The Bishop of Methodist Church, Remo Diocese, the Right Reverend Bamidele Ibikunle has urged judiciary workers to shun corruption and deliver judgment expeditiously.
The Right Reverend Ibikunle made this call at the Special Church Service to usher in the 2022/2023 Legal Year, held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.
The Bishop urged judiciary workers and people in positions of authority to deal fairly, justly and equitably with everyone, adding that all mortals would render an account of their stewardship to God at the end of their journey on earth.
Speaking at the service, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun called on judiciary officers to be wary of antics of politicians who would use frivolous court injunctions to thwart the smooth running of the forthcoming 2023 general election.
Governor Abiodun called for measures to prevent the abuse of court processes for selfish interests, especially during election periods and urged the judiciary not to allow anyone to tarnish the image of the third arm of government in the name of politics.
Nigerian political economy requires a concerted effort to strengthen the use of Alternative Dispute Resolutions, ADR with its components of dialogue, mediation, negotiation and conciliation.
This was the consensus of guest speakers in Ibadan at the induction of New Fellows and the Award of Certificates of Professional excellence organised by the Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Society of Nigeria.
According to Attorney and Accredited Mediator, Lagos State Multi-Door Courts, Mr Fola Alade, Nigerians should explore dialogue, mediation, and conciliation as tools for dousing the spiralling tensions in the country.
In her own submission, Barrister Hafsah Adetola of Lagos and Ogun Multi-Door Courts said the Nigerian economy requires reforms for commercial dispute resolution, as well as to enhance the capacity of mediators across the country.
Earlier in an address, the President, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Society of Nigeria, Chief Kole Ojo, said that the goal of the Society was to safeguard the nation from the scourge of conflict, ethnic and parochial misunderstandings.
He advised the new fellows to uphold the tenets of the Society and stands to gain from the utilization of ADR methods and approaches beyond just commercial and business disputes.
Sixteen new fellows, who cut across different disciplines, were inducted into the Society.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has dismissed an application the Federal Government filed for permission to extradite the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, to the United States of America to face trial over his alleged involvement with an internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.
Delivering judgement, the judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that the extradition application the Federal government filed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, was incompetent and bereft of merit.
Justice Ekwo held that Mr Malami, being the Chief Law Officer of the country, ought to be aware that the Extradition Act, which is clear that Kyari, having been docked before a court of competent jurisdiction in the country, shall not be surrendered until such case has been discharged either by his conviction or acquittal.
The court wondered why the AGF approached the court with the extradition application when he was equally the one that issued FIAT to the National Drug Law Enforcement, NDLEA, to prosecute DCP Kyari on drug-related charges.
Justice Ekwo dismissed the extradition request for being incompetent.
The Osun State governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the High court of Justice, Osogbo has granted a motion exparte brought before it by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress, APC, seeking an order for substituted service on the winner of the July 16th election and the candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Counsel to Governor Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Yomi Aliyu (SAN) pointed out that Adeleke had been evading service of the petition by a bailiff.
According to the petitioners’ lawyer, the PDP candidate refused to collect the document from the bailiff when he got to his house to serve him
“The bailiff was kept at the gate to wait for instruction to drop the message but the security guard later ordered the bailiff to leave as there was no instruction to collect the document and he has to leave the scene for his safety”, he added.
Similarly, Mr Aliyu (SAN) also sought an order of the Tribunal to enable the plaintiffs to access the election materials, including electronic scanning of ballot papers and Voters registers used during the election among others.
While ruling on the applications, the tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Tertsea Aorga Kume granted the application for substituted service, allowing the bailiff to paste a copy of the document on the tribunal notice board for the 2nd respondent’s attention.
Recall that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had challenged the outcome of the July 16 governorship election in which the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Adeleke as the winner.
Osun State House of Assembly has confirmed Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s nominee for the State Judiciary Service Commission member.
The governor’s nominee was confirmed at the Plenary of the State House of Assembly Osogbo.
Earlier, the State lawmakers had adopted the report of Ad- hoc Committee on the screening of the Governor’s nominee for the position of member of the Judiciary Service Commission.
The motion for the adoption of the report was moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Kunle Akande and seconded by Mr Adrilahi Adegbile representing Olaoluwa State Constituency respectively.
The governor’s nominee was later confirmed after the motion moved by the Deputy Majority leader, Mr. Kunle Akande and seconded by Mr. Festus Komolafe representing Atakumosa East/West State Constituency respectively.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Timothy Owoeye said that the State governor can proceed with the swearing-in of the Mr Olarotimi Makinde as one of the members of the State Judiciary Service Commission.
In another development, the State lawmakers dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for further consideration of the State of Osun Environmental Protection Bill 2022.
The corrections and amendments was made to Clauses 23 to 46 and all form part of the mentioned bill respectively.
Earlier, under urgent public importance, Mrs Elizabeth, Chairman House Committee on Health brought to the notice of the House the spread of monkeypox diseases discovered in some parts of the state.
She noted that the quick widespread of the disease could cause pandemic across the state, if not curbed.
Mrs Abioye observed that the disease could be contacted in the toilets and bathrooms called for the attention of appropriate authorities across the state.
She advised the people of the state to make use of their face masks and put on thick clothes for prevention.
An Osogbo Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of no fewer than 16 persons suspected to be political thugs at Ilesa Correctional Centre for allegedly attacking the convoy of the Deputy Governor of the state Mr Benedict Alabi.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko said that the accused be kept behind the bar, pending when their formal bail application is filed by their legal representatives.
The prosecutor, Mr John Idoko told the Court that the accused threw stones and other dangerous materials at the convoy of the Deputy Governor of the state, Benedict Alabi, damaging some vehicles in the entourage.
The suspects docked included Ayobami Hammed, 25; Kareem Jamiu, 27; Yusuf Babatunde, 20; Ismail Taiwo, 20; Emmanuel Monday, 28; Bankole Sunday, 24; Raji Wasiu, 25; Babatunde Nurudeen, 31; and Adediran Morenikeji, 25 among others.
The suspects were said to have committed the offence on May 23, 2022, when the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola; his deputy, Alabi; chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress and a crowd of party supporters visited Gbongan, the headquarters of Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state for election campaign.
The suspects, were alleged to have armed themselves with dangerous weapons and took over the Ife/Ibadan Expressway in the town, where they reportedly attacked some travellers after the campaign in Gbongan.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Correspondents’ Chapel, were reportedly not spared as their vehicle was also attacked by the thugs.
The charge brought against them read : that “Ayobami Hammed, Kareem Jamiu, Yusuf Babatunde, Ismail Taiwo, Emmanuel Monday, Bankole Sunday, Raji Wasiu, Babatunde Nurudeen, Adediran Morenikeji, Olateju Olayemi, Lawal Victor, Aderemi Segun, Idris Olajide, Akimdoyin Ifeoluwa, Olanrewaju Femi, and Nurudeen Sulaiman and others now at large, on the May 23 day of May, 2022 at about 3:45pm at Ife/lbadan Expressway, Gbongan, Osun State, in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit unlawful assembly and threatening violence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
“You (defendants) did with intent to carry out common purpose, unlawfully assembled yourselves in such a manner as to cause persons in the neighbourhood to fear or panic and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 70 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The police prosecutor, Mr John Idoko, urged the court to remand the defendants on the ground of the sensitivity of the matter.
The Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko asked the defence counsels to approach the court with a formal bail application and ordered that the defendants should be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre.
The Federal High Court of Nigeria in all the judicial divisions of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Monday 25th July 2022, commences the annual vacation for the year.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Tsoho, said this was pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (b) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedures) Rules, 2019 (as amended).
The Assistant Director of Information, Federal High Court, Dr Catherine Christopher, issued a statement last month that vacation commences from Monday, the 25th day of July 2022 to Friday, the 16th day of September 2022.
According to the statement, only the Core Judicial Divisions, Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt, will remain functional for the litigant to approach Division nearest to them.
The Vacation Judges for Abuja Division are Justice Ahmed Mohammed, Justice Emmanuel Nwite and Justice Nkeonye Maha.
Thirty four awaiting trial inmates at the Ado Ekiti correctional centre have regained freedom.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice John Adeyeye who pardoned the thirty four inmates during a visit to the Correctional facility, said they were those with cases ranging from burglary, stealing, attempted robbery and conspiracy, among others.
Justice Adeyeye explained that they were pardoned under the prerogative of mercy, urging them to be of good conduct and avoid any act capable of returning them to the facility.
Please, go and enjoy your freedom, sin no more, if you commit any crime again, you will be brought to this facility, justice Adeyeye told them
He reviewed the cases of 508 Awaiting trial inmates in custody and released 34 of them.
On arrival, justice Adeyeye inspected the facility and commended the Ekiti Correctional officials for keeping the environment Clean.
In his remarks, the Assistant Controller of the Correctional centre, Mr. Atinaro Titus appreciated the Ekiti State chief Judge for his kind gesture.
According to him, this will go a long way to stabilize the emotions of the inmates who are yet to regain their freedom and as well rekindle their hope.
Mr Titus also appealed to the Judges to make use of the non custodial sentencing to reduce the congestion of the custodial facility.
The pardoned inmates who were full of appreciation to the chief Judge, promised to be law abiding.
A National Industrial Court, Abuja on Friday ordered the Federal Government to put machinery in place for the immediate review of the salaries and allowances of the judicial officers in Nigeria.
Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae who issued the order held that the current salaries and allowances of judicial officers in the country are not only abysmally low but embarrassing.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed against the Federal Government by Chief Sebastine Hon (SAN).
He ordered the Federal Government to commence a monthly payment of N10 million to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, N9 million to other Justices of the Supreme Court, and N9 million to the President of the Court of Appeal.
Also, other Justices of the Appellate Court would get N8 million; Chief Judges of both Federal and States High Courts (N8 million), while Judges of the Federal and States High Courts would receive N7 million.
The Judge held that the refusal of the government to review the judicial officers’ salaries and allowances for 14 years was unconstitutional, unlawful and should be compelled to do the needful.
Justice Obaseki-Osaghae lamented that it was unfortunate that justices and judges who are ministers in the temple of justice have become victims of injustice in the country.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of an Oyo state high court sitting in Ibadan has dismissed a suit filed by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan to stop the State House Of Assembly over the procedure to remove him from office.
Giving the judgment on Thursday, the court held that the House of Assembly has not breached the provisions of the constitution on the removal of the Governor or Deputy Governor.
According to the court, the lawmakers substantially complied with the provisions of Section 188 of the Constitution on the removal process.
The court said the lawmakers should continue with the removal process.
Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade has approved the upward review of the salaries and welfare of judicial officers in the state.
Governor Ayade announced the new salary package at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, during the swearing-in of the new President of Cross River Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Anjor Mbe.
In the new salary regime, which takes effect from August 1, 2022, the salaries of the state’s high court judges will be increased by 100 percent.
Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal will also have their salaries increased by 100 percent while those of Magistrates will be increased by 50 percent.
Similarly, the governor also granted all judicial officers in the state immediate land allocation.
Ayade said, ”As a matter of state government’s policy, any judicial officer sworn-in will have his or her official car ready for delivery.“
Announcing approval for new recruitment into the state’s judicial service, the governor said: “We have witnessed massive vacancy in the Ministry of Justice occasioned by retirement.”
“To this effect, we have approved for the Chief Judge with the support of the Head of Service and the Civil Service Commission, the employment of 500 workers in the Ministry of Justice for the first phase alone.”
While expressing optimism that he has addressed the immediate challenges of the state judiciary, Gov. Ayade pledged his administration’s readiness to support that arm of government from time to time as the need arises.
The governor added that he acted in concert with the report of the State Judicial Welfare Review Committee which he set up in April.
It would be recalled that the Committee which had retired Justice Eyo Effiong Ita as Chairman and the state’s Head of Service, Timothy Ogbang Akwaji as Secretary, was charged with reviewing the salaries of Cross River state judicial officers.
The Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom has ruled that the kidney donor in Ekweremadu’s case, David Ukpo is not a minor.
Both Ekweremadu and his wife appeared in court today and they pleaded not guilty to the charge of organ harvesting while the case has been transferred to the Central Criminal Court. Prosecutors were said to have told the court on Thursday that all the available evidence provided showed that the said donor is actually 21 years old and not 15 years old as widely reported.
With this ruling, respite is underway for Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, despite the fact that they will be remanded in custody until the next hearing, August 4, 2022.
The focal point of the Ekweremadus legal predicament is majorly around Ukpo’s age debate – the allegation that they brought a 15-year-old child (a minor) to the UK to harvest his organs.
With the controversies surrounding Ukpo’s age addressed by the fresh ruling, the coast is a bit clear, and supporters of the former Deputy Senate President who have been in the background will now be more encouraged to show open solidarity.
Meanwhile, some members of the Senate and delegates from the Nigeria High Commission were present at the hearing in the UK today.
Those who attended include Former National Publicity Secretary for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisah Metuh; former Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnanya Abaribe, former Senate President, David Mark and former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.
An Osogbo Chief Magistrate court has ordered the remand of seven persons for threatening the peace of the community while being armed with dangerous weapon.
The defendants include Azeez Abibu (29), Musbau Nurudeen (23), Wasiu Sodiq (28), Ganiyu Lekan (27), Azeez Sikiru (26), Soliu Mohammed (20), and Ibrahim Mohammed (21).
The defendants were charged on fifteen counts ranging from conspiracy, malicious damage, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, unlawful shooting among others.
The prosecutor Mr Olusegun Elisha told the Court that the seven defendants who allegedly belonged to a cult group ‘Aye’ committed the offence on the 18th of June 2022, with others still at large.
He alleged that they damaged a billboard in Osogbo which belonged to the All-progressive congress (APC) with dangerous weapons.
The offences are contrary to, and punishable under Section 516, 70, 64(a), 517, 451, 249(d), 517 and 80 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko ordered the defendants to be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre while he adjourned the case until 1st of August 2022 for hearing.
A Federal High Court in Kano presided over by Justice Abdullahi Liman, on Friday restrained the Kano State Government from borrowing N10 billion for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.
A coalition of NGOs, the Kano First Forum (KFF) filed a motion exparte dated June 27, sworn by the Director-General of the association, Dr Yusuf Isyaka-Rabiu.
KFF, through its counsel led by Mr Badamasi Suleiman-Gandu, prayed the court to restrain Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State from borrowing N10 billion loan.
Other respondents in the suit are the Attorney-General of Kano State, Commissioner of Finance Kano and Speaker Kano State House of Assembly.
Justice Liman granted the prayers of KFF and restrained the first respondent from borrowing the N10 billion loan and ordered all parties to maintain status quo.
He also ordered the plaintiff to serve Federal Ministry of Finance, Debt Management office and Fiscal Responsibility Commission with the order and other court processes.
KFF is challenging the Governor of Kano State from borrowing the sum of N10 billion on the grounds of non compliance with rules and regulations governing loan transaction.
The applicants in their prayers challenged the state government for not complying with Dept Management Office Establishment Act 2003, Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and laws of Kano State 1968.
The adjourned date would be later communicated to both parties in the suit.
The State House of Assembly had on June 15 approved Ganduje’s request to access N10 billion from a commercial Bank.
The Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Thursday adjourned the trial of a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on charges of conspiracy and organ harvest.
Ekweremmadu faces a charge of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the travel of another person for exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
With the adjournment, the lawmaker will remain in custody until his next court date on July 7, 2022.
According to a BBC report, the embattled senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District appeared in court in London for a second time wearing a grey tracksuit and holding a Bible.
The report claimed no bail application was made and Ekweremadu will remain in custody until his next appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ court on July 7.
Ekweremadu’s wife Beatrice, 55, is charged with arranging or facilitating the travel of another person for exploitation and will appear in court later due to a delay in her transport from prison.
Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has inaugurated an eight-man judicial commission of enquiry to review Land allocation and documentation across the state.
Inaugurating the Commission at the Executives’ Chamber, Okemosan Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun explained that the Commission would review land dealings from 2011 till date to unravel some of the illegal dealings being perpetrated by some. agencies.
The Governor charged the commission to identify all the culprits involved in the illegal sales of land across the state within the period under review.
While urging the commission to come up with recommendations for appropriate punishment for all the identified perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others, Governor Abiodun said his administration would ensure that land matters were done with openness and transparency.
In a remark, the Chairman of the Commission, Retired Justice Solomon Olugbemi who commended the Governor for giving them the opportunity to serve, gave the assurance that the commission would perform its duties diligently.
An Oyo State high court sitting in Ibadan had on Wednesday restrained the Oyo State House of Assembly from impeaching the Deputy Governor of the state, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan.
The court, presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola stopped any removal process the State Assembly may want to initiate.
According to the Court, the status-quo must be maintained pending the hearing of the application for interlocutory injunctions before it.
The case which first came up on Tuesday was adjourned till Wednesday due to the absence of the legal counsel to the Oyo State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House and the Clerk.
Justice Akintola however adjourned the case till next Tuesday, July 5 2022 for the continuation of the hearing.
Engineer Olaniyan had dragged the parties to court to seek an injunction to stop what he described as “faulty process” of his impeachment.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a fresh application for bail by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The application was filed pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge against him by the Federal Government.
Kanu, who is currently facing a seven-count charge, had in the application he filed through his team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), also challenged the revocation of the bail the court earlier granted to him.
He asked the court to set aside the order it made on March 28, 2019, which not only issued a bench warrant for his arrest, but also gave FG the nod to try him in absentia.
The IPOB leader told the court that contrary to FG’s allegation that he jumped bail, he fled for his life after his home town at Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, was invaded by soldiers, which he said led to the death of 28 persons.
While contending that he was denied a fair hearing before his bail was revoked, Kanu attached eight exhibits that included photographs, as well as an affidavit he deposed from Isreal, after he fled from the country.
Meanwhile, dismissing the bail request on Tuesday, Justice Binta Nyako said she was not satisfied with the reason the IPOB leader gave for his failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial.
The trial judge noted that from records of the court, Kanu was represented by his lawyer on the day his bail was revoked, likewise his sureties.
“In fact, he sureties told the court that they did not know the whereabouts of the Defendant and even applied to be discharged from the matter.
“Therefore, Defendant was not denied a fair hearing”.
Justices Nyako also held that though a court could vacate a previous order when confronted with a cogent and verifiable reason, “in the instant case, I have not been given any, neither have I been given any reason to set aside the order.
“The present application amounts to an abuse of court process for attempting to relitigate an issue already decided by the court.
“If the Defendant is dissatisfied, he has the Appeal Court to go to. This application is accordingly dismissed”, Justice Nyako said.
The Judge had also on March 18, declined to release the embattled IPOB leader on bail.
The court maintained that Kanu must explain the reason why he breached the previous bail that was given to him, before he could enjoy another favourable discretion from it.
“Until the issue of the absence of the defendant for his trial, with all the bail conditions breached, is determined, the instant application of the defendant for bail will at best be premature and it is refused.
“However, the defendant is at liberty to re-file the application”, Justice Nyako said.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned till November 14 for mention, to await the outcome of Kanu’s appeal.
A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has granted bail to the embattled lawmaker representing Degema – Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Farah Dagogo.
Dagogo, a Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in the state for the 2023 elections, was granted bail on Tuesday after being incarcerated for 62 days.
Dagogo was granted bail to the tune of N20 million or a surety in like sum with a landed property worth the same amount.
Justice Chiwendu Nworgu granted Dagogo bail after listening to all arguments by his counsel and counsel to the Rivers State government.
Dagogo was arrested by a team of policemen on April 28, 2022, at the venue of the screening exercise for the PDP’s governorship aspirants in Port Harcourt, less than four days after Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike had reportedly declared him wanted for allegedly hiring suspected cultists to disrupt a screening exercise at the party secretariat.
A federal lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Oyo State, Honourable Shina Peller has congratulated Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on his swearing-in as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Honourable Peller’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement he personally signed and shared on his verified social media platforms where he described the new CJN as an embodiment of integrity, justice, truth and the rule of law.
Moreover, the federal lawmaker expressed confidence that the tenure of Justice Ariwoola as the CJN will restore sanity to the judiciary, while he recalled that his late father, Professor Moshood Abiola Peller, once described the new CJN as a trustworthy and upright person who is ever driven by justice for all.
The statement read:
“I congratulate Justice Olukayode Ariowoola on his swearing-in as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“It gladdens my heart, and that of my constituents and the people of Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, to see him reach the pinnacle of his career. I must say that this is indeed a big plus for the people of Oke Ogun, Oyo state and Nigeria at large.
“Years ago, I could remember vividly how my dad, the late Professor Moshood Abiola Peller, described him as trustworthy, upright, and just. Without mincing words, the new acting CJN is an embodiment of integrity, justice, truth and the rule of law.
“With Justice Olukayode Ariowoola at the helm of affairs in the judiciary, it’s safe to say Nigeria’s judiciary system is back on track and there’s no doubt about his immense ability to move the Supreme Court forward.
“The 2023 general elections are fast approaching, and many are confident that the tenure of the acting CJN will restore sanity to the judiciary.
Congratulations once again, Justice Olukayode Ariowoola.”
Justice Ariwoola hails from Iseyin local government area of Oyo State.
Following the resignation of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, swore in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The swearing-in took place at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
Justice Ariwoola, who is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court was formerly a Justice of the Court of Appeal before being elevated to the Supreme Court bench in 2011.
He was born on August 22, 1958, and hails from Oyo State.
Justice Ariwoola will serve in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate under President Buhari’s request.
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad suddenly resigned on Monday morning for an undisclosed health issue.
The President also conferred on the outgoing CJN, the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Among those in attendance were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, other Justices of the Supreme Court, Director-General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi.
Oyo State Government has approved the award of the contract for the remodelling and restructuring of the Oyo State High Court and Magistrate Court Complexes in Ibadan through the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA) to the tune of .N6bn.
The Commissioner for for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Professor Daud Sangodoyin stated this while briefing newsmen in Ibadan after the executive council meeting.
Professor Sangodoyin explained that the construction of the High Court and Margistrate Court Complexes would be in two phases and would be completed within eighteen months.
The commissioner said the council has also that approved the reconstruction of the 2.275 kilometre Sijuade Road, Jericho, linking Akeredolu Street to the Police Barracks Gate and the main gate of the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan at a cost of # 683 million naira within the the duration of eight months.
In an another development,the State Exco has equally approved a new waste management initiative that would assist the waste management drive of the state government.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Abiodun Oni noted that the new waste management initiative was poised to solve the problem of waste management in the state.
Mr Oni urged residents of Oyo State to stop throwing waste in canals and streams for a safe and clean environment.
Judicial authorities in Guinea have charged five members of the security forces after a young man was killed during a demonstration, a high-profile case that challenges the country’s ruling junta.
A Chief Warrant Officer named Moriba Camara was charged with murder and held in custody, while four were charged with dereliction of duty for failing to prevent a suspected crime, prosecutor Alphonse Charles Wright said in a statement late Monday.
The charges came after Thierno Mamadou Diallo, 19, was shot dead on June 1 on the sidelines of a spontaneous demonstration in Conakry against rising fuel prices.
After seizing power last September, the military vowed to break with the practices of former president Alpha Conde.
Dozens of Guineans were shot dead in anti-Conde protests between 2019 and 2021.
The security forces had the reputation of enjoying impunity, the circumstances of these killings were often murky and investigations or charges were rare.
Wright has vowed to shed light on Diallo’s death. Last week he confirmed an account by relatives who said the young man had been in a shop when he was hit by a bullet.
The Ondo State High Court, Akure, on Friday, sentenced three persons to death for killing Mrs Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.
The deceased was killed by the convicts along the Benin-Ore-Shagamu Expressway in the Ore Odigbo Local Government Area of the state in June 2019, on her way to Lagos State.
The convicts are Awalu Abubakar, Muhammed Shehu and Adamu Adamu.
Justice Williams Olamide found the trio guilty of involving in murder, kidnapping and armed robbery and sentenced them to death.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted the fourth defendant, Auwalu Abubakar, 25, for conspiracy.
Oyo State House of Assembly has restated its commitment at making people oriented laws that would continue to place the pace setter state on the part of development.
In a statement signed on behalf of all the 32 lawmakers by the Chairman House Committee on Information, Hon Kazeem Olayanju in commemoration of the Assembly’s 3rd anniversary, the 9th Oyo State Assembly described the journey as eventful, as it has passed 148 motions and resolutions.
According to Mr Olayanju, the sincerity of purpose demonstrated by all the Oyo Assembly lawmakers from day one and their uncommon diligence and commitment to their legislative duties led to the achievements and feats being applauded today.
While highlighting some of the bills passed in 2019 to include Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency Bill, Oyo State Open Rearing & Grazing Regulation Bill, Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Inclusion Bill, he also highlighted few of the bills passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly in 2020 to include Dogs (Amendment) Bill, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill, Child Sexual Offences Bill, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency Bill, Ibarapa Polytechnic Eruwa Amendment Bill, College of Education Lanlate,and Oyo State Security Network Agency Bill.
The Chairman House Committee on Information stated further that notable bills like Oyo State Open Defecation Prohibition Bill, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Response Agency & Referral Center Bill, Oyo State Enterprises & Employment Trust Fund Bill, Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission Bill, Oyo State House of Assembly Funds Management Bill, Elderly Persons Protection Bill, Infrastructure Maintenance & Control Agency Amendment Bill and Hotel Occupancy & Restaurant Consumption Tax Bill were passed in 2021 while few had equally been passed in 2022.
He stressed that the Oyo Assembly lawmakers will continue to have their names written in gold adding that the 148 motions and resolutions passed by the Assembly are too numerous to be mentioned.
