Nation
THE STATES
Benue
A 37-year-old man, Philemon Kwaghkondo, was arraigned
before an Upper Area Court 2, Makurdi, for allegedly blocking the entrance and preventing customers from entering a bank. Kwaghkondo is charged with wrongful restraint.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Omaye Ujata, told the court that Alhaji Garba Adamu, Managing Director, Algreb Mirco-Finance Bank, Makurdi, reported the case at ‘B’ Division police station, Makurdi.
Ujata said that the accused used a mattress to block the entrance of the bank, thus making it inaccessible to members of staff and customers adding that the accused admitted to committing the offence.
The prosecution said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 254 of the Penal Code. After the charges were read to the accused, the accused pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, granted the accused to bail in the sum of N10,000 with one surety in like sum.
Mohammed adjourned the case until June 3, for hearing.
FCT
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar,
has ordered Commissioners of Police to immediately carry out a nationwide security audit and threat analysis of boarding schools.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, said the measure was part of a proactive effort to bolster security network in the schools.
“The outcome of this exercise will greatly assist police authorities and other security agencies in the task of designing security strategies that will help in promoting safety and security in schools. “It is equally expected that the result of the consultations, threat analysis and the attendant security awareness campaigns will help in reducing the vulnerability of the schools and strengthen an otherwise soft terror target,’’ it said.
The I-G advised the commissioners to collaborate with other security agencies, the Ministry of Education in the various states, as well as the management and staff of the schools and urged commissioners to work with the Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs), the host communities and other stakeholders so as to obtain the most reliable intelligence.
Kano
The Kano State Police Command said it arrested two sus
pects over alleged security breaches in the state.
The command spokesman, ASP Magaji Majia, said in Kano that “two persons were arrested at the New Road Motor Park this morning and brought to headquarters for further investigations’’.
“The commissioner of police has directed the CID department to investigate, thereafter he (the commissioner) will brief the press,” he said.
There was a bomb attack on Sunday night in which five persons died while an explosives laden car was demobilised in Kano on Monday.
Majia said the suspects were arrested, to avert further security breach, adding that “no information yet to link the suspects to the bombings until investigation is completed”.
Kaduna
Kaduna State Government said it would collaborate with
retired military officers to address the prevailing security challenges in the state.
Gov. Mukhtar Yero said this when Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association of Nigeria (RANAO) led by its President, Maj. Gen. Rabiu Aliyu (rtd) paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna.
The governor, directed the coordinator of the state security outfit, Operation Yaki, to discuss further with the association on strategies to tackle the prevailing insecurity in the state.
Earlier, the President of the association, Maj. Gen. Rabiu Aliyu (rtd) said that members were ready to use their wealth of knowledge and experience to assist the government in tackling security challenges in the state.
Kwara
Workers at the three Kwara State owned Colleges of Edu
cation last Tuesday suspended their six-week industrial action called by Committee of Unions of Tertiary Institutions (CUTI).
CUTI Chairman, Malam Shehu Sanni, announced the suspension of the strike in Ilorin at the end of the congress of the union held at the College of Education, Ilorin.
He said the strike was suspended for three weeks to allow for negotiations between the union and the state government, and directed all members of the three unions under CUTI to return to work immediately.
Sanni said members of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) met to take the decision.
The CUTI chairman said the union decided to suspend the six-week strike due to the intervention of Senator Bukola Saraki and Global Peace Movement.
Ogun
An Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, re
manded three union officials in prison custody at the Abeokuta Prisons, Ibara, for allegedly stealing money belonging to two organisations.
The organisations are: the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Ojere, Abeokuta.
The accused, Odeogbola James, 55; Egbewunmi Olalekan, 44, and Taiwo Oladipupo, 38, are being tried for stealing, conspiracy and concealing relevant documents relating to the disbursement of funds, property of FCMB and NASU.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Banji Sangotokun, had told the court that the accused persons, whose addresses were unknown, committed the offences between 2008 and 2011 at MAPOLY.
He said the accused persons were holding major positions in the union as the President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the NASU at MAPOLY.
Osun
The Osun House of Assembly has appealed to the Joint
Negotiation Council (JNC) of the non-academic staff union of state-owned tertiary institutions to call off its three- month-old strike.
The House made the appeal at a joint meeting of JNC, Head of Service and the Commissioner of Finance, Mr Akintunde Adegboye, in Osogbo.
Members of non-academic staff union of the institutions embarked on strike on March 11 over non-remittance of their contributory pension funds and poor condition of service, among others.
Addressing the meeting, the Speaker of the House, Mr Najeem Salaam, said the House would do everything within its power to address the union’s demands and assured that the House would consider the inclusion of the union in the new 65 year retirement age demanded by them.
Earlier, Mr Olusoji Fasipe, JNC chairman, said government had not been remitting their pension deduction into the appropriate quarters in the last nine months.
Oyo
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations En
forcement Agency (NESREA) says it will collaborate with the town planning authorities to stop the location of industrial and residential property in the same area.
South West Zonal Director of the agency, Mr Olufunbi Sode, who said this in an interview in Ibadan last Tuesday stated that to ensure a clean and healthier environment, the problem of locating industries in residential areas and vice versa must be resolved.
“It is important to ensure that areas designated for industries are solely used for industrial development and not to have residential buildings mixed up with industries.”We must stop the problem of having residents living close to industries, thereby keeping people away from industrial pollution. This should stop,” he said.
“We must establish working relationship with government establishments at the federal, state and local levels and in this instance, town planning authorities are paramount. “We have had occasions of working together with them in the past and only last year, we were able to sensitise them on this particular issue,” he added.
Lagos
The National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA) has recov
ered the body of the victim of the boat mishap that occurred at Bonny Camp in Victoria Island, Lagos on May 18.
Eight of the nine people on board the boat were rescued alive while one of the passengers, a woman could not be accounted for.
The Head of the Marine Department of NIWA, Mrs Sarat Suleiman, said the body of the woman was recovered at around mid day on Tuesday.
Recounting the mishap, Suleiman said that a heavy wind blew against the boat and the operator could not control the situation.
She commended the Association of Tourist Boat Operators, Water Transporters of Nigeria and fishermen for rising up to the challenge before the arrival of NIWA rescue team and urged boat operators and passengers to desist from night trips to save their lives.
Also speaking, Mr Olayinka Marinho, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, said that the authority had warned passengers and operators against travelling at night.
Marinho decried the failure of passengers and operators to heed warning on their safety, adding that any person who disregarded the law did so at his or her own risk.
Plateau
A former aviation minister, Chief Felix Hyat, has advised
northern governors to relate more with security agencies rather than hurling blames in the quest to tackle insurgency.
The former minister, who was also Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during the Ahmed Makarfi administration in Kaduna State urged governors and other leaders to be proactive and should quickly resolve issues as they arose rather than taking them for granted.
The former minister said Nigerians must be educated to accept one another, adding that they must realise that they cannot live in isolation.
“Even if we decide to be that foolish, we shall have denominational differences staring us in the face,” he said.
On the allegations that insurgency was politically motivated, Hyat described such claims as “myopic.”
L-Rt: U.S. Undersecretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Prof. Ade Adefuye, during the visit of the U. S. Under Secretary to Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, recently.
Nation
Zabbey Emerges Social Impact Man Of The Year 2025 …Reaffirms Commitment To Ogoni Transformation
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
Nation
Rivers State Judiciary Counters NBA National Position over Contempt Ruling, Says Judge Acted Within the Law
The Rivers State Judiciary has faulted the Nigerian Bar Association National over its March 26, 2026 press release condemning the jailing of a lawyer for contempt, insisting the trial judge acted lawfully to protect the court’s integrity.
In a rejoinder issued by Chief Registrar High Court,David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the judiciary said it was necessary to “set the records straight” following reactions to the NBA’s statement on the contempt conviction of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin.
Titled: “JUDGES MUST NOT BULLY LAWYERS OR
ABUSE POWER TO PUNISH FOR CONTEMPT AS A TOOL
FOR INTIMIDATION OF LAWYERS”
RE: IN THE MATTER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT BY MRS.
LOVINAH UGBANA BENJAMIN
IN SUIT NO.
PHC/301/2016 CORAM C. NWOGU J., OF THE HIGH
COURT OF RIVERS STATE.
The state judiciary explained that case in question is Suit No. PHC/301/2016 before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the Rivers State High Court, where Mrs. Benjamin served as defence counsel.
The statement read thus
“We are compelled to make this rejoinder regarding the
incident of the conviction for contempt and subsequent
unconditional discharge of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin,
Learned Counsel for the Defendants in the above suit by Hon.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu of the High Court of Rivers State in
order to set the records straight, and not allow the
misinformation, misconception and reactions arising from the
NBA National Press Release in the matter to fester as reality or
truth.”
In the suit under reference wherein the said Learned
Counsel appeared for the Defendants, the Learned Counsel
attempted to mislead the Court by her signed and filed final
written address, by knowingly and falsely presenting non-
existent facts and evidence of a witness. When confronted by the
Court, she admitted that what she stated in her final written
the address was not true and she was unapologetic.”
“The to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Court, which the
said Learned Counsel treated with clear and brazen contempt, the
Court after following due process, convicted her for contempt and
sentenced her to prison for 3 days only, instead of the 3 months
statutory term due to passionate plea from the Bar.”
“According to the statement the suggestion of the NBA National in paragraph 10 of the
Press Release under reference that “where a court considers
counsel’s conduct improper, the proper course is to invoke
recognised disciplinary mechanisms, including referring
counsel to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
(LPDC), rather than resorting to summary punitive measures”,
is not an invariable rule because the act of the Defence Counsel
constitutes contempt in facie curiae which the Court can punish
instantly, hence the action of the Judge is not an abuse of power
or an act of intimidation.”
“Nevertheless, due to the numerous calls from respected
members of the Bar to the offices of the Chief Registrar and the
Honourable Chief Judge for the release of the said Learned
Counsel, and the intervention of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
delegation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke to the Judge.
in his Chambers in the morning of 26/03/2026 where the
delegation upon learning the true facts of the incident, apologised
and pleaded for the release of the said Learned Counsel.
“The Judge
having accepted the apology signed a production warrant and
upon her production in court and oral application by Mrs. Cordelia
U. Eke, discharged her unconditionally that same morning.”
The statement further stated that It is therefore shocking to read later that day the NBA
National Press Release signed by its President and Secretary, Mazi
Afam Joseph Osigwe (SAN) and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara respectively,
fiercely threatening and hastily advocated the following ultimata and
the immediate release of the affected
Counsel.
:That the Hon. Chief Judge of Rivers State
immediately investigate the circumstances
surrounding this incident and take
appropriate administrative action.
That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken
by the National Judicial Council, where
necessary.
That the remand of Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana
Benjamin under the circumstances be
condemned and set aside”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and
its environs and all legal practitioners
boycott the proceedings before the Court of
Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of 7 days if
Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin is not
released within 24 hours.
“It seems to us that it is either the NBA Port Harcourt Branch
leadership did not relate the true position to the NBA National or
if they did, the NBA National decided to speak daggers, not peace
to impugn the Judge as a villain.
“We find the position of the NBA National on this subject very
offensive and embarrassingly raising a feeling of acrimony against
the Judge in particular, and the High Court bench of Rivers State
in general. We categorically state that the Hon. Justice Chinwendu
Nwogu is one of our respected and respectful Judges with
unblemished integrity.
We view this Press Release as an isolated departure from the
enterprising and amiable leadership of the NBA National,
especially its President, whom we hold in high esteem and
admiration.”
“Whilst we appreciate the concern of the NBA National in
bringing attention to the event of 25th March 2026, we assure that
the Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners
in the administration of justice.
“We firmly restate that the Bench in Rivers State holds the Bar
in high esteem and this event would not disrupt the cordial
relationship between the Bench and the Bar.”