The Cross River State Government has begged landlords across the state to reduce house rents.

The government said landlords should show compassion and restraint over what it described as “frequent and excessive increases in house rents.”

The appeal was made by the Commissioner for Lands, Erasmus Ekpang, while addressing journalists on Monday in Calabar, amid growing concerns over the rising cost of accommodation in Calabar and across the state.

Ekpang urged property owners to reconsider steep rent increases, saying residents were already struggling with the rising cost of food, transportation and other basic needs.

He said, “There is enough suffering in the land already. The People are already struggling with the rising cost of food, transportation and other basic needs.”

According to him, landlords should consider their tenants’ welfare and avoid arbitrary increases that could force families out of homes they have occupied for years.

“I want to urge landlords to consider the welfare of their tenants and avoid arbitrary increases that could force families out of homes they have occupied for years,” he said.

The commissioner further appealed for a reduction in the high cost of rent, adding that many households were finding it difficult to make choices between accommodation and other necessities.

The National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, has issued an interim order restraining the Governor of Benue State, the Benue State Government, the Secretary to the Benue State Government and the Attorney General of Benue State, their agents, servants or privies from seizing, impounding or interfering with the Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles in possession of three former commissioners of Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice before the court.

The former commissioners are; Aondowase Kunde(former Commissioner on Humanitarian Services and Disaster Management), Tiza Orya Imojime(former Commisoner of Works and later Commissioner for Youth and Sports), as well as Hon. Anna Itodo(former Commissioner for Women Affairs).

The Court further ordered the Governor of Benue State, the Benue State Government, the Secretary to the Benue State Government, the Attorney of Benue State and the Director, Department of State Services(DSS) from unlawfully harassing, intimidating or threatening the former commissioners connection with the said vehicles, pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice filed by the former Commissioners before the court.

The court however declined the prayer seeking the unconditional Prohibition against arrest and detention of the former commissioners.

A date for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for the interlocutory injunction will be fixed by the Registry of the court at the earliest practicable date

Justice M.A Hamza gave the orders while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by counsel to the former commissioners, Greg Mbasuen.

In the suit marked NICN/ABJ/291/2026, the three former commissioners who served under Governor Alia are seeking a declaration that they are entitled to the payment of all salaries, allowances, benefits, end-of-tenure benefits, vehicle-related benefits and all other entitlements which accrued to them during their respective appointments and service as Commissioners in the Government of Benue State.

They are seeking a declaration that the failure, refusal and/or neglect of the defendants to calculate, account for and pay them their accrued entitlements
constitutes a breach of the terms and conditions of their respective
appointments and the applicable government policies, circulars and
conditions of service governing the office of commissioner.

The former commissioners are seeking a declaration that they are entitled to have their respective outstanding entitlements calculated, verified and paid in accordance with their letters of appointment, applicable government policies, conditions of service and other relevant instruments.

The applicants are also seeking a declaration that the Governor of Benue State, the Benue State Government, the Secretary to the Benue State Government, the Attorney General of Benue State, and the Director, Department of State Services, Benue State Command cannot lawfully threaten, intimidate, harass, unlawfully arrest, unlawfully detain or otherwise coerce them for the purpose of compelling the return of their respective official vehicles while their entitlements remain unpaid and the civil dispute unresolved.

Kunde, Imojime and Mrs Itodo are further seeking a declaration that the alleged telephone threat communicated to them substantially in the following words:
“You have been invited to return your official cars and you have failed. If we
don’t see you before Thursday, we will fish you out and deal with you,” is unlawful, oppressive, intimidating and inconsistent with the former commissioners constitutional rights and the rule of law.

They are seeking an order directing the defendants to calculate, verify and pay to each of them all outstanding salaries, allowances, benefits, end-of-tenure
entitlements and other sums found due under their respective appointment
terms and the applicable government policies.

The plaintiffs are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, officers, privies or any person acting on their instructions from threatening, harassing, intimidating, unlawfully arresting, unlawfully detaining or otherwise coercing the Claimants in connection with the demand for the return of their respective official vehicles.

Kunde, Imojime and Itodo are further seeking general damages in the sum of ₦100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) jointly and severally in their favour for the threats, intimidation, harassment and unlawful interference with their peace and
personal liberty, among other reliefs.

Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Musbawu Amodu, for allegedly beating his 20-year-old wife to death over her refusal to cook.

Police spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the incident occurred in the Angwan Yahaya area of Agyaragu. The deceased reportedly leaves behind two young children—a boy and a girl.

According to the police, the suspect was apprehended after a report was made at the Agyaragu Police Division alleging that he had fatally assaulted his wife.

During questioning, Musbawu Amodu allegedly admitted that an argument broke out after his wife reportedly refused to cook, leading to a physical altercation that ended in her death. Police said the suspect has expressed regret over the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia for a comprehensive and expedited investigation.

He assured residents that the law would take its course and that the suspect would be prosecuted once investigations are completed.

The Police Commissioner also condemned the killing, describing it as a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy. He called on couples to resolve disagreements peacefully through dialogue and patience, emphasizing that domestic violence has no place in society and that no dispute should ever result in the loss of a human life.