Benue Declares One-Week Easter Holiday for Civil Servants

The Benue State Government has approved a one-week Easter holiday for public and civil servants, beginning from Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in a move designed to enable workers to fully participate in Easter celebrations.

The directive was issued by Governor Hyacinth Alia, and took effect from 1:00 p.m. on the stated date.

According to an official circular signed by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Godwin Tighil, on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, workers are expected to resume duties on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

“The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has directed that all Public and Civil Servants should embark on Easter Holiday, effective Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, by 1pm,” the circular stated.

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The government clarified that the holiday does not apply to personnel in essential services, including healthcare workers, security agencies, and other critical sectors. These workers are required to remain on duty to ensure uninterrupted delivery of vital services.

“Those on Essential Services are directed to remain at their duty posts to attend to issues of human and urgent public interests,” the circular added.

The Benue Easter holiday is considered one of the longest breaks granted during the Easter period in recent years, reflecting the administration’s recognition of the importance of the season in the predominantly Christian state.

In his goodwill message, Governor Alia urged residents to reflect on the values of sacrifice, love, and renewal, which define the Easter season. He also called on citizens to continue to pray for peace in Benue State and across Nigeria.

The development has been welcomed by many civil servants, who see the break as an opportunity for rest, spiritual renewal, and family bonding amid current economic realities.

Benue Declares One-Week Easter Holiday for Civil Servants

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Jeremiah Useni’s UK Property to FG

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of a UK property linked to late former FCT Minister, Jeremiah Useni, to the Federal Government, in a ruling that reinforces Nigeria’s push to recover suspected illicit assets.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Binta Nyako granted the application filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), declaring that the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. The forfeited asset is located at No. 79, Randall Avenue, Neasden, London NW2 7SX, in the United Kingdom.

The court held that evidence presented by the CCB showed a clear mismatch between Useni’s legitimate earnings while in public office and the value of the London property. According to the agency, findings from its Financial Investigation and Forensic Accounting Unit (FIFAU) revealed that the late minister’s declared income could not justify the acquisition, indicating the likelihood of undeclared or illicit funds.

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Before the final ruling, the court had granted an interim forfeiture order on November 20, 2025. Following this, a public notice was published inviting anyone with interest in the property to contest the forfeiture. However, no individual or organisation filed any claim within the stipulated timeframe, paving the way for the final forfeiture order. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2333/2025, listed the administrators and executors of Useni’s estate, alongside the property itself, as respondents.

In a related development, the United Kingdom’s First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), in case REF/2023/0155, had earlier ruled that Useni was the beneficial owner of the property. The tribunal found that the property was acquired under a fictitious identity, a move aimed at concealing ownership.

Ownership claims by individuals identified as “Ms Tali Shani” and senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome were dismissed by the tribunal. The court held that documents presented to support the claims were fraudulent and unreliable, further strengthening the case for forfeiture.

Counsel to the CCB, Sufyan Ahmad, anchored the application on provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 and the 1999 Constitution (as amended). In her ruling, Justice Nyako stated that the forfeiture aligns with Nigeria’s legal framework on asset recovery and serves the interest of justice, particularly in cases involving suspected proceeds of corruption.

The judgment underscores the Federal Government’s intensified efforts to trace, recover, and reclaim illicit assets held both locally and abroad. It also highlights increasing collaboration between Nigerian authorities and international legal systems in tackling financial crimes and corruption-linked assets.

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Jeremiah Useni’s UK Property to FG

Teen alleges torture by stepmother, loses hand

A 19-year-old boy, identified as Friday, has accused his stepmother of subjecting him to torture that resulted in the amputation of one of his hands.

Friday’s account was made public in a viral video shared by Nigerian content creator Lucky Udu.

The teenager alleged that the incident occurred while his father was away, during which his stepmother accused him of having an inappropriate relationship with her and demanded that he confess.

He claimed she threatened him with a knife when he denied the allegation.

Friday further alleged that he was taken to a man who accused him of witchcraft and subjected him to torture, including burning his hands over charcoal.

He said his injuries later became infected, but his stepmother allegedly refused to take him to a hospital and instead forced him to continue working.

According to him, a passerby who noticed his condition alerted the police, leading to his rescue and the arrest of the stepmother.

He was subsequently taken to a specialist hospital where doctors amputated his hand due to the severity of the damage.

The incident has generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians calling for justice and stronger protection for vulnerable children.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

Teen alleges torture by stepmother, loses hand