FOR many Nigerians, stepping into a courtroom can be an intimidating experience, especially when terms like “mention,” “hearing,” and “adjournment” are used interchangeably—or worse, misunderstood. Legal analysts stress that understanding these terms is crucial for anyone navigating the justice system. A “mention” is the court’s way of taking stock of a case. No witnesses are […]
IN the eyes of the law, a disagreement over money or property starts as a civil matter—but a single lie can instantly escalate it into a criminal offense. Legal practitioners are raising alarms about how everyday disputes over debts, refunds, or failed business deals can spiral into criminal liability through deception. The offence, known as […]
By CHUKWUEMEKE K. VICTOR FOR decades, the agitation for Anioma State stood as one of Nigeria’s oldest and most consistent quests for political, cultural and administrative justice. So when Senator Ned Nwoko tabled a Bill for its creation, the enthusiasm across Delta North was unsurprising. What shocked many, however, was the sudden political pushback—not from external […]
By UGOJI MAXIMILLIAN A close examination of Nigeria’s regional revenue data from 1960 to 1970 reveals a profound economic shift—one that exposes how conflict, political miscalculations, and persistent agitation can unravel decades of prosperity. At independence, the Eastern Region dominated the national economy, generating 57% of revenue thanks to a thriving export economy, emerging industries, and […]
By TOSI ORE EXPERTS have called on African nations to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ways that strengthen—rather than erode—the continent’s cultural identity, languages, and indigenous knowledge systems. Speaking at a two-day regional workshop on Open Educational Resources (OER) in Abuja, they stressed that Africa must develop AI strategies rooted in its own values and […]
By ALIYU AMINU ABUBAKAR ABDULLAHI (A.A.A.A.) SHEHU SHEIKH Ahmad Gumi has defended his long-standing advocacy for dialogue with bandits, insisting that the abduction of schoolchildren, though “evil,” is a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers. Speaking to the BBC, he argued that not all criminal acts carry equal weight, especially in cases where abducted children […]
By NCHONGANYI AKEBULAN FOR centuries, the transatlantic slave trade has been framed through a convenient distortion: “Africans sold Africans.” This oversimplified refrain has endured because it shifts responsibility, absolves European powers, and obstructs honest historical accountability. But archival evidence, court records, missionary correspondence, and early diplomatic letters reveal a very different story—one rooted in systemic manipulation, […]
HISTORY often remembers the Aro-Ibibio War as a clash of kingdoms. But beneath the surface lies a far more intricate story—one of political engineering, contested legitimacy, foreign intervention, and the strategic creation of an entirely new power structure in southeastern Nigeria. What unfolded in the mid-17th century was not just a war; it was a […]
By TIMOTHY HAGGERTY-NWOKOLO THE attempted coup in Benin Republic on Sunday has once again thrown a harsh spotlight on a region increasingly defined by democratic fragility. Though swiftly foiled, the episode—complete with gunfire in Cotonou, a brief takeover of state television, and rapid military pushback—reveals a deepening pattern: West Africa is experiencing its most aggressive […]
THE Benin monarchy is one of Africa’s oldest and most enduring institutions—revered, sacrosanct, and traditionally beyond public challenge. To disagree with the Oba is to question not just a king, but a centuries-old spiritual and political order. Yet history records rare, seismic moments when sections of the Benin populace—chiefs, elites, and everyday citizens—collectively pushed back. […]