By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expresses deep outrage and grave concern over the alarming escalation in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, which is now reportedly selling for as much as N2,000 per kilogram in many parts of Nigeria.
This disturbing development has pushed cooking gas beyond the reach of millions of ordinary citizens and has further worsened the already unbearable cost-of-living crisis confronting Nigerian households. It is unacceptable that in a nation blessed with abundant natural resources, citizens are being subjected to economic conditions that make basic survival increasingly difficult.
HURIWA strongly asserts that the astronomical rise in the price of cooking gas is not merely an economic issue but a fundamental human rights concern. The direct consequence of making essential household energy unaffordable is mass hunger, malnutrition, disease, and avoidable deaths among vulnerable populations. Families already struggling with rising food prices, transportation costs, electricity tariffs, and healthcare expenses are now being forced to choose between cooking their meals and meeting other basic necessities.
The association maintains that this situation offends the spirit and provisions of Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly the fundamental right to life. While the Constitution places a solemn obligation on government to safeguard the lives and welfare of citizens, the prevailing atmosphere of unchecked price increases is producing the exact opposite effect.
A government that watches helplessly while essential commodities become inaccessible to the majority of citizens cannot claim to be fully discharging its constitutional and moral responsibilities. The right to life is not limited to protection from bullets and violent attacks; it also encompasses the obligation of the state to create conditions that make life sustainable and dignified. When citizens are pushed into extreme deprivation through unchecked economic hardship, the consequences are often fatal.
HURIWA is particularly alarmed by what appears to be the absence of effective regulatory intervention to curb the activities of profiteers who exploit citizens during periods of economic uncertainty. No serious democracy permits unrestrained profiteering at the expense of public welfare. Across the world, responsible governments deploy regulatory mechanisms, market interventions, strategic reserves, consumer protection frameworks, and anti-monopoly measures to prevent exploitative pricing of essential commodities.
It is therefore unacceptable that under the current administration, Nigerians are being left at the mercy of market forces and profit-driven actors whose actions are worsening poverty and deepening social misery. Government cannot continue to distance itself from the suffering of the people by attributing every hardship to market realities while citizens sink deeper into economic despair.
The Tinubu administration must immediately investigate the factors responsible for the outrageous increase in cooking gas prices and take urgent steps to stabilize the market. Regulatory agencies must be empowered to identify and sanction individuals and companies engaged in exploitative pricing practices. The government should also consider targeted interventions and fiscal measures capable of reducing the cost burden on consumers.
HURIWA warns that continued inaction could trigger wider social and humanitarian consequences, including increased dependence on firewood and charcoal, environmental degradation, worsening public health conditions, and greater hardship for already impoverished households.
The association reiterates that governance must ultimately be measured by its impact on the lives of citizens. Any economic policy or regulatory failure that results in widespread hunger, suffering, and preventable deaths cannot be justified under any democratic system.
Nigerians deserve a government that actively protects them from economic predators, safeguards their welfare, and upholds the constitutional guarantee of the right to life and human dignity.

By Our Correspondent

In a bid to rid the state of criminal activities, eight suspected fake pastors arrested from Onitsha, Awka and other parts of Anambra State were on Friday arraigned at the Anambra State High Court, Awka, the state capital

The eight pastors arraigned in court include, Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, Ebele Nnachukwu and Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu

According to a government source, and media adviser to state Governor , Mr Ejimofor Opara the pastors who he described as fake pastors violated the 2025 Homeland Security Law.

The prosecution marks one of the most significant legal actions taken under the relatively new security legislation, which the state government says was enacted to tackle insecurity, fraudulent spiritual practices, and criminal networks operating under various disguises.

The defendants were brought before the court by operatives of Agunechemba, the state’s security outfit, in a case that is already attracting public attention across Anambra and beyond.

Leading the prosecution is the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN), underscoring the significance the state government attaches to the matter.

The arraignment follows months of investigations and enforcement actions by state authorities targeting individuals accused of operating outside acceptable religious and social boundaries.

Recall that last year, some native doctors who were promoting get-rich-quick practices were also arrested. While some has been prosecuted and hailed, others are still undergoing trial.

.The latest court action comes against the backdrop of the Anambra State Government’s ongoing campaign to sanitize the religious and traditional sectors, which authorities claim have increasingly been infiltrated by individuals allegedly encouraging criminal behavior through deceptive spiritual practices.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

Not fewer than seven Senior Advocate Of Nigeria (SANs) are expected to participate at the Minna Branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2026 Law week which commenced with special Juma’at prayers.

The Chairman organizing Committee of the Minna Branch NBA 2026, Law Week Mallam Mohammed Abdukadir Waziri Esq, disclosed this at a media briefing in Minna in preparation to the Law Week.

He stated that the a Week- long programme of the Law Week is dedicated to professional development, Knowledge sharing,networking and promotion of the ideals of the legal profession.

According to the organizing Committee Chairman,the Minna Branch of the NBA is set to host a variety of activities “ carefully designed to engage members of the Bar,deepen legal discourse and strengthen the bonds of fellowship within the legal community”.

The Bar week, with the theme “ Law,Governance and Politics: The role of the legal Profession in Advancing the rule of Law in Nigeria’s Democracy”, which will also discuss intellectual sessions, sporting engagements, social events and opportunies for interaction among legal practitioners and stakeholders.

He disclosed further,that members of branch will participate in Health Walk while the evening will feature a BBQ and indoor Games session at the High Court Complex while on Monday,the 8th of June, members will collect Law Week materials and the Chief of Niger State Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik will host members for Cocktail.

Abdukadir Waziri pointed that the event proper will formally be declared open on Tuesday,the 9th June 2026 with the Grand opening ceremony,which is expected to attract eminent members of the Bench,Bar government officials and other distinguished guests.

Speaking further,Waziri stated that keynote speaker will be a reknown legal luminary in the North Abdul Muhammad Rafindadi,a Senior Advocate of Nigeria ,while the Chief Judge of Niger State will chair the session and the Attor- General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State will be host

While commending member local organizing Committee of the 2026 Minna Law Week, Abdukadir Waziri noted that the NBA Minna Branch remains Committed to advancing professional excellence,promoting continuos learning and fostering unity among members.