The escalation of violence in Ukraine’s eastern region is tragic, with at least 14 people reported dead due to the overnight Russian attacks. The strikes in Dobropillia, a town in the Donetsk region, are especially devastating, as they not only caused multiple fatalities but also left many others injured and caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. The ongoing conflict in towns like Dobropillia and the nearby Porkovsk highlights the intense and brutal nature of the fighting, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.

The attacks in other regions, such as Kharkiv and Odesa, further illustrate the widespread devastation caused by the conflict. The civilian casualties in Bogodukhiv and the damage in Odesa, including fires affecting critical infrastructure, only add to the human suffering and hardship faced by Ukrainians.

It’s also significant that a Ukrainian drone struck a Russian refinery, showing the continued cycle of cross-border attacks. This kind of escalation creates further uncertainty and hardship for both civilians and the broader geopolitical situation.

Given the intense situation, do you think there will be any immediate steps taken by the international community to de-escalate the violence, or are we likely to see continued tensions?

It’s wonderful to hear that thousands of women in Lagos came together to celebrate International Women’s Day with such energy and joy! The purple clothing and banners, combined with the theme “Accelerate Action,” highlight not only the achievements of women but also the ongoing need for greater progress in various areas, including political participation.

Fabayo Temiloluwa’s reflection about the challenges women face in Nigerian politics is a powerful reminder of the work still to be done. It’s true that women are often sidelined in political spaces, and her call for women to be more intentional, informed, and active in politics is crucial for changing that narrative.

International Women’s Day offers an opportunity for celebration, but also for critical conversations like these that can lead to real change. What steps do you think can be taken to encourage more women to get involved in politics in Nigeria?

The political crisis in Rivers State certainly seems to be intensifying, and the calls for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention highlight the seriousness of the situation. The recent Supreme Court ruling that halted state allocations until a valid House of Assembly is constituted has added fuel to the fire, especially with tensions surrounding the position of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The concerns raised by the Ijaw groups regarding the potential impeachment of the governor are understandable, given the region’s delicate political and economic situation. The Niger Delta’s stability is critical for Nigeria’s oil production, and any instability there could have widespread consequences.

At the same time, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) is emphasizing the need for legal and constitutional methods to address grievances. It’s a crucial reminder that maintaining the rule of law and avoiding violence is key to preserving democratic integrity in the state.

The next steps are critical—if this political crisis isn’t resolved carefully, it could lead to more instability. What do you think should be done to de-escalate this situation?

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until May 8 to rule on the admissibility of a judgment by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in a case involving Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of the American International School, Abuja. The case is part of the ongoing trial of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is facing a fraud charge of N80.2 billion brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The trial resumed after the EFCC’s third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor with the American International School, testified that Ali Bello offered to pay the school fees of Yahaya Bello’s children until their graduation. Ojehomon stated that Bello made payments for four of his children enrolled in various grades and also paid future school fees for children who were not yet enrolled.

During the trial, the defense counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), sought to tender documents related to the payment of school fees and receipts for the recertification of those documents. However, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), objected, arguing that the prosecution had not yet closed its case and that the document did not comply with Section 232 of the Evidence Act. Daudu countered, asserting that once documents were deemed relevant to the proceedings, they should be admissible according to the Evidence Act.

Ojehomon also confirmed several payments made on behalf of Yahaya Bello’s children, including amounts from different company accounts like Forza Oil and Gas, Whales Oil and Gas, Aleshua Solution Services, Uliati General Training LLC, and Dada Rand Merchant Limited, based in Uganda. The payments were specifically made for the children’s school fees.

The judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, adjourned the case to May 8 and 9, 2025, for a ruling on the admissibility of the FCT High Court judgment concerning the school fees payments.

Four notorious drug kingpins have been sentenced to a total of 95 years in prison by Federal High Courts in Lagos and Yola, Adamawa State, after being convicted of trafficking cocaine and skunk worth over N4.6 billion. The convicts—Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi, Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (a.k.a Don), and Zidon Zurga—also had their luxury vehicles forfeited to the Federal Government.

Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), revealed that Ogbuji, 48, was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on September 18, 2024, while attempting to import 817 wraps of cocaine weighing 19.40 kilograms, valued at N4.65 billion. This arrest followed a previous conviction in July 2023, where he had been caught with cocaine after ingesting 93 pellets in May 2023. Ogbuji was sentenced to two years in prison but was released after paying a fine. However, he was caught again less than 16 months later with a larger consignment of cocaine, leading to his final conviction in February 2025, where he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the cocaine trafficking charges.

Iloduba, 51, was arrested on December 31, 2021, at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu for ingesting 58 wraps of cocaine. After three years of prosecution, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in March 2025.

Shuaibu Isa and Zidon Zurga were arrested on November 25, 2024, while trafficking 500.8 kg of skunk concealed in luxury vehicles. They were sentenced to 35 years each in prison following their conviction in February 2025, with their vehicles forfeited as part of the ruling.

These convictions and sentences serve as part of the ongoing efforts by the NDLEA to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria.

Former Senator Shehu Sani has recounted how he narrowly avoided a six-month suspension from the Senate in 2018 after revealing the salaries and allowances of federal lawmakers. According to Sani, he was almost suspended for his actions, but the timely intervention of then-Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy Ike Ekweremadu helped him avoid the penalty.

Sani shared this experience on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), in light of the recent suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Reflecting on the risks of speaking out within the Senate, Sani warned that any lawmaker who exposes internal matters, such as financial details, might face harsh consequences and would likely be left to face those consequences alone.

He cautioned fellow lawmakers, stating, “If you blow the whistle too loudly, you will be ‘on your own’. No senator will risk their head or neck to support you.” Sani’s comments shed light on the pressures and challenges of challenging the status quo in Nigerian politics.

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has called for the Nigerian Air Force, the military, and the presidency to take action against the officers involved in the brutalization of staff and journalists at Ikeja Electric on Thursday. The association emphasized its determination to seek justice for those affected, including the correspondent who was attacked during the incident.

The altercation occurred at Ikeja Electric’s headquarters in Alausa, Lagos, when armed personnel from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja reportedly attacked civilians, forcing them to lie on the ground and subjecting them to repeated beatings. The violence followed a dispute over a ₦4.3 billion debt owed by the Ikeja Air Force Base, with no attempts made to settle the amount.

In a TVC interview, Sunday Oduntan, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at ANED, expressed outrage, insisting that Air Vice Marshall AK Ademulegun, the Area Officer Commanding of the Logistics Command, could not feign ignorance of the assault. Oduntan condemned the invasion, likening it to a coup against all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and warned the political class that such behavior could potentially lead to more severe consequences for the country.

Oduntan stressed that the military authorities must take immediate action to hold those responsible accountable, restore any stolen property, and ensure the safety of civilians. He urged the presidency and military leadership to act transparently and with urgency, or risk similar incidents happening again in the future.

The attack has left many affected individuals traumatized, and the association vowed to continue pressing for justice until the culprits are brought to book.

Reno Omokri has called on Nigerians to demand that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan undergo a lie detector test before passing judgment on the sexual harassment allegations she has made against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. In a video posted to his social media account on Friday, Omokri shared his own past experience with Akpoti, which he claims reveals a pattern of behavior.

Omokri recounted an incident in 2014 when Akpoti accused him of sexual harassment. He strongly denied the accusation, presenting verifiable evidence, including his passport stamps and flight tickets, proving that he was not in Nigeria at the time of the alleged incident. He argued that Akpoti later deleted her accusations after he made the evidence public, and the matter was eventually settled out of court with a significant financial settlement.

Drawing a parallel between the past incident and Akpoti’s current allegations against Akpabio, Omokri suggested that her past behavior should raise doubts about the credibility of her current claims. He stressed that without evidence, people might believe the allegations, but with proof, the accusations were shown to be false.

Omokri concluded that until Akpoti takes a lie detector test, he would continue to view her actions with skepticism, linking them to her previous accusations and behavior.

The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has strongly opposed the calls for the impeachment of Senate President Godswill Akpabio following sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The IYN issued a statement condemning the protests and demands for Akpabio’s removal, which erupted after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusation and her subsequent suspension by the Senate.

The group, led by President Frank Ebikabo and Secretary Federal Ebiaridor, argued that Akpabio had not committed any offense warranting impeachment, describing the calls for his removal as being orchestrated by “paid agents” with vested interests aimed at destabilizing the Senate. They rejected the idea of a “lynch mob” targeting Akpabio and insisted that such actions would only undermine the Senate’s stability.

The IYN expressed confidence in Akpabio’s ability to continue as Senate President, urging that the investigation into the allegations be conducted transparently and impartially. They cautioned against prejudging the case before its conclusion, highlighting their concerns about the credibility of the claims and urging Nigerians to avoid jumping to conclusions. The group also pointed out that, as Senate President, Akpabio would have no reason to engage in the alleged behavior, especially given his longstanding friendship with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband.

The statement emphasized that Akpabio’s leadership should not be undermined based on unverified allegations, and they called for the matter to be resolved without unnecessary public pressure. They reiterated their belief in Akpabio’s integrity and leadership, urging all parties to await the outcome of the investigation.