Judiciary workers threaten strike from June 2
By Joan Nwagwu
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has directed its members in all federal courts nationwide and other judicial institutions to withdraw their services from June 2.
Mr Mustapha Laminu, National Vice President, North Central, said this in a statement signed and issued in Abuja.
Laminu said the strike had become imperative to press home its demands as their members were yet to receive the one-month wage award recently paid by government.
According to him, this action is to protest against the non-payment of five months arrears of wage award, non-implementation of N70.000 national minimum wage and the non-implementation of the 25/35 per cent salary increase.
“The union had written severally to the management on the need to see reasons through 21-day ultimatum, seven days ultimatum and have to shelve the action following the intervention of my lord the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“It is unfortunate that the Judiciary, as an arm of government, is being punished while other arms of government have since been enjoying.
“All what we are saying is that our members are stoning us, accusing us of compromising considering the unfold hardship brought about by government policies.
“We will continue this action until and unless the government pay us this money,” he said.
Laminu alleged that they gathered that the Ministry of Finance had released the new amount to the Accountant General of the Federation but he refused to pay the Judiciary.
He, therefore, called on all chapter chairmen to ensure compliance to the directive.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
Appeal Court affirms Okpebholo’s election victory as Ighodalo heads to Supreme Court
Police: Ex-NBA president seeks higher entry requirements
By Ebere Agozie
A Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), JB Daudu (SAN), has advocated for a higher minimum entry requirement for the Nigerian Police Force, suggesting a university degree or its equivalent.
Daudu, who is the Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation, made the call at the 13th Webinar series organised by the foundation on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the webinar had the theme `Overview and Mid-Term Report of The Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (May 2023-May 2025)’.
He suggested that a more educated workforce would be better equipped to handle the challenges of policing as well as improve performance and effectiveness
“This will ensure that all entry level officers receive a mandatory course in the recognition and enforcement of fundamental human rights that have been enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“It will also ensure that they receive sufficient training in the handling of firearms to curb the wave of accidental discharge and all other cases of abuse of firearms that our citizens now suffer from.
“As far as many Nigerians are concerned, the police force is not only moribund, but a large percentage of its personnel are branded as corrupt.
“Most Nigerians don’t report crimes in which they are victims because of the fear that they may, in the course of pursuing their rights, be branded as the criminals, or be exploited for financial gain.’’
He called for improvement in their remuneration package, the provision of institutional support such as insurance cover, mandatory housing programme, promotions as and when due, affordable health services, and educational support.
The Learned Silk stressed the need to rewrite the disciplinary protocols of all security agencies and ensure that these rules are subjected to ordinary laws of the land through trials in the criminal courts.
“Offences by errant policemen amounting not only to civil disciplinary issues but are also criminal in nature, must attract punishments that fit the offence.
“Such offences as reckless misuse of firearms and police power leading to death or serious bodily harm of, and on, innocent victims must be appropriately punished rather than a mere slap on the wrist”.
He added that serious and immediate thought must be given to the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force.
“20 years ago, I championed the advocacy of an autonomous and independent state police completely severed from the umbilical cord of the federal police that is the Nigeria Police Force.
“I cannot in good conscience state today that I can still support the creation of a blanket State Police left in the hands of the Governor of a State.
“The reason for this shift in position is that the political maturity, and I say this with the utmost respect and humility, of our new set of leaders at the state level is not such as was in existence 25 years ago’’.
He noted that creating state police at this point in time is to encourage flashpoints in different parts of the country some of which may escalate into ‘civil wars’.
“I shudder to think of what would have happened if certain states which were recently plunged into political crisis had recourse to their police units during the political crisis that recently plagued their states.
“For now and until the political actors improve in their political maturity, the alternative would be and should be ‘community police’.
“I propose most respectfully a measure where every ward in a local government would have an office of the community police that will monitor and ensure the reportage of all crimes.
“This should include the movement of all suspicious characters who may likely pose a threat to the peace and harmony of the community.”
He added that where the threat is beyond the capability of the community, and escalates to the remaining wards and the Local government Headquarters, the State Police Command should step in.
“This means therefore that the local government councils must be made to be the centre point of the maintenance of law and order and the promotion of security in Nigeria.
“Note that there is still the corruption factor and strict or severe punishment must be meted on local community police officers who corruptly abuse their power.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Alleged conspiracy, forgery: Baptist Church pastor asks court to quash charges
By Jacinta Nwachukwu/Uche Bibilari
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola, on Tuesday prayed an FCT High Court sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja, to quash the charges preferred against a former Resident Pastor of First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, Rev. Israel Akanji, for lack of evidence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akanji and five others are standing trial on alleged conspiracy, forgery and misappropriation of the church funds.
The defendants were said to have conspired in 2021 to commit a felony, thus violating Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution also claimed that between 2012 and 2021, the defendants forged an amended version of the church’s constitution, falsely attributing it to the then legal adviser and secretary of the Board of Trustees of the church, the late Akin Aina.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendant and five others misappropriated N620 million belonging to the church and that they had a case to answer, thus praying the court to grant them time to conclude the investigation.
The offences, according to the prosecution, contravene the provisions of Sections 362, 364 308, 309, 311, and 312 of the Penal Code.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, Akintola filed a motion seeking the court to quash the five-count charge preferred against the defendants.
Veronica Bisan, holding brief for the prosecution counsel, Wisdom Madaki, requested for more time to conclude on their investigations after previous adjournments.
Akintola, however, countered the motion, maintaining that the matter had been adjourned twice without any substantial evidence against the defendants.
“The defendants have not been arraigned and the prosecution has not even responded to all the applications before the court.
“All they have to say is they are waiting for advice from the Federal Ministry of Justice.
“If they knew they have not completed their investigation, then why bringing the defendants to court to nail them? Why are the charges put on their neck when they have not committed any crime?
“In a church of about 5,000 members, nobody is complaining except one person (the complainant) who has vowed to embarrass the church. We have filed a motion praying the court to quash the charges against the defendants.
“This in spite of the church repeatedly informing the police through several correspondences that none of its property or money is missing,” he said.
Justice J.A. Aina, however, adjourned the matter until June 2 for ruling on the application to quash the charges. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
BVN database dispute: Court delivers judgment in NIBSS’ suit against CBN, others
Eviction of tenant must follow due process – Lawyers
Sandra Umeh
Some Lagos-based lawyers on Monday described as unlawful, the eviction of tenants by landlords without requisite notices.
The lawyers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that ejecting a tenant for inability to pay rent must be executed by lawful processes.
The lawyers were reacting to complaints by some Lagos residents who claimed that landlords often evicted tenants anyhow from their property.
A rights campaigner and lawyer, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, told NAN that no landlord, no matter how influential, should forcefully eject a tenant.
He said that there were laws regulating landlord and tenant relationship, such as the tenancy laws of various states, urging that the provisions must be strictly followed.
“A discussion on tenancy cannot be divorced from the tenancy laws of the different states of the country.
“In Lagos, the tenancy law of Lagos State, 2011 revised in 2023 and 2024 comes handy.
“No one, no matter how highly placed, can evict a tenant except through lawful means,” he said.
According to him, such tenancies can be determined by the issuance of six months’ notice to quit, for a yearly tenant, and three months’ notice for a quarterly tenant or half yearly tenant.
“Again, you issue one month notice to quit for a monthly tenant,” he said.
Ataene said ejecting a tenant without due process would infringe on the fundamental rights of the tenant and could be challenged in court.
A member of the African Women Lawyers Association, Mrs Vivian Uwakhonye, said that it was gross violation of the law for a landlord to forcefully evict a tenant.
“A landlord, who forcefully ejects a tenant by either removing his roof or by any other forceful means, commits an offence under the law and can be liable to three years imprisonment or a fine of N250,000.
“Where the rent of a tenant has expired, the most appropriate action to take is to consult a legal practitioner who will issue the requisite notices to quit,” she said.
According to Uwakhonye, at the expiration of the notice, another seven days’ notice of the landlord’s intention to proceed to court to recover possession, is issued to the tenant.
She said that after expiration of all notices, the matter would be filed in court and hearing notices issued by the bailiff.
“Where the tenant does not show up in court, then, the court can proceed to hear the landlord and enter judgment,” she said.
On her part, Mrs Elizabeth Chiozor, another Lagos-based lawyer, said that even in circumstances where the court would have given judgment in favour of the landlord, it would not give him the right to evict the tenant.
“Even if the court gives judgment in favour of the landlord, it will still be illegal for him to personally throw out the tenant’s property.
“It is the duty of the court’s Sheriff to execute the judgment of the court and not the landlord,” she said.
According to her, tenants and landlords, like all other Nigerians, are subject to the laws of the land. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Ijeoma Popoola
Supreme Court Chief Registrar tasks judiciary on balanced, fair objective reporting
By Ebere Agozie
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mr Kabir Akanbi, has called on members of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) to ensure balanced, fair and objective in reporting.
Akanbi made the call while receiving the Executive Members of NAJUC Abuja Chapter, who paid him a courtesy visit.
He urged them to protect the sector’s image and credibility through well informed, researched, unbiased and factual reportage of its activities.
He expressed dismay that reports in public space about the judiciary have been disappointing and uncalled for, especially from the social media.
Akanbi said judicial officers should not be disrespected, condemned and rubbished because of the perceived mistakes of a few.
“I make bold to say that majority of the judicial officers in the country are men of honour, integrity, highly educated and impeccable characters, who have been discharging their adjudicatory duties without blemish, fear or favour.
“It is very unpatriotic and unfair to label the Judiciary, particularly, judicial officers as generally not living up to expectations of Nigerians in terms of dispensation of justice, just because of a few lapses,” he said.
He noted that the few identified bad eggs are being called to order through the instrumentality of the National Judicial Council so as to maintain the sacred duty of the arm of the government.
He said that dishing out sensational reports by some media houses, especially social media in a bid to gain attention and visibility, only ends up rubbing off on the reputation of Nigeria as a country.
“Most of the reports are targeted at few judicial officers and the Bench because they don’t have information officers, or personal assistants that will speak in their defence.
“When these reports are reeled out to the public without proper fact checking, the public always believes, and at the end of the day, it is Nigeria as a country that has her name dragged into the mud’’.
He insisted that some of the reports tend to portray the country in bad image and have exposed Nigeria and Nigerians to ridicule and unfair treatment in some foreign countries.
Earlier, the Chairman of NAJUC, Abuja Chapter, Mr Kayode Lawal, thanked the Chief Registrar for finding time to play host to the executive members of the association adding that the visit was mainly to congratulate him on his appointment as the Chief Registrar.
Lawal reminded Akanbi that judiciary correspondents are also the spokespersons for judicial officers through the dissemination of their judgments to the general public, hence, the need to work in harmony.
He also reminded him of the enormous tasks as he spearheads the administrative leadership of the apex court and charged him to justify the trust and confidence reposed in him with the appointment.
Lawal expressed optimism that Akanbi would excel in the revered position, in view of his vast experience and rich background as a thorough bred lawyer, astute administrator and manager of men and resources.
He assured the Chief Registrar of NAJUC’s resolve to be factual, objective and fair in their day-to-day reportage of the Judiciary.
Mr Tobi Soniyi, Special Assistant (Media) to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, had informed the Chief Registrar that NAJUC and the Supreme Court have a long-standing relationship and pleaded that the cordiality be upheld and sustained. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Ondo governorship election tribunal fixes June 4 for judgment
By Alaba Olusola Oke
The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has fixed June 4, to deliver judgment in the petitions filed against the Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.
The three-man panel headed by Justice Benson Ogbu, announced the date on Saturday in Akure, after all parties adopted their final written addresses.
Other members of the tribunal are Justice Imelda Etape and Justice Sikka Duarabo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal, which began sitting on Jan. 31, 2025, received five petitions challenging the outcome of the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, winner of the election.
The five petitioners are seeking for the nullification of the election on grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act.
The petitioners are: Action Alliance and its candidate, Mr Abdullahi Olowokere; and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Chief Bamidele Akingboye.
Others are: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi; the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its candidate, Kolawole Ogunfeyimi; and African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidate, Mr Adeyemi Nejo.
The respondents are: APC, Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Mr Olayide Adelami; and INEC.
Mr Ishaka Dikko and Bankole Akomolafe, the PDP’s counsel, argued that the election was marred by substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and asked the tribunal to void Aiyedatiwa’s certificate of return.
On the other hand, Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Adelami and the INEC enjoined the tribunal to dismiss the petitions.
The respondents, represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and Mr Charles Edosomwan, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions for lack of merit. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni
Senior Advocate says Benue Appeals Tribunal verdict upheld judicial integrity
By Kayode Adebiyi
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and international human rights lawyer, Mohammed Ndarani, says the Benue Appeals Tribunal has exhibited commendable judicial integrity in the appeals from the Benue State Local Government Election Tribunal.
Ndarani, who spoke in Abuja on Thursday, said the judgments at the tribunal earlier given by non-judicial panel members, was an undermining of the judiciary.
He asserted that the new judicial officers currently handling the cases would rectify all the challenges and lapses of the former panel members, and restore confidence in the nation’s judiciary.
Ndarani, who is lead counsel for the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, spoke after judgments in seven appeals were delivered on Thursday wherein the election and return of incumbent elected councillors was upheld by the appeal tribunal.
He reaffirmed that the judiciary owed an obligation to God, their conscience, and the society, adding that the judgments so far delivered were a reflection of the glaring attributes of competent judicial officers.
Meanwhile, other appeals in the cases pending before the appeal tribunal are to be heard on May 26 after which judgement would be awaited.
Ndarani appreciated the team of Legal practitioners working for and on behalf of the state and independent candidates for their tireless efforts, and also appreciated the judiciary for the industry put into the sound judgments.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz