News

Embattled Judges Know Fate, Nov 3 …As NJC Holds Emergency Session

Published

8 years ago

October 31, 2016

The National Judicial
Council (NJC), has convened an emergency meeting to decide the fate of the seven judges currently under investigation over their alleged involvement in acts of corruption.
The meeting, to be presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, will hold between Wednesday, November 2, and Thursday, November 3, at the NJC Secretariat situated inside the Supreme Court complex in Abuja.
It was learnt that issues to be considered at the meeting, include the request by some of the judges, whose homes were raided between October 7, and October 8, by the Department of State Service (DSS), for leave of the council to enable them institute legal action against the DSS.
A source at the NJC, who pleaded anonymity, equally disclosed that the meeting would afford the legal body the opportunity to further deliberate on whether or not the embattled judges should step down from the Bench as requested by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
“Besides, the council will also consider, at the meeting, the request by a non-governmental organisation, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), for live broadcast of sensitive court cases”, the source added.
The group had, in a letter it forwarded to the CJN on February 26, sought the NJC’s approval for court proceedings to be relayed live to Nigerians.
It argued that such measure would enhance greater transparency in the justice delivery system in Nigeria, saying the request was necessitated by “rising public consciousness of the role of the courts in ensuring justice, public order and stability of Nigeria.”
As a follow up, the group also wrote the CJN on October 20, insisting that the clampdown on judges over allegations of corruption further underscored the importance and urgency of its request.
“CASER is convinced that live media broadcast of court proceedings will debunk allegations of corruption, and help in sustaining the integrity of the judiciary in Nigeria,” the group said.
“Live broadcast of court proceedings in Nigeria has its foundation in the constitutional provision of Section 36 (3) and (4)”.
Among the judges seeking the NJC leave to drag the DSS and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to court over the “sting operation” that was carried out against them, are two justices of the Supreme Court, Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta.
Others include two judges at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Justices Ademola Adeniyi and Nnamdi Dimgba.
The judges, in separate letters to the NJC, maintained that the DSS, by its action, violated their constitutional rights.
All the judges were arrested and subsequently granted administrative bail except Dimgba, who was not arrested though his home was thoroughly ransacked by the DSS.
NJC had earlier sacked Justice Mohammed Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin, and the Chief Judge of Enugu State, I. A. Umezulike, after it found merit in the petitions alleging misconduct against them.
The council equally okayed the prosecution of Kabir Auta of the Kano High Court, even as it dismissed the petition DSS lodged against Justice Mu’azu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe Division.
Although about 21 judges are currently under the radar of the DSS, so far, only 15 of them have been taken in for interrogation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is equally investigating some judges involved in alleged dubious transactions.
Dimgba and Ademola had, in different letters, dated October 10 and 11, applied for the permission of the NJC to file actions against the DSS for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights.
Dimgba, in his letter, told the NJC that his court had been under the radar of the DSS since September 16, when his registrar was detained after the agency invited her to its office for a chat.
He said the registrar was released but re-invited on September 26, after which her phones were seized by the DSS.
Similarly, Okoro and Ngwuta, while accusing the DSS of violating their rights, said their ordeal arose from their refusal to help the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to pervert justice in election disputes involving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

News

Kano Gov Congratulates NUJ At 70

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary.
The governor acknowledged the NUJ’s vital role in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa in Kano, yesterday.
The governor lauded the NUJ for its unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and nation building.
He commended the union’s leadership, led by Mr Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for advancing press freedom and advocating for journalists’ welfare.
“The NUJ has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s narrative, promoting democracy and ensuring accountability in governance.
”The Kano state government recognises the critical role of the media in our democracy and will continue to support and collaborate with the NUJ to uphold a free and independent press,” he stated.
Yusuf urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership with the union, while ensuring that the media remained a pillar of democracy in the state and the country at large.
“Once again, congratulations to the NUJ on this remarkable achievement. May the next 70 years bring even greater successes and accomplishments for the union and its members,” he stated.

News

Monarch Lauds Fubara On Enduring Peace, Installs Three Chiefs In Ngo

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The Village Head of Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Dogood Ngere, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his peaceful disposition and leadership qualities in the State.
King Ngere has also appealed to the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and work together for the interest of peace and development of the State.
The monarch stressed the need for the two leaders to put Rivers State interest above personal interest and reconcile their differences.
He said Fubara’s decision to implement the Supreme Court judgement shows that he is a man of peace and appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Martin Amaewhule to work with the Executive to move the State forward.
The traditional ruler stated this shortly after he installed three chiefs at his palace in Ngo Town.
The three chiefs are Chief Daniel Dimkpa Nelson of Ebirien Ngere family, Chief John Biboh John of Ngor Egbesi family, and Awajimotumu Ukot Idawaji as chief of Ida Awaji family.
Addressing the new chiefs after their installation, King Ngere charged them to see themselves as role models for their individual families, stressing that as chiefs, it behoves them to be exemplary in their conducts.
According to the traditional ruler, the new chiefs must not only work for the peace of their families but Ngo community in general.
King Ngere also advised members of the three families to give their chiefs the desired respect while also supporting them to succeed.
He commended Governor Fubara for his numerous developmental projects in Andoni, particularly the ongoing Ngo/Oyorokoto Road, saying that when completed, the road will open up economic opportunities in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of the Egweoke Council of Chiefs, Chief Awajiokan Mbosowo Ukumor, described the installation ceremony as a big success.
He said the three chiefs fulfilled all the conditions for their installation and are therefore admitted as members of the Ngo Council of Chiefs.
The ceremony was attended by people from various walks of life.

News

NDLEA Seizes Large Consignments Of Skunk, Heroin Across Six States, FCT

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said that in Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.
He added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos, enroute Abuja on March 11.
He added that raid operations in Kachia, in Kaduna on March 13, led to the arrest of a 21 year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.
Babafemi said that a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14, also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.
According to Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg was also recovered from him.
“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.
“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.
Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had also on March 13 in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number, SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.
According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.
“A 58-year-old suspect was on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.
“Another 26 year old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.
“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” he said.