The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, has asked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to heed the issues raised by retired Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad in his valedictory speech.

Agbakoba, in an interview with Arise Television, noted that NJC needs to take action in order to address the ‘rot’ in Nigeria’s judicial system.

He stressed that Dattijo’s speech was not maligning the character of Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, but only addressing the inconsistencies of the office.

According to Agbakoba, the corruption that Dattijo mentioned in his recent speech was also mentioned by Justice Samson Uwaifo in his valedictory speech in 2004.

He stated, “I think what lessons we should draw from what Justice Dattijo had said is to implement a report that was put together, in my view, perhaps the most reformist CJN in Nigeria, that is, the late Justice Dahiru Mustapha.”

“The problem with judges is that they have no clue as to judicial administration versus administration of justice,” he added.

Agbakoba argued that Dattijo used the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to describe the ‘rot’ that is occurring in the legal system and not Ariwoola himself.

“He really wasn’t attacking the current CJN. He was referring more to the institutional lapses that has occurred over the last, God knows, how long now.”

The former NBA president claimed that the situation with the Supreme Court is ‘toxic’, and it needs to change.

He said, “The difference between a judge of the high court and the CJN is like God in heaven and somebody on earth. We need to really take the opportunity of the lesson, I think, that Dattijo Muhammed’s valedictory, which has been the most candid, has given us. It’s to understand where we are in the judiciary, and if we want to reverse judicial failure, then the current NJC must implement it.”

“Public opinion of the judiciary is at its lowest ebb, and I think that this is something that the judiciary ought to take very seriously. They ought to take the points made by Justice Dattijo Mohammed extremely seriously. The judiciary is going to go downhill.”

“Of the three arms of government—the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary—the most undemocratic is actually the judiciary, so that’s where the problem is. So, what I would recommend to the current NJC is to have a very good look at the report, update it, and absolutely remove the powers of the CJN to be everywhere,” he said.

[Vanguard]

President Bola Tinubu has written the House of Representatives seeking the approval of the sum of N2,176,791,286,033 as 2023 supplementary budget to address labour wage adjustments, security and more.

The President also sent the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework & Fiscal Strategy Paper to the House of Representatives.

On Monday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the 2023 supplementary budget of N2.1 trillion.

While speaking after the FEC meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said the budget is to fund urgent issues.

“The council considered a request for supplementary appropriation which is a second for 2023,” he said at the State House in Abuja.

“And graciously approved the sum of N2,176,791,286,033 as supplementary budget and this supplementary budget is to fund urgent issues including N605 billion for national defence and security.

“This is to sustain the gains made in security and to accelerate and these are funds that are needed by the security agencies before the year runs out. ”

The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to brief the green chamber on the status of the conditional cash transfer programme of the Federal Government to 15 million households.

The House, in a motion of urgent public importance on Tuesday, expressed worry about the handling of the programme.

The House questioned the lack of transparency in the programme which has led to fraudulent practices.

The minister is to give details on the collation of data and distribution of the funds.

Mid-October, President Bola Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer for 15 million households.

The President had in his maiden Independence Day broadcast to Nigerians on October 1, 2023 announced the cash transfer programme which he said would target vulnerable citizens.

The humanitarian affairs minister had said that the 15 million households represent 62 million Nigerians.

She had said that the sum of N25,000 would be transferred to the beneficiaries on a monthly basis, for three months, which amounts to N75,000 for each of the beneficiaries.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to unveil policies and give next directions including timelines to ministers and top political appointees at a retreat starting tomorrow. 

The office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has concluded plans for the retreat for the top political appointees and it will last from Wednesday to Friday, it was learnt.

BusinessDay gathered that the retreat for the top political appointees is the first since President Bola Tinubu inaugurated his Ministers where inaugurated on the 28 of August.

The retreat is part of the traditional ways of strengthening the machinery of governance, especially designed for newly appointed Ministers and top public servants.

It serves as a means of educating them about how government activities are implemented, the dos and don’t as well as public service rules.

The President and his Ministers also use the opportunity to unveil government policy directions, programs and vision for implemention.

President Bola Tinubu is also expected to use the event to set the necessary agenda and time frame for executing them, as well as assign responsibilities in line with the policy directions of the administration.

The retreat means that government activities will be slowed down for the three day period, as Minister, Heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) will leave their offices for those three days.

At the end of the retreat, the President will unveil his plans for the administration.

BusinessDay gathered that the retreat was shelved until now, because of the pending court cases from the Presidential election.

The Supreme Court had rested all the cases on Monday, 26 of October, following the unanimous ruling that confirmed President Bola Tinubu as the duly elected President from the 2023 general election.

[businessday]

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has confirmed his plan to return to Barcelona.

The 36-year-old admitted that his departure from the Nou Camp in 2021 left a “bitter taste”.

Messi bid farewell to Barca as their financial struggles made it impossible for the club to fund a contract extension.

He joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent and when presented a chance to rejoin the Catalans this summer, he opted to sign for Inter Miami.

Messi has not had the chance to bid a proper farewell to Barcelona fans and he has now confirmed his intention to fix that situation after winning his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or in Paris on Monday evening.

“There was a bitter taste when I left and I don’t like that. I’d like to change the way the story ended.

“I deserve to say goodbye to the people that gave me so much joy. If it happens I’ll be very happy to be there of course,” he told reporters.

Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor, are currently at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The duo, who reportedly fell out less than six months after succession, have been in the news since the reported move of the Rivers House of Assembly to impeach the governor.

Fubara had stormed the assembly while some lawmakers loyal to Wike were said to be planning his removal.

Addressing youths who trooped to Government House, Port Harcourt, over the development, Fubara vowed to resist any impeachment attempt against him that was not justified.

The governor also dared his political opponents to tell him his offence before he would be removed.

“I know how you people are feeling; just take it easy. Great Rivers State youths Great! When we have youth, we have power,” Fubara said.

“But the difference with our own power is that we will not misuse it. We woke up this morning to very troubling news. We have gone to the assembly to see for ourselves what has happened.

“On my way there, I was shot at directly by the (sic) operation, or whatever they call it. But it doesn’t matter; somebody will die one day. Whether you die inside your house or on the road, So on my journey today, whatever it is that wants to happen, let it happen.

“If Siminalayi Fubara is at peace, I am not a force, nor will I be... What I’m saying is that any attempt that is not justified will be resisted. Great Rivers people! For that offence that I have committed, come out and tell the people of Rivers State. That’s what I want. That offence Fubara committed warrants impeaching me.”

He pledged to always defend the Rivers residents and make available the dividends of democracy to them.

“But my happiness this morning is that the people of Rivers State, represented by everybody here, are with us. Let me remind you people that we will continue to defend you. We will protect you and your people and enjoy the dividends of democracy. I don’t want to say much. At the appropriate time, I will address the press. Thank you. God bless you,” he added.

Wunmi, the widow of late Nigerian rapper, Ilerioluwa Olademeji Aloba, aka Mohbad, has said she is open to a DNA test on their son, Liam.

DAILY POST recalls that following the controversial death of Mohbad, a cross-section of Nigerians has been demanding for a DNA test on his son, Liam to ascertain his true paternity.

The late rapper’s father, Mr James Aloba, had made it clear that a DNA test was necessary, demanding that it should be conducted in his or his representative’s presence.

Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo disclosed in a recent post on her Instagram page that Mohbad’s wife is also open to a DNA test on her son.

She shared a screenshot of a message from the late singer’s wife that read; “Hello ma’

“I’ve decided not to speak on anything until 7th of November, which is the coroner inquest because I do not want any side distraction, all I want is Justice for my husband which I believe the Nigeria government are working on, after everything, I’ll either grant an interview or tell my own story before the whole world, and also, DNA is definitely a must!!!”

Ojo captioned the post; “To everyone who wants to hear from Mohbad’s wife, this is her response…

“Ikeja General Hospital, please, we hope that by the 7th of November 2023, the next date for the coroner inquest, the full autopsy results will be out..

“We’re not giving up on this justice for Mohbad, no matter the dragging, noise makers or distractions.”

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday, declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the Peoples Democratic Party as the duly elected candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial Election held in February 2023.

The court further dismissed the appeal filed by Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress for lacking in merit.

The state’s Election Petitions Tribunal, in September, had declared Akpoti-Uduagan winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election, PUNCH Online reports. It also invalidated the victory of Ohere.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako, delivered the unanimous judgment of the three-man panel, revealing that Ohere’s results were inflated in nine polling units in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission reduced Natasha’s results in those areas and omitted the results of three other polling units meant for Natasha in the same LGA.

The Tribunal judgment led Ohere to seek redress. However, the Appeal Court further maintained that Akpoti-Uduagan won the election.

Earlier, Akpoti-Uduaghan had asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu to review the outcome of the senatorial election in Kogi Central.

Akpoti-Uduaghan in the letter dated March 1, 2023, demanded a review of the declaration and return of the candidate of the Ohore, as winner of the February 25 senatorial election.

Akpoti-Uduaghan in the letter written by her lawyer, Johnson Usman, argued that, “The candidate of APC was wrongly returned with 52,132 votes and declared the winner of the election in the senatorial district while our client was wrongly credited with 51,763 votes”.

According to the letter, the mistake was followed by a careful and meticulous review of the election results from the duplicate of the result sheets, which revealed that votes were manipulated and adjusted in favour of the APC’s candidate.

She claimed that the alleged manipulation of results occurred in three polling units in Ganaja township Ward, Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state.

Reacting to the Appeal Court verdict, Akpoti-Uduagan, posted “We won the Appeal. Joy amidst tears. Thank you Kogi Central. This is us together ”
on her official Facebook page.

Details later…

[Punch]

It is imperative for me to propose the urgent implementation of prison electronic tags for inmates awaiting trial in Nigeria. This initiative aims to address the pressing issue of overcrowding in prisons, expedite the judicial process, and optimize the utilization of government resources.

The current state of Nigeria's prison system is burdened by the high number of inmates awaiting trial. According to recent statistics, a significant proportion of the prison population comprises individuals who have not yet been convicted. This situation not only exacerbates issues of overcrowding but also places an enormous financial strain on the government's resources allocated for the maintenance of these individuals.

The primary objective of this proposal is to introduce a comprehensive system of prison electronic tags for inmates awaiting trial. By implementing this technology, I aim to achieve the following for Nigeria:

1. Reduction in Prison Overcrowding: The utilization of electronic tags will allow non-violent and low-risk individuals awaiting trial to be released from prison while ensuring they remain under continuous surveillance. This will substantially reduce the burden on the prison system, creating more space for convicted criminals and facilitating better living conditions for all inmates.

2. Expedited Judicial Process: Electronic tags will enable judiciary authorities to monitor the movement and activities of individuals awaiting trial effectively. This will help in ensuring their compliance with court-imposed restrictions such as curfews, travel limitations, and exclusion zones. Additionally, it will aid in preventing absconding and facilitate the timely execution of legal proceedings.

3. Cost Savings: The implementation of prison electronic tags will lead to significant cost savings for the government. By reducing the number of inmates awaiting trial, fewer resources will be required for their maintenance, including food, healthcare, and security personnel. These savings can be redirected towards other crucial sectors, such as improving prison infrastructure, enhancing rehabilitation programs, and strengthening the overall criminal justice system.

To effectively implement the prison electronic tags system, the following steps should be taken:

1. Needs Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to evaluate the current capacity and infrastructure required for the implementation of electronic tagging. This assessment should include considerations for hardware, software, personnel training, and necessary legal frameworks.

2. Collaborative Partnerships: Foster partnerships with reputable technology providers specializing in electronic monitoring systems. Engage with international organizations, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders to tap into their expertise and experience in implementing similar programs worldwide.

3. Legislative Framework: Collaborate with legal experts and stakeholders to develop or revise existing legislation to accommodate the use of electronic monitoring for individuals awaiting trial. This framework should define the conditions and criteria for electronic tagging, as well as the roles and responsibilities of relevant government agencies, the judiciary, and law enforcement.

4. Pilot Program: Initiate a pilot program in selected prisons or regions to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of the electronic tagging system. This will allow for fine-tuning of the technology, identification of potential challenges, and the development of best practices before a nationwide rollout.

5. Capacity Building: Conduct comprehensive training programs for relevant personnel, including prison staff, law enforcement officers, and judicial authorities. These programs should focus on proper usage and maintenance of electronic tagging equipment, data management, privacy protection, and the integration of electronic monitoring into existing criminal justice processes.

6. Public Awareness and Acceptance: Launch an extensive public awareness campaign to educate the public about the benefits and importance of electronic tagging for inmates awaiting trial. Address any concerns regarding privacy and security, emphasizing the potential positive impact on reducing prison overcrowding and expediting the judicial process.

Budget and Funding:
The successful implementation of the prison electronic tags system will require a well-defined budget. We recommend conducting a detailed financial analysis to determine the costs associated with hardware acquisition, software development, system maintenance, personnel training, and public awareness campaigns. Additionally, exploring potential funding sources such as international grants, public-private partnerships, and reallocation of existing resources should be considered.

In conclusion, the implementation of prison electronic tags for inmates awaiting trial represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by Nigeria's prison system.

By adopting this technology, we can reduce overcrowding, expedite the judicial process, and save substantial costs associated with the maintenance of individuals awaiting trial. I urge you to consider this proposal seriously and initiate the necessary steps to pilot and implement the prison electronic tagging system in Nigeria.