Headlines
Benin Resists FG’s Hasty Extradition Request on Igboho, Insists on Repatriation Trial
The Republic of Benin has resisted Nigeria’s attempts to hastily extradite the Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, to the headquarters of the Department of State Services in Abuja.
According to The PUNCH report, the Federal Government planned to extradite the activist on Wednesday (yesterday), but Benin Republic insisted that it would not be part of any process that was against due process.
A security source in the West African country, who spoke to The PUNCH, said, “The Nigerian government planned to extradite him on Wednesday, but our government said the rule of law must be followed as the world is watching us.”
One of the lawyers of Igboho, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said Benin Republic had shown itself to be a country that respects the rule of law and due process.
The lawyer said Igboho’s legal team in Benin Republic were in talks with the Beninise government.
He noted that despite pressure from the Nigerian government, the government of Benin had insisted on following due process including a repatriation hearing to determine whether or not Igboho was guilty as accused by the Nigerian secret police.
The DSS on February 26, 2021, attempted to arrest Igboho along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when the activist and his supporters were on their way to meet with the 93-year-old Afenifere chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, but pandemonium broke out and the DSS was unable to arrest him.
However, the secret police raided Igboho’s residence in the Soka area of Ibadan on July 1, 2021, arrested at least 12 of his associates and killed two others during the bloody raid.
Igboho escaped the raid and the secret police subsequently declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilise Nigeria under the pretext of the Yoruba nation agitation, but Igboho denied the allegation.
The activist, who went underground, was, however, apprehended by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic on Monday night.
Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested while trying to catch a flight to Germany.
The Punch
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally received the petition seeking recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on Monday, March 24, 2025.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, had restrained INEC from receiving petitions to initiate a recall process against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The presiding judge, Justice Isa Dashen, gave the order after listening to the application moved by the counsel for the applicants, Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa (SAN) & Co, on Friday, March 21.
The applicants – Anebe Jacob Ogirma, John Adebosi, Musa Adeiza, Ahmed Usman, and Maleek Yahaya – had through their counsel sued INEC for the recall process of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The applicants prayed the court to order INEC not to receive any petition by purported members of Kogi Central Senatorial District for the purpose of initiating a recall process for Akpoti-Uduaghan, pending the determination of the motion on notice to the same effect.
The ex-parte application for the interim injunction was supported by an Affidavit of Extreme Urgency together with other court processes sworn to by Anebe Ogirima for himself and four others who are registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Justice Dashen granted the application and ordered that the court order and motion on notice be served on INEC.
The judge fixed May 6 for the report of service and further mention of the case.
Headlines
NBA Declares Sole Administrator Unconstitutional, Calls for Fubara’s Restoration As Rivers Gov
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reiterated its position that the removal of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by President Bola Tinubu is unconstitutional, urging the President to reverse the decision.
On Tuesday, the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly over the political crisis rocking the oil-rich State.
The President appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the State’s Sole Administrator.
Following up with its earlier statement condemning the action of the President regarding Rivers State, the NBA whose President, Afam Osigwe, was a guest on Sunday Politics, insists that Fubara must be brought back to his position as the governor of Rivers State as the constitution does not recognise a Sole Administrator.
“That is our belief, that is what we expect the president to do, to restore him (Fubara) back to power having unconstitutionally removed him,” Osigwe said on the programme when asked if the president should recall the governor.
“And that is why we do not recognise a sole administrator is the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State having been appointed unconstitutionally.
“Even when I saw him taking oath of office, I was wondering which oath he was taking because he was taking an oath not known to the constitution, the constitution does not recognise an administrator.”
Political solution needed
Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) argued that the problem in Rivers State is being cured with a wrong solution, likening it to one using a sledgehammer on his head because of headache.
According to him, the measure being taken to address the Rivers problem “are overreaching, extensive, undemocratic and above all, unconstitutional.”
He maintained that the problem in Rivers State is political and only a political solution will bring it to an end.
No constitutional vacuum
There have been claims in some quarters that there was a gap in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution which President Tinubu used in taking the action in Rivers State, but the NBA president has refuted that, insisting that the Constitution is explicit enough.
“I do not believe that it (Section 305) is not explicit, I simply believe that we deliberately refuse to apply it the way it is,” Osigwe said.
The National Assembly has approved the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, but Osigwe does that believe that the lawmakers approval legitimized the President’s action.
He said that the National Assembly’s approval is like placing something on nothing.
American heavyweight boxing legend, George Foreman, has died at the age of 76.
According to his family, Foreman died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at a hospital in Houston on Friday night. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
In a statement shared on social media, the family praised Foreman’s legacy and requested privacy as they mourn the former Olympic gold medalist who later became an ordained preacher and founded the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Texas.
“Our hearts are broken. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones,” the statement reads.
“A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.
“A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”
