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Ghanaians Protest Economic Hardship

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Ghanaian police said they had arrested 42 demonstrators in the capital, Accra, after clashes erupted during protests against economic hardship and the government’s handling of illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey”.

AFP reported that the protests, organised by the group Democracy Hub, began on Friday and were set to continue until Monday.

The demonstrators, mostly young people, marched through the city chanting patriotic songs and carrying placards expressing frustration over environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and perceived economic mismanagement by the government.

Forty-two people were arrested on Sunday, police said in a statement.

“These individuals assembled unlawfully and attacked police officers who were performing their lawful duties,” police spokesperson Grace Ansah-Akrofi told AFP.

“They will be arraigned in court for their actions, which include obstructing traffic, damaging property and causing disturbances.”

The police said in the statement that the protesters engaged in various acts of lawlessness, including removing the ignition key from a police vehicle and throwing it away, pushing down crash barriers and disrupting the peace.

They also announced a manhunt for other protest leaders, including popular lawyer and activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor for allegedly evading arrest.

“We are working to bring all those responsible to face justice,” Ansah-Akrofi added.

Barker-Vormawor, however, insisted that the police’s claim about him was “baseless and misleading”.

“I have been in consistent communication with senior officers within the Police hierarchy regarding my whereabouts and availability,” he said in a post on X.

In response, Democracy Hub condemned the police’s use of force, calling it an unjustified attack on peaceful demonstrators.

“We urge the authorities to engage in constructive dialogue with protest leaders to protect the rights and safety of all participants,” the group said in a statement.

The protests come as Ghana gears up for a presidential election in December, with the economy at the forefront of the campaign.

The race pits ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia against former president John Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Ghana’s economy is slowly recovering from a severe financial crisis in 2022, which forced the country to default on its external debt.

Inflation peaked at 54 percent in December 2022 but eased to 20.4 percent last month.

With President Nana Akufo-Addo stepping down after two terms, his deputy Bawumia is leading the ruling party’s bid to retain power.

Ghana, a leading producer of oil, gold and cocoa, is gradually steadying its economy with a $3-billion relief package from the International Monetary Fund.

AFP

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Just in: Tuggar resigns as Foreign Minister

Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to pursue the Bauchi State governorship in the 2027 elections.

The Ministry confirmed the resignation on Monday through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

Tuggar’s resignation comes following a presidential directive issued earlier in March.

The order, communicated through the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, required all political appointees seeking elective positions to resign by March 31, 2026.

The directive applies to ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, and heads of federal agencies.

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Lagos High Court Embraces Full Digital Transformation with Mandatory E-Filing

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The Federal High Court Lagos Division is set to fully transition to a digital era, as it mandates electronic filing for all new cases starting from April 27, 2026.

In a major push towards modernizing justice delivery, the court announced that manual filing of new cases will cease on April 24, 2026. From April 27 onwards, legal practitioners will be required to file all fresh matters exclusively through the court’s new e-filing platform.

Existing cases filed before the transition date will continue to be processed under the traditional manual system until final judgment is delivered, ensuring no disruption to ongoing litigation.

According to a statement from the court, any understatement of claims or misrepresentation of documents submitted via the platform will attract a penalty of ₦10,000 per filing, in addition to the payment of any outstanding fees.

To gain access to the e-filing system, lawyers must first obtain a Legal Mail account. Law firms are also required to upload their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration documents when creating their digital profiles.

Oath-related documents will be handled through the dedicated e-Affidavit portal. However, deponents will still be required to physically appear before a Commissioner for Oaths to complete the process.

This initiative forms part of the Federal High Court’s broader digital transformation drive aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the justice system.

Legal practitioners are advised to familiarize themselves with the platform ahead of the deadline to avoid any hitches in filing new matters.

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President Tinubu at 74, Donates Salaries to Armed Forces Welfare Fund

As a personal commitment, the President has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the establishment of a dedicated support fund for members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, those wounded in the line of duty, and the families of fallen heroes.

The President announced the initiative on Sunday, using the commemoration of his 74th birthday, to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of the nation’s military personnel.

In a statement , Bayo Onanuga the Special Adviser to the President Information and Strategy, said that President Tinubu has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a special account for the fund, which will provide targeted support to injured service members, as well as to widows, widowers, and children of those who lost their lives in service to the country.

As a personal commitment, the President has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.

The President called on State Governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, his friends, and well-wishers to support the initiative, noting that details of the fund will be made available in due course.

President Tinubu emphasised that the initiative is rooted in a solemn national obligation to care for those who stand in harm’s way and the families who carry the burden of their sacrifice, irrespective of insurance programmes available to members of the armed forces.

President Tinubu also stated that supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families is not an act of charity, but a duty that all must fulfil.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of military personnel and ensuring that their service to the nation is matched with dignity, care, and sustained support.”

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