# The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and security of corps members deployed to the state, assuring them of a conducive environment throughout their service year.
Representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Course, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, conveyed the government’s assurance to over 1,500 corps members posted to the state.
Governor Soludo congratulated the corps members on completing their academic studies and responding to the nation’s call to service. He described their deployment to Anambra as a demonstration of patriotism, national unity, and commitment to national development.
The governor urged them to remain security conscious, law-abiding, and responsible throughout their stay in the state, while avoiding activities that could expose them to danger.
He emphasized that his administration remains focused on building a smart, livable, secure, sustainable, and prosperous homeland through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and economic development.
Soludo encouraged the corps members to take advantage of the opportunities provided during their service year to learn from people of diverse backgrounds, build lasting relationships, and make meaningful contributions to their host communities. He also described Anambra as a center of commerce, industry, education, and human capital development, noting the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and resilience of its people.
# Police operatives in Anambra State have arrested a middle-aged man, Tochukwu Nwora, for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old girl who is now heavily pregnant.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the arrest in a statement noted that the suspect was apprehended during a raid conducted on June 17 around St. Paul’s Secondary School, Achalla, by operatives attached to Achalla Divisional Police Headquarters.
SP. Ikenga maintained that the raid was triggered by intelligence on youths allegedly involved in the use of crystal methamphetamine, popularly known as Mkpuru Mmiri.
Ikenga said preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had allegedly been repeatedly defiled by several adult males at different times in Nando, Nteje, and Achalla.
He said the investigation further suggested that the suspects exploited her vulnerable condition by giving her a small amount of money.
The spokesman noted that the victim had been taken to the Police Hospital, Awka, where medical examinations and other necessary procedures had commenced.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikoye Orutugu, had directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, for a comprehensive investigation.
# The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) has successfully averted a potential tragedy in Awka by evacuating occupants of a building that exhibited clear signs of structural failure and imminent collapse.
Following a thorough assessment, the agency promptly demolished the structure to safeguard lives and property.*
The intervention followed repeated concerns raised by residents of Chukweze Lodge, Ifite Awka, who had reported severe cracks in the building and alleged that management failed to address the deteriorating condition despite months of complaints.
# The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has made an additional donation of ₦25 million towards the development of Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Presenting the cheque at the Shanahan Hall of Holy Trinity Basilica, Onitsha, Obi reaffirmed his belief that investment in education remains one of the most effective ways of building a productive and prosperous society.
Addressing the students, he emphasized that education goes beyond the acquisition of certificates, stressing that it should equip individuals with the knowledge, character, and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to society. He urged them to remain focused on their studies and aspire to become responsible leaders capable of transforming Nigeria.
Speaking during the event, Rev. Fr. Basil Ekwunife expressed deep appreciation for Obi’s continued support for educational and social causes. He commended Obi’s dedication to humanity, nation-building, and public service, describing him as a leader distinguished by vision, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to societal progress.
# Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA) in Anambra State, Chief Zulyke Chinwuba, has rated the performance of the current members of the state House of Assembly very low, saying that they have made themselves stooges to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Chinwuba, who also lashed out at the National Assembly members from the state, went further to knock the governor, saying that he’s running the state like it’s his personal business.
I’m not impressed because a lot of things are allowed to go on. Very, very awful things are happening in the state, especially in the lawmaking body. Even in the execution. Because it seems that the governor is pocketing the legislators of Anambra State. I have not seen any opposition; because a lot of things are going wrong, which need the opposition to talk about; yet, they are not talking. So, I am thinking that when we produce our own candidates and they come out victorious during the elections, a lot of changes would have happened in Anambra State”. Chinwuba said.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Esther Onyekesi, has visited Master Chiziterem at the hospital where he is receiving treatment following a brutal assault.
Mrs. Onyekesi, who had earlier sent a delegation from the ministry to assess the boy’s condition, said it was important for her to personally visit the victim, expressing deep concern over his welfare and offering words of encouragement to him and his family.
During the visit, the Commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and vulnerable persons, stressing that Anambra State maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of violence and abuse.
She assured the family that justice would be served, noting that the suspects connected to the incident are already in police custody and that the ministry would ensure that due legal process is followed to its conclusion.
Mrs. Onyekesi also commended the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, and residents of the state for their swift response and concern following the incident. She urged members of the public to continue speaking out against child abuse and other acts of cruelty to help protect vulnerable members of society.
Expressing gratitude over the boy’s improving health condition, the Commissioner described his recovery as encouraging and expressed optimism that he would make a full and speedy recovery.
# The Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), has stated that Anambra remains the leading state in criminal justice sector reforms in Nigeria, citing the state’s innovative legal framework and commitment to strengthening the administration of justice.
The Anambra State Attorney General made the assertion during a workshop organized by International IDEA under its Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme for judges, magistrates, state prosecutors, police prosecutors, defence counsel, and civil society organizations in Awka.
The workshop followed a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 15, 2026, at the Attorney General’s Chambers, where discussions focused on deepening collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the RoLAC Programme to enhance the implementation of plea bargaining and other criminal justice reforms in Anambra State.
The workshop centered on the principles and practice of plea bargaining, sentencing guidelines, and other relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).
Addressing participants, Barrister Nweke emphasized that Anambra has consistently remained at the forefront of criminal justice reforms, noting that several of the state’s initiatives have served as models for other states across the country.
The Attorney General expressed appreciation for the presence of Justice Peter Obiorah, describing him as a distinguished jurist and authority in criminal justice sector reforms. He noted that Justice Obiorah’s wealth of experience and expertise would greatly enrich the workshop and deepen participants’ understanding of contemporary justice reforms.
Nweke commended Justice Obiorah for facilitating the workshop despite his demanding schedule and urged participants to take full advantage of the sessions to broaden their knowledge and strengthen their professional capacities.
# The Anambra State Government says efforts are underway to enact a law that will criminalize the construction of buildings without the necessary approvals and permits in the state, as well as empower the government to confiscate lands where collapsed buildings are located.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Chijioke Ojukwu, disclosed this during the demolition of the remaining part of a collapsed two-storey building under construction at Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area, where he explained that the proposed law would compel developers to adhere strictly to building regulations, noting that building collapse remains a major threat to lives and property.
Barrister Ojukwu revealed that the collapsed building in Umuoji did not receive approval from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, attributing incidents of building collapse to the use of substandard materials, poor workmanship, and the failure of some developers to follow laid-down development procedures and regulations.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the owner of the property would be heavily sanctioned in accordance with the law, while the site would remain sealed until all necessary applications and approvals are obtained before any further development can take place.
Barrister Ojukwu noted that compliance with physical planning and urban regeneration laws enhances public safety, improves environmental aesthetics, and promotes sustainable development, adding that the state government plans to plant trees along recovered setbacks on major roads across the state as part of efforts to beautify the environment and improve the ecosystem.
# Students of Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University have delivered outstanding results at the Nigeria National Final of the 19th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Secondary School Students.
After four highly competitive rounds, three outstanding students from the UNIZIK Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University delivered remarkable performances, standing out among contestants from Confucius Institutes and Chinese language teaching centres across Nigeria.
The students achieved exceptional results, winning four awards and securing all of the top three positions in the national competition.
# The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme has called on lawyers, civil society organisations (CSOs), and judiciary correspondents in Anambra State to play more active roles in ensuring the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2022, with the aim of enhancing justice delivery and decongesting correctional centres.
The call was made during a one-day capacity-building workshop attended by over 50 defence lawyers, CSO representatives, and judiciary correspondents across the state.
The training focused on key reforms introduced by the ACJL 2022, including plea bargaining, sentencing guidelines, bail administration, and accelerated case management.
The workshop was organised by RoLAC as part of its justice sector reform intervention in Anambra State, with funding from the European Union and implementation support from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).
Facilitating the session, Justice Pete Obiora of the Court of Appeal urged participants to become agents of change within the justice system by promoting ethical conduct and supporting reforms aimed at improving the administration of criminal justice.
Justice Obiora stressed that the success of the ACJL depends not only on the provisions of the law but also on the commitment of legal practitioners and other stakeholders responsible for its implementation.
In her remarks, RoLAC Anambra State Coordinator, Dr. Josephine Onah, said the training was designed to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the innovations contained in the ACJL 2022 and strengthen their capacity to effectively utilise the law.
She noted that the programme is particularly focused on promoting sentencing guidelines and plea bargaining as practical solutions to the growing number of awaiting-trial inmates in correctional centres.
