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Businessman Pleads Not Guilty to Allegedly Pulling Gun on Police Investigator

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

A 58-year-old businessman, Seth Welbeck, is facing a fresh wave of criminal charges after he allegedly pulled a loaded pistol on a police investigator at the premises of the Accra Circuit Court.

Welbeck has been charged with threat of death and possession of a firearm without lawful authority. He pleaded not guilty to both counts when he appeared before the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Jojo Amoah Hagan.

The court granted the accused bail in the sum of GH¢200,000, with two sureties, one of whom must be justified with landed property. The case has been adjourned to March 3, 2026.

 

Prosecution’s Case

According to the charge sheet read in court by Chief Inspector Nego Dzigbordi, the complainant, Detective Chief Inspector Prince Okoh, is an investigator with the Regional Criminal Investigations Department, Accra Region (RCID/AR).

The prosecution told the court that Welbeck was earlier involved in a case of forgery of judicial or official documents, which is under investigation by the complainant. He was served with a criminal summons to appear before Accra Circuit Court Three on February 3, 2026, where he was granted bail.

After the court proceedings, Welbeck was being escorted to the RCID/AR by D/C/Insp. Okoh. On their way, the accused pleaded with the investigator to allow him to lock his vehicle, which was parked within the court premises.

The complainant, together with Chief Inspector Margaret Nando, a court warrant officer, escorted him to the vehicle.

The prosecution alleged that upon opening the vehicle, Welbeck suddenly picked up a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE pistol, bearing serial number FYS4759, loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, with one live round in the chamber, and pointed it at D/C/Insp. Okoh, with the intent to put him in fear of death.

D/C/Insp. Okoh, according to the prosecution, swiftly struck the accused’s hand, causing the firearm to fall to the ground.

A bystander, identified as Michael Obeng Ntim, witnessed the incident and assisted the police Welbeck was subsequently restrained, handcuffed, and conveyed to the RCID/AR.

A formal complaint was lodged against the accused, and an investigation cautioned statement was obtained from him. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The court is expected to continue hearing the matter at the next adjourned date.

EBEID announces 25% resource allocation for social sector interventions

By
JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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COWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBEID)

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBEID) has unveiled plans to dedicate a significant portion of its resources to social sector initiatives, with a particular focus on women, youth, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.

Dr Sydney Vanderpuye, Director of Finance and Accounting at EBEID, made the announcement during his keynote address at the Africa Prosperity Network Dialogue (APD) 2026 in Accra on Wednesday, 4th February.

APD 2026, being held under the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women and Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade,” brings together African leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and innovators to explore strategies for deepening intra-African trade and fostering inclusive economic development.

COWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBEID)

Speaking to an audience of government officials, business leaders, innovators, and development experts, Dr Vanderpuye emphasized the critical role of access to finance in unlocking Africa’s entrepreneurial potential. “Bridging the finance gap is no longer a peripheral issue. It is central to Africa’s growth story, job creation, and social stability across our sub-regions,” he said.

Under its 2026–2030 strategic plan, EBEID will allocate a minimum of 25% of its resources to social sector interventions, targeting women-led businesses and youth-driven startups as key beneficiaries. The plan also earmarks at least 22% of new financial commitments for SMEs to support their growth and integration into Africa’s single market.

Dr Vanderpuye described the dialogues not merely as a conference, but as a “working space” to align policy, capital, and capacity around bankable solutions.

He called for a collective approach to empowering SMEs, women, and youth, stressing that such ambitions cannot be achieved by any single institution or government alone.

He further highlighted the importance of designing financial instruments that reduce risks for SMEs, expand credit guarantees, and mobilize large-scale finance. He pledged the bank’s commitment to working with governments, fellow development finance institutions, commercial banks, and private investors to translate policy into impactful projects.

“These dialogues enable practical outcomes for SMEs, women, and youth who are building Africa’s single market from the ground up,” Dr. Vanderpuye said adding “We are committed to moving from aspirations to implementation, from vision statements to transaction pipelines that transform lives and economies across the continent.”

Lassa Fever Kills Doctor, Three Others In Plateau

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admin
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Lassa Fever

Lassa Fever has claimed the life of a senior medical doctor at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) in Jos, Plateau State.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever to Channels Television on Wednesday.

Baamlong stated that three other victims succumbed to the disease, saying the state recorded three laboratory-confirmed cases .

According to him, emergency response measures have been activated to contain the spread of the viral disease and protect residents.

The deceased doctor, a senior staff member of BUTH, reportedly contracted the virus after performing a caesarean section on an infected patient, underscoring the risks faced by frontline health workers.

BUTH is one of the designated treatment centres for Lassa fever in the state.

Baamlong further noted that the state government had intensified surveillance and response activities following laboratory confirmation of the cases.

“Plateau State has recorded confirmed cases of Lassa fever. So far, we have eight laboratory-confirmed cases and three deaths.

“The state government has activated all necessary response mechanisms to contain the outbreak,” Baamlong said.

He added that contact tracing, active surveillance, and public health interventions were ongoing across affected communities and health facilities.

The Chief Medical Director of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Stephen Anzaku, expressed deep regret over the death of the doctor, describing it as a painful loss to the medical community.

Credit: channelstv.com

INEC registers two new political parties, DLA, NDC

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admin
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INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan

As preparations intensify for the 2027 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has widened Nigeria’s political space with the approval of two additional parties, the Democratic Leadership Alliance, DLA, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

However, the Commission expressed concern over the continued registration and retention of political parties plagued by recurring leadership conflicts, warning that persistent internal crises pose a danger to constitutional order.

Addressing stakeholders on Thursday during INEC’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties, the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, formally announced the recognition of the two parties, increasing the total number of registered political parties in the country to 21.

INEC explained that the DLA successfully scaled a stringent verification process, while the NDC gained registration following compliance with a directive from the Federal High Court.

Despite welcoming the new parties, Prof Amupitan voiced strong displeasure over what he described as the rising wave of internal wrangling within several political platforms.

He said, “Our collective commitment to the integrity of the electoral process is being challenged by the unfortunate and increasingly frequent leadership crises within political parties.”

According to him, such disputes often end up in court, placing unnecessary pressure on the judiciary and drawing INEC away from its statutory responsibilities.

“These disputes often spill into needless litigations that tax the judicial system and divert the Commission from its core mandate,” he added.

The INEC boss noted that the Commission is frequently dragged into party feuds, a development he said hampers effective voter mobilisation.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Nnamdi Kanu appeals conviction, faults trial

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admin
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Nnamdi Kanu

The convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, challenging his conviction and multiple sentences imposed by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu is insisting that his trial was riddled with fundamental legal errors and amounted to a miscarriage of justice.

In the notice of appeal dated February 4, 2026, Kanu said he was appealing against his conviction and sentences on seven counts, including terrorism-related offences, for which he received five life sentences and additional prison terms after being found guilty on November 20, 2025.

In his grounds of appeal, the IPOB leader accused the trial court of failing to resolve what he described as a “foundational disruption of the original trial process” following the 2017 military operation at his Afara-Ukwu residence.

He also contended that the court proceeded with the trial and delivered judgment while his preliminary objection challenging the competence of the proceedings remained unresolved.

Kanu further faulted the court for delivering judgment while his bail application was still pending, arguing that this affected the fairness of the trial process.

He claimed that the trial court convicted him under a law that had already been repealed, stating that “the learned trial judge erred in law by convicting and sentencing the appellant under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, notwithstanding its repeal by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, prior to judgment.”

Kanu also argued that he was subjected to double jeopardy, contrary to Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution, after being retried on facts he said had earlier been nullified by the Court of Appeal.

Credit: channelstv.com

Dozens of Muslims ‘massacred’ for refusing to join jihadists, says Kwara Governor

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admin
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The attackers burned down shops and homes during the raid on Woro

Dozens of people have been killed in a ferocious shooting attack on two villages in Nigeria’s western state of Kwara after they refused to “surrender to extremists who preached a strange doctrine”, according to the state’s governor.

Governor Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq said on X that “75 local Muslims were massacred” in Tuesday’s raid, while a state lawmaker told the BBC that 78 people had been buried so far and the death toll could rise to an estimated 170 as more corpses were being recovered.

Blaming Islamist militant group Boko Haram for the killings, President Bola Tinubu deployed an army battalion to the affected area.

The assault was one of several across Nigeria in the last few days.

In addition to the killings in the villages of Woro and Nuku, 38 people were abducted while others fled and shops and homes were set alight, said Saidu Baba Ahmed, a member of the Kwara state house of assembly.

Among the dead were two sons of the local traditional leader, who also had family members kidnapped, according to local resident Abdulla Umar Usman.

The attack began after 17:00 local time and last three to four hours, he told the BBC.

Ahmed said that Boko Haram activity had been gradually increasing in the area, saying the attack was triggered by the community’s rejection of a strict interpretation of Islam.

He explained that the Islamist group had written to the community about their arrival, saying they wanted to preach, but residents resisted and deployed local security forces.

Details about the exact number of people who died in the remote area are hard to confirm.

A Red Cross official in Kwara, Babaomo Ayodeji, told AFP that “reports said that the death toll now stands at 162, as the search for more bodies continues”.

Credit: bbc.com

Fidelity Bank supports Ashanti GJA

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Mr. Opuni (2nd right) presenting the cheque to Adu Domfe while Secretary Beatrice Spio-Garbrah ( left) looks on

Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited has committed an amount of GH¢50,000 in aid of the proposed Ashanti Press Centre in Kumasi.

Mr. Julian Opuni, Managing Director of the Bank presented a dummy cheque to the chairman of the GJA Ashanti, Mr. Kofi Adu Domfe at a forum organised by the Bank to educate journalists on Banking Sector in Ghana.

It follows a request by the previous executives of the Ashanti GJA, led by Mr. Kingsley E. Hope.

Mr. Julian Opuni hoped the gesture would help cement the partnership of the Bank with the media and further enhance the understanding of the Banking sector by journalists.

The GJA Chairman thanked Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited for the timely donation and pledged that it would be put to good use.

 

 

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Ghana implements biometric tracking to strengthen border control

By
JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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Ghana has rolled out a biometric tracking system to enhance border security and facilitate legitimate trade. The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, announced this at the second day of African Prosperity Dialogue 2026.

Delivering his keynote address at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Thursday, February 5, 2026 Muntaka highlighted the need for a modern, intelligence-driven approach to border management, to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Without security, trade cannot flourish and without orderly mobility, integration cannot succeed,” he said, emphasising that Africa’s borders must act as bridges for prosperity rather than barriers.
The Interior Minister explained that Ghana, with 48 legitimate border crossing points and over 250 unapproved ones, faces significant security challenges, including trafficking, terrorism and illicit flows.

To tackle these risks while enabling free movement, the government has introduced a biometric system that tracks passengers entering the country.
Since November 2025, the system has allowed authorities to know who is boarding flights and their seating arrangements before takeoff.

Plans are underway to integrate this technology across land, sea, and other crossing points, ensuring that border enforcement is targeted and intelligence-led, rather than broad and indiscriminate.
The Minister for the Interior stressed that small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those led by women and youth, face delays and harassment at borders.

Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak noted that non-tariff barriers, excessive documentation, and fragmented enforcement undermine the objectives of AfCFTA.
To address these issues, the Interior Ministry is working closely with the Trade Ministry, customs and security agencies to reduce friction for traders through transparent procedures, grievance mechanisms and regional cooperation.

“Regional cooperation, such as harmonized protocols and one-stop border posts, has already shown promise in reducing delays and corruption,” he said, highlighting the importance of joint operations and intelligence sharing across countries.
The Minister further called for the implementation of a continental biometric identity system under the African Union, linking national digital IDs to continental standards.

Such a system would enable real-time traceability, risk profiling, efficient processing and facilitating legitimate movement while enhancing security.

“A borderless Africa does not mean borderless security; it means smart borders,” Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak said, adding that mobility must be intelligent, accountable and technology-driven.

 

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

Edem’s ‘Over Again’ resurfaces 12 years on, dominates charts 

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Edem

Twelve years after it first swept across Ghana’s airwaves, Edem’s classic hit Over Again has staged an extraordinary comeback, re-emerging as one of the most dominant songs in the country and capturing the attention of a new generation of listeners.

Originally released over a decade ago, the record has returned to national prominence, not on the strength of nostalgia alone, but through renewed relevance in today’s digital music ecosystem. Over Again is currently charting in the Top 100 on Spotify, while also recording strong performances across other major streaming platforms.

The resurgence has been driven largely by social media, where the song has gone viral on TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. Gen Z creators and millennials are using the track to soundtrack emotionally driven content, ranging from short skits to deeply personal storytelling videos. As a result, the song has become a cultural reference point for themes of love, betrayal, heartbreak and emotional resilience.

The trend has grown so significant that top tier influencers and several high profile digital creators have joined in, using Over Again as background music for their videos and further amplifying its reach across the country.

Speaking on the song’s resurgence, Edem expressed excitement about its renewed impact.

“When I created Over Again, I knew the impact it had. I knew how strong the song was back then,” he said. “Seeing it connect again after all these years, especially with a new generation, is very exciting.”

The rapper encouraged his fan base, popularly known as the Go Getters, to continue engaging with the song and sharing their personal stories through it.

At the core of Over Again is a storyline that remains strikingly relatable. The song explores betrayal among friends, romantic relationships disrupted by close acquaintances and the emotional aftermath of loving and losing. These themes have resonated strongly with audiences, many of whom say the narrative still mirrors real life experiences today.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

I fled to Nigeria without a passport to fund my music –Rex Omar

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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0
Rex Omar

Rex Owusu Marfo, popularly known as Rex Omar, a presidential staffer for the Black Star Experience, has revealed that he once ran to Nigeria without a passport in search of money to support his music career.

Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Time in an interview with George Quaye, the veteran musician said his passion for music drove him to take bold risks at a young age. “I have spent 45 years in the music industry. I started music at age 17 and released my first album at 19,” he said.

Rex Omar disclosed that he first ran away to Nigeria at age 15 after completing middle school, determined to raise money to record music. “When I was 15, I ran to Nigeria to look for money to go to the studio. I ran away from the house,” he said.

He explained that his father, a medical doctor, wanted him to become a lawyer, a path he resisted despite receiving a scholarship to attend secondary school. “To escape that, I deliberately did not go to secondary school because I knew I would be pushed to study law at the university,” he said.

According to Rex Omar, his confidence and ambition ultimately shaped his decisions. “When I completed Form Four, I ran away to Nigeria without a passport, using the money my father used to give me for upkeep. I was an ambitious person determined to do music,” he concluded.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

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