News
Benue tackles CJ for relocating LG poll tribunal to Abuja
The Benue State Government has raised concerns over the directive issued by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpembese, to relocate the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals to Abuja.
The tribunals are currently handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
Reports indicate that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since October 17, 2024.
In a statement on Wednesday, Justice Ikpembese cited security concerns as the primary reason for relocating the tribunal proceedings to Abuja, emphasising the need to safeguard the lives of judges amid rising threats of violence.
However, speaking to journalists in Makurdi, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, questioned the CJ’s unilateral decision, noting that neither the governor nor his office had been formally notified.
“The state government, which funds the judiciary, was not informed about this decision,” Mnyim said. “We woke up to rumours that the tribunals had been relocated. When we went to the court premises, we found them deserted. As the Attorney General and a respondent in these cases representing the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, I retain the right to be officially informed of such a critical decision.”
Justice Ikpembese had issued a circular titled ‘Directive for the Immediate Relocation of the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunals to NBA House, Abuja,’ explaining that the move was necessary due to security threats and an ongoing strike by the Benue State Judiciary Staff Union.
“In view of the prevailing security threats and the judiciary workers’ strike, it has become necessary to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of tribunal members, litigants, and counsel while facilitating smooth proceedings within the legally prescribed time frame,” the CJ stated.
Tensions between the Benue State Government and the Chief Judge have been escalating in recent weeks.
The Benue State House of Assembly, acting on a petition from Governor Hyacinth Alia, recently recommended Justice Ikpembese’s removal, a move that was resisted by the National Judicial Council and the Nigerian Bar Association.
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state has backed the Chief Judge’s decision to relocate the tribunals.
Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, Benue PDP Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, emphasised security concerns.
“This is a matter of safety, and the party supports the relocation order given by the Chief Judge,” Nyor said. “Sponsored hoodlums previously held tribunal judges hostage for five hours and blocked access to the court premises using sandbags.”
Given that election petitions are time-bound, Nyor maintained that relocating to Abuja is the best option to protect the lives of tribunal judges and litigants while ensuring the process continues without interference.
News
Police arrests ADC coordinator, two monarchs in Ebonyi land disputes killings
Suspected warlords from Amasiri community, on Jan 29, 2026, attacked Okporojor village and beheaded four persons, burnt houses, and destroyed other valuable property.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the arrested of the Coordinator of Amasiri Development Centre (ADC) in Afikpo, Anya Baron-Ogbonnia, and two traditional rulers over their alleged involvement in the killing of four persons in Edda Local Government Area of the state.
The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this.
Ukandu said that the arrest followed a joint operation involving the Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Ukandu noted that two traditional rulers, Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia, from Amasiri in Afikpo LGA are also in their custody.
The police spokesperson disclosed that 10 people were earlier arrested in connection with the incident.
There has been a long standing land dispute between the people of Okporojor in Oso Edda community in Edda and their Amasiri neighbours in Afikpo LGA.
Suspected warlords from Amasiri community, on Jan 29, 2026, attacked Okporojor village and beheaded four persons, burnt houses, and destroyed other valuable property.
News
IGP Egbetokun Posts AIG Tunji Disu to Force CID Annexe, Alagbon
Before the redeployment, AIG Disu headed the Special Protection Unit (SPU), where he oversaw the security of top government officials, diplomats, and other high-risk individuals.
• Photo of AIG Olatunji Rilwan Disu
The Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has approved the immediate redeployment of Olatunji Rilwan Disu as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annexe, Alagbon, Lagos.
The posting, which takes effect immediately, places AIG Disu at the helm of one of the Nigeria Police Force’s most strategic investigative formations, responsible for handling high-profile criminal investigations and sensitive national cases.
Before the redeployment, AIG Disu headed the Special Protection Unit (SPU), where he oversaw the security of top government officials, diplomats, and other high-risk individuals.
His appointment to the Alagbon Annexe is widely seen as a reflection of the confidence reposed in his operational competence and leadership experience.
A seasoned police officer, Disu has previously served as Commissioner of Police in key commands, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command and the Rivers State Command, where he was credited with firm command leadership and operational effectiveness.
News
Wike, FCT workers end industrial squabbles
Following the resolution, all JUAC members and affiliates of the NLC and TUC working in the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) have been directed to resume work immediately in the interest of industrial peace.
The industrial action embarked upon by workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been officially called off following a breakthrough agreement reached between the FCT Administration and organised labour after an overnight reconciliatory meeting with the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
Organised Labour, under the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), announced the decision in a joint circular dated February 3, 2026.
The meeting, convened at the instance of the Chairman, Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi, began at about 11:45 p.m. on Monday and ended at 3:51 a.m. on Tuesday, with labour leaders describing the discussions as extensive and frank, leading to the amicable resolution of all grievances raised by members of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
Following the resolution, all JUAC members and affiliates of the NLC and TUC working in the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) have been directed to resume work immediately in the interest of industrial peace.
The minister also assured workers of mutual respect and continued engagement, while both parties agreed that no worker would be victimised for participating in the strike, and that all pending cases at the National Industrial Court (NIC) relating to the dispute would be withdrawn.
Police arrests ADC coordinator, two monarchs in Ebonyi land disputes killings
IGP Egbetokun Posts AIG Tunji Disu to Force CID Annexe, Alagbon
Wike, FCT workers end industrial squabbles
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
-
News2 days agoNiger Speaker Lauds Army, DSS, and Security Agencies for Successfully Dislodging Bandits in the State
-
News3 days agoTinubu returns to Abuja from Ankara State Visit
-
Politics21 hours agoNNPP: Kwankwaso Never Negotiated APC Defection – ‘High Demands’ Claims Are Lies and Elite Plot
-
Crime2 days agoEbonyi Gov. Sacks Political Appointees, Dethrones Traditional Rulers Over Deadly Communal Clash
-
Crime2 days agoNDLEA Busts Brazil Returnee with 1.6kg Cocaine in Private Parts & Shoes at Lagos Airport (Photos)
-
Business2 days agoBREAKING: First Abu Dhabi Bank to establish branch in Nigeria
-
Crime21 hours agoFederal Government Arraigns Nine Suspects for Terrorism in Deadly Yelwata Attack
-
Politics21 hours agoAPC Slams ADC Over ‘Baseless’ Claims of Civil Servant Coercion in Membership Drive