Niger Delta

CJN Urges Lawyers To Implement Confab Decisions

Published

14 years ago

June 8, 2012

Chief Justice of Nigeria Dahiru Musdapher, has called on the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to ensure the implementation of its conference recommendations.

Musdapher made the call on Monday in Asaba, while declaring open the 2nd conference on Criminal Justice in Nigeria.

He said that rather than allow the recommendations to be left in a communiqué form, the NBA should also come up with ideas and recommendations on possible ways of ensuring implementation.

The chief justice also said that there was no transformation without effective criminal justice system, adding that the judicial system should be made to publish annual reports and provide details of criminal cases.

He said that Nigeria as a country was blessed with great legal minds and had no excuse not to build a formidable legal system.

Musdapher said that publishing of annual reports by the judicial system of criminal cases would promote transparency, as criminal justice was a vital component of the judicial system.

He further said that there were some issues of concern affecting the rule of practice of the criminal justice system in the country and that they included delay tactics by lawyers, as well as slow dispensation of justice.

The chief justice, however, said that the “disgraceful’’ trend must stop as it could erode the confidence of the people in the justice system, as well as cause prison congestion and miscarriage of justice.

In his opening remark NBA President Joseph Dauda said that the conference was to unravel measures to be taken in order to make criminal justice system responsive to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.

Dauda said that the theme of the conference: “Effective Nationwide Anti-Crime and Security Coverage through the Justice System in Nigeria”, would take into consideration the foregoing security challenge in the country.

The NBA president identified problems in the effective criminal justice system to include absence of appropriate constitution and legal framework for the existence and sustenance of a viable criminal justice.

He also blamed attitudinal problem with decision makers and implementation of policies, as well as the Federal Government overloading itself with too many functions as one of the reasons.

“The Federal Government has appropriated to itself many powers on the exclusive legislative list, that it is clearly impossible for government to function,” he said.

Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta had earlier described the theme of the programme as apt, adding that it would enable stakeholders discuss the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria and review procedure of administration.

Uduaghan, said that formulating practice direction for prosecutors and a total revamping of criminal trials with a view to enhancing speedy dispensation of justice would do the Nigeria system well.

Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, the governor said that some of the more than 41,000 inmates in the Nigeria prisons had been pre-trial detainees for upwards of 10 years.

He said that there should be concern that the dominance of pre-trial detainees in the prisons had come to assume permanence that was not intended for it in the original design of prisons.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

7 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.