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Tag: law enforcement

  • NDLEA Discovers Drugs Concealed In Ceiling

    Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have executed a major seizure of substantial bags of illicit drugs, cleverly concealed within the ceiling of a notorious druglord’s residence in Nassarawa.

    The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this significant bust in a statement released on Sunday. Babafemi shared videos illustrating the operation, captioning them to highlight the gravity of the situation.

    In the first video, #ndlea_nigeria officers can be seen uncovering jumbo bags of drugs hidden in the ceiling of the drug kingpin’s home in Lafia, Nasarawa state.

    Meanwhile, the second video exposes the interception of over 1.5 million pills of tramo destined for South, discovered at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).

  • Fire Guts TCN Substation In Lagos

    Late on Saturday night, the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s power substation located in Maryland, Lagos State, was engulfed by fire, as confirmed in a statement by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

    Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, reported that the fire outbreak has been successfully extinguished, averting any loss of life in the process.

    “The fire that erupted at the Transmission Company of Nigeria power sub-station at Maryland Junction, Maryland, at about 20:06 hours has been put out by the gallantry crew of the Ilupeju Fire Crew of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service,” the statement read.

    Thankfully, no casualties were reported during the incident. However, an ongoing investigation aims to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage to valuable equipment.

  • SANS decry alleged reckless war against Judiciary

    A group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have kicked against the allegations of fraud and corruption against Judges and the Judiciary.This is following a certain controversial decisions entered by few judges in some political cases and warned those involved to desist immediately in the interest the country and its citizens.

    The lawyers and politicians allegedly involved in tarnishing the image of the nation’s judiciary were asked to have a second thought in their war against the institution so as not to bring it down.

    Among the Senior Advocates who expressed displeasure in what he described as unwarranted and reckless attack against the judiciary are Chief Mike Ahamba.

    Others lawyers are a former Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, rights activist Mr Kunle Adegoke, SAN and constitutional lawyer Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN.

    The senior lawyers who disagreed with their colleagues joining forces with non-lawyers in politics said they ought to know that portraying the judiciary as a failed institution amounted to endorsing anarchy to terminate the Nigeria project.

    According to them, while it is not in doubt that few judges across levels of court lately gave certain controversial judgments in few political cases, demonizing the entire judiciary because of the few errors was not only unfair to the majority of upright judges faithfully discharging their duties but also has the capacity to undermine the legitimacy of the third arm of government which thrives on public perception.

    The lawyers had separately said while it is understandable that politicians would eulogize the judiciary each time its verdicts were in their favour and would not stop at anything to set the institution ablaze when its judgments are against them, it is disturbing that lawyers who understand procedure would join the fray and most times sponsor the denigration war against the judiciary.

    Although they spoke at separate times with our correspondent, they did not mention any lawyer engaging in the alleged misconduct but counselled them on how to handle the situation where wrong judgments are entered in cases.

    Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Kunle Adegoke, SAN said, “Yes, we have few elements in the judiciary that are bad. We cannot shy away from that. It is, however, easier to notice the negative side of any person or any system. “The positive aspect hardly registers sufficiently to the good measure of appreciation by the populace.

    And when in a system, a few bad elements commit some atrocities, the tendency is for the people to register a negative perception against such a system. “In the judiciary today, I still believe as a practitioner that we have majority of judges that are quite upright presiding over cases. “Those ones are doing creditably well. It will now be a form of injustice to rubbish the entire judiciary because of the negative activities of a few of the judges that are perpetrating atrocities. “Besides, when you look at the judicial system in Nigeria and the Nigeria populace, tendency is for some people to want to blame every other person except themselves for their own failure.

    “There are many cases that I believe have been rightly decided yet generating controversy and attracting negative comments both in the conventional and social media. “And until you read some of those judgments, that is when you will see that many of such cases are naturally bound to fail as a result of the way they were presented to the judiciary or the inherent failure in the facts presented to the court and the inability of such cases to meet the requirements of the law.

    “It is therefore my position that a few wrong judgments here and there cannot and should not lead to a total damnation of the judicial system. “In actual fact, the wrongs committed by such judges would be less in severity when compared to the negative campaign against the entire judiciary.

    “Many people, forget that when you mount a general campaign against the judiciary for its damnation, you are not only sending wrong signals to the rest of the world about your country, you are equally condemning the internal survival of the country itself,” he said.

    As if corroborating Adegoke, SAN, Constitutional lawyer, Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, also said: “the lawyers who are making frantic efforts to denigrate the judiciary forget the African proverb: there is nobody who will say his mothers soup is not sweet. “You cannot wake up and say, oh, my mother’s soup is not sweet.

    If your mother’s soup is not sweet, which one is sweeter. I will advise such lawyers to be very careful before you say your mother’s soup is not sweet. “That is the best way I can put it. In any event, it takes two to tangle. There is no judge who will go directly to politician to negotiate for hanky-panky business.

    Most of the times , it is the lawyers who act as the conduit. That is the blunt truth. There is no way we can run away from it. “My take is very simple on this matter. You cannot dismiss the judiciary because it is a very vast arm of government. You can’t dismiss it,” he said.

    Another Constitutional lawyer based based in Abuja, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN who agreed with his colleagues also said: “I don’t think we need to deceive ourselves. Criticism of the judiciary, low perception of the judiciary is universal.

    That is one. “However, in Nigeria, it is only rife during election. You will notice that by February, only few of such cases will happen. And the reason for this is not far-fetched. The lawyer handling such controversial matter will never come to tell his client that look I am the one that made a mistake.

    “Again, I will still insist that that case of Maina vs Lawal shows how people perceive issues. In that case, what is in the record of the court is different from what is in the public space. Nigerians were simply misled in that case,” he said.

    Also contributing, former NBA leader and popular silk, Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN, said: “Most of the discussions on the pages of newspapers are facts free and law free. I know that some funny things have happened.

    But I still maintain that most of those who are discussing the judiciary don’t even know what the law is. “There is an adage that says one finger can pick oil and spoil the rest of the fingers. I don’t think it is right for them to destroy the judiciary,” he said adding that even where one feels strongly that justice has not been done in a case, the concerned lawyer should not tarnish the image of the judiciary.“I have been a victim as a lawyer.

    And my attitude is to write a book on it, exposing all the wrongs that were done against my client. Not to say the judiciary is no longer good. After all, I did a presidential election petition where we scored 4-3. Even though four did not agree with us, were the three other justices not members of the judiciary?

    In another, we scored 4-1. I again ask that even though four justices went against us, is the fifth judge who dissented not part of the judiciary? “So, what should happen is that the academics should take time to look at some of these judgments and point out the faults in them.

    This is it,” he advised.Adegoke, SAN who agreed with Ahamba, SAN also said that while all lawyers may not have time to write a book to document issues in order to contribute to the development of legal jurisprudence, he said such judgment could be analyzed in academic journals.

    His words: “In my own view, when the Supreme Court is wrong, for instance, the next thing for you to do is to critique that judgment and publish it in law journals. “That is how you contribute to the jurisprudence of law instead of going to the pages of newspaper or television to be condemning and lambasting the judges. When you destroy the judges, you are destroying the judicial system”, he said..

  • 276 Junior Officers Graduate From Armed Forces College

    276 military officers from the Junior Course 96 on Saturday graduated from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna State.

    During the graduation ceremony, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, commended the graduates, highlighting the significance of their accomplishment for both them and their families.

    He praised their dedication to the course and expressed confidence in their achievements.Acknowledging that many might have preferred to pursue the course abroad, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja emphasized the value of their experience at Jaji, stating, “Jaji is better than London.

    “He underscored the college’s commitment to enhancing the professional knowledge of officers, emphasizing the course’s role in preparing them for higher responsibilities in command positions within the Armed Forces of Nigeria and allied nations.

    Highlighting the adaptability of the course curriculum to evolving operational landscapes, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja stressed its responsiveness to changes in the operating environment.

    He lauded the international students from Burkina Faso, Chad, Coted’voire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo, appreciating their unique perspectives and the diverse contributions they brought to the course.

    The COAS commended them for representing their countries well and making their nations and families proud.

  • Supreme Court Insists Nnamdi Kanu Must Face Trial

    The Supreme Court, Friday, ordered that the self acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, must continue his trial at the Federal High Court.

    Delivering judgment on an appeal by the Federal Government, Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the judgement as prepared by Justice Garba Lawal Mohammed, held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to hold that Kanu could not be tried again based on the illegality and I’ll treatment meted him by the Federal Government, following the invasion of his home.

    “In as much as we condemn the act of the prosecution (FG) in attacking the home of the defendant (Kanu) while on trial, we decided not to go with the decision of the Court of Appeal that his trial should be stopped, Justice Garba held.

    Therefore, the apex court allowed the appeal of the Federal Government and dismissed the cross appeal filed by Kanu.

    The Attorney General of the Federation was represented in court by D. E Kaswe, Chief State Counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi SAN, leading Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN and Ifeanyi Ejiofor announced appearance for Nnamdi Kanu.

    Nnamdi Kanu had been in the custody of the Federal Government since June 29, 2021, following his forceful rendition from Kenya.

    Justice Binta Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, had on April 8, 2022, quashed 8 out of the 15 count charges preferred against Kanu by the Federal Government.

    However, Justice Nyako held that Kanu had questions to answer on the remaining 7 counts.

    Dissatisfied with the judgement, Kanu’s team of lawyers led by Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN, headed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja to seek the dismissal of the remaining 7-count charge.

    In a judgement on October 13, 2022, the appellate court dismissed all the 7 count criminal charges against Kanu.

    The Court of Appeal while upholding all the arguments and submissions of Prof Ozekhome, quashed the entire 15 count criminal charges.

    The Court below agreed with Ozekhome that the Federal Government violated rules of engagement in the ways and manners Kanu was arrested in Kenya and brought to Nigeria.

    Specifically, the Court of Appeal held that the Nigerian government broke international laws and resorted to self help in its failure to file extradition charge against the IPOB leader in Kenya instead of resorting to unlawful abduction, and forceful rendition.

  • Court Stops Police, DSS from arresting Kogi SDP spokesperson

    Justice Hamza Haruna of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, has ordered the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Unuoha to stop harassing, arrest or in any way intimidating the Spokesperson of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in Kogi state Mr Faruk Adejoh-Audu.

    Others in the restraining order are the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Kogi State Director of DSS, untill the determination of a motion on notice.

    Asejoh- Audu is the court, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights, claiming that his life has come under serious threat from the defendants.

    Adejoh-Audu, a veteran journalist, activist, politician and SDP Spokesperson had gone to court after altercations between him and the Kogi State Police Commissioner, Unuoha on election matters after which the later publicly threatened the spokesman to expect some unstated consequences.

    The SDP Spokesperson had on November 29, 2023, accused the Police Chief of collaborating with thugs to attack the interest of his party in the recently conducted governorship election in Kogi.

    However, the Police Commissioner held a press conference the next day in Lokoja and gave Adejoh-Audu 24 hours ultimatum to substantiate his allegations or “be ready to face the consequences of his actions.”

    The SDP Spokesperson took up the challenge in a 17-paragraph reply justifying his allegations and accusing the Police Chief of resorting to self-help by threatening to ” visit unstated consequences” on him.

    An FCT High Court presided over by Justice Hamza.Muazu after listening to O. U. Salifu lawyer to the SDP Spokesman in an ex-parte application, granted the order restraining the Inspector General of Police, The Director-General of the DSS, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police and the State Director of DSS from arresting or interfering with the liberty of the applicant.

    The court has adjourned the matter to December 18, 2023, for the hearing of the Motion On Notice.

  • Comply with critical Sections of the Criminal Justice Act: AGF tells Lawyers Enforcement Agents

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, yesterday stressed the need to effect compliance of sections 29, 33 and 34 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act(ACJA), 2015.

    The Minister informed that the Police Duty Solicitors are presently stationed in over 15 Police Divisions in the FCT to monitor compliance with the provisions of ACJA and ensure that arrested persons are treated with dignity.

    He also revealed that records have shown that the PDSS has ensured access to justice, right to counsel, legal services, and right to fair trial to over 28,000 detainees since inception in February 2022.

    He continued that the scheme has in collaboration with the Police Divisions in the FCT, taken the extra efforts to ensure a healthy condition of the cells, like wise the Court Duty Solicitors has continued to offer free preliminary legal services and representation in the courts.

    The AGF was speaking through Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniel, Director, Administration of Criminal Justice and Reforms (ACJ&R) Federal Ministry of Justice at the 2-day Criminal Justice Stakeholders Workshop On Effective Implementation of Section 29, 33, and 34 of ACJA.

    ” We welcome you all, to this significant gathering of stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice focused on the coordination for the effective implementation of arrests, prompt delivery of statutory reports on arrests and the crucial monthly visits by magistrates to detention facilities.

    “It is without doubt that in the landscape of our criminal justice system, we face challenges in the enforcement of some sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 especially sections 29, 33 and 34. These prevailing challenges lie basically in the absence of a coordinated approach and the making of the requisite sacrifices involved as the need arises to enforce the existing laws and policies.

    “The purpose of this Workshop is to bring about that missing link within our collective aspirations to build a society where justice prevails, regardless of the circumstances.

    “Our roles as Law judicial officers, prosecutors, enforcement agencies, civil society organizations and indeed citizens are pivotal in reshaping the weak points of the criminal justice system.

    “Apparently, none of us is immune to or insulated from the challenges of our present system, and it is essential to recognize that the transformation of Criminal Justice System is embedded in our collective efforts.

    “To build a resilient and efficient model, we must learn from the mistakes of others and work together to create a system we can trust, rely on, and be proud of. It is high time we face the challenges head-on and optimize the system for the benefit of all.

    “Section 29 of ACJA, 2015 emphasizes the establishment of a database for records of those arrested. In this digital age, data is not just information. It is life, and when properly utilized, it becomes a powerful tool in shaping government policies and recognition of patterns.

    “Data sharing is crucial, and the lack thereof contributes to the loss of lives every day. Some crimes are preventable when data is properly harnessed or shared.

    “The implementation of this section in line with the specific details outlined in section 15 of ACJA, 2015, will require the collaboration of DPOs towards the creation of a robust database for informed decision-making process.

    “While it is important to recognize all divisions that has been consistent, till date there are some police stations that do not comply with the provision of sections 29 and 33 of ACJA with regards to the rendering of monthly reports of suspects arrested without warrants.

    “We have also noticed a reduction in the monthly visits by the judicial officers to detention facilities.

    “I must commend the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee (ACJMC) and our donor partners on the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) and the Court Duty Solicitor Scheme (CDSS).

    “My vision is to see a justice system that works for all, irrespective of status. To this end, I urge you all to unite in creating a criminal justice system that fears or respects no one except the rule of law. We must uphold the minimum standards that accords respect to suspects throughout the administration of criminal justice.

    “As critical stakeholders, I will like us to have extensive discussions and deliberations on issues hampering us from attaining the kind of criminal justice system that we truly desire. As we embark on this workshop, I am confident that the knowledge shared will enrich each one of us to the extent that there will be a clear shift from negative narratives.

    ” Let us leverage on this opportunity to grow and learn together. Working collaboratively, we can create an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and respected. It is on this note that I declare this workshop opened.”

  • Federal High Court has 144, 910 pending cases in new legal year

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Tsoho has revealed that his Court will battle with mountain of 144, 910 pending cases in new legal year of the Court.

    The Court in the last legal year had 15, 025 filed before it by litigants out of which 12, 870 were effectively disposed off leaving a balance of 2, 155 cases still on ground.

    At the opening of the Legal Year of the Court in Abuja on Monday, the Chief Judge explained that the court had a carried over of 142, 755 from 2021 to 2022 legal year adding that in 2023 legal year alone, 15, 025 fresh cases were filed by various categories of litigants.

    He noted that the Court would be going into the new legal year with the 144, 910 suits but expressed optimism that he and his brother Judges would rise up to the challenges of disposing off the cases as quickly as possible.

    The breakdown of the carried over cases showed that 42, 784 are civil cases, 36, 061 criminal matters, 41, 447 are motions while 24, 618 are Fundermental Rights Enforcement suits.

    Justice Tsoho who put the current number of Judges on the bench of the Court at 95, thanked them on the speedy ways pre-election cases of the 2023; general elections were handled within the time allowed by law.

    He however, tasked them to stand steadfast and continue to dispense justice without fear or favour adding that their being Judges is by destiny and not accident.

    While reminding the Judges that their actions would shape the destiny of the Court and the Nigerian nation, the Chief Judge asked them to strive to be beyond suspicion.

    “We must dispense justice with integrity and without bias, we must display utmost competence and courage as well as dispose cases speedily.”

    “The Federal High Court will surely rise to the challenges of the future with the same tenacity and commitment that have defined its path thus far.”, he assured.

    The Chief Judge spoke on the 50th years existence of the Court adding that the court took off in Lagos with one Court and five Judges.

    Today, he said that the court now has 38 Judicial Divisions and 95 Judges adding that the court has recorded huge growth and has become a significant pillar in the hierarchy of the Nigerian Judiciary.

    The Chief Judge thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola for his humility and ready disposition to proffer solutions to challenges.

    He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Judicial Council NJC for their unyielding support and understanding and assured that the court would perform better in the new legal year.

  • Ogun Government Announces N50m Bounty For Killers Of Finance Director

    The Ogun State Government has taken a bold step in response to the tragic murder of Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, the former Director of Finance and Administration linked to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s office. Oyekanmi, aged 51, met a gruesome fate on November 29th at the Kuto Flyover Bridge in Abeokuta.

    Allegedly ambushed by assailants while returning with colleagues after withdrawing a substantial sum from city banks, Oyekanmi’s untimely demise sparked outrage and a strong commitment from Governor Abiodun to ensure justice prevails.

    In an official statement released on Friday, the state government declared a N50 million reward for any individual furnishing information pivotal to the arrest of Oyekanmi’s killers. 

    The government emphasized the utmost confidentiality of provided information, urging cooperation with security agencies in their quest for justice.“Ogun State Government has announced a reward of N50m for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the killers of the state’s Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, on 30th November 2023 in Abeokuta.

    “Information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality,” the statement reads in part.

  • Court grants ex-AGF, Adoke permission to celebrate Xmas with family in Dubai

    Justice Iyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, has granted a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, leave to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to celebrate the coming Christmas and new year with his family.

    The embattled former AGF, is answering a money laundering charges brought against him by the federal government.

    Adoke, had through his counsel, Kanu Agabi, prayed the Court to invoke sections 36 and 37 of Nigeria’s Constitution to grant his request.

    He argued that Adoke, had since this trial commenced, had not been been with the family members who are resident in UAE.

    Specifically, Agabi submitted that the former Minister of Justice needed to spend time with his family to maintain his physical and mental health, adding that the law presumed him innocent until contrary is established against him.

    He further submitted that since his client was admitted to bail, he had been religiously and consistently attending trial and had never behaved in any manner suggestive of intention to jump bail.

    In his ruling, Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo agreed that Adoke had been attending trial and had never attempted to jump bail adding that he was persuaded to grant the request.

    The Judge thereafter ordered that Adoke’s passport deposited with the Registry of the Court be released to him for the purpose of traveling to UAE.

    Justice Ekwo ordered that the former AGF must return to Nigeria before January 11, 2024 for continuation of his trial in the charges against him.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the erstwhile AGF alongside an oil mogul, Aliyu Abubakar, on a 14-count charge.

    In the charge, EFCC alleged that Adoke had sometime in August 2013, in Abuja, accepted a cash payment of the dollar equivalent of N300 million from Aliyu, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended).

    Whereas Abubakar was also accused of accepting cash payment of the sum of $4 million from Faman Holdings Limited, through one Abdulhakeem Uthman Mustapha, in September 2013, EFCC alleged that Adoke made structured cash payment in tranches into his Unity Bank Account No. 0020153263.