Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The police last Thursday in Abuja arraigned a hair stylist, Mr Martin Asayande of Mpape, before a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly cheating his employer.
The police prosecutor, Francis Tanko told the court that Asayande cheated Charles Daniel, who runs the Sleek Salon in Wuse 2 on March 28.
Tanko said that sometime in Dec. 2012, Asayande collected a loan of N50, 000 from Daniel on an agreement that N10, 000 would be deducted monthly from his salary.
He said Asayande paid N10, 000 for the month of December and absconded with the balance of N40, 000 until March 29 when he was arrested.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
Gombe
Ashaka Cement Company in Gombe State said it had trained and resettled 70 youths on various skills acquisition as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative in host communities.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the trainees in Ashaka on Thursday the Managing Director, Mr Neeraj Akhoury, said the idea was conceived two years ago when he assumed office.
Learning and Development Manager of the company, Malam Tukur Lawal, who also oversees the training, commended the participants for conducting themselves in a good manner.
He said the 70 started well, while one of the participants died after a brief illness and that the participants would be issued two certificates, one from the company and one by the Federal Ministry of labour.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State government said last Thursday in Dutse that it vaccinated more than 600,000 cattle, sheep and goats in the last four months under a comprehensive animal vaccination exercise.
Miko said that 430,050 cattle were vaccinated against contagious pneumonia, while 212,123 sheep and goats were immunised against ruminants’ diseases.
He explained that other animals such as dogs were also vaccinated against rabies across the 27 local government areas of the state in the ongoing exercise.
Miko said the vaccination was designed to control outbreak of contagious animal diseases and encourage livestock production.
Kano
Eminent persons, including the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, last Thursday attended a special prayer for sustainable peace and stability in Kano state and Nigeria.
The prayer, which was organised by the Kano State government in collaboration with the Kano Emirate Council, was also attended by the state Deputy Gov., Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and members of the state executive council.
The session witnessed the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, after which the chief Imam prayed for peace, stability and the security of lives and property nationwide.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Urban Development Authority (KUDA) has embarked on evacuation of drainages in the metropolis to prevent flood in the coming rainy season.
General Manager of KUDA, Alhaji Aliyu Galadima ssaid in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, that the measure was to avoid the devastation by flood this year as predicted by NIMET.
Galadima said that drainages in flood prone areas at Rafin Atiku and Sabuwar kasuwa had been cleared while the clearance would be sustained in other urban centers.
He said the authority was against construction of structures along areas prone to flood and lamented that farmlands had been transformed into buildings without authorisation.
Kwara
The Third Eye Group, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), last Thursday said it raised N6 million for the rehabilitation of some primary schools in IIorin Emirate.
The Chairman of the NGO, Dr Yusuf Lawal, said in an interview in IIorin, the fund, which was contributed by members of the group, would be used to rehabilitate some public primary schools in the IIorin emirate.
He said the money would be used to provide infrastructure, teaching aids and other education materials for the selected schools in five local government areas of the emirate.
Nasarawa
The Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Suleiman Dikko, last Thursday promised to decongest prisons in the state.
Addressing inmates during a visit to Keffi Prison, Dikko said,“Decongestion of prisons cannot be handled by the judiciary alone. It needs the collaboration of the Police, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and other stakeholders.’’
He called on magistrates and area courts judges to apply the necessary sections of the law before remanding accused persons in prison custody.
“Some of the inmates are unjustly and unconstitutionally remanded,” he said.
Ogun
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) last Thursday said availability of ICT facilities at the grassroots was key to the attainment of Vision 20:2020.
The Director-General of NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, made the remark at the inauguration of eight ICT centres facilitated by Abiodun Akinlade, a member representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency.
Angaye said that the NITDA would continue to focus on provision of ICT in rural areas to enhance internet penetration and deployment of ICT services in the rural areas of the country.
Ondo
An Akure Magistrates’ Court last Thursday remanded a 32-year-old policeman, Alonge Abdul, in prison custody for allegedly killing one Mrs Segi Olajiga.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Charity Adeyanju, ordered that the accused be remanded in Olokuta Prison, pending an advice from the office of the Ondo State Director of Public Prosecutions.
Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, ASP. Ayodele Atandeyi, told the court thatthe accused person unlawful killed Olajiga, noting that the accused committed the offence on April 2, at about 6:30 p.m. at Plaza Hotel Junction in Akure.
Oyo
The late Publisher of the Nigerian Tribune, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, approved the payment of the National Minimum Wage for staff of the media house on his sick bed.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Tribune, Mr Edward Dickson, disclosed this on Thursday in Ibadan when a three-man delegation of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) visited the media house on a condolence visit.
The team, which was led by NGE president, Mr Femi Adesina, had as members Mr Isaac Ighure, the Secretary of the guild, and Mrs Funke Egbemode, the Social/Publicity Secretary.
He said the late scion of the Awolowo family was committed to staff welfare in the 27 years that he was in charge of the Tribune titles.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government has banned brothels operation and directed operators to immediately close them.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Abraham Yiljap, said in Jos on Thursday after the weekly State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Jonah Jang, that government had never endorsed the operations of the brothels.
He stressed that revenue officers had always been cautioned against visiting such areas to source revenue and described brothels as “detrimental’’ to the spiritual well being of the Plateau people.
Taraba
The Federal Government says it will register 25, 000 farmers in Taraba under the 2013 National Farmer’s Registration exercise.
The North East Zonal Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Samuel Adaji, made this known in an interview in Jalingo on Thursday.
Adaji said the ministry had released at least 12, 000 forms to each of the 16 Local Governments since the commencement of the exercise on March 20.
He said the registration, which would be conducted at ward levels, was in line with the Federal Government’s transformation agenda and he assured of gender balance in the enumeration exercise, saying women interest was captured.
Zamfara
The Fadama III programme Coordinating Department in Zamfara, has disbursed N4.2 million to 1,000 Fadama User Groups to undertake community development projects.
The state Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Altine, disclosed this on Thursday while inaugurating some of the projects in Shinkafi. The projects inaugurated includes eight blocks of market stalls, eight VIP toilets and a modern slaughter room.
He said the programme had provided 550 tube wells and wash bores, 2,250 water pumps, as well as 825 sets of work bulls to various fadama groups in the state.
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.”