Connect with us


BIG STORY

Ekweremadu: Immigration Dismisses Organ Donor’s Underage Claim

Published

on

The Nigeria Immigration Service has stated that it followed due process in issuing a Nigerian passport to Mr. David Nwamini, who was allegedly trafficked to the United Kingdom for organ harvesting by former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

David had allegedly claimed to be a minor after he arrived in the UK where he was to donate his kidney to Ekweremadu’s daughter.

However, photos of his Nigerian passport, making rounds on social media, showed his date of birth to be October 12, 2000, placing him at 21 years old.

Making comment on the controversy surrounding David’s age, Mr. Idris Jere, the Comptroller General of the NIS, at a press conference on Sunday, said Nwamini is indeed 21 according to his record in the possession of the NIS, discarding claims that the Service didn’t thoroughly vet the documents provided by the applicant.

Jere said, “The fact of the matter concerning the case above, therefore, is that Mr. David Ukpo Nwamini applied and paid for the e-passport using the NIS portal after which he approached the passport office in Gwagwalada, FCT Abuja, on November 2, 2021, for his interview.

“To support his application, Mr. Nwamini presented all necessary documents required including his birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission, showing October 12, 2000, as his date of birth; his National Identification Number, issued by NIMC corroborating the date of birth; a Certificate of Origin issued by Ebonyi State Government Liaison office in Abuja, and a guarantor’s form duly signed.

“NIS relies on documentation supplied by other agencies and we are not under any obligation to go to those agencies to verify those documents. What we do is that we look at the documents and applicants physically. Once that is done, we go ahead to process.”

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has told Nigerians not to hastily pass judgment against Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.

Dickson said this in a statement he issued on Sunday titled, ‘The Ekweremadu I know will not traffic an underage boy for organ harvesting.’

Dickson said, “I am sure from the beginning when this story broke that the Ekweremadu I know could not have taken an underage and underprivileged young man, smuggle him out to harvest organs for whatever purpose.

“The circumstances surrounding this will fully come to light in the cause of investigation.

Also reacting, the Ebonyi State Government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, in Abakaliki, on Sunday urged the UK authorities to exercise caution in the investigation of circumstances leading to the arrest and eventual trial of the senator and his wife.

The statement read, “Ebonyi State Government is following up the turn of events and twists that followed the medical intention of the former Deputy Senate President’s family.

“While we urge the UK Government to act progressively and meticulously and critically look at the intention (Mens rea) and the minds of the detained family and please give them the benefit of the doubt, we enjoin the public, especially those with shades of opinions and surge of anxieties to remain calm as we hope to see light at the end of the tunnel.

“The state government is reaching out to the family of David Okemini Ukpo from Ebonyi State, whose information to the Metropolitan Authority of UK orchestrated the criminal charge against the senator and his wife. The state government stands with Senator Ike Ekweremadu at this trial moment and hopes that the truth and nothing but the truth shall guide the outcome of the matter.”

BIG STORY

Awujale Of Ijebuland, Buhari’s Longtime Friend, Oba Sikiru Adetona Joins His Ancestors At 91

Published

on

Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, has passed away at 91.

The traditional ruler died on Sunday, just a few hours after the news broke of the death of Muhammadu Buhari, who was both his old friend and Nigeria’s former president.

In a statement, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described the monarch’s death as a huge blow to both Ijebuland and the entire nation.

Abiodun referred to the timing of both deaths as “double sadness”, highlighting the strong bond that existed between the two elder statesmen.

“Oba Adetona joined his ancestors today at the age of 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria in general,” the statement reads.

He commended the king’s “transformative reign”, pointing out his progressive style of leadership, the rise in Ijebuland’s recognition, and the global attention given to the Ojude Oba festival.

“Throughout his reign, he was a beacon of unity, cultural preservation, and progressive development. His dedication to the welfare of his people was evident in his efforts to foster educational advancements, healthcare improvements, and economic growth within the state and Nigeria,” Abiodun said.

Adetona became king on April 2, 1960, and remained on the throne for more than 64 years, making him one of the country’s longest-reigning traditional leaders.

His friendship with Buhari began in the 1980s and was solidified under unique and historic events.

Back in 1983, before Buhari’s military government took over, then Ogun State Governor Olabisi Onabanjo had already signed off on a decision to depose Adetona. The removal was due to be enforced by January 2, 1984.

However, the military coup that occurred on December 31, 1983 — which brought Buhari to power — disrupted those plans. The near overlap between the planned deposition and the military takeover marked a turning point in the monarch’s life.

Though Buhari’s actions were not aimed at halting the deposition, the result of the coup effectively allowed Adetona to remain on the throne.

Over time, the Awujale and Buhari built a quiet but deep friendship that was rooted in mutual admiration.

Adetona became a respected moral authority within the traditional leadership structure in Nigeria. He was admired for speaking his mind, resisting subservience to power, and believing that monarchs should always hold leaders accountable.

Through his guidance, Ijebuland grew in cultural strength, economic relevance, and political influence.

Abiodun called him “a beacon of unity and progress”, adding that “his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of his people will forever be etched in our hearts”.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

NDLEA Seizes Lipsticks Stuffed With Drugs At Lagos Airport [VIDEO]

Published

on

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered another batch of female lipsticks containing illegal drugs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed this in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) page on Sunday.

He also urged Nigerians, particularly women, to be extremely vigilant when purchasing or accepting beauty products, especially from unfamiliar sellers or dubious online platforms.

The statement read, Ladies beware! It does appear like female lipstick is becoming attractive as an instrument for concealment and trafficking now with yet another consignment of factory fitted female lipsticks stuffed with illicit substances intercepted at MMIA barely a week after @ndlea_nigeria officers uncovered a similar cargo at a courier company in Lagos.

Watch Video Here

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Former President Buhari Dies In London Clinic

Published

on

Former Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari, passed away on Sunday.

His longtime media aide, Garba Shehu, confirmed the news in a brief statement issued on Sunday afternoon, stating that the former president died at a clinic in London.

Shehu’s message, distributed to the media, read:
“INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHIRRAJIUUN. The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”

The statement concluded with the date: July 13, 2025.

Although the cause of death was not disclosed, Buhari, who held office from 2015 to 2023, had frequently sought medical care in the United Kingdom during and after his time as president.

Buhari, a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army, first led Nigeria as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985. Decades later, he was elected president through a democratic process. He made history as the first opposition candidate to unseat a sitting president in Nigeria.

Funeral plans have not yet been made public.

 

More to come…

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular