Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, announced last Saturday that the Federal Government would construct a police transit camp worth N300 million in Bauchi South.
Dogara, who made the announcement in Dass, headquarters of Dass Local Government Area in Bauchi State, said the contract for the construction of 60kilometres road in the area would start soon.
The road is expected to traverse Tudun Wuis, Wandi, Baraza, Buru, Zundu-Lucshi, Baza and Dot.
He explained that the camp would be sited in Kutaru in Dass Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.
FCT
A university teacher, Dr Mustapha Hussaini, has solicited for assistance from the international community to complement Federal Government’s efforts towards rehabilitating the released 82 abducted Chibok girls.
Hussaini, a Criminologist and Head of the Department of Sociology, Federal University, Dutse made the call in a telephone interview with newsmen last Sunday.
He said that more than three years in captivity have affected the abducted girls psychologically.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, disclosed in a statement last Saturday that the 82 abducted Chibok girls were released after negotiations and the release of some suspected Boko Haram members in government’s custody.
Kaduna
A teenager, Usman Gashash, has launched a campaign against all forms of child abuse through his guitar music in Kaduna State.
Gashash spoke with journalists shortly after his performance with little kids at his parent’s house last Sunday in Kaduna.
The 10-year old boy appealed to the African Union to end child exploitation, early child marriage, kid-soldier, the killing of albinos and violence against children accused of witchcraft in the continent.
Reports say that Gashash has held series of campaign in schools, homes and in his neighbourhood, against all forms of child abuse and tortures, through his musical group.
The creative and talented young music artiste appealed to the continental body to find means of ending terror activities, religious extremism and insecurity destabilising millions of children.
Kebbi
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, last Sunday called for legislative action that ensures constitutional role for traditional leaders in the country.
Dogara made the call during a courtesy visit to Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, in Birnin Kebbi, on the sidelines of the turbanning ceremony of the Chief Whip of the House, Alhassan Adodoguwa, as the Dallatun Kangiwa in Arewa Local Government Area of the state.
The Speaker was, however, represented at the occasion by the Deputy Leader of the House, Umar Jibril, who also led other members to the state.
He said that it was time for Nigerians to give traditional rulers constitutional recognition because, in the past, people derived their power and authority from the traditional institution.
“It is high time we started going down the memory lane to actualise this dream. We pray that we shall achieve this and promote the traditional rulers to their actual position in the country”.
Kogi
Sole Administrator and Chief Executive, National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO, Mr Bernard Nnagha, Itakpe says the Federal Government spends three to four million naira monthly to maintain the company.
He stated this in an interview with newsmen last Friday in Lokoja.
The sole administrator also said the amount, representing overhead allocation, was spent to maintain the security of the one billion-dollar government investment company, among others, in spite its moribund condition.
Nnagha also said about 800 members of staff working in the company received their salaries through the Integrated Pay Role and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Kwara
The Ilorin West Local Government Council of Kwara State says it will ensure the completion of the secretariat of the IGS/Asa Dam zone of the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Tailors.
The chairman, Transitional Implementation Committee (TIC) of the council, Malam Abdulhameed Ali, made the pledge last Sunday while performing the foundation laying ceremony of the secretariat project.
He said one of the cardinal policies of the council was to uplift artisans in the area to boost their earnings.
Ali, who was awarded the best TIC Chairman in the state by the union, promised to mobilise support for the actualisation of the project.
Earlier, the President of the union, Mr Isiaka Abdulazeez, said the chairman was given the award because of his efforts at making life better for people of the grassroots.
He appealed to the chairman to assist the union in building “the befitting secretariat complex”.
Lagos
Nigeria’s Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, last Saturday in Lagos, called for the prosecution of those he described as detractors in the fight against corruption in the country.
Prof. Soyinka made the call at the opening of his Vision of the Child Art Exhibition, 2017 edition, at Freedom Park, Lagos with the theme: Enhance the Heritage; Advance the Future, in celebrating Lagos at 50.
He said that most times, the anti-corruption agency was sent on the wrong track or wild goose chase, resulting in no prosecution.
“When we talk about corruption, is it not time we legislate against detractors, who deliberately create distraction. Say for instance, the money just found in Lagos.
‘‘One governor claimed that the money belongs to his state government, claiming a proceed from the sale of some turbines and so on.
Nasarawa
Unknown gunmen last Saturday night, abducted the mother and sister of Mr Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, member representing (APC) Akwanga South Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
The Police spokesman in the state, DSP Kennedy Idirisu confirmed the abduction to newsmen last Sunday in Lafia.
According to Idirisu, the gunmen in their numbers, stormed the residence of the lawmaker at Moroa in Akwanga at about 8 pm and shot sporadically before whisking the two women away.
He said that the police were collaborating with the vigilante group in the area to locate the victims.
“As we speak, our men are already combing the areas in search of the victims and to apprehend the perpetrators,” Idirisu said.Sokoto
Sokoto
No fewer than 67 bandits have surrendered their arms in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, according to its Chairman, retired Col. Garba Moyi.
Moyi told newsmen in Sokoto last Sunday that the arms were surrendered under an Amnesty Programme of the state government, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba. Isa Local Government is close to Niger Republic and had witnessed many acts of brigandage and cattle rustling.
Moyi said, “fifty five of them surrendered their arms on April 14,2017, and were rewarded with cash, land plots to build houses and farmlands, to the tune of N30.5million.
“ The remaining 12 surrendered their arms afterwards and we are expecting more of them to do so soon.
“Similar welfare packages are also being arranged for those who surrendered their arms subsequently.”
Moyi stated that the surrendered arms included AK 47, pistols and submachine guns, among others. He did not specify the number of guns recovered.
Taraba
A violent clash between farmers and cattle rearers in Ussa and Takum Council Areas of Taraba State has left at least 15 people dead while several others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the state, Alhaji Sahabi Mahmoud, and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Police Command, Mr David Misal (ASP), have confirmed the incident.
Reports that while Sahabi said at least 15 of his members were killed and buried in Takum last Friday, Misal said that the police could only confirm five deaths as at the time of filing this report.
Sahabi, who spoke with newsmen in Jalingo last Saturday, also expressed fear that more corpses of his members might be in the bush as more than 150 of them were still missing.
He claimed that hundreds of livestock belonging to the herdsmen were wandering in the bush as their owners could not be traced.
He called on security agencies and the state government to come to the aid of hundreds of other cattle breeders, whom he said were trapped in the forests of Ussa and Takum to get out alive with their animals.
Meanwhile, the PPRO told newsmen in Jalingo last Saturday that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Yakubu Babas has relocated to Takum to ensure that the crisis was brought under control.
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.”