Category: Judiciary

Federal High Court grants ₦500 million bail to former AGF Abubakar Malami, Wife, and Son

Emporium Reporters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved bail of ₦500 million each for former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his son, Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, with two sureties required per defendant. Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the sureties must own property in high-profile Abuja districts, including Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa, and deposit their travel documents with the court. The Deputy Chief Registrar will verify the property documents, and the sureties must also swear affidavits of means. Malami was further ordered…

Court orders continued detention of Brazilian Vessel as Customs–NDLEA drug trafficking case deepens

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against narcotics trafficking following an order by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for the continued detention of a foreign vessel, MV San Antonio, and its 21 crew members over their alleged involvement in a major cocaine smuggling operation uncovered at the Apapa Port. Justice Friday Nkemakonam Ogazi, ruling on an application filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), granted an extension of the detention of the vessel and its crew for an additional 14 days to…

NDLEA secures 22-Year Jail term for Lagos couple, forfeits Multi-Billion Naira Hotel …Indian woman, Angolan businessman, and Nigerian trafficker jailed in Kano, Enugu

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a businessman, Ajah Johnson Uchenna, and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, to a combined 22 and a half years imprisonment for trafficking and storing over 414 kilograms of cannabis sativa, marking another major victory for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking. Delivering judgment on Monday, 4th August 2025, Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court 8, Lagos, found the couple guilty on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful dealing, and storage of narcotics.…

Court dismisses Okolo’s N500m rights suit, clears DSS, AGF for Criminal Prosecution … Says arrest, investigation, and ongoing trials are lawful

Emporium Reporters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Chief Jim Chimezie Okolo, thereby affirmed the legality of his arrest, investigation, and ongoing prosecution over serious criminal allegations.   In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/197/2021, presided over by Hon. Justice G.K. Olotu, the court ruled that the application by Chief Okolo against Sir Emeka Okwuosa and three others lacked merit and was dismissed in its entirety.   Chief Okolo had challenged his 2021 arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), seeking a perpetual…

Court acquits former Ekiti Governor Fayose of money laundering charges …. EFCC vows to review judgment

Emporium Reporters

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, of all charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a high-profile money laundering and fraud case that lasted nearly a decade.   Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke upheld a no-case submission filed by Fayose, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case to justify calling the former governor to enter a defence. The court found that the evidence presented by the EFCC was insufficient,…

Constitutional Review: MURIC demands Sharia Courts, Friday Public Holiday

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to establish Sharia courts in all South West states and declare Fridays as public holidays. MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, presented the demands during the South West Zonal Public Hearing on constitutional review. MURIC argued that the absence of Sharia courts in the South West, despite significant Muslim populations, under mines their legal and religious rights. The group demanded constitutional provisions mandating state governors to establish Sharia Courts of Appeal, which would handle…

Senator Natasha arraigned for Cybercrime over alleged assassination claim against Akpabio, Yahaya Bello

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count criminal charge bordering on alleged cybercrime offences against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello. The case, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), accused Senator Natasha of making harmful and injurious statements during a public speech and a televised interview comments allegedly intended to damage reputations and incite public unrest. Natasha, who appeared in court alongside her husband, pleaded…

Court fixes June 30 for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s arraignment over Cybercrime charges …as prosecution secures court order to serve charge through counsel

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The scheduled arraignment of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Federal High Court, Abuja, could not proceed on Monday due to the failure to effect personal service of the charge on the defendant.   According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), multiple attempts to serve the senator were unsuccessful as she was reportedly out of the country.   At the court session presided over by Honourable Justice M.G. Umar (Court 5), the DPP applied for an order to serve the charge through the senator’s legal representative.…

CASER demands prosecution of fake news perpetrators over allegations against Nigerian Judiciary

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) has urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho, OFR, to take a firm stance against individuals and groups disseminating false information aimed at discrediting the judiciary.   In a strongly worded letter signed by Frank Tietie, Esq.Lead Advocate & Executive Director ,CASER expressed grave concerns over what it described as a calculated attempt to undermine Nigeria’s judicial system through baseless accusations and social media misinformation. The advocacy group referenced a recent report by Sahara Reporters,…

Judge withdraws from Senator Natasha’s suit against Akpabio over bias allegations

Emporium Reporters

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from the suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others. The case seeking to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct.   Justice Egwuatu announced his withdrawal on Tuesday, citing allegations of bias leveled against the court by Akpabio, who is the third defendant in the suit. The Senate President reportedly expressed a lack of confidence in the court’s…