NEWS
Bar, Bench Back Okpebholo’s Anti-Cultism, Kidnapping War
The judiciary and legal practitioners in Edo State have declared full support for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s ongoing battle against cultism and kidnapping.
The endorsement was the highlight of a high-level meeting held on Tuesday at the Government House in Benin City, when Governor Okpebholo received the Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, alongside a delegation, comprising judges and members of the legal profession in the State.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized the need for closer collaboration between the executive and the judiciary, describing their relationship as “very cordial.”
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The Governor remarked: “I appreciate the synergy we have enjoyed so far. I usually get quick and helpful responses whenever I seek legal advice.”
He reiterated his firm stance against rising insecurity in the state, particularly the menace of cultism and kidnapping. He appealed to the judiciary for continued cooperation in the enforcement of law and order.
“There is a fight against cultism, and I am taking it very seriously. I need your cooperation. These crimes are a major setback to our economic development. We must bring them down to the barest minimum so we can feel safe again, our children can invest here, and their investments will be protected,” he added.
The Governor’s renewed call for a joint action comes on the heels of recent legislative reforms aimed at curbing insecurity.
Earlier this year, he signed into law the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025, and the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025.
The laws impose strict penalties including a mandatory 10-year jail term for anyone who harbors cultists; 21 years for cultists who cause injury or damage property; and the death penalty for kidnappers in cases where victims lose their lives.
In a bid to strengthen the judicial system’s ability to administer justice swiftly and fairly, Governor Okpebholo also pledged his administration’s support for addressing critical institutional needs, including the recruitment of additional judicial staff.
Earlier in the meeting, Chief Judge Okungbowa had informed the Governor of the judiciary’s staffing challenges, noting that several professionals had left in search of better opportunities abroad.
Governor Okpebholo responded positively, acknowledging the urgent need to equip the judiciary with adequate human resources to also ensure effective prosecution of cases related to insecurity.
The Chief Judge was accompanied by a delegation of judges and other judicial officers, symbolizing a unified commitment from Edo’s legal community to uphold peace, justice, and security in the State.
The meeting ultimately reaffirmed a shared resolve between the executive and judicial arms of the government to rid Edo State of criminal elements and ensure a safe environment for all.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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