MDCN Suspends Doctors Over Death Of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son In Lagos

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March 4, 2026

Chimanda Family — The Family: Chimamanda, husband, and kids.

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, has slammed an indefinite suspension on three medical doctors in connection with the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, the 21-month old son of literary icon Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie .

The MCDN Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal also established a prima facie case of professional misconduct against ten other doctors during its investigations

Dr Tunde Majekodunmi ,the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, anesthesiologist, Dr Titus Ogundare, and Dr Atinuke Uwajeh, the Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, have been barred from further practice in Nigeria until the final hearing and determination of their cases by Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

The panel however, cleared eight others of any wrong doing .

The Source reports that the 21- month old Nkanu passed on at the Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital Lagos on January 7, 2026, after reportedly being sedated for an MRI ,and central line insertion.

The MCDN set up an Investigation Panel to carry out an inquest after Chimamanda alleged negligence on the part of medical personnel at the two Lagos-based hospitals that handled the case.

About 21 doctors were said to be involved in the treatment of Adichie’s Son at the two privately owned medical facilities

INEC Promotes 82 Directors, Others

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James Orji

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March 4, 2026

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has approved the promotion of 2,339 staff members, the News Agency of Nigeria , NAN reports.

The commission said the promotion came under its 2025 Senior Staff Promotion exercise.

INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, noting that the decision was taken at the commission’s meeting held on Feb. 26.

According to Eta-Messi, 45 deputy directors on Grade Level (GL) 16 were elevated to directors on GL 17. Of these, 18 will remain in active service, while 27 are due for retirement shortly after their promotion.

She added that 91 assistant directors on GL 15 were promoted to deputy directors on GL 16, while 82 chief officers on GL 14 advanced to assistant directors on GL 15.

“The promotion exercise also covered 2,121 intermediate officers on GL 07–13 across various departments of the commission,” she said.

She stressed that the exercise was conducted in line with established guidelines and extant public service rules, reflecting INEC’s commitment to due process.

According to her, the promotions underscored the commission’s resolve to reward merit, dedication, and years of service, while strengthening leadership capacity ahead of forthcoming electoral engagements.

North Has No Business Contesting 2027 Presidential Election - Gov Fintiri

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 3, 2026

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Ahmadu Fintiri - Governor of Adamawa State

By Adesina Soyooye

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has said that no Northerner has any business contesting for the office of the President in 2027.

For Fintiri who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, it is only fair that the Presidency remains in the South till 2031.

He said that the South deserves to complete eight years in the Presidential office in line with Nigeria’s long-standing power-sharing understanding.

The Governor who spoke Tuesday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, admitted that although zoning was not provided for in the constitution, for national unity, it should be adhered to.

“A Northerner has no business, at the moment, to vie for the office of the president,” Fintiri said.

“It is the South’s turn; they should complete their eight years if we are really serious about this country and leadership,” he added.

For tye records, Atiku Abubakar, a Presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, is from Adamawa, and is Fintiri’s political godfather.

It seems, however, that their relationship has soured. Abba, one of Atiku’s sons, Abba, on Monday, resigned from Fintiri’s Cabinet. Until that resignation, he was the Commissioner for Works.

Speaking on his relationship with the former Vice-President, Fintiri said it remains cordial even with his defection to the APC.

He said it did not affect their personal relationship.

“There is nothing that has gone bad. It is just that everybody has taken their political ways, and I am today in APC, they are in another party.”

El-Rufai, Malami: ADC Accuses Tinubu, EFCC, ICPC, DSS Of Persecution

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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March 3, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has warned against the tendency to single out members of the opposition for what it described as selective and unjust treatment.

The party particularly expressed serious concern over the alleged persecution of two of its chieftains, Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney General and Minister for Justice and the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai by agents of the Federal Government.

In a statement on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC, while condemning the brazen discriminatory treatment being meted out to its members, also, vowed to solidly stand by El-Rufai, Malami and all opposition voices presently under persecution.

The Source reports that El-Rufai and Malami are currently facing multiple prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC and the Department of State Service, DSS, over alleged corruption practices, diversion of public funds, money laundering and security related issues.

Both chieftains of the ADC are currently being held in custody.

The ADC, in its statement, however, expressed disappointment that the cases involving members of the party are being treated differently from other persons involved in high-profile matters across the country.

While maintaining that no individual is above the law, no matter how highly placed, the ADC expressed serious concern over the discriminatory application of the laws by the Federal Government and its agencies.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has been monitoring the ongoing legal cases involving two of our leaders, Mr Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General for the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna state.

“As a law-abiding party, it is important to state for the record that the ADC believes no citizen, regardless of stature or past office is above the law.

“However, in a constitutional democracy where the law is seen to operate selectively, it becomes imperative to insist, firmly, and without apology, that justice must be applied evenly, transparently and without political calculation, particularly in cases such as those involving Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai where the manner, speed and sequence of enforcement actions have understandably raised public concern about consistency and fairness.

“When a citizen is transferred from one detention facility to another before investigations are demonstrably concluded, it inevitably begs the question: Is detention being used as investigative shortcut, or as an instrument of pressure to keep these opposition leaders out of circulation ?

“In a democracy that is supposed to be governed by the rule of law, custody must follow credible, well-prepared charges, not precede them in a manner that creates the impression of pre-trial punishment.

“If there is evidence against Abubakar Malami, prosecute him transparently. If there is evidence against Nasir El-Rufai, present it before the court, and allow the law to take its course.

“But Nigeria and Nigerians will not accept a situation where the coercive instruments of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government are perceived to move with unusual speed against opposition figures, while similar matters elsewhere travel at a gentler pace”

“Nigerians should consider a recent high-profile case. At its centre are grave allegations of passport forgery, internal conspiracy, impersonation and the alleged use of a disputed international passport in support of property claim in London

“These are not minor procedural questions. They touch on issues of national integrity and international credibility. Yet, in that case, the accused persons pleaded not guilty, were granted bail, and the matter is proceeding with dispatch before the court”, the ADC stated.

But according to the party, it has been a different treatment for both Malami and El-Rufai, who have been facing prolonged custodial movements, inter-agency transfers and processes that appear to precede, rather than follow fully crystallized prosecution.

While reaffirming its solidarity with El-Rufai, Malami and all other opposition voices presently facing oppression, the ADC called on the Federal Government and its agencies to subscribe to the principles of justice, fairness and rule of law in their handling of the matters involving every Nigerian citizen..

“At the same time, let there be no ambiguity about our position. Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai are first, citizens of Nigeria before they are opposition leaders or members of the African Democratic Congress.

“They are, therefore, presumed innocent under the Constitution until proven otherwise in a fair and competent Court of law.That presumption should not be treated as a courtesy, but as a constitutional guarantee”, the party added.

Finally, Rivers Assembly Invites Fubara’s Commissioner-nominees For Screening

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 3, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has submitted the names (first batch) of his Commissioner- nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The Assembly, whose Speaker is Martins Amaewfule, has, also, confirmed receipt of the list from Governor Fubara and invited the nine of them, so far nominated for screening and confirmation.

So far, no member of his old Cabinet, who he was forced to sack has been submitted for screening.

His nomination of his Cabinet members came about three weeks after the governor sacked his Commissioners, eight in number, who were not affected by the Supreme Court judgment which confirmed Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the House.

His new nominees were invited for screening by

a special announcement dated March 3 and signed by the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi.

“The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites nominees for appointment as Commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council to submit forty (40) sets of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of credentials and evidence of compliance with tax obligations.

“The nominees are Professor Datonye Alasia, Mr Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Mrs Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, Mr Lekue Kenneth, Otonye Amachree and Amairigha Edward Hart.

“All documents should be forwarded to the office of the Clerk of the House at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters.

INEC Boycotts Ondo APC State Congress

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Ayodele Oni

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March 3, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Citing a Court order and other administrative lapses, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday stayed away from the Ondo State Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the absence of a directive from its national headquarters and an existing court injunction restraining recognition of the exercise.

Despite INEC’s absence, the APC went ahead with its state congress at the International Centre for Culture and Events, Akure, where a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, emerged as the new State Chairman.

Speaking with newsmen, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s spokesperson in Ondo State, Yinka Ogunseye, explained that the commission did not monitor the congress because it had not received any directive from INEC headquarters to do so.

“There is no directive from the INEC headquarters to monitor the congress,” Ogunseye said.

He further noted that the commission could not act in violation of a subsisting court order.

“There is no way the commission can disobey a court injunction,” he added.

A Federal High Court sitting in Akure had on Monday granted an interim order restraining INEC from recognising or validating the Ward and Local Government Congresses allegedly conducted by the APC in February, as well as the proposed State Congress, pending the hearing of a Motion on Notice.

The order also directed parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

However, at the congress held on Tuesday, Babatunde emerged alongside 35 other members of the State Working Committee through consensus and affirmation by delegates.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who addressed party members at the event, described the congress as a reaffirmation of the party’s unity and internal democracy.

“Today’s congress is more than a routine political exercise. It is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to party supremacy, unity, inclusiveness and discipline,” the governor said.

He commended aspirants who stepped down to allow consensus and urged members to prioritise the collective interest of the party over personal ambitions.

In his acceptance speech titled “A New Dawn of Unity and Progress,” Babatunde pledged to run an inclusive and transparent administration, declaring that there was no winner or loser in the exercise.

“There is no winner or loser. I am for all, and against none,” he said, promising to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and deepen internal democracy within the party.

The development comes amid ongoing legal challenges by aggrieved party members who are contesting the legitimacy of the congresses in court. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing later in March.

Jigawa Judicial Service Commission Sacks Judge For Receiving Bribe

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Ayodele Oni

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March 3, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

After being found guilty of professional misconduct, the Jigawa state Judicial Service, (JSC), Commission has sanctioned the compulsory retirement of Sadisu Muhammad-Haruna, a Sharia Court Judge.

This disciplinary action was announced in a statement on Tuesday, after a meeting held in Dutse by the commission.

The statement explained that after a detailed review of a petition and the established evidence, the commission resolved to retire Mr. Muhammad-Haruna from his position.

The investigation, which was prompted by a petition submitted by Abdullahi Hamza, concluded that the judge was guilty of corruption and illegal detention.

Investigations into the matter showed that the judge had demanded and accepted fees from the petitioner that were not listed in the 2012 Jigawa Shari’a Court Civil Procedure Rules.

According to the commission, “This act of extortion, followed by the illegal detention of the petitioner, was deemed a gross violation of judicial ethics and an abuse of office.”

The JSC noted that this forced retirement acts as a clear message that corruption or the misuse of power by any judicial officer will not be overlooked.

Tinubu Reshuffles Cabinet, Appoints Tax Man Oyedele Minister, Moves Uzoka-Aniete Again

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Ayodele Oni

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March 3, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele as the Minister of State for Finance. He replaces Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has, for the second time in about two years, reassigned by the President.

When she was first appointed, she was given a Ministry – Minister of Trade and Investment – to man. But she was soon redeployed to the Ministry of Finance as Minister of State. And now, she has again been moved to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State. The Medical Doctor-turned banker-turned Politician is from Imo State. This is her third Ministerial portfolio since her first appointment, the only Minister to have so moved.

Oyedele, until his new appointment was heading the tax reform body, which has clamped on Nigerians various taxes.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, (Information and Strategy), in a statement stated that Tinubu on Tuesday, conveyed the nomination of Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Until President Tinubu nominated him as a Minister, Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance. He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

Oyedele is also a Professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.

El-Rufai: Five Security Officers Arrested Over Bribery At Airport

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 3, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

For receiving bribes and so, allowed a breach of security at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on the day Malam Nasir El-Rufai returned from Egypt to Abuja, five security officers are in trouble.

They have been arrested and are currently in custody. They have also, according to reports, admitted to their unprofessional action.

Recall that the former Governor of Kaduna State returned to Nigeria on February 12, 2026, from Egypt and defied operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, who were at the Airport to arrest him.

But security sources has revealed that security operatives who include personnel of the Police, DSS, immigration and more, received bribes and allowed unauthorised entry of persons into areas not allowed by security.

A statement on Tuesday by authorities confirmed that the arrest of the five stemmed from a joint investigation into a serious compromise of airport security protocols.

The statement was titled “Arrest and Prosecution of Security Officers Compromised by Nasir El-Rufai at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for the 12th February 2026 Security Breach.”

It revealed that a thorough investigation was conducted by the DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

After the joint investigation, five officers were detained.

The officers are identified as “Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) – Police, Murtala Inuwa – DSS, Najeeb Murtala (ASI) – NIS, Musa Adamu – Aviation Security, Salihu Victor – AVSEC”, all of whom have, allegedly, confessed to their guilt.

They, allegedly, confessed to receiving bribes to allow unauthorised entry into Restricted Areas, and thus hindered lawful security operations “in an unprecedented manner.”

The suspects are currently in the custody of the

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, awaiting prosecution.

The statement, however, added that personnel from the NIS and NCS whose involvement in the security breach was not criminal in nature, would still face other forms of discipline.

It said: “Others from NIS and NCS whose involvement is not criminal; that is, did not receive bribe, but abused their uniforms to facilitate unauthorised access, will face administrative action.”

El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the ICPC after he was released on bail from the EFCC. He has also been arraigned in Court by the DSS which accused him of wiretapping the phone lines of the National Security Adviser, an impression he gave while being interviewed by Arise Television.

Shell Workers Embark On Protest Over Discriminatory Payment, Alleged Slavery

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 3, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

There was disruption of work at the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, SNEPCo, as workers in the early hours of Tuesday embarked on a protest, locking the gate to the firm’s office on Broad Street, Lagos.

The protest was coordinated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN. The workers accused the leadership of SNEPCo of practicing modern day slavery, discrimination in pay against Nigerian staff, and conscious bias in pay benchmarking in Nigeria.

The protest led to traffic snarl around the area as passersby paused to catch a glimpse. The protesting workers prevented complete access to the Shell building.

The protesters also barred entry of vehicles, including those of top officials of SNEPCo.

The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions that include; “Stop Modern Day Slavery, “Stop Indiscriminate Payment”, “No to conscious bias in pay benchmarking in Nigeria”.

They also faulted the policy of the firm in the application of global pay policy in Nigeria without consideration for local peculiarities, adding that it is “Best-in-Basin” with poor pay.

The Best-in-Basin is about cutting cost, which affects all operational issues, including attending conferences.

The workers made reference on the company not present at the Nigeria International Energy Summit, NIES, in Abuja in February 2026 as a sponsor, rather, it only sent delegates of about five persons instead of the about 40 persons that are accommodated as sponsors.

It also stated that organisers were only informed about the development about a week before the event.

Other local and International Oil Companies (IOC), including the Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas Company (NLNG), Total Nigeria, and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), participated fully at the conference.

SNEPCo was also accused of giving the workers allowances that are not market reflective.

They cited car grants as an example.

One of the protesting workers who claimed anonymity said, “Can you imagine a company giving a staff N1 million to buy a car now?

“Yes, N1 million could look like a huge sum, but it can’t even get you a bicycle not to talk of a car.”

It also accused the management of SNEPCo of enslaving their colleagues they classified as SNSS with poor conditions of service, adding that expatriates were now taking over the jobs meant for Nigerians.

They said there are now several Non-Accidental Deaths (NAD) caused by poor pay, heavy workload, stress, debt burden, and unending reorganisation.

According to a staff of SNEPCo, the workers took the decision to barricade the office because the management had failed to listen to their demands.

Another staff member said there was the need for the government to intervene because the management feels no one can hold them accountable and that they could cause division among the staff.

The staff believes two things work in favour of the management.

The first they is that before now, the staff had started working from home on certain days of the week, this does not enable Staff to gather in their numbers on a daily basis.

The second is the belief that they can stop any staff action from getting publicised.

This, the workers says is a way to silence them airing their views and also correcting some anomalies.

SNEPCo had a major divestment in Nigeria, with Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) as its main preoccupation now, which has almost limited its activities to Lagos.

However, it still has AllOn and Daystar as subsidiaries also.

They also both operate largely from Lagos, developing the energy sector through financing.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Company on the workers protest proved abortive as the gate of the organization was locked as at press time.