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Abuja Doctors Issue Two-Week Ultimatum to Minister Wike, Threaten Hospital Shutdown
The Abuja Resident Doctors have delivered a two-week ultimatum to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, warning of a potential hospital shutdown if their demands remain unaddressed.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, George Ebong, President of the FCTA Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), acknowledged Wike’s efforts in improving infrastructure within the city but lamented the situation of the doctors, referring to them as “abandoned projects.” He remarked, “While he addresses infrastructural concerns, we are the human abandoned projects.”
Ebong highlighted that the “injustice” faced by doctors is unprecedented in the FCT and cautioned that failure to address these issues could lead to a collapse of the nation’s health sector.
“We urge the minister to resolve these challenges so that doctors can perform to their fullest potential. We had previously issued a 21-day ultimatum last week during our Annual General Meeting, leaving only 14 days remaining,” stated the ARD president.
He expressed concern over the possibility of a severe shutdown that could jeopardize lives, emphasizing the urgency for the minister to respond to their demands promptly.
Among the key demands outlined are the resolution of six months of salary arrears owed to ARD members hired in 2023 and the immediate disbursement of the Medical Residency Training Fund for 2024.
Additionally, the president called for a review of the bonding policy, proposing a reduction from six years to two years.
Ebong also listed several other requests, including the enforcement of the implementation of skipping allowances for members hired in 2023, the immediate payment of the 2024 accouterments allowance, the settlement of outstanding 13 months of hazard allowance arrears, and the expedited conversion of ARD FCTA post-two members to consultants. Furthermore, he urged the FCTA management to accelerate the hiring of healthcare workers to alleviate the manpower shortage in the capital’s hospitals.
He concluded with optimism, stating, “The minister has the capability to address these challenges effectively.”
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its operatives have intercepted an undeclared $1.1 million and 135,900 Saudi Riyals at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
In a statement on Thursday, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS spokesperson, said the undeclared currencies were found concealed in packs of palm dates during a physical examination of the passenger’s luggage.
Maiwada noted that the passenger, who arrived from Saudi Arabia on a Saudi Airline flight No. SV401, was convicted after being charged in court and ordered to forfeit the foreign currencies.
“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currencies have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action,” the statement reads.
“Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.”
The NCS spokesperson added that the seizure reflects customs’ commitment to enforcing monetary regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.
He urged travelers to comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations and ensure they declare their cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country.
“Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties. The service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences,” Maiwada said.
“Under the leadership of the comptroller-general of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, the service remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other transborder crimes.
“This latest seizure highlights the service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.”
In a significant development, the Rivers State House of Assembly has officially launched an investigation into the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, amid serious allegations of age falsification.
The decision was made during a plenary session on Thursday, where lawmakers unanimously voted to invite the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a thorough inquiry into these claims. This resolution, passed by a voice vote, underscores the assembly’s commitment to accountability and transparency in the judiciary.
As the investigation unfolds, details regarding the specific allegations and supporting evidence are anticipated to be released to the public. The DSS is expected to initiate its inquiry promptly, shedding light on this pressing issue.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of blogger, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for “criminal defamation” of a Gospel Artist, Mercy Chinwo.
The magistrate ordered the Nigeria Police Force, together with other law enforcement agencies, to arrest VeryDarkMan and produce him to court to answer to the criminal allegations levelled against him.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025 when VeryDarkMan failed to appear before the magistrate followed a court summons on March 5, 2025 for him to do so.
Although lawyer to VeryDarkMan, Deji Adeyanju, appealed to the Magistrate to rethink the bench warrant and that he would personally produce his client in court, the Magistrate rejected the appeal and insisted that VeryDarkMan be produced in court by security agencies.
The bench warrant stemmed from alleged defamatory statements made by VDM on social media, accusing Chinwo of involvement in a contractual dispute and the purported diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
In support of her claims, Chinwo furnished the court with documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to substantiate that VDM’s allegations were not only entirely false but damning and injurious to her public image and reputation.
The complainant’s lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, Chinwo said the alleged actions of the defendant are contrary to Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.
Chinwo’s counsel had also dragged VDM before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N1.1bn damages against the blogger.
The lawyer sought an order compelling VDM to delete, retract, and issue a public apology for all allegedly false and defamatory statements made against Chinwo and her brand.