Our Reporter 

Bayelsa State Government and the South-South Governors Forum (SSGF) have extended their condolences to the government and people of Delta State on the passing of a former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

They also commiserated with the Uduaghan family, his wife, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan and their children, on the painful loss.

Dr. Uduaghan died on Monday, October 19, 2026 aged 71.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who is also chairman of the SSGF, said the state and the South-South governors received the news with a profound sense of sorrow.

They described Uduaghan as an exceptional public servant, who was committed to the transformation of Delta State before, during his time as governor and after he left office.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State and the South-South Governors Forum, I extend our deepest condolences to our brother-governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the people of Delta State over the death of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

“We also express our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Uduaghan family, his wife and children.

“The late former governor was reputed as an exceptional public servant, a consummate bridge-builder and a gentleman.

“His shining legacies, remarkable leadership and people-centred governance style endeared him to many in Delta State and beyond.”

Governor Diri prayed that the Almighty God comfort the family and the people of Delta State at this moment and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Our Reporter 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced a man, Sunday Frank to 40 years imprisonment for spying for late notorious bandit leader in Benue State, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana.

Frank was convicted and sentenced by  Justice Hawa Yilwa after he confessed that he served as a spy for the notorious bandit leader in Benue State.

Gana, who reportedly began as part of a militia group defending Benue communities against attacks by suspected herdsmen, was killed in September 2020 by security operatives.

In a four-count charge brought before the court by the federal government, it was alleged that the convict, Frank, who hails from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, monitored and provided information to Gana about the movement of security agents.

It alleged that the convict’s coverage for Gana spanned Benue and Taraba states.

Specifically, in the charge, which was personally prosecuted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, it was alleged that the convict had also kidnapped one Samuel in 2022 and held him hostage until the sum of N40,000 was paid for his release.

He was accused of committing offences contrary to sections 21 and 24 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (TPPA) 2022.

Even though the defendant denied counts 1, 2 and 3 of the charge, which related to his alleged involvement in abduction, he pleaded guilty to count 4, which related to providing information to the Benue bandit leader.

Following his plea, the AGF applied for the counts the defendant denied to be struck out, a request the court granted.

Afterwards, the prosecution produced a witness who told the court that he was part of the team that investigated the defendant. 

He mounted the witness box and reviewed the facts of the case.

The witness, simply identified as “AAA” after the court gave the FG permission to shield his real name, said the defendant had confessed to being a bandit and an informant to the late Gana.

He said the defendant, who was arrested in 2022, admitted that aside from giving updates on the movement of security agents to Gana, he also confessed to his involvement in banditry and participation in the abduction of two persons.

According to the witness, the defendant’s confessions were both oral and written.

The government’s application to tender the statement in evidence was not opposed by the defence lawyer, Mr. Y. Y. Shullai.

Consequently, trial Justice Hawa Yilwa admitted and marked the defendant’s statement as Exhibit A.

The witness further told the court that his team investigated the defendant’s activities and filed a report.

The report was tendered and admitted as Exhibit B.

In his submissions, the AGF stressed that, in view of the defendant’s confession and the exhibits, he should be convicted on count 4 of the charge, to which he pleaded guilty.

The AGF described the offence as very serious, noting that the law prescribes a punishment of at least 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment.

“I urge my lord to hand down a sentence of not less than 30 years. This is a very serious offence.

“If it is not nipped in the bud, a whole generation of our security operatives can be wiped out by people like this providing information about their movement,” the AGF added.

He further drew the court’s attention to the fact that count 4 of the charge related to section 13 of the TPPA.

The defence counsel, who is from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN), said he was not opposed to the AGF’s submissions.

Therefore, Justice Yilwa found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to 40 years in prison, starting from the day of his arrest.

The court held that the convict should, upon completing his prison term, be subjected to a rehabilitation and deradicalisation programme.

The case is part of the ongoing mass trial of detained terror suspects.

Abubakar Kabir 

The Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, has recorded a success rate of over 80 per cent in the ninth batch of its In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) programme, reaffirming the hospital’s commitment to providing accessible fertility treatment.

The programme coordinator, Dr. Agulebe Chiahemba, who made the disclosure in Makurdi, explained that the ninth batch comprised 32 participants aged between 32 and 55 years, highlighting the hospital’s continued efforts to support couple’s experiencing infertility.

According to the coordinator, the hospital is providing a comprehensive IVF services, supported by fully functional laboratory and theatre facilities, as well as preservation equipment for storing eggs, sperm and embryos.

Doctor Chiahemba, added that  the process begins with evaluating both partners with the Male assessment including seminal fluid analysis and treatment of any detected infection, while the woman’s womb is examined for conditions such as fibroids or fluid accumulation that could hinder embryo implantation.

“Although the programme receives no direct financial support, the hospital’s management has significantly reduced its cost. The technical fee stands at ₦700,000, which is  among the lowest in the country”, Dr Chiahemba stated.

In a statement in Makurdi, the Information Officer ll in the Public Relations and Protocol Department, BSUTH, Anthonia Iwuese Yaikyu, quotes Dr Chiahemba as encouraging couple seeking fertility treatment to take advantage of the programme, describing IVF services at BSUTH as almost free and accessible with a commendable success rate. 

The statement reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to helping couple to achieve their dream of parenthood.

It will be recalled that the programme was introduced in 2023 under the leadership of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Stephen Terungwa Hwande, while the programme commenced its first batch in March 2024.