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Distinguished Colleagues, By a letter dated 25 January 2024, the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, CFR, JP, has requested me, as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, to nominate suitably qualified candidates to be recommended for appointment to the Court of Appeal Bench. Based on regional consideration, the existing vacancies are as follows: North Central (6), North East (1), North West (3), South East (5), South South (3) and South West (4). Consequently, suitably qualified candidates interested in applying for appointment to the Court of Appeal, are requested to submit their Expression of Interest to the National Secretariat of the NBA on or before 7th February, 2024.  All correspondences should be addressed to: The President Nigerian Bar Association c/o Ayodeji Oni, Esq. Head, Legal Regulatory and Compliance Unit National Secretariat Plot 1101 Cadastral Zone A00 Central Business District Abuja. THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST SHOULD

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete F. Fabian-Obot has requested the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch to nominate 8 qualified legal practitioners for appointment as High Court Judges. In a letter dated January 22nd, 2024, Justice Fabian-Obot indicated that the consent of the State Governor and approval of the National Judicial Council has been obtained for the appointment of 5 new judges for the state. The Chief Judge asked the NBA to forward nominations and reasons for each candidate on or before February 8, 2024.  This development comes as Akwa Ibom State aims to strengthen its judiciary through the appointment of more judges to support swift dispensation of justice and curriculum vitae must accompany the nominations. The request for NBA’s input is to ensure only competent and credible lawyers are elevated to the bench. The association is expected to assess aspirants based on set criteria. However, the Chief Judge’s action of seeking NBA’s counsel at this ini

The most senior judge in England and Wales and two other judges said there was consensual penetration, but the man behaved aggressively and ignored the woman’s demand not to ejaculate. The woman had challenged a decision not to prosecute the man for rape and sexual assault. The judges have ordered prosecutors to review their decision. Prosecutors had decided not to charge him as it would be “impossible to prove” that the man’s decision was not “spontaneous” and “made at the point of ejaculation”. ‘CONTROL OVER HER’ Handing down a written ruling, the three judges said the man had been controlling and aggressive during sex. On the specific incident in question the woman consented on the clear understanding that the man would not ejaculate within her vagina. The ruling said: “She believed that he intended and agreed to withdraw before ejaculation.  (He) knew and understood that this was the only basis on which she was prepared to have sexual intercourse with him. “In short, there is evide

The plane that crash landed in Ibadan was alleged to have had break failure. The plane flew in from Abuja. The newspot reporter learnt from the officials at the airport that it landed safely but could not hold till it overshot the runway and skidded into nearby bush. The airport officials are refusing to release the manifest for now. However no life was lost and the aircraft was said to be in good condition but had to be delayed pending conclusion of investigation. When contacted, a spokesman for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Tunji Oketunmbi, confirmed the incident but said a team had been dispatched to the site for a probe. The private jet had about 10 persons onboard including Very Important Personalities (VIP'S) who were said came for a birthday celebration. The incident happened on Friday 26 January 2024  around 11 am at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport. The jet with registration number, N580KR, missed the runway and skidded into the nearby bush. Firefighte

An impeccable source said the jet crash-landed on Friday around 11 am at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport. The jet with registration number, N580KR, missed the runway into the nearby bush. Firefighters and rescue officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were immediately deployed to the scene.  But there was no death or casualty recorded. “It was a private plane from Abuja.  It landed safely but overshot the runway.  There was no casualty,” a spokesperson for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Carol Adekotujo, told our correspondent over the phone. WATCH VIDEO: When contacted, a spokesman for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Tunji Oketunmbi, said he would revert but he was yet to do so as of press time. The rate of aviation incidents in the past few months has been concerning despite the sacking and replacement of heads of aviation agencies.  In November, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, escaped death when a plane he was on board crash

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja sexual offences and domestic violence court has sentenced a Nigerian cleric, Bishop Feyi Daniel, founder of I Reign Christian Ministry, to life imprisonment for “raping a church member”. The trial judge, on Friday, found the cleric guilty of rape and sexual assault of a female worshipper. Also, the court found Mr. Daniels guilty of the offence of sexual assault of two members of his church and sentenced him to three years in prison. Justice Rahman Oshodi in his judgement, said the court held the testimony of the complainant as well as other witnesses who gave direct evidence, none of which was contradicted at any point during the trial, despite the denials of the defendant. He said, prosecution had successfully proven all the ingredients of rape under section 260(2) of the criminal laws of Lagos state, 2015. While discharging the defendant of the second count of allegedly raping another church member at his home in 2020, the court said the prosecution

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal by a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, against the judgments of the lower court which imprisoned him A Federal Capital Territory High Court had sentenced  Lawan to seven years imprisonment for receiving a $500,000 bribe while serving as the chairman of the House’s ad-hoc committee investigating the fuel subsidy fraud in 2012. The trial judge, Angela Otaluka, held that Lawan demanded $3m and received $500,000 from Femi Otedola in 2012 to remove Otedola’s oil company, Zenon Oil and Gas, from the list of firms indicted for fraud in the fuel subsidy regime. She also held that  Lawan was guilty of all three counts of corruption and bribery. Not satisfied, Lawan approached the appellate court where his jail term was reduced from seven to five years. Lawan is at the apex court urging the court to set aside the judgments of the lower court. Reading the lead judgment, Justice Tijani Abubakar upheld the decision of the ap

  I wish to bring to the notice of the National Association of Delta State Students who are planning a protest over non-payment of bursary award, that His Excellency the Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori has approved the payment of the 2023 bursary award and has directed the State Scholarship Board to make arrangements to commence disbursement to validly qualified students of Delta State origin by the first week of February 2024. I therefore urge the leadership of NADETSSU to shelve their planned protest since the core issue of the 2023 bursary is settled Any protest at this time can only be counter-productive besides the consequences, which are unpredictable, given the history of youth protest in Nigeria.  It is common knowledge that Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori is not only youth friendly, but also interested in youth development, which is a critical component of his M.O.R.E agenda. He is definitely a father figure whose love for students can only be described in

  Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has been relieved of his membership in the National Judicial Council (NJC), authoritative sources have confirmed. The decision was communicated via a letter to the incumbent NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN, signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and NJC Chairman, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.  He cited Mr. Akpata’s recent involvement in partisan politics as reason for the termination. Sources close to Mr. Akpata indicate he was taken aback by the decision and believes it is beyond the powers of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to unilaterally remove a member of the NJC on grounds of political involvement. His camp argues that this prerogative lies with the individual member.  They cited the example of former NJC member and Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, who voluntarily resigned his role in 2015 to pursue his political ambition. While said to be deeply troubled by the turn of events, Mr. Akpata is reluctan

  The Chief Justice of Nigeria and chairman, National Judicial Council has given approval to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Abuja, Hon. Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf, to initiate the process of appointing 12 additional judges to join the FCT High Court bench. In a notification letter dated 18th January, 2024, addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as well as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Justice Yusuf announced the commencement of the selection exercise for judges from the following 12 states across the federation; Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba and Zamfara. According to the guideline, interested candidates are expected to submit their application along with detailed resume to the Chief Judge’s office not later than February 19, 2024 for review and consideration. According to Justice Yusuf,  the move aims to expand and enhance the High Court’s capacity t

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, approved the appointment of AIG Dasuki Galadanci, AIG in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, as a Deputy Inspector General of Police to represent the North West geopolitical zone of the country. He will replace DIG Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, who is expected to retire on February 2 this year. The Commission also approved the promotion of 1,897 senior police officers to their next substantive ranks. In a statement by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission elevated 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police. “However, one of the commissioners for promotion to AIG was stepped down to enable the Commission to review the pending disciplinary matter against the officer, which was sent to the Commission by the Nigeria Police Force.” The new AIGs are:  Yetunde O. Longe, CP Eastern Ports, Port Harcourt;  Haruna Gabriel Garba, CP Federal Capital Territory;  Tajudeen Akinwale Abass, CP Delta State; 

  As part of efforts to fast track the dispensation of justice, the Oyo State judiciary has sworn-in eight newly-appointed presidents of Grade A customary courts in the state, who will serve as the first legal filter to cases coming from the courts and will be handling matrimonial and customary land matters that fall within their jurisdictions. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabode Yerima, stated that with the appointment of more qualified legal practitioners as presidents, customary court Grade ‘A’, she is confident that the judicial arm of government would be able to discharge adequately it's statutory responsibilities to the common man. According to Justice Yerima,“this will go a long way to fast track the dispensation of justice, especially at the grassroot level.  It is pertinent to appreciate the responsibility of an independent judiciary to good governance, good neighbourliness and the protection of the helpless.  I charge yo

Customers of First Bank in Ekiti State are currently finding it difficult to make any transaction in Ekiti state. This development which is as a result of network failure on the part of the bank has left many customers stranded. The ugly situation started on Tuesday and reports has it that First Bank has not been able to resolve the situation. As at the time of this report, a visit to the First Bank Head Office in Okeyimi area of Ado Ekiti revealed, large numbers of customers were disallowed from gaining access into the bank premises because there is no network to attend to their transactions. Efforts were made to speak with the officials of the Bank but the security officers denied our reporter entry saying it is a directive that no one should be allowed in.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal high court Abuja, has adjourned till January 26, 2024, for the continuation of trial, the matter brought before it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the immediate past Head of Service of the federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita and others who are standing trial on the allegations of fraud regarding duty tour allowance, estacodes, conference fees, and receiving kickbacks on contracts to the tune of 3 Billion naira. At the resumption of trial, EFCC prosecutor, called his 8th witness, Hamma-Adama Bello, who said the former Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, and others awarded contracts to companies they incorporated or had stakes in. At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Bello, who is a Chief Superintendent of EFCC and the Head of Special Investigation Team, was brought in as the 8th prosecution witness. Led in evidence by the EFCC lawyer, Farouk Abdullah, Bello said the team received intelligence from the office of the EFCC chairman so

Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has forwarded the name of Commissioner - designate for the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, to the State House of Assembly for confirmation. The governor forwarded the name to the Speaker of the State of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, on Tuesday. Governor Oborevwori appointed Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. Ekemejero of the popular legal Ohwovoriole family of Olomu Kingdom hails from Ughelli South Local Government. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria was among the lawyers that successfully prosecuted the legal suits challenging the election of Governor Oborevwori. HIS PROFILE: Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN was called to the Nigerian Bar in March, 1995 and posted to the Chambers of Mrakpor & Oju in Lagos for his mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC), where he worked as a Counsel from 1995 to 1996.  After his national youth service, he started his legal practice with the r

  Justice F. Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday, January 22, 2024, admitted a fresh exhibit against Emmanuella Eteta Ita, Head of Stakeholders Unit of the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS and Surestart School Ltd in a trial within trial to determine the admissibility of her statement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Ita and Surestart School Ltd are standing trial on a 25-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation, diversion, criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of 2billion naira. Ita’s counsel, Paul Erokoro had objected to the admissibility of the statement of her client before the court, claiming that it was exacted from her under duress and in the absence of her counsel.  This came even as the defendant reportedly volunteered her statement to EFCC's investigators in the presence of Eka Didara-Abasi Akpata, a lawyer from the Federal Inland  Revenue Service, FIRS, who accompanied her to the

Barring any last minute intervention, Nigeria is set to lose up to $21 million foreign assets with international financial giant, JP Morgan. This is following the filing of a notice for the withdrawal of the said sum in a United Kingdom (UK) judgment debt from Nigeria’s account with JP Morgan. The withdrawal notice was sequel to a rejection of Nigeria’s appeal against the judgment of a British Court, permitting the seizure of the assets from Nigeria’s account with JP Morgan, to offset the judgment entered against Nigeria about five years ago. Meanwhile, the law firm of Brown Gavalas & Fromm LLP and other lawyers hired by the government of President Bola Tinubu are currently challenging the withdrawal on procedural grounds. It was learnt that all parties have concluded their filings ahead of a decision to be made any time from now by the court. Recall that a British-Nigerian citizen, Emovbira Williams had dragged the federal government before a UK Court, over alleged fraud and abuse

The federal high court sitting in Abuja on Friday, 15th December, 2023, (coram) Hon. Justice G. K. Olotu has ordered the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission to without delay register the Nigerian Law society, a rival body of Nigerian Bar Association as a legally recognized body. Delivering it's judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/482/2023 filed by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN & 5 ORS V. Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) favour of the Plaintiffs, the Court, rejected the argument of CAC in both the Preliminary Objection and the substantive Suit and held that, the right to peaceful assembly and association guaranteed under Section 40 of the CFRN 1999 covers the kind of association the Plaintiffs intend to register. On the defendants claim of lack of spread and national character, the court also held that it cannot find anywhere under sections 823, 824 and 825 of CAMA where spread and national character was stated as pre-conditions for registration of an incorporated

Legal Luminary and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Niyi Akintola, has called for more devolution of powers to the state and local government in the areas of solid minerals management and exploration. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) made the call shortly after conducting newsmen round House 40, one of his properties among other structures that were badly affected by last week Tuesday’s explosion at Old Bodija, Ibadan. Speaking, Chief Akintola said it was unheard and unreasonable that one or two people who sits in cozy air-conditioned office in Abuja, will determine those to be given visa, licences and even protection to explore solid minerals across the country with any input or knowledge of the government at the state or local level. Lauding Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde for coming to the aide of the victims, he challenged members of the National Assembly to wake up to their responsibilities by giving some leverage to the state and local government on solid mi

    PRESS RELEASE: IBADAN EXPLOSION: ALAKE AWAITS OUTCOME OF FORENSIC INVESTIGATION, MINES INSPECTORATE DEPLOYED . Since the unfortunate incident of the Ibadan explosion, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake swung into action immediately to ascertain the real cause(s) of the blast.  President Bola Tinubu, it would be recalled, placed a phone call to the Oyo state governor in the presence of the minister to commiserate with the governor, victims, and people of Oyo state. Thereafter, the Minister issued a statement of condolence to the victims, commended the succour provided victims by the Oyo governor, and followed up with deploying the State's Mines Inspectorate to the scene of the explosion to join other security agencies in unravelling what led to the blast.  Already, the Federal Government has ordered forensic investigations to determine the real cause of the blast, the explosives type that triggered it and the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incid

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has felicitated elder statesman and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo as he clocks 85 years. Governor Oborevwori in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, lauded the renowned lawyer and a political leader for his contributions to the development and growth of Delta State.  He recalled that Bozimo has continued to play significant roles in the development of the state as a member of the State’s Advisory and Peace Building Council.  The governor specifically lauded the former minister for his steadfastness in providing leadership for the Ijaw nation and committing to the success of his administration, adding that he would continue to treasure his counseling at all times.  Governor Oborevwori said: “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate our father and leader of inestimable value, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, on the occasion of his 85th birth annivers

The incorporation of OPay into the suite of checkout payment options on the Interswitch Payment Gateway (IPG) adds a new layer of convenience for users, complementing the existing array of payment methods such as Card, Quick-teller, Transfer, QR, and USSD. This strategic alliance aims to redefine the digital payment experience, providing users with a secure and frictionless payment solution.  Elizabeth, Vice-President of App and Cards at OPay, speaking on the partnership said, “OPay is fully committed to making financial services more inclusive and this partnership with Interswitch would consolidate this mission.  We are confident that Pay with Opay which is a 2-step payment solution will bring about faster and secure transactions for customers.  It is a closed-looped solution that ensures a higher success rate with good network uptime.  More exciting is the level of adoption this product has witnessed in the market; this will encourage us to continue to build better solutions for offl

  Passenger en-route the Ibadan - Abuja overland airways flight on Sunday morning were left stranded as the flight scheduled to ply the route failed to pick them to Abuja. The flight which was officially scheduled for 8.25am, Sunday morning did not arrive the  Alakia Ibadan airport until about 10.05 am, about one hour thirty minutes behind schedule. Thinking their waiting plight was over, passengers were called to Board and the aircraft was filled up with anxious customers of the airline eager to meet up with their various appointments in Abuja when suddenly the airline officials announced that the trip has been cancelled due to a fault on the aircraft. Right now, passengers who have booked their flights days ahead are left stranded as abandoned to their fate not sure of Overland airways plans of making alternative arrangements to convey them to Abuja, refund their monies or compensate them for the breach of contract after so much delay. More details shortly...

The executive committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan branch, has sympathized with victims of Tuesday’s explosion at Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital. The association in a statement by its publicity secretary, Oluwatobi Fatoki, Esq. said the chairman of the association, Folasade Aladeniyi and other members of the executive committee of the Bar reached out to legal practitioners residing and practicing around the axis of the explosion. The association revealed that some legal practitioners from the Ibadan branch of the  NBA, including, the former Governor of old Oyo state, Chief Bola Ige, former deputy governor of Oyo state, Iyiola Oladokun, Niyi Akintola (SAN), Niyi Farinto, Ayo Arowosafe among others, were affected by the explosion. The executive committee of the NBA commended the swift action of the state government, security agencies, fire brigade, medical practitioners, Red Cross and others in ameliorating the effect of the blast on the  victims. The NBA cha

The Abuja Division of the Appeal Court, has sacked the Ibrahim Gusau - led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board. In a significant ruling, the Appellate Court delivered a verdict that has caused a major upheaval in Nigerian football. Justice Barika, alongside Justices Okon Abang and Justice Banjoko, ordered the dismissal of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board. In Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1006/2022, the court sacked the NFF Board by setting aside and striking out all ‘dubious’ orders allegedly obtained by ‘deceit’ on the 29th of September 2022 to conduct the purported NFF election of September 30th in Benin City, Edo State and further ordered that the processes be deleted from all systems of the court forthwith. The aftermath of this decision is expected to have significant implications on the governance and future direction of football in Nigeria as the ruling has plunged the Nigerian football community into a state of confusion and uncertainty as any sacked NFF Board member para

  A Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Abuja, on Friday, ordered Mr Chinenye Duru, a Polaris Bank official and account officer to Mr Victor Onukogu (Daddy Hezekiah), to be remanded in a correctional facility over an alleged N16.6 billion fraud. Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order after Duru was arraigned by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge preferred against him. While the IGP is the complainant in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/603/2023, Polaris Bank Plc and Duru are 1st and 2nd defendants. The judge, who adjourned the matter until April 23, April 24 and April 25 for trial, ordered Duru to be remanded in a correctional centre, pending further orders of the court. In count one, Polaris Bank and Duru were alleged to have between Nov. 17, 2017, and Aug 14, 2023, fraudulently withdrew from Onukogu Victor Hezekiah’s account numbers: 1040495455 and 1060104735, domiciled with the bank the sum of 16 billion and 500 million naira. It

His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State has graciously approved bursary allowance in the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#500,000) per head for batch 2023 Law school students who are indigene of Oyo state as the yearly practice.  The students have been enjoying this package since year 2019 when His Excellency came on board. The Oyo state scholarship board has therefore completed all necessary arrangements on verification and screening of the students as the usual practice to ascertain the claims submitted.  The screening of the students in the seven Law school campuses across Nigeria is hereby scheduled as follow: (1) Wednesday, 24th Jan, 2024 - Lagos and Abuja campuses (2) Thursday, 25th Jan, 2024 - Kano, Enugu and Yenogoa campuses (3) Friday, 26th Jan, 2024 - Yola and Port- Harcourt campuses. Time: 10:00a.m daily. Venue: Board conference room, Ministry of Education, Secretariat Ibadan. Members of public are hereby informed to take cognizance of