Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Government has reiterated it’s commitment to play a leading role in achieving the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The State Coordinator of MDGs, Alhaji Adamu Garbajo, made this known on Thursday in Yola at the opening ceremony of the MDGs Conditional Cash Transfer training workshop.
Garbajo said that efforts had been made to achieve the objectives of the MDGs in the areas of health, education, water supply, sanitation, agriculture and human development.
Ekiti
Five persons, including two women, on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over alleged possession of a human head.
The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Ebenezer Ewuola, gave the names of the accused as Bakare Itunu (F), Jamiu Aremu, Akeem Abdul, Odekunle Fatai and Kikelomo Bello (F).
Ewuola told the court that the accused committed the offence in March at 53 Iyere St., Erio-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state.
Ewuola said the offence contravened sections 517, 242 and 329 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State on Thursday arrested a suspected seller of cannabis and hard drugs (name withheld).
The Commandant of the agency in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Gidado, told newsmen in Dutse, that the suspect was arrested in Gumel Local Government Area of the state around 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday.
He said the arrest followed an intelligence report by men of the command operating in the area, adding that the suspect was found with 655 wraps of cannabis, three sachets of Diazepam (10 mg) and three sachets of Rohyphonol Flunitrazepam (1mg), popularly known as Roti.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) on Thursday agreed to jointly provide N2 billion loan to support small holder farmers to improve food production.
The Managing Director of the bank, Dr Mohammed Santuraki, made this known at a media briefing after he met with Governor Saidu Dakingari, in Birnin Kebbi.
Santuraki said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the loan would be formally signed soon by the two parties.
Kogi
Arrangements have been concluded for the installation of Ndakwo Ameh Oboni as the new Attah Igala on April 27.
Briefing newsmen in Idah on Thursday, the Chairman of the Coronation Planning Central Committee, Dr Ahmadu Ali said that the ceremony would take place at the ancient palace ground at Idah.
Ali, who is also the Ochada Attah Igala said that Gov. Idris Wada would present the staff of office to the new monarch.
He said that the historic event was unique and important to the Igalas because many of them would be witnessing such an occasion for the first time in 67 years.
Kwara
The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Issa Kayode, on Thursday charged health officials in the state to adopt the strategy of timely disease surveillance and control to promote a healthy population.
Kayode made the call in Ilorin at a sensitisation meeting on disease surveillance organised for health officials in the 16 local government areas of the state.
He said that the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa had adopted a strategy called “Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR)”.
According to him, the IDSR aims to create functional disease surveillance system in African countries which will generate information for timely action on control of diseases.
Lagos
A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday fixed April 30 for hearing in the case of 15 Russian sailors charged with illegal importation of arms and ammunition. The case, which was slated for hearing, could not go on due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke. No reason was given for his absence.
The accused include Zhelyazkov Andrey, Captain; Savchenko Sergel, Chichkanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexander, Lopatin Alexey and Baranovskly Nikolay.
Nasarawa
The Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Mr Clement Odeh, has urged youths in the state to embrace peace.
Odeh made the call on Wednesday during a reconciliatory meeting of all the ethnic groups in the state initiated by the Board in Lafia
“It is only when people agree to forget the ugly experience of what happened during the communal crisis and have accepted to forge ahead that lasting peace will be achieved. “If there is no peace, no meaningful development would be achieved,’’ he said.
Ogun
The Ogun State Police Command said on Thursday that it impounded 35 vehicles across the state within five days for violating the law against using tinted glasses.
The spokesman of the Command, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta that the command would intensify its efforts toward enforcing the order which, according to him, was from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar.
He said the command was also clamping down on vehicles with fake registration numbers, warning that owners of such vehicles would be classified as criminals.
Ondo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has challenged security operatives in Ondo State to tackle the spate of abduction of innocent persons in the state.
In a statement signed by the Vice President of NUJ Zone B, Mr Dele Atunbi, in Akure, the union observed with concern that “in the last two weeks, three women had been abducted in the state for ransom with just only one of them out of the crucible”.
“While noting with deep sense of concern the pains and agonies of these women in the fangs of their abductors, the union is alarmed that the security operatives have not been able to unravel any of these incidences.
Oyo
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has adjourned to June 13 hearing on the motion filed by the former governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The court could not sit on Thursday due to the inability of the judges to form a quorum.
The lead counsel to Daniel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, said he was not disappointed that the court was unable to sit; “We came here to do our own work, but unfortunately the court is not sitting because two of their Lordships are busy somewhere else on some important assignments. “It happens like that. Sometimes you come and your cases are done; sometimes your cases are not done, but the reason given by the court is a genuine one,” he said.
Daniel was dragged before an Abeokuta High Court by the EFCC on a 38-count charge of alleged financial misappropriation and conversion of state land to personal use.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government has rejected claims that the recent clashes in Wase and Langtang areas were communal strife between two tribal groups.
Commissioner for Information, Abraham Yiljap, said in Jos on Wednesday, after a state security meeting that reviewed the hostilities that had enveloped the southern part of the state in the past four days.
Yobe
Yobe State Government on Thursday approved N192.5 million for the procurement of ballot papers and other electoral materials for the June 2013 local government elections in the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Goni Fika, stated this while briefing newsmen after the state executive council meeting in Damaturu.
He explained that “the council approval N192.5 million being request from the State Electoral Commission for procurement of ballot papers and other electoral materials for the local government election”.
Zamfara
The Coalition of Maternal and New Born Child Health, an NGO, has commended the Zamfara State Government for making provision for nutrition in the 2013 budget.
The State Coordinator of the coalition, Mallam Ibrahim Tudu, made the commendation on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Gusau, said “we have succeeded after various struggles and complaints to the government, now the government has provided it under the State Ministry of Health’’.
He said the budget would contribute a lot to solving malnutrition problems in the state, and explained that the coalition, in collaboration with Save the Children International, had also organised various seminars and workshops for members of the coalition and journalists.
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.”