A high court of the federal capital territory (FCT) in Maitama has dismissed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking to file additional proof of evidence in the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In the application filed on October 15, 2024, the EFCC also sought the court’s permission to produce two more witnesses whose names were given as Tommy Odama John and Ifeanyi Omeke.

The court processes revealed that the proposed witnesses made extrajudicial statements in August 2024, while the charge was filed on August 14, 2023.

Delivering a ruling on Thursday, Hamza Mu’azu, the presiding judge, upheld the objection filed by the defendant.

Mu’azu noted that the EFCC had filed additional proof of evidence against the defendant on February 12, 2024.

The said additional evidence accommodated the testimony of Boss Mustapha, the former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), as well as that of one Bamayi Mairiga.

The judge held that filing another additional proof of evidence is an attempt to ambush the defendant and deny his right to a fair hearing.

He held that the law makes it clear that an investigation must have been completed and a prima facie case established before a charge is preferred against a defendant.

However, the judge declined Emefiele’s plea for the charge against him to be struck out on the grounds of incomplete investigation and a speculative case.

According to the judge, the charge could not be struck out since the defendant and the prosecution had already joined issues with each other and the trial was almost completed.

Meanwhile, the court adjourned the case to June 3 for further hearing.

Emefiele is standing trial over allegations of complicity in procurement fraud totaling about N1.2 billion.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the former CBN governor illegally awarded contracts for the purchase of 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020 worth N1.2 billion.

He was further accused of giving a corrupt advantage to one Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro by awarding her a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N854 million

Shuaibu Audu, minister of steel development, says Nigeria imports about $4 billion worth of steel annually, stressing the need for import substitution to reduce pressure on foreign exchange (FX).

Audu spoke on Thursday during a visit to the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA) in Kaduna.

Import substitution is an economic strategy where a country focuses on local production of goods instead of relying on importation.

“For Nigeria to produce steel in the quantity we desire, it is very important that the exploration arm of the industry is operating at full capacity,” the minister said.

Audu said the exploration agency is one of the cornerstones of the federal government’s plan to grow the economy to $1 trillion by 2030.

He commended the NSRMEA for its performance, noting that previous assessments ranked the agency as one of the best-performing agencies under his ministry.

FG TO PARTNER DEFENCE MINISTRY TO PRODUCE MILITARY HARDWARE

Speaking further, the minister disclosed plans to partner with the ministry of defence and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to produce military hardware.

According to Audu, one of President Bola Tinubu’s key objectives is the rehabilitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“We are working towards integrating military hardware production into the complex as part of a broader plan to establish a military-industrial complex in Nigeria,” he said.

Audu said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had already been drafted and shared with DICON, pending presidential approval.

He said as part of efforts to reposition the steel sector, plans are afoot for a summit to gather stakeholders in the steel sector to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the growth of the industry.

Audu also highlighted the progress of the metallurgical industry bill, which he said, has passed a second reading at the house of representatives.

“The bill, once passed and signed into law, will provide a regulatory framework for both private and corporate steel players, ensuring proper governance and development of the sector,” he said.

Audu, who said the federal government is attracting foreign direct investments (FDI) to the steel industry, expressed optimism that ongoing reforms would revive the industry.

“Our target is to produce 10 million metric tonnes of steel annually,” he said.

“Once our plans are fully implemented in the next five years, we will achieve all our objectives and significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported steel,” he said.

The minister said during Tinubu’s visit to New Delhi in September 2023, a commitment was made for the production of five million metric tonnes of steel in Nigeria.

He added that a Chinese company is investing $300 million in a steel plant in Ogun state.

This, he said, would go a long way in expanding Nigeria’s steel production capacity

The Senate on Thursday approved the proclamation of state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.

The resolution was taken at Thursday’s closed-door session of the legislators to deliberate on the declaration and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and other elected officials.

The closed session was announced after Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read a letter from Tinubu at plenary on Thursday.

Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, subsequently moved a motion for a closed session in pursuant to Order 135 of the Senate rules.

The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro.

More details shortly…

Nigeria secured the 105th spot out of 147 nations in the 2025 World Happiness Report, unveiled on Thursday, March 20. The report was compiled by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and an independent editorial board.

Finland retained its title as the world’s happiest country, followed by Denmark and Iceland. The rankings are based on factors related to social, physical, and emotional well-being.

The top four nations—Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden—maintained their positions from the 2024 rankings while Norway landed at No. 7.

For the first time, two Latin American nations made it into the top 10: Costa Rica at No. 6 and Mexico at No. 10.

The Netherlands (No. 5), Israel (No. 8), and Luxembourg (No. 9) completed the top 10 list.

The United States, which fell out of the top 20 for the first time last year, now ranks No. 24.

Last year’s report focused on happiness disparities across age groups, noting a decline in well-being among younger populations in multiple countries.

The US reached its highest ranking of No. 11 back in 2012. The latest report also highlights a 53% rise in the number of Americans dining alone over the past 20 years.

The decline in happiness is not exclusive to the US. The United Kingdom, now at No. 23, recorded its lowest average life satisfaction since 2017. Meanwhile, Canada, which has seen a downward trend in happiness over the past decade, remained in the top 20 at No. 18.

Afghanistan ranked last at No. 147, followed by Sierra Leone (No. 146), Lebanon (No. 145), Malawi (No. 144), and Zimbabwe (No. 143), rounding out the five lowest-ranking countries in terms of happiness.

World’s 25 happiest countries in 2025

1. Finland

2. Denmark

3. Iceland

4. Sweden

5. Netherlands

6. Costa Rica

7. Norway

8. Israel

9. Luxembourg

10. Mexico

11. Australia

12. New Zealand

13. Switzerland

14. Belgium

15. Ireland

16. Lithuania

17. Austria

18. Canada

19. Slovenia

20. Czech Republic

21. United Arab Emirates

22. Germany

23. United Kingdom

24. United States

25. Belize

The suspended Senator representing Kogi Central in the Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has insisted that her suspension is a direct consequence of her accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Speaking during an interview with Sky News on Wednesday, the embattled lawmaker alleged that Akpabio told her she had to “please him” to enjoy her privileges as a Senator.

She maintained that her suspension is a calculated attempt to silence her and challenged the National Assembly to provide evidence of the misconduct they claimed she was suspended for.

She said, “I made an allegation of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the fifth day of March 2025 and the very next day, I was suspended for six months. I believe my suspension is illegal, it’s unjust, and it’s just a way of silencing me.

“Yes, they did mention that I was suspended on grounds of gross misconduct, but can they please provide what the gross misconduct is that amounts to a six-month suspension the day after I submitted a petition? I was suspended because of that petition, not because of any gross misconduct.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan compared her alleged maltreatment to that of her male colleagues, alleging a double standard in the Senate.

“Let’s talk about the gross misconduct that had happened in the Nigerian chambers. I was only told to move, and I refused to move my seat because I deserved to be notified; I deserved to be given a chance to explain why I should retain my seat. You see, I have seen in that chamber where men fight, where Senators throw items at each other, curse each other, shout at each other, but they were not suspended. Why? Because they were men,” she added.

She further revealed that she had endured sexual harassment from Akpabio for over a year and that her refusal to yield to his demands led to a campaign of intimidation.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan narrated that Akpabio allegedly repeatedly blocked her attempts to raise motions and push important bills for her constituency, adding that even her husband tried intervening, but his efforts were stifled.

“I experienced sexual harassment over the past year in the hands of the Senate President, and this sexual harassment, because I refused to yield to his demands, turned into malice whereby my rights and privileges as a senator were deprived. I found the courage to speak up; yes, the breaking point was moving me from that seat; I have had to endure a whole lot in silence.

“Things got difficult for me; I was always complaining. My husband would actually walk up to him because they are friends, saying, ‘My wife has a very important bill, her constituency needs this, why don’t you give her a chance to speak?’ And he’d tell me, ‘Next time, next time.’ So he deliberately kept on denying me this. Each time I walked to him he’d tell me, ‘Right here I am the chief presiding officer of the National Assembly, so you have to please me, make me happy to get these privileges.’ And that happened several times. Because I refused, it developed into malice.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, along with several prominent members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially launched a coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 general election.

Naija News reports that the press conference, held on Thursday, saw a strong showing of key opposition figures, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko.

Other significant personalities in attendance included former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh; and Convenor of the Alternative, Segun Showunmi, among others.

Among the key figures who were unable to attend but whose apologies were announced were former Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu. Despite their absence, their support for the coalition’s cause was acknowledged.

This was confirmed by Atiku, who read the text of a Press Conference addressed by a cross-section of leaders and political stakeholders from across the country, in Abuja, on Thursday.

Atiku, in response to a question whether the gathering was to kick start a coalition to oust Tinubu in 2007, the former Vice President said, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”

Earlier, while addressing the press conference, Atiku and his partners called on Nigerians especially members of the National Assembly to reject President Bola Tinubu’s unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Atiku said, “We have come together to address the dangerous and unconstitutional actions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on March 18, 2025-to wit, the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the illegal suspension of the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and the State House of Assembly.

“This action is not only unlawful but also a clear subversion of democracy and imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government.

“We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on the constitution of our country and the institutions of our democracy.

“Mr President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was presumably driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, which culminated in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court.

“Naturally, we expected all parties to the dispute to follow laid-down procedures, and in good faith, to promptly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land.

“We note that despite provocative statements and belligerent attitude of his opponents, Governor Fubara had demonstrated goodwill and appeared disposed to the implementation of the ruling of the Supreme Court.

“However, rather than rise above the fray, the president yielded to petty favouritism and betrayed the oath that he solemnly swore to before God and man, which was to ‘do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

“If president Tinubu had conveniently disguised his true intentions in the past, his broadcast to the nation on 18th March 2025 betrayed his bias and fell far below the standard of comportment expected from his exalted office.”

Niger Delta activist, Anabs Sara-Igbe, has raised alarm over the disappearance of Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended Governor of Rivers State, after he was removed from office by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.

Naija News reports that Sara-Igbe expressed deep concern during an appearance on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Thursday, March 20, 2025, claiming that the governor has not been seen or heard from since his suspension.

On Tuesday, March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to escalating political unrest, leading to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly.

Following the president’s declaration, Fubara, his family, and his security team vacated the Rivers State Government House.

However, according to Sara-Igbe, there has been no communication or sighting of the suspended governor since his removal. He stressed that this situation is causing growing worry among the people of Rivers State.

“We have not seen Fubara, and nobody has communicated with him. We don’t know what has happened to him or where he is. His life is in danger. We have tried to reach out to him, but we cannot get in touch. All Nigerians need to know that Fubara’s life is in danger,” Sara-Igbe stated.

He further emphasized that the people of Rivers State are deeply concerned, as there has been no official update or any confirmation of Fubara’s whereabouts.

Sara-Igbe continued, “Until we see Fubara speak face-to-face or on television, we have not seen him. We haven’t heard from him. He was locked up in the government house, and now that he’s been released, where to? We don’t know. This is a war against Rivers State, not just against Fubara.”

The activist called on Nigerians to protest against what he described as the “illegal suspension” of Fubara, warning that allowing such actions to go unchecked could set a dangerous precedent across the country.

He urged Nigerians to take a stand, saying, “If Nigerians keep quiet and allow this to happen, it will happen in other places.”

The House of Representatives has approved the declaration of a state of emergency for Rivers State.
Naija News reports that the lawmakers also approved the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the assembly, as announced by President Tinubu.

The House of Representatives on Thursday debated on the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers.

At the commencement of the debate on Thursday, a rep member demanded a head count of members present in the session to ensure that two-thirds necessary to form a quorum were present in the House.

However, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, ruled that the attendance register would be used instead of going for a head count.

“I want the house to note that today’s plenary is being attended by 243 members based on our attendance register. Just for the record, we’ve more than satisfied the requirement for this particular amendment,” the Speaker said.

Naija News reports that the Green Chamber has adjourned until next Tuesday.

JUMPING FENCES

When the house convened to deliberate on Jonathan’s request, the session was anything but routine, and the entrance to the National Assembly Complex was fortified.

Security agents had blocked lawmakers from accessing the chamber, forcing some, including Aminu Tambuwal, the house speaker, to scale the fence of the complex into the chamber.

Once inside, the mood was tense. Lawmakers from the north-east were vocal in their opposition, with other lawmakers arguing that the emergency rule had exacerbated the insecurity in the region.

Police fired tear gas into the chamber following a clash with at least 200 supporters of Tambuwal who had been prevented from entering the building to vote.

HURDLE BEFORE TINUBU IN N’ASSEMBLY

On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the protracted political crisis in the south-south state.

Tinubu also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house of assembly members for six months.

For the emergency rule to take effect, section 305 (2) of the constitution states that the president must transmit the proclamation to the senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives.

There is a raging debate on where the president derived the power to suspend an elected governor as this is not expressly provided for in the 1999 constitution.

With 360 members in the green chamber and 109 in the red chamber, Tinubu needs at least 240 votes in the house of reps and 73 in the senate for his proclamation to stand.

On the contrary, it takes only 36 senators to defeat the proclamation.

Even if the senate passes it, 121 reps can vote it down.

Sources in the national assembly told TheCable that the president’s foot soldiers are struggling to get the numbers required for the Rivers emergency rule.

The Oyo state government has withdrawn the criminal case against Oriyomi Hamzat, Naomi Silekunola and Fasasi Abdullahi Fasasi over the fatal stampede at Islamic High School Bashorun in December 2024.

Abiodun Aikomo, commissioner of justice and attorney-general of Oyo, confirmed the development on Wednesday while addressing journalists after the ruling.

The Ibadan high court struck out the case after it was withdrawn by the attorney-general.

Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, Silekunola, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; and Abdullahi, principal of the Islamic High School, were standing trial for their alleged roles in a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan in December, which claimed the lives of over 30 people, most of whom were children.

They were initially remanded at the Agodi correctional facility and were granted bail on January 14 in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.

In January, the state government filed an 18-count criminal charge, including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence, and other related charges against the trio.

Speaking after the court session, Aikomo said the state decided to withdraw the case as the suspects showed empathy and compassion.

“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many. And you see, in law, whenever death occurs in circumstances that are not natural, the law will take its course. So the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation,” Aikomo said.

“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to prosecute but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected parties.

“And the circumstance, we felt, the essence of prosecution is not to kill people or persecute them.

“It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these charges, and that is what happened today. So we withdrew the charge and it was struck out by the court. There is no charge against them again, so they are free.”

OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT

Also speaking, Abdulwaheed Olajide, counsel to Fasasi, said the families of the victims and the defendants reached an agreement to settle the matter out of court.

“The good thing is that the defendants as well as the state met and considered wider implication of the case and decided to put a stop to it so that it will not send a wrong signal to the larger society because if the crisis is allowed to persist, you will discover that men of goodwill will be running away from Oyo state. Just to run away from such, the two sides decided to find an amicable solution,” Olajide said.

“They were brought into the picture, they were appealed to and they were made to understand that this is a thing that happened as a result of an accident which can happen anytime.

“It is beyond human control. So they agreed with us… and we said we can still go ahead and show empathy to the families of the deceased.

“The state appreciated that and in consequence decided to withdraw the charges against the defendants.

“We thank God, we all went to the river and we came back with our pots full of water to quench the thirst of each and every one of us.”