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NSCDC Can’t Regulate Varsities’ Security Depts, Court Rules
A Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the directive by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to universities to register their security departments with it, failing which the institutions would be shut and their Vice Chancellors arrested.
In a judgement, yesterday, Justice Evelyn Maha, held that the NSCDC was not empowered by any law to regulate activities of the security department of any university in Nigeria.
Justice Maha held that if the National Assembly wanted the NSCDC to have control over activities of universities and their security departments, the Legislature would have made law to that effect.
The judgment was on a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1032/2019 filed by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and its Vice Chancellor.
The plaintiffs claimed that sometime in August, 2019, the NSCDC wrote a letter to the University of Calabar, a statutory body established by the University of Calabar Act 1979, demanding that the university should register its security department as a Private Guard Company or the NSCDC will enter the university and arrest the Vice Chancellor and the institution’s other staff for ostensibly breaking the law.
On receiving the NSCDC’s letter, the institution asked its lawyer, Emmanuel Umoren to write a reply to the letter, which he did.
Upon its receipt of the university’s reply, the NSCDC issued a 14-day notice for the university to obey the directive, failing which it will close down the school and arrest its staff.
The threat made the university to sue in a bid to determine its rights as a body created by statute vis a vis the directive from NSCDC.
Defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Minister of Interior and NSCDC.
In the judgment delivered on February 20, 2020, a certified true copy (CTC) of which was sighted in Abuja, yesterday, Justice Maha granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The judge struck down Paragraph 25 of the Private Guards Companies Regulation (PGCR), 2018 which gave the NSCDC powers to compel persons generally carrying on security work to register as private guards companies.
She held that the portion of PGCR was ultra vires the powers donated by the National Assembly to the Minister of Interior (NSCDC’s supervising minister) under the Private Guard Companies Act.
Justice Maha proceeded to declare that the 1st plaintiff’s (UNICAL’s) security department, by its nature and being an apparatus of an organisation established by an Act of the National Assembly, University of Calabar Act, 1979, does not fall within the jurisdictional scope and or category of persons and/or bodies to be regulated by the 3rd defendant and cannot therefore be required and or compelled to be registered and/or licensed by the 3rd defendant.
She also declared that the 2018 Private Guard Companies Regulations (PGCR) do not confer authority on the 3rd defendant to regulate the activities of University of Calabar.
The judge further declared that the Private Guard Companies Act, Cap P30, LFN 2004, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, Cap N146, LFN 2004 would have been amended by the National Assembly to enable the defendants, especially the 3rd defendant regulate activities of the 1st plaintiff, if it was the intention of the Legislature.
Justice Maha granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants jointly and severally, whether by themselves or through their officers and members from embarking on any action against the 1st plaintiff’s security department, including but not limited to sealing up the 1st plaintiff under the guise of purportedly enforcing the provisions of the Private Guard Companies Act, Cap P30, LFN 2004, the Private Guard Companies Regulations 2018 and therefore disturbing the 1st plaintiff and its security department in the discharge of its lawful duties.
The judge equally granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants jointly and severally, whether by themselves or through their officers and or agents, from embarking on any action against the plaintiffs including but not limited to the arrest and prosecution of the 2nd plaintiff and any other officer or staff or agent of the 1st plaintiff under the guise of purportedly and unlawfully enforcing the provisions of the Private Guard Companies Act, Cap P30, LFN 2004, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, Cap N146, LFN 2004, the Private Guard Companies Regulations 2018, and therefore, disturbing the 1st plaintiff and its security department in the discharge of their lawful duties.
“A declaration is hereby made that Paragraph 23 of the Private Guard Companies Regulation, 2018, is null and void and of no effect and struck out,” the judge held.
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.