Nation
THE STATES
Abuja
The police has arraigned Kabiru Salisu, 26, of Kurudu and Ebijimi Adeola, 35, of Karu at the Karu Upper Area Court for alleged disturbance of public peace.
Police prosecutor, Francis Udifai told the court that on May 4, at about 9 a.m., the accused persons engaged in physical combat at Abattoir market in Karu, Abuja.
He added that during police investigation, it was discovered that the accused had disagreement during meat supplies to their customers at the market.
He further said that the offence contravened provisions of section 113 of the Penal Code.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The presiding judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N20,000 each and a surety each in like sum.
He adjourned the case to July 1 for further hearing.
Adamawa
Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has inaugurated the sale of fertiliser for the 2013 farming season to farmers in the state.
Nyako urged farmers to take advantage of the government’s various agricultural programmes to facilitate agricultural production.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kobis Aris, gave assurance that the government would continue to support farmer groups in the state.
He also assured farmers that the government would partner with international and national agencies in promoting the state’s agriculture sector.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Lucy Ishaku, said that the launch was an annual event intended to herald the formal commencement of the sale of inputs to farmers.
Benue
Wife of Benue State governor and founder of the SEV-AV Foundation, Mrs. Yemisi Suswam has been named the face of Akata fishing and Cultural Festival.
The festival, a celebration of the rich culture of the Tiv people in Benue State, will begin on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
A statement issued in Lagos by the principal consultant, Gren Business Dimensions, Mrs. Rosemary Duamlong named the first lady of the state as the ambassador and face of Akata 2013 because of her achievements in the area of women and youths empowerment through the SEV-AV Foundation.
The statement commended Mrs. Suswam for the establishment of crafts and skills acquisition centres at Vandeikya and Gboko, Sev-Av Agro-processing Centre in Katsina-Ala and Ukum Local Government Areas and the three PMTCT Clinics in Vandeikya, Gboko and Otukpo.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Scholarship Board on Thursday said it had disbursed more than N200 million bursary to indigent students in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Babandi Abubakar, said in Dutse that, 11, 218 students benefited from the exercise.
Abubakar said the beneficiaries include 3, 074 students studying in various state and federal universities and 4, 606 students of the colleges of education. He said that 3, 538 students of the polytechnics also benefited from the scholarship.
Abubakar explained that, the board had deployed personnel to more than 60 universities and other tertiary institutions in the country for the payment of the money.
He said that the gesture was part of the state government’s effort to assist the students and promote academic excellence.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said that it would prosecute three suspects for theft.
Our correspondent reports that the suspects were arrested in Dukku section of the metropolis for possession of diesel suspected to be stolen.
The state NSCDC Commandant, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the suspects had been in the custody of the corps.
He said the first suspect confessed to the theft while the second denied involvement in the crime. He said the third suspect, a commercial motorist, however, admitted that he was instructed by the second suspect, a businessman, to load the commodity for him before they were arrested.
Kogi
Hundreds of people displaced in the current face-off between Fulani herdsmen and Agatus in Benue State are now taking refuge in some communities in Kogi State.
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State confirmed this in Lokoja during a meeting with the chairmen of the 21 local government councils in the state.
He said that the displaced persons, including women and children, took refuge in Bagana, Abejukolo and six other communities in Omala Local Government of area of the state.
The Governor said that the influx of people from Benue to Kogi was an indication that the government and the chairmen of local government councils must be on red alert.
Earlier in the day, the Chairman of Omala Local Government, Alhaji Labaran Oigebe, expressed concern over the influx of Agatus from Benue into his local government.
Kwara
The newly-appointed Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Mr. Agboola Oshodi-Glover, on Tuesday formally assumed office at the police headquarters, Ilorin.
Our correspondent reports that the police boss arrived at the office at about 8.00 am.
Oshodi-Glover, while addressing newsmen, warned criminals to keep away from the state.
The commissioner urged the people of the state to continue to give useful information to police to curb crime to the barest minimum.
Oshodi-Glover is the 28th commissioner of police in Kwara and succeeds the late Mr Chinweke Asadu who was assassinated at his native home in Enugu in February.
Lagos
The Director of Studies, Lagos School of Travels and Tourism, Mr Segun Adeshina, said the institute had trained 2,800 students in eight years.
Adeshina told newsmen in Lagos that the management of the school had been training an average of 350 students per year since 2005.
The director expressed the need to train more professionals to explore and develop the industry to meet foreign standard.
He noted the shortfall of professionals in the industry, and called for establishment of more tourism schools to produce additional professionals.
Adeshina urged the Federal Government to invest more resources in the sector so that more people could be employed.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Education, Mr Hussaini Abubakar, said on Thursday that principals and teachers found to be aiding students in examination malpractice would be sanctioned.
The commissioner who gave the warning in an interview in Lafia said that government would not spare anyone found indulging in the act.
He warned that chief education officers of any examination centre that had been de-registered by WAEC or NECO as a result of malpractice would also be sanctioned.
He charged education officers to ensure proper monitoring of the ongoing WAEC examinations in their schools to reduce malpractice.
Abubakar also called on parents, conniving with teachers to perpetrate the act to desist as the government would not hesitate to sanction them.
“Anybody that is caught involved in it, be it a teacher, principal, student, parents or anybody in the system would face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The commissioner also called on the management of private schools across the state to also guard against the act.
Plateau
A Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State has dismissed a case of negligence brought against security agencies by some victims of 2011 attack at Rukuba road, Jos.
One Mohammed Abdullahi and 10 others had filed a suit on behalf of 27 others before Justice Ambrose Allagoa, claimed that they were attacked by some miscreants on Auugust 29, 2011 at a praying ground.
The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Mr. Hassan Liman (SAN), claimed that during the attack, they sustained injuries while some lost their lives and property worth millions of naira.
Liman prayed the court to compel the Federal Government and its agencies to pay his clients N100 million as general damage and N280,000 being expenses incurred on treatment of injuries sustained during the attack.
But the counsel to the security agencies, Mr Ali Zachariah, who also represented the Attorney-General of the Federation, objected to the claims, saying that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Zechariah prayed the court to dismiss the entire case for lack of merit.
Allagoa, in his ruling, struck out the case for lack of merit.
“This case didn’t fall within the purview of section 251 (1) of 1999 Constitution in view of the proviso therein, therefore this court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain this matter.
“Since the case was not brought in a way of writ of summon, it is hereby struck out, “ the Judge said.
He added that by virtue of that ruling, three similar cases before him had collapsed and therefore dismissed.
Shortly after the ruling, Zachariah told newsmen that he was satisfied with the ruling and described it as “well thought out“.
But Liman, who spoke through Mr. Aliyu Sange, said “we are heading to the court of appeal to challenge this ruling which is a miscarriage of Justice.”
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.”