NEWS
Deputy Speaker, Kalu Urges Institutional Collaboration for Judicial Reforms
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to strengthen its collaboration with the legislature in advancing justice reforms and professional standards.Kalu made the call when he received the delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) led by the President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) who paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The Deputy Speaker who doubles as Chairman House Committee on Constitution Review, said that the legislative agenda placed the justice sector at the heart of national development and through motions, bills, and oversight, the 10th House is restoring public confidence in justice delivery. He said that the ongoing alteration process was designed to be inclusive and evidence-based, noting that the lawmakers actively sought stakeholders input on various justice reform bills, geared toward achieving timely justice delivery, expanding court capacity, remuneration increase and generally improving public confidence in the judicial system.Kalu commended the Nigerian Bar Association for its steadfast commitment to justice, nation-building, and the defence of constitutional values.He said, “It is a privilege to welcome the Nigerian Bar Association to the 10th House of Representatives, which we call the People’s House. This visit by the NBA, under the able leadership of Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, reaffirms that the House of Representatives and the Bar share a common ancestry in justice, and a common destiny in nation-building. As lawyers, we are bound by the conviction that the law is not a mere instrument of order, but the architecture of democracy and justice.”The Nigerian Bar Association has stood for decades as the vanguard of constitutionalism and the voice of conscience in turbulent times. From the dawn of our independence to the present, the NBA has not only defended the law buthas defined it, holding power accountable, preserving human rights, and nurturing public trust in the justice system.Today, that historic compact is more vital than ever. According to the WorldJustice Project, Nigeria ranked 120th out of 142 countries on the 2024 Rule of Law Index, the same position it held in 2023. This tells us that reform, though slow, is possible when the Bar and Parliament work together. It reminds us that the rule of law must be treated as a continuous discipline of governance, not a one-off achievement.”As one who served as a lawyer for many years before becoming a legislator, I learnt early that the strength of any democracy lies in the quality of its laws and the integrity of those who interpret them. As Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, I have observed that good laws donot emerge from brilliant minds alone; they are born from broad consultations, tested by experience, and refined by justice. That is why our Constitution Review process has been designed to be both inclusive and evidence-based. We have consulted widely with legal institutions, practitioners, the judiciary, and civil society in shaping this review. I am proud to say that the Bar has not been a mere observer in this journey; it has been a co-architect. And I deeply appreciate the steadfast support, thoughtful submissions, and constructive engagement the committee has received throughout this process.”The House of Representatives have advanced key reforms to strengthen our justice system. I sponsored the High Court of the FCT (Amendment) Bill to increase the number of judges and enhance judicial efficiency. The Judicial Office Holders(Salaries and Allowances) Bill promotes fair remuneration for the bench, while amendments to the Legal Aid Council and National Legal Education Acts expand access to justice and modernise legal training. Also, ongoing harmonisation of the Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill further deepens judicial reforms through clearer separation of powers and stronger accountability.”These efforts embody the conviction of the 10th House that the rule of law is not sustained by courts alone; it is sustained by a culture of justice that flows from Parliament to the people. When justice works, society thrives. This is why our Constitution Review process is not about abstract clauses; it is about the concrete well-being of Nigerians. A Vision of Synergy In the 10th House, we believe in institutional synergy, not rivalry. The legislature makes the law, the judiciary interprets it, and the executive enforces it, but all three must be guided by a single compass: service to the people.”
The Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr Peter Tanko, has paid the 2026 West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) registration fees for 250 indigent students in public Secondary Schools.
Speaking at the inauguration of the WAEC fee payment exercise in Kafanchan, Tanko said that the gesture was borne out of his compassion to support less privileged students.
According to him, no child should be denied the opportunity to access education because of lack of funds.
He reiterated his commitment to initiating policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Yunana Barde, lauded the council chairman for placing premium on educational development of his people.
Barde said that the importance of education to societal development could not be overemphasised.
Also speaking, Audu Dogara, the council’s Education Secretary, described the intervention as an investment in the children and the future of the local government.
He admonished the beneficiaries to see the gesture as an opportunity for them to give their best in the examination.
Mr Emmanuel Utung, Chairman of the WAEC Sponsorship Committee, said that the beneficiaries cut across the 12 wards of the local government.
According to him, the gesture would go a long way in easing the financial burden on the beneficiaries’ parents.
Miss Benedicta Boniface, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the chairman for his magnanimity and promised that they would not disappoint him.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abayomi Mumuni, has warned against any attempt to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima on religious grounds ahead of the 2027 general elections
Mumuni said this on Wednesday in reaction to the controversies erupting from the omission of Vice President Shettima’s photograph from a banner displayed at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the APC constitution.
According to him, the North presently lacks a Christian candidate with the political clout and followership needed to deliver substantial electoral support.
He said the idea of dropping Shettima could undermine the APC’s chances of retaining power.
There have been speculations about a possible plan to drop Shettima from the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Mumuni further said that discussions about replacing Shettima with a Christian vice-presidential candidate, ostensibly to address concerns about religious inclusivity, are not strategically sound in the current political climate.
According to him, the northern region currently lacks a Christian candidate with sufficient grassroots support and nationwide appeal to complement President Bola Tinubu’s electoral strength.
“Any miscalculation in this regard could jeopardise the winning ticket for the current administration,” he warned.
…Says it Has Committed Over US$45 Million in Expenditures in Senegal
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The management of Oranto Petroleum, the firm owned by Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist Prince Arthur Eze, has shed light on why it suspended any further investments in the St Louis & Cayar Licenses in Senegal.
The Senegalese government had in January 2026 officially revoked an offshore oil exploration license held by Atlas Oranto Petroleum.
The Senegalese government alleged that the holder had failed to provide the required bank guarantees and carried out only minimal exploration work since the block was awarded.
Responding to the revocation of the license, the management of Oranto Petroleum declared the government of Senegal insisted on US$ 25 Million Bank Guarantee as against agreed Corporate Guarantee as being provided by other Operators in Senegal.
According to the management, “till date, Oranto Petroleum has committed over US$45 Million in expenditures in Senegal covering activities such as seismic acquisition & interpretation, acreage rental, social projects and training of Senegalese locals as stipulated in the contract.
“Oranto Petroleum remains a foremost player in Hydrocarbon Exploration in Africa having committed over US$500 Million in exploration and development of hydrocarbon in Africa.”
The company expressed reservations on why the Senegalese government will single it out for false narratives which it classified as “unfair, unjustified and targeted.”
Part of the statement read: “Oranto Petroleum would like to use this opportunity to respond to the false narrative currently being perpetuated by the Government of Senegal on the St Louis & Cayar Offshore Licenses previously operated by Oranto Petroleum.
“As a matter of fact, Oranto Petroleum in 2025 decided to suspend any further investments in the St Louis & Cayar Licenses in Senegal after the Government of Senegal insisted on US$ 25 Million Bank Guarantee as against agreed Corporate Guarantee as being provided by other Operators in Senegal.
“For record purposes, till date, Oranto Petroleum has committed over US$45 Million in expenditures in Senegal covering activities such as seismic acquisition & interpretation, acreage rental, social projects and training of Senegalese locals as stipulated in the contract. These records exist and can be fact checked.
“It is worth mentioning that for reasons best known to the Government of Senegal, Oranto Petroleum has been singled out in this false narrative – this we classify as unfair, unjustified and targeted.
“We would like to use this opportunity to state that other foreign entities operating in Senegal are also facing challenges doing business in Senegal and this calls for concern.
Some of those include: Woodside currently in court of Arbitration with Government of Senegal on issues bothering
around back costs for the Sangomar Development –
https://www.africabusinessplus.com/en/829378/woodside-vs-dakar-arbitration-proceedings-can
2. Alleged plans by the Government of Senegal to nationalise Kosmos-run Yakaar-Teranga Gas
Project – https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/senegal-plans-nationalise-kosmos-run
yakaar-teranga-gas-project-2025-12-10/
and 3. British Petroleum’s exit from Senegal over disagreement with Government – https://www.offshore
technology.com/news/bp-exits-senegal-gas-field/
“It is worth noting that Oranto Petroleum remains a foremost player in Hydrocarbon Exploration in Africa having committed over US$500 Million in exploration and development of hydrocarbon in Africa.
“OrantoPetroleum as per business model remains an early explorationist focused on acreage derisking and later stage development in collaboration with third party Operators.
“Oranto Petroleum remains respectful for the rule of law in all jurisdictions where it operates and urges the public to disregard any narratives that continuously focuses on demarketing African investment opportunities geared towards the greater good of Africa and her citizens.
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