ZYNGA NEWS

Two Federal High Courts sitting in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of MT Kali and MT Harbor Spirit, two bunkering vessels to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The two vessels were recently arrested by operatives of TSSNL in conjunction with the special task force set up by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. Delivering an interim order of forfeiture in the case filed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, Justice J. K. Omotosho yesterday ordered that MT Harbor Spirit and its content be forfeited to the Federal Government pending when any party might show cause why the order should not be made final within six months. The police, in the charge between the IGP v. MT Kali & 22 others, had arraigned the vessel and its crew members before Justice J. O. Abdulmalik. The court ordered the sale of the stolen crude oil contained in the impounded ocean-going equipment by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and also directed that the p

  In a move to checkmate an alleged slanderous statement, a prominent socio-cultural association known as 'Àpérò Ọmọ Òkehò Global', has called on Mr Kola Olootu an Ibadan based radio presenter to without delay broadcast a rejoinder over an alleged slanderous remarks he made against the ancient town of Okeho or face legal action if he fails to do so. National President of Àpérò Ọmọ Òkehò, Pastor Favour Adéwálé Adéwọyin, speaking on behalf of Onjo of Òkehò-land, His Royal Majesty, Oba AbdRofiu Osuolale Mustapha Adeitan 11, and all the proud sons and daughters of Okeho town at home and in the diaspora, said, the 7 days ultimatum to Kola Olootu takes effect from Thursday, 29th February, 2024 when he is expected to tender an unreserved apology over his unguarded statement or face legal action. According to Adewoyin, the demand for a retraction and apology follows Olootu's disparaging comments directed at the ancient Town of Òkehò, over a prolonged period of power outage in the

In a unanimous vote, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has removed the leadership of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) of the association. This decision was taken during the recent NEC quarterly meeting held in Jos.  A motion moved by NBA Gwagwalada Branch and seconded by a co-opted member from the Maiduguri Branch called on the president to preside over NEC meeting and ratify all actions taken regarding SPIDEL. The motion also called for an investigation into SPIDEL’s leadership and their suspension.  This was reinforced by other NEC members underscoring the need to uphold the recommendations. Additionally, the NEC passed a vote of confidence on the NBA Executive Committee led by President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN. Meanwhile, the NBA NEC has scheduled it's 2024 National officers election to take place on the 20th of July, 2024. It will be recalled that Maikyau had accused SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins

The Body of Benchers has scheduled dates for prospective lawyers who passed the recent bar screening exercise to collect their Call to Bar invitation cards. Secretary of the Body, Hadiza Umar Muhammad said qualified aspirants for the upcoming call to Bar ceremony are to pick up their invites from the Body’s liaison office seminar hall in Abuja. In a notice dated 28th February, 2024, Muhammad stated that aspirants to the Bar, who have successfully completed the vocational screening process can obtain their invitation cards from the Body of Benchers office at Plot 688, Institution and Research District, FCC Phase III, Abuja within the allotted dates in preparedness for the forthcoming induction ceremony. The collection dates are: February 28th - 12pm to 5pm February 29th - 9am to 5pm March 1st.        - 9am to 5pm March 2nd.       - 10am to 5pm The Body of Benchers, comprising distinguished legal practitioners is responsible for formally calling aspiring legal practitioners to the Bar.

Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has urged the heads of agencies under his ministry to work towards improving public service delivery strategies in the justice sector. Mr Fagbemi made this call during the Performance Contract Signing Ceremony with heads of agencies under the ministry tagged Justice Sector Plan, which contains 15 Ministerial Deliverables, 49 Key Performance Indicators Baselines and Targets. According to the Minister, the Justice sector is key towards ensuring socio-economic development of the nation, through improved access to justice, synergy between MDA's, ensuring legal protection, legal awareness, legal aid and counsel, adjudication, enforcement, and supporting sustainable peace and security through effective alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.  While calling for a collective responsibility in the charge for improved governance and effective service delivery in the respective MDAs, Fagbemi said government will pr

The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Akure branch has announced that the entire members of NBA Akure will be organizing a civic reception in honour of Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN., OON; Ondo state's Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice designate on Friday, 1st March 2024 at Aare Afe Babalola Babalola Bar Centre, Oke- Eda by 11am. He stated that, Dr. kayode Ajulo's, contribution to the Akure Bar is huge and unprecedented.  According to him, 'This is a honour well deserved and this is an auspicious time to pay back the goodwill exhibited by the learned silk'. The Chairman hereby use this opportunity to invite the entire members of NBA Akure and in Ondo State in general to the ceremony.  Important dignitaries in the legal profession are expected to converge at the occasion. Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN., will be sworn in as Commissioner at the Executive Council chamber of Ondo State by 10am and immediately after the swearing in; NBA Akure will host him to a reception and par

A federal high court sitting in Lagos, has restrained telecommunication operators in Nigeria from deactivating or barring any line or SIM that has not been linked with NIN by their subscribers. Justice Lewis-Allagoa gave the ruling, in a suit filed by a legal practitioner, Barr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, who sought the relief of the court to stop the move to disconnect subscribers over NIN–SIM linkage, stating that it infringed on his fundamental rights. Ogungbeje, in suit number FHC/L/CS/667/23, named the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, and Airtel Networks Nigeria Limited as respondents. According to his statement of claim, the respondents are aware of the appellant/applicant’s appeal to the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, as the respondents have since been duly served with the appellant/applicant’s Notice of Appeal. That despite the pendency of the appellant/applicant’s appeal, efforts are underway by

A two day free masterclass webinar, organised by the In-house and Government counsel forum of the Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch begins today, 28th of February, 2024. The webinar with the topic: Code & Counsel: Crafting an AI Roadmap for Legal Excellence is put in place to further broaden the minds of legal practitioners on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence into legal workflow, up skill legal practitioners on the current trends and developments in Legal Artificial Intelligence among other key considerations and guidelines for drafting AI policies. CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER FOR THE TRAINING; Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch In-House and Government Counsel Forum Master Class . Topic:  Code & Counsel: Crafting an AI Roadmap for Legal Excellence * Day:  Feb. 28 & 29 2024 Time:  03:00 - 06:00 PM West Central Africa   Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctcuuuqTkqGdAAO14jjvAd5J_128INGUN3   A confirmatory

A Loyalist of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Engr. Amoo Abeeb Bolaji (Yayi) has described as remarkable and unprecedented, the achievements of the present administration in the State across the six geo-political zones of the state. He said the Engineer Seyi Makinde administration is very serious in enthroning democracy at the local government level with the accelerated development. Bolaji commended the Engineer Seyi Makinde for making Oyo State the number one investment destination in Nigeria, with the creation of employment opportunities for the teeming youths. He added further that the State Government would complete the on-going infrastructural projects across the State which according to him would contribute immensely to the economic growth of the State. He then called on the politicians home and diaspora to continue their undiluted support for Governor Makinde to bring the dividends of democracy to the grassroot level. According to Bolaji "Governor Makinde has been able

Judicial workers in Ogun have shut down courts in the state following the commencement of a five-day warning strike over non-payment of the 40 percent peculiar allowance. The workers, under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Ogun State chapter, were stationed before the state high court and magistrate court in Isabo, Abeokuta, ensuring that the gates remained locked. Litigants and lawyers were seen loitering around as judges were also prevented from accessing the premises and performing their duties. Chairman of JUSUN in Ogun state, Olarenwaju Ajiboye noted that the workers were forced to embark on the strike following the refusal of the state government to accede to their demands following the expiration of the 21 day ultimatum issued to the state government. SENIOR LAWYER APPROACH NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT OVER OSUN JUSUN STRIKE  Meanwhile,the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Ibadan may summon the Osun State Chief Judge Justice Adepele Ojo and the sta

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete F. Fabian-Obot, has approved the redeployment of four judges of the state High Court to new judicial divisions. A circular from the Chief Judge’s office shows that Hon. Justices Joy Isaiah Unwana, Theresa Isidore Obot, Ezekiel Okon Enang and Uwem Freedom Ibritam were affected in the latest postings. Justice Unwana was redeployed from the High Court Oron division to High Court 3 Uyo division to take over cases handled by two other redeployed judges. On her part, Justice Obot was posted from High Court 3 Uyo division to High Court Etinan division while Justice Enang moved in the opposite direction from Etinan to Oron division. Also, Justice Ibritam was redeployed from High Court 8 Uyo division to High Court Okobo division in the latest reshuffle. The Chief Judge directed that part-heard matters at defence stage or due for judgement must be concluded by the redeployed judges without further orders extending jurisdiction. The postings take

  Speaking on behalf of Oyo state at the workshop, with the theme, ‘Transforming Borders from Barriers of Separation to Bridges of Cooperation and Integration, Oyo state deputy Governor, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, who also doubles as the State’s Boundary Committee chairman, said there is the need for a synergy between Nigeria and Benin Republic to bolster economic development and to strengthen our internal security system within the region noting that out of the 770km boundary, Oyo State has 85.3km stretch of the boundary, with Saki-west, Atisbo and Iwajowa local governments sharing boundaries with Benin Republic. This according to him is to fulfill one of the objective of Boundary definition which among others include the determination of the extent of a territory for economic exploration, administrative convenience, equitable distribution of resources and internal security and urged the National Boundary Commission to approach the parliament for an increase in budgetary al

Wife of former Governor of Ondo state, Arabinrin Betty Akeredolu has paid glowing tribute to the undying love her late husband, Arakunrin Rotimi odunayo Akeredolu had for her till he breath his last. Mrs Akeredolu who is yet to come to terms with the death of her husband of 42 years did not fail to diss her detractors who she described as wife beater and declared that "Jail awaits you even if you are a Governor and you beat your wife". READ FULL TEXT OF THE TRIBUTE: “  Darlin,… It’s me, your adorable Betty. You just left me Just like that! It hurts Badly it hurts Now alone To face all manners of mockery From the so-called friends and adversaries alike. Not a few lashed out that you were a weakling because you loved me. Abeg o!  Can an Amotekun Generalssimo be a weakling?  Mbanuu!  It doesn’t add up nau.  Haba!!! By the way, do they know what love is?  I don’t think so. In their homes, while growing up they saw their mothers trampled upon as doormats. Beaten up like punch bags

The House Committee on National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) led by Regina Akume has ordered the National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to suspended the ban on spirits, alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles. This decision was reached after a public hearing on the situation that also had,  The Deputy Chairman, House committee, Idu Obiajulu;  Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa;  NAFDAC DG, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye;  DG of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir,  Representatives of the Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria; Representatives of the spirits and alcoholic drinks producers;  Officials of the Nigerian Police Force; Customs and Excise;  Federal Road Safety Corps;  Organised labour and the civil society were present at the public hearing. After hearing where the NAFDAC DG  claimed the ban was imposed to protect the health and welfare of ch

Former National Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata has been declared winner of Edo  Labour Party   (LP) Governorship primary election. Akpata scored 316 votes to win the exercise held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Friday. The Deputy governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, who is the returning officer for the poll made the declaration after collating the results.

  President Bola Tinubu has said that accountable judicial system will solve the resurgence of military coups and strengthen democracy across West Africa. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made these remarks at a meeting with a delegation from the ECOWAS Judicial Council led by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Council, at the State House in Abuja. He congratulated Judges from member states who participated in the two-day council meeting in Abuja, applauding the successful conclusion of their deliberations and gave assurance that their recommendations would be considered by the heads of state and government of ECOWAS. "We will work with you to ensure that your expertise is employed to promote justice in our democratic experiences on the continent and in the region".  You are truly the last hope of the common man across our sub-region,” President Tinubu added. We are committed to transformative democracy because we believe the judiciary can pro

  The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will on Monday swear-in the 11 Justices of the Supreme Court whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate on December 21 last year. Spokesman of the supreme court, Dr. Festus Akande confirmed that the event will hold by 10 am at the main courtroom of the court. The Justices are; Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani  Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein. Justices Obande Festus Ogbuinya, Justice Stephen Jonah Adah Justice Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar Justice Mohammed Baba Idris.

“Now, we are seriously and genuinely wailing under pressure.  And, seemingly, no succour or help in sight!!!  Who is going to come to our aid and relieve us of the great pressure?” They are prominent Nigerians who have attained certain levels of influence in their chosen professions and careers.  They represented and were the voice of the people against oppression and all oppressive tendencies. Some of them have passed on to the great beyond…many of them are still alive…they mounted the rostrum…  They all stood up vociferously in their protest on 9th January, 2012 against the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration. Rightly or wrongly, they pontificated on the implications of such an action on the economy and its attendant negative ripple effect(s) on hapless Nigerians. The late reggae musician, Ras Kimono, loudly sang his popular tune, (Under Pressure), during the January 2012 protest.  Little did he knew that we were nowhere under pressu

The House of Representatives has asked the Council of Legal Education to put in abeyance, the recent 60 percent increase in the school fees of the Nigeria Law School. Adopting a motion by the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda and read on his behalf by Ginger Owusibe, the house asked its relevant committees on Justice, Tertiary Education and Services to explore solutions to the issue at hand and report back within two weeks. Chinda described the Nigerian Law School as the medium through which the Council of Legal Education discharges its function to regulate the legal education of persons seeking to become members of the legal profession as provided for under Section 1(2) of the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc.) Act Cap. L10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. He said the function of the Council of Legal Education to oversee legal education in Nigeria includes deciding the cost of tuition and other services rendered to students of the Nigerian Law School. He stress

The Olugbesan family members of Oke-Agbeni, Ibadan have petitioned the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun seeking the removal of Hazeem Gbolarunmi as their Mogaji. The petition was titled: “REQUEST TO WITHDRAW MOGAJI APPOINTMENT ON HAZEEM GBOLARUNMI”, and was signed by; Alhaji Lukman Durosomo Olugbesan, Tunbosun Durosomo Olugbesan,  Chief Taofeek Olugbesan,  Akibu Durosomo Olugbesan,  Labisi Olumide Olugbesan,  Sunkanmi Labisi Olugbesan, and  Monsura Olugbesan. They accused the former deputy governor, Hazeem Gbolarunmi of engaging in actions capable of damaging the reputation, unity and peaceful co-existence among members of Olugbesan family. “Your Imperial Majesty sir, we are writing this letter to inform you of the collective decision of Olugbesan Family of Oke-Agbeni, Ibadan, to withdraw the Mogaji appointment earlier given to Hazeem Gbolarunmi.” The letter reads: “For your information sir, since his appointment as Mogaji Olugbesan family in 2008, he has used the p

The Federal High Court will proceed on its 2024 Easter vacation on March 22. A statement by the court’s spokesperson, Catherine Oby Christopher, said the vacation will end on Monday, 8th April, 2024, pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (b) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended). "The court resumes sitting on Tuesday, 9th April, 2024 in all Judicial Divisions". During the vacation period, the Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt judicial divisions shall remain open to the public only for cases of extreme urgency. “It is essential to stress that, during the vacation, only matters relating to enforcement of fundamental rights, arrest or release of vessels and matters that concerns dire national interest are to be entertained by vacation judges. “The Abuja judicial division will cater for cases from the Federal Capital Territory, North Central, North Western, and North Eastern parts of the country. “Lagos division will cater for cases from all t

Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), yesterday, declared that Nigeria's hunger crisis has reached an alarming state, saying the situation demands immediate attention and collective effort to ameliorate the sufferings of vulnerable persons. Secretary General of the body, Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Kende, who made the declaration in Abuja, said the organisation is deeply concerned about the escalating food insecurity in the country saying the rising fuel price has led to hyperinflation and the soaring of food prices, beyond the reach of many Nigerians. He said about 26.5 million Nigerians, including women and children, are currently facing acute hunger, and are in dire need of urgent assistance to prevent death and prolonged suffering. According to him, “More than half of the states in Nigeria are presently food insecure, and the hunger crisis has reached alarming levels.  Increased insecurity, inflation, extreme weather patterns, and global conflicts continue to drive hunger.” Kende declared,

NOTICE OF SPECIAL COURT SESSION AND DAY OF TRIBUTE IN HONOUR OF LATE ARAKUNRIN OLUWAROTIMI ODUNAYO AKEREDOLU SAN, CON. TAKE NOTICE that the Valedictory Court Session and Day of Tribute in honour of our very own Late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu comes up today, Monday, 19th February, 2024. As a result of same, the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division will not be sitting on Monday, 19th February, 2024 in honour of our late Arakunrin. Wishing us all a pleasant week ahead. *OLUWATOBI FATOKI ESQ.* (Publicity Secretary, NBA Ibadan Branch).

The Council of Legal Education has released the requirements for aspirants in the March 2024 Call to Bar. A memo signed by the Director of Administration (Students’ Affairs), Mr Chinedu Ukekwe, on behalf of the Acting Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration gave a detailed outline of the requirements to be met by prospective aspirants. Candidates are to come for screening with the following: Evidence of payment of N30,000 Call to Bar processing fee into the Body of Benchers Call to Bar Zenith Bank account Evidence of payment of N10,000 Alumni fee into the Council of Legal Education TSA at any commercial bank Original and photocopies of LL.B certificate Original and photocopies of Law School identity card Printout of the candidate’s Law School result See the full notice below

  The management of Nigerian Law school has been given the go-ahead to clear the back log of admission for qualified law graduates who are yet to be admitted for the mandatory one year training Programme for legal practitioners in Nigeria. This decisions formed part of the resolution of the Council for Legal Education at it's just concluded council meeting. The council announced the commencement of a Mid-Year Academic Session for the 2024/2025 academic calendar by May to address the backlog of law graduates resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).  According to the council, this session is however not open to universities that exceeded their approved admission quotas. The council also deferred the management memo for the review of penalties for applicants to the Nigerian Law School previously punished by their universities for diverse acts of misconduct to allow for further consultations”. The Council of Lega

The report of the Management Publication Assessment Committee recommending the promotion of some intermediate academic and library staff of the Nigerian Law school has been approved by the Council of Legal Education (CLE), under the chairmanship of Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN). The council also approved the report and recommendations of the Appointments, Promotions, and Disciplinary Committee (AP&DC) headed by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), for the promotion and discipline of some senior academic and non-academic staff of the Nigerian Law School. Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayomi Odusote Mr. Polycarp Chibueze Okorie Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, and Mr. Salmanu Mohammed Rilwanu were appointed as Deputy Director's-General and Head of campuses of the Nigerian Law School for a five-year tenure.

The Council of Legal Education (CLE), under the chairmanship of Chief Emeka Ngige, (SAN), has approved the accreditation of Law Programme of some universities across the country. This decision was made during the quarterly meeting of the Council The universities include,  Adamawa State University, Mubi, Adamawa State. Mewar International University, Masaka, Nasarawa State. Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State. Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State. Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State. Ms. Aderonke Osho, Acting Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, explained in a statement that the accreditation was based on reports presented by the Board of Studies chaired by the Director-General, Prof. Isa Hayatu Ciroma (SAN).

Bakers and Caterers in Nigeria have announced a nationwide strike, effective 27th February 2024. The decision was announced by the Chairman of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, AMBCN, in Kogi state, Adeniyi Gabriel, on Tuesday, at a press conference in Lokoja. Adeniyi Gabriel informed that the National President of the Association, Mansur Umar, stated the position of the association on the ease of doing business in Nigeria and the notice of total withdrawal of their services. Gabriel said, “Due to the multifarious increase in the prices of baking materials such as-Flour, Sugar, Yeast, Vegetable oil, Petrol, Diesel (occasioned by subsidy removal and forex deregulation), multiple taxations from federal government agencies, the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria haven critically accessed the state of our business operation, consequently demand the following: “Liberalisation of flour and sugar importation, reduction or total removal of import dutie

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) and the Nigerian Law School  has approved and released the results for the November 2023 Nigerian Law School Bar Final Examinations. Multiple sources disclosed that the results were endorsed late last night by the Chief Emeka Ngige SAN, led Council of Legal Education. Out of the 5,308 Bar aspirants who sat for the exams, 251 candidates representing 5% scored First Class Honours.  While, 1,024 students or 19% made Second Class Upper Honours. 2,179 representing 41% made Second Class Lower Honours, while 967 aspirants or 18% garnered a Pass. Also, 283 students or 5% were granted Conditional Pass, while 604 candidates or 11% unfortunately failed the bar final exam. These unsuccessful aspirants will have to resit for the exam at a future session in order to qualify.