Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out two interlocutory motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the case challenging the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.

A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Hamman Barka, delivered the unanimous ruling on May 21, following the withdrawal of the motions by the appellant. The court also awarded N100,000 in costs against Akpabio.

The motions, dated March 3 and March 25, 2025, and marked CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025 respectively, sought to secure leave to appeal a ruling of the Federal High Court delivered on March 10, 2025, by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

Akpabio, through his legal team, had asked the appellate court to grant him leave to appeal the Federal High Court’s decision on grounds of mixed law and fact. He also sought an extension of time to file the appeal and a stay of proceedings in the case pending the determination of the appeal.

Listed as respondents in the appeal were Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen.

The motions were withdrawn after being deemed overtaken by events, prompting the appellate court to strike them out and award costs in favour of the respondents.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was conferred with the esteemed chieftaincy title of “Ugosimba 1 of Enugu” by the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during a vibrant ceremony held in Enugu.

The honor recognizes her remarkable contributions to women’s empowerment, social development, and humanitarian efforts across Nigeria through her flagship Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The conferment took place during Senator Tinubu’s two-day working visit to Enugu State, where she was warmly received by Governor Peter Mbah, prominent traditional leaders, women’s organizations, and community members.

The title, translating to “Jewel of Empowerment” in Igbo, was bestowed in acknowledgment of her dedication to uplifting the less privileged, supporting healthcare initiatives, and fostering national development.

The Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, led the conferment, praising Senator Tinubu’s love for Enugu and her impactful work. “We looked at the way you love Enugu State. We are thanking you for what you do for midwives, for nurses.

Personally, I am a nurse too. I appreciate your efforts in healing the sick, clothing the naked, and feeding the hungry. Only God can reward your good work,” Asadu stated. He also highlighted her three-term tenure as a senator and her recognition as a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), noting her compassion beyond politics.

In her acceptance speech, an elated Senator Tinubu expressed deep gratitude, describing the title as a special honor not only for herself but also for her husband, President Bola Tinubu, and their entire family.

“This moment will remain special in my heart, and I will always remember your people for good. I love your state—it is calm and welcoming. Enugu State will be remembered for good,” she said, noting the inner peace she felt since arriving in the state on Monday.

The ceremony was a grand affair, attended by political figures, traditional rulers, and members of the public, showcasing the widespread appreciation for Senator Tinubu’s contributions.

Her Renewed Hope Initiative has been instrumental in providing agricultural inputs, such as wheelbarrows, seedlings, fertilizers, and livestock, to 400 women and young farmers across Enugu’s 17 local councils, further solidifying her commitment to grassroots development.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has stated that the proposed N1.48 trillion budget for 2025 makes provisions for the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other affected political officeholders.

Ibas made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja while appearing before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight to defend the budget proposal.

He explained that the draft budget aligns with the strategic objectives of the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027), and provides a framework to boost revenue generation, fast-track infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and foster inclusive economic growth across various sectors.

“In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period,” he said.

Ibas, however, expressed concern over the refusal of some state officials to provide essential information needed for the preparation of the budget.

“Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures at the time of submission of the budget estimates,” he added.

Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has found himself at the center of criticism following his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

The encounter, during which Onakoya presented a special edition gold-plated Adire chess set to the president, has sparked widespread criticism and polarized opinions across the country.

Onakoya, celebrated for his Guinness World Record-breaking 60-hour chess marathon and his efforts to empower underprivileged children through chess, met with Tinubu at the president’s Lagos residence on June 9.

The meeting was highlighted by Tinubu’s public praise of Onakoya’s work, with the president expressing support for expanding the Chess in Slums initiative nationwide.

However, the association with Tinubu, whose administration has faced scrutiny over economic challenges and poverty, has led to a backlash from some Nigerians.

Critics argue that Onakoya’s meeting with the president undermines the integrity of his grassroots movement. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been flooded with comments accusing him of aligning with a government they believe perpetuates the very slum conditions his organization seeks to address.

One sentiment suggests that Onakoya’s visit could be perceived as an endorsement of Tinubu’s leadership, diluting the moral clarity that has defined Chess in Slums.
Others have speculated that the meeting might be a strategic move by the administration to co-opt Onakoya’s influence for political gain.

Defenders of Onakoya, however, emphasize his track record of transparency and dedication to uplifting vulnerable children.

They view the meeting as a potential opportunity to secure governmental support for his cause, arguing that collaboration could amplify the reach of his initiative. Supporters point to his consistent focus on education and empowerment, urging critics to separate his humanitarian efforts from political affiliations.

The controversy reflects broader frustrations among Nigerians regarding leadership and social inequality. Onakoya’s rise from the slums of Ikorodu to global recognition has made him a symbol of hope, but his engagement with Tinubu has ignited raw anger over systemic failures.

As the debate intensifies, opinions remain sharply divided, with some lauding his strategic outreach while others see it as a betrayal of his roots.

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s recent visit to Governor Alex Otti, stating that the engagement was carried out in the senator’s personal capacity and not on behalf of the party.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s Acting Publicity Secretary, Sterling Urakpa, the APC strongly disapproved of Kalu’s commendation of the Labour Party-led administration in the state.

“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s visit to Governor Alex Otti was a personal engagement. It does not reflect the position or endorsement of the Abia State APC,” the statement read.

The party maintained that Kalu’s actions and remarks were inconsistent with its official stance on governance in Abia.

“The party remains firm in its position that the Labour Party government in Abia is fraught with unresolved conflicts of interest, a troubling lack of transparency, and the concealment of project costs and contract details,” the statement added.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone its presidential ticket to the southern region of Nigeria for the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the call on Monday while reading a communiqué issued after a meeting of party stakeholders under the banner of the “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP.”

“In the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles, and respect for our party constitution, the party must make an unequivocal pronouncement zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 elections, after the unbroken years of Northern presidency under President Muhammadu Buhari,” the communiqué stated.

The document also emphasized that only the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, is constitutionally empowered to issue notices for meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Committee (NEC), National Caucus, and the National Working Committee (NWC).

It further declared that any notices or actions not issued by the National Secretary, including correspondences with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are “null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj are set to begin their return journey as Saudi Arabia on Monday officially declared the successful and peaceful completion of this year’s pilgrimage for the Islamic year 1446.

According to Saudi authorities, over 1.67 million pilgrims took part in the sacred rites, including thousands of Nigerians.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that return flights for Nigerian pilgrims will commence on June 9. The Commission confirmed that all pilgrimage activities had concluded smoothly.

While many pilgrims expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill the religious obligation, NAHCON reported that seven Nigerian pilgrims died during the exercise. The deceased, who were from Oyo, Abia, Edo, Plateau, and Kano States, were said to have suffered cardiac arrest and heart failure. They were buried in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic rites.

Despite the loss, the number of recorded deaths in 2025 is significantly lower than that of the previous year, when no fewer than 30 Nigerian pilgrims died during the Hajj.

A 16-year-old student, Oyindamola Apampa, has recorded an impressive aggregate score of 351 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), following a resit prompted by technical issues during her initial attempt.

Apampa, a student of Lagoon Secondary School in Lagos, scored 65 in English Language, 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, and 90 in Chemistry.

In a statement on Tuesday, Apampa attributed her success to determination, strategic preparation, and divine favour. She explained that her first UTME attempt yielded a score of 158, but the result was later invalidated by the examination body due to technical disruptions at her centre.

“In my first UTME attempt, I scored 158. However, the results were widely criticised and later acknowledged by the authorities as inaccurate due to technical glitches affecting several examination centres, including mine,” she said.

Apampa noted that a resit was authorised to address the irregularities, during which she secured the score of 351.

She also acknowledged the role of her parents in creating a supportive academic environment at home, which she said contributed significantly to her performance.

“My parents made our home a positive place for studying. We have a full library in the family living room, in addition to a separate multimedia study room where the whole family often gets together to talk about different topics and help each other learn,” she said.

Apampa further credited a learning centre in Lekki, Lagos, for providing her with additional academic support through UTME preparation classes and regular mock examinations.

The Federal Government is set to forfeit $4 million from a World Bank loan due to its inability to meet auditing standards tied to a key revenue reform involving the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The forfeited fund is part of the $103 million Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project, a public financial management initiative financed through a credit facility from the International Development Association (IDA).

According to a World Bank restructuring paper dated June 2025, the revenue assurance audit for the FIRS and Customs, covering the 2018 to 2021 financial years, was deemed unsatisfactory. The report submitted by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation failed to meet international auditing standards and was therefore assessed as “not achieved” by the Independent Verification Agent.

“These Intermediate Results to be implemented by the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation were assessed as not achieved by the Independent Verification Agent because the reports submitted for verification did not meet the requisite international auditing standards,” the document stated.

The failed audit is one of ten performance-based conditions that the Federal Government was required to meet under the project. However, with the project scheduled to close on June 30, 2025, those conditions remain unmet.

As a result, the Federal Ministry of Finance has formally requested the cancellation of $10.4 million in project funds—$0.9 million in unused technical assistance funds and $9.5 million allocated to the unfulfilled performance-based conditions.