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.

By David Owei

The Vice Chancellor of Bayelsa Medical University, Professor Dimie Ogoina, has ordered a full investigation to ascertain the cause of fire that broke out on Monday night at the female hostel of the university.

The incident, which reportedly destroyed students’ valuables, sparked fears among residents who alleged recurring electrical faults within the hostel facility.

Although no lives were lost, students described scenes of panic as smoke and flames engulfed one of the rooms.

Responding to the development, Professor Ogoina said he was informed of the incident the morning after it occurred and immediately visited the affected room to assess the situation and interact with the students involved.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, preliminary findings indicate that the fire likely originated from a spark in an electrical extension box that had been placed on a student’s mattress, igniting the foam and causing the blaze.

Prof. Ogoina said the university management has already taken steps to address the situation, including expressing sympathy to affected students, ordering an audit of damaged and lost belongings to facilitate support.

He also stated in a statement that he had already relocated the affected students to a safe accommodation, and instituted a comprehensive investigation with the involvement of the State Fire Service.

The statement reads: “Management has always prioritized student safety and well-being. We will continue to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.

” Once investigations are concluded, the university will address all findings, whether relating to electrical infrastructure, student conduct, or safety protocols, and we will implement necessary corrective measures.”

“The university management however assured students, parents, and the public that the matter is receiving urgent attention and that all necessary measures will be taken to safeguard lives and property within the institution.”

Prior to the Vice-Chancellor’s response, some students had alleged that repeated electrical sparks had become common in the hostel since a previous fire incident.

They also claimed that efforts to contain the latest outbreak were hindered by a non-functional fire extinguisher and inadequate water supply.

By Our Correspondent

Abomination: A 16-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped by eight men, including her guardian, in Nawfia community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has been rescued by a Catholic priest from community after learning of the incident.

The teenager, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, was said to have been taken to the office of the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Esther Onyekesi.

The Commissioner who received the victim on behdlf of the state government vowed that government will ensure justice for the girl.

She condemned the act and said the state would ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.

She said, “The state government condemns this act in strong terms, and the ministry will ensure that all perpetrators in the dastardly act are brought to justice.

“We express deep outrage over the level of trauma the young girl has endured at the hands of adults who were entrusted with her protection.

“This is unacceptable. We urge men to protect women and young girls, rather than take advantage of their vulnerability.”

Onyekesi assured the victim of her safety and pledged to follow the case diligently to ensure justice is served.

The victim told the commissioner that her guardian had been forcing himself on her every night before other men joined in the sexual assaults.

According to her, a good Samaritan facilitated her rescue last week, after which some arrests were made before she was brought to the commissioner’s office for safety.

She further disclosed that her guardian’s wife is a stroke patient and was unable to intervene in the abuse.

Police at the Nawfia Division have arrested two of the eight suspects, while the remaining six are on the run.

Sources said the case is currently being handled at the Nawfia Police Station.

Meanwhile, medical report presented to the commissioner confirmed that the girl is two months pregnant as a result of repeated sexual assaults.