• Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduagan feeling happy in the court room.

‎Following the Senate president ‘s Goodwill Akpabio ‘s New Year forgiveness, the Federal Government on Thursday officially withdrawn the criminal charges of defamation levelled against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The government, through the Attorney General’s office, discontinued the case

‎The AGF had filed a notice of discontinuance on 12 December 2025.
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Justice Chizoba Orji , during Thursday’s proceedings, struck out the suit and discharged the defendant.
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‎The trial judge also made further orders releasing the Senator’s travel papers as well the title deeds of her sureties.
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‎This ends a protracted legal battle that began in July 2025, sparked by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public accusations against Akpabio during Senate plenary sessions.
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‎The withdrawal caps months of litigation that caused a rift in the 10th Senate and fueled debates on political accountability versus personal vendettas.

Reacting, senator Akpoti- Uduagan said that the development vindicated her position and reaffirmed her confidence in the rule of law.

“Today’s outcome affirms my belief in the rule of law. I remain committed to serving my constituents and defending the democratic rights of all Nigerians,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.

She expressed gratitude to her legal team, constituents, and supporters for their steadfast backing throughout the legal process.

•Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori

The Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has presented 65 brand new Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs, to traditional rulers across the state.

During the presentation of the 60 brand new Prados and five Land Cruisers to the beneficiaries, Oborevwori described traditional fathers as “tools of service” for guardians of peace and stability.

Governor Oborevwori said that the decision to provide rugged SUVs was deliberate, given the rural and difficult terrains in which many traditional rulers operate.

He emphasised that traditional rulers are not merely custodians of customs, norms and traditions but vital intermediaries between government and the people at the grassroots.

Oborevwori explained that the state’s traditional rulers have made governance easier and more effective for him.

In response, the Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd.), Orhue I, described the gesture as a timely and symbolic intervention that strengthens grassroots governance and peace-building across the state.

He assured the governor of the traditional institution’s unwavering support for his administration.

In a somber development for Nigeria’s journalism community, Yakubu Mohammed, a co-founder of the iconic Newswatch magazine and its former deputy chief executive officer, has died at the age of 75.

Mohammed’s passing, announced recently, follows closely on the heels of the death of his longtime colleague and fellow co-founder, Dan Agbese, who succumbed to a prolonged illness on November 17, 2025, at age 81.

This marks yet another significant loss among the pioneering generation that launched Newswatch in 1984, revolutionizing investigative journalism in Nigeria.

Alongside Dan Agbese, Ray Ekpu, and the late Dele Giwa (who was tragically assassinated via a parcel bomb in 1986), Mohammed helped establish Newswatch as a trailblazing weekly newsmagazine known for its bold, fearless reporting and commitment to truth during a turbulent era in Nigerian history.

Reports indicate that Mohammed had been battling an undisclosed ailment before his death. Just months prior, in October 2025, he released his memoir, Beyond Expectations, which provides deep insights into the magazine’s founding, its challenges, and its enduring impact on Nigerian media.

The deaths of Agbese and now Mohammed represent profound blows to the legacy of Newswatch, which set new standards for ethical, investigative, and interpretative journalism in the country.

Tributes are expected to pour in from media practitioners, political leaders, and the public as the nation mourns another pillar of its press freedom movement. May his soul rest in perfect peace.