Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has approved N30 million as counterpart fund to boost water supply and sanitation in the state.
Alhaji Yusuf Yerima, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry for Water Resources, disclosed this in Bauchi at a one-day workshop organised by Sustainable Water and Environmental Sanitation (SWANSA), a donor Agency,
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Management of Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi.
Yerima said that the fund was approved for SWANSA to improve water supply and environmental sanitation in both urban and rural centres of the state.
Borno
No fewer than 15 members of Borno chapter of the National Association of Patent Medicine Dealers have been killed in their shops by unidentified gunmen at different locations in Maiduguri in the past two months.
The President of the Borno chapter, Alhaji Abubakar Villah, made this known in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen .
He said the association was seriously concerned by the killings, noting that its members were not known to be trouble makers, but had lived in peace in their communities and contributed to the development of the state.
FCT
A PDP chieftain, Sen. Mohammed Ohiare, in Abuja called for the rotation of the governorship position among the ethnic groups in Kogi.
Ohiare, who made the call while addressing news men, said rotating the governorship position would give a sense of belonging to all stakeholders in the state.
“I strongly advocate that power should be rotated among the Igalas, Okuns and the Ebiras as well as the minority tribes to showcase their leadership talents,’’ Ohiare said.
He said since the creation of the state in 1992, “both the Okuns and the Ebiras have not tested the executive seat.’’
Jos
Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau has appointed Prof. Shedrach Best as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
A statement by Mr James Mannok, Director of Press Affairs, in Jos said the appointment was with immediate effect.
Until his appointment, Best was Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Management.
He was a former Director, Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies, University of Jos.
The ANPP Gubernatorial candidate, Malam Salihu Takai, has petitioned against the election of Dr Rabi’u Kwankwaso of PDP in the April general elections.
The petition, No. KN/EPT/ Gov/03/11, filed at the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, urged the panel to set aside the election of Kwankwaso as governor- elect.
The petitioner also prayed that he, Takai, be declared the winner of the election or in the alternative, a fresh election be conducted in 23 local government areas, where there were suspected irregularities.
Kogi
The ongoing upgrading of the Ajaokuta Transmission Station in Kogi, from 30 MVA to 60 MVA, has reached 95 per cent completion.
Mr Abednego Akabuko, the Lokoja Business District Manager of the PHCN, made the disclosure on Wednesday.
Akabuko told newsmen that the project which was started last year to improve the quality of power supply to the state would be completed within the next couple of months.
Lagos
The Federal High Court in Lagos upheld the fundamental human rights case filed by the former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Erastus Akingbola, against the EFCC.
The EFCC had through its counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu, filed the stay of proceeding to enable the commission to appeal an order of the court made on May 6.
The court had directed EFCC to immediately release Akingbola and one of his aides, Bayo Dada, from its custody.
Justice Charles Archibong had also ordered the EFCC to stay off all actions against Akingbola pending the determination of the suit before it.
Nasarawa
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Ministry of Defence Chapter, laid the foundation for a housing estate for its members.
Speaking at the ceremony, the chapter’s coordinator, Mrs Omolola Okunnu, said the funding for the estate would be sourced from the Federal Housing Loans Board.
She said the association had been working on the land for the estate since July 2010.
Osun
The police in Osun have arrested five robbery suspects and recovered four stolen vehicles.
Mr Olusegun Solomon, Commissioner of Police in the state, told newsmen in Osogbo that the suspects were arrested in connection with theft of cars.
“At Testing Ground in Osogbo at about 7 p.m., a man was reportedly attacked on his way from Oyen village when his BMW car marked GY 605 GNN had a flat tyre,’’ he said.
He said as the victim was trying to fix the flat tyre, some hoodlums emerged from the bush and ordered him and his wife to surrender their belongings.
Ondo
The Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Omolebi Adepiti, has enjoined landlords in the state to provide toilet facilities in their houses to avoid arrest and prosecution.
The directive is contained in a statement, issued by the Press Officer, Ministry of Environment, Mr Tony Adetoye, in Akure.
The statement said a landlord had been arraigned for failure to provide toilet facilities in his house, while 18 others were given 30 days to comply or be prosecuted.
Adepiti said the state government had put in place various facilities and measures for proper disposal of waste and would not allow anybody to cause an outbreak of epidemic or deface the environment.
Oyo
The Association of Cocoyam Processors and Exporters in Oyo State has decried the apparent neglect of the crop.
The Chairman of the association, Chief Amusat Olamuyegun, made the assertion while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan.
According to Olamuyegun, cocoyam is not being given the desired attention as is the case with other root and tuber crops.
He said that unknown to a lot of Nigerians, cocoyam is one of the most nutritious tuber crops in the country and worldwide.
Olamuyegun said that if governments at all levels could develop cocoyam processing, it would also be a veritable source of employment to the unemployed youths in the country.
Sokoto
Senator-elect, Alhaji Ibrahim Gobir (PDP-Sokoto East), has called on Nigerians to always be security conscious by reporting suspected characters to the nearest security outfits.
“Security matters should not be left in the hands of security officers alone, hence the need for active participation of all and sundry becomes a task that must be accomplished,” he said.
Gobir told newsmen in Sokoto that Nigerians also needed to pray for God’s guidance to enable the elected leaders succeed.
He said seeking God’s intervention in the task of ensuring good governance would ensure rapid development.
“When you involve God in your daily affairs, certainly success will be on your way,” he said.
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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