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#EndBadGovernance Protests : CISLAC Says Detention of Minors Not Good for Nigeria’s Global Image, Urges Swift Release 

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The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has strongly condemned the detention and reported maltreatment of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

“It is disturbing and damaging to Nigeria’s global image to witness such treatment of young citizens who were only exercising their constitutional rights,” said CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani.

In a position statement  today, CISLAC called on First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to intervene, urging her to see these young detainees as “her own children.”

CISLAC appealed to President Bola Tinubu to halt these actions by government officials, including the Minister of Justice, and to immediately order the release of the minors.

The organization further urged international bodies like UNICEF, the World Food Organization, the World Health Organization, and the Save the Children Foundation to join in condemning the incident and pressuring the Nigerian government for an unconditional release.

Said CISLAC: We expressed deep concern following reports that several detained children, some under the age of 15, collapsed due to malnutrition inside a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The minors have been held since August by the Nigerian police after participating in protests against worsening insecurity and deprivation in the country.

“The inhumane detention and maltreatment of these children must end. Anyone responsible for detaining these minors unjustly is the true criminal here, and this incident warrants urgent intervention.”

Images and videos from the courtroom, circulating widely on social media, depict the harrowing scenes of some minors lying on the floor as lawyers and others tried to revive them.

The incident occurred when the minors were brought to court from various police detention cells, where reports claim they were denied adequate food and medical care.

Sources allege that the prolonged detention and harsh conditions were intended to punish the minors, who have been accused of fighting the government despite the absence of credible evidence.

CISLAC called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take immediate action, advocating for the rights of the detained minors.

The organization further urged international bodies like UNICEF, the World Food Organization, the World Health Organization, and the Save the Children Foundation to join in condemning the incident and pressuring the Nigerian government for an unconditional release.

“Detaining these children under such appalling conditions is unconscionable,” said  Rafsanjani.

“We are appealing to all responsible authorities to ensure their swift release and hold accountable those who orchestrated their detention. This incident stands as a dark stain on our national commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights.”

The minors were initially detained following a police order, which cited alleged involvement in a supposed plot to destabilize the government.

However, CISLAC and other rights groups argue that their detention violates both national and international human rights standards.

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Just in: Tuggar resigns as Foreign Minister

Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to pursue the Bauchi State governorship in the 2027 elections.

The Ministry confirmed the resignation on Monday through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

Tuggar’s resignation comes following a presidential directive issued earlier in March.

The order, communicated through the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, required all political appointees seeking elective positions to resign by March 31, 2026.

The directive applies to ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, and heads of federal agencies.

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Lagos High Court Embraces Full Digital Transformation with Mandatory E-Filing

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The Federal High Court Lagos Division is set to fully transition to a digital era, as it mandates electronic filing for all new cases starting from April 27, 2026.

In a major push towards modernizing justice delivery, the court announced that manual filing of new cases will cease on April 24, 2026. From April 27 onwards, legal practitioners will be required to file all fresh matters exclusively through the court’s new e-filing platform.

Existing cases filed before the transition date will continue to be processed under the traditional manual system until final judgment is delivered, ensuring no disruption to ongoing litigation.

According to a statement from the court, any understatement of claims or misrepresentation of documents submitted via the platform will attract a penalty of ₦10,000 per filing, in addition to the payment of any outstanding fees.

To gain access to the e-filing system, lawyers must first obtain a Legal Mail account. Law firms are also required to upload their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration documents when creating their digital profiles.

Oath-related documents will be handled through the dedicated e-Affidavit portal. However, deponents will still be required to physically appear before a Commissioner for Oaths to complete the process.

This initiative forms part of the Federal High Court’s broader digital transformation drive aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the justice system.

Legal practitioners are advised to familiarize themselves with the platform ahead of the deadline to avoid any hitches in filing new matters.

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President Tinubu at 74, Donates Salaries to Armed Forces Welfare Fund

As a personal commitment, the President has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the establishment of a dedicated support fund for members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, those wounded in the line of duty, and the families of fallen heroes.

The President announced the initiative on Sunday, using the commemoration of his 74th birthday, to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of the nation’s military personnel.

In a statement , Bayo Onanuga the Special Adviser to the President Information and Strategy, said that President Tinubu has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a special account for the fund, which will provide targeted support to injured service members, as well as to widows, widowers, and children of those who lost their lives in service to the country.

As a personal commitment, the President has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.

The President called on State Governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, his friends, and well-wishers to support the initiative, noting that details of the fund will be made available in due course.

President Tinubu emphasised that the initiative is rooted in a solemn national obligation to care for those who stand in harm’s way and the families who carry the burden of their sacrifice, irrespective of insurance programmes available to members of the armed forces.

President Tinubu also stated that supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families is not an act of charity, but a duty that all must fulfil.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of military personnel and ensuring that their service to the nation is matched with dignity, care, and sustained support.”

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