Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

  • LG Allocation: S/Court judgement Nationally Applicable – Ozekhome

    LG Allocation: S/Court judgement Nationally Applicable – Ozekhome

    ... no ambiguity in the judgement to warrant delay in implementation

     

    Constitutional lawyer, Professor Mike Ozekhome has again insisted that the judgment of the Supreme Court which ordered allocations of funds directly to the 774 local governments in Nigeria is enforceable in all parts of the country.

     

    Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights activist said that there was no ambiguity in the judgment to warrant any delay in its implementation.

     

    In a fresh statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the senior lawyer maintained that section 162 of the 1999 Constitution upon which the judgment was predicated, was rightly interpreted by the 7-man panel of Justices of the apex court.

     

    Ozekhome asserts “Many Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike have repeatedly asked me if the Supreme Court was not wrong in its interpretation of section 162(3), (4), (5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution and what happens to the allegedly wrong judgement.

     

    “They want to know if the judgment is superior to the said “clear” provisions of the Constitution and if it is enforceable or capable of being enforced.

     

    “They also want to know how, in the event that I say it is enforceable. My simple answers to both questions are yes, yes and yes.

     

    “Let’s take them one after the other, the judgment of the Supreme Court is superior to the provisions of the Constitution.

    .

    “A law is only what the courts interpret it to be, not what it says on bare paper. That was why Oliver Wendell Holmes Jnr, a very influential civil rights Jurist, Brevet Colonel during the American Civil War and longest serving Justice of the US Supreme Court (1902-1932), who retired from the US Supreme Court at 90, once famously declared;

     

    “The prophesies of what the courts will do in fact, and nothing more pretentious, are what I mean by the law”. In other words, the law, whether constitutional, substantive, statutory, or adjectival, remains what it is-inanimate and dead on paper-until the life and the oxygen of interpretation are breathed into it by a court of law.

     

    “Consequently, it is thus the interpretation which was given by the Supreme Court to the entire section 162 of the Constitution on the sharing procedure between the Federal government, states and the LGs, and not the bare provisions of the Constitution that prevails.

     

    “On the enforceable of the judgment, the answer is also in the affirmative. Section 287 (1) of the 1999 Constitution comes to our rescue by providing that “the decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced by in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons and by courts of subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court”.

     

    “Even if the Supreme Court was wrong in its interpretation of section 162 dealing with the State Joint Local Government Account, the judgement remains binding on all and for all times.

     

    “It is only an amendment of the Constitution under section 9 thereof that can override the decision. No person or authority can decide, whimsically and arbitrarily to disobey the judgement or pick and choose what portions of the judgment to obey or which to discard.

     

    “In Rt Hon Michael Balonwu & Ors V Governor of Anambra State& Ors (2007) 5 NWLR ( Pt 1028) 488, the intermediate court held that “an order of court whether valid or not must be obeyed until it is set aside.

     

    “An order of court must be obeyed as long as it is subsisting by all no matter how lowly or lightly placed in the society. This is what the rule of law is all about, hence the courts have always stressed the need for obedience to court orders”.

     

    “It therefore does not matter that the judgment is downright stupid, illogical or not well researched; or that parties affected do not like it.

     

    “Right or wrong therefore, court judgements must be obeyed until set aside by a higher court, or a challenged section is amended by the Legislature.

     

    “Since no court is higher than the Supreme Court of Nigeria, only an amendment to the Constitution by the NASS under section 9 can override the judgment.

     

    “That was why the same Supreme Court, acutely aware that it is susceptible to mistakes and errors being constituted by mere mortals and not almighty God or angels, once famously declared through late venerable Socrates of the Nigerian Bench, Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, in the causa celebre of Adegoke Motors Ltd v Adesanya (1989) NWLR ( Pt 109) 250, that “the Supreme Court is final not because it is infallible, it is infallible because it is final”.

     

    “On how the Supreme Court judgment is implementable, yhe answer is equally simple. The FG, states and LGs should now meet (and I am told they have been meeting) at FAAC and decide on modalities and procedures of opening up accounts for LGs so that their allocation under section 162 is paid directly to them and not to the joint state LG account that is oftentimes waylaid by state Governors and fleeced without the helpless and hamstrung LGs being able to raise a finger.

     

    “This is not rocket science.That refusal by state governors to remit to the LGs was the ugly mischief the Apex Court judgment sought to cure; and it did so perfectly, loud and clear, in my own humble opinion.

     

    “Inter alia, the Apex Court had declared emphatically that, “by virtue of section 162(3) and (5) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999, the amount standing to the credit of LGs in the Federation Account shall be distributed to them and be paid directly to them”; that “a state, either by itself or Governor or other agencies, has no power to keep, control, manage, or disburse in any manner, allocations from the Federation Account to LGs”.

     

    “The Apex Court also granted injunctive orders restraining “Governors and their agents, officials or privies from tampering with funds meant for the LGs in the Federation Account” ; and further ordered “immediate compliance by the states, through their appointed officials and public officers with the terms of the judgment and orders”.

     

    “The apex court further ordered the “Federation or Federal Government of Nigeria through its relevant officials, to forthwith commence the direct payment to each LG of the amount standing to the credit of each of them in the Federation Account”.

     

    “The content, terms and directives contained in this judgement, are in my humble opinion, very straight forward, unambiguous and are as clear and clean as a whistle.

     

    “All parties concerned, – FG, states and LGs- must therefore obey and enforce this judgement immediately. There is no option.I had earlier made public this same opinion of mine.

     

    “I had written and stated on several fora that in my humble understanding of the principles of interpretation, the Supreme Court was right in the interpretation it gave to section 162 of the Constitution, so as to prevent continuation of years of wanton abuse of the provisions of section 162 by state governors.

     

    .”I still stand very firmly by this my earlier opinion.God bless Nigeria as we collectively seek true fiscal federalism and not the present unitary system of government that we are currently operating under the thin guise of federalism”, Ozekhome said.

  • Don’t truncate Mallam Kyari good works at NNPCL- CSOs warn

    Don’t truncate Mallam Kyari good works at NNPCL- CSOs warn

     

    A group that goes by the name of the Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption (GCCLAA), cautions against vested interests in the petroleum industry meddling in the works of the Mallam Mele Kyari led administration at the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

    Addressing the media Wednesday, the head of the Centre, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu told journalists that the coalition, after due evaluation of the record of stewardship of Mr. Kyari and the impact this has had on the Nigerian economy advises that the GMD should be allowed space to run his term.

     

    The group states that under his guidance, NNPC Limited has undergone a significant transformation, with a relentless focus on operational efficiency and productivity that has resulted in increased crude oil production and reserve growth.

    It posited that these achievements have greatly contributed to Nigeria’s energy security and economic development.

    “Mallam Kyari has strengthened strategic partnerships with both local and international stakeholders. This collaborative approach has fostered growth and innovation, positioning NNPC Limited as a premier energy company in Africa and earning widespread respect within the global oil and gas industry.

    “Recognizing the need for sustainable energy solutions, Mallam Kyari has demonstrated foresight and adaptability by expanding NNPC Limited’s portfolio and investments in renewable energy and gas development.

     

     

  • 87 Lawyers elevated to Senior Advocates

    87 Lawyers elevated to Senior Advocates

    The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, (LPPC) has elevated 87 lawyers to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) .
    The rank of SAN is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics.
    The 87 lawyers were conferred with the rank at the 164th Plenary Session of the Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) , Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
    A statement by the Secretary of the LPPC, Hajia Hajo Sarki Bello in Abuja indicated that the 87 lawyers were picked for the award from the 98 lawyers shortlisted last month.
    The statement also revealed that 11 applicants were dropped from the race for undisclosed reasons.
    Similarly, the meeting was said to have considered five different petitions written against some of the applicants and were dismissed for lacking in merit.
     Meanwhile, the new senior lawyers would be inaugurated into the inner bar on September 30 this year.
    The newly elevated lawyers for year 2024 are:
    Lateef Olaseinde Karim, Godwin Tagbo Ike, Johnson Odionu, Nnodim Marcrllinus Duru,
    Innocent Adamd Ovbagbedia, Soronnnadi Anthony Njoku, Adamu Abubakar, Charles Oyaole Musa,Udochi Nunny Iheanacho, David Dare Onietan and Elele Chinatu Casmir.
    Others are Josiah Rapuluchuks Nduka, Godwin Ikechukwu Obeta, Habeeb Orisavbia Ilavbare, Moses Kolade Obafemi, Mathew Echezona Esonanjor, Bsba Fika Dalah, Babatunde Ademoye Sodipo, MustaphaIkhegbe Abubakar, Emmanuel Ibhagbemien Esene, Henry Adedayo Bello,  Boniface Chinedu Moore, Clement Amechi Ezika, 0mokayode Adebayo Dada, Edwin Anikwem and Roy Ogbonnaya Umahi Nwaeze.
    Also on the list are Olumide Oniyire Olugbenga, Monday Onyekachi Unani, Ayoola Olufemi Ajayi, Paul Chukwuma Obi, Olasupo Dominic Ati-John, Cole Segun Ololade, Charles Ayodeji Adeogun-Phillips, 0kechukwu Kingsley Abundance, Ikechukwu Kings, Jacob Ocheogbu Ifere, Emmanuel Aderemi Adekile, Christopher Ehumadu Okeke and Oluronke Adeyemi.
    The list also comprises Oluwole Olawale Afolabi, Toboukebide Kekemeke, Akinbamigbe Adesomoju, Victor Owarienomare Odjemu, Josiah Ojochide Daniel-Ebune, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, Abdulaziz Enebi Ibrahim, Stanley Chidozie Imo, Charles Oladipo Titiloye, Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Kingsley Chuku and Adeyinka Oluwaseun Aderemi.
    Others include Olaolu Akintunde Owolabi, Adedeji Sharafaderen Abdulkadir,
    1dowu Omotunde Benson, Kolawole James Olowookere, Chinasa Thelma Unaegbunam,
    Ademola Oluwawolemi Esan, Omosanya Atilola Popoola, Taiye Ayotunde Oniyide
    Emonye Oga Adekwu, Aderemi Oguntoye, Kashopefoluwa Olawale Balogun, Abdul Adamu and Theodore Okechukwu.
    Also picked are RILWAN Birnin-Kebbi Umar, Chinenye Ifeanyichukwu Okafor,
    Kaka Sheila Lawan, Abba Muhammed, Wendy Nwenenda Kuku, Ekele Enyinnaya Iheanacho, 0kechukwu George Ekele,  Akinyemi Oliwole Olujinmi and Gyang Yaya Zi and 1dris Abubakar and George Ibrahim.
    The rest are Boonyameen Babajide Lawal, Terkaa Jeremiah Aondo, Tochukwu Peter Tochukwu, Uchenna Uzo Njoku, Paul Babatunde Daudu, Chukwudi Kachukwu Enebeli, Yusuf Olatunji Ogunrinde, Tobechukwu Kenechukeu Nweke, Ademola Kamardeen Abimbola, Yunus Abdulsalam, Mofesomo Ayodej Tayo-Oyetibo and Chukwuemeka Agamadodaigwe Nnawuvhi. The only successful academic applicant is Profesdor Gamu Oke Adeyemi.
  • Court hears suit against seizure of Arik Aircrafts, properties August 5

    Court hears suit against seizure of Arik Aircrafts, properties August 5

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Wednesday fixed August 5, for hearing in a suit seeking to stop the seizure of the aircraft and other properties belonging to ArikAir Limited over $2.5 million indebtedness.

    The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) brought the motion on notice to the High Court sequel to Monday’s seizure of Arik aircraft and other assets by the Atlas Petroleum International Ltd and its sponsor.

    AMCON is seeking to stop the continued seizure of the Arik Airlines properties on the grounds that the airline was already under another receivership following its indebtedness to Zenith Bank Plc to the tune of N37.0 billion.

    However, Justice Iheme Nwosu, could not proceed with hearing and determination of the AMCON’s suit against the seizure of the aircraft following the discovery that the Deputy Sheriff was not served with the motion as required by law.

    Deputy Sheriffs are officials of high courts who enforce and execute judgement of courts as stipulated by law.

    Justice Nwosu subsequently fixed August 5 and 12 for hearing of the AMCON’s motion.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after the proceedings, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and counsel to Atlas Petroleum Limited, Sebastian Hon, confirmed that AMCON filed the motion seeking to stop the enforcement of the order against Arik Airline over its huge debt to Atlas Petroleum.

    The senior lawyer observed that while his clients were in the process of enforcement, “AMCON surprisingly, I will say came to intervene that Arik Air is under receivership when they were aware of the matter right from the Lagos High Court to the Supreme Court and the judgments were given against Arik.

    “We are going on with the enforcement as permitted by the law, we will not flout the law or any order of court but as it is, the Minister of Aviation who was served with the enforcement orders has succeeded in grounding two aircraft which are not related to the application AMCON brought to court to stop the enforcement.

    A former judge of the FCT High Court now in Court of Appeal, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi had on June 26, 2024, issued an order directing the attachment and sale of all movable properties of the Arik Air Limited found within the jurisdiction of the court.

    Consequently, the judgement creditor in enforcing the order of the court had seized aircraft, hangers, especially Boeing 737 with registration numbers: B737.700/5N-MJF, B737.800/5N-MJQ, DASH8.Q400 and 5N-BKK in satisfaction of the $2.5 million debt against the airline

  • BREAKING: It’s Unconstitutional For Govs To Hold LG Funds, Supreme Court Declares

    BREAKING: It’s Unconstitutional For Govs To Hold LG Funds, Supreme Court Declares

    The Supreme Court, on Thursday, declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for Local Government (LG) administrations.

    He said local governments has since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the state governors who act in their stead.

    Justice Agim noted that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.

    He dismissed the preliminary objections of the defendants (state governors).

    The suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, the Federal Government sought an order preventing the governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected councils.

    Justice Agim said the AGF has the right to institute the suit and protect the constitution.

    The apex court consequently directed that Local Government allocation from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them henceforth.

    More to follow

  • EndSARS Protest: ECOWAS Court finds FG guilty of human rights violations

    EndSARS Protest: ECOWAS Court finds FG guilty of human rights violations

    The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) has found the Federal Government guilty of violating the fundamental human rights of youths that participated in the October 2020, EndSARS protest.

    A three-man panel of Justices, had in a unanimous decision, held that there was merit in a suit brought before it by three participants in the protest – Obianuju Catherine Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka.

    Specifically, the court held that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through its security agencies, violated Articles 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ACPHR, pertaining to the right to life, security of person, freedom of expression, assembly and association, prohibition of torture, duty of the state to investigate, and the right to effective remedy.

    The Applicants had, in their suit, alleged that these violations occurred during peaceful protests they held at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State on October 20 and 21, 2020.

    In the judgement delivered by the lead Judge Rapporteur, Justice Koroma Mohamed Sengu, the regional court dismissed the Applicants’ allegation that their right to life as guaranteed under Article 4 of the ACPHR, was violated.

    However, it ordered FG to pay each of the Applicants the sum of N2million as compensation for violations of their security of person, prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, duty to investigate human rights violations, and right to effective remedy.

    Additionally, it held that FG must adhere to its obligations under the ACPHR by investigating and prosecuting its agents responsible for the violations.

    The court ordered FG to, within the next six months, report to it, measures it has taken to implement the judgment.

    The Applicants had alleged that during the peaceful protests against the SARS Unit of the Nigerian Police Force at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State, on October 20 and 21, 2020, the Respondent, committed several human rights violations.

    Triggered by the alleged killing of one Daniel Chibuike, the protests were aimed to address police harassment and brutality.

    In the suit, the 1st Applicant, among other things, told the court that soldiers shot life ammunitions at protesters, resulting in deaths and injuries, which she live-streamed.

    She told the court that subsequently, she started receiving threatening phone calls that forced her not only to go into hiding but also to seek asylum.

    Likewise, the 2nd Applicant, who said she was responsible for the welfare of the protesters, described how soldiers began shooting after a power cut, leading to her hospitalisation due to excessive tear gas she inhaled.

    On her part, the 3rd Applicant narrated how she narrowly escaped being shot and how soldiers refused to allow an ambulance to enter the protest ground to help the injured participants.

    She further told the court that she later witnessed how the victims were neglected without the provision of adequate healthcare for them at the hospital.

    She further submitted that with the help of her colleagues, she eventually took over and started taking care of the victims.

    She alleged that she faced numerous threats and was placed on surveillance by security agents.

    Consequently, all the Applicants prayed the court to issue declaratory reliefs against FG and award compensation to them for the gross violations of their fundamental human rights.

    Meanwhile, in processes it filed before the court, FG, through its team of lawyers, denied all the allegations and claims that were made up by the Applicants.

    It told the court that the protesters unlawfully assembled at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, under the guise of protesting against SARS.

    FG also maintained that its agents followed strict rules of engagement and did not shoot or kill protesters.

    It argued that the 1st Applicant incited the crowd by playing music and using her Instagram page to stir disaffection against law enforcement agents who were targeting escapee members of Boko Haram and bandits.

    FG further contended that the 2nd Applicant’s provision of logistics and welfare packages indicated her support for the violent protest.

    It claimed that soldiers were present to restore peace until the police arrived, denying any harm inflicted on protesters and the alleged refusal to access the ambulance.

    More so, FG denied that the 3rd Applicant’s presence was peaceful, asserting it was meant to escalate violence.

    It argued that the treatment and care of the injured were managed by the Lagos State government, insisting that the Applicants failed to provide credible evidence to support their claims and the reliefs they sought from the court.

    In its judgment on Wednesday, the court held that it could not establish that there was a violation of the right to life as the Applicants failed to adduce any evidence to that effect.

    Nevertheless, it held that several articles of the ACHPR were breached by the Respondent (FG), which occasioned fundamental breaches of human rights.

    Furthermore, the Court said it was satisfied that the Applicants were denied the right to an effective remedy.

    It ordered FG to make reparations to the Applicants for the violation of their fundamental human rights.

    Other members of the panel that concurred with the lead judgement were Justice Dupe Atoki, who presided, and Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves

  • CJN inaugurated 22 Appeal, 12 FCT courts justices .. Charges them to be upright

    CJN inaugurated 22 Appeal, 12 FCT courts justices .. Charges them to be upright

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Wednesday, charged the newly inaugurated 22 Appeal Court and 12 FCT high court justices to be upright in the discharge of thier duties in the temple of Justice.

    The CJN reminded the justices that they have taken the oath of allegiance to the dictates of the Almighty God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, therefore, should deliver justice to Nigerians without fear or favour.

    “It is a solemn pledge and commitment to good conduct in the course of your adjudication, especially as senior judicial officers in the appellate court.

    ‘The number of Justices that we have just sworn-in today is quite unprecedented in the recent history of the Court of Appeal. The last time we had a large number like this was on Monday, 28 June, 2021, when 18 Justices were sworn-in. That was preceded by that of Monday, 5th November,2012 when 12 Justices were inaugurated.

    “Today’s ceremony is an indication of the perilous times that we are currently in, which has resulted in an upsurge in litigation.

    “Several unfathomable crimes are being committed in the country, aside from the usual political matters that have made litigations to go on alarming rise.

    “No Court in the land is spared of this litigation deluge, as it were. We are constantly on our toes and the dockets are ever increasing in response tO the challenges of the time.

    “This underscores the tact that Nigeria is fast emerging as a frontline crime-infested country that we all have to urgently curtail.

    “The enormous task of cleaning the Augean stable rests squarely on Your Lordships. So, you must hastily fasten your belt and roll up your sleeves to face the challenges head-on. In other words, you should hit the ground speeding at a supersonic velocity; and not just running.

    “You must redouble your pace to catch up with the expectations of the sprawling community of litigants. As judicial officers, you have a divine mandate on earth that you must discharge with unveiled honesty and sincerity. You must give good account of yourselves to justify your elevation to the Court ot Appeal.

    “In the next couple of months, we shall be having two governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, respectively. As usual, the Courts will be besieged with Plethora of petitions. It is our statutory duty to hear all matters that come before us and adjudicate according to the laws of the land.

    “We must not falter; and we must not tread the path of infamy. Yes, it is true that we cannot please everyone through our actions and work, but with the right application of the law and the Constitution of the land, which we all have collectively pledged to uphold, we can go a long way to do those things that our conscience will be very proud ot; and the generality of the Nigerian citizens will equally be happy about.

    “Every position we attain in life always avails us that unique opportunity to do something novel and impactful, especially if there was any previous act of wrongdoing or misapplication of discretion.

    “With Your Lordships’ elevation to the higher Bench today, you have to be very mindful of the enormous confidence the public is now reposing in you vis-a-vis their expectations.

    “Like we often say, to whom much Is given, much is expected. Your Lordships must not rest on your oars, as the onus now lies more heavily on you to discharge your judicial duties more dispassionately and transparently.

    “So, you must, individually and collectively, guide your loins to do more to earn lasting trust and integrity. Your conduct and disposition must tally with the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of the citizenry.

    “I have made it known at different fora that we have been treated to an unpalatable cocktail ot misleading and conflicting judgments as well as trivolous interlocutory orders emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdictions, which have literally attempted to make a mockery of our judicial system and flagrantly desecrate the revered Temple of Justice.

    “Several cases of such abound across the length and breadth of the country. This is, largely, an embarrassment to our jurisprudence, and we win never handle it with levity. Punitive measures must detinitely be meted out to such erring Judges.

    “We have already activated the process of reining-in such errant Judges with a view to making them face the consequence of their despicable and odious conduct.

    “As Judicial Officers, we have to continually remind Ourselves the fact that we are not occupying our respective positions to serve ourselves, but the Nigerian masses; and the best way we can serve them is by doing what will make them feel safe in our hands and also trust us to always deliver the right judgments that will not be tainted by sentiments, emotions or other clandestine considerations.
    congratulate

    “Your Lordships for making the list and wish you the best that you can achieve in this strategic position you now occupy”, the CJN said.

    Those inaugurated into the bench of the appellate court by the CJN, are:

    Abdullahi Muhammad Liman from Nasarawa State; Abiodun Azeem Akinyemi from Ogun State; Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi from Oyo State; Zainab Bage Abubakar from Kebbi State; Isaq Mohammed Sani from Kaduna State; Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo from Lagos State; and Ngozika U. Okaisabor from Imo State respectively.

    Others are: Donatus Nwaezuoke Okorowo from Enugu State; Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola from Kogi State; Polycarp Terna Kwahar from Benue State; Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike from Rivers State; Fadawa Umaru from Borno State; Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola from Oyo State; Ntong Festus Ntong from Akwa Ibom State; Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi from Edo State; and Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba from Abia State.

    The rest are Abdu Dogo from Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Abdulazeez M. Anka from Zamfara State; Owibunkeonye Onwosi from Ebonyi State; Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf from Kwara State; Victoria Toochukwu Nwoye from Anambra State; and Enenche Eleojo from Kogi State.

  • Bello/EFCC: Present your case transfer to Lokoja request in open court – CJ …Says defendant has pending appeal bordering on jurisdiction before Appeal Court

    Bello/EFCC: Present your case transfer to Lokoja request in open court – CJ …Says defendant has pending appeal bordering on jurisdiction before Appeal Court

    …’It’s improper to take any step that will amount to pre-empting Appeal outcome’

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Terhembe Tsoho, has directed that the request by a former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for the transfer of the alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to Kogi State be presented in open court.

    In a letter addressed to Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN and Musa Yakubu, SAN, the Chief Judge drew the attention of the former governor’s counsels to a pending appeal in the case: Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs FRN wherein the defendant had sought a consequential order remitting the case to the Chief Judge for reassignment.

    The letter, signed by Special Assistant to the CJ, Joshua Ibrahim AJI, Esq, said as a result of this, it would be improper to take any step that would be tantamount to pre-empting the outcome of the Appeal.

    “There is documentary evidence of a pending appeal in the case Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs FRN filed on 17/05/2024 wherein the defendant as Appellant has sought a consequential order remitting the case to the Chief Judge for reassignment. It is not proper to take any step that will tantamount to pre-empting the outcome of the Appeal.

    “The main issue raised is jurisdictional in nature and will be more appropriately decided by the court. The matter should therefore be presented in open court,” the CJ stated.

    The Chief Judge noted that the main offence alleged bordered on conversion of Kogi State funds to purchase properties in Abuja, and that the filing of the charge could either be in Abuja or Lokoja.

    He referred to two ongoing cases before the FHC in charge No FHC/ABJ/CR/550/22 FRN Vs Ali Bello and another, and another charge, FRN Vs Ali Bello and 3 others, where a similar request for transfer was made and the lower court refused the application.

  • Nigeria records 106, 604 human rights abuses in June alone – NHRC

    Nigeria records 106, 604 human rights abuses in June alone – NHRC

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Monday, revealed that Nigeria recorded a total of 106, 604 reported human rights abuses in the month of June alone.

    The rights abuses comprised 1,667 children abandonment and killing of 19 security personnel during the period.

    NHRC, through its Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN) said that the figure of the human rights abuses in June was the highest in the past six months.

    This was made known at the 6th edition of the monthly human rights dashboard of the Commission in Abuja.

    Ojukwu said that he increase was disturbing but not unexpected in view of the circumstances of the situation in the country.

    He called on the state governors to rise to the protection of the fundamental rights of the citizens in their States adding that, the Commission itself would collaborate more with traditional rulers and Civil Society Organisations to raise the campaigns against human rights abuses.

    Ojukwu noted with regret the increase in the extra-judicial killings in the country where he said Ebonyi and the Federal Capital Territory topped the list during the period.

    Giving the breakdown of the reported 106, 604 human rights abuses, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to the NHRC Executive Secretary, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna explained that things are not going well in the country and that the increase in rights abuses called for more action.

    Ogbonna said that the North Central still topped the table on the human rights abuses with a record of 29, 462, closely followed by South South with 21, 603.

    Ogbonna explained that the South West recorded 18, 458, North West recorded 15, 101, North East, 12, 907, while South East recorded the lowest of 9, 164 reporter cases of human rights violation.

    On the extra judicial killings, Ogbonna regretted that killing for blasphemy was recorded in Bauchi, another killed in Ondo state for infidelity and the stabbing of a wife’s lover to death in Ogun state, while the recorded ones in Edo are related to cultism.

    He said that three different attacks were carried out on Police stations with FCT having one, while Ebonyi recorded two and appealed to Nigerians to stop attack on security operatives.

    He also reminded me that mob actions and jungle justice are against Nigeria laws and should therefore be stopped.

    On bomb related matters, he said Borno topped the list with two twin bomb explosions at wedding ceremonies where some people were killed, while Kaduna, Benue, Katsina and Plateau also have their own share in the terrorism related killings in the month of June.

    The human rights expert the Commission is concerned with the high level of violation of the fundamental rights of women and children in the country.

    Responding to a question on the 1, 667 abandoned children, the NHRC boss blamed the trend on the economic situation but however explained that, the economic situation should not be a good be a reason for innocent children to be abandoned.

    Ojukwu said the Commission is partnering with stakeholders to provide shelter for the abandoned children while efforts are made to discover the parents of the children.

  • CJN to swear-in 12 new Judges for FCT High Court, July 10

    CJN to swear-in 12 new Judges for FCT High Court, July 10

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will on Wednesday July 10, swear-in the newly appointed 12 Judges for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The inauguration of the jurists has been slated to hold at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at 10am.

    A statement by the Director of Information and Press of the Supreme Court, Dr Akande Festus indicated that the new Judges are Buetnaan Mandy Bassi from Plateau State; Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo from Kwara State; Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi from Lagos State; Iheabunike Anumaenwe Godwin from Imo State and Odo Celestine Obinna from Enugu State and Hauwa Lawal Gummi from Zamfara State respectively.

    The rest are Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh from Bayelsa State; Maryam Iye Yusuf from Kogi State; Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria from Oyo State; Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike from Rivers State; Ibrahim Tanko Munirat from Bauchi State and Abdulrahman Usman from Taraba State.