The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has sternly spoken against enmeshing the judiciary in Rivers State in the ongoing political conflict, cautioning that such actions could erode public confidence in the legal system.

The admonition is sequel to the Rivers State House of Assembly’s demand for the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, over alleged age falsification.

Chairperson of the NBA Port Harcourt branch, Cordelia Eke, stressed that such matters should be directed to the National Judicial Council (NJC), not the DSS. Eke expressed disappointment that despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, tensions in the state continue to rise.

She urged political leaders to respect the separation of powers and explore alternative dispute resolution methods rather than inflaming the situation. Eke also warned that ongoing instability in Rivers State could discourage investors and disrupt governance.

The political standoff has intensified as the Rivers State House of Assembly accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of ignoring the Supreme Court ruling, which instructed him to present the 2025 budget anew. Lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike challenged Fubara’s claim that he had sent an official letter to the Assembly, insisting that no such communication had been received.

Assembly spokesperson Enemi George demanded that the governor provide an acknowledged copy of the letter, dismissing the use of a WhatsApp message as unprofessional. He also accused Fubara of obstructing efforts to resolve the crisis.

In response, Rivers State Commissioner for Information Joseph Johnson insisted that Fubara had formally written to the Assembly and urged lawmakers to schedule an emergency session to present the budget. “We propose Wednesday, March 19, for the budget presentation and expect the Assembly to facilitate this,” Johnson said.

As the conflict continues, calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution are growing, with many hoping to avoid further disruption to governance in the state.

Sequel to an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a Ugandan High Court Judge and a UN Criminal Tribunal Judge was convicted of immigration and modern slavery offences in Oxfordshire, South East England.

The 49-year-old judge, Lydia Mugambe, of Lyne Road, Kidlington, was on 13 March 2025 found guilty by a unanimous Oxford Crown Court jury of:

• One count of conspiring to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national;
• One count of requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour;
• One count of conspiracy to intimidate a witness.

Mugambe was found guilty by a majority verdict of:

• One count of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

On 10 February 2023, Thames Valley Police received a report that the victim in this case, a woman, was being held as a slave by Mugambe at her then address in Brasenose Drive, Kidlington.

A protracted and complex investigation involving several partners then ensued, during which Thames Valley Police established that Mugambe had obtained a visa for the victim to work in the UK.

However, the terms of this visa were that the victim would be paid to work for the then Deputy High Commissioner at the Ugandan Embassy in London, John Mugerwa.

Mugambe paid for the victim’s plane ticket to the UK, picked her up from the airport, and thereafter the victim became Mugambe’s slave, carrying out unpaid work as a domestic maid and nanny.

It was the prosecution’s case that Mugerwa sponsored the victim’s entry into the UK as a domestic worker in his personal household but under the auspices of the Ugandan High Commission, which in his diplomatic role, he was entitled to do, whereas Mugambe could not sponsor a visa as she was a student in the UK at that time.

The prosecution argued that communications between Mugambe and Mugerwa demonstrated that Mugerwa facilitated the victim’s visa in the knowledge she would actually work in servitude for Mugambe, and in return that Mugambe would provide him assistance relation in a separate court case in Uganda.

Thames Valley Police investigated Mugerwa’s involvement in its case, but he had diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan Government did not waive, meaning he could not be charged with any offences.

Commander for Oxfordshire, Chief Superintendent Ben Clark said: “Lydia Mugambe is an extremely qualified lawyer, a Ugandan High Court Judge and a UN Criminal Tribunal Judge.

“As such, there is no doubt that she knew she was committing offences by bringing the victim to the UK under the pretence that she was going to work for the then Deputy High Commissioner at the Ugandan Embassy in London, thus providing her a legal route of entry, but knowing all along that she intended to make the victim work in servitude.

“Mugambe used her position of power as well as her knowledge of the law to take advantage of the victim, ensuring that she would become her unpaid domestic servant.

“After the offences had been reported to the police, Mugambe tried to evade justice by repeatedly claiming she had diplomatic immunity due to her status as a Ugandan High Court Judge and, after her appointment as a United Nations Judge. Any immunity Mugambe may have enjoyed as a UN Judge has been waived by the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General.

“I want to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward to report the offences. I, and the whole investigation team, wish her all the best for her future now she is out of servitude and justice has been served.

“I would also like to thank Justice and Care as well as the National Crime Agency Specialist Witness Team, both of who have provided additional support to the victim throughout this process.

“I want to appeal to anyone who is a victim of modern slavery or suspects that modern slavery is being committed to contact Thames Valley Police. We will listen and we will help you.”

Mugambe will be sentenced at the same court on 2 May.

By Senator Babafemi Ojudu

Dear Nasir,

This is a letter from a friend. I take the liberty of calling you a friend because, for nearly 12 years, we walked the same political path, sharing dreams of a better Nigeria within the same party. I also recall your 50th birthday when I persuaded two wealthy friends to accompany me to Dubai, where you were in exile, to celebrate with you. I made two other visits to Dubai with different delegations to meet with you and another of your friends from Canada. We also held another meeting in Accra, Ghana, for the same purpose.

I also traveled to Rwanda and Liberia to meet with Nuhu Ribadu, your friend and now your rival. These trips were in search of the right candidate to bear our presidential flag under the ACN at the time. Later, I arranged another meeting in Dubai between our leaders and Ribadu. Present at that meeting were Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Segun Osoba, Bisi Akande, Niyi Adebayo, Rauf Aregbesola, and several others.

But Ribadu, our chosen candidate, would not show up until the third day, prompting Osoba to joke that if he failed to come from his base in the U.S., I should forget about my senatorial ambition. Eventually, Ribadu arrived, and we settled for him. In anger, you defected to Goodluck Jonathan’s camp, but were soon sidelined.

I briefly managed Ribadu’s bid, mobilizing brilliant and enthusiastic young men and women for the campaign, but that effort was short-lived. That ACN bid for the presidency ended in disaster, a victim of our penchant for expediency. In an earlier “transfer season” Atiku Abubakar picked up our AC ticket, and that, too, failed woefully.

You were involved in all of this, as well as in the 2015 merger that produced Muhammadu Buhari. From a distance, I watched as a select group hurriedly cobbled together a semblance of a manifesto, which was soon discarded because it was not a product of collective reasoning.

Looking back, every effort since then—including the grand merger of CPC and ACN to form APC—has not led to any remarkable outcome. Individuals we once believed to be upright have grown richer, while the people they were meant to serve have grown poorer. Friendships long nurtured have been destroyed by unhealthy competition, leaving bitterness in their wake. And after all the battles fought, alliances made and broken, betrayals and reconciliations, our country remains in a state of coma.

I have also heard—though I have yet to confirm from you—that you led the committee set up by General Abdulsalami Abubakar to locate me when I was left in solitary confinement after the deaths of Abacha and Abiola, while others had been freed.

During my eight years working in the Presidency, our paths crossed often, whether in Abuja or Kaduna, where you served as governor.

But this letter is not about nostalgia or friendship. It is about your recent political moves and what they symbolize. I am not one of those criticizing you for leaving our so-called party. Far from it. My concern is about the endless merry-go-round of Nigerian politicians, the constant movement without direction—what Fela, the musician, once called “perambulation.”

The Question That Must Be Answered: What Is This Move Really About?

I am aware of your transition from APC to SDP, as well as the frenetic cross-carpeting of politicians across the country. But I sincerely hope this is not just another barber’s chair movement—spinning round and round but going nowhere.

They say only a madman does the same thing over and over again and expects a different result.

So, tell me, Nasir, is this about the people? Or is it another ego-driven exercise, fueled by personal ambition and the present discontent in the country?

Is this yet another hastily assembled political project, crafted to serve a few individuals who, having been sidelined from the feasting table of the current overlords, are now seeking a new platform to reposition themselves for the next political cycle?

I have always known you to be intelligent, hardworking, and sometimes strategic. But I must say, you have not always been consistent.

You take a position today, only to negate it tomorrow. And in politics, that kind of inconsistency is fatal. It does not make for the kind of leadership Nigeria needs at this critical juncture. If we are to truly liberate our people from the cesspool into which the country has sunk, we need leaders who stand firm on principle, not those who sway with the wind.

Forgive me if I seem to be getting personal. This letter is not really about you, Nasir. It is about the broader failure of Nigeria’s political culture—the shallowness of our party structures, the absence of real political organization, and the failure of governance.

But since individuals shape institutions, one cannot entirely separate the nature of our politics from the temperament of those who occupy the political space.

What We Lack Are Political Parties, Not Just Political Figures

Let me be blunt: Nigeria has no real political parties.

None of the current players—APC, PDP, or SDP—qualify as proper political institutions.

These are mere vehicles for power, hastily assembled contraptions used by those with means, guile, and bravado to seize office and, once there, engage in a contest to outspend Aliko Dangote.

This absence of well-structured, purpose-driven political organizations is why politicians in Nigeria keep defecting from one party to another, treating politics like European footballers switching clubs every transfer season.

Until we, the so-called political elite, understand what a real political party is—its structures, goals, and responsibilities—we will remain unprincipled, selfish, self-centered, and insincere actors who lack vision and patriotism.

Nasir, This Is Not About Owning a Party—It’s About Building One

For posterity’s sake, do not aim to own a party. Instead, mobilize like-minded people to build a truly national political institution, strong enough to withstand Nigeria’s turbulent political climate.

And when I say like-minded people, I wonder how principled individuals can sit at the same table with Major Al-Mustapha—the Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha, whose hands are stained with the blood of many innocent citizens, including Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

I was riled and overwhelmed by indignation when I recently read of the elation with which you received him into your new party.

Why do we always forget so soon?

What is the definition of a party? What are its fundamental attributes? What goals must it pursue to qualify as a true political movement?

A party built on the primacy of personal ambition will not last. If you embark on this course without deep reflection and principled action, you will be back in four years, looking for another party to join or returning to the one you just left.

Take a cue from Chief Awolowo. When he and other patriots established the Action Group, they did not build it on personal ambition. They structured it around three core objectives:

1. The absence of ignorance – Free education for all.
2. The absence of disease – Accessible healthcare.
3. The absence of want – Economic empowerment and prosperity.

From these goals, they crafted policies that transformed the Western Region.

Final Thoughts

Nasir, if this latest movement is just another barber’s chair—spinning but going nowhere—then you are wasting your time.

But if it is truly about the people, about genuine change, about building something enduring, then do it right.

History will judge.

Your friend,

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, CON

A political think tank, FixPolitics has kicked against the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate, describing it as a threat to democracy, gender inclusion, and the rule of law.

The organisation said that by imposing the suspension under the pretext of rule violations, the Senate had not only silenced Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan but also disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central senatorial zone, depriving them of their constitutional right to representation.

“This action blatantly disregards judicial precedents, including Senator Ali Ndume v. Senate of Nigeria (2018) and Senator Dino Melaye v. Senate of Nigeria (2016), which affirm that lawmakers cannot be suspended in ways that strip their constituents of representation”, FixPolitics said in a statement by its Executive Director, Dr Anthony Ubani.

He said, “The Senate’s repeated defiance of these rulings raises serious concerns about its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative processes.
Beyond undermining democratic principles, this punitive measure also calls into question the institution’s willingness to address misconduct within its ranks.”

According to the FixPolitics, the suspension highlights the systemic barriers and entrenched misogyny that Nigerian women face in politics and society at large.

“Female representation in the Senate has plummeted by nearly 50 per cent – from seven women in the 9th Assembly to just four in the 10th Assembly. This decision sets a dangerous precedent that could further discourage women from political participation and silence victims of harassment.

“As a signatory to CEDAW, the Maputo Protocol, and SDG 5, Nigeria has an obligation to foster gender inclusion in governance. Actions like these reinforce exclusion, rather than progress. Moreover, public officials must always remember that they hold office in trust for the people and have a duty to model behaviour that promotes civility, decorum, and respect for all Nigerians, regardless of gender.

“Their actions should inspire confidence in the nation’s institutions and reflect the highest ethical standards.
“In today’s interconnected world, where events unfold in real-time through the Internet of Things (IoT), the conduct of public officials is scrutinised globally.”

The organisation said the “unconstitutional” suspension of a duly elected legislator denied constituents their fundamental right to representation in the National Assembly.

Ubani said, “In this case, an entire senatorial district in Kogi State is being disenfranchised – an outcome that contradicts both the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The Senate, as Nigeria’s highest lawmaking body, must uphold the rule of law rather than continuously flout court rulings that protect the rights of elected representatives and their constituents.

“We stand in solidarity with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and commend her courage in speaking out on this matter. The Senate’s response sets a troubling precedent that may discourage other victims from speaking out for fear of retaliation or dismissal.
The FixPolitics unequivocally condemns the Senate’s actions and demands the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“We call on the Senate to uphold justice, transparency, and accountability by ensuring that allegations of this nature are investigated thoroughly and impartially – free from internal biases and procedural technicalities.”

FixPolitics called on the civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and the Nigerian public to join it in demanding a legislative environment where all members could perform their duties without fear of harassment or unjust reprisal.

“The integrity of our democracy depends on institutions that serve all Nigerians without bias or discrimination. The FixPolitics is a research-driven, citizen-led initiative committed to addressing the deep-rooted challenges of poor governance by recognising the central role of politics in building effective states and shaping Africa’s development, beginning with Nigeria,” the statement noted.

It added, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating an inclusive, transparent, and accountable political system. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and support all efforts that promote justice, equity, and the protection of democratic values in Nigeria.”

Ex-United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking Persons in Africa and Professor of Law, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN has again raised her voice against human trafficking describing the morbit trade as an “abhorrent phenomenon that shames humanity.”

In post made on her X handle (formerly Twitter), the Senior Advocate of Nigeria who charged Nigerians to be observant and report any case of human trafficking said:

“Stop the trafficking: We must educate ourselves and others about the signs of trafficking and exploitation. Knowledge serves as our first line of defence. 

“If you observe any signs of human trafficking, please report them immediately. Let us work together to prevent and combat this abhorrent phenomenon that shames humanity,’ she said.

Human trafficking has been referred to as not only being morally repugnant but also a security threat.

The Punch Editorial Board in an editorial titled “Bring human traffickers to justice“, cautioined that the “festering rights abuse, killings, exploitation, rape, and horror associated with human trafficking over the years have made it compelling for the government to devise a comprehensive strategy to check this ‘modern slavery.'”

The editorial observed that: “Human trafficking thrives partly due to the harsh economy that fosters hardship, hunger, and unemployment; the ignorance of unsuspecting Nigerians; and the fact that traffickers often operate without being apprehended, as the masterminds behind the illicit trade evade justice while only their foot soldiers are caught.

“According to the UNODC, 896 offences of trafficking in persons occurred in Nigeria in 2019; 934 in 2020; 1,112 in 2021; and 1,462 in 2022. Of the 1,462 recorded in 2022, 1,011 were brought to police attention, 120 were prosecuted, and 79 resulted in convictions.

“Human trafficking is a massive global economy. While the UN estimates the smuggling route from East, North, and West Africa to Europe generates $150 million in annual profits or $35 billion globally, Pathfinders Justice Initiative describes human trafficking as a $150 billion global industry. An ILO report states that forced labour generates $236 billion annually in illegal profits.

“The US 2022 Global Slavery Report states that Nigeria remains a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking.

“The 2023 Global Slavery Index ranks Nigeria 38th out of 160 countries with the highest number of slaves, with an estimated 1.6 million people affected.

“NAPTIP reports that between 2019 and 2022, 61 per cent of human trafficking in Nigeria occurred internally, while 39 per cent resulted from cross-border trafficking.

“It is the third most common crime in Nigeria after drug trafficking and economic fraud.

“Human trafficking operates as a network of cartels. Individuals known as “agents” recruit victims for their firms or clients across the globe. Traffickers often keep victims in hostels before selling them to clients who exploit them for coercive labour and sexual purposes.

“Traffickers lure, trick, and deceive vulnerable Nigerians, particularly those from rural areas who are semi-educated, impoverished, and desperate to escape the hardship in Nigeria, often seeing overseas work as a life-changing opportunity.

“The dynamics of human trafficking vary across regions. In Asia, it is characterised by ignorance, deceit, forced labour, and sexual coercion. In Europe and other regions, trafficking often involves a “binding pact,” where most victims are aware of their mission abroad.

“Thousands of desperate youths engage in self-imposed slavery, attempting dangerous crossings over the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, with many perishing in the process.

“Al Jazeera provides a graphic illustration of human trafficking:

“In Nigeria, women are recruited by a network of local ‘agents’ who sell them dreams of good pay and working conditions abroad. They persuade the women, process their visas, and send them to recruitment firms in Iraq for a commission of about $500 per woman, according to activists familiar with the system.

“Once in Iraq, the firms require the women, called ‘shagalas’ (meaning ‘house worker’ in Arabic), to sign two-year contracts and assign them to families or labour-intensive institutions like spas, where they often work more than 20 hours a day for a monthly pay of $200 to $250. In many homes, the women face inhumane treatment: they go days without food, are beaten, and are denied proper living quarters.”

“The International Organisation for Migration describes human trafficking dynamics in Europe:

“Most of the women …incur debts of anywhere between $40,000 and $100,000 to traffickers in their bid to reach Europe.”

“The dynamics of Nigerian trafficking are also characterised by the creation of a binding pact which both sides have to honour – the victim must pay off the debt regardless of the suffering endured along the way, and the trafficker must allow the victim to earn money for herself after the debt has been cleared. If the Nigerian victim is uncooperative, however, she may be subjected to a mixture of violence and coercive rituals.” This is horrendous.

“No country is spared from harsh economic realities and high unemployment. Only jobs in healthcare, multinational companies, and technology-related fields guarantee decent pay. People without relevant skills who travel abroad are often subjected to coercive labour exploitation, sexual assault, and menial jobs that strip them of their dignity. Agnes’ case demonstrates that friendship or blood relations should never be a reason to trust someone with securing a job abroad.

“Since human trafficking thrives on ignorance, poverty, and hardship, the government must implement robust economic policies, create an economy that works for all, and provide jobs to encourage youths to remain in the country while sensitising the public about the dangers of modern slavery.

“Nigeria should fully implement the Transnational Organised Crime Convention and the Trafficking in Persons Protocol 2000 as a signatory. Arresting traffickers alone is not enough—the big sponsors behind trafficking must be brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Governments and community leaders must take deliberate steps to educate and guide their youths against this menace. In 2017, Edo State launched the Task Force Against Human Trafficking to combat the scourge—other states should adopt similar initiatives.

“Security forces should collaborate to combat this crisis effectively. They must work with international security agencies, local communities, and promote whistleblowing to help curb the illicit trade.”