Author: straightnewsng.com

Aniefiok Christopher The Nigerian Government has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The three-count charge, instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, and dated February 16, 2026, stemmed from statements El-Rufai made during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme. In count one, prosecutors alleged that El-Rufai admitted during the interview that he and unnamed associates “unlawfully intercepted the phone communications” of Ribadu, an offence said to be punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention,…

Press Release A kidnap victim was rescued in Obotim Village, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area by Akwa Ibom Police Command following sustained and intelligence-driven tactical operations across identified locations in the State. ‘‘On 10th February 2026, at about 2140hrs, armed men operating in an unregistered vehicle reportedly invaded a supermarket in Obotim Village, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, and abducted a man (name withheld) to an unknown destination. ”The hoodlums subsequently contacted the family, demanding a ransom of Thirty Million Naira (₦30,000,000). They also carted away a Moniepoint POS machine and fraudulently withdrew the sum of One Million, Nine Hundred…

Ekemini Simon The administration of Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno collected more than N2.53 trillion in revenue within 32 months. A PREMIUM TIMES analysis of official financial documents shows this figure surpasses the total earnings of the state across the entire eight-year tenure of  immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration, plus the final four months of  ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio. Governor Eno was sworn in as governor on 29 May 2023. Data drawn from audited financial statements, budget performance reports (BPR) and Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursement records indicate that from May 2023 to December 2025, Akwa Ibom State…

Press Release The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has dragged the Board of Trustees Representative of EMOIMEE in Eket Local Government Area, Air Commodore Charles Usoh (Rtd), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Seplat Joint Venture to the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division over failure to comply with its request for information pursuant to Sections 1 and 3 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. This was stated in a Press Release issued by the CHRAN’s Secretary of Research and Documentation, Comrade Etimbuk Ekpenyong, and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday, 12 February, 2026. The…

Aniefiok Chrisotpher A fresh bill at the United States house of representatives has proposed that the country’s secretary of state works with the Nigerian government to thwart “hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations.”  The proposed legislation, titled: ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026’, was introduced by five Republican lawmakers on Tuesday. The congressmen who sponsored the bill are Chris Smith, Riley Moore (bill author), Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. The bill sponsors said illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria engage in the “destabilizing practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.” Also read: Terrorism…

Akakan Umoh The Akwa Ibom Police Command has foiled a suspected robbery attempt and arrested one suspect following a swift and proactive operation along Abak Road in Uyo Local Government Area of the state. ‘‘On February 9, 2026, at about 10:00 p.m, operatives of the Command who were on pin-down duty at a strategic nipping point along Abak Road observed three young men on a motorcycle behaving in a suspicious manner near a supermarket. Acting on reasonable suspicion and in line with proactive crime prevention strategies, the operatives moved to apprehend the individuals. ‘‘Upon sighting the Police, the suspects abandoned…

Aniefiok Christopher The Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network has rejected the Akwa Ibom Taxes Bill, otherwise known as the Property Bill, describing it as anti-people, draconian, monstrous, and oppressive. The group opposed the bill entitled: “A Bill for a Law to Harmonise and Consolidate the Legal Frameworks Relating to Taxes in Akwa Ibom State and for Other Matters Connected Therein” during its public hearing held at Luton Park Hotel, Uyo on February 4, 2026. The bill is domesticated from Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 with emphasis on payment of  property tax and levies. Addressing members of the Correspondents’…

Press Release The member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Unyime Idem was among notable Nigerians conferred with an award by Nigeria’s most  prestigious newspaper. Idem was honoured as the House of Representatives Member of the Year 2025 on Constituency Development by Leadership Newspaper Thursday, February 12. The prestigious award was presented to him during the 18th Leadership Conference and Awards held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. Also read Rep Idem Aids Employment of 4 Ph.D Holders and Two others into FG Institution 25 Transformers: Rep Idem Ends Years of Darkness in…

Akakan Umoh Tension mounted in Akwa Ibom as two religious groups announced suspension of the much-publicised three-day revival crusade that would have been anchored by a Kenyan, Prophet David Owuor, throwing thousands of expectant worshippers into confusion and limbo. The dramatic suspension announced few hours before the commencement of the revival crusade may not be unconnected with the cancellation of a one-week crusade by Rev. Yinka Yusuf earlier slated from February 9-15, 2026 in Uyo. Uyo Capital City Development Authority had written to Rev. Yusuf to shift his crusade a week longer due to ‘‘insecurity issues’’ and Pastor who argued…

Aniefiok Christopher Turmoil erupted in the National Assembly on Tuesday as the Minister of Works, David Umahi, battled to defend his ministry’s ₦3.4 trillion 2026 budget, triggering fiery exchanges, open confrontation and a near breakdown of proceedings. Lawmakers traded sharp accusations across the aisle, forcing repeated interventions by the presiding officer as order slipped and tempers flared. The Joint Committees on Works of the Senate and House of Representatives had convened to scrutinise the ministry’s proposed capital expenditure and interrogate the implementation of ongoing projects. What was expected to be a routine budget defence—focused on how Nigeria plans to spend…