Judiciary

Jun
30
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Akpabio: FGN Slams Six Cybercrime Charges On Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Akpabio: FGN Slams Six Cybercrime Charges On Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Abuja, Crime, Judiciary, News Flash
Akpabio: FG Slams Six Cybercrime Charges On Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan The Federal Government has initiated legal proceedings against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, under Nigeria’s amended Cybercrimes Act. This marks a significant step in its efforts to combat misinformation and uphold digital integrity. Natasha faces six criminal charges for allegedly making false and damaging statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Yahaya Bello. The case, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, represents the most prominent test of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, since its enactment. Between April 1 and 14, 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly claimed in…
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Jun
16
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Court Grants Emefiele N2 Billion Bail Over Abuja’s Duplexes

Court Grants Emefiele N2 Billion Bail Over Abuja’s Duplexes

Crime, CBN/Commercial Banking, Economy, FGN, Judiciary
Court Grants Emefiele N2 Billion Bail Over Abuja’s Duplexes A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele bail set at ₦2 billion, with stringent surety conditions, in the ongoing prosecution over alleged financial crimes and illicit property acquisition. Justice Halilu Yusuf, presiding over the eight‑count charge, noted that Mr. Emefiele “had previously been granted bail in three other criminal cases that remain pending” and that “there is no evidence before this court that the defendant has ever jumped bail.” He therefore ruled that Emefiele could be released if he produced two sureties each owning property…
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Jun
09
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
FG To States: Hands Off LG Funds, Supreme Court Ruling Must Stand

FG To States: Hands Off LG Funds, Supreme Court Ruling Must Stand

FGN, Judiciary, LGA, News Flash
FG to States: Hands Off LG Funds, Supreme Court Ruling Must Stand The Federal Government has reiterated that no state government has the legal authority to collect or manage funds meant for local government areas (LGAs). In a firm response to Osun State’s legal action, the FG maintained that all allocations from the Federation Account must be paid directly to LGAs, in strict compliance with an earlier Supreme Court judgment. The FG’s affidavit, filed at the apex court, accused Osun State of unlawfully collecting LG funds between July 2024 and February 2025. It urged the court to dismiss Osun's case,…
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May
28
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Court Orders El-Rufai To Pay N900 Million Over Rights Violation

Court Orders El-Rufai To Pay N900 Million Over Rights Violation

Human Rights, Judiciary, News Flash, Northern Nigeria
Court Orders El-Rufai To Pay N900 Million Over Rights Violation A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has awarded N900 million in damages against former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and five others for violating the fundamental human rights of Adara elders illegally detained in 2019. Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the ruling on Tuesday in a suit filed by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Southern Kaduna Adara elders. The court ruled that El-Rufai personally orchestrated their arbitrary arrest, and is therefore liable for the N900 million compensation. The court also awarded N10 million in general damages and N10…
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May
23
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Chief Judge Transfers All Emergency Rule Cases In Port Harcourt To Abuja

Chief Judge Transfers All Emergency Rule Cases In Port Harcourt To Abuja

Judiciary, News Flash
Chief Judge Transfers All Emergency Rule Cases In Port Harcourt To Abuja The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has transferred all cases on emergency rule declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State from the Port Harcourt Division of the court to the Abuja Division. A document listed the transferred cases as Dr. Farah Dagogo v President & 4 others in Suit no FHC/PH/ CS/50/2025, and Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative & Another v The Administrator with suit no FHC/PHC/CS/46/2025. Others are Incorporated Trustee of Rivsbridge Peace v President & others in Suit…
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May
09
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Just-In: NJC Investigation Committee Concludes Hearing On The Petition Filled By The Civil Society Engagement Platform CSEP Against Eighteen Judges Of The Imo State Judiciary

Just-In: NJC Investigation Committee Concludes Hearing On The Petition Filled By The Civil Society Engagement Platform CSEP Against Eighteen Judges Of The Imo State Judiciary

Judiciary, News Flash
NJC Investigation Committee concludes hearing on the Petition filled by the Civil Society Engagement Platform CSEP against eighteen Judges of the Imo State Judiciary. It was a duelling two days of intensive work by the NJC Investigation Committee handling the Petition by a coalition of Civil Society groups; CSEP. The Committee started sitting on Wednesday, 7th May, 2025 and concluded on Thursday, 8th May, 2025. Reliable sources close to the Committee confirmed to news men that it was indeed a fact finding investigation committee as piles of documents were tendered by the Petitioners. It was gathered that most of the…
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May
08
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Yahaya Bello’s Trial: We’ve 28 More Witnesses – EFCC Tells Court

Yahaya Bello’s Trial: We’ve 28 More Witnesses – EFCC Tells Court

Crime, Judiciary, News Flash, Politics
Yahaya Bello’s Trial: We’ve 28 More Witnesses – EFCC Tells Court The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that it has lined up 28 more witnesses to testify against the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. The anti-graft agency made the disclosure at the resumed proceeding on the 19-count money laundering charge it preferred against the former governor. The lead prosecution counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that 10 of the scheduled witnesses would be subpoenaed to testify and tender documents in the matter. EFCC made…
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May
08
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Akpabio Sues Senator Natasha Over Viral Satirical Apology

Akpabio Sues Senator Natasha Over Viral Satirical Apology

Abuja, Judiciary, News Flash, Politics
Akpabio Sues Senator Natasha Over Viral Satirical Apology Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a new lawsuit against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of mocking him with a satirical apology on social media. The suit, registered as case number CS/384/25 and dated 7 May, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Akpabio is seeking a court order to compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to take down the viral post from all her social media platforms. He is also demanding a formal written apology published in at least two national newspapers, along with an affidavit confirming her compliance. The…
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May
01
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
NJC Faces Serious Integrity Challenge As Civil Society Coalition Exposes Double Standard

NJC Faces Serious Integrity Challenge As Civil Society Coalition Exposes Double Standard

Judiciary, Columns/Opinions/Letters, News Flash
NJC faces serious integrity challenge. The National Judicial Council NJC is facing an unprecedented integrity challenge as Civil Society coalition exposes double standards in the handling of disciplinary actions against Judicial Officers. The Civil Society Engagement Platform; a coalition of Civil Society groups in Nigeria has called out the National Judicial Council NJC for what it terms double standards in the way the council is handling petitions of age falsification and gross misconduct against some Judicial Officers across the Country. This follows the directive of the NJC to the Imo State Governor; His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma to swear in…
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May
01
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
NJC Suspends Three Judges For Judicial Misconduct

NJC Suspends Three Judges For Judicial Misconduct

Judiciary, News Flash
NJC Suspends Three Judges For Judicial Misconduct The National Judicial Council has slammed a one-year suspension without pay on three serving judicial officers, including a Justice of the Court of Appeal, for various acts of judicial misconduct. The disciplinary actions were among several key resolutions reached at the Council’s 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. In a statement released Wednesday night by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, the Council said Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, was…
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