The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, has granted bail to the suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the sum of N50 million.

The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Chizoba Orji, rejected the Federal Government’s application for the defendant, who was arraigned on a three-count charge, to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of the case against her.

Justice Orji held that she found no reason to deny the defendant bail, saying there was sufficient evidence that she is willing to face her trial.

Consequently, aside from the N50m, the court held that the defendant must produce one surety who must be a person of integrity who owns a landed property in Abuja.

The court based its decision on section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The case was subsequently adjourned till September 23 for trial. FG is prosecuting the lawmaker for allegedly making a false claim that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, were behind a plot to assassinate her.

In the charge marked: CR/297/25, FG alleged that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was listed as the sole defendant, made the false and defamatory remarks when she appeared as a guest on live television.

It specifically accused her of making “imputation, knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.”

According to the charge, by making such false imputation that tarnished the image of others, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, committed an offence under 391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. It added that the alleged offence is punishable under section 392 of the same law.

Giving particulars of the offence in count one of the charge, FG, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged crime on April 3, during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Among those listed as witnesses in the matter were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and a former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who were cited as nominal complainants.

Other witnesses billed to testify in the case are two police officers who investigated the matter, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba; a Senator, Asuquo Ekpenyong and one Sandra Duru.

The charge, dated May 16, came on the heels of a letter Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, wherein she accused police of exhibiting bias in the investigation of her petitions against the Senate President.

It will be recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja had fixed June 27 to determine the legality or otherwise of the six-month suspension that was slammed on the defendant by the Senate.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the court after she was summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee following a faceoff she had with the Senate President during plenary on February 20.

While protesting the alleged arbitrary change of her seating position, she repeatedly raised a point of order to be allowed to speak, even though she had been overruled by the Senate President.

Irked by her conduct, the Senate President referred her case to the Ethics Committee. In a television interview she granted on February 28, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her travails in the Senate began after she rejected unwanted advances from the Senate President, Akpabio.

In an ex parte application she brought before the court, she applied for an order to declare any action the Senate Committee took within the pendency of her suit, including her suspension, as “null, void, and of no effect.”

The founder of PRNigeria, Malam Yushau Shuaib, has demanded his immediate reinstatement into the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

Shuaib, a public relations expert, is also seeking from NIPSS, a compensation of ₦1 billion for alleged reputational damage, emotional trauma and financial losses resulting from what he described as a wrongful withdrawal from the elite training programme.

The demands are contained in a pre-action notice served on NIPSS following his ejection from the elite institution on ground of alleged misconduct.

The pre-action notice dated June 16, 2025, and signed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Yunus Abdulsalam, was addressed to Professor Ayo Omotayo, the Director General of NIPSS.

It outlined series of alleged infractions by the Institute, including cyberstalking, unlawful access to private communications and baseless disciplinary measures, which the legal team claimed were aimed at humiliating and ejecting Shuaib from the programme under false pretences.

Shuaib, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), was said to have been nominated and admitted to SEC 47 early this year but the relationship between him and the Institute reportedly soured after he was served two queries over newspaper articles allegedly linked to him.

Trouble reportedly broke out when Rear Admiral A. A. Mustapha issued him queries on behalf of Barrister Nima Salman Mann, the acting Director of studies at NIPSS.

A news story, titled “NIPSS Goes Digital: Launches Paperless Platform after Submitting Landmark Report to President Tinubu”, considered to be offensive by NIPSS was said to have been published by his PRNigeria news medium but Shuaib insisted he neither authored nor sanctioned it.

His legal representatives argued that the article was independently disseminated by other media outlets and contained no classified or confidential information.

The second query, according to the legal notice, referenced another article authored by Shuaib on the Blue Economy, an area said to be unrelated to NIPSS activities.

The article, titled “Understanding the ‘Blue’ in the Blue Economy: A PR Perspective”, was described by the legal team as a constitutionally protected expression of opinion.

However, NIPSS allegedly cited it as grounds for punitive action after unlawfully accessing Shuaib’s private email account.

The legal team denounced what it called a “fault-finding voyage” by the Institute, alleging that NIPSS had violated Shuaib’s digital privacy in an attempt to fabricate misconduct.

“The Institute’s actions constitute a flagrant violation of digital privacy and a breach of constitutional rights under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution,” the letter stated.

It further described the queries and ejection process as malicious, unfounded and driven by “sheer institutional malice.”

Despite his compliance and respect for constituted authority, the notice claimed Shuaib was treated in a manner “incompatible with professional standards and institutional values.”

The legal notice issued to NIPSS gave the institution a 14-day ultimatum to comply with demands concerning Shuaib.

They include the formal and unconditional withdrawal of all disciplinary actions taken against him, as well as a written apology to be addressed to him and to be copied to the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

The notice further demanded Shuaib’s immediate reinstatement into the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, with full privileges restored, particularly access to international study tours.

It also sought a compensation of ₦1 billion for what was described as reputational, emotional, and financial harm caused by the institute’s actions.

The letter warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated timeframe would result in the initiation of legal proceedings, including claims for aggravated damages and declaratory relief.

The case, when filed, may raise questions around digital rights, institutional accountability and freedom of expression within Nigeria’s premier policy think tank.

At the time of this report, NIPSS has not officially responded to the pre-action notice.

The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, has explained why he rejected a N30 million donation offered by the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during a crusade organised by the church in the state.

A representative of the governor, Kebbi’s Commissioner for Social Duties, Zayyanu Umar Aliero had announced the cash gift on behalf of the governor at the Kebbi Healing and Deliverance Crusade organised by the church.

Aliero told the gathering that the N30m was approved as a donation to the crusade’s organising committee and was available in cash.

Aliero said, “Our Governor, His Excellency Dr Nasir Idris, a faithful Governor and also a Comrade Governor, who you all know is the only Comrade Governor in this country. He has therefore graciously approved the donation of the sum of 30 million naira to this gathering.

“That is to the organising committee. His Excellency has approved the donation of a sum of 30 million naira to the organising committee, which you know that whenever His Excellency makes a donation, he doesn’t leave without bringing that donation in cash. So before I leave this stage, I want to present that sum of 30 million naira in cash.”

However, Enenche declined the offer, taking to the stage to urge that the money be redirected to charitable causes.

“If there is anything like orphanage, if there is anything like that, at your discretion, please apply this amount of money to it. No. It will not be received,” the senior pastor said.

Speaking later, Enenche explained the church’s stance, emphasising that public funds should be used solely for public causes.

“We are one of those who believe that government money should be used for government projects and government things should be used for government things; and church money should be used for church things, not mixed together.

“That is what we did that is what we do. As small as the Glory Dome is right there, government money is not in it. From land to the building to everything,” he said.

He added that the body of Christ should “trust God for supernatural supplies.”

He suggested that the donation be handed over to a government-approved religious body instead, such as the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board or the Christian Association of Nigeria.

“This is so that we can retain our dignity as a body of Christ; retain our dignity as a church, and say what we need to say when we need to say it. And be able to say what we need to say when we need to say it,” he said.

Aliero, speaking after the rejection, acknowledged Enenche’s position.

“They don’t accept it because whatever he is doing, he is doing it for the sake of God. We really appreciate and we really thank him for what he is doing in our state,” he said.

• Says court affirmed ex-minister as ‘Ministry of Foreign Affairs‘

A former career diplomat with the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs, former Head of  Mission in Jamaica and onetime High Commissioner in Namibia, Amb. Lilian Onoh has sent a petition to the Chief Judge of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alleging that a judge, Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya, refused to release the certified true copy of the judgment she delivered in an action instituted against her (Amb. Onoh) by the former minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama.

She also alleged that Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya delivered her judgment and recognised
Geoffrey Onyeama as the MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS – “a landmark ruling with both
domestic and international implications, and which will make Nigeria a global laughing stock for years to come.”

The part of her petition reads:

“On 4th June 2025, Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya delivered her judgment and recognised
Geoffrey Onyeama as the MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS – a landmark ruling with both
domestic and international implications and which will make Nigeria a global laughing stock
for years to come.

“The immediate international ramification of the judgment is that all diplomatic missions in Nigeria and abroad, the United Nations, World Bank etc would need to acknowledge that Geoffrey Onyeama is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. On the domestic front, it immediately erases the actual administrative institution known as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the President of Nigeria, the National Assembly, Central Bank of Nigeria, all Nigeria’s 109 diplomatic Missions etc. would also need to acknowledge this legal status as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted Geoffrey Onyeama by Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya . This judgment not only ridicules Nigeria, it raises questions about the vetting of the credentials of those appointed as judges in Nigeria.

“I previously lodged a complaint to you, the Chief Judge of the FCT, about acts of bias,
misconduct, personal vitriolic attacks and abuse of process and power by Justice Keziah
Ogbonnaya during the initial phase of this trial in November 2023; in particular, her refusal
to hear my pre-trial Motions to Dismiss the case on multiple procedural grounds, including
lack of personal jurisdiction; and her decision denying me the right to defend myself before
attempting to deliver judgment on 11th December 2023. She declared that she would
address these motions only AFTER the conclusion of the case, during her judgment, in
contravention of all known legal systems in the world. Indeed, that is exactly what she did.

“However, in retaliation for my writing a petition to you – a petition which was widely
reported in Nigeria and which forced Justice Ogbonnaya to allow me to testify via zoom in accordance with the 2023 Evidence Act – Justice Ogbonnaya did the unthinkable. At the next court sitting on 11th January 2024, she issued a death threat to me and all the
journalists in court that were covering her unethical conduct of the trial and said:
“WHOEVER WRITES WHAT IS NOT TRUE AGAINST ME WILL DIE.”
(Please see attached report from Premium Times, 11th January 2024; and Twitter posts by
Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and Aisha Yesufu).

“Nobody had lied against her. She was the liar who repeatedly abused me and my
family as well as my lawyers from her bench and did not like her atrocious conduct
reported, hence her murder threat to me and the journalists in court for reporting her
conduct.

“Despite the wide media coverage given this death threat by a sitting judge, neither
your office nor the National Judicial Council (NJC) or even the Inspector General of Police
took any action against Judge Keziah Ogbonnaya for this felony which is clearly spelt out
under Section 327 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act and which carries up to 7 years’

“In a further act of retaliation, Justice Ogbonnaya forced me to pay for the right to
defend myself by insisting that only I bear the cost of providing the electronic equipment
not just for my own testimony but also for the testimony and cross examination of Geoffrey
Onyeama and his witness, costing me millions of Naira at the 2023-early 2024 exchange rate of USDl to NGNSS0-730. Furthermore, she insisted that in order for me to defend myself, I had to pay thousands of Naira for diesel for each court sessions, IN CASH, without any treasury receipts given. That is corruption.

“She also imposed arbitrary fines of hundreds of thousands of Naira on me, which I
had to pay in cash, before being allowed to defend myself. No single treasury receipt was ever issued to me, even though these fines are in the court record of proceedings. That is corruption.

Please read the full text of the petition below.

Although Nigeria is grappling with an alarming drug crisis, with a United Nations report revealing that 14.4 per cent of its population aged 15 to 64 (nearly triple the global average) abuse drugs, the Police headquarters in Abuja has clarified that a viral video trending in social media showing school girls smoking Indian hemp (Cannabis), purporting to be from Nigeria and causing anxiety among parents, is not from Nigeria but Zimbabwe.

Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi made this known on Thursday even as he cautioned the public to exercise restraint over the dissemination of unverified information.

He said, “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a deeply concerning video currently circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, depicting a school-aged girl smoking what appears to be cannabis, surrounded and cheered on by her classmates.

“The video has been widely shared with captions suggesting the incident occurred within a Nigerian school, prompting significant concern and anxiety amongst Nigerian parents and the wider community.

“However, a preliminary investigation into its origin strongly suggests that the video did not originate in Nigeria, with multiple indicators pointing towards the video’s likely origin being in Zimbabwe.

“The evidence supporting this conclusion includes the language spoken within the video.

“Individuals featured are heard speaking in both English and Shona, the latter being a language predominantly spoken in Zimbabwe and parts of southern Africa.

“Critically, no Nigerian languages or discernible Nigerian accents are present in the audio.

“Furthermore, the original upload of the video was accompanied by a caption written in Shona, with its initial posting on the Instagram channel @rusape_celebs_tv, a channel which is demonstrably based in the town of Rusape, Zimbabwe.

We urge the public to exercise caution when “sharing unverified information, particularly when it involves sensitive content and carries the potential to impact individuals, organizations, and entire communities negatively.

“The Force strongly encourages responsible sharing of information and thorough verification of sources before amplifying potentially harmful claims.”

Back in Nigeria, however, a professor of psychiatry and clinical psychology at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Olurotimi Coker, raised an alarm over the growing mental health crisis among boys in Nigeria.

According to him, mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are increasingly affecting young boys in Nigeria. Unfortunately, these issues are often overlooked due to societal expectations that boys must always appear strong.

A study conducted at a Borstal Institution in North-Central Nigeria found that 82.5 per cent of adolescent male residents had psychiatric disorders. The most prevalent conditions were disruptive behaviour disorders (40.8 per cent), followed by substance use disorders (15.8 per cent), anxiety disorders (14.2 per cent), psychosis (6.7 per cent), and mood disorders (five per cent).

PRESS STATEMENT

Womanifesto Condemns Desperate Attempts to Silence Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Calls for End to Judicial Harassment

…This is not just about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; it is about every Nigerian woman

Women across Nigeria, under the umbrella body of WOMANIFESTO, are expressing profound outrage and displeasure over the relentless and evidently coordinated legal assaults targeting Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The latest development, the scheduling of her arraignment on defamation charges at the Federal High Court on June 19, 2025, following a shocking attempt to unlawfully arrest her today, is a blatant affront to justice, due process, and indeed, to the collective voice of Nigerian womanhood.

On Monday, a sinister plot unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja, revealing the lengths to which certain powerful figures are willing to go to silence a dissenting female voice. Despite Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and her legal team not being formally served with any notice of a new suit, a staggering ten truckloads of armed policemen were deployed to the court premises, clearly intending to effect an unlawful arrest. This ambush, meticulously planned to secure a judge’s immediate approval for her arrest, was only thwarted by the timely and fortuitous intervention of a vigilant lawyer.

“What we witnessed today is nothing short of a judicial ambush, a desperate act of political intimidation aimed at humiliating a sitting Senator and stifling the voice of truth,” stated a coalition of women’s rights advocates. The fact that this exact same charge is also slated for hearing at the FCT High Court on Thursday underscores the desperation of the state to persecute Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, even if it’s for a single day.”

The charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, stemming from statements she reportedly made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, are being prosecuted by the Federal Government of Nigeria. This unprecedented intervention by the federal government in what appears to be a personal defamation suit raises serious questions about the misuse of state machinery for private vendettas.

“This is an affront to womanhood, a direct message meant to intimidate and silence Nigerian women who dare to speak out against injustice, particularly sexual harassment and political malfeasance,” declared a prominent women’s leader. “They want to shut women up, to make us afraid to speak out when harassed. This calculated move from ‘give me a good seat’ to ‘the prison,’ from ‘stop harassing me’ to ‘six-month suspension or better still elimination,’ is unacceptable and must be resisted with every fiber of our being.”

We note with grave concern the Federal High Court’s earlier refusal to issue a bench warrant for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s arrest on June 3, citing the lack of proper service. This recent attempt to circumvent due process through a coordinated ambush is a further indication of a deep-seated agenda to persecute and discredit her.

We, the women of Nigeria, unequivocally state:

1. This is not just about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; it is about every Nigerian woman.
2. The Nigerian government is attempting to send a clear message: women are to be seen and not heard, and certainly not to speak back, especially when expressing themselves around powerful male figures.
   We understand this message clearly, and we will not accept this.
3. Due process has been flagrantly disregarded. The coordinated attempt to arrest Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without prior service or proper legal procedure, coupled with the duplication of charges across different courts, exposes a malicious intent to secure a conviction at all costs.
4. The judiciary must not be weaponized for political witch-hunts. The independence and integrity of our courts are paramount to a functioning democracy. This egregious abuse of court processes undermines public trust in our legal system.
5. We call for an immediate cessation of all forms of harassment and intimidation against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her right to express her views, particularly on matters of public interest and alleged harassment, must be protected.
6. We urge all well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the international community to join us in solidarity. This is a critical moment for the defense of democracy, human rights, and women’s voices in Nigeria.

We stand firm in our resolve to support Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and to ensure that justice prevails. The power of the people is stronger than the temporary power of any individual. We are watching, and we will not be silent.

Signed
Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi
Co – Convener Womanifesto

9jafeminista
Action Aid Nigeria
ACTS Generation GBV
Ade Grange Child Foundation
ADEM Community Human Development Foundation
Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)
Advocate for Health and Development Initiative
Affirmative Action Initiative for Women (NCAA)
African Women’s Initiative/ Verity CNET
African Women’s Initiative (AWI)
Ajegunle Community Project
Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation
Alliances for Africa
Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative
Amazing Grace Inspirations
Aminchi Women Cooperative Society
Amuwo odofin local government
ARDA Development Communication Inc.
Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation.
Association Against Women Exploitation and Degradation (AAWED)
Association of Nigeria Women’s Business Network (ANWBN)
Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA)
ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF)
AYO Fadugba KYF Foundation
Baobab for Women’s Human Rights
BLECCA Foundation
Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF)
Brooklyn College, City University of New York, USA
Cece Yara Foundation
Cedar Seed Foundation
CEE-HOPE Nigeria
Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities (CEEGA)
Center for Transparency Advocacy
Center for Women’s Health and Information
Centre for Alternative Development and Self-Enhancement (CEADESE NG)
Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA)
Centre for Media and Development Communications
Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN)
Centre for Peace Education and Community Development
Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN)
Change Managers International Network
Charity Women Spring of Salvation
Chedal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society
Child Care and Adult Protection Initiative(CCAPI)
Choung-Dung Women Association.
Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS)
Christian Women in Nigerian Politics
Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)
Citizenship and Human Development Initiative
Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center (CIRDDOC)
Community and Youth Development
Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI)
Community Initiative for Healthy and Peaceful Society
Community Life Project (CLP)
Community Partners for Development (CPD)
Community Rescue Initiative (CRI)
Community Women Initiatives (CWI)
Country Associates Network
Country Associates Network (CAN)
Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL)
Crestville Development Foundation
Champion Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Association (CWEMA)
Daria Media Foundation (DMF)
Development in Practice Gender and Entrepreneurial Initiative (DIPGEI)
Digi Civic Initiative
Dinidari Foundation
Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF)
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili
Dream Alive Women and Orphans Support Foundation (DAWOS Foundation)
Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives
Edo Women’s Development Initiative
Education As a Vaccine (EVA)
Emerge Women Development Initiative (EWDI)
Empowerment and Action
Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria
Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF)
Equity Advocates and The Woman Today Newspater TWT
FACICP Disability Plus
Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON)
Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN)
Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN)
Fembridge Development Initiative (FEDI)
First Future Leadership
First Future leadership Company/Gte
Former Women Action Organization (WAO)
Forum of Women in Politics (FONWIP)
Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM)
Foundation for Justice Development and Peace (FJDP)
Gender Action Awareness Trust
Gender and Community Empowerment Initiative
Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN)
Gender and Development Action (GADA)
Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI)
Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)
Gender Development Initiative
Gender Equality Center
Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre
Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI)
Gender Technical Unit (GTU)
Genger Equality, Peace and Development Centre
Gender Relevance initiative Promotion (GRIP)
Girl Child Advocacy and Education Initiatives
Girl Child Africa
Girl Child Education, Care & Rehabilitation
Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC)
Girls Power Initiative (GPI)
Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC)
Green Spring Development Initiative
Habiba Dangana (Hadis) Foundation
Heal Disability Initiative
Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative
Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria(HERFON)
HEIR Women Development
Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development
Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development
Hope for New Life (HNL)
Independent consultant
Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD)
Inter Africa Committee (IAC)
Inter Gender Peace Foundation (IGPF)
International Action Network on Small Arms Women Network (IANSA)
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
International Hairstylists, Barber and Body Therapists (IHSTOBAN)
International Women Communication Centre (IWCC)
Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation (ICCF)
Jamatul Nasir Islam, Women Wing
Jana Health Foundation (JHF)
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Julie Oyegun
Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM)
Kebetkache Women Development And Resources Centre
Kilimanjaro Youth Foundation (KYF)
KMashi Gamji Women
Koyenum Immalah Foundation
Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)
Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative (KTMDI)
League of Queens International Empowerment (LQIE)
League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV)
LEDAP
Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women Initiative (LACVAW)
Lift Initiative
Mary Afansmallscale women farmers organization on Nigeria (SWOFON)
MBULA Women Association
Media & Teens Network
Media Concern Initiative
Media Concern Initiative for Women and Children
MODAC
More Women in Politics
Mothers United and Mobilised (MUMs)
Moyo wa Taifa
(Pan Afrikan Women’s Solidarity Network)
My Voice My Future NGO
Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT)
National Centre for Women Development
National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
NAWE
NAWORG
NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women
Neighbourhood Care-Well Foundation
Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria
Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN
NEWA
Next Initiative for Gender Actions (NIGA)
NGAS Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society
Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)
Nigeria For Women Project
Nigeria Labour Congress, Women Committee
Nigerian Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)
Nigerian Express
Nigerian Women Politics Forum
Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF)
Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo (NNII)
None for now
Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI)S
Ogun Women Alive
Okwuzi Women Forum
Olive Community Development Initiatives
Onomese Foundation
Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (OPAISD)
Osi Joe Touching Lives Initiative
Ovie Brume Foundation
OvieBrumeFoundation
Partners West Africa Nigeria
Peasant Dragnet
Princess Olufemi-Kayode
Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI)
Purple Women Foundation
Quinnipiac University
Centre for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa (RACE Centre)
Ray of Hope Community Foundation
Relief Development Initiative Kaduna
Research Centre (EARC)
Responsible Citizenship and Human Development Initiative
Restoration of the Dignity of Womanhood
(ROTDOW)
Safe Space Initiative
Save a Child Lend a Hand Foundation
Sesor Empowerment Foundation
She for she Africa Initiative
She Forum Africa
She Mentors Initiative
Shout Global Health
Small-scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON)
South- South Professional Women Association.
Stand to End Rape (STER)
Stephanie Peace Building Development Foundation
Support For Needy Children and Women Initiative (SUNCHI)
Taraba State University
Tari Oba International Foundation
TechHerNG
The Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria
The Inclusion Project (TIP)
The Kilimanjaro
The Priceless Jewels
The Purple Foundation
THR Media
Tonia Bruised but Not Broken Foundation
Transformation and Development Center (TDC)
Transition Monitoring Group
Tunde & Friends Foundation (TAFF)
UC Women Commission
UTO Foundation
Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI)
Voice of Ogun Women (VOW)
WEPDN
West African Network for Peace
WEWENETWORK AFRIQUE
Widows Development Organization (WIDO)
WISCAR
Woman-Being Concern Nigeria (WBC)
Women &Youth Awareness Empowerment Network (WOYAEN)
Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD)
Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC)
Women Aid Collective (WACOL)
Women and Youth Empowerment for Advancement and Health Initiative
Women AT Risk International Foundation(WARIF)
Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)
Women Democracy Network Africa – Nigeria
Women education advocacy and development Initiatives (WEADI)
Women Empowerment and Initiative Development
Women Empowerment and Reproductive Health Centre (WERHC)
Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI)
Women Environmental Programme (WEP)
Women Farmers Alliance (WFA)
Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative (WOPEGEE)
Women for Women International
Women Foundation Initiative (WFI)
Women Foundation of Nigeria (WFN)
Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Center (WAPDAGEC) Women Action Organization (WAO)
Women in Africa Initiative (WIAI)
Women in Agriculture (WIA)
Women in Extractives
Women in Extractives Women in Management Buisness and Public Service (WIMBIZ)
Women Information Network (WINET)
Women Initiative for Democracy and Empowerment (WIDE)
Women Initiative on Climate change
Women Law and Development Initiative (WOLDI)
Women Law Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN)
Women Lead Agric (WLA)
Women League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Women of Vision Development Initiative
Women Optimum Development Foundation-WODEF
Women Protection Organization (WOPO)
Women Right to Education Programme (WREP)
Women Wing of The Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN)
Women Youth and Children Upliftment Foundation (WYCUT)
Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI)
Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program
Women’s Optimum Development Foundation-WODEF
Women’s Crisis Centre Owerri
Women’s Leadership Group (WLG)
Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)
Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP)
Women Preneurs (AWEBO)
Womens Crisis Centre Owerri
Working Moms Africa (WMA) by
Yiaga Africa
Yeye Adenike Agnes Shobajo Women’s Group Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has shortlisted 72 lawyers for the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for 2025.

The Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Esq., who also serves as the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, announced this in a public notice dated 17th June, 2025.

This announcement precedes the final stage of the conferment process, which includes the interview. 

2. The shortlisted candidates are grouped under two categories in accordance with the LPPC Guidelines system: 

3. The shortlisted Applicants are as follows in order of seniority at the Bar

Advocate Applicants:

1. Theophilus Esan Kolawole, Esq
2. Fedude Zimughan, Esq
3. Ernest Chik Wendu Ikeji, Esq
4. Victor Esiri Akpoguma, Esq
5. Leslie Akujuobi Njemanze, Esq
6. Akintola Wilson Adewale, Esq
7. Preye Agedah, Esq
8. Omamuzo Erebe, Esq
9. Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, Esq
10. Olumide Ekisola, Esq
11. George Ejie Ukaegbu, Esq
12. Oromena Justice Ajakpovi, Esq
13. Tairu Adebayo, Esq
14. Bawaakhimie Osali Ibrahim, Esq
15. Suleh Umar, Esq
16. Emeka Akabogu, Esq
17. Godwin Sunday Ogboji Esq
18. Godwin Aimuagbonrie Idiagbonya, Esq
19. Adeolu Olusegun Salako, Esq
20. Adetunji Oso, Esq
21. Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, Esq
22. Shuaib Agbarere Mustapha, Esq
23. Adizua Chu-chu Okoroafor, Esq
24. Olanrewaju Tasleem Akinsola, Esq
25. Amaechi Fidelis Iteshi, Esq
26. Adakole Edwin Inegedu, Esq
27. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, Esq
28. David Ogenyi Ogebe, Esq
29. Aminu Sani Gadanya, Esq
30. Oluseun Awonuga Adentyi, Esq
31. Ikechukwu Raphael Uwanna, Esq
32. Ayodeji Joseph Ademola,Esq
33. Kelechi Nwaiwu, Esq
34. Lawal Garba Hudu, Esq
35. Ibim Simeon Dokubo, Esq
36. Luka Abubakar Haruna Musa, Esq
37. Shakeer Adedayo Oshodi, Esq
38. Oluwole Tolulope Jimi-bada, Esq
39. Mubarak Tijani Adekilekun, Esq
40. Chinyere Ekene Moneme, Esq
41. Shuaibu Magaji Labaran, Esq
42. Kingsley Tochukwuudeh, Esq
43. Augustine Enenche Audu, Esq
44. Ali Dussah Zubairu, Esq
45. Adeyemi Adebambo Pitan, Esq
46. Habeeb Abdulrahman Oredola, Esq
47. Abdulakeem Labi-lawal, Esq
48. Victor Agunzi, Esq
49. Nkwegu Luke Ogbagaegwu, Esq
50. Bidemi Ifedunni Ademola-Bello, Esq
51. Temilolu Femi Adamolekun, Esq
52. Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, Esq
53. Adedayo Gbolahan Adesina, Esq
54. Usman Yusufzaiyanu, Esq
55. Taiwo Azeez Hassan, Esq
56. Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja, Esq
57. Rye Olufemi Olabunmi Oyewole, Esq

B. Academic Applicants

1. Prof. John Alewo Agbonika
2. Prof. Osy Ezechukwunyere Nwebo
3. Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule
4. Prof. Najeem Adeyemi Ijaiya
5. Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri
6. Prof. Akkaarren Samuel Shaakaa
7. Prof. Nathaniel Ahagbue Inegbedion
8. Prof. Collins Obioma Chijioke
9. Prof. Violet Aigbokhaevbo
10. Prof Meshak Nnama Umenweke
11. Prof. Augustine Robert Agom
12. Prof Osaretin George Izevbuwa
13. Prof. Chimajosephat Ubanyionwu
14. Prof. Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan
15. Prof. Ominiye Bukola Akinola

The General Public Is Hereby Invited To Comment On The Integrity, Reputation And Competence Of The Above-Listed Applicants.

Every complaint must be accompanied with a verifying affidavit deposed to by the author before a superior court of record in Nigeria or before a Notary Public and must be in twenty (20) copies, which must be received.

Twenty (20) copies of such comments or complaints must be received at the office of the secretary, Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, not later than 4.00 pm on Monday, 14th July, 2025, or by email to: [email protected] Or [email protected]

For the avoidance of doubt, the publication of the names of the shortlisted applicants is not an indication of their success in the process.

Kabir Eniola Akanbi, Esq.

Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria 

Dated at Abuja this Monday, the 17th Day of June, 2025.

From August 1, 2025, the Corporate Affairs Commission will commence a fresh review of its service fees.

The Commission said its decision was taken after a thorough assessment of present economic conditions, rising operational expenses, and consultations with key stakeholders.

In a public notice obtained by Law & Society Magazine, the Commission said the fee adjustment is part of efforts to deliver efficient, technology-driven services that align with the needs of businesses and the Nigerian economy.

“The Commission wishes to inform the General Public, Esteemed Customers, and all Stakeholders that in the continued efforts to improve its service quality and delivery, it has become necessary to review certain service fees effective the 1st day of August 2025.

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“This decision follows the careful consideration of prevailing economic realities, rising operational costs as well as engagement of critical stakeholders ahead of implementation,” the CAC said.

It added, “The review is modest, competitive and aligns with our commitment to enhance service delivery through digitalised operations and maintain the integrity of the Nigerian Corporate Registry.”

Reaffirming its dedication to efficiency, the CAC noted that the revised fees are intended to ensure sustainability and continuous improvement in its service delivery.

• Tells Benue Governor to seek reconciliation with aggressors
• CDS blames military saboteurs for Benue massacre ahead of Tinubu’s visit
• Governor Alia claims President Bola Tinubu has not abandoned Benue

Although President Bola Tinubu has now scheduled a state visit to Benue State, his silence over the killings that have claimed over 200 lives in the state was disturbing.

President Tinubu’s silence over the Benue carnage until days ago is in marked contrast to the government’s swift condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Iran, drawing criticisms from Nigerians who question the administration’s priorities.

Following the outcry of Nigerians and human rights groups over the sustained violence displacing thousands and threatening food security, given that most of the victims are subsistence farmers, the president in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, directed Governor Hyacinth Alia, “to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.”

He also “charged the governor of Benue State with convening reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.”

In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian government swiftly spoke against the Israel-Iran conflict.

In a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government condemned Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran and called for restraint.

“Nigeria expresses its grave concern and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges both parties to exercise utmost restraint in the interest of regional and global peace,” the statement read.

“We reiterate that military action is not a substitute for negotiation.”

This move has drawn backlash from citizens, who feel that the government is more concerned with international diplomacy than with domestic security.

“Oga let’s officially condemn the killings in plateau state and Benue state first. Let’s practice the Nigerian first policy. Let’s first take out the spec in our eyes before attempting to take out the log in another man’s eyes?” Bassey Etienam (@bazijoy) wrote on X, reflecting a sentiment shared widely on social media.

A report recently released by SBM Intelligence indicates that at least 2,000 Nigerians were killed in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with Benue State recording 101 deaths, placing it among the worst-affected regions. The report also noted that 136 security personnel died during the same period.

As bodies continue to pile up and displaced communities struggle for survival, the silence from the Tinubu presidency speaks volumes.

Critics argue that while the government presents itself as a champion of peace on the global stage, it is failing to provide even the most basic security for its citizens at home.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Monday blamed the massacre of over 200 lives in Yelwata on the presence of saboteurs within the Nigerian military.

Recall that in May 2025, during a television interview, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum declared: “We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly.” He added: “Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an end to this madness. We need not politicise insecurity.”

Speaking during a visit to Yelwata to assess the destruction caused by last Saturday’s attack, Musa disclosed that some military personnel have been betraying the army by leaking vital information to bandits.

“This is one killing too many. From here, I am going to see my commanders. We need to change our strategy, look inward, and see how we can address this. We can’t do it alone without the state; we need everybody to be part of it,” he said.

On the other hand, Governor Hyacinth Alia claims that foreign terrorists and not just herders, are behind the rising killings in his state.

He explained that many of the attackers are heavily armed, move without cattle, and do not speak any Nigerian language.

Governor Alia also said President Bola Tinubu has not abandoned Benue, noting that the Federal Government has been supporting the state with security forces and resources to tackle the ongoing violence.

He revealed this while speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.

Alia stated that federal support has helped reduce the number of local government areas being terrorised by armed attackers from seventeen to three.

“After some recent attacks, three federal security agencies were sent to Benue State, forcing the invaders to withdraw from areas they occupied,” he said.

Governor Alia expressed concern that the violence in Benue has gone beyond the traditional farmer-herder crisis.

According to him, many of the attackers are now “heavily armed and move without cattle,” which has led authorities to classify them as “armed herders” rather than traditional pastoralists.

He also warned that some locals may be collaborating with the attackers.

“Some of them are being aided by people within,” Alia noted.

The governor further raised alarm over the porous borders around Benue. “We have serious security concerns along our borders with Cameroon, Taraba, and Nasarawa.”

He emphasized that many of the attackers are likely foreign nationals.

“They don’t speak any Nigerian dialect. Even if they are locally connected, they are not from the area,” he said.

Governor Alia also disclosed that he had discussed intelligence findings with Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule. “From our conversations and the intelligence reports shared, many of these terrorist activities are linked to foreign elements entering through Benue,” he added.