a legal obligation to register the association as a political party, among others.

However, the 2nd and 3rd defendants Ricketts and Ahmed challenged the suit on jurisdictional and procedural grounds.

They argued in a joint preliminary objection filed 20 April that it was incompetent because it commenced by originating summons despite raising allegations of fraud and contentious facts.

They contended that such issues required proof by oral evidence through a writ of summons, which would allow cross-examination of witnesses, among others.

Ruling on Wednesday, Justice Nwite upheld the defendants’ preliminary objection.

“Fraud or forgery is a criminal offence which needs to be proved beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge held.

The judge said that even if he was wrong on jurisdiction, he would still have considered the merits of the case.

The judge, therefore, held that the plaintiffs’ application failed to comply with Sections 222 to 224 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 of the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC rules and guidelines governing political party registration.

He observed that the interim national chairman and national secretary uploaded by the plaintiffs were not the same as those contained in their letter of intent.

The judge agreed with the defendants that the plaintiffs lacked legal capacity and locus standi to institute the action, as they were not the pro tem national chairman and pro tem national secretary of the association intended for registration.

According to him, an applicant seeking registration as a political party must cumulatively satisfy all requirements.

He said that failure to meet any of the requirements renders the application invalid.

Court Strikes Out ADA’s Suit Against INEC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Wednesday formally signed performance contracts with the Vice-Chancellors of six host universities under the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project to activate the implementation of a new $65 million additional financing package from the World Bank. The signing ceremony, held in Abuja, marked the beginning of […]

The post NUC, VCs sign performance contract on $65m World Bank project appeared first on Tribune Online.