Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Adamawa State has arrested a suspected Boko Haram member, Amos Hassan.
Briefing newsmen last Wednesday in Yola, the State Commandant of the corps, Mr Aliyu Musa told newsmen that Hassan was arrested last Tuesday at the Federal Housing Estate in Bajabure area of Yola.
“He was arrested by our surveillance team and had made confessional statement that he had killed about 10 people since he joined the group,” Musa said.
He said that the suspect who had signs of healing bullet wounds was from Sambisa forest.
Responding to questions from newsmen, the 25-year-old Hassan said he came from Azare in Bauchi State.
The suspect said he was from Sambisa forest.
FCT
The Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Abu Shafiul Huq, said last Tuesday in Abuja that counter insurgency operation required more than the military approach.
Huq, who was in Nigeria on a five-day visit, shared the experience of his country at a presentation titled, “Counter Insurgency Operation: The Bangladesh Experience,’’ at the National Defence College (NDC).
He said apart from the military approach, political approach, as well as engagement of the people were also necessary tools to successfully counter insurgency.
Huq said those approaches were used to successfully counter insurgency in his country in the late 70s after it gained independence in 1971.
The Bangladesh’s army chief identified socio-economic, political and religious factors as some of the root causes of insurgency.
Kaduna
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it is working hard to ensure that no eligible voter in the country disen defranchised during the 2019 general elections.
Resident Electoral Commissioner [REC] in Kaduna State,Alhaji Abdullahi Kaugama, gave the assurance last Tuesday in Kaduna while interacting with political parties and other election stakeholders on Continuous Voter Registration.
The REC said that the nationwide continuous voters registration was meant to capture all eligible voters ahead of the 2019 polls.
According to him, the exercise will be flagged-off in the state at Hunkuyi, Kudan Local Government, yesterday and would subsequently commence in all INEC offices in the 23 local government areas of the state.
The exercise was for eligible residents of the state who did not register to vote in 2015 and those who attained the age of 18 years after the last general elections.
Kano
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two suspected drug traffickers who posed as police officers in Nasarawa area of Kano metropolis.
Kano State Commandant of NDLEA, Alhaji Hamza Umar, told newsmen in Kano last Tuesday that the suspects were arrested in a brand new escort vehicle with police colour, siren, pilot plate number and in possession of two police caps.
According to him, the suspects were arrested blaring the siren and pretending to be police officers while conveying 715 kilograms of Indian Hemp to Yobe.
Umar said “during investigation by our officers, we discovered that the suspects were from Edo State, while their destination was Gashua in Yobe State.
“The two suspects who were arrested along with 715 kilograms of Indian Hemp disclosed to us that they normally convey such exhibits once a month”.
Kwara
The Chairman, Baruten Local Council of Kwara State, Mallam Musa Buge, last Tuesday berated the Federal Government for neglecting the mining sector of the economy for too long.
Buge, in a telephone interview with newsmen, said that the government had lost much revenues for its failure to explore the abundant mineral deposits in the country.
The council chief decried high rate of illegal mining operations in its boundary with the Republic of Benin.
According to him, Kaura village in the area has been a haven of high illegal mining operations.
Lagos
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, last Tuesday presented Certificates of Commendation to the families of four policemen killed by militants in Ikorodu.
Owoseni also presented similar letters to the families of four policemen injured in Ikorodu by militants.
The commissioner presented undisclosed amount of money to the policemen for their gallantry, commitment and show of loyalty to their father’s land.
The dead officers include Insp. Godwin Iroagbalachi, Insp. Francis Pemi, Sgt. Mamuda Dembo and Sgt Idor Ekoro.
The injured officers are CSP Ejiofor Obiora, DPO of Owutu division that led other officers to the rescue mission, Sgt Orumoh Awhalawibue, Sgt Olatunji Gbadebo and Sgt Alexendrer Ugbadu, who was discharged from LUTH on Tuesday.
The Tide reports that four policemen, an Army Captain and a civilian were killed by militants on April 9, at about 2.30am, at Isawo area of Ikorodu, after responding to a distress call.
Owoseni said that the police recognized the efforts and supreme price the officers paid so that some people could obtain their freedom.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police command says it has arrested 113 persons suspected to have committed various offences in the past one month.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Kennedy Idirisu, said last Monday in Lafia that the offences ranged from armed robbery, murder, kidnapping and cattle rustling.
Idirisu said that arms and ammunition, including four AK 49 and three AK 47 riffles, as well as 178 rounds of 7.65mm live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
Other items recovered from the bandits included 500 rustled cows, 13 motorcycles and N8.9 million fake currency.
Idirisu attributed the feat to the operational strategies adopted by the command as well as the cooperation with other security agencies and community stakeholders.
Niger
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said last Tuesday that the Continuous Voters Registration beginning nationwide on April 27, would run till few months to the 2019 general elections.
The INEC’s Secretary in Niger State, Alhaji Aliyu Bungudu, made the disclosure at a one-day forum for election stakeholders held in Minna.
He said that the registration exercise was to ensure that no eligible voter was denied the right to elect leaders of their choice.
Bungudu assured the stakeholders that INEC would not shirk its responsibility in that regard, and urged them to mobilise the people to get registered.
“The voter registration exercise will continue at the local government levels when it commences, till few months to the conduct of 2019 general elections.
Ogun
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State last Tuesday held a stakeholders’ forum to sensitize the residents on the voters registration exercise scheduled to commence nationwide on Thursday yesterday.’s Administrative Secretary in the state, Mr Kayode Oladimeji, said at the forum in Abeokuta that the exercise would hold in all the 20 local government areas in the state.
He said that the exercise, which would hold between 9a.m and 3 p.m on working days, would last “till a few days to the 2019 general elections”.
Oladimeji said distribution of already printed permanent voter cards would be carried out simultaneously during the period.
Osun
The Police in Osun State last Tuesday arrested four members of a suspected five-man kidnapping gang after engaging them in a gunfire in Erin-Osun in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting one of the suspects to newsmen in Osogbo, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Folasade Odoro, said the suspects were arrested while on their way for a kidnapping operation last Tuesday.
Odoro said the police had been on the trail of the gang for a while before luck ran out of the hoodlums, as four out of the five members of the group were arrested by the police, while one of them escaped with gunshot wounds.
She said the kidnappers had been terrorising the people of the state.
Oyo
The Oyo State House Assembly has called on heads of public schools in the state to ensure safety of the institutions’ properties, warning that any student caught in acts of vandalism would be brought to book.
The warning followed a motion entitled, “Need to Stop the Gross Abuse of Public Properties in Oyo State,’’ presented during plenary last Tuesday.
The motion presented by the member representing Atiba State Constituency, Mr Genga Oyekola, was seconded by Mrs Wunmi Oladeji (LP-Ogbomoso North).
Oyekola, while presenting the motion, said the misuse of public properties had led to wastage of scarce resources and hindered socio-economic development.
Plateau
The Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), an NGO, has urged the National Assembly (NASS) to speedily pass into law the “Not Too Young to Rrun” Bill.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Pwakim Jacob, made the call in an interview with newsmen last Tuesday in Jos.
The “Not Too Young To Run” Bill, which seeks to give room for younger people to run for any elective position in the country, had passed second reading at the NASS.
According to Jacob, if given the chance to lead, the youth will drive the economic and political fortunes of Nigeria to the greatest height.
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.”