The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has described as false reports that Akanu Ibam International Airport, Enugu, was given out for 80 years to a private company.

Naija News reports that Keyamo clarified that no concession agreement has been reached with any private company for any international airports across the country.

In a statement on Monday, signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Tunde Moshood, the Minister explained that all proposals for concessions have yet to be granted.

He stressed that the government’s decision to concession airports was to ensure optimal running and management of the airports.

It read: “Our attention has been drawn to certain online report/stories suggesting that a certain lengthy period of concession has been agreed upon regarding the Enugu International Airport. These reports/stories are utterly baseless and untrue.

“Whilst it is true that the Federal Government is considering proposals for the concession of five major airports, this is a proactive measure to ensure these vital facilities can meet and maintain international standards, given the increasing financial demands of their operations. Many of our airports are presently running at a loss, so they have to be subsidised each month by the Federal Government. It is noteworthy that this initiative to concession started from previous administrations.

“At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession. It is important to emphasize that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration. All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation that will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before it is presented to the Minister for conveyance to FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded. However, for the sake of transparency, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN directed, some months ago that the Aviation Labour Unions be included as part of the negotiating teams.

“Therefore, we must state unequivocally that the information suggesting a predetermined concession duration is false, unfounded, and intended to cause unwarranted disaffection and mistrust in this process by those with entrenched interests.

“Please be assured that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is committed to a transparent process that adheres strictly to due process. With his training and track record, the Minister will not allow anything untoward to happen under his watch. He has so far run the Ministry in a transparent manner and will not fall into the same mistake of the past. We will ensure that all decisions are made in the best interest of the nation and the aviation sector.”

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dragged Benjamin Nwobodo to court for alleged ₦12 million land fraud, in Enugu State.

Naija News reports that the Enugu Zonal Directorate of EFCC arraigned Barrister Nwobodo before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State on a five-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining by pretense.

Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo on 15thday of January, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Nine Million Naira only (₦9,000,000.00) from one Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretence of the sale of three plots of land situated at Emene, Enugu State to him, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act“.

Count four of the charge read, “That you, Benjamin Chukwuemeka Nwobodo on 15thday of December, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Three Million Naira only (₦3,000,000.00) from one Wilson Ikeani Igwe under the false pretence of the sale of one plot of land situated at Emene, Enugu State to him, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act“.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

Given his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Chikezie Raymond Edozie prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility.

However, the defendant, who announced legal representation for himself made an oral bail application which the court granted on the following terms.

The bail terms include two sureties in the like sum of ₦25million Naira, one of the sureties must have a landed property in Enugu metropolis.

The other surety must be a blood relation and must submit three years tax clearance to the court.

Both sureties must depose and submit an affidavit of means and the EFCC is to verify the sureties and their addresses within seven working days of receipt of the sureties details.

The defendant in addition shall submit to the Deputy Court Registrar his international passport.

The court, thereafter, permitted the defendant to go home based on self-recognizance but gave him 10 (ten) days to perfect the bail conditions or the EFCC shall arrest him and take him to a Correctional Facility.

The matter was adjourned to May 13 and 14, 2025 for trial.

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Four policemen were shot dead by unknown gunmen in Four Corner Junction, Ozalla, in Enugu, on Sunday.

The four policemen, eyewitness said were at a check-point when the gunmen attacked them. The patrol vehicle of the policemen was also burnt by the attackers.

The name of the policemen could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report. Enugu State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Danie Ndukwe, has yet to confirm the attack.

Also, Governor Peter Mbah‘s Special Assistant on Media, Dan Nwomeh, has not confirmed the attack.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Junior, has condemned the attack. Nweke said the attack was evil.

He called on the government to take decisive action against the attackers.

On his X handle on Sunday, the former All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Enugu governorship candidate said:

“Earlier today, Ozalla community in Nkanu West LGA, Enugu community ‘tasted’ the terror of so-called unknown gunmen who mowed down policemen on checkpoint duty at four corners junction along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. Their patrol vehicle was also burnt.

“I commiserate with the families of the deceased and the men and officers of the Enugu command of the Nigeria Police.

“People should not have to die in such a gruesome manner for simply doing their work of protecting citizens and maintaining public order.

“The activities of these merchants of death and destruction will continue to be described for it is – evil
Governments at all levels must clearly redouble their efforts in discharging their responsibility for protecting citizens.

“Governments must also provide the required channels and orientation for citizens to become more vigilant and share intelligence with relevant authorities.”

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