By Adenike Ayodele

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stressed the need for women judges to identify obstacles that hinder women advancement in the profession and collaborate on ways to overcome them.

Sanwo-Olu also urged them to carve out a future where women in the legal profession would stand on equal footing with their male counterparts.

The governor said this while addressing the first South-West zonal workshop of the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN) on Thursday in Lagos.

The theme of the workshop was: “Breaking Leadership Barriers for Women in Legal Profession.”

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bimbola salu-Hundeyin, expressed joy that Nigerian women judges competed favourably and effectively with their counterparts globally in the dispensation of their sacred duties as members of the hallowed inner bar.

He celebrated the women judges particularly in the South-West of Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu also commended Justice of the Supreme Court, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for sustaining the platform for women judges to confer and build structure that would sustain the legal instrument of the state and the country.

“Your dedication and commitment to advancing women leadership in the legal profession are truly commendable and I am confident that this conference will provide robust solutions and forge new and workable strategies to bring about lasting and tangible change that you have constantly desired and would live forever in our lives,” he said.

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, in his remarks celebrated the judges and welcomed them to Lagos.

Alogba said that women have strategically dominated the legal profession in Nigeria.

He applauded the women judges for their doggedness and relentlessness in discharging their duties.

Alogba noted that the female gender were becoming more successful in the profession as more female graduated with distinction at the recent Law School graduation in Abuja.

The President of NAWJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in her opening address, said that there was much work to be done notwithstanding that the country had come a long way in terms of women achieving leadership positions in the legal profession.

Kekere-Ekun said the journey towards achieving true parity and inclusivity remained ongoing.

She said inclusivity was the campaign theme of the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration tagged “Inspire Inclusion,” which was also part of NAWJN’s vision for women in law.

According to her, there are still many challenges inhibiting women from reaching the zenith of their careers.

She listed the challenges as domestic impediments, difficulty in maintaining a work life balance, lack of support in the home, working conditions that are not favourable to women.

Kekere-Ekun also said that women had been exceptionally blessed by God with innate skills and the ability to multi-task, which could enhance and support nation building.

The judge said: “It is, therefore, imperative to recognise the invaluable need for the participation of women in policy making and to strive to ensure their inclusivity in the promotion of policies that are gender sensitive and which provide greater access to justice.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that women have so far contributed in shaping the legal landscape globally.

“The International Day of Women Judges’ event on “Women in Justice and Women for Justice,” held on March 11, 2024, with the several insightful papers presented and discussions on the need for inclusivity of women in judicial policies, attests to this fact.

“Indeed, we have come a long way as women but there is still a long way ahead.”

Kekere-Ekun said that the International Association of Women Judges had partnered Co-Impact, a philanthropic collaborative fund, to develop and implement a multi-year programme to enable, support and promote sustainable leadership pathways for women in leadership.

She said that the programme would provide a roadmap that would lead to the enhancement of women in leadership in the judiciary and other fields of endeavour, expected to positively impact high level decision making and overall best practices within the profession. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Ebere Agozie

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, says the judiciary was indeed the hope of the common man, following the fine of 1.1 trillion naira imposed on the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power by a Minna High Court.

Mohammed, who represented the community, made this known while reacting to the order for the ministry to pay compensation to the Samboro Community in Madaka District in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state.

“I am so delighted with this judgment; it’s a judgment that reflects rule of law.

“The plight of the peasant farmers who have been undergoing untold hardship over the years has been restored by the court. I really do believe that the judiciary is the hope of the common man,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

Mohammed recalled that Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the village head of Samboro Community, and 2,844 other community members had on April 27, 2023, filed a complaint with the court under case number NSHC/ Kut/6/2023.

He noted that the lesson to be drawn from the landmark judgment is that it pays to follow the rule of law.

“People should always pursue justice by way of the judicial process and the law courts must always be seen as the surest route to justice,’’ he added.

NAN reports that Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed had on Monday, handed down the order in a lengthy ruling.

He said that the construction of the Zungeru Hydro power dam in the Samboro Community has caused immense hardship to the affected community’s agricultural activity as well as damaged their economic trees.

He reaffirmed that the plaintiffs’ means of subsistence have consequently been irreparably affected.

“The plaintiffs are the original occupants of the large area of land located at Samboro Community, which makes up approximately 7,868 hectares in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

“This land is the subject of this case, as stipulated by section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sections 8(c) and (h) of the Hydro Electric power producing Areas Development Commission Act, 2010.

“They have been forcibly ejected from their ancestral homes, they have endured unimaginable hardship, and the defendants’ joint and multiple acts during the construction of the Zungeru Dam Project have resulted in ongoing flooding and erosional confrontations on the community’’.

Judge Mohammed further stated that “this court is clothed with the jurisdictional competence to entertain, hear, and determine the reliefs of the plaintiffs for the award of monetary compensation,” taking into consideration the existing provisions of Section 39 of the Land Use Act and Section 44(1a &1b) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Constitution, (as amended).

He maintained that the plaintiffs, who are the original residents of the community, are entitled to monetary compensation for the harm done to their economic and environmental means of subsistence: and as well as for the immense suffering and complete destruction of all of their sources of income.

He, thereafter, ordered a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, privies and or assigns whosever and howsoever from trespassing or further acts of trespass or doing any act or actions, conduct of breach prejudicial and or reprehensive to the plaintiffs ‘right, interest ownership, possession and occupation on the land’.

“An order is hereby given directing the 1st defendant to pay to the plaintiffs, forthwith, the sum of One Trillion, One Hundred And Fifty Billion, Five Hundred And Ninety Five Million, Forty Seven Thousand And Two Hundred And Eighty Eight Naira (N1,115,595,047,288) as monetary compensation for the destruction of their farmlands, houses, ponds, sabotage to their economic welfare and survival, untold hardship and total annihilation of all their resources of livelihood in Samboro Community in Rafi Local Government area of Niger State.

“That an order is hereby given directing the 1st defendant to pay the sum N100,000,000 as general damages and cost of prosecuting this suit and legal representation and ten percent post Judgment interest per annum.” (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Edith Nwapi

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday imposed a fine of N2 million against Mr Cecil Osakwe, a property developer, over abuse of judicial processes.

Delivering judgment in an enforcement of fundamental rights suit filed by Osakwe, Justice Halilu held that the suit was the same as the one decided by Justice Muhammad Idris of another FCT High Court, Jabi on June 29, 2022 with suit no: CT/HC/CV/286/2022.

Osakwe had filed a suit on enforcement of his fundamental rights against Ms Asabe Waziri, Inspector General of Police and two others.

Others are Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID) and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB).

Justice Halilu said:”my brother judge struck out the previous fundamental rights suit filed by Osakwe based on the reason that the suit was incompetent”.

Halilu, however, declined to assume jurisdiction over the matter, adding that it would amount to an abuse of judicial processes.

“Abuse of court processes will arise when there is an undue act by the opponent to have advantage over the other.

“It is when the processes of the court are not used properly.”

The judge, therefore, dismissed the suit.

He, therefore, warned lawyers not to engage in such practice.

Earlier, Waziri’s counsel, Mr Chimaobi Abengowe, asked for a cost of N5 million against Osakwe.

Osakwe’s counsel, A.K. Musa, told the court that his client would concede to a lower cost.

Osakwe had sought various reliefs, including a perpetual injunction restraining the police, their officers, servants and agents from further inviting and threatening to arrest and detain him.

He further sought damages at N100 million against Waziri and N50 million against others. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Sadiya Hamza

By Adebisi Fatima Sogbade

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, on Tuesday, ordered a fraudster, Ismail Adeniyi, 58, to pay N1.6 million restitution to the complainant.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr E.A. Idowu, in his judgment, found Adeniyi guilty of fraud, as charged.

Idowu ordered the convict to pay N1.6 million restitution to the complainant, and sentenced to a two-week community service within the court premises.

“If the convict cannot pay N1.6 million as restitution to the complainant with the community service, he must serve four years imprisonment at Agodi correctional facility, Ibadan, in lieu of restitution.

“This will serve as a deterrent to other fraudsters like him,” the chief magistrate said.

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, DSP Amos Adewale, told the court that Adeniyi had, on Dec. 18, 2019, at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Challenge, Ibadan, fraudulently converted the sum of N7.2 million paid into his account number: 0015591229.

Adewale said that the defendant’s account was used for onward transfer to another account, belonging to one Awoye Adebayo, without the consent of the complainant.

He said that the convict then converted the sum of N7.2 million, being property of Ibikunle Babatunde, to his own use.

According to him, the offence is contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(8)(b) and (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Court
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and ‘Wale Sadeeq

By Taiye Agbaje

A legal practitioner, Nnedimma Eiyisi, on Monday, testified against a Briton and Director of Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Ltd, Mr James Nolan, at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Eiyisi, while being led in evidence-in-chief by the EFCC’s counsel, Bala Sanga, revealed how she registered another company, Micad Project City Services Ltd, at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on Nolan’s instruction.

The lawyer, who is the 3rd prosecution witness (PW3), told Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the anti-graft agency had sued Micad Project City Services Ltd and Nolan as 1st and 2nd defendants in the money laundering charge filed before Justice Egwuatu.

The judge had granted the EFCC’s application to continue Nolan’s trial in absentia after he jumped bail and fled the country since 2022.

Although Nolan was said to have been arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) on Jan. 27 in Italy, he was yet to be extradited back to Nigeria to face his trial.

Giving her testimony on Monday, Eiyisi said: “I am a lawyer at Ivory Chambers.

“I am here in respect of CAC documents I filed for Micad Project City Services Ltd on the instruction of Nolan.

“Sometime in 2016, my principal informed me that a client will give me a call to file a CAC document.

“Later that day, I received a call from the client who introduced himself as James Nolan.

“He informed me that he needs to bring himself in as a director of the company.

“I asked who are the directors and he gave me information and this was filed at CAC.

“I informed him that I will prepare the CAC Form 7 and leave it with the secretary so that the directors can sign.

“Couple of weeks later, our secretary informed me that I have documents and inside the documents was CAC Form 7; board resolution appointing James Nolan as the director; consent letter accepting to be director by James Nolan.

“Once I received these documents, I proceeded to CAC to file same.

“After a couple of days, I checked back and the application was approved.

“So I made the necessary payment and came back a couple of days later to collect the CTC (certified true copies) of these documents

“Immediately I collected the documents, I left it with the office secretary for dispatch and called the client to inform him that the documents are ready,” the PW3 narrated.

The witness admitted that she was invited by the EFCC in respect of CAC Form 7 which she filed on Nolan’s behalf.

The document was then admitted in evidence and marked as exhibit by the judge after Nolan’s lawyer, Michael Ajara, did not oppose its admissibility.

After Eiyisi was cross examined by Ajara, she was discharged from witness box and the trial was adjourned until March 12 for continuation.

Meanwhile, before the commencement of trial, Justice Egwuatu asked Ajara if Nolan’s whereabouts had been known.

“Have you not seen your client Mr Ajara?” the judge asked, but the lawyer responded in the negative.

“So who is paying you since you have still not seen him?” Justice Egwuatu asked rhetorically.

“My lord, we are relying on the prosecution to assist us (to find him),” Ajara said.

Sanga, however, informed the judge that Nolan was arrested on Jan. 27 in Italy by the INTERPOL.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Adenike Ayodele
An Ikeja High Court has adjourned until April 15 to hear applications of counsel involved in the case of a businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, accused of N4.8 billion fraud.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that when the case was called on Monday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, announced his appearance on behalf of the Lagos State Attorney-General.

Justice Oyindamola Ogala adjourned the case until April 15, to enable her go through the case file of various applications submitted by all parties to understand the case.

Ogala also ordered that parties should file and exchange responses before the next date of adjournment.

“I want to read the case file and understand it in full.

“Also, on the issue of representation by the DPP, the court wants the prosecution to respond to the application.

“The case is hereby adjourned until April 15 for hearing and further proceedings,” she said.

Earlier, the Defence Counsel, Mr Ade Oshodi, had informed the court of a notice of preliminary objection dated Jan. 26 which had not been heard by the court.

Oshodi also told the court that the application which was filed by the former lawyer of the defendant, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), be withdrawn as he had taken over the case and had filed a new application dated Jan. 26.

He also said that Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) was the one who appealed on the bench warrant issued against the defendant by Justice Ismail Ijelu on Nov.3, 2023.

“Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) appealed on the bench warrant.

“We are not in the matter going on at the Appeal Court.

“The learned silk is the one handling the appeal.
“We also wrote a petition to the office of the Attorney-General of Lagos State (A-G) concerning this case,” he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had informed the court that he was not served the hearing notice that the matter had been taken to another court.

Jacobs added that it was not a deliberate attempt not to appear before the court.

The court, however, said that there were affidavits of proof of service on EFCC office and office of the prosecutor.

Jacobs told the court that several lawyers who had represented the defendant raised issue of territorial jurisdiction.

“We were at the Court of Appeal on Jan. 15 on the territorial jurisdiction.

“As at last week, the defendant has paid N1.5 billion to EFCC and he promised to conclude the payment in the next three months.

“The state said they are taking over the case but they have not even in heard from us,” he said.

Martins in his response said that from the point of law, the DPP acted on the directive of the A-G and that the prosecution had been served with the amicus brief filed by the office.

The amicus brief filed by the office of the A-G dated and filed on Feb. 29 was to the effect that the court should strike out the matter for lacking both territorial and actual jurisdiction.

“The DPP does not need permission to swing into action.

“My lord, this is everyday occurrence as people write to the office of the A-G to take up matters and it does not mean that the A-G is taking sides with anyone.

“I am speaking from the point of law,” he said.
EFCC had filed a 10-count charge against Ibeto, alongside his company, Ibeto Energy Development Company, before Justice Ismail Ijelu.
The case file was, therefore, re-assigned before Ogala.

The anti-graft commission said the alleged offences contravened the provision of Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006 and Section 365(3d) and (e), 366 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Adenike Ayodele

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stressed the need for the implementation of reforms that will enhance the delivery of justice system in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu also called for collective and strategic response to tackle the nation’s justice system challenges.

The governor said this in his keynote address at the three-day retreat of the top management of the Federal Ministry of Justice, on Thursday, in Lagos.

The theme of the retreat is : “Enhancing Systems And Structure in The Federal Ministry Of Justice For Effective Justice Sector Service Delivery”.

Sanwo-Olu said the retreat depicted the pivotal role that justice system played in the well-being of the society.

According to him, a robust and efficient justice system forms the bedrock of a just and equitable society.

“The challenges we face in our justice sector demands a collective and strategic response.

“Our duty, therefore, as stewards of justice is to ensure that the structures in place are not only resilient but also adaptable to the evolving needs of our society which requires a careful example of our existing systems.

“There is a need to locate where there are gaps and a commitment in implementing reforms that will enhance the delivery of justice services to the Nigerian people,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in his opening remark, said the choice of Lagos State for the retreat was deliberate and strategic.

Fagbemi said the Lagos State Government had continued to set the pace in the provision of innovative access to justice services, as well as the development of creative reforms aimed at improving the system of administration of justice, generally.

He noted that the state had been resilient and strategic in tackling contemporary justice sector challenges and successful in developing effective access to justice programmes over the years.

He said: “It was important for us to come here to learn and share experience on challenges and best practices for enhancing systems and structures to support the justice sector.

“You are all well aware that the Federal Ministry of Justice plays a very critical role in the overall developmental agenda of the country, as it offers services that impact on all areas of national development.

“The role of the ministry is critical to the agenda of the government to build a strong economy, and combat corruption and insecurity.

“Our duties are an amalgamation of law and policy; it is, therefore, critical that we continually review our operational strategies to enable us meet the yearnings of our people for an effective, effective and people-oriented justice system.

“Since assumption of office, I have looked forward to an opportunity to interact with the management staff of the ministry in an informal and relaxed environment to share my vision for the reform of the justice sector.”

The AGF said one of the objectives of the retreat was to enable the review and validation of the draft strategic plan of the ministry from 2003 to 2027.

He said the draft strategic plan had been developed and structured in a manner that would meet the key aspirations of the nation.

Fagbemi listed the critical areas as security, rule of law and economic well-being.

“Since the justice sector responsibilities are co-located in different arms of government, as well as agencies and institutions, the realisation of this objective will require active collaboration with all justice sector stakeholders on critical and cross-cutting issues affecting the sector.

“This management retreat is also crucial as it would provide an opportunity for us to further appreciate our role in delivering on aspects of the eight focus areas and priorities of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Most importantly, this retreat will prepare and acquaint the management of the ministry with the tasks that they are expected to perform with respect to the performance bond, which the solicitor-general of the federation/permanent secretary and I signed with Mr President on Nov. 3, 2023,” he said.

Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, said the retreat of the top management in the ministry would address constructive strategies to improve the justice system.

Jedy-Agba said the aim of the retreat was to upload the highest standard of professionalism in justice delivery. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Joy Kaka
A FCT High Court sitting in Kubwa has struck out the N1 billion suit brought against a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, while he was in office.

Also sued was a civil servant, Ms Asabe Waziri and two others – the office of the former minister and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The suit was brought against the former minister in his personal capacity along with Waziri and the two others by an Abuja-based property developer, Mr Cecil Osakwe.

But, Justice Oluyemisi Adelaja, on Thursday struck out the matter, citing lack of diligent prosecution by Osakwe.

“The claimant is the one who filed the action and is required to be seen diligently prosecuting same but they are not in court and there is no reason for their absence before the court.

“They have, therefore, been absent without reason and consequent upon Order 32 Rule 4, this case is ordered struck out for want of diligent prosecution,’’ Adelaja ordered.

It would be recalled that in June 2022, the Federal Government had filed a two-count charge with suit number: FCT/HC/CR/244/2022, against Osakwe for advance fee fraud to the tune of N130 million.

The suit also alleged criminal intimidation of Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, saying that Osakwe had threatened Waziri with injury to her person and reputation with intent to cause her harm and even death.

Waziri was said to have purchased a two-bed property from Osakwe to the tune of N130 million at Maitama, an up-market district of the FCT.

Following the two-count charge against Osakwe, he proceeded to file a lawsuit against the erstwhile attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.

Others joined in the suit included the Federal Ministry of Justice and Waziri.

Through his Counsel, Mr Victor Giwa, Osakwe sought reliefs, including an order directing Malami to pay the sum of one billion naira to him as punitive damage.

The developer also sought an order directing the defendants to pay jointly and severally, the sum of one hundred million naira to him as general damages. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
edited by Sadiya Hamza