It is established that federations or the practice of federalism differ from nation to nation. The practice and structures as well as the challenges they throw up are often shaped by historical experiences, resources, the balance of political forces, the pressing need for a firm political arrangement, and the premium placed on unity, accommodation, stability and collective progress. In other words, one can say with some certainty, that federalism in practice is always a work in progress.

The scheduled Tuesday ward congresses of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State failed to hold in most parts of the state due mainly to lack of materials, crowd violence and alleged imposition of candidates without recourse to laid down procedures and congress guidelines.

There is now a groundswell of complaints by clients in Aba, Abia State, who accuse their lawyers of defrauding them of huge sums of money.

TRAGEDY struck the sleepy Ameke Abam Community in Arochukwu local government area of Abia State Wednesday as one of its prominent sons and a foremost civil rights activist, Comrade Chidi Nwosu, was killed in cold blood in his house.

A non governmental organisation, Access to Justice, AJ, has accused the government of Nigeria of not paying enough attention to the numerous human rights abuses by the Nigerian Police and other security agencies.

Imo State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 20 persons for various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery and murder.

Convinced that one of the best ways to end prison congestion and quicken justice sector reform is the timely, efficacious and effective exercise of the prerogative of mercy, the 36 state Governors and President Goodluck Jonathan have been called upon to enforce that provision of the constitution.

Enugu State office of INEC says it has taken delivery of 1,000 Direct Data Capture, DDC, machines for the voter registration exercise starting January 15.

Anambra State House of Assembly Wednesday cut short its Christmas and New Year break to hold a plenary during which it passed a bill to alter the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and third alteration of the constitution 2010 for the setting up of a National Industrial Court.

EBONYI State government Wednesday presented a budget proposal of N60.1 billion for the 2011 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for passage into law.