A high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has granted bail in the sum of N50 million to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central.

In her ruling on Thursday, presiding judge Chizoba Orji dismissed the federal government’s request to have Akpoti-Uduaghan remanded in prison custody.

Orji said there was no justification to deny the defendant bail, noting that there was “sufficient evidence” of her willingness to stand trial.

The court also directed the senator to provide one surety who must be a “person of integrity” and possess landed property in Abuja.

More to come…

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as turning a condolence visit to Benue into a fanfare.

Posting on Thursday via X, Obi said the president’s choice of clothing and the general mood of the visit did not reflect the seriousness of the tragedies that affected Benue and Niger states.

He said, “We pleaded that the president should show leadership and visit Benue and Niger states in the spirit of deep national mourning, to offer compassion and solidarity to families torn apart by the senseless massacre of over 200 innocent Nigerians in Benue state and flooding that killed similar number in Niger state.”

Obi added that instead of a somber and reflective occasion, the president’s visit looked more like a celebration fit for a road commissioning event.

He criticised Tinubu’s outfit, describing it as a “celebratory agbada attire” unsuitable for the moment.

According to Obi, “The president arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy.”

He also faulted the Benue government for declaring a public holiday and closing schools, saying the activities organised were not meant for mourning or prayer but for fanfare.

“Children who should be mourning their slaughtered classmates and parents were instead lined up under the rain, rehearsed to sing and dance for the president,” he said.

“In what kind of country does this happen?”

Obi referred to the entire event as a “charade”, lamenting how condolence visits had become celebratory occasions.

He said, “We have tragically arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals.”

Obi added that a time meant for quiet reflection was now filled with banners, music, and rehearsed displays, even though innocent lives had been lost.

He noted that the efforts and funds used for the visit could have been directed toward supporting victims through food, shelter, medical help, school needs, and trauma care.

Obi pointed to examples of leadership from abroad, noting how President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Modi visited sites of tragedy with dignity and restraint.

“When President Ramaphosa visited Mthatha after the floods in South Africa, there were no drums. No staged crowds. No rented cheers. Just presence, silence, and action,” he said.

“When Prime Minister Modi went to the site of a crash, no one lined up to welcome him. He came, he mourned, he acted. That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain.”

He warned that Nigeria is becoming numb to mass violence and accused the government of showing no empathy.

He said, “We are not at war yet our nation is bleeding, and we are clapping. It is not only insensitive, it is dangerous.”

“Let us not forget: these were human beings, children, mothers, fathers whose blood cries out for justice.”

He concluded that when tragedies are turned into campaign-like events, the nation is losing its soul.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu, during a town hall meeting in Makurdi on Wednesday, pledged to work with Governor Hyacinth Alia to restore peace in Benue.

Tinubu told Alia, “You’re elected under the progressive banner to ensure there’s peace, stability, and progress so that we can come and commission projects, rejoice with you on progress, value, and things of joy.”

The United States has announced the resumption of visa processing for international students.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the State Department said applicants will now be required to make their social media profiles “public” as part of the vetting process.

It added that failure to adjust privacy settings to “public” could be interpreted as an attempt to hide online behavior, which may negatively affect the visa decision.

“Our overseas posts will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applications soon. Applicants should check the relevant embassy or consulate website for appointment availability,” the statement reads.

“Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.

“To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’.”

The department emphasized the importance of vigilance during the visa process to ensure applicants do not pose a threat to American citizens or national interests, and that they clearly demonstrate eligibility for the visa and intent to comply with its terms.

In May, the Trump administration had paused student visa appointment scheduling as part of broader efforts to tighten controls on applicants considered potentially hostile to the US.