Category Nigeria News

A medical doctor abducted in Auchi, Edo State, has regained his freedom, the Edo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has confirmed.

The Chairman of the association, Eustace Oseghale, announced the development on Wednesday, describing the doctor’s release as a moment of relief for the medical community and the victim’s family.

Oseghale said the association worked tirelessly with relevant stakeholders to secure the doctor’s freedom, adding that the outcome highlighted the importance of professional solidarity and collective action.

However, details surrounding how the doctor was released were not disclosed.

While welcoming the development, the NMA, Edo chapter chairman, raised concerns over the increasing attacks on medical doctors and other healthcare workers in Edo State and across the country.

READ ALSO: Edo Doctors Commence Strike Over Abduction Of Colleague

He warned that the persistent insecurity not only threatens the lives of health professionals but also undermines the delivery of healthcare services, as many doctors now work under fear and uncertainty.

Oseghale called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to adopt decisive and sustained measures to curb criminal activities, particularly those targeting healthcare workers.

According to him, only proactive security interventions can halt what he described as brazen acts of criminality against doctors and society at large.

Oseghale added that the NMA would continue to advocate for the safety of its members while engaging authorities to ensure a secure working environment for healthcare professionals.

The doctor’s release comes against the backdrop of heightened tension in the state following the abduction, in early January 2026, of Abu Babatunde Ibrahim and his younger brother, Abu Tahir.

Ibrahim was later confirmed dead after his body was discovered by security operatives near a riverside.

Following the incident, doctors across Edo State last week embarked on an industrial action, suspending medical services in parts of the state’s 18 local government areas.

The action was in protest against the abduction and killing of their colleague and the growing insecurity.

Despite assurances from security agencies that efforts were ongoing to improve safety, the doctors said they could no longer operate under an atmosphere of fear.

The strike disrupted healthcare delivery, leaving many hospitals operating at skeletal capacity and raising concerns among patients and their families.

Speaking to Channels Television, the Chairman of the Association of Resident Doctors at the Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Paul Evbuomwan, said healthcare workers were increasingly exposed to danger and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect both medical personnel and residents of the state.

Concerns over the safety of healthcare workers have continued to rise nationwide.

In November 2025, a consultant neurosurgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo, was kidnapped by gunmen after leaving work.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed January 19 for the hearing of an alleged defamation suit filed by the Nasarawa State

Governor, Abdullahi Sule, against the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Gboko, Benue State, Professor Zachary Gundu.

Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter following a request by counsel to the governor for additional time to respond to three pending applications filed by the defendant.

Governor Sule is seeking ₦100.5 billion in damages, alleging that Professor Gundu made defamatory statements accusing him of providing a haven to Fulani herdsmen who allegedly carried out attacks on communities in Benue State.

The alleged statements were said to have been made on July 10, 2025.

READ ALSO: Court Strikes Out Defamation Suit Against Senator Natasha After Discontinuance By FG

During proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Sebastine Hon, SAN, opposed the request for adjournment, arguing that the claimant had sufficient time to respond, noting that the applications had been filed since November last year.

Hon further informed the court of his intention to withdraw two of the applications already before it, stating that the move was aimed at clearing procedural obstacles to allow the substantive matter to proceed.

Fuji music icon King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), whose real name is Wasiu Adewale Olasunkanmi Adesanya, has formally petitioned the Ogun State Government over his alleged wrongful exclusion from the nomination process to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

In a petition dated January 14, 2026, addressed to the Executive Council of Ogun State through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adesanya challenged the conduct of the nomination meeting of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

He insisted that the exercise was marred by grave procedural irregularities and violated both customary and statutory laws.

READ ALSO: Ogun Govt Denies ‘Anointing’ Candidate For Awujale Stool

The petition, written by his legal team led by Wahab Shittu, SAN, stated that Adesanya is an acknowledged and eligible member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and a legitimate aspirant to the Awujale stool, which became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

According to the petition, the Secretary of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government had invited members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to a statutory meeting scheduled for January 12, 2026, in line with Ogun State chieftaincy regulations and Ijebu customary law. However, Adesanya and several other eligible family members were allegedly prevented from participating in the meeting held at Bisrod Hotel, Ijebu-Ode.

The petition claimed that heavily armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed at the venue to restrict access, while entry was limited to individuals carrying special “delegate” cards allegedly issued by a faction within the ruling house.

“This system of delegates was unilaterally introduced and never agreed upon by our client or other legitimate members of the ruling house,” the petition stated, adding that the action amounted to deliberate disenfranchisement.

A list of over 15 princes and princesses reportedly barred from entering the venue was attached to the petition, along with a flash drive containing video evidence of the incident.

Adesanya’s lawyers argued that the nomination exercise breached Section 16(1)(f) of the Obas and Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Law of Ogun State, 2021, which mandates that candidates must be nominated at a properly constituted meeting of the ruling house.

They also alleged violations of the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy Declaration, as well as the constitutional right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The petition cited several Supreme Court decisions, including Kotoye v. CBN and Longe v. FBN Plc, to argue that any decision reached at a meeting where affected parties were deliberately excluded is legally invalid.

“The arbitrary exclusion of eligible members from a process as significant as the nomination of an Awujale is repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience,” the petition stated.

Adesanya urged the Ogun State Executive Council to: Declare the January 12, 2026 nomination exercise null and void; Order a fresh, transparent, and inclusive nomination process; Ensure strict compliance with chieftaincy laws and customary rules; Prevent any further exclusion of eligible members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

The petition warned that failure to address the matter promptly would leave Adesanya with no option but to seek redress in court.

In a shift from oil dependence to climate capital, the Federal Government says green finance will anchor Nigeria’s energy transition. President Bola Tinubu has announced plans for a $2 billion climate fund to reduce emissions and unlock wider access to energy.

The President said at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week summit on Tuesday that Nigeria’s Climate Investment Platform would mobilise $500 million for climate-resilient infrastructure. He added that the National Climate Change Fund is targeting a $2 billion capitalisation to support projects that reduce emissions and strengthen climate resilience.

At the summit, Tinubu also announced that Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates had signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The agreement is expected to boost trade and investment across multiple sectors, including renewable energy, aviation, logistics, agriculture, digital trade, and climate-smart infrastructure, strengthening Nigeria’s access to Gulf capital and global markets.

Net-Zero By 2060

Nigeria’s climate and environmental challenges remain significant, particularly in reducing gas flaring and methane emissions. These efforts form part of the country’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2060 while delivering universal energy access.

Green finance, the government says, is the bridge between climate ambition and economic inclusion in Africa’s largest economy. Tinubu said Nigeria’s green bond programme continues to attract strong investor interest.

A ₦50 billion ($38 million) sovereign green bond issued in 2025 drew ₦91 billion in subscriptions, while Lagos State’s green bond was oversubscribed by nearly 98 per cent.

According to the President, the government is now working to unlock $25–$30 billion annually in climate finance. A new Climate and Green Industrialisation Investment Playbook will help private investors navigate manufacturing policy and Nigeria’s regulatory landscape.

Impact On Nigerians In The Diaspora

For Nigerians abroad, the shift toward green finance opens new channels for engagement beyond remittances.

Diaspora professionals and investors can participate in green bonds, climate funds, renewable energy ventures, and infrastructure projects tied to dollar-linked or naira-backed returns. 

As Nigeria attracts more climate capital, the expectation is for improved power supply, cleaner cities, and more stable operating conditions—factors that directly affect families, property investments, and businesses back home.

A stronger climate-finance framework could also reduce pressure on foreign exchange, helping stabilise the naira and protecting the value of diaspora remittances sent home.

The new initiatives build on earlier efforts, including the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority’s $500 million Distributed Renewable Energy Fund, launched in March 2025 to catalyse local financing for clean energy projects.

“These reforms show Nigeria is ready for business,” Tinubu said, adding that non-oil exports have grown by 21 per cent, while investment commitments now exceed $50 billion across key sectors.

The President said Nigeria is prioritising technology partnerships to modernise the national grid and deploy artificial intelligence for efficiency. He added that pilot projects are underway in electric mobility and green industrialisation, signalling long-term demand for skills in engineering, data science, climate finance, and project management—areas where diaspora expertise is especially relevant.

Nigeria’s $200bn Energy Transition Opportunity

In September 2025, Vice President Kashim Shettima presented Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to investors at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

At a roundtable hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), he emphasised the need for partnerships to unlock investment at scale.

“With 210 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves and one of the highest solar irradiation levels in Africa, Nigeria offers a 200-billion-dollar energy transition opportunity,” said Shettima.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), has recommended the elevation and appointment of the presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. 

NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Babalola-Ogedengbe said the Council, at its 110th Meeting held on January 13,  2026, and presided over by, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, recommended Justice Oyewole for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, alongside 35 other candidates for various judicial offices across the country.

Justice Oyewole born on May 13, 1965 is from Ila-Orangun, Osun State and takes the south west slot made vacant as a result of the retirement of the immediate past Chief Justice Of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. 

Apart from Justice Oyewole, 27 others were approved for appointments as Judges of various High Courts.

The breakdown shows that Borno and Plateau states will get six new judges, Ekiti will get five new judges while Niger and Delta will get four each, Benue and Taraba will each get one judge. 

READ ALSO: Professors To Get ₦140k Monthly Top-Up In New FG/ASUU Deal, Says Minister

The council also recommended six Kadis for appointment to the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger, three for Taraba and two judges for appointment to the Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.

The Council also recommended the extension of the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua by three months, just as it called on the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, to immediately commence the process of constituting the State Judicial Service Commission, to enable the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge of Imo State.

The NJC stressed the imperative of prompt appointment of the substantive Chief Judge to ensure stability, safeguard judicial independence, and promote the effective administration of justice in the State.

The Council has also cleared the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, of all allegations bordering on financial recklessness, diversion of funds, and judicial misconduct.

The Council said it  took the decision after considering and upholding the report of a three-member Investigation Committee constituted to probe several petitions filed against the Chief Judge.

In a related development, the National Judicial Council also dismissed a petition filed against a Judge of the Delta State High Court, Justice Gentu E. Timi, over allegations of professional misconduct arising from a chieftaincy dispute.

Meanwhile, the Council has reversed the one-year suspension without pay earlier imposed on Hon. Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division.

Out of a total of 39 petitions reviewed, the NJC Committee dismissed 26 for lacking in merit, recommended seven for further investigation and issued cautions to two judicial officers.

One of the judicial officers was cautioned for delivering judgment in a case outside the constitutionally prescribed 90 days contrary to the provisions of Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and for the uncouth language he used in his response to the petition against him.

The NJC also  reiterated its earlier warning to judges against indiscriminate grant of exparte orders and advised Heads of Court to be circumspect in assigning complex matters to newly appointed Judges.

The Council also constituted a Committee to consider the request for review submitted by the nine (9) dismissed Judges of Imo State Judiciary.

Kebbi State has raised ₦80 million to support legionnaires and families of fallen heroes.

The money was raised at the launch of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Kebbi State.

While addressing members of the Nigerian Legion at the event held in Birnin Kebbi, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi said the programme was dear to his administration.

Governor Idris noted that the peace and unity enjoyed in the country were products of the sacrifices made by fallen heroes.

“Last year, we launched this programme, and it is very dear to us. All of us here are beneficiaries of the sacrifices and commitment of our fallen heroes.

“I am personally a beneficiary of their sacrifices. Without them, we would not be here today,” Idris said.

READ ALSO: No More Traditional Titles Without Approval — Kebbi Govt

The governor assured the legion of the state government’s continued support, particularly in the areas of land allocation, Hajj seats, and the welfare of families of fallen heroes.

“We have taken note of the land you requested. On Hajj seats, you will be treated like any other group. On the welfare of the families of our fallen heroes, we are doing our best.

“We cannot forget them, and we will continue to improve their welfare,” he said.

The governor announced a donation of ₦50 million by the state government, adding that he and his family donated an additional ₦10 million to the cause.

Earlier, the Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in the state, Ahmed Shehu, said the Remembrance Day celebration was organised not only to honour fallen heroes but also to show concern for soldiers currently serving on the frontlines.

He said the legion remained committed to ensuring that fallen heroes were remembered and recognised for their sacrifices during peacekeeping missions within and outside the country.

Shehu disclosed that the ₦50 million donated by the state government in 2025 was judiciously utilised, noting that widows of fallen heroes benefitted from the intervention, while ₦50,000 was distributed to each participant at the 2025 remembrance ceremony.

He commended the state government for donating Hajj seats to legion members in the previous year and appealed for an increase in the number of slots in 2026.

According to him, no fewer than 20,180 members of the Nigerian Legion in the state were solidly behind the governor’s development agenda and commitment to moving the state to greater heights.

Members of the State Executive Council donated ₦5 million, while the Secretary to the State Government contributed ₦500,000.

The emirates of Yauri, Argungu and Zuru donated ₦1.5 million collectively, while the Gwandu Emirate donated ₦1 million.