Headline

Osinbajo, Delta Monarch Seek Constitutional Roles For Traditional Rulers

Published

4 years ago

March 5, 2022

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo paid a private visit to Delta State on Saturday during which he joined the Ovie of Uvwle Kingdom; His Majesty Dr Emmanuel Sideso, in seeking constitutional roles for traditional rulers in Nigeria.

The Vice President also commended the Uvwie monarch for his notable role in sustaining peace in his community just as he recalled the past youth restiveness.

Osinbajo, who was in Delta State for the thanksgiving ceremony of late 95-year-old Chief Patrick Ideh, one of those who fought for Nigeria’s Independence and had been practising law since 1961, was accompanied to the royal Palace of the Movie of the Uvwle Kingdom by the National Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata and the children of late Chief Patrick Ideh.

Speaking at the royal palace of the Ovie of Uvwie at Effurun, Prof. Osinbajo noted that traditional rulers were more in touch with the grassroots saying that “in view of this there is need for the National Assembly to give them constitutional roles”.

He prayed that with the level of politics gathering momentum in the country, the National Assembly would be able to finish their constitutional duty and amend the constitution.

“The President also wants some constitutional roles for traditional rulers,” he stated.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Ovie of Uvwle Kingdom expressed surprise that despite the presentations by Nigerian monarchs to the National Assembly, the committee on constitutional review did not do anything, or say a word on the need for constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country.

He appealed to the Executive to intervene just as he commended the Federal Government for the continuous support for the traditional institutions.

He also prayed for all politicians particularly the President and the Vice President.

Also speaking, the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by his deputy, Barr Otuaro, expressed support for constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country.

PUNCH.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.