NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Justice Ogwuegbu’s judgments elevated our jurisprudence – CJN

Justice Ogwuegbu’s judgments elevated our jurisprudence – CJN

261 total views today

By Ebere Agozie

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, says the judgments of late Justice Emmanuel Ogwuegbu did not merely resolve disputes but elevated Nigeria’s jurisprudence.

Kekere-Ekun said this in Abuja, at a valedictory court session in honour of the late Ogwuegbu, Justice of the Supreme Court, who died on Oct. 28, 2024, at the age of 91.

She said that Ogwuegbu’s judgments and life also speak to the conscience of a nation, strengthening the pillars of democracy, and enriching Nigerian law with experience, compassion and wisdom.

“His contributions will continue to illuminate the courts and his legacy remains embedded in the moral and legal consciousness of the nation.

“Throughout his illustrious judicial career, he brought to bear a rare combination of erudition, clarity and compassion. He was a jurist who wrote with precision, reasoned with rigour and adjudicated with fairness.

“As a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, His Lordship contributed significantly to the shaping of our modern legal landscape.

“His Lordship’s deep insight and fearless reasoning were particularly evident in cases that advanced constitutional governance, individual liberties and the devolution of powers,’’ she said.

She said that Ogwuegbu was a torchbearer of justice whose career spanned more than four decades of unwavering dedication to the bench.

“He was a Judge of great dignity, humility, and empathy, qualities that humanised the law and brought comfort to those who sought justice.

“He listened intently, decided fairly, and treated all who came before him with respect and decency’’.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, charged judicial officers to live up to expectation.

Fagbemi stressed the need for judges to administer justice without fear or favour and paid glowing tributes to the late Justice of the Supreme Court.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said a true measure of a judge is not in the length of tenure or the number of cases adjudicated, but in the debt of impact and integrity of decisions.

Osigwe noted that Ogwuegbu was a judicial titan who rendered clearer laws that made institutions stronger and democracy more stable.

“In an age where judicial courage is often tempered by politics or public pressure, His Lordship exemplified a rare independence of thought, tempered only by the boundaries of justice and the letter of the law. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

DSS drags Prof. Utomi to court over alleged “shadow govt” creation

DSS drags Prof. Utomi to court over alleged “shadow govt” creation

249 total views today
By Taiye Agbaje
The Department of State Services (DSS) has sued Prof. Pat Utomi over his alleged plan to establish what he called, “a shadow government” in the country.
The DSS, in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, prayed the court to declare the move as an attack on the constitution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the fresh suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, Utomi, the 2007 Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is sued as sole defendant.
The security outfit, in the suit filed on May 13 by Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, contended that the move by Utomi was intended to create chaos and destabilise the country.
The DSS argued that not only was the planned shadow government an aberration, it constituted a grave attack on the constitution and a threat to the democratically elected government that is currently in place.
It expressed concern that such a structure, styled as a “shadow government,” if left unchecked, may incite political unrest, cause inter-group tensions, and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which would pose a grave threat to national security.
The plaintiff, therefore, urged the court to declare the purported “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” being planned by Utomi and his associates as “unconstitutional and amounts to an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
It is also sought a declaration that “under Sections 1(1), 1(2) and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, the establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is unconstitutional, null, and void.”
The plaintiff prayed the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Utomi, his agents and associates “from further taking any steps towards the establishment or operation of a ‘shadow government,’ ‘shadow cabinet’ or any similar entity not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
The plaintiff, in its grounds of argument, hinged its prayers on the fact that Section 1(1) of the Constitution declares its supremacy and binding force on all persons and authorities in Nigeria.
It added that Section 1(2) prohibits the governance of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
According to the DSS, Section 14(2Xa) states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government through the constitution derives all its powers and authority.
It contended that Utomi’s proposed shadow government lacked constitutional recognition and authority, thereby contravening the aforementioned provisions.
The plaintiff further stated in a supporting affidavit that it is the principal domestic intelligence and security agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria statutorily mandated to detect and prevent threats to the internal security of Nigeria, including subversive activities capable of undermining national unity, peace and constitutional order.
The DSS added that it is statutorily empowered to safeguard the internal security of Nigeria and prevent any threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions.
It stated that it has monitored, “through intelligence reports and open source material, public statements and interviews granted by the defendant, Prof. Patrick Utomi, in which he announced the purported establishment of what he termed a ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ comprising of several persons that make up its ‘Minister.’
“The ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an unregistered and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The defendant (Utomi), through public statements, social media, and other platforms, has announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of Nigeria.
“While inaugurating the ‘shadow cabinet’, the defendant stated that it is made up of the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio to be manned by Dele Farotimi; the Policy Delivery Unit Team consisting of Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga: and the council of economic advisers.
“Based on the intelligence gathered by the plaintiff, the activities and statements made by the defendant and his associates are capable of misleading segments of the Nigerian public, weakening confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fuelling public disaffection,” it said.
The DSS said in the discharge of its statutory duties, it had gathered intelligence confirming that the defendant’s actions pose a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“The defendant’s actions amount to an attempt to usurp or mimic executive authority, contrary to Sections 1(1), 1{2), and 14(2Xa) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which exclusively vests governance in institutions duly created under the constitution and through democratic elections.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has made several efforts to engage the defendant to dissuade him from this unconstitutional path, including statements made by the Minister of Information, but the defendant has remained defiant.”
The agency said it would be in the interest of justice, national security and the rule of law for the court to declare the existence and operations of the defendant unconstitutional and illegal.
The suit is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
ECOWAS Court dismisses Ivorian’s suit challenging her colleague’s appointment

ECOWAS Court dismisses Ivorian’s suit challenging her colleague’s appointment

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By Mark Longyen

 

The ECOWAS Court has dismissed a suit filed by its Ivorian employee, Ms. Mariame Kone-Toure, seeking to terminate the appointment of her Gambian colleague, Ama Savage.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kone-Toure had served in an acting capacity from Feb. 2023, as of Head of Administration and Human Resources Division, ECOWAS Court of Justice.

 

She later applied for the substantive position when it was advertised in May 2023.

 

However, following the recruitment interview conducted in January 2024, Savage was appointed in October 2024 instead.

 

In her submission before the court, Kone-Toure had claimed that the selection process violated the principles of fairness and non-discrimination as enshrined in the ECOWAS Staff Regulations.

 

The applicant had argued that, although she was one of the top candidates, the Management Succession Committee only recommended Savage as the sole candidate for the substantive position.

 

According to her claims in the suit marked: No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/24, the process is in contrast to similar recruitments in other ECOWAS institutions, where multiple top candidates are usually recommended.

 

However, ECOWAS had in its submission before the court through its counsel, argued that Savage was the most qualified candidate for the position.

 

Delivering judgment, Justice Dupe Atoki, on behalf of a three-member panel of the court presided over by Justice Sengu Koroma, the Vice President of the Court, dismissed all the Ivorian’s claims.

 

The panel, which also had Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara as a member, upheld ECOWAS’ submission that Savage was the most qualified candidate for the position.

 

It declared that Kone-Toure’s claims were unsubstantiated, adding that her non-selection was not in any way a violation of her rights.

 

The court further held that Savage’s appointment complied with ECOWAS Staff Regulations, and the applicant did not provide evidence of discrimination or procedural irregularity against her colleague’s appointment.

 

“On the merits, the Court examined allegations of discrimination under Article 4(1) and the principle of equitable geographical distribution under Article 9(2)(f) of the ECOWAS Staff Regulations.

 

“It found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient, verifiable evidence of differential treatment in similar circumstances.

 

“The court notes that, while she referenced practices in other institutions, she did not present the names or scores of the candidates allegedly favoured, preventing a meaningful comparative analysis.

 

“On the claim regarding geographical distribution, the court rules that the principle applies only among equally qualified candidates and does not override the requirement of merit-based selection,” the judgment reads in part.

 

Earlier, the court ruled on jurisdiction, by affirming its competence to hear the matter under Article 9(1)(f) of the 2005 Amended Protocol.

 

It also held that the suit was admissible as the applicant had exhausted all available internal remedies by initially appealing in futility to the president of the ECOWAS Commission before approaching the court. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Court fixes June 27 for judgment in Natasha, Akpabio contempt claims, others

Court fixes June 27 for judgment in Natasha, Akpabio contempt claims, others

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By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, fixed June 27 to deliver judgment in the contempt claims filed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the suit filed by the embattled lawmaker.
Justice Binta Nyako would also deliver a judgment on the preliminary objection filed by all the defendants in the suit, including the senate president, challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Nyako made this known after Michael Numa, SAN, who appeared for Akpoti-Uduaghan, and lawyers to the defendants identified and adopted their processes in the suit.
“I want to believe that all processes are in.
“What I am going to do is to first of all look at the issues of contempt and take a decision on it.
“Then I will look at the notices of preliminary objection. If they succeed, that is the end of the case and if they don’t, I will look at the originating summons filed by the plaintiff,” the judge said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that the Kogi Central senator arrived at the court to watch proceedings.
Justice Nyako had, on Monday, fixed Tuesday for the hearing of the contempt claim by the senate president against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The judge also said she would hear the earlier contempt charge filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, the Senate and others over allegations of disobedience to earlier court order.
Besides, the judge held that all other applications, including the preliminary objection and the originating summons of the embattled lawmaker would be taken together. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Sen. Natasha arrives in court as judge hears Akpabio’s contempt claims

Sen. Natasha arrives in court as judge hears Akpabio’s contempt claims

309 total views today
By Taiye Agbaje
Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, arrived at the Federal High Court in Abuja ahead of the hearing of the claim by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that the lawmaker recently flouted the court order.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Binta Nyako had, on Monday, fixed Tuesday for the hearing of the contempt claim by the Senate President against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Nyako also said she would hear the earlier contempt charge filed by Natasha against Akpabio, the Senate and others over allegations of disobedience to earlier court order. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Justice Ministry improves in crime prosecution– Fagbemi

Justice Ministry improves in crime prosecution– Fagbemi

299 total views today

By Ebere Agozie

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, says the ministry has recorded considerable improvement in the prosecution of crimes under its purview.

Fagbemi disclosed this at the Quarterly Stakeholders Engagement with the theme `Access to Criminal Justice’ on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the engagement was to update the citizens on measures and achievements of the ministry and its agencies in the area of advancing the administration of criminal justice, from October 2024 to date

“These achievements came about as a result of extant policies and actions targeted at improving the capacity of our prosecutors, increasing synergy amongst prosecuting agencies, developing appropriate policy framework.

“This is in collaboration with office of the National Security Adviser and other law enforcement or security agencies.

“The ministry’s capacity development efforts were conducted in key areas of general investigation and prosecution strategy, cyber security, forensic analysis and electronic evidence, financial investigation and prosecution, energy related offences, piracy and other maritime offences, including sexual and gender based violence.’’

He added that in order to enhance response to cyber-crime, the ministry engaged in effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders to establish a Joint Case Team (JCT) on cyber-crime.

“This initiative was conceived in response to the need for a coordinated and robust approach to combating cybercrimes as outlined in the Cyber-crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

“However, we are currently reviewing the Cyber Crime Legal Framework to strengthen our national framework, aligning with emerging trends and global best practices.”

He said that the ministry has the mandate to foster collaboration and cooperation with the international community, in order to ensure that there is no safe haven for criminals.

“In terms of extradition, the ministry successful completed the extradition of two fugitives: Hassan Bun Hussein Abolore Lawal in January 2025 and Okechukwu Josiah Odunna in March, 2025; to the United States of America.

“Successful cooperation with the Qatari authorities for the extradition of one Benjamin Nnanyereugo a.k.a Killaboi from Qatar back to Nigeria in April, 2025, to face murder charges for the unlawful killing of his girlfriend, Augusta’’.

The minister gave reasons why it has not extradited a self-styled Prime Minister of Biafra, Mr Simon Ekpa, who was arrested and detained in Finland, back to Nigeria for prosecution.

“Ekpa committed cross-border offences that also required his trial in Finland.

“The detained Biafra agitator would be returned to Nigeria upon the conclusion of a legal action the Finnish government has already instituted against him.

“He violated laws in both Finland and Nigeria, the Finnish authorities wants to deal with the situation first and afterwards, release him to us.

“So, we will allow them to finish with the engagement there and then hand him over to us,” he added.

He also said that the review period witnessed effective conduct of 237 terrorism cases from Dec. 9 to Dec. 13, 2024, out of which 226 terrorism suspects were successfully prosecuted and convicted.

“On assets recovery efforts, Nigeria executed an Asset Sharing Agreement with the United States of America on January 10, 2025 which led to the repatriation of the Galactica Assets in the sum of Fifty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand, Eighteen United States Dollars and Ninety-Five Cents from the USA.

“Out of the recovered sum, US$50 million would be deployed to funding the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) Project which is an initiative of the Federal Government to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians.

“While the remaining sum of US$2.88 million will be deployed to counter-terrorism capacity building for Criminal Justice Sector practitioners.’’

He reiterated the unwavering commitment of the current administration towards fostering transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in the administration of justice in Nigeria.

“While we are taking steps to improve the administration of justice, we look forward to receiving feedbacks from all relevant stakeholders.

“This will aid the ministry and relevant agencies in improving service delivery in this critical area.

“Today’s engagement offers a unique opportunity for open dialogue, enabling us to collectively identify gaps, propose solutions, and prioritize actions for the next phase of justice sector reforms’’. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Tariff hike: Court dismisses MultiChoice ‘s suit seeking to stop FCCPC’s sanction

Tariff hike: Court dismisses MultiChoice ‘s suit seeking to stop FCCPC’s sanction

315 total views today
By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited seeking to stop the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from taking administrative action against it.
Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the suit was an abuse of court process.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MultiChoice, the operator of DStv and Gotv, had recently increased the subscription rates on its packages against an invitation by FCCPC to give explanation on why the company wanted to effect a price hike.
Justice Omotosho had issued an interim order restraining the FCCPC from taking “any administrative steps” against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited following its announcement of price increases for DStv and GOtv.
The judge gave the order after the company’s lawyer, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/379/2025, complained that despite ongoing litigation, the FCCPC continued to send letters, threatening further sanctions against the firm. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
FG plays Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcast, videos in court to establish alleged terrorism charge

FG plays Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcast, videos in court to establish alleged terrorism charge

325 total views today
By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, played some of the “Radio Biafra” broadcasts and videos made by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in open court to establish the allegation of terrorism preferred against him.
The broadcast and video documents, which were marked as exhibits, were tendered through the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), identified as BBB, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
BBB, who testified behind screen provided by the court, said Kanu admitted making the broadcast and the videos while being led in evidence by FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN.
One of the radio broadcasts made by Kanu on Biafra Radio on Oct. 20, 2020 during #ENDSARS Protest was played in the open court.
In the live broadcast, Kanu was heard calling on the youth to attack the police officers and soldiers anywhere they were found.
The IPOB leader, in the broadcast, called on the protesters to ambush the security personnel, snatch their guns and kill them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Stakeholders urge digitisation of justice system

Stakeholders urge digitisation of justice system

328 total views today

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Some stakeholders in Nigeria’s judiciary have emphasised the urgent need to digitise the legal and judicial sector to address long-standing inefficiencies hampering effective justice delivery.

Speaking at the 2025 Justice Innovation and Technology (JIT) Summit on Tuesday in Abuja, Mrs Lucy Abagi, CEO of the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), highlighted the persistent reliance on manual court processes.

She noted that the summit aimed to promote automation for timely and efficient justice.

Abagi said PPDC, with international backing, piloted the Justice Initiative in Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Plateau states, using speech-to-text devices to enhance case management.

She added that more than 80 per cent of Nigerian courts still operated manually, and the initiative was designed to eliminate this.

“The Judic AI software, developed by young Nigerian tech graduates, has already been deployed in 16 courtrooms.

“Judges no longer need to write long-hand; instead, they get instant transcriptions, which also lightens the administrative burden,” she said.

She added that the technology could help reduce Nigeria’s backlog of awaiting trial inmates, currently estimated at around 80,000.

Bemshima Peter, CEO of Devon Technologies Ltd., also spoke at the summit, stressing the need for technological adoption in a sector that had trailed behind others.

He described Judic AI as a smart transcription and case management solution, already operational in 16 courts.

In spite of challenges like diverse accents and dialects affecting speech recognition, Peter said the company was working on multilingual capabilities for seamless communication.

National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Afam Osigwe, urged judges to become computer literate and advocated for the integration of virtual hearings to reduce delays and unnecessary physical appearances in court.

“Courts should offer virtual hearing facilities to all parties, not just expect litigants to make personal arrangements,” Osigwe said, calling the refusal of some courts to adopt such systems “unacceptable.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Devon Technologies, a legal tech firm, is working to reshape Africa’s justice systems through digital transformation and accessibility. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Federal High Court sets up Fol Desk to enhance journalists’ access to information

Federal High Court sets up Fol Desk to enhance journalists’ access to information

296 total views today
By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal High Court (FHC) has announced the establishment of Freedom of Information (FoI) Desk to enhance journalists and public access to information in the court.
The Director of Information of the FHC, Dr Catherine Christopher, said the establishment of the desk was in line with the commitment of the court to uphold transparency, promote accountability and enhance access to information.
“The court hereby announces the establishment and operationalisation of Freedom of Information (FoI) Desk.
“The Information/FoI Desk has been created to serve as a central point for:
“Receiving inquiries from journalists and members of the public.
“Submitting letters, formal FoI requests, and related correspondence;
“Providing guidance on accessing public records and information in line with the Freedom of Information Act,” Christopher said.
The director said the desk, which is located at the FHC’s Headquarters in Abuja, is fully staffed with trained personnel ready to assist individuals and organisations seeking information about the court’s activities, decisions and operations.
She said the desk would also ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements in accessing information.
“This initiative reflects the court’s ongoing efforts to foster open communication and support the constitutional right to information.
“For further information, please visit the Information/FOI Desk at the Federal High Court Headquarters during official working hours from 8:00am to 4:00pm or contact us via email at fhc.informationdepartment@gmail.com or phone 09160005854.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FoI Act, passed in 2011, grants citizens a legally enforceable right to access information held by public institutions, including government ministries, agencies and bodies performing public functions.
The Act aims to promote transparency, accountability, and public participation in government. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
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