Workers union at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, on Monday began a 72-hour warning strike over an alleged stabbing of a medical laboratory scientist by a patient’s relative.

The Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), FMC Abeokuta, Abiodun Famuyiwa, disclosed this in an interview in Abeokuta.

Famuyiwa said the strike involved workers in the centre, excluding doctors, following an alleged stabbing of the scientist while on duty on Sunday night.

“Olasunkanmi Lawal, a medical laboratory scientist was stabbed in two places, including the head, with an object and he is now receiving treatment at the hospital.

“The incident has been reported to the police and referred to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he said.

He described the incident as an unacceptable act of violence against a healthcare worker performing his official duties.

He expressed concern over the safety of healthcare professionals in the hospital, saying that no worker should be subjected to physical attacks while providing essential medical services.

He also demanded that the incident be investigated and the alleged assailant be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The MHWUN chairman urged the management to review and strengthen existing arrangements, particularly in clinical and laboratory areas, emergency units, and other vulnerable locations.

He added that the warning strike was intended to express members’ displeasure, demand accountability, and compel the management to address their security concerns.

Meanwhile the unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), also announced the industrial action in a position letter dated Oct. 12 and addressed to the Medical Director of the hospital.

The letter stated that the strike commenced at 11 a.m. on Monday and was scheduled to end at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

The letter was endorsed by representatives of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), MHWUN, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM),

Others are the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

The letter read: “This barbaric act of violence against a healthcare worker carrying out his professional responsibility is condemnable and must not be treated with levity.

‘We consider this incident a serious assault on the dignity, safety, and welfare of healthcare professionals who dedicate their time, knowledge, and energy to providing essential medical services to patients and the public.

It also stated that the incident was not merely an attack on the affected medical laboratory scientist, but an attack on the entire workforce of the centre.

“An injury to one member of our professional community is a matter of collective concern, and we cannot remain silent while the safety of our member is placed in jeopardy,” it stated. (NAN)

The Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHED) has attributed rising electricity bills being borne by some customers to feeder upgrades designed to improve power supply.

Head of Customers Service at PHED, Adamma Ogwuegbu, stated on the sidelines of the company’s Customer Appreciation event held in Port Harcourt.

Ogwuegbu said that some customers were experiencing higher tariffs following the migration of their feeders to Band A.

She stated that customers whose feeders were upgraded to provide 24-hour electricity were expected to pay the corresponding tariff.

Ogwuegbu said that some customers were still expecting to continue paying the same rates they had paid before their feeders were upgraded.

She said that the company was engaging customers to explain the differences in tariffs across the various electricity supply bands.

According to her, the challenge was partly due to customers’ limited understanding of the relationship between electricity supply levels and applicable tariffs.

The PHED official said that electricity distribution was a business that required operators to recover revenue to sustain their operations.

“For us to remain in business, when we sell, we should be able to recover the revenue that we receive.

Ogwuegbu stated that customers should be willing to pay for electricity when supply was adequate and reliable.

She said that PHED would continue engaging and educating customers on tariffs, feeder upgrades and the need for improved revenue collection.

She also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving customer service and responding more effectively to complaints.

“The journey has not been perfect. However, we are committed to improving, listening better, responding better and treating our customers better,” she said.

Ogwuegbu said that the customer appreciation event was organised to recognise customers whose patronage and support had sustained the company’s operations.

The Executive Coordinator, NEPA Wahala, Emeka Ojoko, urged PHED to improve its response to customers’ complaints.

Ojoko acknowledged improvements in electricity supply in some parts of Port Harcourt but noted that the company’s response to prolonged outages and other complaints remained inadequate.

He said that customers often had to rely on personal connections within the company to get their complaints addressed.

He described the situation as unfair, stressing that every customer deserved prompt attention, regardless of personal relationships.

“Every customer deserves to have a listening ear. Even if you cannot solve the problem at once, somebody should respond promptly,” he said.

Another customer, Festus Ola, said that electricity was critical to his steel production business, which required substantial power to operate.

Ola said that the company had experienced significant improvements in electricity supply over the past few months.

The Chairman, PHED Board of Directors, Chief Olice Kemenanabo, presented awards to the company’s best customers across the four states it covers such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.

Bayo Yao Iron and Steel Company won the Best Customer Award, followed by Heliconia Park Hotel in second place and CWay Company in third place. (NAN)

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has warned judges against romancing with political parties in the resolution of disputes that will arise in the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Kekere-Ekun gave the advice during the opening of the 2026 legal year of the Supreme Court on Monday in Abuja.

She warned that on no account should any judge exhibit conduct or behaviour that jeopardises absolute impartiality expected of them.

“’Elections inevitably generate heightened political activity and strong emotions. They also bring before the courts disputes that may have significant consequences for individuals, political parties and the country.

“The judiciary must approach such matters with the same calmness, detachment and fidelity to the law that it brings to every other dispute.

“Judicial officers must remain conscious that every word they speak and every action they take during an electoral period will be subjected to scrutiny”.

She encouraged them to exercise restraint, avoid political association or conduct capable of creating an appearance of partiality and remain firmly within the boundaries imposed by their oath and the constitution.

“There is also a need for greater professional responsibility by lawyers in the institution of proceedings arising from political and electoral disputes.

“Forum shopping, whether by the deliberate choice of commencing an action in a court or division perceived to be more favourable to a particular party or by the institution of multiple proceedings seeking substantially similar reliefs, can result in conflicting orders, undermine orderly judicial process and expose the Judiciary to avoidable embarrassment.

She said counsel must exercise the professional judgment expected of members of the Bar before commencing proceedings, particularly where related proceedings are already pending before another court.

“The duty of counsel to the court requires full candour as to the existence of related proceedings and respect for the jurisdiction and processes of other courts.

“The responsibility of counsel extends beyond securing an immediate advantage for a client; it includes a duty to protect the integrity and orderly functioning of the judicial process”.

The CJN also canvassed for adequate protection of processes leading to the appointment of judicial officers for the judiciary of Nigeria

According to her, the appointment of judicial officers is one of the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to the National Judicial Council and the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

“A Judge does not merely occupy an office; he or she carries the authority of the Constitution and the confidence of the people.

“For that reason, the processes through which judicial officers are selected must command public confidence”.

She said that the recent appointments have reflected a deliberate effort to strengthen the evaluation of candidates through structured assessment, professional and peer feedback, background checks.

The CJN reiterated that the administration of justice cannot be left to anger, intimidation or trial by social media.

“A Judge should be able to decide according to law without fear of personal retaliation. A lawyer should be able to make a legitimate submission without being subjected to intimidation.

“A member of staff should be able to perform his or her duties without harassment. The dignity of the profession is the collective responsibility of the Bench and the Bar.

The CJN expressed happiness with the performance of the Supreme Court in the outgoing legal year despite the odd circumstances.

“My Lords, the performance of the Court during the Legal Year under review is encouraging, yet it reminds us that there is still much work to be done.

“During the 2025/2026 Legal Year, the Supreme Court handled 2,456 matters, comprising 1,179 general civil motions, 573 criminal motions, 13 Sharia-related motions and 676 appeals.

‘The appeals comprised 433 general civil appeals, 212 criminal appeals, 19 political appeals, 12 Sharia appeals and 10 Originating summons. From these matters, 411 judgments were delivered.

“Also during the preceding Legal Year, the Court handled 2,280 matters and delivered 369 judgments and rulings.

“These figures provide a useful measure of institutional activity, but they cannot tell the full story. One area to which I have continued to attach particular importance is the effective management of the court’s dock.

“When I addressed this gathering last year, I spoke about the need for deliberate case management strategies to confront delay and the accumulation of pending matters.

“I am pleased to say that we can now point to concrete steps taken in furtherance of that objective.

Between March 23 and Dec. 27 2026, she said, the E-Diary Office scheduled 1,385 matters for regular sittings of the Court, comprising 1,021 motions and 364 appeals.

Significantly, she said, 733 of these were old matters deliberately brought forward for hearing. In addition, 178 moribund matters were disposed of in Chambers, while 125 matters that had already been concluded were identified and removed from the active pool”. (NAN)