Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, has
commenced a special education programme for 21 Chibok girls under its scholarship programme.
The President of the university, Dr Margee Ensign, said this in an interview with newsmen in Yola recently.
Ensign said the specialised intensive programme was to prepare the girls to do well in their JAMB examination that would enable them commence full academic programme in the university. She also said that the university’s Peace and Community Development Programme had been very effective in promoting peaceful coexistence and giving assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
“ Our peace initiative is beginning to get international recognition. I was asked to brief some United States policy makers on the initiative,” she said.
FCT
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre
(CISLAC) said it would train about 50 Journalists on the reportage of the 2015 general elections.
The Programme Officer of the group, Mr Salawudeen Hashim, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Hashim said that the journalists would be drawn from different media outfits, including social media across the country. He said the two-day training programme would commence in the first week of February.
He said the event would feature in-depth reportage of the elections and avail participants of the opportunity to share experience.
Katsina police warn candidates, supporters against inflamatory statements
Katsina
The Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Alhaji
Muhammed Hurdi, has warned candidates and political party supporters in the state to desist from making inflammatory statements during and after the forthcoming elections.
Hurdi gave the warning during a meeting with political parties, candidates, security agencies and party supporters in Katsina. He said the police would deal decisively with any person no matter how highly placed, if found disrupting the peace. “The command advises the politicians to call their boys to order and make them behave as gentlemen.
“We have been monitoring the campaign activities and we are not happy with the utterances of many politicians in the state.
Kaduna
The presidential candidate of the All Progressive
Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, t has pledged to bring about positive change in Nigeria within two years in office, if elected.
Buhari, who made the pledge while addressing his supporters in Kaduna, said the APC administration would reverse the current state of economy, insecurity, unemployment and corruption in the country.
“We pledge to you, that if given the mandate, we will bring about positive changes in the lives of Nigerians within two years,” he said.
“Our desire for change has not diminished, that was why in all the elections we participated we never asked people to take the law into their hands.
“We have always pursued our grievances over the elections at the tribunal.
“I believe in democratic governance, and as long as I am alive, I shall continue to struggle for the good of all Nigerians,” he said.
Kwara
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji
Abubakar Baraje has chided Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State over alleged inflammatory comments on the health status of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
Baraje in a statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin said the governor’s comments were capable of igniting crisis in the country. He called on the Inspector General of Police, INEC Chairman, SSS and other security agents to take appropriate action to stop such “inflammatory statements originating from Fayose.”
Baraje, a former national chairman of PDP, described the statement credited to the governor as “not only reckless, uncalled for, but a statement that can cause anarchy and crisis in the country.
He noted with dismay that the comments were made few days after President Goodluck Jonathan and the APC presidential candidate signed a non-violence peace agreement.
Lagos
A tourism lecturer, Mr Wale Odeyemi, has urged par
ents and guardians to ensure that indigenous languages were spoken in homes for children to have basic understanding of their languages.
Odeyemi, who is the Zonal Head, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Lagos Campus, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
The lecturer, who said that indigenous languages were on the verge of extinction, added that “most parents do not speak their indigenous languages at home; some believe the language is inferior to English.
“In as much as parents try to expose their children to civilised standard of living, it will be wiser to teach the children the indigenous languages to inculcate their cultural identity in them.
“Language is the cultural identity of a people which must be guided, no matter one’s social status. Our indigenous language gives us a sense of belonging.
Niger
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has pledged to
tackle economic woes bedeviling the people of Niger State.
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the APC Presidential Candidate, made the promise his campaign at rally in Minna.
“Niger state is known as the power state because of its dams that provide electricity to the country. “These are also resources that will be used to revive the agricultural sector of the state and its neighbours. We will address transport, rural health, education as well as unemployment,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the government to provide security for all its citizens. We will discourage corrupt practices as well as prudently manage available resources.
Osun
A medical practitioner, Dr Kayode Oyebode, has
warned Nigerians to guard against an outbreak of Bird Flu.
Oyebode, who gave the warning in an interview with newsmen said cases of the epidemic had been recorded in some states, including Lagos and Kano.
“To prevent the spread of such epidemic, our people must be careful with the way they eat chickens and other birds to avoid being victims of the deadly disease.
‘’Bird Flu is a deadly disease mostly contracted from birds. The disease, which could be contracted from eating chickens, kills as fast as Ebola disease.
‘’ People must be enlightened on the danger of eating birds with such a disease and also be informed on ways to prevent an outbreak of such a disease,’’ Oyebode said.
Oyo
The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) solicited the support of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, in its bid to conduct free, fair and credible elections. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Amb. Rufus Akeju, made the call for support at the palace of the monarch in Oyo during an advocacy visit.
Akeju, who told the monarch that the advocacy visit was to sensitise the public on the need for peaceful elections, said.
“We need your help to deliver credible, free and fair elections to the people.
“You are the one that will mobilise the voters to come out to vote.
“We also need you to help tell the voters not to engage in violence and rigging and to comport themselves during the polls.’’
Taraba
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Sani Danladi,
said the state government would pay over N300 million as outstanding salary arrears to the lecturers of Taraba University, Jalingo “within the shortest time possible”.
Danladi said this in Jalingo at the commissioning of Taraba University staff quarters.
He said the payment was necessary to boost the morale of the lecturers for effective service delivery.
“I am aware that there are still some outstanding financial commitments to academic staff and other organisations. Government will redeem these commitments within the shortest time possible,“ he said.
From Left: Alhaji Lamidi Ajadi; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his Ssg, Alhaji Ismael Olalekan-alli, at the Agodi Eid Prayer Ground during the Eid-el-fitr prayers in Ibadan recently.
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.”