Nation
THE STATES
Asaba
Delta State House of Assembly, Thursday, received a list of twelve nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Delta State Executive Council from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
The state governor, last week, sacked eleven commissioners, which sources revealed were not loyal to his course of returning as governor in 2011.
Governor Uduaghan had in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House noted that the appointment is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the State Executive Council for better and greater service delivery to the people of the state.
Names of the commissioners were also contained in the letter which was read on the floor of the House. They include Mr. Bello Orubebe, Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen, Mr. Victor E. Otomewo, Mr. Frank Omare, Mrs. Juliet Oti Agoba and Anthony Akpomiemie.
Others are Mr. Fred Majemite, Mr. Azuka Osakwe, Mr. George Ugboma, Mr. Emmanuel Eboh, Dr. Onochie Okonkwo and Mr. Pat Mozea.
The Commissioners that were sacked last week are Mr. Abraham Bobor, former Commissioner for Housing, Paul Osaji (Works), Mrs. Elizabeth Uvoh-Gardner (Primary Education), Gilbert Benafa (Transport), Mrs. Chinwe Monu-Olarewaju (Commerce/Industry), Timinimi George (Water Resources), Roland Eyime (Science/Technology), Dafe-Akpedeye (Attorney-General/Justice), Champion Kpateghe (Special Duties, Government House) and Dr. Tab-Ogaranya Tabowei (Agriculture).
Jos
The authorities of 3 Amoured Division of Nigerian Army, Jos, have sentenced a soldier to 56 days imprisonment with hard labour, for physically assaulting a Jos-based lawyer, our correspondent has gathered.
Besides, he will not receive his salary during his two months imprisonment, just as a driver, his comrade-in crime spent the sallah holidays in police custody. The troubled soldier, will serve his jail term in military guard room.
The soldier’s imprisonment followed a court martial. The lawyer (name withheld) had petitioned the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Amoured Division, complaining on how he was unlawfully assaulted by the soldier.
The soldier, one of the troops stationed at former United Trading Company (UTC) junction, Jos, on peace-keeping in Jos, following Nov. 28, last year mayhem. The soldier’s trouble started sometime in June this year, when the lawyer had a disagreement with a driver that conveyed him (lawyer) from Akwanga, Nassarawa State to Jos, Plateau State capital.
According to sources close to the lawyer, he wanted the cab driver to drop him at Terminus area of the metropolis, while the driver insisted that he must drop at Old Airport junction.
Consequently, the lawyer refused to come down from the cab. In what was described as unconstitutional reaction (behaviour), the driver took him to the UTC junction where his soldier friend assaulted the legal practitioner, inflicting injuries on him.
Osun
Over 30 communities in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State have been connected to the national grid, while another 11 villages are expected to be connected very soon in an effort to grease the wheel of development
Speaking with newsmen on the level of infrastructural facilities in the area, the chairman of the local council, Comrade Bamidele Salami, said over N75 million has been spent on the electrification projects.
According to him, there was purchase and installation of 500KVA transformer and extension of low tension wires to Tiwadayo Community and purchase of six 500/33 KVA transformers for Awo, Ido Osun, Adetoro Estate, Alapupu, Olafa Estate, Ilaasan/Ori Oke Baba Abiye, while reactivation and extension of street lights in all towns and villages have been completed.
Oyo
About 400 members of staff of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, have marched to the palace of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi over the sack of union leaders.
They urged the monarch to intervene in the labour crisis rocking the institution.
The protesting workers registered their grievances against the purported sack of seven union leaders.
The state government had in an announcement conveyed the sack of the unionists which was hinged on ‘re-organisation’ of the institution.
Workers at the institution and the polytechnic, Ibadan, have been on strike since July to make the government reverse its new tax regime of 18 per cent tax in their gross earning and non-payment of 21 month arrears of the Consolidated Teacher Salary Structure (CONTISS).
The sacked union leaders are chairman, College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Dr Abiodum Aina; secretary, Mr Isiaka Ojo; chairman, Senior Staff Union of the college, Comrade Sikinu Agboluaje; chairman, COEASU, Lanlati Campus, Comrade K Olanrewaju; chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the institution, Comrade Olanrewaju Jimoh and one other.
Niger
Bank of Industry (BOI) has said that it has approved a total of N816.984 million as loans to entrepreneurs, including those operating as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and co-operative groups consisting of rural dwellers, in Niger State.
Managing Director of BOI, Mrs Evelyn Oputu, said in Abuja at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the bank and Niger State government on the N1 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) that loans to SMEs summed up to N714.50 million while that for the co-operative groups stood at N102.48 million.
Oputu, who was represented by the bank’s executive director, Mr Chris Umeh, disclosed that SMEs assisted were those engaged in shea butter production and rice milling while the co-operative groups were men and women engaging in shea butter production, rice processing, cassava processing, melon processing, cattle fattening, among others.
Besides, she pointed out that BOI and its foreign and domestic partners had in the last 18 months, organised capacity building for potential and current entrepreneurs in Niger State.
Niger State commissioner for investments, commerce and industries, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, who said the state had been able to contribute N300 milloin of its own counterpart fund, however, said the state government was not relenting in its efforts at providing its own part of the financing arrangement.
Bauchi
Bauchi State Council of the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 33-year old farmer from Alkaheri, Hussaini Hussaini, for cultivating substances suspected to be Indian hemp in his farm. The agency also arrested two others, Amadi Sunday and Raphael Galadima, for possessing 25 kilogrammes of Indan hemp.
Addresing newsmen in Bauchi, the State Commandant of the Agency, Mr Sule Momodu, explained that Hussaini was arrested on September 22, on his farm while his substance was equally uprooted. Upon interrogation, Hussaini confessed that he got the seed of the substance from Nassarawa state which he used to plant, admitting that besides cultivating the weed, he also smokes the substance.
In a related development, the agency has equally arrested one Amadi Sunday and Raphael Galadima for possessing 25 kilogrammes of Indian hemp which they bought from Kaduna.
Ekiti
Well-wishers of late Pa Lawrance Sunday Adeosun from form all walks of life, stormed Iloro-Ekiti to celebrate the passing of the late Pa Adeosun into eternal glory.
It was a celebration of life as the children and well-wishers stormed the area to celebrate the exit of the 77 years of late Adeosun who was a successful trader, farmer and a devoted Catholic and community leader, who retired from public service in 2005 and settled in Lagos where he died peacefully.
In a sermon, Seminarian Awogbemi Stephen on behalf of the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Francis-Mary Ogundare, during the Funeral Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, Iloro Ekiti, described Adeosun as a selfless man who used his whole life in the service of the Lord.
Seminarian Awogbemi urged everyone present to walk in accordance with the dictate and injunction of the Holy Bible, saying “let us do our work, so that at the end of the day, we could make bold to say we have run a good race.”
He emphasised the need for good works, while one is still alive, because according to him, that is the only legacy one could leave behind.
Awogbemi condemned acquisition of wealth, saying it was a vanity as none of the property so acquired would be buried with the owner.
“We shall all go naked, just as we came to the world. It is only our soul that would go with us to give account of our deeds while alive,” he added.
He said late Pa Adeosun served the church as an usher until he answered the call of his creator.
The late Pa Adeosun was survived by Mr Peter Adeosun, a chartered accountant, Mrs Funmilayo Adeosun and many other grand children.
Lagos
Lagos High Court presided by Justice Olusola Williams will on October 15, resume hearing in the defence of former Chairman of the National Drug Law Emforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Bello Lafiaji.
The former NDLEA chairman, who is standing trial alongside his former special assistant, Usman Amali for corruption charges had last month opened his defence in the corruption charge filed against him at the Lagos High Court.
He, however, told the court that he was currently a consultant on National Security to Nigeria’s Vision 20-2020 project.
Led by his counsel, Professor Taiwo Osipetan, Lafiaji said “before then, I was the executive chairman of the NDLEA from 2000 to 2005 and had joined the police force in 1973.”
The ICPC is prosecuting Lafiaji and Amali for alleged corruption while in office, and they were accused also of demanding and receiving £164,300 being exhibits seized from a drug suspect, Ikenna Onochie, in a bid to release him and his vehicles from the NDLEA custody.
Lafiaji, according to ICPC, obtained the sun of N50,000 from Bashiru Gadzama and another N450,000 from Garba Yauri both staff of the NDLEA.
On cross examination led by Osipetan, the 12th and final prosecution witness, Mr Femi Oloruntoba, NDLEA director of prosecutions, said Lafiaji did not query him when his (Lafiaji) directive to release Onochie on bail was disobeyed.
He also told the court that the case filed did not include the Euro as exhibit.
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.”