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The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has felicitated with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya praised the Senate President’s exemplary leadership, describing him as a statesman whose commitment to the progress of the legislative arm of government has been both impactful and inspiring.
The Governor noted that the Senate President’s extensive political career, spanning decades, has been defined by an uncommon commitment to public service and a passion for uplifting the Nigerian people.
“On behalf of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, as well as the government and people of Gombe State, I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating a distinguished leader and patriot. Your steadfast commitment to nation-building and good governance is admirable.
“As Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, your visionary leadership has fostered legislative harmony and significantly advanced our democracy,” Governor Inuwa Yahaya remarked.
The Governor commended Senator Akpabio’s remarkable achievements, particularly during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, where his impactful leadership and infrastructural development left an enduring legacy.
He prayed for the Senate President’s continued good health, wisdom, and strength to effectively discharge his responsibilities, urging him to sustain his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and prosperity.
“Your commitment to legislative excellence and nation-building is exemplary. I pray that Almighty God grants you more wisdom and grace to serve the country with even greater vigour,” the NSGF Chairman added.
Demands transparency in federal revenue, expenditure reporting
The Senate has threatened ministries, departments, agencies, and MDAs of the federal government with zero allocation in the 2025 fiscal year if they fail to appear before it to scrutinize records of expenditures made from 2024 appropriations.
It also took a swipe at discrepancies in Nigeria’s revenue generation and expenditure tracking and called for improved synergy between the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the legislative body.
Senators raised these and others yesterday during an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Finance, led by Senator Sani Musa, that focused on the remittance of internally generated revenue, fiscal accountability, and the overall state of the country’s financial management system.
Members of the committee who spoke during the session with the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein and her team, flayed the level of discrepancies observed in the records books of some of the agencies.
In his opening remarks, Senator Musa emphasized the importance of addressing financial inconsistencies across government agencies, stating that these issues undermined transparency and accountability in governance.
Specifically, he warned that any agency that failed to appear before the committee risked zero allocation for 2025 fiscal year.
“This performance index exercise on the various MDAs is preparatory to the 2025 budget. Any agency that failed to appear before this committee upon invitation risks zero allocation in the 2025 budget because records of how appropriations made for 2024 are expended must be provided with facts and figures,’’ he said.
The lawmaker, who noted the inability to readily access accurate data on the funds available to the federation, a gap that impairs effective oversight and policymaking, said: “We should be able to determine, at any point, the exact state of revenues collected, how they’ve been disposed off, and what has been allocated to various accounts. Unfortunately, that is not the case today.”.
Key areas of concern include the discrepancies in reports from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL and the federation account, the dividends received from LNG operations, and other significant variances.
The committee also underscored the need for clarity on loans, grants, and other financial inflows managed by the government.
The Accountant General of the Federation had before the threat, presented a summary of internally generated revenue for the federal government up to September 2024 as she reported an N8 billion capital allocation for 2024, yet only N2.9 billion (25%) had been released for project execution.
Lawmakers noted that the unutilized funds obstructed other agencies from accessing necessary resources, further exacerbating delays across the board and policy of centralizing all payments in the Accountant General’s office was heavily criticized for creating bureaucratic bottlenecks.
They pointed out that this system often resulted in MDAs waiting months for payment after projects had been executed, causing delays in government operations and public projects.
Concerns were also raised about contractors being required to pay under-the-table fees, reportedly 5% of the contract value, to expedite their payments.
The reported figures included independent revenue of N2.7 trillion; operating surplus from government-owned enterprises, GOEs, amounting to N2.3 trillion; and ministries, departments and agencies’, MDA, internally generated revenue of N344 billion.
However, the committee noted that the submitted report focused solely on the Accountant General’s Office, with significant omissions regarding the federal government’s overall financial activities.
Following the gaps identified, the committee resolved to invite other relevant agencies, including the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, and the NNPCL, for a joint session to ensure a comprehensive review of the discrepancies.
“This is not about hearing from one side and another separately; we need all stakeholders present at the same time to provide clarity and consistency in their reports.
“The Senate hearing reflects growing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s financial oversight and accountability mechanisms, with a shared commitment to enhancing transparency and building a robust fiscal policy framework,” Senator Sani said.
Besides the chairman, other members of the committee expressed deep frustration over the persistent delays in the release and utilization of capital budgets, citing inefficiencies within the centralized payment system managed by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
They criticized the centralized payment policy which requires over 700 ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, to process payments through a single office.
According to the lawmakers, the policy has led to inefficiencies, delayed project completion, and diminished public trust, especially in constituencies expecting the execution of critical infrastructure projects.
Concerns were also raised about contractors being required to pay under-the-table fees, reportedly 5% of the contract value, to expedite their payments.
This practice, if verified, according to them, represented a major accountability issue, undermining the efficiency of the system.
The Accountant General revealed that stamp duty revenues from 2020 to 2024 were disappointingly low, totaling ¦ 30.3 million, compared to the ¦ 301.49 million internally generated revenue, IGR.
Lawmakers linked this to poor budget performance, as taxes are only collected when payments are made.
The accountant-general in her defence, explained that the centralized payment system was introduced to curb inefficiencies and prevent unutilized funds from being rolled over annually.
At the end of the day, the committee gave the accountant-general till tomorrow to provide all requested reports, ahead of a follow-up meeting scheduled for 2pm the same day.
Members also indicated plans to summon other agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, to address discrepancies in their submissions, even as they insisted that MDAs should be given greater autonomy to manage their budgets while maintaining oversight to prevent misuse.
On his part, Senator Amos Yohanna, Adamawa North, who summarized the issue, said: “Federal government revenue is suffering because budget performance is poor. Taxes remain low because payments are not made. We need a system that works.”
The committee demanded answers to the core issue, which is why funds are delayed, even for uploaded, completed projects?
The accountant-general was asked to provide a detailed explanation of the bottlenecks and propose solutions.
The Senate is expected to deliberate on whether to reform or abolish the centralized payment system, ensuring that Nigeria’s budget implementation meets the needs of its citizens and fosters development.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima on Monday emphasized the critical role of migrants in societal and economic development while addressing the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja.
This was the number two of Nigeria citizen referenced Kemi Badenoch, a United Kingdom (UK) Member of Parliament of Nigerian descent and leader of the Conservative Party, criticizing her previous remarks about Nigeria.
Shettima said, “We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.
“She is entitled to her opinions, even to remove the ‘Kemi’ from her name.
“But it does not change the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is Nigeria.”
It would be recalled that Badenoch, who accused Nigerian politicians in 2022 of misusing public funds for private interests, has faced criticism for her stance on issues relating to her heritage.
Despite her rise as UK Conservative Party leader in November 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) revealed that attempts to engage with her were met with no response.
However, Shettima reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding migrants’ rights and recognizing their contributions to national progress.
In his address, the Vice President stated Nigeria’s global significance, noting, “One out of every three or four black men is a Nigerian.
“By 2050, Nigeria will join the United States as the third most populous nation on earth.”
The Vice President’s remarks at the event showed the importance of celebrating the legacy and achievements of migrants while urging them to embrace their heritage.
‘All Options Are On The Table’ – Paul Ibe Speaks On Atiku, Peter Obi’s Alliance To Kick Out APC In 2027
AFOLABI
Media aide to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has stated that his principal and the Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, have learnt their lessons in the last general election.
Recalls that Atiku and Peter Obi scored over six million votes each in the 2023 presidential election won by the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu, who got over eight million votes.
Some political analysts have asserted that the PDP ruined its chance to wrest power from the APC by dividing its votes with Peter Obi, who dumped the party for LP.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, Paul Ibe said Atiku and Peter Obi would unite to overthrow the APC’s incompetent and clueless administration.
Atiku’s aide also commented on the recent public visits between his principal and Peter Obi, saying synergy is the new name of politics.
He said, “The truth of the matter is that Atiku Abubakar has promoted opposition parties to work together, to come together; that is the only way they can kick out this incompetent and clueless government. And I believe that discussions have been going on.
“Lessons have been learnt from 2023 by all parties including Atiku Abubakar and I believe that it is on the basis of the lessons that have been learnt that they are moving forward and having discussions.
“They have learnt that lesson and want to be united and go forward.”
Ibe added that “all options are on the table” for Atiku but declined comment on whether his principal would step down for Peter Obi in the 2027 election.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described Nigeria’s growing debt profile as a significant burden for both present and future generations.
Speaking during a Zoom interactive programme tagged “Boiling Point Arena” on Sunday, Obasanjo expressed concern over the nation’s rising debt profile.
The PUNCH reported Nigeria’s debt had surged by N12.6tn in three months, reaching N134.3tn ($91.3bn) by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
This marks a 10.35% increase from the N121.7tn recorded in the first quarter of the year.
Reflecting on his tenure, Obasanjo said, “Yes, I was able to secure debt forgiveness for the nation before I left office, but our present debt profile is a problem for both this and the next generation.”
Despite these concerns, the former President maintained optimism about Nigeria’s future, calling for transformative leadership and a robust fight against corruption to improve the nation’s trajectory.
Obasanjo cited South Korea and Singapore as examples of nations whose progress was rooted in merit-based and integrity-driven leadership.
He noted that South Korea’s focus on appointing leaders based on merit and Singapore’s emphasis on integrity under former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew are models Nigeria can emulate.
“The best way to fight corruption is from the top. In South Korea, their leaders make appointments based on merit, and that has become the country’s legacy.
“When I took students from the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute to meet Lee Kuan Yew, he spoke to them about leadership grounded in trust and integrity. Leadership must be about service, not self-enrichment,” Obasanjo said.
He also criticised those who view leadership as a means to personal gain, adding that corruption in government could only be eradicated by creating a critical mass of individuals committed to refusing illicit gains.
“The fight against corruption must be consistent. It’s not a one-regime affair. It must be a daily commitment. If one administration lets its guard down, corruption spreads like a hydra-headed monster,” he warned.
Obasanjo further emphasised the need for constitutional amendments to address Nigeria’s systemic challenges, stating that sustainable development and national integrity hinge on transparency, accountability, and divine purpose.
“National progress is only achievable through consistency in action, leadership built on accountability, and the collective effort of leaders and citizens committed to a shared vision for the nation,” he said.
Nigeria has ranked fourth among countries whose citizens were granted U.S. citizenship through military naturalization between 2020 and 2024.
During the period under review, the United States naturalised over 52,000 military service members across different countries.
According to data obtained from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Monday, 3,270 Nigerian-born service members were granted U.S. citizenship, trailing only the Philippines (5,630), Jamaica (5,420), and Mexico with 3,670.
“Service members born in the Philippines, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, and Ghana — the top five countries of birth among those naturalised — comprised over 38% of the naturalizations since FY 2020.
“The next five countries of birth — Haiti, China, Cameroon, Vietnam, and South Korea — comprised an additional 16% of military naturalisations from FY 2020 to FY 2024,” the analysis of the data partly read.
The data revealed that the number of Nigerian service members gaining U.S. citizenship has steadily increased over the past five years.
From 340 in 2020, the figure rose to 630 the following year, 680 in 2022, 690 in 2023 and 930 in 2024.
The Army accounted for 60% of all military naturalisations during this period, followed by the Navy (20.4%), Air Force (10.6%), and Marine Corps (6.6%). Less than 1% of naturalised service members served in the Coast Guard.
“Service members from the Army (including National Guard and Reserves) comprised almost two-thirds (60%) of all military naturalisations from FY 2020 to FY 2024. Service members from the Coast Guard comprised less than 1%. The Navy accounted for 20.4%, the Air Force for 10.6%, and the Marine Corps for 6.6%,” the report stated.
Age-wise, half of the service members were between 22 and 30 years old when they naturalised.
“Half of all service members were between 22 and 30 years old when they naturalised. The median age of all service members who naturalised between FY 2020 and FY 2024 was 27. More than 17% were 21 and under, while almost 5% were older than 40,” the analysis revealed.
Regarding gender distribution, 73% of the naturalised service members were men.
“Men comprised 73% of all service members naturalized between FY 2020 and FY 2024. The proportion of female service members slightly increased across the years,” the report added.
South-East Lawmakers To Consult Governors, Constituents Before Final Decision On Tax Reform Bills
AFOLABI
Senators from Nigeria’s South-East region have resolved to consult with their state governments, constituents, and other stakeholders before making a final decision on the contentious tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
Under the umbrella of the South-East Senators’ Forum, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of seeking input from the zone to ensure their position reflects the collective interests of their people.
Leader of the caucus, Senator Eyinanaya Abaribe, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The tax reform bills—Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill—were transmitted to the National Assembly on October 3 by President Bola Tinubu.
While the bills aim to overhaul the country’s tax system, they have faced significant criticism, with some of the opposition taking ethnic and sectional dimensions.
To address these concerns, the Senate constituted a committee to liaise with a federal government delegation led by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
However, the committee’s scheduled meeting last Thursday was postponed due to Fagbemi’s absence.
Abaribe clarified that while South-East senators are generally supportive of the proposed tax reforms, they believe wider consultations are necessary to address the peculiar concerns of their zone.
“As much as the entire senators from South-east are not against the Tax Reform Bills before both chambers of the National Assembly for consideration, we want wider consultations to be carried out on them.
“Specifically, we need to consult with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the zone with our state governments and other critical stakeholders,” he said.
Abaribe, the senator for Abia South Senatorial District, noted that he and other senators from the South-east region have read the bill and are willing to share its benefits when passed to different stakeholders in their area.
“We have read through the bills and want to share our knowledge with other stakeholders from the South-east Zone for a much more equitable framework in the bills that would eventually be passed.
“We are not against the bills but need to consult with our people,” he stressed.
Last Thursday, senators from South-south said they supported the tax reforms regardless of the criticisms because they aimed to strengthen revenue and foster economic stability.
They also warned people opposing the tax reform bills to refrain from expressing regional, ethnic, or tribal sentiments when criticising them.
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo has accused his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki of hoarding books and instructional materials donated to school children in the state.
Okpebholo made the allegation during the distribution of notebooks, textbooks, and other instructional materials to schools across the three senatorial districts in the state.
The Governor alleged that Obaseki failed to distribute the books which were donated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mark his one year in office.
He argued that Obaseki’s act of keeping the books from the schoolchildren was nothing short of wickedness.
He said, “These books you see here were donated by the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for use by Edo children, but Obaseki refused to distribute the books to our children because the President’s face is affixed.
“I want to thank the President for his kind gesture, and for me, the action of the former governor, Godwin Obaseki, is an act of wickedness.
“This warehouse is filled with books donated by the President of Nigeria but because of wickedness, he prevented the books from being distributed to the children. Today, we are here to distribute the books to our children.
“Keeping these books away from our children is wickedness, and his actions were wrong. He said he has developed the education system using Edobest, but what we see here today is not best for our children.
“Obaseki deprived Edo children of using these books provided by the President of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and was stored away from the reach of Edo children.”
Nigerians yesterday got an assurance of a better economy next year from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
The minister expressed optimism that the country was gradually moving away from factors that has impacted negatively on its economy and the citizenry.
Edun gave the assurance at a meeting with the House of Representatives Joint Committee on National Planning and Economic Development and Finance on the proposed N47.9 trillion 2025 Budget.
The minister gave an overview of next year’s Appropriation Bill.
He said that going by the projection on increased revenue next year and as other measures being taken by the government, there are indications that the country was moving away from factors that had in the past impacted negatively on the Nigerian economy and affected its people.
Edun said the signs show positive indications of a positive performance of the country’s economy in 2025.
He said: “We do have market pricing and foreign exchange that has resulted in a situation whereby upwards of five per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been lost to plurality of factors benefiting just a few and created long-sighted incentives against growth and investment.”
The minister assured that as government revenue goes up, it will help lower debt servicing and borrowing because as the economy improves, it will become more competitive.
He said: “The deficit of that increase which we hope to achieve less but right now we are assuming is about 9.3 trillion naira in new borrowings and the debt service of about two trillion naira.
“In a nutshell, that backdrop gives you the optimism that the 2025 budget estimates, particularly the one on revenue, will be achieved and the economy will be strong. It will fast up to an inclusive and sustainable growth”.
Chairman of the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, Ibrahim Ayokunle (APC, Ogun) asked the minister to give an appraisal of the economy.
Ayokunle said: “But briefly, as we have said, what is the state of our economy, number one, as in our finances. Then number two, in terms of our revenue so far with the projections we have for 2025.
“Let us have an insight into the previous, into whether we are looking good, especially in terms of our GDP and in terms of inflation rates as submitted. So that we can note all this down and we’ll be able to submit our report.”
The committee chair urged the minister to uphold sense of patriotism and continue with the giant strides aimed at ensuring results from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s efforts at putting a smile on the faces of Nigerians.
Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Abiodun Faleke said the committees are looking at the revenue performances of the MDAs as regards the 2024 Budget ahead of the implementation of the proposed 2025 Budget in January.
Faleke said: “We are now in December. By now, the agencies should be able to provide to us with what revenue we have generated between last year and November.
“At least, for 11 months, we should be able to have that. We are just interested in the revenue we have been able to get.
“Apart from that, we also want to see the expenditures as it works. Apart from those who have some levels of percentage collection. We are interested in whether agencies are able to do that.”
The Committee has directed the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho to appear before it today.
Faleke gave the order when he turned back Dantsoho’s representative, Sabiu Musa Danbatta who informed the committee that, the MD/CEO was on a special assignment, hence his absence.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has countered the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume on his admonishment to the North to stay off the 2027 presidential election.
Akume had, in an interview with Television Continental (TVC) on Sunday, declared that northerners seeking election to Aso Rock should wait till 2031 and allow President Bola Tinubu re-contest in 2027.
“Today, it’s what I said at the convocation of Nile University, where I was given an honorary doctorate. I appealed to my brothers in the north to wait till 2031 to run for presidential election.
“It is not yet the time for the north to throw in the hat in the ring. It’s not yet the time.
“This has been my appeal to them. Let us not destroy our country because of personal ambition.
“Tinubu, as a southerner, should be allowed to have a second term, meaning that those eyeing the presidency from the north in 2027 should look beyond that year by waiting till 2031.
“If it is the will of God for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to be president of Nigeria, even at the age of 90 years, he can get it, but he and other northerners, eyeing the office now, should look beyond 2027.
“But my advice, and this has been consistent, is that let us not rock the boat.
“Let us allow this power to reside in the south for eight years, and from there it will come to the north. To do otherwise, honestly, is to destroy this country.”
However, Atiku, in a reaction on Monday, queried the grounds of equity and fairness in Akume’s admonishment.
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, he pointed out that the South has had more years on the presidential seat than the North, counting from 1999.
Atiku said, “Where, then, does true equity and fairness reside? By the year 2027, the South will have enjoyed 17 years of leadership — eight years under Obasanjo, five years under Jonathan, and four years under Tinubu — while the North will have experienced only 11 years, with Yar’Adua serving three and Buhari eight. This results in a disparity of six years between the North and South, casting a shadow over the balance of power.
“In any case, the power to elect and vote out their government lies firmly with the Nigerian people, entrusted to them upon the government’s ability to prove itself worthy of the people’s ballot. But has the Tinubu government demonstrated that it deserves to be re-elected? The answer, alas, is as clear as the heavens themselves — God forbid!”
Tinubu had defeated Atiku in the 2023 presidential election, even as the latter challenged the president’s electoral victory up to the Supreme Court which eventually affirmed Tinubu’s victory.
Atiku’s response may have confirmed his widely perceived desire to contest again in 2027, a contest he lost in 2007, 2019 and 2023.
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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the Presidency for stating that President Bola Tinubu would stay in power till 2031.
Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had asked northern political leaders preparing to run for the 2027 Presidency to shelve their ambition and wait till 2031 when President Tinubu would have finished his second term.
Reacting to the AGF’s submission, Arewa admonished the incumbent adminstration for obsessing over the 2027 election instead of focusing on delivering good governance to Nigerians.
Speaking to Punch, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, insisted that the talk about the 2027 Presidency was a distraction from the more pressing issues facing the country.
Mohammad-Baba emphasised that the ACF won’t take a partisan stance on who should be voted for or against, noting that its primary concern was the wellbeing of the electorate.
He said, “So far, we have not issued any stand one way or the other on the issue. We thought concentration should be on good governance and delivery of services to the electorate.
“Our position is that it’s too early to debate the 2027 Presidency. We think the focus should be on good governance and the delivery of good dividends of democracy to the people.
“This talk of 2027 is too early, and it’s a distraction to the dialogue that should be taking place. Is democracy paying off for the people? Should the government do something for the people? This is what should preoccupy the minds of Nigerians, not the 2027 Presidency.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called upon landlords and property owners in Lagos State to avoid raising their rents and property values.
Sanwo-Olu’s message to the landlords and property owners comes following the recent inauguration of major infrastructure projects in the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area.
In his address during the launch of the Abiola-Ajayi-Ogba and Obawole-Iju-Ishaga road projects on Monday, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that these developments are designed to address the difficulties faced by residents rather than to worsen them.
The newly inaugurated 643-meter road, which includes a bridge and slip roads, provides connectivity to areas that were previously accessible only through temporary wooden bridges that required a crossing fee.
“I appeal to landlords and landowners: do not increase your rents and property prices. The essence of the infrastructure built is to bring relief to the people and not burden residents,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The Lagos State Governor added: “I am committed to addressing the long-standing problems of communities, including flooding and commuting. These projects symbolise our dedication to improving Lagosians’ daily lives.”
2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has met with Nigerian Senior Advocate, Afe Babalola, SAN, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The former governor of Anambra State met with the Nigerian legal luminary on Monday concerning human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, currently at the Ekiti prison.
Social activist, Moses Paul, who shared video and photos of the visit via his X handle, said Peter Obi and Afe Babalola reportedly had in-depth discussions, including on Farotimi’s matter.
Moses wrote, “Today, Mr. @PeterObi travelled from Lagos to Ekiti State, dedicating the entire day to meaningful engagements. He visited Aare Afe Babalola at his office within the Afe Babalola University, where they had in-depth discussions on critical issues, including the situation of activists and lawyer @DeleFarotimi.
“Following this, Mr. @PeterObi proceeded to the prison facility where @DeleFarotimi is being held. In a private meeting, he expressed solidarity and engaged in a candid exchange aimed at addressing the prevailing challenges.”
According to SaharaReporters, sources at the meeting confirmed that Peter Obi begged Afe Babalola on behalf of Farotimi.
Recall that Farotimi was remanded following allegations of defaming a prominent legal figure and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN.
Naija News reports that the activist is accused of damaging the reputation of Afe Babalola through statements made in his recently released book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’
Farotimi, who was arraigned last Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to all sixteen charges against him.
Police prosecutor, Samson Osun, requested that the defendant be held in custody while further investigations are conducted, citing the need for maintaining public safety.
In response, the defendant’s attorney, Dayo Akeredolu, contested this request, urging the court to grant bail under lenient conditions and based on self-recognition.
He emphasized that the case is eligible for bail and that the defendant is a well-known individual who does not pose a threat.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has blamed the frequent occurrence of conflicting court decisions on the lack of conferencing by various panels of the appellate courts.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, who stated this while declaring open the 2024 Justices Annual Conference of the Court of Appeal in Abuja Monday, expressed concern over the menace of conflicting decisions and specifically called on presiding justices of the Court of Appeal to imbibe the practice.
According to the CJN, conferencing is an essential tool that promotes mutual respect, deepens understanding and enhances the quality of the court’s decisions.
“Now, the issue of conflicting decisions is one of great concern in our community at present time, and one of the reasons that we have conflicting decisions is because many panels do not hold conferences to discuss all reserve judgments.
“It is strongly recommended that conferences be held. I cannot overemphasize this point. We are an appellate court for a reason, and the reason is that several heads are better than one.
“So holding conferences, exchanging opinions and ideas on matters that come before us is extremely essential. We have presiding justices here, and if it has not been your practice, I want to appeal to you that you start making it a practice. It is a very, very essential tool in the work that we do,” she said.
Besides, the CJN admonished that these conferences be held in good time so that where there are conflicting opinions, they can be discussed before judgments are given, adding that the justices thoroughly examine judgments of the trial courts in order to see the reasons for those judgments before they were appealed.
“We have recent decision or a case where a wrong interpretation was given to the decision of this court that informed the decision of the trial court. So some of these things will probably be brought to light in the process of holding conference. So that is my singular message here, that conference is a safe place,” the CJN stressed.
Meanwhile, the CJN has tasked judges and justices of various courts to be introspective in order to turn around the negative perceptions of the judiciary.
She stated that through introspection, justices can examine how their collective processes can be improved, ascertain whether their judgments are addressing the root issues brought before them, as well as whether they are sufficiently attuned to the broader societal implications of their decisions.
Kekere-Ekun further stated that through introspection, the judiciary can surmount some of its challenges such as case backlogs and funding constraints.
In a goodwill, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), noted that the theme of the conference, ‘Judicial Introspection’ is particularly instructive and indicates the intention of the organizers to use the conference as a barometer to gauge the accomplishments of the court and also provide a compass to guide optimal performance in the future.
While remarking that the Nigerian judiciary has a long and proud history of dispensing justice without fear or favour, the AGF maintained that the Court of Appeal, in particular, has to a great extent demonstrated unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of justice, equity and fairness.
“Your judgments have set precedents, shaped legal discourse, shaped the course of several aspect of our national life, and your commitment to upholding the constitution and established principles of law and natural justice has provided a beacon of hope for countless individuals and entities seeking justice,” he said.
Fagbemi, who observed that issues such as political interference, public opinion (especially perpetrated on social media), and even well-intentioned efforts to improve the justice system pose as challenge to judicial independence, urged the justices to remain vigilant and steadfast in the defence of judicial independence.
He however pledged to uphold the principle of judicial independence as the chief law officer of the country.
Earlier in her welcome, the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, observed that the ever-evolving nature of our landscape demands that we engage in regular self-reflection, evaluation and strategic planning.
“This conference offers a unique opportunity for introspection, knowledge-sharing and growth among stakeholders. We are deeply grateful for the participation of our distinguished resource persons, whose expertise and experiential knowledge will undoubtedly enrich our deliberations.
“Justices occupy a position of paramount importance in the administration of justice with their decisions exerting a profound impact on individuals, communities and society at large. Nevertheless, despite their expertise and experience, justices are not immune to the limitations inherent in human decision-making, including errors, biases, and prejudices.
“To address these limitations and ensure the delivery of justices, judicial introspection offers a mechanism for self-reflection, in-depth analysis, and ongoing improvement,” she said.
While acknowledging the benefits of social media, the PCA observed that the technological shift has also generated a range of challenges for the judiciary, including the management of online reputation, cyber-bullying and harassment.
“The preservation of the integrity of digital evidence in the context of legal proceedings is now a thing of concern. To effectively navigate these complexities, it is only appropriate for the judiciary to engage in a process of regular intellectual upliftment.
“A regular examination of existing practices, procedures and policies to ensure their efficacy, efficiency and fairness in the digital age is imperative.
“The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the judiciary has the potential to revolutionize the administration of justice, enhancing efficiency, improving decision-making, and expanding access to justice. However, the deployment of AI in judicial contexts also raises profound questions regarding bias, transparency and accountability. To address these issues, the judiciary must carefully examine its own utilization of AI and ensure that adoption is as an adjudicatory tool and not a replacement of the judge,” she said.
[ThisDay]