Nation
THE STATES
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno has promised to reconstruct public schools destroyed recently by Boko Haram members in Maiduguri metropolis.
The group had taken responsibility for setting ablaze 10 schools in the city last month.
Shettima, who was inspecting one of the schools at Gwange, said the destruction of the schools was a huge set back, but pledged to ensure their quick reconstruction.
“It is hard, it is disturbing that our own sons are busy going about burning schools.
“The burning of schools can not be justified under any guise because the Prophet of Islam during his time urged Muslims to seek knowledge even in far away China.”
Shettima said burning centres of learning was unIslamic and unjustifiable.
“These schools serve many purposes; in the morning pupils take lessons, in the afternoon they serve as adult classses and in the evening women classes are held.
Ekiti
A non-government organisation, Centre for Human Development, has been rallying support for all female candidates ahead of the local government election in Ekiti State.
The executive director of the centre, Prof. Simi Afouda, said this at a meeting with artisans and other segments of the Society at Aramoko-Ekiti last Tuesday.
She urged the electorate to give woman a chance to be elected into political offices, saying that doing so would speed up development especially at the grassroots.
The CHD is being supported by the department for international development, United Nations Development programme to canvass support for more women to take elective positions.
FCT
The Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), an NGO, has called for the sensitisation of the public on their fundamental human rights to address insecurity in the country.
Mr Tony Agbor, the Assistant Programmes Coordinator of PRAWA in the FCT Zone, made the call in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said it was unfortunate that the security challenge in the country was hindering efforts at growing the economy.
“The issue of insecurity in Nigeria can be looked up from the position of people who are predisposed to violence.
“Government should look at providing basic access to information that will educate people on their rights and how to better exercise their rights.
“Government should take a look at this angle and provide capacity building in this area, creating awareness around laws that are set is vital.”
Gombe
The Magistrates’ Court number one, Kasuwar Shanu Gombe, on Tuesday arraigned one Abubakar Inuwa, 37, of Tudun Wada quarters Gombe, for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The Prosecutor, ASP Aminu Ibrahim, told the court that on January 23, the accused person collected the sum of N1.5 million from one Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed of Bajoga, Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe.
According to the prosecutor, the accused person was sent with the money to give Alhaji Sadiq Umar, a brother to Ahmed and the accused converted the amount to his own personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 311 and 320 of the Penal Code.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Sunday Akporido, who cited sections 341 and 36 of the Constitution, urged the court to grant the accused person bail.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Fadama III Office says it has so far disbursed N300 million to 17,254 farming groups in the state.
The Project Coordinator, Mr Ishaku Dauda, told newsmen in Kaduna, that the group included 5,496 women.
.Dauda said that the programme had also constructed 30 kms of feeder roads, enabling farmers to transport their produce to the markets.
According to him, 100 stalls were also constructed in selected rural markets in Birnin Gwari, Zaria and Sanga Local Governments areas state.
Dauda said that the programme had also assisted Fadama User Groups with irrigation pumps, processing machines, sprayers, work bull and ox ridges, to boost their productivity.
Kano
Hotel owners in Kano State say there are experiencing low patronage due to the prevailing insecurity in the state.
Some of the operators, who spoke to newsmen in Kano said that the low level of patronage had affected their profits and the cost of maintaining facilities.
The hotel owners said the prevailing situation had prevented many people from coming into the state to do business and that the development had forced many customers to stay away from hotels.
Mr Mike Ado, a Hotel Manager, said that the situation in the state had adversely affected businesses and other social activities.
“Many customers, who come to the state from far and near including neighbouring Niger and Cameroon, for business, have stopped coming here due to the security challenge.’’
Lagos
The Chairman of Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Ladipo Ajayi, has promised to ensure that unlicensed intermediaries were stopped from selling insurance products.
He told newsmen in Lagos that the association was determined to stamp out quacks.
Ajayi said that some unlicensed intermediaries planned to form a cartel to monopolise products of few insurance companies.
“Now, the NIA is working to stamp out this practice.
“Every insurance company must be able to sell its products anywhere in the county.
“Anyone, who must be involved in the distribution of insurance products, must be licenced by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and be subjected to its control,’’ he said.
Ajayi said that the association was taking the measure to ensure that insurance companies got the commensurate premium to be able to pay claims when they arose.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a herdsman with 20 rounds of AK 47 ammunition and one cartridge of a single barrel gun.
The arrest followed repeated attacks on Kadarko town and environ in Keana Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the arrest the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Cornelius Ocholi, said that the suspect was arrested on Monday evening at Kwarra Village on his way to Giza Development Area.
Ocholi told newsmen that the suspect, in his confessional statement, said, the ammunition were given to him by one ‘Burorno’ now at large, to be taken to their kinsmen who were fighting ‘a war’ in Giza.
He said that the suspect was being detained at state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Lafia, while investigation was on to arrest more suspects following useful information given by the suspect.
Ogun
The National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on the Federal Government to impose stiffer penalties for rapists to serve as a deterrent to others.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its 2012 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abeokuta last Saturday.
NAWOJ also advocated for a legislation to cater for domestic violence as well as protect young girls against harmful traditional practices and molestation.
“NAWOJ is also calling on the Federal Government to domesticate the CEDAW bill and the total elimination of all kinds of violence against women,’’ the communiqué said.
The association urged the Federal Government to fully implement the 35 per cent affirmative action and commended the Inspector-General of Police for the removal of road blocks across the country.
It, however, advocated for the introduction of community policing, vigilante groups and other security structures to assist the police in ensuring the safety of lives and property.
Oyo
The Acting State Librarian in Oyo, Mrs Adetokunbo Adigun, says the State Library Board is to open its e-resource centre in April.
She told newsmen in Ibadan that the move was in line with the governor’s resolve to ensure that the library met world standards.
Adigun, who commended Gov. Abiola Ajimobi for his desire to transform the state, further said:
“The Ajimobi-led government is different. Innovative intellectuals are positioned in key sectors in restoring the state to it previous glory as a pace setter.
“The library itself is already beaming positively as reflected by the improvement in infrastructure and socio-dynamic services, and I must say, the feedback is overwhelming and encouraging.
“The icing on the cake for us will be the inauguration of our e-resource centre later in April by His Excellency, the first of its kind in the history of this state,’’ she said.
Plateau
An optometrist, Dr. Francisa Ekwuribe, has described glaucoma as a major cause of irreversible blindness in humans.
Ekwuribe, who works at the Tadam Medical Centre, Jos, told newsmen that only a few sufferers were, however, aware that they had the disease.
She explained that eye disease lacked early warning signs or symptoms in most people, a situation that usually makes it difficult for such individuals to be aware of what was happening.
“ The Optometrist described glaucoma as an eye disease that damages the optic nerve that is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses to the brain.
Ekwuribe said the damage usually occurs as a result of elevated pressure of the fluid in the eye.
According to her, such pressure is also known as “intraocular pressure’’.
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.”