Judiciary

AGF Solicits Judiciary’s Support in Fight against Corruption

By Web News 396

By Jeffrey Ahonmisi

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi SAN has admonished the judiciary to assist the government by being objective in the fight against corruption.

The AGF stated this at the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch 2024 Professional Bar Dinner organised in his honour held at the Aare Afe Babalola  Bar Centre, Iyaganku Quarters, Ibadan.

Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who noted that the Constitution gives serving governors immunity against prosecution, stressed that the law does not, however, absolve such person from being investigated.

The minister of justice however frowned at legal practitioners, who are aiding such persons by rushing to court to abuse the law.

Mr Fagbemi maintained that he would always apply the law without sentiment whenever the need be.

The AGF also noted that certain appeals should be pegged at the court of appeal to allow the Supreme Court to adjudicate on more serious cases.

In a remark, Ibadan-based legal luminary, Mr Niyi Akintola SAN frowned at the defiance of a former governor, who did not make himself available to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission for interrogation.

Delivering the dinner speech, Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwashina Ogungbade, SAN pointed out that some legal practitioners abuse the criminal justice system in the country as they sometimes encourage clients to take matters that is not necessarily a subject of litigation to court.

In an address of welcome, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Ibadan Branch, Mrs Folashade Aladeniyi, while thanking the AGF for honouring the event,  said the association would continue to uphold the highest ethical standard of the legal profession.

The highlight of the event was the honouring of members of the association who were recently elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria. 

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Judiciary

Independence of the judiciary will ensure stability – Gov. Abiodun

By Web News 384

By Bolanle Adesida

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has urged the judiciary to continue to put necessary measures in place towards ensuring a stable political system in the country.

Governor Abiodun made the plea at Okemosan Abeokuta while swearing in a judge of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Oriyomi  Sofowora.

Governor Abiodun said the independence of judiciary was a vital tool in strengthening democracy and institutionalizing the rule of law, hence the need for judicial officers to be above board in carrying out their duties.

The Governor expressed optimism that the appointment of the new judge would enhance the tradition of integrity, diligence, and excellence that have been the hallmark of the state judiciary.

He commended members of the state’s judiciary for upholding the excellent tradition of the profession, emphasizing that the present administration would continue to ensure a strong and functional judicial system. 

In a remark, Justice Sofowora who thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve as the judge in the Customary Court of Appeal, pledged to discharge her duties without fear or favour.

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Politics

Judiciary critical to resolution of electoral disputes – Makinde

By Web News 482

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has stressed the role of stakeholders, especially the judiciary, in ensuring free fair and credible elections towards the resolution of election disputes as the country prepares for the 2023 general election.

He stated this at the special service for the opening of the 2022/2023 legal year, held at the Religious centres, both mosque and church.

Governor Makinde who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal said his government would continue to uphold fundamental human rights, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in order to discharge its duties optimally.

Governor Makinde assured that step would be taken to ensure that the welfare of the judges was properly addressed to enable them to dispense appropriate judgments to the residents of Oyo state.

The governor called on judicial officers to rise to the challenges and rescue the country through forthright adjudication of crises that would be brought before them.

He promised to give vehicles to the state Magistrate in order to discharge their duties effectively.

Earlier, the representative of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Isiaka Olagunju SAN urged the State Government to ensure the process of work at the State High Court was computerized.

Mr Olagunju SAN also appealed to the State Government to ensure the state laws for 2022/2023 are duly implemented in order to help the justice system.

Iyabo Adebisi

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Judiciary

Oyo Undertakes Remodelling of Court Complexes

By Web News 731


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.


Iyabo Adebisi

Health

UNFPA Sensitive New Batch of Judges on VAPP law 2020

By Web News 679

A two day workshop on the need to sensitize Judges and Magistrates in Oyo State in the implementation of the Violence against Person Prohibition law organized by the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health and UNPF in collaboration with Oyo State Judiciary came up at the Kakanfo Inn.


Speaking after the workshop, the Deputy Chief Registrar, Family Court of Oyo State Judiciary, Mrs. Durosharo Tijani stated that she attended the workshop in her capacity to assist in the reduction or total elimination of crime against persons, both in Oyo State and Nigeria, by extension.


According to the Deputy Chief Registrar, who had been involved in similar workshops, where issues of violence against people were treated and condemned in its entirety, reducing or completely eradicating violence against persons in Nigeria is key to the growth and development of the country.


She tasked stakeholders on the need to ensure adequate compensation for victims of violence in Nigeria through the law.


While fielding questions from journalists after the workshop, the Deputy Chief Registrar, who was impressed by the physical presence of a survivor of violence, who narrated his ordeal after suffering from violent acts in the state, appealed to people who have suffered similar fates to come out and express their feeling. Mrs. Tijani, who was confident that the workshop would galvanize people, who have been abused in one way or the other to speak up against such acts, would surely be confident to reach out to the family court for necessary protection under the law when their rights are being violated.


Mrs. Tijani who called for the setting up of special courts to thrash issues of violence against persons in Oyo State, just as it obtains in Lagos State, said it would be a win – win situation for all and sundry.


The Deputy Chief Registrar enjoined organizers of the workshop to excercise due diligence in collaborating with the police and other security personnel, saddled with investigation, in order for them to do a thorough job before coming to the court which is seen as the last hope of the common man to file proceedings and seek redress.


If the courts are approached, Mrs. Tijani assured that justice would be served to protect the mental capacity of victims of violence while also protecting the sanctity of the Nigerian court.
Olumide Ogunbiyi

Judiciary

Ondo State Judicial Workers Embark on Indefinite Strike

By Web News 647

Judiciary workers in Ondo state today joined a nationwide indefinite strike to protest the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary.

Radio Nigeria who monitored the situation in Akure, observed that the State High Court, Appeal Court, Magistrates courts and the Federal High Court in Akure have been shut down by officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) led by the state Chairman, Comrade Femi Afolabi.

The strike is to seek financial autonomy of the Judicial arm of government, though the federal government has allowed for financial autonomy, state governments were accused of not granting financial independence to the judiciary in the states.

Reacting to the refusal of states to implement the policy, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), accordingly directed its members across the country to shut down all courts nationwide beginning from today.

In Akure, some lawyers and litigants returned home disappointed as they met gates of the court locked by JUSUN officers while staff of the Federal High Court were forced out of the premises.

Speaking with newsmen, the JUSUN Chairman in Ondo state, Comrade Femi Afolabi said the strike would not be called off until their demands were met by government.

Comrade Afolabi described as successful the first day of the strike, adding that all stakeholders in the judiciary arm were fully in the JUSUN support.

 Leke Adegbite

Judiciary

Judicial Panel of Enquiry: Victim Seeks Govt. Support in Ogun

By Web News 654

A victim of stray bullet suspected to be from police rifle in Abeokuta has called on the Ogun State Government for support to treat his injured leg to be able to walk again.

The victim Mr Kamol Ganiyu made the plea before the Ogun Judicial Panel of Investigation set up to investigate complaints of victims on police brutality, human rights violations and extrajudicial killings by security operatives sitting at the Magistrate Court one, Isabo, Abeokuta.

Mr. Ganiyu explained that he needed the government’s support to fly out of the country for the operation.

The petitioner revealed that after the incident he was called to Elewe-Eran Police headquarters and was offered two hundred and fifty thousand naira by the police which he told the panel was rejected.

The respondents in the petition, Mr. Akeem Jimoh and Mrs. Lola Onifade denied offering the victim any amount to bury the case.

The Chairman of Ogun State Judicial Panel of Investigation, retired Justice Solomon Olugbemi revealed that two hundred and seven medical bill receipts, eight photographs and a cloth with blood stain were received from the petitioner while the car with bullet hole was also inspected and marked as evidence.

Wale Oluokun

Judiciary

Court Sentences Man to Death in Osun

By Web News 762

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ede presided by Justice Kudirat Akano has sentenced a 44 years old man, Rafiu Saheed, to death for armed Robbery.

The Convict was arraigned in the Court on 30th November, 2017 on two counts charge of attempted murder and armed robbery contrary to sections 6(b) and 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms section 320 Criminal Code Law, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002 and Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. 

Convict pleaded not guilty, to the two counts charge preferred against him.

Prosecution Counsel from the Ministry of Justice Mr Bankole Awoyemi earlier told the court that Rafiu Saheed (convict) sometimes on 30th July, 2012, contracted Mr. Olaniyi Olayinka a motorcycle operator to take him to his brother’s house at Ipetumodu from Ile-Ife. 

On getting to Ipetumodu, they did not meet the convict’s brother, the Convict then informed the motorcyclist to take him back to Ile-Ife.

While returning, the convict took out a knife and slit the throat of the motorcyclist and took away the motorcycle belonging to Olaniyi Olayinka thinking he was dead. 

Motorcyclist Olaniyi Olayinka later stood up and went to report the incident to the nearest police station. 

Mr Okeniyi Segun, a police officer attached to Ipetumodu Police Division testified on how the accused was arrested at Moore police Station and was transferred to the Ipetumodu Police Division. 

Counsel to the convict Mr Julie Olorunfemi of legal aid Council pleaded to the court to temper Justice with mercy.

In her judgment, Justice Kudirat Akano said that Prosecution Counsel had proved his case beyond the doubt and hereby found him guilty of the two counts preferred against him.

She sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment on count one attempted murder and sentenced him to death for armed Robbery.

Akinola Adenitan

Yoruba

Adájọ́ Àgbà Gbàwọn Adájọ́ Níyànjú Láti Máà Sètò Ìgbẹ́jọ́ Wọn Lórí Ẹ̀rọ Ayélujọ́ra

By Web News 790

Adájọ́ àgbà ilẹ̀ yí, onídajọ́ Tanko Muhammad ti rọ àwọn onídajọ́ jákèjádò ilẹ̀ yí láti máà gbọ́ ẹjọ́ tó wà níwájú wọn lórí ẹ̀rọ ayélujára.

Adájọ́ àgbà ẹnití ó sọ̀rọ̀ yí níbi ayẹyẹ ètò ìgbaniwọ́lé síbi ètò ìdánilẹ́kọ fún àwọn adájọ́ tuntun tí ilé ẹ̀kọ́ nípa ìgbẹ́jọ́ ilẹ̀ yí èyítí ó wáyé lórí ẹ̀rọ ayélujára tẹnumọ wípé bí wọ́n bá ńgbọ́ ẹjọ́ lórí ẹ̀rọ ayélujára àwọn adájọ́ gbọ́dọ̀ ríì dájú wípé wan tẹ̀lé ounti òfin sọ.

Ó ní àyàkalẹ̀ àrùn covid-19 ló ti sọ ọ̀pọ̀ ǹkan di akúrẹtẹ̀ láiyọ bí ìgbẹ́jọ́ se falẹ̀ sílẹ̀.

Onídajọ́ Muhammad tún rọ àwọn adájọ́ náà láti se isẹ́ wọn bíì isẹ́ kí wọ́n sì yàgò fún gbigba owo tòtọ́.

Ó fikun wípé àwọn adájọ́ tuntun ọ̀ún gbọ́dọ̀ lóye àyíká tí wọ́n ti ńsisẹ́ dáàda láti léè yágò fún àwọn ìpèníjà àti àwọn ohun tó léè bì wọ́n subú nígbàtí wọ́n bá ńgbọ́ ẹjọ́ tí wọ́n bá gbé wá síwájú wọn.

Folakemi Wojuade

Judiciary

Delta CJ Grants Amnesty to Inmates Awaiting Trial

By Web News 736

About eighty persons awaiting trial in prisons and holding centers across Sapele, in Delta State, has been released from incarceration, including teenagers charged for cultism and robbery allegations.

The suspects awaiting trial were set free during a visit by the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshall Umukoro to the Nigeria Correctional Service, and the Remand Home in Sapele, as part of the ongoing exercise to free up spaces in correctional facilities across the state.

Report says that three persons were also released on bail during the process.

Oghenero Eghweree

Judiciary

Ogun Swears-In Two New Magistrates

By Web News 2237

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has advised the newly sworn-in Magistrates to uphold the ethics of the profession and dispense justice without fear and favour.

Justice Dipeolu stated this at the swearing-in of two Magistrates at the Judiciary complex, Kobape road, Abeokuta.

The Ogun state Chief Judge also urged the magistrates to put in their best to justify their elevation to the position.

Justice Dipeolu explained that the state had thirty nine magistrate courts which she said were conducive for sitting in addition to the provision of befitting quarters for Magistrates to avoid the stress of traveling and ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, the State Chief Judge, has opened a “Small Claims Court”, to provide easy access to informal, inexpensive and speedy resolution of simple matters such as, debt recovery disputes, demands and damages that do not exceed N500, 000.00, to further bring justice closer to the people at the grassroots level.

She pointed out that the operations at the “Small Claims Court” would commence in six Magisterial Districts, which were Abeokuta, Ota, Ifo, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu and Ilaro.

Olusegun Folarin

Politics

Financial Autonomy: Don Advocates Transparency

By Web News 802

Head, Department of Political Science University of Ilorin, Dr Gbade Ojo has stressed the need for the state assemblies and the judiciary to be transparent in handling finance when autonomy granted them fully becomes operational.

He stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria while speaking on the executive order signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dr Ojo who was the former Oyo State Chief of Staff, maintained that the head of the two arms of government must be wary of mismanagement in order not to soil their hands due to the large sum of money that would be in their custody.

Dr Ojo while lauding President Buhari on the executive order noted that the development would help the nation’s democracy to grow.

He however advised state governor’s to look inward to generate more revenue as the finances of those arms would no longer be in their care.

It would be recalled that President Buhari had last week signed executive order granting autonomy to the state assemblies and the judiciary to operate for effectiveness.

Iyabo Adebisi