Nation
THE STATES
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State addresing traders during his visit to Aleshioloye Market which got burnt in Ibadan
Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court has dissolved an 8-
year-old marriage between Mr Victor Ilesanmi and his wife, Omobola.
Ilesanmi, 38, had accused Omobola of threatening his life, lack of respect and failed to take care of their only child.
He also told the court that his wife was responsible for the frequent quarrels in the family.
Omobola, 35, however, denied the allegations, saying that she was giving her husband all the necessary attentions and respect .
She accused her husband of failing to take care of her when she put to bed, adding that her parents catered for her and the child.
FCT
The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development said
on Friday that the Federal Government had trained more than 3,000 artisanal and small scale miners on mining techniques and mineral processing.
Mr Patrick Ojeka, the Acting Director, Artisanal and Small Miners Department in the ministry, said this in Abuja during an interview with newsmen.
Ojeka said the training was conducted through the ministry’s extension service training programme which started in 2011.
According to him, the training is aimed of ensuring safety during mining in the country.
“More than 300 mining cooperatives have benefited from the extension service. Each cooperative had a minimum of 10 members while some had up to 100 members,’’ he said.
Gombe
The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)
in Gombe State, Dr Adamu Bojude, has called on voluntary organisations to assist the doctors in rendering medical service to patients.
Bojude made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gombe recently.
He said that in spite of the strike by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), doctors had been rendering skeletal service to patients.
The NMA chairman said the doctors could not manage situation alone, adding that it was only the Red Cross that had been assisting them in the hospitals.
He said the number of volunteers was limited, and called on other voluntary organisations to emulate the Red Cross.
Bojude added that doctors could only render service to out-patients at units like the Accident and Emergency units.
Kano
The police have arraigned a 33-year-old man, Idris
Dayyabu, in a Magistrates’ Court in No Man’s Land in Kano, charged with receiving three stolen motorcycles.
The accused, a resident of Brigade Quarters, is facing a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the case was reported at Brigade Police Division by one Ibrahim Haruna and Lawal Musa on March 24.
The complainants reported that Dayyabu of Brigade Quarters dishonestly received three motorcycles, which were stolen from them.
The report added that the motorcycles, with registration numbers; XQ96BUK, XB25DAL, XU53GKU valued at N130,000, N120,000 and N90,000 respectively, were altogether valued at N340,000.
Katsina
The Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji
Mannir Talba, said that the state government would partner with Wacot Ltd, an agriculture inputs company, on healthcare delivery to rural communities.
Talba made this known in Faskari at the inauguration of Mairuwa Primary Health Centre, which was renovated and furnished by Wacot Ltd .
The commissioner, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Muhammad Qabasiyyu, commended Wacot Ltd on the initiative, geared toward enhancing public health.
He urged other profit making institutions to emulate the company and enjoined the people of the area to patronise the facility to cater for their basic health needs.
Kwara
A PDP governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Mr
Jani Ibrahim, has described Sen. Sule Ajibola’s victory in the primary election as a victory for democracy in the state.
Ibrahim said this in a congratulatory message to Ajibola in the aftermath of the just-concluded PDP governorship primaries..
According to Ibrahim, “this is a hard-won victory; it is victory for democracy, due process and transparency. It is also victory for all of us who cherish freedom of choice’’.
“On behalf of my family and the Jani Ibrahim Campaign Organisation, I warmly congratulate my brother, Sen. Simeon Ajibola, on his emergence as the flag-bearer of our great party for the 2015 governorship election,” he added.
Kogi
Ademu Halidu, the Kogi State Secretary of All Farm
ers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has said that the fish production level in the state was very low.
Halidu, who is also the Leader of AFAN in Benue and Kogi States, told newsmen in Lokoja that there was a high demand for fish products in the state.
He said that there were factors and challenges limiting the level of production of the fish farms in the state.
According to him, the chemicals needed to treat the ponds are expensive and not readily available, adding that the fish feeds are also very costly.
He noted that the fish farmers were not adequately trained on the methods of application, preservation and fish feeding, in order to get high yields.
“Fish farmers have not been able to receive adequate training on how to manage and run fish farming.
Lagos
A defendant, Okwumo Nwabufor, has told an Igbosere
High Court, Lagos that he never ordered the purchase of the drug, Ryhophnol, that was used to drug the late Cynthia Osokogwu
Nwabufor, 34, spoke while being cross-examined by Mr Chris Obiaka, the counsel to the third defendant in the case, Orji Osita.
“I never asked the third defendant to purchase any drug for me neither did I purchase any drug,’ ’ he said.
Nwabufor is standing trial before Justice Olabisi Akinlade, alongside Olisa Chidera, 24, Osita, 33 and Ejike Ifechukwu, 25.
The men were accused of the July 22, 2012 murder of their Facebook friend, Miss Cynthia Osokogwu, a businesswoman, at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town, Lagos.
Nwabufor also told the court that he had late Osokogwu’s Blackberry phone in his possession because she gave him the phone to repair and sell for her.
Ondo
The Ore Command of Federal Road Safety Commission
(FRSC) has advised motorists to desist from drinking and driving on the highways during the Yuletide.
Mr Kehinde Dahunsi, Unit Commander, said this in Ore while flagging off FRSC campaign with the theme: “Drive to Save a Life’’.
He said that the majority of the road accidents recorded during festivities was caused by drunk driving.
Dahunsi said that accidents were also caused by human errors and urged motorists to always put on their safety belts and avoid speeding.
The commander advised drivers against overloading and overtaking wrongly.
Osun
President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday urged Vice-Chan
cellors of Nigerian Universities to strengthen the existing internal security network in their institutions.
Jonathan gave the advice at the 40th Convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun.
Represented by Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of State for Education, Jonathan advised the vice-chancellors to be proactive in maintaining law and order.
He also urged the institution to be security-conscious to detect and arrest the activities of insurgent groups in their various campuses.
“You should strengthen the internal governance structures of the institutions and should create new ones if necessary to make them more sensitive and responsible to the needs and demands of staff, students and other stakeholders,’’ he said.
The president, however, called for dialogue between formal and informal groups in order to promote greater flow of information between staff, students and universities authorities.
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.”
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