By Naomi Sharang

Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has said that the Judiciary was critical to the fight against corruption in the country.

He made the remark on Monday in Abuja at the annual reunion and award of the members of the Class of ’85’ of the Nigerian Law School.

Fagbemi was the pioneer member of the class to ever be conferred with the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1996 11 years after his call to the Bar.

In his remarks, the AGF, who was one of the awardees, solicited the support and advice of the members of the class in the discharge of his duties.

“On my new appointment, I want to solicit for your support, prayers and advice in ensuring that we succeed in the task ahead. The tasks are by no means easy.

Fagbemi said: “We have a lot of work to do in the war against corruption, in the reforms of legal education, in the judiciary and in the administration of justice generally.

“Be rest assured as an ambassador in this administration, I will not let the class or the nation down.

‘When I settle down, I will also pay attention to the needs of the Nigerian law school and how best to assist them.”

He also congratulated the 34 other members of the class who were honoured.

“I can see that quite a few of them are Heads of different Courts in Nigeria. I believe the honour is well deserving as a testimonial that the awardees are worthy ambassadors of this class.

“I happily rejoice with all the awardees and urge them to keep up their good works that had earned them this honour,” the minister added.

On the ongoing project of the group, the establishment of a medical centre at Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Fagbemi said that in spite of the challenges in the take off of the project, it must still go on.

He urged that all hands must be on deck towards the execution and delivery of the project.

“I will continue to do my utmost best in assisting toward the early completion of that project,” Fagbemi said.

The Life Chairman of the association, Emeka Ngige (SAN) said that the members had fared reasonably well.

He said: “We have celebrated numerous appointments, elevations and other achievements by members of this great Class.

“I am happy to note that within the year under review, four of our class members were appointed as Heads of Courts in Ondo, Oyo, Benue and Kaduna States.

“We also witnessed the appointment of one us as Secretary to the Government of Lagos State.

“The climax is now the appointment of our Leader, Prince Fagbemi as Nigeria’s 24th Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.”

Ngige said that the project for the establishment of the medical centre at Lagos Campus was likely to gulp the sum of N400 million.

He added: “To make the execution of the project less strenuous, we have revised the execution period. The project, including furnishing and equipment will now be within 24 months.

“The plan is to ensure that the medical centre is ready for commissioning in 2025 when, by the special grace of God, we will be marking our 40 years of Call to Bar.”

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Sen. Ita Enang said that the reunion was a way of giving back to the universities they graduated from.

He said: “Each of us come together to say although we are each from the Nigerian Law School Class of 85, what is happening to the Faculty of Law that we graduated from.

“It’s our way of giving back to the university that raised us. What can we contribute to society that can make meaning to society as we are aging and making progress in society.”

Enang urged the Federal Government to set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry as to the loans taken by Nigeria in a bid to tackle the dwindling economy.

He said: “We need to what the loans were applied for and the repayment we are making, among others.

“The President has enough courage. They should recommend every person, wherever he is today who was part of taking any loan, in charge of managing that loan and tell us what happened to that money.”

On his part, one of the members of the class, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), who called for judicial reforms said that the reforms in the judiciary were quite enormous.

He said that the reforms in the sector should start first of all with the manner with which appointments were made.

Ikwueto said: “It will start also by making the judiciary really independent. Independent in the sense of not just saying it’s independent.

“This is because until the judiciary becomes its manager of its affairs, control of its resources and funds, it cannot really be said to be independent.

“The courts have to be decongested. The Justices are overworked and we need to think of how we decongest cases in court.”(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ebere Agozie

Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the new Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice says he will anchor his leadership on President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda

Fagbemi said this when he assumed office as the Nigeria’s 24th Attorney-General, succeeding Abubakar Malami, who served in President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime for eight years on Monday in Abuja.

He noted that although expectations were high, he expressed readiness to work with the staff, adding that he would operate an open door policy and welcome constructive criticism.

“We will anchor everything on Mr President renewed hope agenda.

“Considering the strategic role that our ministry is positioned to play, I want you to partner with me, follow the rule, engage in constructive criticism, so that together we can redouble our efforts and get the job done,” he said.

Responding, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the ministry in her  remarks noted that the ministry’s constitutional responsibilities and statutory mandates are enormous, she pledged the ministry’s support to achieving success.

“We will deploy all the human and material resources of the ministry and its parastatals to support and assist you in realising your set objectives”, she said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fagbemi arrived the ministry at 3:10 p.m. and was received by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary.

He was conducted round his office by the permanent secretary who introduced him to all the directors and heads of agencies under the ministry.

Some of the heads of the agencies under the ministry that were present include: Buba Marwa, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). (NAN)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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By Taiye Agbaje
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered parties in a suit filed by the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) and its embattled Managing Director, Alhaji Abubakar Faruk, against the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) and others to maintain a status quo until the next adjourned date.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling, gave the order after counsel to the claimants, Faruk Khamagam, and lawyer to Mr Abbas Yakubu (the 5th defendant), O.S. Emejulu, sought an adjournment to enable them respond to processes filed appropriately.
Justice Mohammed, who adjourned the matter until Aug. 24, said: “Parties in the suit should maintain a status quo.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AMML and Faruk (1st and 2nd claimants) had filed an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1035/2023 against AICL, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Permanent Secretary of FCT as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.
Also joined in the motion include Mr Abubakar Sadiq Maina, Engr. Mohammed Abbas Yakubu and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as 4th to 6th defendants in a suit dated and filed on Aug. 8.
The claimants, in the motion moved by their lawyer, Emmanuel Omoisu, on Aug 10, prayed the court for four orders, including an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from taking any step in giving effect to the purported reappointment and filling of the particulars of Mr Onya Ojiji as company secretary of AMML pending the hearing and determination of the counterpart motion on notice.
They also sought an order of interim injunction restraining Mr Ojiji from parading himself as AMML secretary.
Besides, they sought an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants or agents from altering the records of the company maintained at the CAC, “either by way of changing the name of the AMML, altering the shareholders or directors or any other structure or identity of the 1st applicant (AMML) from the way it was before the filing of this suit.”
The claimants, then, prayed for an order of interim injunction directing parties to maintain the status quo ante, in the constitution of the board of directors and the general management and business affairs of the 1st applicant, prior to the filing of the suit.
Justice Mohammed had directed the defendants to appear before the court in the next adjourned date (today) to show cause why the interim orders of injunction should not be granted.
The judge, who ordered that the motion on notice and the originating summons be served on all defendants, directed the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum till next adjourned date (today).
Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, after Khamagam announced appearance for the 1st and 2nd claimants, drama, however, ensued in the court following Emejulu’s announcement of appearance for 1st claimant and 5th defendant (AMML and Engr. Yakubu) at the same time.
Justice Mohammed, who wondered why a lawyer would appeared for a claimant and a defendant in a suit, described the counsel’s action as grossly unethical.
All efforts by Emejulu to offer explanation was rebuffed by the judge.
Then Abdusallam Saleh, who represented AICL and its Group Managing Director, Mr Maina (1st and 4th defendants), stood up to give reason Emejulu made the announcement but Justice Mohammed also frowned at his reaction.
“Have you ever appeared in my court before,” the judge asked.
“Yes my lord. I have appeared on several occasions and got many judgments, even four were against me,” Saleh responded.
Emejulu later decided to announce appearance for the 5th defendant, Mr Yakubu, who was appointed as acting MD of AMML by Maina (4th defendant), following the redeployment of Alhaji Faruk out of the AMML by the ex-Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello.
The decision was, however, nullified by a sister court presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo in a judgment delivered on July 10.
At Wednesday sitting, Khamagam informed that based on the court order, the defendants were served on Monday and only the 1st and 4th defendants filed affidavits to show cause while the 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants filed preliminary objections.
The lawyer, who indicated his intention to file his responses to the affidavits to show cause and the preliminary objections, prayed for an adjournment.
Saleh also sought an adjournment on his client’s behalf to enable him file an affidavit to show cause since he was within time to file.
Meanwhile, while Justice Mohammed was delivering the ruling for adjournment, Saleh stood up and cut in just when the judge made a pronouncement on an order for parties to maintain status quo.
Mohammed, who condemned Saleh’s action, said he would not tolerate such misconduct any longer.
NAN observed that CAC was not represented in court (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Edith Nwapi

An Abuja High Court on Thursday fixed Aug. 23 for the arraignment of suspended  Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele for alleged procurement fraud.

Emefiele was to be arraigned alongside  Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 20 charges bordering on procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.

The Federal Government alleged that the suspects procured an array of about 98 luxury vehicles and armoured buses, with an estimated total value of ₦6.9 billion.

Justice Muazu Hamza, fixed the date after the counsel for Yaro told the court that his client was ill,

The prosecution did not oppose the prayer for adjournment.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Sadiya Hamza

By Edith Nwapi

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has partnered with Equality Development and Research Centre (EDR-centre), an NGO, to curb workplace bullying.

Mr Tony Ojukwu, the NHRC Executive Secretary, made this known when Ms Marshal Nwanne, Founder of the EDR-centre paid a visit to the commission in Abuja.

Ojukwu said that the commission is dedicated to combatting workplace bullying and envisioned to target and end all forms of inequality in Nigeria.

The executive secretary welcomed the partnership and expressed the hope that the two organisations would work together and achieve the desired result..

He said that there was no condition that justifies torture and described it as “one human rights violation” that have no justification.

“Indeed, bullying is not good and we have been preaching and fighting against it alone. Thank God today we have a partner in EDR Centre that is ready to work squarely on this area.

” We are going to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with you, so that the work we are doing in this area would not only be in the Federal Capital but across the 36 states where the Commission have offices .

“Now that we are going to work together, I believe that very soon the society will feel the impact” he said.

He said that the first place to focus on would be the family, schools and other institutions among others.

According to him, Nigerians generally have been bullied to the extent that they have seen it as normal.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people are depressed, some have gone into mental torture because of one form of bullying or another” he said.

Earlier, Nwanne who appreciated the partnership with the commission, urged victims to speak up and not to keep silence.

She explained that it was worthwhile to stop the act of bullying, which she noted leads to depression mental torture and even death.

The founder wondered why the act of bullying goes on in the society without the culprits being brought to justice.

Nwanne called for a legislation to make perpetrators account for their actions. (NAN)

Edited by Thompson Yamput/Sadiya Hamza

By Taiye Agbaje

A Contractor, Mr Christian Igbo, on Tuesday, said he will appeal a ruling by an FCT High Court, Abuja setting aside its June 22 judgment directing the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to pay over N29 million balance of the contract sum legitimately awarded and executed by him.
Igbo made this known through his lawyer, Pascal Obioha, shortly after Justice Edward Okpe vacated the judgment he earlier delivered against the NSCDC on the grounds that it was given without jurisidtcion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Okpe had, on June 22 in a judgment, ordered the NSCDC to pay Mr Igbo over N29 million balance of the contract sum following his execution of the projects awarded by the corps.
The judge also restrained the NSCDC, its Commander-General (C-G), Ahmed Audi; and others from further harassing the contractor over a completed contract.
But in a motion on notice marked: CV/2115/2023 filed by its Director of Legal Services, Umar Mohammed, the corps sought an order setting aside the judgment delivered on June 22 directing them to pay Igbo his balance (N29, 360, 697.00) of the contract sum.
Giving six grounds why the judgment should be vacated, Mohammed argued that the court gave the judgment without jurisdiction.
Evelyn Charles-Iyanya, who appeared for NSCDC during proceedings, urged the court to set aside Relief 4 as contained in Igbo’s originating motion on the payment of the judgment sum of over N29 million, having fallen outside the fundamental rights enforcement rules of the court.
She said the judgment was delivered without jurisidtcion.
But Igbo’s counsel, Pascal Obioha, prayed the court to dismiss NSCDC’s application on the grounds that the court had become functus officio to vacate the judgment it delivered.
The lawyer maintained that the court had jurisdiction to have given the June 22 judgment and that the court as at this time, lacked the powers to either review, revisit or set aside its own judgment, as doing so would amount to the court sitting on appeal over its own decision or judgment.
Obioha, in a counter affidavit, said Igbo’s originating motion was dully served on the respondents which enabled them to put up several appearances before the court, but they decided not to file counter affidavit to oppose their application.
He said the court gave them several opportunities to defend the suit or raise objection as to the jurisdiction of the court, where necessary, but they waived their right to do so.
The lawyer, who submitted that the court gave the judgment on merit, said by the content of the said judgement, the court had become functus officio in the matter.
But delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Okpe agreed with the NSCDC that he gave the judgment without jurisidtcion.
He said after perusing the applications filed by parties, he agreed with the NSCDC that Relief 4 of the contractor seeking for the payment of the judgment sum did not fall under the fundamental rights enforcement rules as canvassed by the claimant.
Besides, the judge held that Igbo failed to respond to the argument of counsel to the security agency that Relief 4 ought to be set aside, having granted without jurisidtcion.
He said where a respondent did not respond to arguments raised by an applicant, such argument would be deemed to have been admitted by the party.
According to him, the respondent (Igbo) did not file a reply to douse the applicant (NSCDC)’s prayer.
“Therefore, Relief 4 cannot be assessed through the application filed by the respondent (Igbo),” he said.
He said the jurisidtcion of the court cannot be exercised where the main claim was not for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the claimant.
Okpe held that from the facts available before the court, Relief 4 falls under a contract, and cannot be brought under the enforcement of fundamental rights rules.
“If a judgment is a nullity, the court which made it can set it aside based on Supreme Court decision,” he said.
He said the submission had dislodged Igbo’s argument.
“Therefore, the court has the power to set aside its own judgment or decision where it is null and avoid or there is a fundamental defect.
“Where an order of the court is a nullity, the court that made it is empowered to set it aside and an appeal is not necessary.
“It is now settled that a party cannot confer jurisdiction on the court where there is none,” he said.
The judge consequently set aside the order directing the NSCDC to pay Igbo the balance sum of over N29 million allegedly being owed.
Speaking after the ruling, Obioha vowed to appeal the ruling.
The lawyer, who decsribed the ruling as strange, insisted that the court had become functus officio to review the judgment it delivered.
He said this was even more so that the NSCDC did not file any defence to controvert their application.
NAN reports that Igbo had, in an originating motion on notice marked: CV/2115/2023 and filed by Obioha, sued the NSCDC, the C-G, and some agency’s officials.
Others joined as respondents include Fabian Ejezie (Finance), Mpamugo Ifeanyi Bartholomew, Victor Olarenwaju, Mr Kukuyi (Accountant General Staff in Charge of CPO) and Chukwuemeka Okeke.
Igbo, managing director of Davenchris Ventures LTD, IB-Technicals Ltd and Chrisreubben Enterprises, had sought seven reliefs which include an order to enforce his fundamental human rights of freedom, personal liberty, fair hearing and human dignity as guaranteed by Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution.
The judge, while delivering the judgment in favour of Igbo on June 22, had held that where an application was not controverted by a party, averments therein would be deemed to have been admitted by the party.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Taiye Agbaje

The Legal Consultant of Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), Mr Kunle Kolawole, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene in the ongoing crisis rocking the company.
Kolawole, who made the call on Friday at a news briefing in Abuja, said the management crisis had impacted negatively on the AMML, one of the FCT-owned revenue generating companies.
The lawyer alleged that the Group Managing Director of Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL), Mr Abubakar Maina, and his cohorts had continued to frustrate the operations of AMML against valid court judgment and order.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court, Abuja had nullified the redeployment of Alhaji Abubakar Faruk, the Managing Director (MD) of AMML, by the immediate-past Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello.
The judge also nullified the reconstitution of the AMML Board of Directors chaired by Mr Maina on Feb. 21 by the ex-minister on the grounds that it contravened the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020.
Besides, Justice R.B. Haastrup of a National Industrial Court, Abuja, on July 26, also nullified the termination of Faruk’s employment by Maina on behalf of AMML’s shareholders against a valid court judgment.
Kolawole, however, said that the decision of the embattled MD to challenge his redeployment and the reconstitution of the AMML board, “both done illegally, did not go down well with the powers that be in the FCT, specifically, by some staff of the FCT administration and the AICL, who viewed the court action as a challenge to their powers and authorities.”
He alleged that Maina convened an unlawful general meeting of members of AMML on July 17 where a supposed decision to terminate Faruk’s appointment was taken.
He said the purported termination letter was published in national dailies.
Besides, he said Maina wrote to bankers of AMML to “freeze/PND the AMML accounts with the aim of crippling its operations and makes it difficult for AMML to fulfil its operations and its tax obligations to government.”
The lawyer, who alleged that there had been sponsored defamatory media campaign against AMML and its MD, said meetings were also held with traders with a view to inciting them against the company.
Kolawole said “the escalating lawlessness of Maina has led him into constituting himself and his company secretary as the board of AICL despite a clear presidential order dissolving the said board.”
The AMML Legal Adviser, Mr Felix Edache, said President Tinubu, in a letter dated June 27, directed the dissolution of the boards of Federal Government parastatals, agencies, institutions and government-owned companies.
Edache alleged that despite the directive, Maina continued to sign AMML board resolution, even against court order.
“We humbly appeal to the incoming minister of FCT, the National Assembly, the IGP and the Presidency to direct Mr. Sadiq Abubakar Maina, FCTA (Federal Capital Territory Administration) and AICL to simply obey court orders and allow peace and tranquility in our markets and FCT,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ruth Oketunde

Ms Oluwafunke Adeoye, a Nigerian Human Rights lawyer, has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Waislitz Global Citizens Choice Award for her outstanding performance in the Criminal Justice sector.

Adeoye who is the founder and Executive Director, Hope Behind Bars Africa, an NGO, made history as the first person working in criminal justice sector to win the global award, which comes with a 75,000 dollars prize.

The NGO provides free legal services and direct support to indigent incarcerated individuals, while also promoting criminal justice reforms through research, evidence-based advocacy and technology.

Adeoye said that she was inspired to begin the initiative in 2018 after some personal encounters with the justice system.

She said that her father who was once a victim, had been arrested and detained for a crime he did not commit several years ago.

Adeoye’s organisation has supported no fewer than 7,000 incarcerated individuals through their numerous interventions, ranging from providing access to justice, welfare, support and rehabilitation and reformation of ex-inmates.

Currently, the organisation is set to launch “Justicepadi”, a tech platform that hope to revolutionize legal aid in West Africa and expand its work for justice-seeking individuals.

The Waislitz Global Citizens Choice Awards recognises the excellent performance of individuals in their work to end extreme poverty and effect positive change in their communities and around the world.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza