By Our Correspondent

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has intervened in the lingering crisis surrounding the non-payment of stipends to N-Power beneficiaries, following a crucial meeting at the National Assembly.

The meeting, which held shortly after Tuesday’s Senate plenary, brought together key stakeholders including representatives of the aggrieved beneficiaries, their legal team, government officials, and civil society activists.

Present at the high-level engagement were Barrister Abba Hikima, legal representative of the beneficiaries; Kehinde James, Chairman of the N-Power Beneficiaries Forum; and renowned activist Bello Galadanchi, popularly known as Dan Bello. Also in attendance were Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda; and the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Ata.

During the meeting, the Deputy Senate President noted that the beneficiaries had approached his office seeking parliamentary intervention in their prolonged struggle to secure payment of outstanding stipends and entitlements, reportedly amounting to ₦81 billion.

Senator Barau said he immediately contacted the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, who responded promptly and joined the meeting. Discussions, which lasted for about an hour, were described as “fruitful,” leading to renewed optimism on the part of the beneficiaries.

“The Minister has already gone far in preparations to ensure the money is paid. The government is not insensitive to the plight of the beneficiaries,” Senator Barau said. “This administration is committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is denied what is due to them, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Barrister Hikima confirmed that the legal team had previously filed a case at the National Industrial Court in Abuja to compel the government to act. However, following assurances given at the meeting, the beneficiaries agreed to suspend the legal process.

“As explained by the Honourable Minister, the government owes my clients about ₦81 billion,” Barrister Hikima stated. “He has told us they are working on it. We appreciate the efforts of the Deputy Senate President, who, despite not being directly affected, took it upon himself to convene this meeting.”

He further commended the presence and assurances given by the two ministers involved in the discussion, expressing hope that the payments would be made before the end of the year.

“The Honourable Ministers have given us their words, and we are hopeful that the government will fulfill its commitment,” he added.

The N-Power programme, a key component of the federal government’s National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), has over the years empowered thousands of Nigerian youths with temporary employment and skills. However, delays in stipend payments have generated tension and protests from former participants.

Tuesday’s meeting marks a significant step toward resolving the issue amicably and restoring confidence in the programme’s integrity.

By Our Correspondent

In a surprising turn of events, a Gombe State High Court judge, Justice Fatima Musa, has recused herself from presiding over a high-profile land encroachment case involving Emir General Integrated Limited and a construction company contracted to build the state’s proposed Mechanics Village, known as Grandscope Construction Limited.

Emir General Integrated Limited had earlier sued the construction firm, alleging trespass on its land. The Gombe State Government also recently filed an application to be joined in the suit as a co-defendant.

During the latest court sitting on Wednesday, Justice Fatima Musa shocked parties involved by announcing her withdrawal from the case, citing personal reasons. She stated that the case would be returned to the Chief Judge of the State for reassignment to another judge.

Reacting to the development, counsel to the first defendant, Grandscope Construction Limited, Barrister Daniel Tsaro, described the judge’s decision as not uncommon, adding that his clients had no objections.

On his part, counsel to Emir General Integrated Limited, Barrister Suleiman Abdulrahim, reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing the matter to its conclusion, regardless of which court it is reassigned to.

It would be recalled that during a previous sitting, the court had granted an interim order restraining Grandscope Construction Limited from further accessing or commencing construction on the disputed land, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.

By Our Correspondent

The Supreme Court of Nigeria is preparing to schedule a hearing for a lawsuit filed by 11 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contesting the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

According to The Punch, the case will be heard following the conclusion of the court’s Holidays vacation.

Confirming this, the Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Festus Akande, explained that a date will be set for the hearing once the court resumes.

“The court is currently on break. Once the Justices return at the end of the month, a hearing date will be fixed,” Akande said.

At the heart of the legal challenge is the constitutionality of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend a democratically elected state government and appoint a Sole Administrator to govern Rivers State.

The suit, filed under case number SC/CV/329/2025, seeks judicial clarification on whether the President possesses the constitutional authority to suspend the elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and the entire House of Assembly of Rivers State.

The 11 PDP-governed states bringing the suit are: Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa. They are requesting the Supreme Court’s interpretation on the legality of the President’s emergency declaration and the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator.

President Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, imposed a six-month emergency rule in Rivers, effectively suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State Assembly.

The suit is invoking several constitutional provisions—Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188, and 305 of the 1999 Constitution—to argue that the President lacks the power to override elected state officials or dissolve legislative bodies under the guise of emergency powers.

Furthermore, the PDP governors are expressing alarm over alleged threats made by the President—through the Attorney General of the Federation—to suspend other governors and their deputies. They contend that such moves would violate constitutional safeguards and undermine Nigeria’s federal structure.