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The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Thursday impeached Mukhtar Isa Hazo, representing Milgoma constituency and in his place elected Isaac Auta, from Kauru. Hazo was until his election, the House Committee Chairman on Local Government and Chieftain Affairs before his election as Deputy Speaker in February, 2020. The 24-member Assembly passed a vote of no confidence in Hazo. There was, however, a mild drama during the inauguration of the new deputy speaker when a member attempted to snatch the maze, the symbol of authority of the House, which led to exchange of blows among lawmakers. The attempt was foiled by other lawmakers and the Clerk of the Assembly promptly administered the oath of office on Auta. Another member, Liman Dahiru, representing Makera constituency, made a second attempt to seize the maze after the inauguration, but his efforts were equally thwarted by the Sergeant at Arms and other chamber staff and lawmakers.

Ekiti State Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, has set free 33 inmates of the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti. The beneficiaries comprised 18 awaiting trial inmates, 13 convicts and two others who were granted bail. Daramola said his visit to the correctional centre was in line with the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, to decongest the correctional centres across the country and reduce the spread of the ravaging COVID-19. A statement from the Chief Registrar of Ekiti State Judiciary, Mr Johnson Apuabi, stated, “The 13 convicts were granted amnesty based on old age. Others were pardoned based on the fact that their jail terms were near completion. “In all, 334 cases were reviewed; 18 were pardoned based on lesser offences committed ranging from burglary to stealing and theft, while two were granted bail on liberal terms.”

The Niger State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammad Jibril Imam, has disclosed that 33 members of the party may be facing expulsion and other disciplinary measures. Briefing reporters in Minna, the state capital, Imam said these members had taken the Party to court without exhausting all avenues for reconciliation and settlement. He said: “We have had running battles in the court of law regarding internal cases. Our members who lost primaries took the party to court. There are 33 internal cases from those who are dissatisfied with our primaries and have gone to court.” The chairman said the party had won all the cases as the cases have been struck out by the court, in favour of APC.” He said the party had decided to invoke the constitutional provision of the party which stated that once a member takes the Party to court without exhausting all avenues, the person ceases to be a member of the party. Imam added: “We are not unaware of the constitution...

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Farouq , has said the Federal government will be using BVN/Bank accounts and mobile phone records to identify poor and vulnerable Nigerians who would receive the Conditional Cash Transfer in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.  She disclosed this while responding to questions at the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 today Tuesday April 21. She noted that this digital measure will be faster and will make the distribution more effective. “We are using other models including BVN to identify bank accounts. We are also using mobile phone networks to identify poor and vulnerable people in the society. This is going to be faster, transparent and give room for more accountability” she said

A private hospital in Lekki Phase One area of Lagos, Vedic Lifecare, has said two of its staff tested positive for COVID-19. The hospital in a statement on Monday said the staff contracted the disease after treating a patient, who unknowingly had COVID-19. It said, “Dear customers and visitors, approximately 10 days ago, we had an in-patient who later tested positive for COVID 19 after discharge. “As per protocols set by NCDC, we have tested our staff who have come in contact with the COVID-19 positive patient and unfortunately, we have had two staff members who tested positive yesterday. “The patient and our staff are now being managed by the NCDC at their isolation centre. “Till this moment, they do not show any symptoms. As per the government COVlD-19 management protocol, the facility is currently closed for decontamination of the building and fumigation activities. “This may take up to three to four days. We are currently testing the remaining staff members of th...