Welcome to Dominion Ashuman's blog.

Leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, SMBF, have raised alarm over the invasion of the Southern and Middle Belt regions by the Almajiris. The leaders urged the people of the regions to be vigilant, and advert what it called possible spread of Coronavirus in the areas by the Northern elements. They expressed dismay at what they described as the complacency of the security forces over the invasion of their areas by teenagers from the far Northern Nigeria hidden in containers and trailers, in spite of ban on interstate movements by the President, the Northern Governors Forum and all the governors in the South and Middle Belt. In a statement jointly signed by Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Olu Adebanjo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, and Dr. Bitrus Porgu, on behalf of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Middle Belt Congress, MBC, respectively, the forum faulted Nigeria’s security forces for alleged complicity in the act and called on people of the...

In response to the news going round the social media, the federal government has warned that no school at any level should resume. Following the federal government’s directive, National Universities Commission, NUC, has warned vice chancellors against reopening universities for any activity. The government, in a circular dated Friday, May 8, 2020, to heads of commissions and regulatory bodies in the education sector,  insisted that schools at all levels were closed, asking them to ignore fake news that had directed resumption of schools. The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono said, all chief executives and other stakeholders are to ignore the fake news on the matter in the social media stating that all schools shall remain closed as the development on containing COVID-19 is closely monitored. He said the situation is under constant review and any decision on resumption shall be conveyed through the appropriate channels.

The plans to resume Premier League season at neutral venues has been opposed by the CEO of Premier League club, Watford. The CEO of Watford football club, Scott Duxbury said the plans are unfair and that there could be enough clubs in the opposition to stop the idea. The Premier League plans to resume in June, once given the green light from government, with the remaining 92 matches to be held behind closed doors at neutral venues. According to Scott Duxbury, at least six clubs are against the plans-14 of the 20 need to vote in favour for the proposals to be agreed. Watford, who are 17 th in the league and only above the relegation zone on goals difference, defeated runway leaders Liverpool in a shock victory at their Vicarage Road ground in February. Scott said the result was influenced by home advantage. Watford chief wrote in The Times on Saturday: “We are now told we cannot play our remaining home games at Vicarage Road and the familiarity and advantage that ...

There was relief in the faces of the people of Lagos and the FCT after the Federal Government eased the COVID-19 lock down restrictions in the two cities. The gradual lifting over a six-week period of the lock down restrictions to enable some activities return had been announced a week earlier by President Mohammadu Buhari in his live address to the nation. However, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, said that another lock down is inevitable in the two cities as people are not complying with the guidelines given by the government and health personnel. His statement: “I am not comfortable with what I am seeing, the relaxation is a cause for worry, and it is giving a lot of concern. Whether you talk of physical distancing, restricted access to markets, limitation of number of customers at the banks, wearing of face masks, hand washing, etc, there is violation. Buses and taxis that were told to carry fewer passengers were being overloaded. What the gui...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said is not over for former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as they are set for fresh and immediate trial. The commission which expresses dissatisfaction over the judgement given by the Supreme Court which nullifies Kalu’s 12 year jail term, on Friday May 8 th , 2020 is now set to launch more charges against Kalu. According to statement released by the agency and signed by the Head, Media and Publicity of the agency, Dele Oyewale, EFCC describes the Supreme Court judgement as “quite unfortunate.” The statement titled: Orji Kalu: EFCC SET FOR FRESH, IMMEDIATE RE-TRIAL, reads: The attention of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the attention of the Supreme Court nullifying the trial of a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account of Abia State Government and ordering their fresh trial at ...

Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Friday 8 th May, 2020 nullified the conviction of former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu. Senator Kalu was convicted of N7.65billion fraud perpetuated when he was Abia State governor between 1999 and 2007. He was convicted alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and his former Abia State director of finance, Ude Udeogu. However, the apex court in its judgment declared that the judgement delivered is set aside. The court ruled that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu, lacked the power to sentence the former governor. Kalu had also argued same by challenging the jurisdiction of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court chaired by Justice Idris to sentence him. Kalu argued that the court of appeal Judge who delivered the judgement at the Federal High Court to convict him lacked the power to do so. Despite the objections raised by Senator kalu’s counsels, the appeal court judge proceeded with the case at the high Court and sentenc...

Some Nigerian lawyers have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to reject 33 candidates recommended to him by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment as High Court judges of the Federal Capital Territory. The lawyers, under the aegis of Open Bar Initiative, in a petition to Mr Buhari said 17 of the NJC’s nominees were not just “unqualified”, but that they were able to make the NJC’s list because of their “connection” or “family affiliation” with top officials of the nation’s judiciary. The petition dated May 6, 2020, is signed by Silas Onu and Chidi Odinkalu, the conveners of the Open Bar Initiative and five other members of the group. The Open Bar Initiative, a group of Nigerian lawyers, says it is dedicated to defending the integrity of the legal profession in the country. The group said in a press statement that it has forwarded the petition to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. Among the n...

A nine year old child has been confirmed with COVID-19 in Enugu State. The statement by the State Government through the State Commissioner for Health, Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu reads: There is another newly confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in Enugu State. This case is a nine year old child contact of the fourth case reported in Enugu who had positive travel history. Thus the total number of cases ever reported in Enugu now rises to Nine (9) with seven (7) active cases. The patient has been admitted into one of our Isolation and Treatment Centres, further contacts are being identified and line listed, and necessary samples will be taken for testing. Also decontamination of the patient’s home has been promptly carried out. People of Enugu State are reminded to stay at home, and only go out when absolutely necessary. Further when going out, you are strongly advised to wear an appropriate cloth face mask, avoid touching the front of the mask, and to always remove the m...