History Repeating? Lessons Benin Must Not Ignore THE fall of Oba Ovọnramwẹn was not inevitable. It was produced by a fatal convergence of imperial ambition, internal betrayal, and cultural rigidity. More than a century later, the conditions that enabled that downfall deserve renewed scrutiny. One enduring myth is that unquestioning loyalty strengthens monarchy. History suggests […]
By DAVID JOHN-FLUKE THERE was a moment when Detty December symbolised possibility—a global spotlight on Nigerian creativity, youth culture, and economic potential. That moment is slipping. The warning signs are no longer subtle. Rising costs, declining service, and growing visitor frustration indicate a market approaching burnout. What should have been a scalable seasonal […]
THE Aba Women’s War of 1929 did not begin in a courtroom or palace. It began in a village compound, when Nwanyeruwa refused to accept injustice disguised as administration. British colonial authorities sought to extend direct taxation into Igbo society using warrant chiefs—men appointed by colonial officials rather than chosen by communities. The system undermined […]
By TIMOTHY HAGGERTY-NWOKOLO NIGERIA’S public finances are awash with cash, yet its people are drowning in hardship. In less than four years, allocations to the federal, state and local governments have more than doubled, but poverty levels have climbed sharply, raising troubling questions about governance, accountability and the real impact […]
By IGBINAZAKA OGIESUYI OGIAMIEN PRINCESS Igwiyisi, the trailblazing first daughter of Oba Eweka II, occupies a complicated and often overlooked chapter in Benin’s royal history. Upon the passing of their father in 1933, she challenged the traditional succession order, entering into a fierce dispute with her younger brother, the future Oba Akenzua II. Her demand was […]
FOR more than a century, the Obaseki name has carried a weight in Benin that few other families possess—one built on unusual political privilege, repeated confrontations with the palace, and an unbroken thread of proximity to royal power. In public memory, the name is both respected and feared. A deeper look at the family’s history […]
NIGERIAN motorists have scored a decisive legal victory following a Court of Appeal ruling that strips the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) of its ability to stop vehicles, confiscate driver documents, or issue fines. The decision follows a legal challenge by Abubakar Marshal, who exposed repeated VIO harassment of drivers across Abuja and other regions. The […]
EVERYDAY, Nigerian drivers encounter officers in different uniforms demanding to see their driver’s licence. The confusion over who has the legal authority to stop motorists has led to unnecessary intimidation and, in some cases, outright harassment. A closer look at the laws governing road safety and traffic enforcement clarifies the limits and responsibilities of each […]
IN Nigeria’s courts, the reliability of human testimony is often undermined by fear, memory lapses, or external pressure. Witnesses can forget critical details, alter their statements under intimidation, or even vanish entirely. Legal experts, however, stress that video evidence offers a solution: it provides an unshakable, impartial account of events that human witnesses cannot match. […]
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 […]