By Fabian Ekeruche

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Natural Justice, with support from African Activists for Climate Justice, has launched a two-day intensive training on climate change litigation for female lawyers across Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the workshop aims to equip women in the legal profession with the knowledge and tools necessary to address climate justice through the courts.

The Country Manager of Natural Justice, Mr Michael Karikpo, at the training on Wednesday in Lagos emphasised the central role of women in climate activism.

Karikpo noted that women were disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.

“There are already legal frameworks like the Climate Change Act and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions that provide avenues for holding duty bearers accountable.

“Yet, the lack of preparedness and transparency, particularly in the management of Nigeria’s ecological fund, remains a significant concern,” Karikpo said.

He also called for the integration of climate change awareness and litigation into the legal education curriculum.

He said that empowering female lawyers was essential in amplifying vulnerable voices and advancing environmental justice.

In his presentation titled: “Climate Change Litigation in Nigeria: An Evolving Trend,” environmental lawyer and consultant Mr Ishaku Mshelia, discussed the critical connection between scientific exposure to climate risks and the legal responses needed.

Mshelia referenced the Paris Agreement and Nigeria’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent.

He described the Climate Change Act as a foundation for legal engagement.

“There is a need to enhance the judiciary’s understanding of climate litigation while strengthening the capacity of lawyers to lead this charge,” Mshelia added.

Mr Sulaimon Arigbabu, the Executive Secretary of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), elaborated on the science of climate change and its severe consequences for Nigeria.

“We are among the least contributors to climate change but face the most devastating effects.

“Science helps us understand the crisis; law helps us respond to it,” Arigbabu said.

He highlighted the role of gas flaring, inadequate policy responses, and weak enforcement mechanisms as urgent issues.

He urged participants to use their legal expertise to challenge injustice and protect the rights of the most affected populations—particularly women and children.

“Your role is not just to fight for laws, but to fight for lives,” Arigbabu added.

NAN reports that the training marks a significant step in promoting gender-inclusive climate justice and building a legal community capable of confronting the climate crisis through strategic litigation and advocacy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Deborah Coker

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos is to begin hearing in a suit challenging the proposed sale of Lafarge Africa Plc to Chinese firm, Huaxin Cement Limited on Wednesday.

‎‎This follows a major legal blow to Lafarge Africa and its parent company, Holcim Group, after the court dismissed a motion seeking to challenge its jurisdiction to hear the case.
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‎The suit was initiated by Strategic Consultancy Limited, a Nigerian firm and shareholder in Lafarge Africa, over what it describes as a “surreptitious” divestment of the company’s 83.81 per cent majority shares held by Holcim Group.
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‎The planned sale to Huaxin Cement, a Chinese-based multinational, is at the centre of the controversy.
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‎The court is expected to examine whether the transaction violates Nigerian laws, including the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.

Others are the Securities and Exchange Commission Act, and the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Act, especially in relation to minority shareholder rights and dealings with foreign entities not registered in Nigeria.
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‎Lafarge Africa, which is publicly listed on the Nigerian Exchange, became a dominant force in the local cement market after acquiring 83 per cent stakes in three former federal government-owned cement firms during the privatisation exercises of 2001 and 2002.
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Holcim Group, a Swiss multinational and majority owner of Lafarge Africa, had notified the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of an ongoing internal restructuring.
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‎However, Strategic Consultancy alleged that the planned share divestment was conducted secretly and without giving local shareholders, including itself, the right of first refusal or opportunity to acquire the shares.
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‎Meanwhile the suit, filed against Lafarge Africa, Holcim Group, the Nigerian Exchange Limited, and the Central Securities Clearing System, argues that the transaction undermines the rights of minority shareholders and involved unlawful dealings with unregistered foreign corporations.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that‎ during the pre-trial session on May 15, presided over by Justice Lewis Allagoa, the court ruled against Lafarge’s preliminary objection contesting its jurisdiction.
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‎The objection, raised by Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN) for Lafarge and Uzoma Azikiwe (SAN) for Holcim Group, was dismissed following arguments from Dr D.A. Awosika (SAN), counsel to Strategic Consultancy Limited.
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‎“The 1st and 2nd defendants’ motion objecting to the court’s jurisdiction is hereby dismissed,” Justice had Allagoa ruled.
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‎However, in a further twist, the court ordered that Caricement BV (Netherlands) and Associated International Cements Ltd (England) be joined as the 5th and 6th defendants, respectively.
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‎Both entities were identified by the respondents as beneficial owners of the shares in question.

“The court also granted leave to serve the new parties with court documents outside Nigeria.
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‎“It is hereby ordered that the persons sought to be joined herein and hereby joined as prayed and leave to issue and serve the originating summons out of jurisdiction is hereby granted,” the judge held. (NAN)‎(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Wandoo Sombo

The Federal High Court of Nigeria says that the final date for the manual filing of new cases in the Lagos Judicial Division will end on June 20 as the e-filling platform will become operational from June 23.

The Chief Registrar of the court, Mr Sulaiman Hassan, said that all cases instituted prior to the go-live date would, however, continue to be processed manually, until judgment was delivered.

“Any lawyer who, either deliberately or inadvertently, understates the amount claimed, or incorrectly declares the number or type of documents filled, thereby causing an under-assessment of prescribed fees, shall be liable to pay the balance due together with a penalty in the sum of ten thousand naira (N10,000) for each filling.”

Hassan also said that to ensure a seamless transition, all legal practitioners are required to obtain their legal mail accounts before the go-live date.

He said this was because possession of a legal mail address was a mandatory prerequisite for access to the e-filling platform.

“Lawyers can visit https://nigerianbar.ng and apply for their Legal Mail.

“Documents that require an oath must be submitted to the court via the e-affidavit platform (https://affidavit.courts.gov.ng) and the deponent must appear before the commissioner for oaths for the administration of the oath.

“It shall be necessary for each law chamber to upload all relevant documents relating to its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on the e-filling platform, while creating the chambers’ profile,” she said.

The chief registrar also said that a two-day interactive session on the e-filling system would be convened to further shed more light on how it can be done seamlessly. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

An FCT High Court, Gwagwalada, on Thursday discharged a former Resident Pastor of First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, Rev. Israel Akanji, and 5 others over alleged misappropriation of N620 million.

Delivering judgment on the case, Justice J. A. Aina, also advised members of the church to embrace reconciliation and resolve internal disputes amicably.

He described the case before the court as a family affair that should never have escalated to the level of litigation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ruling followed a motion by the Defence Counsel, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), who argued that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the prosecution’s failure to file a counter-affidavit rendered the defence’s claims unchallenged and legally admissible.

The judge held that the police failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.

“I have considered the totality of the affidavits and exhibits filed by the Nigeria Police Force. They do not support the continuation of this case.

“We must first settle the issue of jurisdiction. Where there is no jurisdiction, no other issues can survive,” he said.

The judge further stated that by failing to respond to the application, the police effectively conceded to the defence’s claims.

Consequently, he found merit in the application and struck out the charges without awarding costs to either of the parties.

Taking a moral tone after delivering his ruling, Aina urged church members to seek peaceful resolution within their fold.

“This is a family matter that should be resolved internally. As Christians, we must portray the light Christ has shown us. It is not right that such matters find their way into the courtroom,” he said.

NAN further reports that the defendants—Rev. Akanji, Rev. Thomas Ekugbene Takpatore, Mr Babatunde Adebayo, Mrs Adenike Adebayo, Mr Oladele Afolabi and Mrs Gloria Olotu – were standing trial on alleged conspiracy, forgery and misappropriation of the church funds.

The defendants were said to have conspired in 2021 to commit felony, thus violating Section 97 of the Penal Code. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

By EricJames Ochigbo

A university don, Prof. Paul Angya, has recommended the establishment of Judicial Precedent Monitoring and Harmonisation Unit (JPMHU) among other judicial reforms to address divergent court decisions in the country.

Angya, of Birmingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, made the recommendation at a one-day dialogue on judicial reforms on Tuesday in Abuja.

The dialogue was titled, “One Judgment, Many Meanings: Navigating the Divergent Interpretation of Court Decisions in Nigeria.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

In a paper titled “The Effect of Divergent Interpretations of the Decisions of Courts on Legal Certainty and the Rule of Law in Nigeria,” Angya called for strict enforcement of hierarchy, legislative clarity and drafting precision among others.

He said that the cumulative effect of such judicial dissonance is a breakdown of legal certainty, saying that predictability is the cornerstone of the Rule of Law.

The don said that it leads to forum shopping by litigants in pursuit of favourable interpretations and delays in justice delivery due to conflicting precedents.

 Angya said that it also leads to confusion among law enforcement agencies on which decision to apply and loss of public confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice consistently.

The don said that there was an urgent need for Nigerian courts, especially at the intermediate and lower levels, to fully comply with the doctrine of stare decisis.

Citing the Supreme Court Judgment in the case of Osakuev verses Federal College of Education Asaba, he said that the doctrine of stare decisis remains a cornerstone of our judicial system.

“It is not for a lower court to question or depart from the clear and binding authority of the Supreme Court. Judicial training and internal disciplinary mechanisms must be reinforced to ensure compliance.

“JPMHU should be established under the aegis of the National Judicial Council (NJC) or in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).

“Its primary functions would include, tracking, collating, and reviewing judicial pronouncements across all tiers.

“Publishing thematic bulletins on doctrinal developments, recommending matters for resolution by higher benches in cases of doctrinal conflict and advising the Chief Justice of Nigeria on jurisprudential trends that require clarification,” he said.

In his remarks, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ejembi Eko, emphasised the need for discipline in the judiciary.

He blamed the issue of divergence in judicial pronouncements on indiscipline, political interference and work pressure given the limited time to decide electoral matters.

According to him, when we do these, we compromise the principles of rule of law and democracy.

Eko tasked the NJC on high disciplinary standard for judicial officers, saying that a judge that was indicted for misconduct should be made to resign.

On his part, the President of Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip said that there were hardly two cases with the same parameters.

The justice explained that a matter could have been determined by a court without considering some factors which in the interest of justice, were considered by another court, hence making two different decisions on similar matters.

He said that cases should be decided based on their individual merits, saying that injustice is such an expensive price to incur on the altar of precedence.

Earlier, the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said that the theme of the discussion was at the very heart of legal reasoning and judicial integrity.

According to him, in every legal system governed by precedence, consistency in judicial interpretation is an indispensable factor in guaranteeing judicial integrity and public trust in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

“Conversely, the reality we often encounter is that the same judgment can yield multiple understandings among legal scholars and even within different tiers of the judiciary.

“This phenomenon of divergence is not merely academic; it affects the predictability of law, the rights of litigants and the authority of the courts.

“Today, we aim to explore the causes, consequences and potential resolutions of such divergent interpretations,” he said.

Sulaiman pledged that the outcome of the dialogue will be submitted to the National Assembly for necessary legislations and policy actions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu