By Felix Umande

The Catholic Bishop of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya, has ordered the indefinite closure of four Catholic institutions in Ihugh, Benue State, and withdrawn pastoral agents following repeated attacks, arson and insecurity.

The decision, contained in a letter and decree dated October 12, takes immediate effect and affects St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Center and St. Winifred Parish, Ihugh.

In the pastoral letter, Avenya described the withdrawal as painful but necessary to protect lives, stressing it was not motivated by anger or retaliation.

“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her Priests, Consecrated Persons, Teachers, Medical personnel, Students and Patients to danger,” he said.

The bishop cited repeated disturbances including the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10 and 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026, recurrent burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital. He recalled that during the reopening of the hospital on June 21, 2024, some persons displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that Reverend Sisters leave Ihugh.

Avenya said the Diocese had engaged the host community, traditional rulers, elders and security authorities to find lasting peace, but without security guarantees.

The decree directs the withdrawal of priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners, while teaching and non-teaching staff, medical personnel and administrators are to be redeployed through appropriate diocesan offices.

It also orders safeguarding of diocesan property, transfer of parish registers and archives to the diocesan archives, and reverent removal of the Blessed Sacrament, sacred vessels and other sacred objects under supervision.

The bishop said arrangements would be made to minimise impact on students, patients and staff. Students are to be assisted to continue education in other Catholic schools in the Diocese, while patients at St. Thomas Hospital will be referred to other facilities, especially those needing urgent care. Affected staff, he said, would be treated with justice and charity.

Addressing Catholics in Ihugh, he declared:

“To our Catholic faithful in Ihugh: do not lose heart. Your Baptism is not lost with a building, nor is your faith diminished by the closing of a door.”

He appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders, government and security agencies to restore peace and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, adding that return is conditional on genuine repentance, restitution and credible assurances of safety.

“This decision is a painful one, but it is not a final farewell,” he said.

Avenya called for intensified prayers for peace and designated Friday, October 23 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and reconciliation.

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), Dr. Eferebo Sylvanus has been honoured with the Maritime Innovation and Technology Leadership Award at the 15th Democracy Heroes Award Africa.

Eferebo received the honour at the ceremony held at the weekend at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, in recognition of his professional leadership and contributions to marine engineering, naval architecture and maritime technology.

The award comes amid growing calls for Nigeria to harness its maritime resources through indigenous expertise, technological advancement and research-driven industrial development.

The Democracy Heroes Award Africa, now in its 15th edition, recognises individuals making contributions across different sectors.

Eferebo’s recognition places a spotlight on a specialised but strategically important profession whose impact extends beyond engineering into industrial development and the wider blue economy.

As Nigeria continues to explore new opportunities in maritime trade, offshore energy and shipbuilding, the challenge will be ensuring that professional recognition is matched by sustained investment in research, infrastructure, training and the practical application of homegrown technology.

With more than two decades of experience in engineering consultancy and technical leadership, Eferebo leads NIMENA, a professional body committed to advancing marine engineering through research, education, technical standards and industry collaboration.

His academic background includes a Bachelor of Technology in Marine Engineering, a master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Ship Construction, and a doctorate in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding from Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Beyond his professional credentials, Eferebo has built a career around developing technical solutions for Nigeria’s maritime and offshore industries.

He is the founder and chief executive officer of Somatrix Marine Limited, an engineering consultancy involved in marine consulting, ship design, marine surveys, construction management and research and development.

His leadership extends to engineering regulation and policy development, including work on maritime engineering standards and local content development.

By Saint Mugaga

A Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has struck out a criminal complaint against the disputed National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam , over alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to the party.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Amauche Onyedum, declined jurisdiction in the case, holding that the allegations, which relate to the internal affairs and financial transactions of the political party, require determination by a High Court.

The ruling was delivered at the District Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, in case number DCC/10/2026.

The complaint was filed by Dr. Sodiq Abubakar against Gabam and another defendant, Chukwuma Okechukwu, over alleged criminal breach of trust under Sections 311 and 312 of the Penal Code Law.

Abubakar initiated the direct criminal complaint on January 15, 2026, following a report by the SDP Disciplinary Committee, which allegedly found that the defendants conspired to divert funds belonging to the party.

In his statement on oath, the complainant alleged that the defendants were involved in the misappropriation of party funds through transactions and payments authorised by Gabam without due process.

The complainant appeared as the first prosecution witness, adopted his witness statement and tendered documents before the court.

However, after examining the complaint and the evidence presented, the magistrate raised the issue of jurisdiction on her own motion, questioning whether the court had the authority to entertain the case.

Although the court acknowledged that the Penal Code Law ordinarily provided for the prosecution of criminal breach of trust before a Magistrate Court, it held that the circumstances of the case required a more extensive examination of the party’s internal processes, financial records and the findings of its disciplinary committee.

The court said determining the allegations would involve examining the responsibilities of the party’s leadership and whether the defendants acted outside the provisions of the SDP constitution.

Relying on the Supreme Court decision in Kraus Thompson Organisation Ltd. v. NIPSS (2004) 17 NWLR (Pt. 901) 44, the court held that specific legal provisions governing a subject matter take precedence over general provisions.

It also cited Tumbido v. INEC (2023) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1907) 301 in considering the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.

The magistrate consequently held that the matter was more appropriately suited for determination by a High Court and declined jurisdiction.

The complaint was therefore struck out.

Sandra Agba appeared for the complainant, while Yahaya Mukaila Mavo represented the defendants.