Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Nigerian Army says Boko Haram terrorists now
evade drones and aircraft surveillance by hiding in makeshift camps covered with shrubs.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, revealed this new tactic in a statement in Maiduguri.
Usman said in the statement that the discovery was made during a clearance operation in the North Eastern area of Kumshe in Borno.
“Troops of 7 Division Strike Group Team B, attached to 21 Brigade have braved harsh climatic conditions to clear seven villages of Boko Haram terrorists’ presence in the North East of Kumshe village.
“The villages are Mulfuta, Baibawa, Jenere, Bembem, Maksamari, Bula Kafie and Bula Bodi”.
FCT
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), has expressed the readiness of the commission to offer the required training to officers of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), in order to enhance its operations.
The acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, gave the assurance in Abuja when he received a delegation from the FRC, led by the Chairman, Mr Victor Muruako.
Magu said that the EFCC had world class training facilities and resource persons to aid the operations of the FRC.
In his remarks, Muruako expressed the need for the two agencies to partner to eradicate economic and financial crimes among revenue generating agencies.
“ Fiscal Responsibility Commission always has to force these revenue generating agencies to submit their annual statement of account.”
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested four
suspected armed robbers along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer DSP Zubairu Abubakar, disclosed this in Kaduna in an interview with newsmen.
According to him, the patrol team of Sabon Tasha Division received a distress call from a woman who was robbed by armed men at the Kakau over head bridge.
“When the patrol team arrived the scene, the robbers jumped out of their vehicle and ran into the bush.
`Members of the patrol team chased them and succeeded in arresting four of them,” Abubakar said.
Kano
No fewer than 3.6 million malnourished children have
been treated in Kano State under the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programme of UNICEF which started in the state in 2010.
The Nutrition Officer, Kano State Ministry of Health, Hajiya Halima Musa, made the disclosure during a field trip to Sharada Primary Health Center, Kano, organized for journalists by UNICEF recently.
The trip was to acquaint journalists drawn from Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Taraba, Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Adamawa and Jigawa, on malnutrition control in the state.
She said that 30 centers for the treatment of malnutrition had been opened in six selected local governments of the state.
Musa further revealed that 103,376 malnourished children were treated across the centers in 2015.
Kogi
Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State, has warned those
using religion and ethnicity to divide the people of the state to desist from that.
Bello gave the warning in Lokoja while speaking at the inauguration of the state chapter of the Coalition for the All Progressive Congress (APC) Support Groups.
He said that the state had witnessed dirty politics of tribalism and ethnicity and stressed the need for a complete break.
” Our plan is to usher in a better and greater Kogi where people will see themselves as one irrespective of tribe and religion and ensure that the state rank among the best in Nigeria.
“Kwara
The Olomu of Omu-Aran In Kwara State, Oba Charles
Ibitoye, has commended the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for the distribution of free prepaid meters to its customers in Omu-Aran district.
He gave the commendation while addressing members of the Artisan Congress of Nigeria, Omu-Aran chapter, in his palace in Omu-Aran on Sunday.
Our ccorespondent reports that IBEDC had, a few days ago, begun free installation of 517 meters under its Free Prepaid Meters Roll-out Scheme to customers in the district.
Omu-Aran district comprises Offa, Ajase-Ipo, Oro, Oke-Onigbin, Oko, Osi and Egbe, among others.
Lagos
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has called on
individuals and corporate bodies to support the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to improve on its rescue operations during emergencies.
The branch Chairman of the NSE, Mr Olalekan Taiwo, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Taiwo said disasters could affect everybody wherever they occurred, adding that it required cooperation from everyone to improve disaster and rescue management and reduce casualties.
“All hands should be on deck to ensure that disaster management and rescue operations are not left in the hands of government alone.
Nassarawa
Nasarawa State Chairman of All Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ahmed Suleiman-Wambai, has urged the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to suspend its ongoing strike.
Sulieman-Wambai, who is also the Sole Administrator of Lafia Local Government Area (LGA), made the call shortly after a stakeholders meeting in Lafia.
He said that the teachers should call off the strike and return to their duty posts in the interest of the pupils and the state in general.
“It is not the intention of the state or the respective LGAs not to pay any worker in the state; the situation should be blamed on the state’s dwindling resources brought about by a downturn in the nation’s economy”, he said.
Niger
The Niger State Commissioner for Information, Cul
ture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, has appealed to traders in the state to reduce prices of commodities in this holy month of Ramadan.
Vatsa told journalists in Minna last Thursday that it was unfair to increase the prices of food during Ramadan.
“We are all experiencing hard times; so we should not add to it by increasing the prices of goods and services unjustly”, he said.
According to him, reducing the prices of food stuffs during Ramadan and thereafter attracts rich rewards from Allah, the Creator of the universe.
No fewer than 19 persons lost their lives in an auto
crash that occurred on Sunday along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway recently.
Our correspondent reports that the accident occurred at about 1 p.m. around Fidiwo/Ajebo axis of the road.
The Public Relations Officer of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the accident.
According to him, the accident involved a tanker, laden with fuel, with plate number, RAN 571 XA, and an 18-seater passenger bus with registration number LAGOS AGL 373 XR and an articulated vehicle marked AJG 40 XA.
Akinbiyi explained that the fuel truck travelling towards Ibadan rammed into the articulated vehicle conveying cement, while trying to overtake it at a diversion, and collided with commercial bus heading towards Lagos.
He said all the 19 occupants of the bus lost their lives on the spot, adding that evacuation was ongoing at the time of filing this report.
Oyo
The face-off between the Oyo State Government and
labour may soon be over as the two parties commenced reconciliatory talks in Ibadan.
Our correspondent reports that workers led by the national leadership of the NLC had on June 6 declared an indefinite strike over their unpaid six months salaries.
The workers also rejected government’s controversial education initiative to involve private participation in the management of public secondary schools while also demanding the withdrawal of all charges against the labour leaders in a court of law.
A five-hour reconciliatory meeting facilitated by the State House of Assembly, however, held at the Executive Chambers of the Governors Office.
Speaking after the meeting, which ended at exactly 8.15p.m., the parties told newsmen that the reconciliatory process was on course.
Taraba
A group, Concerned Taraba Tiv Youth Frontier
(CTTYF), has donated relief materials to victims of herdsmen’s attacks currently camping in Sabon-Gida, Dan-Anacha and Korum villages of Taraba.
The Chairman of group Mr Dooior Torkula, presented the materials to the Chief of Gassol, Simon Erentsa for onward distribution to the IDPs in the three camps.
Torkula said the group decided to assist so as to reduce the effects of the economic crunch being experienced in the country, saying the IDPs were the worst hit in the period.
He urged the people not to lose faith as the Federal and State Governments were doing everything possible to ensure security of lives and property.
The chairman appealed to the displaced persons to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement and criminal act to the security agencies.
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.”