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2023: NJC Issues New Policy On Political, Election-Related Cases
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has issued a new policy direction on the handling of political and election-related cases as such suits begin to flood Nigerian courts ahead of the 2023 general election.
The new policy, issued at the NJC’s meeting held last Wednesday, gives strict rules to politicians on where they should file their political and election-related cases.
Announced by NJC’s Information Director, Soji Oye, in a statement after meeting, the new policy also contains rules on how heads of courts and judges must handle such suits that have been ruled upon by a court of coordinate jurisdiction.
The statement said the NJC issued the new policy at the meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, who doubles as the chair of the council, to prevent another wave of conflicting decisions from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
In December, last year, the NJC had to sanction three High Court judges after issuing conflicting court decisions on political cases with the same subject matter.
The council also warned various heads of courts to put a stop to such embarrassing conduct of their judges in their various jurisdictions.
The new policy, which according to the NJC, takes immediate effect, applies to suits in which the parties include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), any political party or its officers, or any other person, natural or legal.
In addition, the policy is applicable when such parties are “suing or sued for a declaration in relation to any action taken or to compel or restrain any action or omission with respect to the affairs of a political party or any election into a public office.”
One of its major highlights is a directive that such suits whose outcome will likely have “an effect or compel persons or actions beyond the territorial jurisdiction of any one state” must be filed at the High Court of the Federal Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Where such suits are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, the policy says, “they shall be filed or received at Abuja and assigned by the Chief Judge of the Court”.
These provisions of the policy reveal a conscious effort by the NJC to ensure that most such suits are filed in Abuja – either the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) or the Federal High Court – for better coordination.
But it states further, “All such suits wherein the cause of action arose in a state and the relief seeks a declaration or to compel or restrain person (s), natural or legal, within that state’s territory, with no consequence outside the state, shall be filed, received, or heard only in that state.”
It also directs the heads of courts to “assign cases or constitute panels with a view to forestalling the incidences of conflicting judgements and rulings.”
It prohibits courts or panels of coordinate jurisdiction from entertaining or being assigned suits of the same subject matter once the facts or issues have been ruled upon.
In such a situation, the policy says parties who are dissatisfied with the first furling “shall comply or proceed on appeal to the appropriate higher court”.
Oye also said the NJC has recommended 49 successful candidates for appointment as heads of courts and other judicial officers.
He added that the council also received six notifications of retirement and one notification of death from the federal and state High Courts.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.