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

My 16-yr-old Marriage Is Void Of Love, I Want Divorce, Woman Tells Court

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

My wife deserted me, My husband has failed to satisfy me s3xually I will grant my wife divorce

An Area Court in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday, dissolved the 16-year-old marriage between a couple, Hussaina Abdullahi and Saidu Ali.

Delivering judgment, the judge, Lawal Suleiman granted the prayer of Abdullahi for divorce.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),the judge gave custody of their children to Hussaina and ordered Ali to send N 30,000 monthly through the court for the upkeep of the two children.

The judge also ordered Ali to pay the children’s school fees.

Earlier, before the divorce was granted, the petitioner told the court that she got married to Saidu in 2008.

”Our marriage lacks peace and love. I no longer love Saidu and can no longer live with him as his wife.

”I am ready to refund the N40,000 dowry he paid for my hand in marriage”, she said.

She prayed for custody of their two children.

Metro

‘My Wife Sapped Me, I Want Our Childless 26-yr-old Marriage Dissolved’— Clergy

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

A clergyman, Adegoke, has approached Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, seeking that it end the 26-year-old marriage between him and his wife, Adetoun on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

Adegoke stated that no peaceful coexistence dwelt between him and his wife who is childless because she was aggressive and violent.

The plaintiff gave instances of when the defendant once slapped and bit him, and at another time hit him on the head with a scissors.

The plaintiff added that the defendant never ceased to rain curses on him.

Adegoke earnestly pleaded for divorce.

He also requested an order restraining his wife from threatening and interfering with his private life.

Adetoun refused to come to court despite being served court summonses.

Adegoke, in his testimony, said, “My wife and I got married in 1999 under the native laws and customs.

“Our union was blessed in the church two days after this, and we held a reception party.

“We have the marriage certificate given to us by the church in our possession, but unfortunately, all the pictures we took on both days got missing.

“We bore no child in our 26-year-old marriage.

“Our marriage lacks peace and rest because my wife is aggressive and difficult to live with.

“She gets angry easily and misbehaves when in this state.

“While other women bless their husband, my wife rains curses on me on a daily basis.

“Her curses, no doubt, have brought a setback in my life.

“Adetoun refused to give me the honour due to me in our home.

“She fights me on a regular basis.

“She once slapped me during one of our fights.

“To my chagrin, she showed no sign of remorse after this.

“I narrowly escaped being injured when she hit me on the head with a scissors during a heated argument.

“We had just finished Bible study one faithful day, and an argument erupted between us, which ended in a fight.

“Adetoun, before I knew it went for my hand and dug her teeth into it.

“I was in anguish for days.

“The scar it left on my hand tells the story.

“My lord, there is obviously no future in my marriage to my wife, especially that she is barren.

“I humbly plead that the court declares that we are no longer husband and wife.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo, after she had heard the plaintiff adjourned the case for judgment.
(TRIBUNE)

Metro

‘I Caught My Wife Walking Hand In Hand With Her Lover’

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

…She told me they were divorced 15 years ago — Lover

A Soldier of Kabwe, Zambia, has been awarded K18,000 as compensation after the local court upheld his adultery claim against a man he found holding hands with his wife one night in Kapiri Mposhi.

Michael Bwalya, a resident of C Gate in Kabwe, narrated before Senior Local Court magistrate, Elias Kasonde, at Kabwe One Local Court how he caught Maybin Myula with his wife, Rose Bwalya, in a compromising situation.

According to Zambia Observer, Michael told the court that he was first alerted by his eldest daughter, who informed him that his wife had a “husband” in Kapiri Mposhi.

Michael then travelled to Kapiri Mposhi with two companions, Sylvia Phiri and Humphrey Kayambe, to confirm the claims.

He said that after arriving around 20:00 hours, he was stunned to find his wife walking hand in hand with Maybin.

“The moment they saw me, he released her hand. I was so upset, but I kept calm,” he told the court.

Michael said he followed the pair to Maybin’s house, where Maybin allegedly told him that Rose had claimed to be divorced for the past 15 years.

“I told them they should consider themselves married. I was so furious I almost killed him, but I restrained myself,” he said.

In his defense, Maybin denied committing adultery, claiming he was only escorting Rose to buy medicine.

However, the magistrate, Kasonde found Maybin guilty and ordered him to compensate Michael K18,000, to be paid in monthly installments of K1,000.