The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Shettima to journalists: You’re democracy’s shield against authoritarian threats

    Shettima to journalists: You’re democracy’s shield against authoritarian threats

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday described Nigerian journalists as the nation’s foremost defence against authoritarianism, declaring that press freedom remains “non-negotiable” under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Speaking at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria in Abuja, Shettima said the media has continued to provide stability during periods of national tension by countering misinformation and holding leaders accountable.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, said “we owe you a space of practice devoid of harassment, intimidation or fear. That much is non-negotiable.

     “As a government, we must continue to create an environment where truth can thrive without obstruction and where the work you do is protected rather than policed”, the Vice President said.

    The conference, themed “Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria,” brought together journalists, media executives, civil society groups and government officials.

    Shettima praised the resilience of Nigeria’s media, insisting that no dictatorship can thrive in a country with such a vigilant press.

    “It is impossible, utterly impossible, to have a successful dictator in Nigeria. Never in our history has any person or government succeeded in suppressing the media permanently,” he said.

    He also commended journalists for resisting foreign information manipulation and the spread of deliberate falsehoods.

    “You have stood firmly against disinformation and refused to surrender your pens to falsehoods or foreign puppeteers. This honourable stance sets you apart”, he stated.

    However, the Vice President urged media practitioners to deepen professionalism by upholding truth and verification above sensationalism.

    He criticised those who publish false stories and reject retractions even when confronted with evidence.

    “You have stood firm in the coldest nights of national adversity, and you have outlived those who attempted to place their boots upon your freedom. A nation with a silenced press becomes one where public officers lose their way and citizens lose their voice”, Shettima said.

    Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to strengthening press freedom and independent journalism.

    He said media-government relations were being redefined under a leadership he described as “one of the most media-friendly Nigeria has produced.”

    Idris noted that while security and regulatory agencies operate under strict protocols during civil demonstrations, the government remains determined to balance national security with media freedom.

    “Our approach is not a retreat into control, but an attempt to create mechanisms for dialogue and ethical reporting within Nigeria’s own cultural context,” he said.

    IPI Nigeria President, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, said this year’s conference was designed to spur critical reflection on the state of journalism and to galvanise action toward media reform.

    He emphasised that “solidarity is the journalists’ greatest line of defence,” urging the federal government to rein in state actors and security agencies involved in harassing journalists.

    Also speaking, the Executive Director of IPI Global, Scott Griffen, hailed Nigeria’s journalists for their commitment to independent reporting and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard press freedom in the face of mounting challenges.

  • Lagos to host December food, culture festival – Musawa

    Lagos to host December food, culture festival – Musawa

    Lagos State will be hosting the maiden Foods and Culture festival, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, announced on Tuesday.

    The event, scheduled for 16 and 17 December 2025, the Minister said, embodies the government’s commitment to harness the power of art, Culture, and tourism.

    The festival, she said, is jointly organised in collaboration with the Irabor Creative Minds and her ministry.

    This, she said, is part of the government’s efforts to drive economic growth, job creation, and national unity.

     Briefing journalists ahead of the Lagos Detty December event, Musawa said, “This flagship event, scheduled to take place on December 16th and 17th, 2025, at the cricket pitch, Tarawa Balewa Square, Lagos, promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and culinary diversity.

    “This festival embodies our commitment to harnessing the power of art, Culture, and tourism to drive economic growth, job creation, and national unity.

    While commending President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for the arts and culture sector, the minister stressed, “The Nigerian foods and culture festival is a testament to the boundless creativity and talent that Nigeria possesses.”

    The minister noted that Lagos, being the hub of creativity and excellence, was an obvious choice for such a flagship event.

    “So, when you talk about Detty December, you’re talking about Lagos. But we know Lagos is not Nigeria, but something has to start from somewhere. And since Detty December started from Lagos, bringing our culture and tradition and culturally promoting the creative economy, I think it should start from Lagos,” she added.

  • UNN urges stronger national policies on natural capital, climate-smart agriculture

    UNN urges stronger national policies on natural capital, climate-smart agriculture

    The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), on Tuesday brought together senior policymakers, academics, security agencies, and development partners in Enugu for its annual Policy Day, issuing a strong call for Nigeria to urgently strengthen policies on natural capital management, water security, climate-smart agriculture, and food systems resilience.

    The event, organised by the Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre – Environment for Development (REPRC-EfD Nigeria), featured the presentation of three major studies focusing on water scarcity, climate-smart agriculture, and the impact of armed banditry on food security.

    Declaring the event open, UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (UNEC), Prof. J. U. J. Onwumere, said the theme, “Sustaining Natural Capital: Policy Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Water Systems,” reflects the university’s commitment to generating evidence-based research to support national development.

    He identified water, agriculture, and security as “three critical pillars of Nigeria’s food system,” noting that all three face severe pressure from climate change, environmental degradation, and escalating insecurity.

    “Water scarcity threatens agricultural productivity, climate change has disrupted rainfall patterns, and banditry has displaced thousands of farmers. These realities directly undermine food security, peace, health, and economic stability,” he said.

    Prof. Ortuanya praised REPRC-EfD Nigeria for producing research that informs policy solutions in water management, climate-smart agriculture, and the socio-economic impacts of insecurity.

    He also acknowledged the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), noting that the centre contributes to a global network of EfD centres across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

    He expressed confidence that deliberations from the Policy Day would “chart new pathways for sustainable water, agriculture and food security policies in Nigeria.”

    Director of REPRC-EfD Nigeria, Prof. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, said the Policy Day functions as the centre’s annual platform for presenting research findings to policymakers at both federal and state levels.

    He highlighted the three studies presented: water scarcity and households’ willingness to pay for improved water supply in Enugu; gendered impacts of climate-smart agriculture on nutrition and poverty among cassava farmers; and gender-differentiated effects of armed banditry on agricultural productivity.

    “These studies were conducted in collaboration with relevant ministries and supported by our development partners. Today, we expect policymakers to draw from the evidence presented to enhance policy formulation and implementation,” he added.

    He noted the presence of officials from the Federal Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Agriculture; the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC); state ministries from Enugu and Anambra; and multiple security agencies.

    Representing the Federal Ministry of Environment, Deputy Director, Vulnerability and Adaptation, Jonah Barde, praised the collaboration with the UNN centre and stressed the urgency of strengthening climate policies in the face of worsening environmental challenges.

    “We must formulate strong policies and instruments to ensure our environment is not damaged further,” he said.

    Barde announced the ministry’s updated National Adaptation Plan, which outlines Nigeria’s strategies for tackling flooding, erosion and other climate impacts.

    In her goodwill message, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Barr. Mrs. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, represented by Ms. Chinwe Adindu, said the Policy Day aligns with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 and recent COP30 commitments.

    She said climate change is already intensifying water scarcity, degrading soils and worsening insecurity for rural communities.

    “We must strengthen the climate-security nexus because the resilience of agriculture and water systems depends on a safe and stable environment,” she said.

    According to her, the recent approval of the National Carbon Market Framework and the National Climate Change Fund presents “major opportunities to finance watershed rehabilitation, regenerative agriculture, efficient irrigation and community-based nature solutions.”

    She described the UNN research findings as “exactly what Nigeria needs” for evidence-based policymaking.

    “Sustaining natural capital is essential to food security, water availability, national security and economic productivity,” she said, reaffirming NCCC’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with the centre.

    Permanent Secretary, Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Ada Joy Nwaoye, also commended the centre and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration in addressing water scarcity and climate change impacts in the state.

    Stakeholders agreed that the research presented, combined with cross-sector dialogue involving security agencies, climate institutions, and government ministries, offers actionable insights for improving Nigeria’s water systems, agricultural resilience and climate adaptation planning.

    The event concluded with a commitment to deeper collaboration between academia and government to ensure that research outputs continue to inform policymaking in Nigeria’s agricultural and environmental sectors.

  • ReportHer Awards: Media praised for advancing women’s representation

    ReportHer Awards: Media praised for advancing women’s representation

    The Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio 91.7FM, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, has reiterated the organisation’s resolve to foster gender equity within Nigeria’s media space as the station hosted the 2025 edition of the ReportHer Awards in Lagos.

    The event, themed “Celebrating and recognizing media organisations that prioritise women’s representation and empowerment,” was aimed at strengthening national commitment to improving women’s visibility, leadership, and fairness in media representation and ensuring that Nigeria’s narrative platforms reflect equity, dignity, and shared participation.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Okewale-Sonaiya described the event as a moment of fulfilment and gratitude, noting the remarkable turnout of media practitioners and the opportunity to acknowledge their role in amplifying women’s voices in public discourse.

    She explained that the purpose of the awards is to recognise organisations that actively prioritise women’s representation, not only by featuring them in coverage, but by ensuring they are visible in data, quoted as credible authorities, and included in decision-making tiers within news institutions.

    “The objective of the ReportHer Awards is to identify and recognise media houses that go out of their way to intentionally and deliberately report women,” she said.

    She added that the evaluation extended beyond editorial content to workplace culture, including policies on maternity and paternity leave, childcare support, and flexible work arrangements.

    “We looked at media houses that have more women in decision-making positions, and those that create a conducive environment for women in the workplace,” she added.

    Okewale-Sonaiya stressed that Women Radio and its partner organisation, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), played no role in determining winners.

    “There were three credible, independent judges. We did not influence their work at all,” she said.

    This year, out of 72 nominations received, only four winners emerged, reflecting strict selection standards. Okewale-Sonaiya commended recipients, noting that one organisation offers six months of fully paid maternity leave with flexible arrangements afterwards.

    “To all the winners, we say thank you for making it possible for women to thrive,” she said.

    She urged the broader media sector to intensify efforts towards gender-sensitive reporting and inclusive newsroom culture.

    “My message to every other media: let us do more in what we’re doing.”

    Executive Director and CEO of WSCIJ, Moturayo Alaka, said the award represents a continuing effort to drive gender equity across sectors, particularly within media institutions.

    “This event for us at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism is another push in addition to what many organisations and individuals are doing to ensure equity for women,” she said.

    Alaka noted that although women and men are equals, access to leadership, political visibility, and economic opportunity remains imbalanced.

    She emphasised that the media, as a “moral agency for the community,” must embody the values it advocates.

    “The media must go to justice and equity with clean hands, so that within the media, representation is also balanced,” she said.

    She urged organisations to examine their governance structures.

    “Look at your board, see the gender composition. Are women decision-makers or only at the bottom? Have you created policies to raise women within your organisation?”

    She also called for a shift in parental responsibility policies.

    “Women take maternity leave, but do men take paternity leave? We also want them to stay home and take care of a child. You need a policy that supports that.”

    Alaka further encouraged newsrooms to be deliberate about their sources and framing.

    “The sources of your news are the female voices? Portray women as strong, capable, competent,” she said.

  • NAPTIP steps up anti-human trafficking fight with new inter-agency push

    NAPTIP steps up anti-human trafficking fight with new inter-agency push

    …Lagos unveils local-level strategy

    …The Netherlands advocates evidence-driven prosecution

    The Federal Government and Lagos State have announced fresh measures to strengthen country-wide response to human trafficking and violence against persons, warning that the crimes were becoming more complex, transnational, and technologically driven.

    Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and related offences (NAPTIP), Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, revealed this at the opening ceremony of a four-day workshop organised in partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) with support from the Ministry of Asylum and Migration, Kingdom of the Netherlands under the building an environment free of human trafficking and violence against persons in Nigeria (TIPVAP NG) project).                         

    Bello said Nigeria must adopt a coordinated, multi-agency strategy to confront “a pervasive and evolving threat.”

    She said human trafficking thrives on poverty, conflict, inequality, and abuse, adding that traffickers exploit victims for sexual purposes, forced labour, and other forms of exploitation across West Africa and beyond.

    According to her, the workshop aimed to deepen collaboration among investigators, prosecutors, financial intelligence officers, and social workers to improve detection, evidence management, and victim support.

    “The complex nature of trafficking demands a multidisciplinary response. We are focused on strengthening response mechanisms and aligning with international best practices, because working at cross purposes cannot defeat the criminal networks involved in these crimes,” she stressed.

    The NAPTIP boss cited international trends indicating that trafficking was increasingly linked with money laundering, drug trafficking, and corruption, fuelled by armed conflict, economic instability, and rapid technological advances.

    Bello thanked the Netherlands and ICMPD for sustained support, urging participants to translate lessons into concrete action at the agency level. “Every statistic represents a person whose dignity has been violated. Our work must reflect the human stories behind the numbers,” she added.

    In his goodwill message, the Lagos State Attorney-General, Pedro Lawal (SAN), said the state was scaling up community-based structures to combat human trafficking, acknowledging that many cases originated at the grassroots.

    He disclosed plans to deploy trained officers across local government areas, expand the services of newly commissioned gender and family support units, and build dedicated shelters for trafficking survivors.

    “Lagos is a nation within a nation. Whatever happens in other states eventually impacts us, which is why we are supporting states that want to understudy our systems,” he said.

    According to Lawal, Lagos will implement recommendations from a recent African colloquium on trafficking hosted in the state, assuring the government’s commitment to national-level solutions: “Human trafficking for one is human trafficking for all.”

    Also, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, said the project focuses on building investigative and prosecutorial capacity to dismantle trafficking networks and strengthen conviction rates.

    He said participants will be trained in cyber-investigation, evidence preservation, inter-agency cooperation, and case-based problem solving.

    “No single agency can respond effectively to crimes as complex as human trafficking. We hope these four days deepen inter-agency trust and inspire renewed commitment to protecting vulnerable groups,” he added.

    The diplomat commended NAPTIP for its leadership, pledging continued support to Nigeria’s counter-trafficking efforts, which he said were yielding good results based on available statistics.

    The Nation reports that the workshop brought together officials from federal and state institutions in Lagos and Ogun to strengthen integrated national and sub-national responses that combine law enforcement, social protection, political will, and international cooperation.

  • Gunmen attack Abia gov’s advance team in Imo

    Gunmen attack Abia gov’s advance team in Imo

    …as commercial bus passengers reportedly kidnapped

    The advanced team of the convoy of the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, was on Tuesday attacked in Imo by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

    The incident, which occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, a short distance from the airport, happened while the team was en route to the facility for official duties.

    Our correspondent reports that there was initial panic in the state that Governor Otti was in the convoy when the gunmen struck.

    Reacting to the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, confirmed the incident.

    According to the Chief Press Secretary, “In the early hours of today, December 2nd, an advance team of three members from the Office of the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, on duty to Sam Mbakwe Airport, Imo State, was attacked by unidentified gunmen.

    “The incident occurred between Umuowa and Ihite junction, shortly before the Sam Mbakwe Airport Junction in Imo State.

    “The general public is hereby informed that the convoy of Governor Otti was not involved in this attack, and no lives were lost during the unfortunate incident.”

    Meanwhile, according to yet-to-be confirmed information, some passengers heading to Owerri, the Imo State capital, were reportedly kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.

    The incident happened on the same route where the convoy of the Abia State Governor was attacked.

    The Police from Abia State are yet to make an official statement about the incident.

  • CSO calls for proactive measures to halt bandit incursions into Kano

    CSO calls for proactive measures to halt bandit incursions into Kano

    A civil society organisation (CSO) has called for urgent and coordinated action to prevent further bandit incursions into Kano State, warning that the recent attacks pose a serious threat to the security and economic stability of Northern Nigeria.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Comrade Bishir Dauda Katsina, Executive Director of the Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiative, said the penetration of bandits into Kano, long regarded as the most secure state in the North, should prompt immediate intervention from security agencies and political leaders.

    He said the attacks in Shanono, Bagwai, and Tsanyawa council areas signal a dangerous escalation that could destabilise the entire North-West if not swiftly contained.

    He noted that Kano’s role as the most populous state and as the commercial, cultural and educational hub of the North makes the situation particularly alarming.

    Katsina warned that any breakdown of security in the state would have far-reaching consequences for regional peace and economic survival.

    The group also accused some politicians of attempting to exploit the rising insecurity for their own political advantage, stating that recent allegations by the Kano State Government implicating unnamed actors must be thoroughly investigated.

    He warned that politicising insecurity has become a major obstacle to tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

    Katsina criticised calls by a political figure for the creation of a militia-style group under the guise of Hisbah, describing the proposal as reckless and capable of fuelling internal conflict.

    He also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to distance himself from individuals allegedly hiding behind his image to evade corruption allegations while weaponizing insecurity.

    Linking the attacks to movements of bandits from neighbouring Katsina State, he said eyewitness accounts showed criminals crossing into border communities in Kano.

    He suggested that recent peace arrangements in Katsina may have prompted criminal activities to shift into adjoining states.

    According to Katsina, the situation shows that existing negotiation models with bandits are ineffective.

    He called for a new approach that prioritises disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration for genuinely repentant fighters, adding that such talks must no longer be handled informally at the community level without the involvement of government and credible organisations.

    Katsina urged federal troops to intensify operations against unrepentant bandits and kidnappers, insisting that any non-kinetic measures must be transparent, comprehensive, and supported by all tiers of government.

  • Press freedom, non-negotiable under Tinubu – Shettima

    Press freedom, non-negotiable under Tinubu – Shettima

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima assures that press freedom remains a non-negotiable pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    Shettima gave the assurance on Tuesday at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is; ” Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria. “

    The Vice-President described Nigerian journalists as the nation’s primary defence against authoritarian rule.

    He, specifically, said that journalists have played a stabilising role during moments of national tension by correcting misinformation and holding power to account.

    Shettima affirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to protecting media practitioners from harassment and intimidation.

    “We owe you a space of practice devoid of harassment, intimidation, or fear. That much is non-negotiable.

    “As a government, we must continue to create an environment where truth can thrive without obstruction and where the work you do is protected rather than policed,” he said.

    Shettima commended Nigeria’s media community for its historical resilience in confronting authoritarian tendencies.

    The Vice-President stated that a successful dictatorship is impossible in the country due to the press’s vigilance.

    “It is impossible, utterly impossible, to have a successful dictator in Nigeria.

    “Never in our history has any person or government succeeded in suppressing the media permanently,” he said.

    The Vice-President particularly commended journalists for standing firm against foreign information manipulation and interference, noting their refusal to surrender to disinformation campaigns.

    “You have stood firmly against disinformation and refused to surrender your pens to falsehoods or foreign puppeteers. This honourable stance sets you apart.

    “I stand before you today not as a wary politician, but as a friend, one who acknowledges your indispensable role and assures you that this administration respects, and will continue to protect, your right to freedom of expression,” he stated.

     Shettima, however,  challenged the media practitioners to maintain ethical standards, warning against those who fabricate stories and refuse retractions when confronted with evidence.

    He called for a professional culture that elevates “verification above virality, and nationhood above nihilism”.

    “You have stood firm in the coldest nights of national adversity, and you have outlived those who attempted to place their boots upon your freedom.

    ” You have been the life-size mirror of our nation, reflecting us not as we wish to be seen, but as we truly are,” he said.

     Shettima warned that, a nation with a silenced press, becomes one where public officers lose their way, and citizens lose their voice.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the enhancement of press freedom and independent journalism practice in Nigeria.

    He noted that media-government relations is being reinvigorated and redefined under the present administration.

    The minister described President Tinubu and  his vice, Shettima as “some of the most media-friendly leaders Nigeria has produced”.

    Idris said the responsibility and commitment of the present leadership of the Nigerian media must be to uphold the presentation of facts.

    He assured that the Tinubu administration will continue to operate on the fundamental principle of an independent press in acknowledgement of the fact that a free press is the amplifier of an engaged citizenry.

    The minister said agencies of government, both security and regulatory, operate under strict protocols during civil demonstrations.

    He noted that the federal government remained resolute in balancing national security with media freedom, particularly in addressing misinformation and related complexities.

    He assured that the administration’s approach is not a retreat into control but to create mechanisms for dialogue and ethical reporting within Nigeria’s own cultural context for the media.

    Read Also: Shettima supports India’s smart class technology for schools

    The IPI Nigeria President, Mr Misikilu Mojeed, said the conference served as a platform for critical reflection on the state of journalism in Nigeria.

    He added that the event would enhance practice and safeguard the lives of journalists,  as participants are expected to adopt a call to action centred on media reform.

    He called for collective action by journalists to address challenges confronting their interests, noting that “solidarity is the journalists’ greatest line of defence.”

    Mojeed urged the Federal Government to call state governments, security agencies and other actors to order, curb incessant harassment of journalists, and strengthen the mechanism for their safety across Nigeria and beyond.

    The Executive Director, IPI Global, Scott Griffen, commended IPI Nigeria for its commitment to press freedom and independent journalism in Nigeria and beyond.

    He called for genuine collaboration among stakeholders in the country in promoting and enhancing independent journalism in Nigeria in the face of daunting challenges.

    (NAN)

  • FULL LIST: African countries affected by U.S green card review

    FULL LIST: African countries affected by U.S green card review

    The United States government has announced a sweeping review of all Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries, following the November 26 attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.

    The Trump administration disclosed the decision on Thursday after authorities identified the detained suspect as a 29-year-old Afghan national who had previously worked alongside American forces in Afghanistan.

    According to AfghanEvac, an organisation involved in the resettlement of Afghans after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, the suspect was granted asylum in April 2025—not permanent residency.

    In response, the administration has launched what officials describe as a “full-scale re-examination” of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from designated “countries of concern.”

    Announcing the directive on X, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow said President Trump had ordered a “rigorous re-examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern,” stressing that protecting Americans was “paramount” and that the U.S. would “not bear the cost of the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies.”

    Under the new order, USCIS is now empowered to consider “negative, country-specific factors” when evaluating Green Card applications from nationals of the 19 affected countries, ten of which are in Africa. 

    The policy applies to all pending applications as well as any submitted on or after November 27, 2025, giving immigration officers broad latitude to delay decisions, request further evidence, or issue denials.

    The implications for Africa are significant. The U.S. remains a major destination for skilled workers, students, and refugees across the continent, and the expanded scrutiny is expected to worsen visa backlogs, heighten uncertainty for families, and reinforce longstanding concerns that national-security classifications disproportionately target African states. Countries such as Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan already face stringent U.S. immigration restrictions, and analysts warn that the new review could further entrench these barriers.

    These are the African countries affected by the US Green Card Review:

    Burundi

    Chad

    Republic of the Congo

    Equatorial Guinea

    Read Also: FULL LIST: US orders review of all Green Cards from 19 countries after Washington attack

    Eritrea

    Libya

    Sierra Leone

    Somalia

    Sudan

    Togo

  • Alleged criminal defamation: Court grants FG’s request to shift Natasha’s trial till next year

    Alleged criminal defamation: Court grants FG’s request to shift Natasha’s trial till next year

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has granted the request by the prosecution to shift further hearing in the alleged criminal defamation charge brought against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    At the mention of the case, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Ehiogie West Idahosa (SAN) announced his appearance and told the court that the prosecution was not represented.

    Justice Chizoba Oji said the court received a letter from the prosecution requesting an adjournment and later had the letter handed to Idahosa who said he was not served with it.

    Idahosa said he observed that the letter was registered and filed on Monday morning. 

    He argued that the prosecution’a request for adjournment was not brought to the notice of the defence 48 hours before the court’s sitting, as required.

    The defence lawyer urged the court to proceed with the business of the day, since the defendant was in court and the application for adjornment was incompetent.

    He said court’s business for the day was the hearing of the defendant’s preliminary objection

    Ruling, Justice Oji said she agreed that the application for adjournment did not meet the required threshold, but added that she would grant the adjornment in the interest of justice.

    She rejected Idahosa’s prayer to proceed with the court’s business for the day. The judge subsequently adjourned till February 23 next year.

    The Senator was accompanied to court on Monday by her husband.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan is charged with criminal defamation in relation to her claim that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and ex-governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello planed to kill her.

    In her preliminary objection, Akpoti-Uduaghan is querying the decision of the office of the AGF to filed two similar charges against her at the same time.

    But, in its counter affidavit filed against the preliminary objection, the prosecution has faulted claim by Akpoti-Uduaghan that the charges filed against before the HIgh Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Federal High Court in Abuja amounted to an abuse of court process.

    The prosecution stated that contrary to her claim, the three-count charge before the HIgh Court of the FCT was filed against her “after a thorough Investigation of the case and a prima facie case was established.  

    Read Also: Immigration seizes Senator Natasha’s passport at airport 

    “The three-count charge was preferred against the defendant pursuant to the Penal code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in the bonafide exercise of the prosecutorial powers of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended) and in the best interest of justice. 

    “The actions and conducts of the defendant/applicant (Natasha) contravened the penal code law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

    “The criminal charge against the defendant is borne out of the comprehensive and conclusive investigation of the case, including all petitions and parties related to the case by the Nigerian Police Force. 

    “All the petitions filed by the defendant were duly investigated and charges filed at the FCT High Court against her colleague senator. 

    “The Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation filed the criminal charge against the defendant after due regard to the public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process. 

    “The charge against the defendant is consistent with the extant laws and does not constitute an abuse of the legal and prosecutorial powers of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation,” the prosecution said.