Metro

Umahi Locks Out Workers, Protesters Cite hardship For Lateness

Published

2 years ago

September 29, 2023

There was apprehension at the Ministry of Works, Abuja, on Thursday as protesting civil servants grounded activities after the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, locked out over 300 staff and directors who resumed work late.

The public servants, expressing their displeasure, also confined the minister to his office, demanding an apology from him.

Earlier, the minister upon resumption at 9.30am was said to have prevented workers who came to work late from gaining access to the ministry for over four hours.

However, after the gate was opened, the workers, comprising of both Housing and Works ministries, refused to enter the ministry and resorted to an impromptu protest, barricading the entrance gates.

It was gathered that they also prevented entry and exit into the building, thereby preventing the minister from leaving the office to receive the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who came to the headquarters on a courtesy visit.

One of the affected staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that workers were shocked over Umahi’s action, arguing that he did not take into cognisance the current hardship in the country and the fact that most staff reside in areas outside the city centre.

The staff said, “The minister, upon resumption around 9.30am, instructed security officers to lock the gate.

“Over 300 staff members, including some directors, were asked to stay outside and even when we tried to enter, the gatemen said it was on the order of the minister and nobody should enter the premises.

“Eventually, we had to call our colleagues who were already inside to inform them of what had happened. They came outside to join us, blocked the road and everywhere became rowdy.

“Even the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had to turn back because of the crowd.

“After about four hours, the minister came down to address us, apologising that he didn’t give any directive.

“The union leaders had put off the lights so no one could do anything and that’s why everyone had no choice but to come outside.”

Giving further details, another staff said it was insensitive for the minister to lock out workers, hinting that the situation would have degenerated if the minister didn’t apologise.

“To me, it was insensitive for the minister to have done such a thing even though he denied it. Everyone in the country is just managing. Most of our workers stay very far from town and it is sad all of these happened today.”

Following the protest, which lasted hours, Umahi, while apologising, promised to consider some of the complaint made regarding the high cost of transportation.

He also urged the workers to support the transformative innovation of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and urged them not to join the planned nationwide strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress.

Metro

I Will Not Move Out Of My Husband’s House, Divorced Woman Tells Court

Published

1 hour ago

June 28, 2025

Editor

A mother of six, Latinate Sanusi, has told a Shari’a court in Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, that she cannot leave her former husband’s house after three pronouncement of divorce.

Latinate stated this in response to Abdulrazak Yunusa’s prayer to confirm the three pronouncement of divorce he made to her and compel her to leave his house.

“My children are all girls and I intend to stay so that I can take care of them; after all he does not provide most of their needs,” she said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the complainant told the court that he takes care of his family adding that he divorced her because she was not submissive.

The judge, Malam Kabir Muhammad after listening to both parties confirmed the three pronouncement of divorce between the couple.

He explained that there was no marriage between the couple until the woman remarries.

“What is before me is a suit on confirmation of divorce; the issue of children custody can be filed as a fresh case,” he said.

Metro

Court Dissolves Marriage On Couple’s Agreement

Published

1 hour ago

June 28, 2025

Editor

An Area Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has dissolved the Islamic marriage between one Mujidat Abdullahi and Muyideen Raji based on mutual agreement.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the presiding judge, Toyin Aluko, in his ruling said that the husband sent a letter to the court, saying that he has agreed to the divorce application of his wife.

Aluko said that since the two parties have agreed to divorce, there was no need to prolong the case.

He added that marriage should not be forced on anyone.

Aluko, therefore, dissolved their marriage and awarded custody of the only child of their marriage to the wife, due to the child’s young age.

The court ordered that the woman should observe the iddah (waiting) period before she could remarry again.

It also ordered that a copy of the ruling be made available to the husband.

Raji was ordered to pay the sum of N10,000 monthly for the child’s feeding and upkeep.

He was also granted the opportunity to have unlimited access to the child, but at a reasonable time.

Earlier, the wife had told the court that she was tired of the marriage due to lack of love and care, adding that she wanted divorce.

Metro

My Ex-wife Wants To Kill Me, Man Cries To Court

Published

1 hour ago

June 28, 2025

Editor

A businessman, Abdulrazak Yunusa on Monday dragged his former wife, Latifat Sanusi, before a Sharia court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, alleging that she is threatening to kill him.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the counsel to Yunusa, Faham Ahmad, told the court that she threatened to stab him.

“She sometimes threatens my client with a pestle. I am afraid she wants to kill him”, he said.

He requested an order mandating Latifat to go back to her parent’s house pending when the case was finalised.

On her part, the accused denied the claim, saying she had no intention of killing the father of her children.

The judge, Malam Muhammad Kabir, referred the case to the police for investigation and adjourned the case.