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- June 16, 2025
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Defamation charges: Court refuses to order Sen. Natasha’s arrest
Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by the Federal Government to have Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan arrested for failing to appear for trial in the defamation charges against her. The judge declined the request in a ruling after the government’s counsel, David Kaswe, admitted that he served the
Defamation charges: Court refuses to order Sen. Natasha’s arrest
Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by the Federal Government to have Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan arrested for failing to appear for trial in the defamation charges against her.
The judge declined the request in a ruling after the government’s counsel, David Kaswe, admitted that he served the defamation charge on Natasha’s lawyer on Monday morning in the courtroom.
Justice Umar said as the Kogi Central senator had not previously been served the charge or hearing notice, it was therefore inconceivable that she would be present in the courtroom.
On that premise, the judge refused the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant to be issued for the arrest of the suspended senator.
The judge disagreed with the prosecution’s argument that as her legal counsel had been served, it was only expected that the senator was aware of her pending arraignment.
Following the court’s ruling, the prosecution applied for substituted service of the charge on the senator through her counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN).
The application was granted by the court, which then fixed June 30 for her arraignment.
The case at the Federal High Court is similar to that currently pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was drafted to court for alleging, on live television, that Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio and ex-Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, are plotting her assassination.
The Nigerian government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, had filed charges bordering on defamation against the senator.
Defamation charges: Court refuses to order Sen. Natasha’s arrest
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- June 16, 2025
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Tinubu under fire for describing Benue massacre as ‘reprisal attack’
President Bola Tinubu has come under heavy criticism for referring to the recent killings in Benue State as a “reprisal attack”. DAILY POST reports that the President, while condemning the killing of over 200 villagers in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of the state, termed the ugly incident reprisal attacks. In a statement by his
Tinubu under fire for describing Benue massacre as ‘reprisal attack’
President Bola Tinubu has come under heavy criticism for referring to the recent killings in Benue State as a “reprisal attack”.
DAILY POST reports that the President, while condemning the killing of over 200 villagers in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of the state, termed the ugly incident reprisal attacks.
In a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he has “renewed his order in the wake of the latest round of reprisal attacks that led to the death of many people”.
The statement, however, did not explain why the reported unprovoked attacks were termed reprisal, triggering reactions from concerned citizens of the state.
Principal Special Assistant to the governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilization, Atu Terver, in a post on his official Facebook page, said the “press statement by the President is just making me shed tears”.
He added, “How can u call genocide a reprisal attack?”
Also, an activist, Ukan Kurugh, said, “Bayo Onanuga speaking on behalf of the President on his X account called this a reprisal attack?
“Indeed nobody is coming for us but we must save ourselves”.
On his part, Aguredam Keghter Moses,
Deputy Country Director, African Youth Union Commission, Nigeria, said there is more to what the President said.
“That press statement from the President should communicate a “CLEAR MESSAGE” already,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Tinubu under fire for describing Benue massacre as ‘reprisal attack’
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- June 16, 2025
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Tackle insecurity, high cost of living – Yul Edochie tells Tinubu
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has urged President Bola Tinubu to take proactive measures to tackle the escalating insecurity and excruciating hardship in the country. Edochie, a staunch supporter of Tinubu, in an open letter to the President on Monday, claimed that the current administration has performed very well in infrastructure, but noted that there is
Tackle insecurity, high cost of living – Yul Edochie tells Tinubu
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has urged President Bola Tinubu to take proactive measures to tackle the escalating insecurity and excruciating hardship in the country.
Edochie, a staunch supporter of Tinubu, in an open letter to the President on Monday, claimed that the current administration has performed very well in infrastructure, but noted that there is a lot to be done in the areas of security and economy.
He explained that Nigerians doesn’t hate Tinubu but the situation they found themselves in the country.
He urged the President to address the rising insecurity and high cost of living in the country, and ink his name in gold in the hearts of Nigerians.
“His Excellency Sir, you have done so well in infrastructure and laid down some good policies. Tackle insecurity and high cost of living and you’ll write your name with gold in the hearts of Nigerians,” a post on Edochie’s Instagram page read in part.
Tackle insecurity, high cost of living – Yul Edochie tells Tinubu
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- June 16, 2025
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Vidnoz: The Ultimate Solution For Free AI Video Generation And Translation
In today’s digital world, video content has become a powerful way to communicate messages, tell stories, and connect with a global audience. Whether you’re a content creator, a small business…
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Lagos Pledges Support, Tasks Vets on Biosecurity, Data Integration
Lagos Pledges Support, Tasks Vets on Biosecurity, Data Integration
Sunday Okobi
In a bold push for stronger collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health systems, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos chapter, has called on the Lagos State Ministry of Health to adopt the One Health paradigm to tackle public health threats, particularly antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and zoonotic diseases.
The call was made yesterday during a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, by the leadership of NVMA Lagos, led by its Chairman, Dr. Ofua Mark, and the immediate-past President of the Commonwealth Veterinary Association, Dr. Olatunji Nasir.
In his address, Mark highlighted the urgency of a united front between the veterinary and human health sectors, citing Lagos’s vulnerability to emerging public health crises such as AMR and zoonoses.
He said: “We come with a shared vision: to safeguard the health and well-being of Lagosians. We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder with the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals and humans.”
He expressed deep concern over recent findings that antimicrobial-resistant organisms are now being isolated from bush meat and wildlife, calling for immediate action.
“The NVMA Lagos chapter is here to pledge our commitment to forging stronger ties with your ministry to protect our communities,” he said.
Nasir and other team members, including veterinary surgeon, Dr. Victor Onehi; Vice Chairman and Treasurer, Dr. Bernard Oluoha; Public Relations Officer, Dr. Okoro Calista; past State Chairman, Dr. Alao Mobolaji; General Secretary, Dr. Anu Durodola-Brown; and COO of GET Africa, Dr. Bobadoye, reinforced the association’s willingness to support the state health initiatives.
In his response, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi welcomed the initiative, emphasising that the Ministry of Health was already advancing biosecurity and surveillance in human health. “We need to incorporate animal health surveillance into our systems. The One Health principle is critical,” he affirmed.
He revealed ongoing collaborations with the World Bank for accurate febrile illness diagnosis and malaria elimination, and cited the use of SHIP (State Health Information Platform) as a potential tool for data integration with the veterinary sector.
“We can develop a module on SHIP for NVMA to feed animal health data into,” Abayomi suggested.
The commissioner advised the veterinary association to work closely with key Ministry of Health personnel—Director, Environmental Health, Dr. Theophilous Ajayi, and Director Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam.
He proposed a follow-up meeting within three months to assess progress on the collaboration.
In his remarks, Abdus-Salam expressed optimism about the One Health collaboration, stating that Lagos had previously spearheaded such inter-sectoral efforts.
“We have led several One Health responses, including the anthrax outbreak, and facilitated significant funding through cross-ministerial coordination,” he said.
He remarked that there’s a key challenge in health data access, citing the need for better integration among the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment.
“Environmental data on air and water pollution is locked away. We need access to this to inform proactive human health responses,” he added.
The NVMA visit concluded with a firm commitment from both parties to deepen collaboration.
The association pledged support for awareness campaigns, capacity building, vaccination drives, and regulatory enforcement aimed at curbing AMR and preventing zoonotic disease outbreaks in the state.
Sunday Okobi In a bold push for stronger collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health systems, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos chapter, has called on the Lagos State
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- June 16, 2025
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Benue killings have negative impact on Nigeria’s image – NUJ
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says the killings in Benue State has the capacity to erode public confidence in the nation-state, and negatively impact the international image of Nigeria. A statement issued by NUJ National Secretary, Achike Chude, said, “In the past few days, the world has been horrified by the killings of over
Benue killings have negative impact on Nigeria’s image – NUJ
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says the killings in Benue State has the capacity to erode public confidence in the nation-state, and negatively impact the international image of Nigeria.
A statement issued by NUJ National Secretary, Achike Chude, said, “In the past few days, the world has been horrified by the killings of over a hundred innocent citizens of Benue State in Nigeria.
“These killings, coming on the heels of other violent tragedies that have led to the gruesome loss of lives have the capacity to erode public confidence in the nation-state, and negatively impact the international image of Nigeria.
“Nigeria needs her citizens to believe in her capacity to keep them safe and secure. This is the most basic of all enshrined responsibilities of the state. Section 2 of the 1999 Federal Constitution as amended makes an uncompromising declaration on the primary duty of the state to keep her citizens safe.”
The union noted that in the past 15 years, various governments across political lines have struggled ineffectively to fulfill this crucial obligation.
“As we have maintained in previous lamentations on the killings of our peoples from the north, east, south, and west of our geopolitical space, we refuse to believe that the Nigerian State has lost the ability to protect both her territories and her peoples. We refuse to believe that a country that sacrificed the lives of her soldiers to ensure lasting peace abroad in Liberia and Sierra Leone now lacks the will and ability to defend the homestead,” the statement observed.
The union said that the Benue killings is one more killing too many and must provoke sufficient national outrage to galvanize nationwide sentiments of defiance and challenge to galvanize every resource of the state against all killers and harbingers of evil in our country be they terrorists, bandits, unknown gunmen, kidnappers or herdsmen.
The union added, “We welcome the statements of condemnation of the Benue tragedy from prominent Nigerians across all divides, especially from the president and commander-in-chief of the Nigeria armed forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We welcome his call to action on his service chiefs to bring these shameful and abominable episodes to an end as well as his call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. In our last public statement titled ‘These Killings Must Stop’, we were adamant that those responsible for madness must be fished and punished to the full extent of the law.
“But we are not unaware that similar calls by the country’s leaders have been made over the years by various heads of government whenever our nation is assaulted in such a rude and unconscionable manner. We need a different outcome this time around.”
While the Nigeria Union of Journalists grieves with the government and people of Benue State over the killings, it added that it is ever ready to work with the Federal Government and the security agencies in any meaningful and lawful capacity to bring the madness to a halt.
It added that if it has been determined that the Nigerian State through its security agencies can no longer protect the citizens, then the state must look for a way to involve and incorporate communities into a security network for self defence, stressing that to do less is to continue to subject vulnerable communities to mass suicide.
Benue killings have negative impact on Nigeria’s image – NUJ
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- June 16, 2025
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Alleged defamation: Court rejects FG’s application for bench warrant against Natasha
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, rejected an application by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant against suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in an alleged defamation case against her. The government is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan on behalf of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello. When the matter was
Alleged defamation: Court rejects FG’s application for bench warrant against Natasha
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, rejected an application by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant against suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in an alleged defamation case against her.
The government is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan on behalf of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.
When the matter was called on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, Mr D.D. Kasue, told the court that the matter was for arraignment but that the defendant was not in court.
Kasue told the court that he served the charge on the defendant’s counsel which meant that the defendant was well aware of the matter.
The prosecutor prayed the court for a bench warrant to be issued against the defendant for failing to appear in court in spite of being aware of the charge against her.
“It was this morning that we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel but the defendant is not in court.
“So it means the defendant is aware of this matter but decided not to appear in court, in the light of this, I apply that a bench warrant be issued against her for failure to attend court to take her plea in this criminal charge,” Kasue said.
Counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Mr Jacob Usman, SAN, in a swift reaction, told the court that he found the application of the prosecution strange and uncourteous.
Usman told the court that when he got wind of the pendency of the suit, he called the prosecutor to let him know that his client had asked him to receive the charge on her behalf.
“I was served the charge at 9:15 this morning here in court so how will the defendant know that the matter is coming up when she has not seen the charge?
“I find the application strange and it should be dishonoured, if the defendant has not been served, she cannot be in court,” he said.
He prayed the court to dis-countenance the application as it was made in bad taste.
The trial judge, Justice Musa Umar, asked the prosecutor if he had served the charge on the defendant to which he answered in the negative.
Justice Umar, therefore, said that it was impossible to grant the application of the prosecutor and issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant when she had not been served.
He refused the application for a bench warrant and rather granted the application for substituted service through her counsel which the prosecutor made in what seemed to be an afterthought.
The judge adjourned the matter until June 30 for arraignment. The case is not unconnected to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged defamatory comments made during a live TV appearance on Channels Television’s on April 3, 2025.
She allegedly made defamatory comments against Akpabio and Bello including a plot to assassinate her.
Alleged defamation: Court rejects FG’s application for bench warrant against Natasha
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- June 16, 2025
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82,150 Nasarawa Farmers Receive Tree Seedlings for Climate Change Mitigation
82,150 Nasarawa Farmers Receive Tree Seedlings for Climate Change Mitigation
Igbawase Ukumba in lafia
In a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change in Nasarawa State, a non-governmental organisation, One Acre Fund Nigeria, has commenced the distribution of over 2.3 million Albizia Lebbeck and Moringa tree seedlings to no fewer than 82,150 smallholder farmers in the state.
Speaking at the flag-off of the exercise in the Adogi community of Lafia Local Government Area of the state yesterday, the Trees Lead of One Acre Fund Nigeria, Zainab Haruna, noted that the organisation aims to support farmers by providing them with access to high-quality agricultural inputs to end poverty, hunger and generally improving their livelihoods.
While explaining that the gesture was done in order to reduce the devastating effects of climate change in the state, she noted that trees planting was part of the avenues the organisation uses to support farmers to continue to feed themselves, their families and generally enjoy financial stability.
The trees lead further explained that if the trees are well nurtured, the farmers will be able to harvest the trees when they reach maturity and enjoy their numerous environmental benefits which include protecting their farmlands from erosion, adding that they will also be able to sell some of the trees for furniture purposes.
She said: “In 2025, One Acre Fund Nigeria aims to reach 471,700 smallholder farmers across the three states of Nasarawa, Kwara and Niger with 12.5 million tree seedlings.
“Out of this total, Nasarawa State alone will receive 2,300,200 pieces of tree seedlings which will be distributed to 82,150 farmers in the state. This is a testament to our commitment to driving Nigeria’s agroforestry transformation.
“We are offering this programme because we have seen changes on our lands as climate change continues to have negative effects on them by damaging nutrients within the soil and affecting rain falls, among other challenges that our farmers face on a regular basis.”
She, therefore appealed to the beneficiaries to plant the seedlings and take care of them, expressing confidence that in the coming years, the trees would serve as an additional source of income that could sustain them and their families.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Umar Tanko Tunga, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Lidia Kyari, commended One Acre Fund, Nigeria for the empowerment programe.
The commissioner further reiterated the state government’s commitment to continue to support and partner organisations that are making efforts to mitigate the issues of climate change in the state.
Igbawase Ukumba in lafia In a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change in Nasarawa State, a non-governmental organisation, One Acre Fund Nigeria, has commenced the distribution of over 2.3
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- June 16, 2025
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Consumer complaints: FCCPC summons Air Peace
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has summoned the management of Air Peace Limited over consumer complaints relating to non-refund of ticket fares even in instances where the airline cancelled its flights. This was disclosed in a statement by the FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, in Abuja on Monday. Ijagwu said
Consumer complaints: FCCPC summons Air Peace
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has summoned the management of Air Peace Limited over consumer complaints relating to non-refund of ticket fares even in instances where the airline cancelled its flights.
This was disclosed in a statement by the FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, in Abuja on Monday.
Ijagwu said the conduct of the airline, if found to be true, violates sections 130(1)(a) and (b) and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which expressly guarantee consumers the right to timely refunds where advance bookings, reservations or orders are unfulfilled due to the service provider’s failure.
This provision enshrines the principle of fair dealing and safeguards consumers against unfair, unjust, or unreasonable practices by service providers.
In a formal summons dated June 13, 2025, FCCPC, invoking sections 32 and 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, asked Air Peace to appear at its Abuja Headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025.
”Specifically, Section 33(3) of the FCCPA mandates compliance, and failure attracts severe sanctions including fines or imprisonment, and the airline is further directed to produce documentary evidence including a complaint log for refunds over the past twelve (12) months, total records of processed refunds to date, list of cancelled flights on all routes within the past twelve (12) months, and remedial actions taken to mitigate consumer hardship resulting from cancelled flights,” the agency’s spokesman said.
It will be recalled that in December 2024, the FCCPC had begun enquiries into separate allegations of exploitative ticket pricing, including substantial price hikes for advance bookings on certain domestic routes by Air Peace.
In response, the airline instituted legal proceedings seeking to restrain the Commission from continuing its inquiry.
“The FCCPC remains committed to enforcing the provisions of the FCCPA (2018) and holding service providers accountable and ensuring that consumers, including airline passengers, are protected from exploitative or unfair market practices,” Ijagwu added.
Consumer complaints: FCCPC summons Air Peace
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- June 16, 2025
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Benue killings: CAN demands urgent security intervention
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the recent wave of coordinated attacks in Benue State that has claimed the lives of over 200 people, calling the killings a national tragedy and demanding immediate government intervention. In a press statement issued and signed by the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the apex Christian body
Benue killings: CAN demands urgent security intervention
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the recent wave of coordinated attacks in Benue State that has claimed the lives of over 200 people, calling the killings a national tragedy and demanding immediate government intervention.
In a press statement issued and signed by the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the apex Christian body described the massacre as “senseless and horrific,” warning that continued inaction by the authorities could deepen the cycle of violence in the region and further destabilize the nation.
“These senseless killings have inflicted immeasurable pain on families, devastated communities, and further entrenched the insecurity threatening our nation,” Archbishop Okoh said. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and pray for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.”
CAN lamented that the people of Benue State have endured repeated, deadly attacks for years, often blamed on armed groups, without effective response or lasting justice.
“For too long, the people of Benue have been subjected to recurrent assaults… without meaningful intervention or justice,” the statement read. “This persistent failure to safeguard citizens and bring perpetrators to account has emboldened attackers and prolonged the cycle of violence.”
The association called on the Federal Government to act with urgency and resolve, including deploying reinforced security personnel to protect vulnerable communities and considering the declaration of a state of emergency in the hardest-hit areas.
“Justice must prevail to break the grip of impunity fueling these atrocities,” CAN said, urging the authorities to launch a transparent investigation and prosecute all those responsible.
The group also appealed to the international community to lend support toward restoring peace and rebuilding trust in Benue State, stressing that Nigeria must not continue to treat the loss of human lives as routine statistics.
Archbishop Okoh reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to standing for the sanctity of life and advocating for the protection and dignity of all Nigerians, regardless of region or religion.
“We remain unwavering in our call for peace and justice. May peace be restored, and may justice roll down like waters,” he said.
Benue killings: CAN demands urgent security intervention
