Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State has awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Okpara Road in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. The road which was named after the first premier of the Eastern region had remained in disrepair for the past sixty (60) years.

Contract for the reconstruction of the road was made possible by the partnership between the Abia State government and Rt Hon Obi Aguocha, the member representing Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano in the House of Representatives.

The partnership which has attracted several empowerment projects to the youths in the constituency, as well as the soon-to-be awarded reconstruction of the 2nd phase of the Ohuhu ring road to ease movement in and out of the Ohuhu clan is the initiative of Rt Hon Obi Aguocha who has deployed a two-pronged approach in serving his constituency at the federal and the state levels in order to attract developmental projects to the Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano Federal Constituency.

Such efforts have already yielded a long list of impactful achievements which are of great benefits to his constituents.

The trial Chief Bernard Kama Inyama over the alleged murder of
Mr Igwe Akuma, a youth leader in Okun- Ohafia community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State on January 2, 2026, has been adjourned to October 22, 2026, due to the absence of the principal defendant and a request by defense counsel.

The matter with charge number Hu/20c/2026 Inspector General of Police vs Bernard Kama Inyama
was brought before Hon. Justice Chido Nwakanma, of the Abia State High Court in Umuahia the state capital for hearing on Tuesday.

Bernard Kama is number one in the charge sheet filed by the Police among those suspected to be linked to murder case.

Speaking to journalists after the court sitting, the police prosecutor in the case, the Police prosecutor ACP Rimamsomte Ezekiel,
said Benkama has refused to appear in court for the second consecutive time without any reason.

“This is the second adjournment. We don’t know his whereabouts and he has refused to come to court,” he said.

The case came up for hearing of a motion challenging the police’s jurisdiction to prosecute the matter.

According to the prosecutor, the defense team, led by a Senior Advocate, Chief Uche Ihediwa, (SAN) applied for an adjournment to late October or November, citing travel to Denmark for a program.

The prosecution opposed the long adjournment and urged the court to strike out an amended charge filed by the defense, saying it was not ripe for hearing.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice, which the prosecution said it had already responded to.

ACP Ezekiel alleged that Benkama’s refusal to appear was an attempt to frustrate the case, claiming the suspect enjoys the backing of “some top senior politicians and retired and serving police officers.”

“No one is above the law. Justice must be done in this case. Whether he likes it or not, he must appear in court,” the prosecutor stated.

However, one of the defense counsel Barr. Ukpai Ukairo, said his client was never served with any court summons and accused the police of attempting to persecute him.

He added that the court adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026 to enable the defense respond to a counter-affidavit served by the prosecuting counsel a few days ago.

He dismissed claims that Benkama was avoiding court.

“Regrettably, an Assistant Commissioner of Police does not know what proper service of a summons is, because Ezie Ogo Benkama has never been served with any court summons. If Ezie Ogo Benkama was served with a summons, he would be the first person to be in court, because he is a law-abiding citizen,” he said.

Ukairo also faulted media reports suggesting that Benkama was at large after being served.

“Journalists in Abia State have been cajoled to make reports purporting that he was served with a summons and decided to be at large. Go to the court file. If you see any evidence or proof of service that Ezie Ogo Benkama was served, declare me a liar and I will stop practicing as a lawyer” he stated.

On the preliminary objection, the defense counsel said the charge was incompetent because a murder case ought to be referred to the Attorney General of the State or Federation for legal advice in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Law.

“That procedural lapse is fundamentally wrong, and we are taking objection,” he said.

He further argued that none of the prosecution witnesses mentioned Benkama in their statements, adding that the police investigation report did not link him to the murder.

“You can apply for the certified true copy of the processes and underline any portion where any of the witnesses mentioned him. We are saying that charge should be quashed because he has no case to answer,” Ukairo added.

He noted that the police earlier filed an amended charge removing Benkama’s name, but were now reverting to the old charge.

“It shows the police were induced to bring him in,” he said.

The Headquarters 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State, on Monday 27 July 2026 hosted its Officers’ Training Day with a focus on the theme: *”Leveraging Cyber, Electronic Warfare and Information Systems as a Tool for Fighting Future Warfare.”* The event brought together senior military officers, heads of sister security agencies, and experts who examined the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber warfare, and electronic warfare in modern military operations.

In his opening remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Commodore BU Quadri mni commended the Commander, 14 Brigade, Brig Gen AM Dikko, and personnel of the brigade for organizing what he described as a timely and intellectually stimulating training.

According to Commodore Quadri, the character of warfare has changed significantly, stressing that future battlefields will no longer be defined solely by firepower and maneuver but by who controls information, dominates the electromagnetic spectrum, and protects their networks while disrupting those of adversaries.

He cited recent global conflicts where drones interject jamming systems through electronic warfare, logistics disrupted by cyberattacks, and morale weakened through information warfare and misinformation.

Furthermore, he observed that terrorist organizations around the world have become increasingly sophisticated in their use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), social media, and electronic devices to coordinate operations, radicalize recruits, and launch attacks. He stressed that every participant must understand the fundamentals of cyber threats, electronic warfare capabilities, and the weaponization of information.

In his welcome address, the Commander, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig Gen AM Dikko, stated that modern battlefield has expanded into the cyber domain and electromagnetic spectrum.

According to him, electronic warfare is now used to jam communications and degrade military sensors, making it imperative for the Armed Forces to acquire more knowledge in cyber warfare and Artificial Intelligence.

Brig Gen Dikko further disclosed that the Nigerian Army, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, Nigerian Army Medal (NAM) is investing heavily in digitization, cyber defense, and electronic warfare capabilities to strengthen the military’s capacity, particularly in combating terrorism and insurgency.

He added that the lecture was designed to increase awareness of threats in the cyber and electronic domains and provide participants with strategies to counter them. He urged participants to pay close attention to the lectures and ensure that the knowledge gained is transmitted to troops under their command.

The event featured a lecture on the topic: *”ETHICS AND ESCALATION RISKS OF AI-ENABLED WARFARE.”* by Brigadier General S Julius. During his presentation, he explained that warfare has continually evolved alongside technological advancement, with Artificial Intelligence emerging as one of the defining technologies shaping modern military operations.

He extensively discussed the conceptual foundations of AI-enabled warfare, the ethical challenges associated with the employment of AI in military operations, and the escalation risks that could arise from the increasing integration of AI into warfare.

He noted that while AI has enormous potential to improve intelligence gathering, surveillance, operational planning, and decision-making, its employment must always be guided by ethical principles, accountability, and meaningful human control.

The lecture also was discussed by an esteemed, erudite and highly respected academia. In person of Dr Uchenna Kalu Uduka who also make meaningful contributions to the lecture presented. He highlighted some areas where AI could positively be used to enhance Military Operations.

Highlights of the event included interactive session presentation of certificates, awards and group photograph.

*MAZINHO ATTAH*
Captain
Assistant Director Army Public Relations
14 Brigade Nigerian Army
Ohafia, Abia State
28 July 2026