Category: Judiciary

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…

FJSC appoints Kabir Eniola Akanbi as Acting Chief Registrar of Supreme Court

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has appointed Kabir Eniola Akanbi as the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.   A statement by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information, Dr. Festus Akande, confirmed his appointment in a letter dated March 14, 2025. Akanbi replaces Hajo Bello, who retired upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.   Before this appointment, Akanbi served as the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of the Election Petition Tribunal Unit at the Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja.   A graduate of…

Federal High Court upholds $87.9 Million fine on MTN Nigeria imposed by FIRS

Emporium Reporters

A Federal High Court in Lagos has upheld the $87.9 million penalty imposed on MTN Nigeria Communications Plc by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in a landmark judgment delivered on Tuesday.   Justice Ayokunle Faji ruled in favor of the FIRS, setting aside a previous ruling by the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT), which had only awarded MTN a principal sum of $71 million in a tax dispute. The tribunal had refused to grant additional penalties and interest as requested by FIRS, leading the tax agency to appeal the decision.…

BREAKING: Supreme Court nullifies National Lottery Act

Emporium Reporters

The Supreme Court has nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 enacted by the National Assembly.   A seven-member of the apex court in a unanimous judgment on Friday, held that the National Assembly lacked the powers to legislate on issues relating to lottery and games of chance.   The court held that such powers only reside with the state Houses of Assembly, which possess exclusive jurisdiction over lottery and games of chance.   In the lead judgment by Justice Mohammed Idris, ordered that the National Lottery Act 2005 should no…

NJC recommends two judges for compulsory retirement ,suspends two others

Emporium Reporters

The National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, has recommended compulsory retirement for two judges for falsifying their ages, and also suspended two judges over misconduct.   This was revealed in a statement published by the NJC’s Deputy Director (Information), Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq., after the NJC took disciplinary actions against judicial officers for various misconducts following its 107th meeting held on 13–14 November 2024.   Among the sanctions, two Heads of Court were recommended for compulsory retirement over falsification of…