Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
A cross section of Bauchi residents have advised Governor Isa Yuguda to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects he initiated.
The residents, in separate interviews with newsmen in Bauchi on Monday, advised the governor to appoint credible persons into various positions during his second term.
Alhaji Sufiyanu Maisalati, the Chairman, Justice Party, urged the governor to ensure the monitoring and supervision of ongoing projects.
Maisalati, who is also the Leader of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in the state, urged Yuguda to sanction erring officials and adhere to laid down procedures in project execution.
Also speaking, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, the Secretary-General of the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation, Bauchi State chapter, advised the governor to select credible people and those with experience as members of his cabinet.
Borno
The Police in Borno State said on Monday that it had received information about an impending attack by some suspected Boko Haram members in the state.
A statement signed by the Police spokesman, Malam Lawal Abdullahi, in Maiduguri said:“We wish to inform the public that we have received an intelligence report on possible attacks.
“Some fundamentalists have decided to launch an attack on the good people of Borno State.
“The group and other social miscreants have decided to team up with some politicians to terrorise the good people of the state, using the leadership of a dangerous sect from neighbouring Yobe State.’’
The statement added that the Police Command had already mapped out strategies to counter the attacks.
“The command has set modalities and mechanisms in motion to track down these miscreants for immediate arrest and prosecution,’’ the statement added.
Ekiti
Medical practitioners in Ekiti are set to begin routine treatment of common ailments in rural communities free of charge.
Dr Abiola Omodan, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Ado-Ekiti, disclosed this on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti at the maiden edition of the association’s annual lecture titled “Medical Ethics in the Face of Emerging Medical Legal Issues in Nigeria’’.
Omodan said that the initiative was aimed at complementing government’s efforts toward providing adequate healthcare for the people.
He explained that one of the objectives of the association was to promote improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The guest lecturer, Chef Afe Babalola (SAN), called for public private participation in the management of the nation’s health scheme.
FCT
Bilateral ties between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago are to be strengthened in the area of children and maternal health following talks between the First Ladies of the two nations.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, gave this indication on Monday in Abuja when she received in audience the First Lady of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs Jean Ramjohn-Richards.
Jonathan said the passion shared by both countries in the area of care for women, children and the indigent would enable them to explore several areas of mutual benefit.
“I believe your coming will afford us an opportunity to explore mutual areas of interest as we both have passion for the welfare of women, children and the less privileged in the society.
Jigawa
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa has called for concerted efforts between Nigeria and Niger to tackle border security challenges.
Lamido made the call when he received the governor of Danmagaram, Alhaji Umar Isiyaka, and that of Maradi, Alhaji Ahmed Sidi in Niger Republic, who paid him a courtesy visit on Monday in Dutse.
The two governors were in the state to grace his inauguration ceremony for the second term.
Lamido stressed the need for the governors of states that share borders to address the security challenges in the border towns.
Kaduna
Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has reiterated his administration’s determination to provide basic amenities to the people as soon as possible.
He made the promise in Kaduna while inspecting the ongoing Malali water project in the metropolis.
Yakowa, who was conducted round the project by its Manager, Malam Kabiru Ahmed, directed the management to furnish his office with details of the project and the level of its performance in water supply to consumers in the metropolis.
He directed the management to supply detailed information of its daily supply coverage and the challenges it faces for immediate attention.
Ahmed had earlier told Yakowa that the water supply was constrained by inadequate power supply, adding that the water works currently supplies only 50 per cent of its installed capacity.
Lagos
An NGO, the International Human Rights Watch has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to take immediate steps to address the issue of violence in some parts of the country.
A statement signed by Mr Eric Guttschuss, the group’s Researcher on Nigeria, stated that the organisation was worried about the many violent happenings in the country.
In the statement, on Monday in Lagos, the group also urged the President to address some human rights problems in the country as well as the “endemic” corruption.
“Post-presidential-election riots and sectarian killings in April left more than 800 people dead in northern Nigeria, while inter-communal, political and sectarian violence have claimed more than 15,700 lives since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.
“The ruling elite squandered and siphoned the nation’s tremendous oil revenues, while neglecting basic health and education services for the vast majority of ordinary citizens.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has promised to review the salaries of traditional rulers to boost their morale.
Aliyu gave the assurance in Minna while receiving the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.
According to him, the traditional rulers deserve an enhanced salary package.
Aliyu said the government had set up a committee to look into the demand for the upward review of the salaries for traditional rulers, including the district and village heads.
The governor noted the important role traditional rulers played in governance.
“The people trust the traditional rulers more than politicians. Even if we give directives, the people go for validation by them,” he said.
Aliyu said that government would strengthen the traditional institutions so that the government could benefit from their influence in implementing policies and programmes.
Plateau
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) says it requires at least N70 billion to fix the nation’s roads.
Mr Ifeanyi Nweke, FERMA Maintenance Engineer in Plateau, told newsmen in Jos on Monday that the nation’s roads were in bad state and required urgent attention.
“There is so much work to be done, but the funds are lacking,’’ Nweke said, adding that the N70 billion figure was arrived at after a careful study.
He said that the agency was working hard to ascertain the causes of the failure of the roads so as to minimise the incidence.
“Preliminary findings blame the situation on the quantum of loads that ply the roads on a daily basis. “Our roads are constructed to carry loads not above 42 tonnes, but the failure of our rail system has given us no other option,’’ he said.
Other factors responsible for the sad state of the roads, he said, included the fact that the roads were constructed a long time ago.
Sokoto
Sokoto government has trained more than 30,000 youths in various vocational trades in the past three years, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, the Commissioner for Youths, Social Welfare and Sports has said.
Aliyu disclosed this in Sokoto on Sunday at an occasion to commemorate Governor Aliyu Wamakko’s three years in office.
He said that some of the youths were now gainfully employed, while others, who are now self-reliant, had become employers of labour.
Aliyu said the 30,000 youths were trained in various vocations, including ICT, agriculture and other skills.
In addition, he said the youths were given working tools and take-off grants free on graduation, to assist them in establishing their own businesses.
“The youths should, however, reciprocate this noble gesture by being law abiding and patriotic because without peace, there will be no meaningful socio-economic development,’’ he said.
Zamfara
The Zurmi Emirate Council in Zamfara state has announced the withdrawal of traditional titles from six eminent members.
A statement by the Secretary of the council, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, listed Col Bala Mande (rtd), a former military Governor of Nassarawa State and one time Minister of Environment, among the personalities affected.
Mande, who contested for the Governorship position under the PDP in 1999 but lost to Ahmad Sani Yarima, was the state coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign.
Until the development, Mande held the title of Chiroman Zurmi, a title traditionally reserved for heirs to the throne.
Other prominent personalities affected included Alhaji Aliyu Na-Allah, the Chairman of the state Civil Service Commission, who held the title of Walin Zurmi and hitherto Baraden Zurmi; Alhaji Isyaku Mohammed, the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
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.”