By Edith Nwapi

Justice Maryann Anenih of an Abuja High Court on Tuesday, adjourned ruling in an application filed by former Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, seeking leave to travel abroad for medical reasons.

Bello and his co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu were arraigned on Nov 27, 2024, on a 16-count-charge bordering on alleged property fraud to the tune of N110 billion.

Anenih adjourned until July 17 after listening to Bello’ s application to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for medical reasons.

Earlier, Joseph Daudu, SAN, counsel to Bello, told the court that he filed an application, dated June 19, and filed on June 20.

“It seeks an order for the release of the 1st defendant/applicant’s international passport by the registrar to enable him to travel for medical attention,” he said.

He said the application was supported by an affidavit of 13 grounds in the face of the motion and supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the applicant himself.

The EFCC had filed a counter-affidavit, saying granting the request could delay further proceedings.

Daudu, in response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, said the defendant had also filed a further affidavit of 20 paragraphs, on July 7, 2025, and deposed to by the applicant himself with two exhibits.

“Exhibits C is the CTC of the ruling of your lordship, admitting the defendant to bail, and Exhibit D is the ruling of FHC admitting him to bail.

“We adopt these documents in urging your lordship to grant our application,” he stated.

Responding to the prosecution’s argument that the application was an abuse of court process in the sense that a similar application was filed at FHC, he argued that it could not be an abuse of court process.

He hinged his argument on the fact that it was the complainant that instituted both charges in the separate courts.

“It will be a futile exercise to apply in one court and not to apply in the other court,” Daudu, submitted.

The prosecution counsel, Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN, while defending the EFCC’s counter-affidavit, said the defendant should have put his sureties on notice with regard to his application to travel out of the country.

According to him, the sureties need to decide whether they would want to continue to stand as sureties for him when he travels.

He added that, by filing the same application at both the FCT High Court and Federal High Court, the defendant’s counsels were setting the courts on a collision course.

“If FHC refuses that application and my lord grants it, it will make mockery of our judicial system,” Enebeli argued.

Enebeli also mentioned that the applicant is on the “red letter alert “and maybe held abroad.

Responding, Daudu said, on the issue of suretyship, the sureties were already aware.

“We need not put them on notice,” he said.

“Finally, on the interpol matter, it is a dead argument.

“He has never flouted your lordship’s order. They themselves have even forgotten about those red alerts,” the lawyer added, urging the court to grant the application.

After listening to both parties, Justice Anenih adjourned until July 17, 2025 for ruling. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has advised spouses, especially those serving in critical profession such as judges, to always accept official decisions by their partners.

Nwifuru gave the advice while swearing-in a new judge of the state customary court of appeal, Justice Linda Ogodo in Abakaliki.

The governor said that for Nigeria’s justice system to be respected, those in the temple of justice must be firm in their decisions.

Nwifuru also advised relatives and friends of judges to avoid interference in their professional duties, saying that rule of law and quality justice delivery are essential for the development of any nation.

“The world over, rule of law is a critical factor for investors, while taking business decisions and that is why we are hammering on factors that adversely affect it,” he said.

Nwifuru, however, told the husband of the new judge who is a solicitor in the state to accept judgments from his wife especially when such are not in his favour.

The governor who described Ogodo’s husband as a `tough’ solicitor, urged him to realise that his wife’s level has changed.

“I believe in professionalism and decency which have distinguished Ebonyi judges from their peers.

“Your husband should realise that his wife is now a judge and her judicial decisions and pronouncements shall now attract more public attention and scrutiny.

“Women value their professional respect very much and Justice Ogodo has been outstanding before now,” he said.

He noted that judges in the state have succeeded because their spouses offer them opportunities to perform their duties well.

“An example was in 2017 when a female judge whose husband was a government appointee did not allow family sentiments determine the outcome of our matter against the then House of Assembly speaker.

“The new judge’s husband should, therefore, accept any unfavourable judgment from her because others in such shoes, felt the same way,” he said.

Nwifuru congratulated the judge on her elevation and urged her not to disappoint the state including those who repose confidence in her.

“You should not take the position of your husband in matters but that of the law.

“The state chief judge can confirm that I do not have interest in matters before our courts.

“No government official should, therefore, have interest in any matter when I do not have,” he said.

Ogodo, in her response, thanked the governor and all those who contributed immensely to making the occasion successful. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

By Edith Nwapi

The Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, has been elected as the President of the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) Network.

The network comprises countries under ECOWAS region which are: Benin, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

The 3-day regional consultation of ECOWAS sub-region held in Abuja with the theme, `Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions.”

Ojukwu pulled eight votes out of 12 votes to be elected for a term of two years.

He took over from Dr Joeseph Withall, the out-going president of the network and chair of Network for African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI).

The Regional Consultation was organised by the NNHRI-WA under the auspices of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission).

Co-organisers of the event are Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in West Africa (OHCHR-WARO) and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

In his acceptance speech, Ojukwu thanked all the participants and partners for their support in the quest to promote and protect human rights of all citizens.

Ojukwu noted that the regional consultation was aimed at enhancing the overall roles of NHRIs toward the promotion and protection of human rights in West Africa.

“The year 2025 is a unique moment for human rights and the NHRC in Nigeria as we celebrate our 30 years of existence.

“For ECOWAS, we celebrate 50 years of regional integration and for the United Nations, we mark 80 years of the signing of the UN Charter.

“It is my hope that these milestones become impactful for the advancement of human rights in our sub-region,’’ he said.

Ojukwu said that his vision for this network was anchored on the following: mutual respect and cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in West Africa.

“Building of the capacity of NHRIs to be able to meet the ever-growing challenges of resourcing, governance and operations of NHRIs.

“Support sub-regional monitoring, documentation and reporting of human rights in West Africa by setting up a sub-regional Situation Room and Data Centre.

“Strengthening collaborations with our sub-regional political and judicial institutions, the ECOWAS Commission, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice as well as the ECOWAS Parliament and others,” he said.

Ojukwu added that consolidating and opening new grounds with their development partners, UN, international and national NGOs, academic and media institutions were paramount.

He noted that with the changing nature of international development aid and the challenges of the international rule-based system, it seems this vision was already daunting.

Ojukwu added that it was challenging but with the support of each member, it would be surmounted and the network would grow from strength to strength.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of NHRIs from 12 countries in the West African sub-region, ECOWAS Commission, OHCHR-WARO and UNOWAS took part in the event.

They addressed wide range of issues through experience sharing, exchanging best practices and strengthening regional cooperation for effective implementation of strategies toward the realisation of the theme of the consultation.

A communiqué is expected at the end of the event which would guide their actions for the next two years. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Francis Onyeukwu