Author: CKN

The trial of the former Taraba State governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku alongside the former permanent secretary in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, before Justice S. C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja, continued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting the Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Taiwo Johns against them.

The EFCC is prosecuting both defendants on a 15-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27,000,000,000.00 (Twenty-seven Billion Naira).

The testimony of the PW3, followed the conclusion of the cross-examination of the Second Prosecution Witness, PW2 Prince Emmanuel Onwuzulike, by the counsel to the second defendant, Samuel Fagade during the proceeding.

In his cross-examination, the PW2 told the court that he had a father and son relationship with Yero, the second defendant, disclosing that it was the second defendant that phoned him and asked him to disburse funds to one Lawal Damilare.

The PW2 also informed the court that he did not report to any law enforcement agency as he received some money from Johns, the PW3 who is a cashier assistant in Taraba State’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, disclosing also that he collected some of the money for his personal use.

“The sum of N3 million deposited is for my business; the sum of N2 million, deposited is for my business; the sum of N10 million, dated November 4, is for my business,” he said.

Further in the cross-examination, he said, “Everything I did was on instruction.”

Following the conclusion of the cross-examination, the PW3 was led in his testimony by prosecution counsel, O. A. Atolagbe. He disclosed that his duty was to assist in the raising of day-to-day vouchers; raising of payment schedules; preparing staff payroll; assisting the cashier in writing payroll cheques and accompanying the cashier to the bank for cashing of money.

 

Others he disclosed include, “Payment of emirs and ‘ardos’ and disbursement of cash, if there is a courtesy call and any other duty assigned to me by my immediate bosses, Mr. John Columba, chief cashier Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Babangida Hassan, Director, Finance, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero.”

 

The PW3 further informed the court that the duty of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was to take care of all the 16 local governments of the state, pay salary and allowances to emirs and chiefs, take good care of the emirs and chiefs, purchase cars for them and handle their medical requirements.

Others are, “Payment of teachers’ salaries, assisting flood disaster victims if it arises, beefing up security in the communities and local governments’ chiefdoms and if there is any other thing pertaining to local government activities,” he said.

Asked by the prosecution counsel if he participated in the disbursing of money, he replied in the affirmative. “Yes, sometimes I give it to the ALGON Chairman, or a local government chairman, depending on where the case arises. The name of the ALGON chairman is Agya and further disclosed that the account name from which the money is disbursed is “2.5 Percent Contingency Account, domiciled in the United Bank of Africa, UBA. The signatories to the account, he said, are the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bello Yero and Director of Finance, Babangida Hassan.

Justice Oriji adjourned the matter till April 30 for the continuation of the examination of PW3.

The federal high court in Abuja has restrained MTN Nigeria and Airtel Networks Limited from suspending or restricting services provided to Nairtime Nigeria Limited pending the determination of a substantive suit challenging regulatory actions linked to digital lending operations.

In a ruling delivered on April 24, the court granted an interim injunction following an ex parte application filed by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited over what they described as a threatened disruption of their business operations by the telecom operators.

 

Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says he is set to leave the party and join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed said his decision followed the internal crises and disagreements within the LP, noting that the party has drifted from its original ideals.

“I am leaving the Labour Party tomorrow [Wednesday]. There is more to it. When there was real peace in the Labour Party, was when they posted back,” he said.

The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation, in collaboration with TD Africa, Konga Group, Zinox Technologies, and Task Systems, is set to officially launch its highly anticipated scholarship programme aimed at empowering 1,000 exceptional Nigerian indigent whiz-kids in the field of technology. The dedicated application portal, initially scheduled to go live on April 22, will now launch on Monday, April 27, 2026, following final technical enhancements to ensure a seamless, secure, and transparent application experience for prospective candidates nationwide.

This landmark initiative, first announced by Africa’s foremost tech icon and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, forms part of his unwavering commitment to national development and youth empowerment. The programme was unveiled on February 22, 2025, when Ekeh marked his 70th birthday. Rather than host an elaborate celebration befitting a man of his stature, he chose to channel resources into a cause that would create long-term impact for an economy,, offering university scholarships to indigent but brilliant Nigerian youths to study Computer Science in federal institutions.

The recent assertion by my brother, Festus Okoye Esq, that lawyers have become scapegoats in internal party conflicts owing to their recourse to the courts calls for careful constitutional and judicial interrogation. At the centre of this debate lies Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the suggestion that it absolutely ousts the jurisdiction of the courts over the internal affairs of political parties.

With the greatest respect to lawyers who are holding this view, that broad interpretation may appear overstretched and not constitutionally sustainable.

Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act, read in isolation, appears to bar courts from entertaining disputes relating to party internal issues absolutely.  On a literal reading, it suggests a legislative intent to shield political parties from judicial scrutiny. That may not absolutely be true. Such a construction ignores a foundational principle of Nigeria’s constitutional order, which is the fact that  no Act of the National Assembly can override or diminish the judicial powers vested in the courts by the Constitution. 

By virtue of Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the courts possess inherent jurisdiction to determine all questions relating to civil rights and obligations. This provision is broad, entrenched, and immune from legislative erosion. Any statutory attempt, however artfully framed to exclude judicial intervention where legal rights are violated, remains debatable due to the supremacy clause of Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Nigerian jurisprudence has consistently put out a clear position on this issue. Starting with Lakanmi v AG(Western State), AG of the Federation v Abubakar, Abaribe v Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly etc where the courts have affirmed  that the courts must be slow to hold that their jurisdiction has been ousted. These cases in fact  reinforced judicial hostility toward clauses that attempt to shield institutions or government from judicial scrutiny. 

  It is true that  the courts have traditionally exercised restraint in interfering with the internal affairs of political parties as seen in cases such as Okafor v. Onuoha, but this restraint has never been absolute. It is a rule of prudence, not a rule of  absolute prohibition.

Once a dispute goes beyond internal issues as membership, leadership, party management, discipline, etc, and involves violation of  legal rights, statutory compliance, or constitutional guarantees, the jurisdiction of the court is activated. 

Even prior to the enactment of Section 83, the Supreme Court had clearly delineated exceptions to the doctrine of non-interference. They have always held that  where there is a breach of the Electoral Act, violation of a party’s constitution, or infraction of constitutional provisions, the courts will not hesitate to intervene.  If the intention of the legislature is to elevate the political parties in Nigeria above judicial scrutiny, it will certainly lead to an inevitable collision course between the two arms of government. The consequences of such an interpretation of the present Section of the  Act would be grave. It would leave party members who suffer exclusion, manipulation of primaries, or outright illegality without a remedy. That can not represent the law, in my view. The enduring maxim ubi jus ibi remedium, where there is a right, there is a remedy remains a cornerstone of our legal system.

A more rational and constitutionally compliant reading of Section 83 is that it seeks to discourage frivolous litigation on parties’ internal issues, curb forum shopping, and encourage internal dispute resolution within political parties. The Electoral Act of 2026 can not extinguish the courts’ sacred duty to do justice where a legal wrong is established.

Indeed, the judiciary as illustrated in the earlier cases cited  have consistently resisted attempts to fetter its jurisdiction through ouster clauses. Such provisions are construed narrowly and, where they are inconsistent with constitutional guaranteed  rights, they are rendered inoperative and invalid.

Equally of great concern is the penal dimension of the provision, which appears to target lawyers and litigants who approach the courts. It would be deeply troubling if legal practitioners were sanctioned for seeking judicial redress in appropriate cases. The problem is who defines and determines appropriate cases? Does losing a case by a lawyer in court  amount to a grave error on his path that should attract penalty as prescribed by the Act? How does a lawyer know which case he will win or lose in matters involving political parties? These are critical questions begging for answers. 

We must agree, no matter the situation that lawyers play a critical role in sustaining the rule of law by holding political actors accountable to legal standards. The greater danger lies not in judicial intervention through them but in legitimising impunity under the guise of party autonomy.

Having said that, however, in clear cases of abuse, where litigants and counsel pursue matters that are purely internal and devoid of legal rationale for its initiation, the imposition of sanctions may be justified. We are not ignorant of incidents of abuse, forum shopping, conflicting ex parte orders being sought and granted which were becoming irritating and scandalous necessitating the present amendment. However two wrongs cannot make a  right as we say in Nigeria.

In the final analysis on this subject, I reiterate that section 83 of the Electoral Act does not, and can not, silence the courts. So long as the Constitution of Nigeria endures, judicial power remains intact. Any contrary interpretation is not only legally flawed but also risks undermining the very foundation of the rule of law.

That, surely, cannot have been the intention of the lawmakers.

I will gladly welcome further rejoinders from learned minds in the continuing  interrogation of this important constitutional question.

M.O. Ubani, SAN

Legal Practitioner & Policy Analyst.

Economists and bank consumers have raised major fault lines in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s proposed increase of the Automated Teller Machine card issuance charge to N1500 from N1000.

This comes as the apex bank on April 21, 2026, released a 42-page exposure draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions.

DAILY POST reports that part of the drafted charges include a 50 percent increase for ATM card issuance, removal of maintenance on Naira debit/credit cards, and a $10 charge per annum for foreign currency-dominated card maintenance.

CBN listed other bank charges, urging financial institutions and the public to make their input on or before May 8, 2026.

The policy statement from the apex bank has stirred reactions from Nigerians, especially with regard to the N1500 ATM card issuance charge.

Some Nigerians argued that the ATM card issuance charge would further worsen the burden on bank consumers, while others commended CBN for the proposed removal of the maintenance charge on Naira debit/credit cards.

Speaking on the draft in an interview with DAILY POST, Dr. Uju Ogunbunka, President of the Bank Customers’ Association of Nigeria and financial analyst, faulted the deadline for expected feedback from the public and stakeholders.

He described the move as unrealistic and rushed.

Ogunbunka said the timeline appears “too sudden” and does not allow adequate room for stakeholders to review and respond to the draft, which was only recently released.

“We disagree with the take-off date or proposed take-off date. It appears rather too sudden, too near,” he said.

He noted that expecting meaningful feedback and finalizing the document within such a short period would be difficult, especially given prevailing conditions in the country.

“I think it is Herculean, especially given what is happening in our own environment,” he added.

According to him, the association’s immediate concern is the tight deadline, which limits the ability of stakeholders, particularly operators, to properly study the document.

“The first reaction we have is that the deadline is too tight for people to react.

“Nigerians would have been given more time to study, especially operators,” Ogunbunka stated.

CBN ATM charge hike will strain Nigerians, threaten inclusion — Oyedokun

On his part, a professor of Accounting and Finance at Lead City University, Godwin Oyedokun, expressed concern over the CBN issuance and replacement fees.

He warned that the policy could further burden consumers and weaken financial inclusion.

Oyedokun said the move “has again brought to the fore the enduring tension between regulatory cost adjustments and consumer welfare.”

“At a time when many Nigerians are already grappling with inflation, stagnant incomes, and rising living expenses, any upward review of banking charges is bound to attract scrutiny,” he told DAILY POST in an interview on Monday.

He explained that from the standpoint of regulators and financial institutions, the increase may be justified.

“The cost of card production, chip technology, cybersecurity safeguards, logistics, and service infrastructure has risen significantly in recent years,” he said, adding that “banks operate within an environment of escalating operating expenses, including power costs, technology investments, and compliance obligations.”

“In that sense, a revision of charges may be viewed as an attempt to reflect prevailing economic realities and sustain service delivery,” Oyedokun noted.

However, he stressed that for the average Nigerian, the reality is different.

“Consumers often experience banking charges not as isolated items, but as a cumulative burden,” he said.

“Transfer fees, SMS alert deductions, electronic transaction charges, and other service-related costs already create the perception that customers are paying continuously simply to access their own money,” he added.

Against this backdrop, he warned that “a 50 percent increase in ATM card issuance fees is likely to be seen as another strain on already stretched households.”

Highlighting the impact on vulnerable groups in Nigeria, Oyedokun said, “For low-income earners, students, pensioners, artisans, and small business operators, N500 is not a negligible amount. It can cover transportation, food, or basic household needs.”

On financial inclusion, he cautioned that “if the cost of accessing banking tools continues to rise, some consumers may delay replacing expired or damaged cards, reduce usage of formal channels, or revert to cash-based transactions.”

He added that “such outcomes would run contrary to the national objective of digital payments expansion.”

The professor acknowledged potential benefits in the draft, noting that “reports suggest that the same framework may remove certain recurring charges, such as monthly card maintenance fees on naira cards.”

He added, “If effectively implemented, some customers could save more over time than they lose through the one-off increase.”

Nonetheless, he emphasized that “public reaction shows that consumers judge policies not only by arithmetic but also by trust and lived experience.”

Oyedokun argued that improved service delivery must accompany any increase in charges.

“Nigerians are more likely to accept reasonable charges when banking services are efficient, transparent, and dependable,” he said.

He pointed out persistent challenges in the system: “Failed transactions, delayed reversals, ATM cash shortages, poor complaint resolution, and unexplained deductions continue to erode confidence.”

“The CBN must therefore ensure that any revised charges are matched by stronger consumer protection measures.

“Banks should be required to communicate fees clearly, eliminate hidden charges, improve service delivery standards, and strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms.

“Regulatory reform must not become synonymous with fee increases alone,” Oyedokun added.

“Ultimately, banking should remain accessible, affordable, and trustworthy.

“Financial inclusion is sustained not merely by opening accounts, but by ensuring that citizens can use financial services without feeling exploited,” he told DAILY POST.

CBN’s proposed N1,500 ATM card issuance fee sparks backlash from Nigerians, financial experts

Amid the escalating security crisis across Nigeria, recent records from the Federal Government’s Open Treasury Portal that the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force were grappling with gross underfunding, particularly in the acquisition of security and defence equipment, has not gone down well with many Nigerians.

Recall that a wave of coordinated violent attacks during the Easter period in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina and Benue states claimed scores of lives, including five policemen and left dozens displaced.

On March 17, at least 25 people were killed in simultaneous explosions at the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the Monday Market Roundabout and the Post Office in Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to reports, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists carried out a series of deadly and coordinated attacks on military formations across Borno State, killing soldiers and civilians.

Senior military officers, including Major U. I. Mairiga, who headed the Mayenti base; Commander of Kukawa base and the 101 Brigade, Lt-Col Umar Faruq; Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion in Konduga, Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu; Brigade Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah and the Commanding Officer of the 242 Battalion, Monguno, Col. I.A. Mohammed, also paid the supreme price.

Another report by Beacon Security Intelligence Limited (BSIL) based in Abuja equally gave a disturbing figure of over 10,000 people that were killed in the country between January and December 2025.

The security consulting firm revealed that from January 1 to October 31, 2025, 9,514 people were killed across Nigeria.

In November that year, it noted that at least 404 Nigerians were killed, while 363 were abducted.
By December, 323 casualties were recorded in the North West and 241 in the North Central, with the North accounting for 91.1 percent of all recorded fatalities in that period.
In a recent interview with Arise TV, the BSIL Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kabiru Adamu, said the organisation’s latest report showed that over 2,350 Nigerians had been killed and 1,117 abducted in the first quarter of 2026.

Amid the worsening situation, details of the 2025 budget performance posted on the portal shows that of the N20.56 billion budgeted by the Nigerian Army for the purchase of security equipment, only a paltry sum of N1.46 billion, representing 7.11 percent, was disbursed as of December 31, 2025.

President Bola Tinubu, while signing the N68.32 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, extended the implementation of the 2025 budget to June 31, 2026, raising concerns about the government’s continued struggle to fund its expenditures and Nigeria’s mounting debts, which hit N159.28 trillion in December 2025, aside from a fresh $6 billion loan recently approved by the Senate.

Of the N4.52 trillion total expenditure the army proposed for 2025, N1.17 trillion or 25.94 percent was disbursed as of the end of the year. For the Air Force, N238.32 billion of its N1.25 trillion total expenditure was released, representing 19.04 percent.

The data further showed that of the N336.76 billion earmarked for the purchase of defence equipment by the army, N16.71 billion was disbursed during the period, representing a paltry 4.96 percent.

Also, only N5.76 billion and N3.89 billion were released for the construction or provision of defence equipment and repairs of defence equipment budgeted at N57.59 billion and N22.60 billion, signifying a budget performance of 10 percent and 9.07 percent, respectively.

Other critical areas that received low performance include local training, N2 billion released out of N18.56 billion, representing 10.78 percent; international training, N2 billion disbursed out of N29.80 billion, representing 6.71 percent and motor vehicle fuel cost, N1.17 billion released out of N15.71 billion, representing 7.45 percent.

According to the record, no amount was released for transport equipment fuel cost with a budget of N21.02 billion, aircraft fuel cost budgeted at N12.81 billion, promotion, recruitment and appointment worth N384.08 million; construction/provision of military barracks worth N206.97 billion and research and development pegged at N100 million.

However, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF’s aircraft maintenance equally received low attention going by information from the records on the Open Treasury portal.

The record further revealed that N4.85 billion or 13.98 percent of the N34.71 billion budgeted for the maintenance of aircraft, which are central to the NAF’s operations, was released as of December 2025.

This is a sharp contrast with N20.27 billion disbursed for the running of the presidential air fleet, out of the N20.74 billion budgeted, marking 97.76 percent implementation.

Again, of the N15.75 billion budgeted for the purchase of NAF’s security equipment, N5.25 billion was released during the period, representing 33.33 percent. The purchase of defence equipment suffered a major setback with N19.25 billion or 6.45 percent released out of N298.44billion budgeted.
While the N117.90 budget for the rehabilitation/repairs of defence equipment was implemented by 3.99 percent (N4.71bn), no amount was released for the construction/provision of defence of equipment budgeted at N7.16 billion; welfare packages pegged at N28.33 million; construction of military barracks estimated at N95.68 million; repairs of military/defence barracks, worth N6.76 billion and other transport equipment fuel cost estimated N45.03 million.

Following this revelation, Nigerians have been reacting and warning of the looming danger if urgent steps were not taken to address the worsening insecurity in the country.

Experts say the funding gap has undermined the efficiency of the Nigerian military in fighting terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes across the country, especially in the northern region.

Speaking on poor funding, Adamu, during his Arise TV appearance, noted that the implications of the gross underfunding are stark and have an impact on the resurgence in the non-state armed groups.

He said the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu-led administration intends to recruit additional personnel across the security forces, but lamented that the goal has not been achieved due to funding.
“I think this is the first time I’m hearing percentages of the budgetary release according to the 2025 budget.

“Of course, if you go back to 2024, you will find out that it has an impact on what is happening at the moment. So, the consequences are scary. These groups were able to restructure themselves.
“They were able to come together again and they are now fighting us even more fiercely than they were doing before. That is very serious,” he said.
He advised that beyond adequate release of funds for the military needs, the procurement process must be sanitised to enhance operational and financial accountability within the system.

He added that the National Assembly also needs to sit up in its oversight function in budgeting and the procurement process.
“I’m part of those people who believe that the war economy has created a conduit through which public funds are being siphoned. We must enhance accountability within the system so that these funds are used for the purposes for which they are used.

“That means looking at the procurement system. Some of what we hear at the moment is extremely disturbing; political interference in the procurement system of our security forces from people that you don’t even expect; persons who have no business influencing procurement; in the family members of certain highly-placed persons within society.
“So, we must do three levels of procurement. Immediate concern, for example, our soldiers who are on the battlefront and move around in soft-skin Hiluxes. That is not acceptable.

“No country would allow its soldiers on the battlefront to be in soft-skin (normal) vehicles which you and I enter. The convention is that military forces in the front line are protected in three types of vehicles: armoured vehicles, MRAPs and others. We must also give them the weapons that they need. And of course, their welfare is absolutely important,” he stated.
Adamu identified communication technology as another aspect of the military operations that requires funding, lamenting that security forces communicate via GSM, which is as vulnerable as shouting in the market where anybody can listen to you.

“We must address the integrity and confidentiality of communication systems. Lastly, is the forward-looking procurement that understands what our threats are in the immediate and in the future and then we procure weapons in anticipation and to address those threats. Not that we wait until the threat happens and start scurrying around.

“An example is this threat of the use of unarmed aerial vehicles by our enemies. They are currently using unarmed aerial vehicles. They run around from point A to B. We must stop that through an unmanned aerial vehicle system.

“If you look at what is happening in Iran, Ukraine and Russia, the war is not being done by soldiers on the ground. It is being done by drones. And there is enough evidence to show that the bad guys here in Nigeria have already procured drones. So, it is absolutely important that in our procurement systems, we anticipate these types of threats and buy weapons to forestall them,” he added.
Also, security consultant and former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, said the budget performance of the military revealed a deep concern over funding of security agencies.

“To make a budget is different from budget release. Performance of budget is based on release.

When you don’t release funds for the budget proposed, how do you expect performance from security agencies, more so when it borders on security which is our greatest challenge.
“Now, non-state actors are having advantage in terms of arms and ammunition and control. The president travels a lot and we cannot jeopardise his safety, but we need to prioritise our security,” he added.

However, a public affairs analyst, Nguroje Samson, is of the view that Nigerians should not just keep quiet about the abysmal performance of the security budget year in year out.

He called for a thorough investigation into the development, fish out those behind the release of only seven percent of the 2025 security budget and punish them accordingly. “We can’t continue like this. How can the country budget billions of Naira to procure military equipment so that our officers can confront the insecurity in the land and a few persons will divert the money into their private pocket, while Nigerians keep dying in their numbers on a daily basis and nobody is punished?

“See, I am beginning to believe that the government knows what to do to end the insecurity but has refused to do that. I can’t understand what is happening in Nigeria.

“How can some ragtag criminal continue to kill Nigerians like animals everyday all over the country and the government is not doing anything, instead our leaders are preoccupied with the 2027 election.
“Nigerians must decide if they want to live or die like chicken. It is either they rise up against this government or they provide security for themselves because waiting for the government to provide security is looking like a mirage.

“They don’t care about anybody. So, Nigerians should wake up and do the needful,” he stated.

2025 budget implementation: Concerns over alleged 7% disbursement for security equipment

Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Education, Primary and Secondary, has banned frequent changing of textbooks both in private and public schools in the state.

It also banned graduation ceremonies for certain levels in both private and public schools.

The new policy, according to the Commissioner in charge of primary and secondary schools, Prof. BTO, Ikegwuoha, is to reduce financial burdens on parents and guardians who are saddled with the responsibility of training their wards in school amid economic hardship.

The Commissioner, in a press statement made available to journalists, stated that the ministry has issued a firm warning to private and public schools reaffirming its strict stand on the new policy.

He added that the State Government had directed all private school proprietors, head teachers, and principals to comply immediately or face severe consequences, which include license revocation.

“Under the existing policy, graduation ceremonies are completely prohibited for, Kindergarten, Nursery, Junior Secondary School 3, JSS 3.

“Only Primary 6 pupils and Senior Secondary School 3 students are allowed to hold graduation ceremonies; also, no levies for send-forth events.

“The Ministry also barred students in Primary 1–5, JSS 1–3, and SSS 1–2 from being forced to contribute money for any farewell or graduation celebrations organized for others.

“While Primary 6 and SSS 3 graduates can make personal or family arrangements, schools are forbidden from organizing, supervising, or collecting funds for such events,” the statement said.

Ikegwuoha also hinted that the ban on what he termed arbitrary and frequent changing of textbooks remained active till 2030, asserting that schools cannot force parents to buy new editions or entirely new titles every year solely for profit.

He maintained that henceforth, approved textbooks must stay stable for at least four years.

“A new list of State-approved textbooks will be introduced in August 2026 and remain valid until August 2030.

“Any private school found breaking these rules could face immediate license withdrawal, de-listing from the State’s approved schools register,” he warned.

Imo Govt bans frequent changing of textbooks in public, private schools

Former AC Milan midfielder, Clarence Seedorf, believes that Arsenal are in a good position to win the Champions League trophy this season.

Seedorf was speaking on Amazon Prime, after PSG beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in the first leg of their semi-final clash on Tuesday night.

The Dutchman was not impressed by the quality of defending on display at the Parc des Princes.

He said:” Ask the goalkeepers if they were happy with the scoreline.

“We’ve seen teams like Arsenal getting so many clean sheets and making a difference.

“If there is a team that could bring it home, it could be them.”

Arsenal travel to Atletico Madrid for the first leg of their semi-final clash on Wednesday.

UCL: Seedorf snubs PSG, Bayern Munich, picks team to win trophy this year

…Petrol Price Rose By 23% In 30 Days—NBS

Crude oil prices surged above $111 per barrel on Tuesday following the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) decision to exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

THE WHISTLER reports that the UAE’s decision to exit OPEC was announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The UAE said the move, which takes effect from May 1, 2026, was based on the country’s national interest.

“This decision follows a comprehensive review of the UAE’s production policy and its current and future capacity and is based on our national interest and our commitment to contributing effectively to
meeting the market’s pressing needs,” UAE authorities said in a statement.

The UAE’s announcement has stirred uncertainty in the global crude oil market already grappling with nearly two months of war between Iran and the United States-Israel.

THE WHISTLER findings showed that crude oil prices surged by three percent to $99.68 and $111.40 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, respectively.

Brent crude soared from less than $60 a barrel at the start of the year to as high as $119 at its peak during the conflict as Iran brought traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a near halt and attacked energy facilities across the Gulf.

The price dipped gave up some of its earlier gains on Tuesday on news that the United Arab Emirates would leave Opec, but remained more than 2.5 per cent higher on the day.

“Markets have been latching on to any signs of peace talks, and the absence of that is raising fears that they are not going to happen,” said Jim Reid, head of macro research at Deutsche Bank.

This move higher in oil has also reignited bets that central banks will have to lift interest rates to contain the resulting wave of inflation, hitting bonds in the US, Europe and the UK. In the UK, where government debt has proven particularly vulnerable to the energy shock, the 10-year gilt yield rose 0.03 percentage points to reach 5 per cent for the first time since late March. Bond yields rise as prices fall.

The latest sell-off has also pushed longer-dated 30-year yields to around 5.7 per cent, within touching distance of their highest level this century.

“The longer the Strait is closed, the more it would have a negative impact on the global economy,” said Mohit Kumar, chief European economist at Jefferies.

Meanwhile the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has stated that the average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in March 2026 was ₦1,288.54, indicating a 22.55 per cent increase compared to ₦1,051.47 recorded in February 2026.

A report by the bureau also showed that the March price reflected a 2.13 per cent increase compared to the value recorded in March 2025 (₦1,261.65).

On state profile analysis, Anambra recorded the highest average retail price for petrol at ₦1,441.22, followed by Sokoto and Borno at ₦1,377.55 and ₦1,375.16, respectively.

Conversely, Lagos, Ogun and Kaduna recorded the lowest average retail prices at ₦1,162.71, ₦1,169.78 and ₦1,193.40, respectively.

On the zonal profile, the North-East recorded the highest average retail price at ₦1,336.50, while the South-West had the lowest at ₦1,232.46.

The report added that the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) paid by consumers increased by 3.05 per cent on a year-on-year basis, from ₦1,599.30 per litre recorded in March 2025 to ₦1,648.08 per litre in March 2026.

“On a month-on-month basis, an increase of 16.05 per cent was recorded from ₦1,420.17 in February 2026 to an average of ₦1,648.08 in March 2026. Looking at the variations in state prices, the top three states with the highest average price of the product in March 2026 include Ebonyi State (₦2,262.29), Akwa Ibom State (₦1,895.72) and Osun State (₦1,872.15).

“Furthermore, the top three lowest prices were recorded in the following states, namely Kogi State (₦1,383.40), Katsina State (₦1,438.25) and Enugu State (₦1,480.06). The zonal representation of the average price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) shows that the South-East recorded the highest price at ₦1,730.14, while the North-Central had the lowest at ₦1,593.11 compared to other zones.”

Also, the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) increased by 12.60 per cent on a month-on-month basis, from ₦6,799.18 recorded in February 2026 to ₦7,655.73 in March 2026.

It stated that on a year-on-year basis, the price rose by 4.55 per cent from ₦7,322.49 in March 2025.

On state profile analysis, Kaduna recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas at ₦9,212.21, followed by Lagos (₦8,909.73) and Taraba (₦8,802.78). In contrast, Bauchi recorded the lowest price at ₦6,295.40, followed by Osun (₦6,457.35) and Ondo (₦6,598.10), respectively.

“In addition, analysis by zone showed that the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) at ₦8,137.81, followed by the North-East at ₦7,890.53, while the South-South recorded the lowest at ₦7,300.95.

“Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) increased by 15.62 per cent on a month-on-month basis, from ₦16,997.94 in February 2026 to ₦19,652.83 in March 2026. On a year-on-year basis, this increased by 6.48 per cent from ₦18,456.24 in March 2025.”

On state profile analysis, Nasarawa recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas at ₦23,418.12, followed by Kaduna (₦23,030.52) and Akwa Ibom (₦22,816.74).

Uncertainties Hit Nigeria, Others As Oil Prices Surge Above $111 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper