Nation
THE STATES
Senate President Bukola Saraki (left) welcoming the British High Commissioner, Mr Andrew Pocock who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja last Friday .With them are Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu (2nd left) and Sen. Dino Melaye.
Benue
Some farmers in Benue State have urged the state gov
ernment to establish marketing boards in order to check excesses of middlemen who buy off their farm produce.
They told newsmen in Makurdi that they are suffering in the hands of such middlemen, who offer them peanuts for their produce.
A rice farmer, Mr Bernard Yuhe, said such marketing boards would help curtail the excesses of middlemen who were bent on short-changing farmers.
He noted that the activities of middlemen had discouraged farmers from embarking on large scale farming because they were not getting the desired monetary value for their farm produce.
Mrs Cecilia Atim, a groundnut farmer, said they faced enormous challenges in the hands of middlemen, who buy off their produce to re-sell to major marketers outside the communities.
Borno
The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) said on Thursday that it had commenced distribution of drugs in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri.
The agency said this was part of its efforts to enhance the living conditions of the displaced persons.
The NEMA Information Officer in the North-East, Mallam Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said this in a statement in Maiduguri.
Ibrahim said that the Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar, conducted the distribution of the items in all the 22 IDPs camps in Maiduguri, on behalf of the Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Sidi.
Ibrahim said that NEMA was also collaborating with Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other stakeholders to ensure adequate welfare for IDPs.
FCT
The Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action
(PRAWA), an NGO, has called for proper rehabilitation and empowerment of prison inmates in order to evolve a better and safer society.
The Executive Director of PRAWA, Mrs Uju Agomoh, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Agomoh, who decried prison congestion in Nigeria, stressed the need for the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) to do more in prison de-congestion by rehabilitating inmates in line with international best practice.
She called for the expansion and upgrading of the NPS vocational skills acquisition programme for inmates so as to serve as a source of empowerment for them.
She said apart from the rehabilitation of inmates, there should be adequate focus on training and capacity building for prison officials, police officers and other stakeholders in the criminal justice sector.
Jigawa
The Fulbe-Fulako Association of Nigeria, a Fulani so
cial group, said on Wednesday that it had concluded arrangements to plant 2.5 million neem seedlings to combat desertification in Jigawa.
Alhaji Y’au Muhammad, the National Vice Chairman of the association, made this known while briefing newsmen on the activities of the association in Dutse.
Muhammad said the exercise would be conducted in all nomadic settlements across the 27 local government areas of the state, adding that the initiative was part of the association’s corporate social responsibility in the state.
He said the association would employ casual workers from among nomadic children to be responsible for the growth of the seedlings.
Kaduna
A total of 114 condemned inmates at Kaduna Central
Prison, the Controller, Mr Abubakar Garba, said in Kaduna.
Garba made the disclosure when Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State visited the prison at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The controller said that 11 of the condemned inmates, including a woman, were from Kaduna State.
He, however, appealed to the governor to commute the death sentence of the 11 inmates to life imprisonment in line with section 212 of the Constitution.
The controller expressed concern that over 800 out of the 1,000 inmates were awaiting trial at the prison constructed since 1915 meant for only 547 prisoners.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has said
that the policy thrust of his administration would be centered on community development.
Ambode, represented by his Deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, made this known at the Lagos House, Alausa during a meeting with members of the Neighbourhood Watch and Community Development Committees (CDC) in the state.
He said that his administration would give back government to the communities.
The Governor also appreciated the contributions of the Neighbourhood Watch members to the maintenance of law and order in the communities.
He said that there was need for them to embark on self-appraisal in order to ensure that the members live up to the expectations of the public.
Nasarawa
Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Suleiman Dikko, has
appealed to Governor Umaru Al-Makura to give urgent attention to the welfare of retired judges in the State.
Dikko made the appeal at a Valedictory Special Court Session in honour of retired and late superior judges in the state.
Dikko added that the welfare of judiciary staff would not have been a problem if the judicial arm of the government in the state was given financial autonomy.
He, however, promised to put machinery in place to reposition the judiciary in order to ensure speedy administration of justice in the state.
Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lafia Branch, Mr Gabriel Akaka, prayed for the retirees and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Ondo
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has re
iterated his administration’s commitment to ensure environmental protection and cleanliness in the state.
Mimiko stated this while speaking with newsmen after a road walk to celebrate the World Environment Day (WED) with the state executive members in Akure.
The road walk began from Government House in Alagbaka en route Oba Adesida road and terminated at the Cathedral junction in the state.
The governor said that his administration would ensure that Akure, the Ondo State capital, remained the cleanest city in the country.
He said that the road walk became important to sensitise the people on the need to keep their environment clean and protect it, especially major roads and streets.
Mimiko further commended the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sola Ebiseni, and his team for their commitment to the sustainability of the cleanliness of Akure and other towns in the state.
Oyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
in a combined six hours joint operation has raided and destroyed 24 hectares of cannabis plantation in Oyo state.
The joint operation was conducted by operatives from the NDLEA, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Others were the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the Oyo State Ministries of Natural Resources and Forest Reserve.
The operatives invaded and destroyed the illicit plantation at Seriki Centre of the Gambari Forest Reserve.
The NDLEA’s state Commander, Mrs Faboyede Omolade, described the operation as a major break through which would greatly impact on the fight against drug abuse.
Omolade said: “By June 28, the NDLEA will observe the United Nations Day Against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse.
Plateau
A don of the University of Jos, Prof. Chikaike Ogbonna
of the Department of Community Medicine, University of Jos, has advised poultry farm owners to keep their environments clean to avoid the spread of Zoonotic.
Speaking at the 70th inaugural lecture of the University he said that Zoonoses were age long threats to human existence.
According to him, Zoonotic are diseases that are naturally and primarily transmissible from animal to humans.
The don said human beings who were in contact with animals on a daily basis were prone to the disease.
Ogbonna noted particularly that poultry farms in Nigeria were indiscriminately and widely spread both in rural and urban communities.
He said those engaged in this business have little or no knowledge on skills for bio-safety, saying that this was reason Avian Influenza had become one of the deadliest pandemic in human history.
Taraba
Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Mutum-
Biyu, Taraba State, have called on the Federal and State Government to provide security for them to return home.
Malam Yusuf Akata, the spokesperson of the IDPs, told newsmen in Mutum-Biyu, near Jalingo, that they were tired of staying in the camp.
Akata said more than 2,500 people were forced out of Wukari in January. 2014, following series of attacks on the town.
He said life was increasingly becoming unbearable for them due to lack of basic facilities at the camp.
Akata also said that their children had been out of school for more than a year, adding that they had lost many of their relations to common illness due to lack of access to medical care.
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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