Ebonyi moves to cap estate agents’ fees, regulate house rent

The Ebonyi State Government has unveiled a sweeping package of reforms aimed at making housing more affordable, strengthening public safety, reviving industrial production and accelerating infrastructure development across the state.

At its latest Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held at the Government House in Abakaliki, the council approved the transmission of executive bills to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly seeking to regulate house rent, cap estate agents’ fees, control the activities of scrap dealers, and provide a legal framework for other strategic development initiatives.

The decisions form part of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration’s broader agenda to improve the ease of doing business, protect residents from exploitation and attract new investments into the state.

One of the major highlights of the EXCO meeting is the proposed Landlord and Tenant Bill, which seeks to protect tenants from excessive charges often imposed during the process of renting residential and commercial properties.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Chief Ikeuwah Omebeh, said the proposed legislation would legally limit estate agents’ commissions to a maximum of two per cent of the total rent paid by tenants.

He explained that only registered and qualified estate practitioners would be permitted to operate in Ebonyi once the bill becomes law, a move expected to eliminate unlicensed agents and reduce exploitative practices in the state’s housing sector.

According to the commissioner, many residents have repeatedly complained about multiple charges—including agency, legal and agreement fees—that significantly increase the cost of renting accommodation.

“The Executive Council approved the transmission of the bill to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly for proper legislation,” Omebeh said.

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The government believes the proposed law will improve transparency in tenancy agreements, promote professionalism within the real estate sector and make housing more affordable for residents.

The Executive Council also approved another executive bill to regulate the purchase, sale, transportation, possession and disposal of metal and electrical scraps throughout Ebonyi State.

The proposed legislation is intended to tackle the growing problem of vandalism affecting electricity infrastructure, public facilities and government assets.

If passed into law, the bill will establish stricter monitoring mechanisms for scrap dealers, improve public safety and ensure that legitimate operators comply with established standards.

Government officials say tighter regulation of the scrap business will also support environmental protection and reduce the illegal trade in stolen public property.

As part of efforts to promote indigenous healthcare and medical research, EXCO approved the establishment of Herbal Heritage Gardens in the state’s three senatorial districts.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Natural Resources.

According to Omebeh, the initiative aims to preserve medicinal plants, encourage scientific research into traditional medicine and create opportunities for commercial production of certified herbal products.

The state government will immediately begin consultations with stakeholders, identify suitable sites and develop regulatory guidelines in partnership with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and relevant research institutions.

Within the next 90 days, a supplementary memorandum will be presented to provide legal backing for the standardisation of herbal medicine, protection of intellectual property rights and integration of traditional medicine into primary healthcare delivery.

The Executive Council also directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to commence legal proceedings for the termination of all abandoned 2-kilometre road contracts across the state.

The decision followed an assessment of ongoing infrastructure projects, which identified several abandoned contracts delaying development in various communities.

To ensure timely completion of the affected roads, EXCO constituted monitoring committees in all 13 local government areas.

The committees have been mandated to ensure the projects are completed before September 2026.

The Commissioner for Special Projects, Dr Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, has also been instructed to prepare a comprehensive inventory of all abandoned road projects for immediate government intervention.

In a significant boost to the state’s industrialisation drive, the Executive Council approved plans for the design, construction and operation of a 6,000-tonnes-per-day cement plant at the Nkalagu Cement Industry.

The project will be executed in partnership with Jiangsu Pengfei Group Ltd, an international engineering company with extensive experience in cement manufacturing plants.

The revival of the historic Nkalagu Cement Industry is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, attract fresh investments, increase internally generated revenue and position Ebonyi as one of Nigeria’s major cement-producing states.

The government described the project as a strategic investment that will stimulate economic growth, strengthen local manufacturing and support Nigeria’s expanding construction industry.

Officials said the latest decisions reflect the state government’s commitment to protecting consumers, improving infrastructure, strengthening public institutions and creating an enabling environment for investment.

The administration expressed confidence that the proposed reforms would improve the quality of life for residents, restore investor confidence and accelerate sustainable economic development across Ebonyi State once the bills receive legislative approval.

Ebonyi moves to cap estate agents’ fees, regulate house rent

INEC recruitment 2026: How to apply as commission opens portal for nationwide jobs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially commenced its 2026 recruitment exercise, inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for permanent entry-level positions across various departments as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s electoral system ahead of future elections.

The electoral umpire announced that its online recruitment portal opened on Monday, July 20, 2026, and will remain accessible until Monday, July 27, 2026. The commission urged interested applicants to complete their registration before the deadline, stressing that late submissions will not be considered.

According to INEC, the recruitment exercise is designed to boost its workforce in critical areas including electoral administration, voter registration, election logistics, information and communication technology (ICT), data management, engineering, legal services, finance and healthcare. The commission said the exercise forms part of its commitment to improving operational efficiency and delivering credible elections across Nigeria.

The commission emphasized that the recruitment process is completely free of charge and warned Nigerians against fraudsters posing as recruitment agents or promising employment in exchange for money. It reiterated that no individual, group or organization has been authorized to collect payment or influence the recruitment process.

Applicants are advised to submit their applications only through the official INEC recruitment portal, where they are required to create an account using a valid email address and their National Identification Number (NIN) before completing the online application form.

Vacancies available

The commission said recruitment is being conducted under three major cadres.

The Professional Cadre, covering Grade Levels 09, 10 and 12, includes vacancies for Accountants, Lawyers, ICT Officers, Engineers, Clinical Officers and Quantity Surveyors.

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Candidates applying for these positions must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution. Depending on the position, applicants are also expected to possess relevant professional certifications such as ICAN, ANAN, NBA, COREN, NSE, NIQS or CPN, alongside a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience and an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.

For the position of Administrative Officer II (Registration Area Officer) on Grade Level 08, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences, Humanities or Sciences. They must also demonstrate proficiency in computer applications, records management and data administration.

The commission is also recruiting Executive Officers (Registration Officers) on Grade Level 07. Applicants for this category are required to possess a National Certificate in Education (NCE) or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, in addition to strong communication, organizational and computer skills.

General eligibility requirements

To qualify for the INEC recruitment 2026 exercise, applicants must:

• Be Nigerian citizens.
• Not be more than 35 years old at the time of application.
• Possess a valid certificate of state of origin signed by the chairman or secretary of their Local Government Area.
• Be medically certified as physically and mentally fit by a government medical officer.
• Have no criminal record or conviction.
• Be willing to work in any part of Nigeria.
• Demonstrate integrity, discipline and commitment to public service.

Documents required

Applicants are expected to upload the following documents during registration:

• Recent passport photograph.
• Birth certificate or declaration of age.
• O’Level certificate.
• Degree, HND or NCE certificate, where applicable.
• NYSC discharge, exemption or exclusion certificate.
• Local Government Area identification certificate.
• Relevant professional certificates for specialized positions.

INEC advised candidates to ensure that all documents uploaded are genuine and legible, warning that false declarations or forged credentials will lead to immediate disqualification and possible prosecution.

How to apply for INEC recruitment 2026

Interested candidates should visit the official INEC recruitment portal, create an applicant account using their personal information, email address and National Identification Number (NIN), verify their email and proceed to complete the online application.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully select their preferred cadre before submitting the application because the commission said submitted applications cannot be edited or transferred to another vacancy.

INEC also clarified that applications submitted through email, third-party websites or recruitment agents will not be accepted. Only applications completed through the commission’s official recruitment portal will be processed.

The commission added that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment exercise, which may include document verification, aptitude tests, interviews and other assessment procedures before final appointments are made.

With preparations gradually gathering pace for the 2027 General Election, the recruitment exercise is expected to enhance INEC’s institutional capacity and improve the delivery of electoral services across the federation.

INEC recruitment 2026: How to apply as commission opens portal for nationwide jobs

Abacha Died of Cardiac Arrest During Intercourse, Not Poisoning — Ex-DSS Chief

Former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has provided a fresh account of the death of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, claiming the late military ruler died from a cardiac arrest during an intimate encounter at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Amachree made the revelation in his newly released memoir, DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield, offering what he described as the true account of the circumstances surrounding Abacha’s controversial death on June 8, 1998.

Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from November 1993 until his death in office, has remained one of the country’s most controversial leaders, with his demise giving rise to numerous conspiracy theories over the years.

According to excerpts of the book published by The Nation, Amachree, who was serving as Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos DSS Command at the time, said Abacha died at about 4:05 a.m. while in the company of a female pharmacist at the Aso Rock Guest House.

He explained that the woman had accompanied her elder sister, described as Abacha’s girlfriend, to the Presidential Villa after the Head of State reportedly purchased a new SUV for the elder sister.

Amachree said the elder sister later returned to her hotel, leaving the pharmacist alone with Abacha.

He wrote that shortly after they became intimate, the woman noticed that the military ruler had suddenly become motionless and unresponsive.

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According to him, the pharmacist checked Abacha’s pulse but found none before hurriedly dressing up and requesting a vehicle back to her hotel.

“The soldier on duty, unaware of what had happened, arranged transportation for her,” Amachree wrote.

He added that after informing her elder sister about the incident, the pharmacist was immediately taken to the Abuja airport, where she boarded a 7:00 a.m. Okada Air flight to Lagos.

Amachree disclosed that Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, was informed of the president’s condition around 5:00 a.m. and immediately sought to locate the woman who had been with him.

However, by the time security operatives arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the pharmacist had already departed for Lagos.

The retired DSS officer said he later received instructions from the DSS headquarters in Abuja to locate and interrogate the woman in Lagos.

According to him, she was traced to Ogudu and brought to his office for questioning.

Amachree recalled that her first words during the interrogation were: “I did not kill him, he died on top of me.”

He said after obtaining her detailed statement, he contacted the DSS headquarters, after which the woman was flown back to Abuja.

The former intelligence officer maintained that the pharmacist’s account supports the conclusion that Abacha suffered a coitus-induced cardiac arrest.

He argued that the testimony dismisses several longstanding claims surrounding the former military ruler’s death, including allegations that he was poisoned with an apple or died after being entertained by foreign women.

Amachree insisted that the account presented in his book reflects the actual events and should put to rest decades of speculation over Abacha’s final moments.

General Sani Abacha died on June 8, 1998, after nearly five years in power. His death came less than a month before the death of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, who died in detention while under the Abacha regime.

Abacha Died of Cardiac Arrest During Intercourse, Not Poisoning — Ex-DSS Chief