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Diphtheria Scare in Edo State: Calls for School Closure Amid Rising Cases

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  Edo State is currently battling a public health scare as diphtheria cases emerge, raising concern among residents, health professionals, and civil society. With six confirmed cases and three reported fatalities, the outbreak has prompted urgent calls for preventive measures to contain further spread. Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the nose and throat, often fatal if left untreated. The Edo State Ministry of Health has confirmed the detection of both diphtheria and dengue fever, adding complexity to the state’s health response. So far, over 15 suspected diphtheria cases have been identified, with health officials moving swiftly to activate surveillance teams and conduct community sensitization. In a proactive appeal, the Concerned Edo Citizens Forum submitted an open letter to Governor Godwin Obaseki, urging the temporary closure of schools to protect children, who are among the most vulnerable to the disease. The group also recommended limitin...
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London court denies Ekweremadu bail again

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The Central Criminal Court, London, has denied bail to former Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu.

In the pre-trial hearing on Tuesday, the court gave its verdict denying the bail on the grounds that he was a flight risk. The court in its decision cited the letter and assets forfeiture proceedings against the senator by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.


The bail application, Ekweremadu’s lawyer had argued that the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and the Attorney-General of the Federal had written to the court that Ekweremadu was not a flight risk. The lawyer also argued that a guarantee to produce him should he pose a flight risk was given and that the Nigeria High Commission in the UK had equally given the option of tagging Ekweremadu electronically to monitor his movement.


Referring to attestation of Ekweremadu’s character by respected Nigerians and organizations, his lawyer also argued that the lawmaker had proven to be a caring and responsible father and could not escape from London, abandoning his wife and sick daughter. His lawyer also mentioned that Ekweremadu had sureties and securities of nearly half a million pounds sterling from 11 people to secure his release on bail.


However, the prosecution insisted that Ekweremadu was a flight risk as he is a holder of international passports from two other countries and could escape to any of the other countries asides from Nigeria, stressing that the  bail would not make much difference even as the trial is just over a month away.


The prosecution also cited the 18th July 2022 letter by the EFCC signed on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Abdulraheed Bawa, by the Assistant Director Operations, Abdulkarim Chukkoi, and referred to the assets forfeiture proceedings against Ekweremadu in the Federal High Court, Abuja.


Refusing the bail application, the Judge said


“I am entirely satisfied there remains a flight risk,” noting that bail would not make much difference “as the trial is just over a month away.

”The trial of the Ekweremadus will now begin on 31st January 2023.

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