Author: Staff Editor
The trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, resumed on Day 21 at the Southwark Crown Court, with her defence pointing to businessmen Benedict Peters and Kola Aluko as key figures behind several luxury assets the prosecution alleges belonged to her. At the centre of proceedings was a defence-prepared schedule of items, presented as a more accurate account than the prosecution’s list. It sought to distinguish between Alison-Madueke’s personal belongings and items allegedly acquired by associates or for third parties. Under examination, she admitted owning clothing, accessories, and personal effects but denied ownership of high-value assets, including expensive furniture…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged an Ikeja Special Offences Court to admit in evidence the extra-judicial statement of a co-defendant in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, insisting that the statement was made voluntarily and in compliance with the law. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, appearing for the EFCC, told the court that the statement by the second defendant, Henry Omoile, was obtained in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), stressing that it was made in…
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says his track record in governance and infrastructure development proves he can address Nigeria’s challenges. Amaechi, who appeared on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Friday, described himself as a “Nigerian candidate,” emphasising that he is not driven by ethnic considerations but by a commitment to solving Nigeria’s problems. “I don’t care who else is running. I’m running because I’m a Nigerian candidate. Because I know the Nigerian problem. And I can solve the Nigerian problem,” he said. The African Democratic Congress chieftain highlighted his role in delivering key projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna…
An Ikeja Special Offences Court has fixed May 4, 2026, for ruling on the admissibility of an extra-judicial statement made by Henry Omoile, a co-defendant in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The court scheduled the ruling date after counsel to both the defence and the prosecution adopted their respective written addresses on the admissibility or otherwise of the statement of the second defendant during the trial-within-trial. Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt demands, and abuse of office linked to large-scale financial transactions. Omoile, his associate,…
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued a warrant of arrest against a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali. The court issued the arrest warrant following their failure to appear for arraignment on charges linking them to an alleged fraud involving $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million. Mrs. Farouq, who served from 2019 to 2023, supervised key social intervention programmes, including the National Social Investment Programme. Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the order while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by…
Proceedings were stalled in the trial of a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on Thursday, April 16, 2026, as he failed to file his final written address before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja. Mamman is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering involving the sum of ₦33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo). At Thursday’s proceedings, which were scheduled for the adoption of final written addresses, Mamman, through his counsel,…
Sadiya Umar Farouq and Bashir Nura Alkali were scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday before the court but failed to appear. Only the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present in court. The trio are to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 21-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contracts, and conversion of public funds amounting to about $1,300,000 (One Million, Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) and ₦746,574,303 (Seven Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Three Naira). Count one of…
At least two million candidates are participating in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which commenced nationwide on Thursday. The examination, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is scheduled to begin on April 16 across accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide. According to the agency, a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for this year’s exercise, representing a 10.5 per cent increase from the 2.03 million recorded in 2025. The examination is being held across accredited CBT centres, with sessions divided into four daily slots to ease congestion and enhance verification processes. JAMB has deployed biometric verification…
The Ogun Magistrate’s Court 1, sitting in Sagamu, Sagamu Local Government Area of the state, and presided over by Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun, has adjourned the trial of the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua’s road crash to June 2, 2026. This is about the fourth time the case has been adjourned to allow the prosecuting team to file a fresh charge to the existing information on the case. The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji, was charged with four counts, which include allegations of dangerous driving causing death. Mobolaji was charged with allegations of reckless and…
As I noted in my last two interventions, beyond the challenges confronting the judiciary and lawyers in the core dispensation of justice, there are equally troubling issues in the routine administration of the lawyers’ association—the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) itself. It is important that we do not treat this subject as a peripheral concern, for the strength of the Bar is intrinsically tied to the health of the justice system. When the Bar falters, the temple of justice trembles. Since 1992, the Association has hardly been free from crisis. Not only has it experienced a steady decline in cohesion and…