Category: News

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has issued interim suspension orders against three doctors following the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month-old son of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The affected doctors are Tosin Majekodunmi, Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital; Titus Ogundare, an anaesthesiologist at Euracare; and Atinuke Uwajeh, Chief Medical Director of Atlantis Paediatric Hospital.

The council said the decision followed the establishment of a prima facie case of medical negligence and professional misconduct.

According to the MDCN, the suspensions will remain in effect pending the outcome of proceedings before the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal.

The council said the action reflects its commitment to maintaining professional standards and accountability in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested four suspects and recovered stolen mobile phones and suspected illicit substances during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts in the state.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, detailed the operations which took place over the weekend.

On March 1, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m., operatives from the Central Police Station (CPS), working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch, raided a criminal hideout along the Holy Ghost Rail Line. The operation led to the arrest of two notorious theft suspects who specialize in snatching bags and other valuables from unsuspecting members of the public.

The suspects, identified as Nnachetam Didiugwu (aged 20) and Ogbu Maduabuchi (aged 22), both have no fixed residential address. Recovered from them were four mobile phones (Honour, Vivo, Tecno, and Itel brands) and wraps of suspected cannabis sativa.

According to the police, the suspects have confessed to snatching the phones from unsuspecting passersby, particularly during evening hours.

In a separate operation on February 28, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, while on crime prevention patrol, stormed a criminal hideout at Eke Obinagu, Emene.

The raid resulted in the arrest of Eze Chukwuemeka (aged 25) and Isiaka Musa (aged 25). A large quantity of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa was recovered from them.

SP Ndukwe stated that investigations are ongoing to arrest the suspects’ accomplices and recover more exhibits. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining proactive operations aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements and ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

He urged citizens to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to promptly provide useful information to the Police, including reporting suspicious persons and criminal activities.

Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has expressed deep concern over the reported abduction of His Royal Highness, Ezeogo Francis Igwe, traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area and father of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, by suspected hoodlums on Sunday morning.

According to reports, the traditional ruler was on his way to church when the hoodlums struck.

Governor Nwifuru, in a statement signed and issued on Sunday by Monday Uzor, his Chief Press Secretary, expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as deeply troubling and totally unacceptable.

“Acts of criminality against innocent citizens, especially revered community leaders, will not be tolerated in Ebonyi State,” the Governor said.

He assured the family of the abducted royal father and the people of Ikwo Local Government Area that the government has immediately activated all security and intelligence mechanisms to ensure the safe and prompt rescue of the monarch.

“All security agencies in the state have been directed to work in synergy to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” the Governor stated.

Nwifuru stressed that the government will deploy all available state apparatus and resources to unmask those behind the criminal act and prevent any recurrence.

He called on residents of the state, particularly those in Ikwo and surrounding communities, to remain calm but vigilant, and to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in their ongoing operations.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property across the state and reassured the people that Ebonyi State will not be allowed to become a safe haven for criminals.

He also urged the perpetrators to release the abducted traditional ruler unconditionally, emphasizing that the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on anyone found culpable.

“The Ebonyi State Government remains confident that with the cooperation of the public and the dedication of security agencies, the abducted royal father will be safely reunited with his family,” the statement added.

Security operatives have commenced a manhunt for the abductors, with investigations ongoing to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the monarch.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced a nationwide digital membership registration exercise, beginning Monday, March 2, 2026, in compliance with the requirements of the new Electoral Act 2026.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, announced that the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the exercise to run for three weeks across all wards in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the party, the registration is aimed at compiling a comprehensive digital membership register as mandated by the Electoral Act 2026, which requires all political parties to submit their digital membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The PDP stated that registration will hold daily, except on Sundays, at all ward, chapter, and state offices of the party throughout the registration period. Special cases will be handled at the National Secretariat in Abuja.

To ensure a smooth and transparent process, the party has constituted a special committee headed by the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Theophilus Daka Shan, to oversee the exercise and address any complaints that may arise.

The party urged its members and the general public to visit the nearest PDP ward office to register and be captured in the party’s digital database.

“Members and the general public are encouraged to visit the nearest PDP office within their ward to register,” the statement read.

The move is seen as part of the PDP’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, as parties position themselves to meet INEC’s new requirements under the Electoral Act 2026.

The Enugu State Government has announced a 90-day amnesty window for property owners without approved building plans to regularise their properties, as part of ongoing efforts to enforce structured urban development and strengthen regulatory compliance across the state.

The government, in a statement issued by the Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Chiwetalu Nwatu, in Enugu on Friday, said the initiative, which will be implemented in collaboration with relevant planning authorities, offers owners of existing buildings an opportunity to obtain proper approvals and avoid future sanctions.

Under the amnesty, property owners without approved plans are required to submit as-built drawings for approval through ENGIS. Those without existing drawings have been advised to engage certified architects to prepare as-built plans reflecting the current state of their structures and submit within the amnesty period.

ENGIS said the measure is designed to improve compliance, sanitise the built environment, and reinforce orderly physical development in line with the administration’s urban planning agenda.

The agency also issued a strong advisory on mandatory compliance going forward. It stressed that no building plan approval will henceforth be granted without a registered land title, noting that acceptable documents include a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or a registered Deed of Assignment.

It further warned that no construction should commence without both a valid land title and an approved building plan issued by the appropriate authority, including ENGIS, the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), or designated town planning offices.

ENGIS also called on individuals and corporate bodies holding land under Power of Attorney arrangements to regularise their documentation by registering proper title instruments, to ensure eligibility for approvals and full legal protection.

Speaking on the policy, Nwatu described the amnesty as a corrective and forward-looking intervention. “This window is not punitive; it is an opportunity for property owners to come into compliance without penalties while helping the state build a more organised and secure urban environment,” he said.

He added that the move aligns with the state’s broader land administration reforms. “Going forward, we are institutionalising a culture where land title and building approval go hand in hand. This is critical for protecting genuine property owners and ensuring Enugu grows in a planned and sustainable manner,” Nwatu stated.

The amnesty took effect on Friday, February 27, 2026.