News
Absence of judge stalls Governor-elect Mbah’s NYSC certificate forgery case
The absence of Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Monday, stalled the hearing of a suit filed by Enugu State Governor-elect, Mr Peter Mbah, against the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC).
Justice Ekwo was said to be on official assignment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mbah had sued the NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification, Mr Ibrahim Muhammad, for publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a discharge certificate issued to him on Jan.6, 2003.
Justice Ekwo had, on May 15, restrained the NYSC, Muhammad and any of their agents from, henceforth, engaging in such publication pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
The order followed an ex parte motion moved by Mbah’s counsel, Mr Emeka Ozoani, SAN.
The judge, however, did not grant prayer two of the motion on the ground that it was said to be far reaching.
He said that the second prayer was an issue to be adjudicated upon in the substantive suit.
Instead, Ekwo ordered that the defendants be put on notice.
The judge, who directed the plaintiff to serve the defendants with court processes within two days of the order, fixed today for hearing.
But the court did not sit on Monday and the matter, which was on number 14 on the cause list, was adjourned until May 31 for hearing of the motion on notice.
NAN report that Ozoani had brought the motion under Section 13(1) & (2) of the FHC Act Cap F12, Vol. 6, Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Order 26 Rule 6(1) of the Federa High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
The motion ex parte was predicated on 10 grounds.
Mbah averred that after graduating in Law from the University of East London in 2000, retuned to Nigeria and as a pre-requisite to practice as barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, applied and was admitted into the Bar part 1 programme of the Nigerian Law School.
Mbah said upon completing the bar part I exam, he had to wait for the bar part 2 programme, and was advised that instead of spending time idling around, he should proceed to the mandatory one year NYSC programme.
He said he was called up for NYSC and was deployed initially to Nigerian Ports Authority Apapa for his primary assignment but was rejected by NPA, before securing the law firm of Ude & Associates.
“The plaintiff in the course of his service year and after six months of NYSC, applied and was granted approval to defer the NYSC in order to enable him complete the bar final exam.
“Thereafter, the plaintiff was remobilised to finish the NYSC programme, which he did complete.”
Mbah further averred that upon completion of the NYSC, he was issued the certificate of National Service No. A.808297 dated Jan.6 2003.
The NYSC had, on Feb. 1, written a letter signed by Mr Ibrahim Muhammed saying that the NYSC certificate belonging to Mbah was not issued by the corps.
Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the Enugu State governorship election held in March 18 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Credit: NAN
News
Oshiomhole Proposes “Tit for tat” diplomacy against South Africa over Xenophobic attacks
When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated,
Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo State Governor/senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, has urged the Federal Government to take immediate diplomatic and protective measures amid the renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Speaking during plenary, the lawmaker emphasised that Nigeria must respond firmly to protect its citizens, citing the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
He said, “I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears, to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to shed tears.
“If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle.”
Oshiomhole linked the current tensions to broader political dynamics in South Africa, noting that anti-immigrant sentiments had featured in the country’s domestic politics and were influencing attitudes toward foreign nationals, including Nigerians and maintained that such steps would strengthen Nigeria’s bargaining position.
The lawmaker further argued that Nigerians living in South Africa were economically productive and not dependent on the host country.
“These Nigerians who are in South Africa, they are not there on holiday. They are there to work and to earn.
“When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated,” he said.
News
Nigerians in South Africa to pay their returns ticket home – FG
Mr Ebienfa said that the process will In the recent past, such reparations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace.
•Photo: Xenophobia : South African protesters in Pretoria on Friday. Twitter photo.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria.
In the recent past, such reparations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.
The briefing came shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
Mr Ebienfa said that the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate.
News
Ezekwesili Tackles Tinubu Over Attacks On Nigerians In South Africa
Ezekwesili described the President’s trip to France, Kenya, and Rwanda as a “total absence of leadership” at a time when Nigerians abroad are reportedly facing violence, killings, and displacement.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has issued a public memo to Bola Tinubu, urging him to halt his ongoing foreign trips and address the escalating attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
In the statement dated 4 May 2026, Ezekwesili described the President’s trip to France, Kenya, and Rwanda as a “total absence of leadership” at a time when Nigerians abroad are reportedly facing violence, killings, and displacement.
She condemned what she called the Federal Government’s routine diplomatic response to the crisis, arguing that repeated statements, advisories, and limited evacuations fall far short of what is required.
“The recurring killing, harassment, looting and intimidation of Nigerians in South Africa is no longer a matter for routine diplomacy,” she said, warning that the situation reflects a deeper failure by the Nigerian state to protect its citizens.
Source: Leadership
Oshiomhole Proposes “Tit for tat” diplomacy against South Africa over Xenophobic attacks
Akpabio declares “ADC is dead!” citing wave of defections to other parties
17 Lawmakers move to NDC from ADC
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Politics3 days agoObi, Kwankwaso dumping ADC for Seriake Dickson ‘s NDC — Galadima
-
Opinions3 days agoObi, Kwankwaso Will Move To The NDC As The 2027 Chessboard Takes Shape
-
Politics3 days agoBauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Defects from PDP, Joins APM
-
Politics2 days agoObi Dumps ADC, Here’s Why
-
Politics2 days agoFacts About NDC Led By Seriake Dickson
-
Business13 hours agoNNPC’s Ojulari brings in Chinese to revamp Warri, Port Harcourt refineries
-
Politics13 hours agoBuba Galadima: NDC has zoned presidential ticket to south
-
Politics2 days ago2027: NDC Welcomes Obi, Kwankwaso, calling ’em “biggest brands in Nigerian politics ”