Latest News
FEATURES
In a groundbreaking medical milestone, Nigeria has become the first country in West Africa to successfully perform robotic prostate cancer surgery.
This historic achievement was led by a United Kingdom-based Consultant Urological/Robotic Surgeon, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme at The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Lagos on Monday.
The newly established TPC is West Africa’s first super-specialised centre for robotic and laparoscopic surgery, offering advanced treatments for prostate cancer and other urological conditions.
At the heart of this medical breakthrough is the Da Vinci robotic surgical system, a state-of-the-art technology that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with unmatched precision.
The system’s robotic arms mimic human hand movements with seven degrees of freedom, enhancing accuracy while minimising blood loss, post-operative pain, and recovery time.
Patients can be discharged within 24 hours with minimal scarring and no need for blood transfusions.
“This is a dream come true. With robotic surgery, we can save lives and provide world-class prostate cancer treatment right here in Nigeria. No man should have to travel abroad for care when we now have cutting-edge solutions at home,” Ekwueme said while addressing journalists.
Ekwueme, inspired by specialised centres in Europe, has been performing keyhole surgeries in Nigeria since 2022.
However, with TPC’s launch, Nigerians now have access to a dedicated centre of excellence for robotic surgery, eliminating the need for expensive overseas medical trips.
He emphasised that before this development, the Da Vinci system was available only in South Africa within the continent.
Nigeria has now joined the global map of countries utilising robotic-assisted surgery for prostate cancer, a milestone that places the nation at the forefront of medical innovation in West Africa.
Ekwueme highlighted the system’s advanced three-dimensional imaging, which provides surgeons with unparalleled visibility, allowing for intricate procedures while preserving crucial nerves that aid in post-surgery recovery.
Addressing affordability concerns, Ekwueme reiterated his commitment to making robotic prostate surgery accessible.
He assured that no patient would be turned away due to financial constraints, as his mission was to prevent needless deaths from prostate-related diseases in Nigeria.
Beyond prostate cancer treatment, Ekwueme outlined his expertise in performing kidney cancer surgeries, bladder cancer treatments, and procedures for benign prostate enlargement.
He also revealed plans to introduce a non-invasive treatment for enlarged prostates, a technology never before performed in Africa, with an official unveiling planned for the near future.
Ekwueme called for government and institutional partnerships to train more surgeons in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, ensuring widespread access to advanced medical care across Nigeria.
The senate has started investigating ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) for allegedly breaking the federal character rules.
The move follows a motion sponsored by Osita Ngwu, the senator representing Enugu west on Tuesday.
The motion was titled “urgent need to address systemic abuse and ineffective implementation of the federal character principle in Nigeria’s public sector”.
“The federal character principle, entrenched in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), mandates fair representation in federal appointments to reflect the linguistic, ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity of the nation,” Ngwu said.
“Section 14(3) and (4) of the constitution unequivocally stipulate that ‘no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or sectional groups’ should exist within the federal government or its agencies.”
The lawmaker said some MDAs have allegedly failed to comply with the federal character principle.
He listed the defaulting agencies to include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiary, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); PENCOM; NDIC; the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA); the National Library of Nigeria (NLN); the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN); the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN); the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF); and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA).
He said the senate, “regrets that against the spirit of order 96(27)(b) of the senate standing orders 2023 (as amended) and sections 62, 88, 89, 14(3)-(4) and the third schedule part I C8(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which bestows on its committee on federal character and inter-governmental affairs the power of legislative oversight in matters connected to the implementation and monitoring of the policy, it is deemed that various federal institutions, including NNPCL and its subsidiary, NUPRC, NAFDAC, NPA, PENCOM, NDIC, FUTA, NLN, SMEDAN, ECN, SMDF, NNRA have consistently failed to adhere to federal character mandates, often bypassing regulations in their recruitment exercise (evidence abound).”
He alleged that the agencies “have consistently failed to adhere to federal character mandates, often bypassing regulations in their recruitment exercises”.
Supporting the motion, Seriake Dickson, the senator representing Bayelsa west, called on President Bola Tinubu to back the senate’s efforts to fix recruitment imbalances in federal agencies.
“He is the leader and chief executive of the country; he should be told that this flagrant and widespread violation must stop,” Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa state, said.
“The national assembly is taking action, and he should throw his weight behind it. When the report is ready, he should be given a copy so that we can ensure fairness for all.”
Victor Umeh, the Anambra central senator, criticised the “intentional exclusion of certain regions, especially in federal appointments and infrastructure projects”.
“No part of Nigeria should be treated as an afterthought,” Umeh said.
The senate ordered its committee on federal character and intergovernmental affairs to investigate and report back within four weeks with the representatives of the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday set aside actions previously delivered against the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Subsequently, the appellate court, upon acknowledging the transmission of the case record to the Supreme Court, directed all interested parties to exercise caution, pending the hearing of their appeals at the apex court.
In a unanimous ruling delivered by a three-member panel of justices, presided over by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, the court accepted the withdrawal of the application filed by the Kano State Government, following the transmission of the record of appeal to the Supreme Court.
During the resumed hearing on the enforcement of its earlier orders, counsel for the Kano State Government, Ibrahim Wangida, informed the court of a notice of appeal filed against the stay of execution issued on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Wangida stated that all necessary legal steps had been taken, including the transmission of the appeal record to the Supreme Court.
By implication, the transmission of the appeal record to the Supreme Court, in line with established legal precedents, operates as a stay of any further action on the Court of Appeal’s ruling of March 14, 2025.
Justice Abang, on Friday, March 14, 2025, ordered a stay of execution on an earlier judgment that validated the reinstatement of Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
The judge also directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, as well as the sheriffs of both the Court of Appeal and the trial court, reverting to the situation before the trial court’s ruling delivered on June 13, 2024, in Suit No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024.
Dissatisfied with Justice Abang’s ruling, counsel for the Kano State Government, Wangida, argued that the March 14 ruling constituted a grave error in interpreting constitutional provisions.
He maintained that an appeal had already been filed before the Supreme Court.
Responding to the notice of appeal, counsel for the appellant, Abdul Fagge (SAN), did not object, stating that the respondent acted within constitutional provisions.
The Kano State Government reinstated Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano, following the passage of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024.
The same law deposed Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir, along with four first-class emirs appointed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Bayero, however, returned and took up residence at the Nassarawa mini palace in Kano under heavy security protection, while legally challenging his removal by the state government.
George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), says President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing challenges in policy execution across government institutions.
Akume spoke on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ validation session on the ‘Draft National Policy Development and Management Framework’, in Abuja.
The event was organised by Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser to the president on policy and coordination.
The SGF noted that the current administration recognises that effective governance depends on structured and well-implemented policies.
Akume said the lack of coordination among ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) has been a major hindrance to Nigeria’s policy management and national development.
“Over the years, one of the recurring challenges of policy management in Nigeria has been the lack of coherence and consistency across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.
“Fragmentation, duplication, and sublimation have often resulted in inefficiencies, slowing down the implementation of critical interventions that should otherwise accelerate national progress.”
The SGF described the Draft National Policy Development and Management Framework as a crucial step toward ensuring policies are not only well-formulated but also effectively implemented, monitored, and adapted to evolving national needs.
“This Draft National Policy Development and Management Framework is a bold step towards addressing these challenges,” he said.
“It offers a systematic approach to policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation- -one that is informed by international best practices, yet deeply rooted in the Nigerian context.
“Indeed, policymaking is not a theoretical exercise; it is a practical tool for governance, the mechanism through which governments translate national aspirations into concrete actions.
“A robust policy framework must not only define priorities but also provide planning and implementation pathways, assign institutional responsibilities, and establish mechanisms for tracking impacts.
“This is what distinguishes a well-governed nation from one where policies exist only in name.
”That is why today’s session is crucial — it is an opportunity to define this framework into an instrument that will endure, ensuring that public policy is driven by data, aligned with national goals, and responsive to the dynamic needs of our people.”
Tayo Aduloju, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), also spoke at the event, highlighting Nigeria’s history of well-designed but poorly executed policies.
“Seven out of ten policies created between 1990 and today, by our own rough estimation and the NDSG, failed to achieve 100 per cent of their impact,” he said.
“In 90 per cent of the cases, it’s not really bad policy; the problem is bad policy execution.”
Other key stakeholders at the session included Ayo Omotayo, director-general of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS); Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner, represented by William Robinson; and representatives of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas.
One of Britain’s most innovative and adventurous publishers Peepal Tree Press based in Leeds, has announced its purchase of the right to re-publish Jamaican-Nigerian author Lindsay Barrett’s ground-breaking novel, Song for Mumu, which was first published in 1967.
According to the company’s managers the title was always on the list of novels it wanted to republish, and they are delighted to have at last managed to contact the author in Nigeria to agree to a new edition. Peepal Tree’s managing editor, Jeremy Poynting says that he, “has long admired Song for Mumu as a work of intense poetic imagination which finds new ways of exploring fundamental aspects of Caribbean reality: its histories of pain and suffering, the breach from Africa, the tensions between city and country and ways of subverting the dominance of the plantation and Eurocentric culture.
In the Caribbean Modern Classics series, it joins the work of Wilson Harris and Denis Williams in breaking out from what Harris called the ‘novel of manners’ a dominant trend of conventional realism in the Caribbean novel” Peepal Tree Press is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary since its founding in 1985. Since that time, it has published almost 500 titles. Its focus is on what George Lamming called the Caribbean nation, wherever it is in the world, though it is also concerned with Black British writing which draws on different heritages. Its output is roughly balanced between fiction, poetry and non-fiction, including creative genres such as memoirs and academic titles in the humanities focused on publishing the work of new writers and sustaining subsequent writing careers but also on recuperating important books from the past. In 2009, Peepal Tree launched its Caribbean Modern Classics series, now with over fifty titles.
Several of its authors have won major international awards.
Bahrain opens applications for golden residency visa, offering pathway to live and work in 2025
Admin
The Kingdom of Bahrain has officially opened applications for its Golden Residency Visa in 2025, offering a pathway for foreign nationals to live and work in the country with enhanced privileges.
The move is part of Bahrain’s efforts to attract skilled professionals, investors, and long-term residents.
According to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior, the Golden Residency Visa provides opportunities for various categories of individuals, including entrepreneurs, property owners, skilled workers, retirees, and foreign residents with strong ties to Bahrain.
Golden residency visa eligibility criteria
The Golden Residency Visa is available to a range of foreign nationals under specific conditions.
- Retirees must have a minimum monthly income of BD 4,000, while property owners must invest at least BD 200,000 in real estate.
- Skilled professionals, including academics, athletes, and entrepreneurs, may be eligible if nominated by a government agency. Additionally, long-term residents who have worked in Bahrain for five years with an average salary of BD 2,000 are eligible.
- Applicants must meet other requirements, including valid health insurance and medical checks confirming they are free from contagious diseases.
The application process requires submission of various documents, including proof of income, property ownership, or professional achievements, depending on the applicant’s category.
Work permit for golden residency visa holders
In addition to the residency visa, Golden Visa holders are also eligible to apply for a work permit in Bahrain. This work permit, which is issued by the Nationality, Passport, and Residence Affairs, allows holders to engage in employment while living in Bahrain.
- To obtain a work permit, applicants must meet certain conditions, such as holding a valid Golden Visa and ensuring that their commercial register has no offenses.
- The work permit process includes a few key requirements, such as submitting a termination form if the applicant’s current employment status is pending renewal. A work permit is valid for one year, with fees set at BD 172, covering both the work permit and basic health fees.
An additional BD 5 administrative fee is charged to the monthly invoice of the commercial register. The work permit application is processed within 10 working days.
Documents and application process
To apply for the Golden Residency Visa and work permit, applicants must provide various documents, including a valid passport, health insurance certificate, and proof of income or property ownership.
Retirees must also submit a pension statement, while entrepreneurs and talented professionals must provide certificates related to their achievements.
The Golden Residency Visa application costs BD 4, while the residency issuance fee is BD 300. Work permits, as mentioned, have their own set of fees and processing times, with applications typically completed in about 10 working days.
Service providers and additional support
The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture is responsible for processing Golden Residency Visa and work permit applications. The Ministry offers an eService website for applicants to submit their applications and track progress.
Additional assistance is available through the Ministry’s Service Centers, providing guidance and support throughout the application process.
The introduction of the Golden Residency Visa, along with the associated work permit options, is expected to strengthen Bahrain’s position as a destination for foreign talent and investment. The initiative aligns with Bahrain’s broader goals of economic diversification and long-term growth.
[Nairametrics]
Nigerian music sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has declared that his type of wealth is not obtainable through investment but the blessings from God.
Davido who is the son of Nigerian billionaire businessman, Dr Deji Adeleke, made this claim in a video recently shared on social media.
In the Video, Davido was seen in Adelekes’ new luxurious jet with socialite Cubana Chief Priest.
Speaking in Pidgin English, Davido declared, “This type of wealth no be by investment, Na God gats bless you.”
In agreement with Davido, Cubana Chief Priest stated, “Inside private jets, private jets dey.”
[Leadership]
Real reason judge who read verdict on Rivers crisis attended UNICAL convocation with Wike – Supreme Court
Admin
The Supreme Court has dismissed claims that Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanied the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to the recent convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
The clarification came after mixed reactions trailed a photo where Justice Agim was seated beside Wike, who was also honoured at the event.
Justice Agim read the recent lead judgement of the Supreme Court on the political crisis in Rivers State.
The February 28 judgement informed the declaration of the state of emergency in the state by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on the reactions that trailed pictures from the UNICAL convocation, the Supreme Court, in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the court, Dr Festus Akande, said Justice Agim attended the convocation as an honouree not as an escort of any government official.
The statement reads: “In light of the reports circulating on social media and other news platforms, we wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attendance of Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar on Saturday, 22nd March 2025.
“It has come to our attention that misleading information has emerged, suggesting that Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanied the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, to the ceremony. We hereby dispel this false narrative.
“Hon. Justice Agim attended the convocation as an esteemed honouree and an alumnus of the institution, whom the Governing Council had found worthy to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Doctor Honoris Causa).
“He was recognised for his significant contributions to the legal profession, which is a reflection of his commitment to justice, integrity, and the rule of law, serving as a model for aspiring legal professionals and students alike.
“Hon. Justice Agim was scheduled to attend the burial ceremony of Hon. Justice Stanley Alagoa alongside other Hon. Justices of the Supreme Court in Bayelsa State but sought permission to go for the convocation ceremony.
“We wish to emphasize that Justice Emmanuel Agim’s participation at the ceremony was independent and not as an official representative of any government ministry or department, let alone accompanying any serving or retired government official. Any insinuation to the contrary is not only inaccurate but undermines the judicial independence that is crucial to our democracy.
“We encourage the public and media to verify information through credible sources before sharing or publishing to prevent the spread of misinformation.”
[DailyTrust]
The organised labour has warned that it may be forced to take decisive action that could disrupt national economic activities if the state of emergency declared in Rivers State is not reversed within a reasonable timeframe.
The threat was issued in a statement jointly signed by the Rivers State chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Alex Agwanwor, state chairperson of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Ikechukwu Onyefuru and chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council, JNC, Chuku Emecheta.
The labour unions raised concerns about the legality, economic impact and consequences of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
They described the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara, deputy governor, Ngozi Odu and House of Assembly members as premature and baseless.
The union leaders insisted that the people of Rivers State freely elected these officials, and any attempt to remove them outside constitutional processes undermines democracy.
According to the labour leaders, such actions must be reversed to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.
They highlighted the immediate hardship the state of emergency has caused for local government workers, many of whom have yet to receive their salaries.
The statement noted that withholding workers’ wages has exposed them to avoidable economic suffering, particularly at a time when the cost of living is already high.
The organised labour warned that the state of emergency could have devastating economic consequences, emphasising Rivers State’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region.
It said with the nation already grappling with inflation, naira devaluation, high exchange rates, rising unemployment and skyrocketing living costs, further instability in Rivers State could worsen the situation nationwide.
The statement also pointed out that the political uncertainty caused by the state of emergency has driven away potential investors who had expressed interest in the state’s economic initiative.
“This loss of investment is damaging the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and will have long-term consequences for economic development and employment opportunities in the region.
“While we acknowledge the need for maintaining law and order, such actions must be carried out within the framework of the Nigerian Constitution. Suspending elected officials and allegedly disrupting salary payments for workers violate fundamental rights and could worsen security and economic challenges.
“Let the Federal Government prioritize the safety and welfare of citizens over political interests. Any governance approach that sacrifices workers’ well-being for political maneuvers would only heighten tensions and resistance,” organized labour said.
[DailyPost]
Veteran actor Jide Kosoko has shared intimate details about his polygamous marriage, revealing that he has lost three wives under different circumstances.
He is married to one wife and hoped that God will not allow him to lose her.
In an interview on the Honest Bunch podcast, Kosoko clarified that he did not have four wives at the same time, but rather married two, lost them, and then married another two.
He emphasised that he is not advocating for polygamy, acknowledging that not everyone can navigate its complexities as smoothly as he has.
The actor shared insights into how he manages his polygamous household, particularly when it comes to celebrating his children’s birthdays.
Kosoko explained that his children and their mothers understand when he is not financially buoyant to celebrate every birthday elaborately.
Instead, he prioritises showing love and care to all his children and wives in other ways.
Kosoko emphasised that he does not feel obligated to buy gifts for all his children simultaneously, stating that each child’s needs are addressed individually.
He said: “I lost three wives under different circumstances, I’m with one at the moment, God will not allow me lose her. I didn’t have four wives at the same time o! Don’t get it wrong because people are not getting it. I had two, I lost them. I married another two.
“I am not supporting polygamy. Not everybody can be this lucky. Do you know that in some polygamous homes, you have mothers with different children, and your own daughter’s or child’s birthday is tomorrow? Fortunately, we celebrated it elaborately. But when it comes to another child’s birthday, and I am not buoyant enough, my children and their mothers understand that with me.
“If it’s your birthday and I have money, I will do it. If your own comes when I don’t have money, that’s your fate. It’s a matter of luck with me. But you must have shown them that you love them all. You must have given them that love in other ways, so when it’s not coming at that material time, they will easily understand.
“Another one will tell me, ‘Daddy, anytime you get money, you still need to buy me something for my birthday.’ I will say, ‘By God’s grace, remind me.’ And when the money comes and they remind me, I give them what they ought to have gotten for their birthday.
“But don’t tell me that because I bought something for your co-wife’s son, I must also buy for your son. If you do so, you lose it. I won’t buy. That’s not the way I operate.”
[TheNation]
More...
Femi Lazarus, the lead pastor of Light Nation Church in Abuja, appears to have settled online rifts with singer Timi Dakolo over gospel artistes’ performance fees.
The controversy began last week when Lazarus criticised the high fees charged by some gospel artistes. In response, Dakolo defended the right of musicians to be paid for their work.
The cleric also shared an invoice allegedly from a gospel singer, which included extravagant demands such as a 40-man escort, first-class flight, and executive suite accommodation.
Dakolo, in his response, questioned the authenticity of the invoice and challenged Lazarus to reveal the singer’s identity.
However, in a recent Instagram post, Lazarus extended an olive branch to Dakolo, describing him as a music legend who “genuinely carries the burdens of other musicians”.
He expressed admiration for Dakolo, calling for respect within the entertainment industry. Lazarus also acknowledged the challenges facing the church, including pain and difficulties among leaders and followers.
The post was accompanied by a photo of Lazarus, Dakolo, and Emmanuel Iren, founder of Celebration Church International, suggesting that Iren may have played a role in mediating their reconciliation.
“My brother @timidakolo is a music legend. Give him his flowers. What a man! He genuinely carries the burdens of musicians. His concerns are real. I love you,” Lazarus wrote.
“Better structures will be built. Pain is real. From pulpit to the pew, the pain is real, but we will be fine.
“This generation will not have a carryover of pain. Hosts will do better. Guests will do better.”
[TheCable]
A 37-year-old woman, Linda Stephen, on Tuesday, approached a Kaduna Customary Court, seeking divorce over her husband, Felix Stephen’s excessive sexual demands.
In her petition, Mrs Stephen, a resident of Ungwan Sunday in Kaduna, also accused her husband of beating her whenever she rejected his sexual advances. They have been married for six years.
She told the court that she was no longer interested in the marriage as she can no longer cope with the husband’s excessive demand for sex.
“I urge the court to dissolve this marriage because I can’t stand his excessive sexual urge. He likes sex too much, and I can’t bear it.
“Most times, he would have sex with me from midnight till early hours of the morning. Even when I am crying, he will not stop.
“It has been three months since I moved out of his house, his relatives have been pleading with me to go back to him, but they do not know what I am facing,” she said.
She further said that her husband does not control himself whenever he needed sex, and that whenever she refused his sexual advances, he would beat her up, even in front of their two kids.
‘I’m ready to control my urge’ -Husband
Stephen, in his response, told the court that he is in love with his wife.
He pleaded with the court to help him pacify her, and not to grant her wish.
Stephen said he had been pleading with her wife not to seek for divorce, as he was now ready to control his sexual urge.
“I took my uncles and friends to her parents house to plead with her. But she refused to listen to us instead she walked out on us,’’ Stephen said.
He further pleaded with the court to give him time to sort things out and reconcile with his wife.
The judge, John Dauda, adjourned the matter until May 6 for a feedback and outcome of the reconciliation, while advising them to maintain peace.
…alleges he was found guilty of fraud by US Supreme Court
The suspended senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a petition to disbar the chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition, Senator Nedamwem Imasuen, and have his name removed as a lawyer.
In the petition she filed before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), the Kogi lawmaker alleged that the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, had on May 10, 2010, indicted and debarred the Senate Ethics committee chairman “for fraud, misappropriation of client’s funds and failure to respond to disciplinary authorities”.
To back her allegation, the petitioner tendered to the LPDC a copy of the Justia New York Case Law 2010, with the title ‘Matter of Imasuen.
She equally pledged to “lead further evidence from official records of the respondent’s disbarment at the trial of this case”.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan told the LPDC that the respondent’s disbarment by the US court followed a complaint that was lodged against him by one Daphne Slyfield, a client who paid substantial legal fees to him but was abandoned without legal recourse.
“The court found that the respondent had violated multiple professional rules, resulting in the permanent revocation of his legal licence in the US.
“That following the respondent’s disbarment, he relocated to Nigeria, continued to present himself as a legal practitioner and pursued a career in politics, eventually securing a seat in the National Assembly as the senator representing Edo South Senatorial District.
“Despite this disbarment, which was hinged on unethical conduct, the respondent failed to disclose this sanction, both in the legal profession and political space, as a senator, and was eventually made the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, a position requiring unimpeachable integrity.
“That the Respondent did not remotely disclose his disbarment either in his Form EC9 – particulars of personal information submitted to INEC on oath at the time of aspiring for public office,” the petitioner added.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said her petition to the LPDC arose from a sequence of events that call into question the integrity and ethical standing of the respondent.
She alleged that Senator Imasuen had, in an attempt to expose the judiciary to odium and disrepute, publicly spurned an interim order the Federal High Court in Abuja made on March 4, which stopped his committee from proceeding with a disciplinary action that was initiated against her.
She maintained that the respondent, who was duly served with the interim order, acted in contempt of court by slamming her with a six-month suspension.
Details later.
The spokesman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, has said the halt in the naira-to-crude deal between Dangote Refinery and the federal government was caused by speculations.
Naija News reported that Dangote Refinery announced it was halting its petrol sales in price as the duration of the naira-to-crude deal it entered with Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had elapsed.
Speaking in an interview with News Central, on Tuesday, Ukadike stated that market jobbers who did not want the importation of petrol products to stop were responsible for the speculation leading to a halt in the naira-to-crude deal.
The IPMAN spokesman explained that the government was looking at why crude oil would be sold to Dangote in naira when imported products can be sold at ₦775.
He, however, faulted the speculation, noting that no importer sold the product at such a price. He said only Dangote sells products cheaper than all others.
His words: “The federal government stated their challenges of not having enough for domestic supply, as a result of their international commitment and how they have locked up the sales of crude to some international buyers.
“This issue of naira-to-crude was just a test run and expressly approved by Mr President to be able to ensure that the product cost is a little bit more cheaper than the one that is been imported.
“It was also reported last two weeks that imported products can be sold at ₦775. If that be the case, federal government is also looking at why were we supplying Dangote product in naira and imported product is being sold at ₦775.
“Although it was speculated, none of the importers have sold product at that cost. Dangote remains the only refinery that sells petroleum product cheaper in all ramifications, even those that are being imported.
“Most of those speculations are being thrown into the market by market seekers and jobbers who don’t want to see reverse in importation of petroleum product. But definitely, we find out that within this week under review dollar has increased. So one little policy has changed the narrative and changed the pump price.”