A High Court in Lokoja has ordered the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to pay ₦1 billion in a defamation suit filed by former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Daily Voice News recalls that Bello had sued Natasha for defamation of character during an interview with ARISE Television

In the Certified True Copy of the judgment obtained by NAN and dated April 23, in Lokoja, the court held that based on the preponderance of evidence or balance of probabilities, judgment was entered in favour of the claimant.

While delivering his judgment in the suit marked “HCL/16/2023”, on Friday, Justice A. S. Ibrahim held that upon the conclusion of the suit, the two issues formulated for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant.

The court also gave “an order of perpetual injunction against the Defendant, [his] agents, privies or associates”, restraining them from further issuance of the defamatory statements or words against the claimant on TV or radio stations.

The court stated, “The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme of ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation.

“The said interview of 4/11/2022 in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.

“The sum of one billion naira (N1,000,000,000) only (is) awarded as damages against the Defendant and in favour of the Claimant.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has appointed Onsachi Idris as his Senior Special Assistant on Procurement

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

According to the statement, Idris, who retired from the civil service on April 24, 2026, “is a seasoned public servant with over 30 years of experience in administration, finance, and public sector procurement management.”

The statement noted that Idris was appointed Director of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Procurement Department in July 2021, following his earlier role as Director of Common Services (Procurement) in August 2019.

The statement said Idris “played critical roles in overseeing procurement processes and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards” during his time in office.

It added that “over the years, Idris has gained extensive experience across key administrative and procurement functions, contributing to institutional efficiency and service delivery.”

The statement stated that the appointment takes immediate effect.

According to a report by Telegraph, on Thursday April 23, 2026, Israel’s defence minister has declared the country stands prepared to resume military operations against Iran, but only upon receiving authorisation from the Trump administration, as tensions between the two nations continue to simmer beneath a fragile ceasefire.

The statement came amid fresh alarm in the Iranian capital on [date], after Iranian state media reported that explosions were heard above Tehran and air defence systems were activated across the city. The developments immediately triggered speculation of a new Israeli strike, drawing swift attention from regional observers and international monitors tracking the volatile situation.

However, a source within the Israeli military moved quickly to dismiss those claims. Speaking to Israeli outlet Ynet, the source firmly stated that Israel had not carried out any attacks on Iran, offering a direct contradiction to the wave of concern that had swept through diplomatic circles following the reports from Tehran.

A ceasefire between the two countries has been in effect since April 8, and Israeli officials have so far indicated no public breach of that agreement. Despite this, the defence minister’s earlier remarks have raised serious questions about how durable that truce remains, particularly given its apparent dependency on political decisions emanating from Washington.

The reference to a required “green light” from the Trump administration underscores the degree to which Israeli military calculations are now intertwined with American foreign policy direction. Analysts note that this framing places significant weight on Washington’s posture toward Tehran, effectively making U.S. political will a trigger mechanism for potential renewed hostilities in the region.

Iran has not officially responded to the Israeli defence minister’s statement at the time of reporting. The sounds heard over Tehran, while alarming to residents and regional watchers, remain unexplained by Iranian authorities beyond initial media reports of activated air defences.

The situation reflects the precarious nature of the current ceasefire, with both nations maintaining high military readiness even as formal hostilities remain paused. Observers warn that the combination of unexplained aerial activity and bellicose ministerial language represents a dangerous mix that could rapidly destabilise the existing arrangement.