News
NJC: Kekere-Ekun Begins Cleansing of Judiciary Rots With Sacks, Suspension of Affected Judges

The National Judicial Council of Nigeria (NJC) under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, has sanctioned five serving Judicial Officers for various acts of misconduct.
Specifically, the Council at its 107th Meeting yesterday, suspended Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma of High Court of Rivers State from performing judicial functions for a period of one year without pay and also placed him on “Watch-List” for two years thereafter.
Also, Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court, has been suspended from performing judicial functions for one year without pay and placed on “Watch-List” for two years thereafter.
The Council also recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age.
The duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.
The Council equally considered the Report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, empanelled 6 Committees for further investigation. While 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.
The Council also empanelled a Committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.
The Council’s findings revealed that Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma, committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgement debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State.
The Council finds that Justice Aguma failed to raise any query as to why the garnishee proceedings were brought to his Court in Bori for a money judgment that could effectively be enforced in Abuja.
That the judgment was delivered on 15 July 2020, at the High Court of the FCT, while the certificate of judgment was registered at Bori Division of the High Court of Rivers State on 16 July 2020.
The Council further finds that the speed with which the Hon. Justice Aguma took and granted the order absolute against the judgment debtors showed that he had an interest, especially as he failed to take into consideration the stay of execution of the judgment granted in favour of the judgement debtors by the Bwari High Court, which had been brought to his attention. On the part of Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State, the Council found him to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
He also failed to adhere to the principle of stare decisis from his different interpretation of the word “aspirant” and abused his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice filed along with the Originating Summons. Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka was recommended to the Governor of Imo State for compulsory retirement with effect from 27 October 2021, while all salaries and allowance received in excess by His Lordship from 27 October 2021 till date should be refunded to the Council.
The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth; 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958. However, 27 October 1956, appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.
Similarly, Council finds that Hon. Kadi Mahdi has 3 different dates of birth (10 December, 28 January and July) all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952.
The Council held that Grand Kadi Mahdi committed an act of misconduct in violation of Rule 02908 (i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2021 and ought to have retired from service 12 years ago.
The Council, therefore, resolved to recommend Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi for compulsory retirement to the Governor of Yobe State and that he should refund all salaries and allowances received for the past 12 years.
The Council at its meeting, also issued letter of caution to Hon. Justice I. A. Jamil of Kogi State to be more circumspect in handling sensitive matters in the future.
The Council resolved that Legal Practitioners who by themselves or in collusion with litigants write frivolous petitions to blackmail the Judicial Officers will be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) or the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for appropriate action.
The Council further resolved to issue letter of caution to Hon. Justice J. J. Majebi, Chief Judge, Kogi State, for assigning a sensitive matter to a junior Judge on the Bench.
The Council also deliberated on 4 petitions against Hon. Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja as follows: Petition by Mr Douglas W. Chukwu, the Secretary of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission against Hon. Justice Lifu was discountenanced, as the petitioner who had earlier indicated interest to participate in the hearing of his petition failed, neglected and refused to appear before the Committee.
The Council also finds that the allegations of inducement to the tune of $1 Million, a bullet-proof car and gift of a plot of land to Hon. Justice Lifu by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman, All Progressive Congress, (APC), Rivers State were not substantiated in any form.
It was also found that the same parties who appeared before the High Court in Rivers State, also appeared before Hon. Justice Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, but failed to disclose or bring to the notice of the Hon. Judge the existence of a sister case at Rivers State High Court.
The Council noted that the acts of misconduct alleged were actually perpetuated by the petitioners who filed the case at the Rivers State High Court, after the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja had been instituted, suggesting forum shopping.
Council finds that Hon. Justice Lifu neither exhibited personal interest in the matter nor misconducted himself in the procedure and noted that the complaints contained in the petition are now subject of appeal by the petitioners.
Similarly, Council dismissed the two petitions by Abednego Oli Benjamin, Chairman, Boot Party, Rivers State Chapter against Hon. Justice Lifu, as it finds the allegations of bribery and other corrupt practices against the Subject Judge were unsubstantiated.
It also finds that there is no proof of misconduct in the ex parte orders made by the Subject Judge. Council also noted that the ex parte orders are now the subject of appeals.
On the petition by Dr. G. M. Giles-West Clark, Rivers State House of Assembly against Hon. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, the Council finds that the petition was not supported with a verifying affidavit and was therefore, discountenanced. On the Petition against the Court of Appeal by Aham Eke-Ejelama, SAN, Council finds that the matters were cases that were commenced during vacation.
It also finds that they were urgent matters assigned to vacation Justices and that vacation Judges sit in Abuja.
Council also finds the assertion that the Appellants’ Counsel applied to be heard in Abuja, is not correct as only a Head of Court can assign vacation cases. Consequently, the Council dismissed the petition for lack of substance. Council thereafter directed the President of the Court of Appeal should deal with the assignment of the appeals administratively in the normal course of business.
Also, the petitions against Hon. Justice Peter C. Obiora, JCA, formerly of Anambra State High Court and Hon. Justice I. S. Yerima, Chief Judge, Oyo State, were discontinued by the petitioners through notices of discontinuance served on the Council.
The Petition by Hon. C. Oforma Agbo JP against Hon. Justice Comfort C. Ani of the Enugu State High Court, was investigated and no evidence of judicial misconduct was found against the Judge.
The petition against Hon. Justice Kabir Dabo, High Court of Justice, Kaduna State, by Alhaji Samaila Musa, was dismissed for being unmeritorious, as the Judge did not violate any law by issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the petitioner.
Furthermore, the Petition by Hopeson Dike against Hon. Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam of the Federal High Court was discountenanced as the petitioner abandoned it and failed to honour Council’s invitation. While the NJC is ready to sanction erring Judicial Officers, it has a duty to protect them against unfounded allegations.
The Council resolved that Legal Practitioners who by themselves or in collusion with litigants write frivolous petitions to blackmail the Judicial Officers will be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) or the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for appropriate action.
Also, at the meeting, the Council recommended Thirty-six (36) candidates for judicial appointment to their various State Governors.
Those recommended for appointment are as follows: EIGHT (8) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, OYO STATE 1. Opayinka, Adeniyi Gabriel 2. Oyediran, Oloyede Semiu 3. Oladejo, Olusoji Moses 4. Ademola-Salami, Oluwaseun Toluwanimi 5. Adesina, Jimoh Adam 6. Adekunle, Yemi Saubana 7. Adepoju, Olutola Jolade Adenike 8. Muraina, Olayemi Rasaq FOUR (4) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, KEBBI STATE 1. Muhammad, Kwaido Hassan 2. Ibrahim, Umar Halima 3. Jagwadeji, Suru Lauratu 4. Muhammad, Nuruddeen SEVEN (7) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, SOKOTO STATE 1. Haruna, Dogondaji Mariya 2. Sahabi, Jaredi Hadiza 3. Ahmad, Sha’aibu 4. Hassan, Fatima 5. Mohammed, Sa’idu Fatima 6. Muhammad, Nura Bello 7. Moyi, Abubakar SIX (6) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, AKWA IBOM STATE 1. Ekanem, James Bassey 2. Umohandi, Mfon Winifred 3. Essien, Bassey Iwakaowo 4. Morrison, Henry Comfort 5. Ntekim, Edet Ekpo 6. Eddie, Julius Sharon SEVEN (7) KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, SOKOTO STATE 1. Muhammad, Abdulazeez Yar’Abba 2. Lawal, Isa Abubakar 3. Bello, Sokoto Ibrahim 4. Imam, Abubakar Bello 5. Muhammad, Abibu Lawal 6. Ibrahim, Bodinga Umar 7. Kabiru, Marnona Umar TWO (2) KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, KEBBI STATE 1. Aliyu, Kabir, SAN 2. Bello, Muhammad Atiku TWO (2) JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, OYO STATE 1. Oyediran, Safiya Amope 2. Ojekunle, Ojeyemi Ademola All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in by their respective State Governors. Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq.Deputy Director (Information)
News
Police resume issuance of tinted glass permits nationwide

Following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force has resumed the issuance of tinted glass permits across the country.
This development was announced in a statement released on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the Force spokesperson, the move comes in response to rising concerns and complaints from the public over the harassment of vehicle owners by law enforcement agents for using factory-fitted tinted windows.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has reactivated the issuance of Tinted Glass Permits (TGP) nationwide through a secure and user-friendly digital platform available at https://possap.gov.ng.
“This initiative comes in response to widespread public complaints about the harassment of motorists over the use of tinted windows and reflects the need for a clear, transparent, and accountable process for regularising factory-fitted tinted glass on vehicles”, the statement partly read.
Highlighting the prevalence of modern vehicles designed with tinted windows for comfort and aesthetics, the police emphasised the importance of having a formal system to regulate usage.
“With modern automobiles increasingly manufactured with tinted windows, it has become essential to provide a standardised system that accommodates legitimate use while ensuring public safety.
“Tinted vehicles have often been exploited for criminal purposes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, ‘one-chance’ scams, and other forms of banditry”, Adejobi explained.
According to the statement, the abuse of tinted windows by criminals creates operational challenges for law enforcement and compromises national security.
“Their use hampers police visibility and impedes effective law enforcement, thereby contributing to public insecurity.
“The reactivation of the permit system is a strategic move to identify lawful users such as individuals with medical requirements or members of the security community while preventing misuse for criminal activities”, he stated.
He noted that the reintroduced system is also expected to help the police enhance investigations and improve overall security architecture in Nigeria.
He also added that to ensure authenticity and ease of access, the new platform features digital permits equipped with QR codes and a rapid processing window.
“It is expected to enhance police investigative capabilities and strengthen national security efforts.
Applicants can now process their permits online, with identity verification integrated through the National Identification Number (NIN) and Tax Identification Number (TIN), alongside biometric capture and background checks.
“The system also features QR-coded digital permits, with a streamlined processing timeline of 72 hours.
To ensure a smooth transition, a 30-day grace period has been approved, effective from May 1st, 2025, within which motorists are expected to comply”, he added.
In addition, he explained that law enforcement will begin active implementation after the grace period, and the police warn that officers who misuse the enforcement process will be sanctioned.
“Enforcement will commence at the end of this period. Officers found engaging in unprofessional conduct, such as extortion or harassment, in the course of enforcement will be decisively dealt with in accordance with extant disciplinary procedures”, he said.
The Inspector-General reassured the public of the Force’s commitment to modern policing anchored on transparency, accountability, and public cooperation.
“The Inspector-General of Police reiterates the Force’s commitment to a technologically driven and citizen-focused policing strategy.
“He urges the public to embrace the initiative in the interest of safer roads, enhanced public trust, and a more secure Nigeria”, the statement concluded.
News
2027: Coalition’s bid to unseat Tinubu faces setback as PDP suffers mass exodus

With two years to the next presidential election, mixed reactions have trailed the gale of defections by high-profile politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into the All Progressives Congress, APC.
This comes as it was hinted that the coalition spearheaded by former PDP’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar may not succeed against the President Bola Tinubu-led APC due to moves by some Fulani interests to escalate the Fulani war that has birthed itself in Nigeria.
Recently, Atiku, his counterpart from the Labour Party Peter Obi, Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced the formation of the coalition under the Social Democratic Party.
Since the announcement, no political bigwig has joined the party in their push to wrest power from Tinubu in 2027.
This is as the PDP and Atiku’s camp lost two major stakeholders from the South-South, Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.
Okowa, who was Atiku’s presidential running mate in the 2023 election, had dumped the PDP for the APC alongside Oborevwori at a stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba, Delta State.
It was observed that Oborevwori’s defection now puts the APC in the lead in the Nigerian Delta region, Delta, Edo, and Cross River states are APC, while the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers states have backed President Tinubu, leaving only Bayelsa State with the PDP.
In the Southwest, the APC may likely retain votes from the region because Tinubu hails from the area.
For the North, there have been agitations over the region’s political leaning ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with former presidential aide Hakeem Baba-Ahmed saying the North will decide its political direction in the next six months because the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari made the region wiser.
Baba-Ahmed said, “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way.”
While Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), El-Rufai has been trying to galvanize the North to tilt their votes towards the opposition coalition with his visit to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, and former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso amid talks with other prominent politicians from the rregion.
News
FBI, others to release Tinubu US probe reports May 2
However, the Presidency said the information being sought was not new and that it did not indict the president

Parties involved in the investigation of the alleged drug-related case involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 1990s are expected to release investigation reports on Friday, May 2 as ordered by the court.
However, the Presidency said the information being sought was not new and that it did not indict the president.
According to the Premium Times, the agencies expected to make their investigation reports available are US Attorneys, the Department of State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The release followed an order of a US District Court for the District Court of Columbia, which in early April ordered remaining parties in the matter, apart from CIA, to jointly file the report on the status of any outstanding issues in this case, as described in the accompanying order to release the documents on May 2, 2025.
The orders came from Judge Beryl Howell, on a freedom of information request, which he affirmed that withholding same from public disclosure is “neither logical nor plausible.”
The suit was filed by an American, Aaron Greenspan, in June 2023 under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) against the offices of the US agencies, accusing them of violating the FOIA by failing to release within the statutory time “documents relating to purported federal investigations into” President Tinubu and one Abiodun Agbele.
Between 2022 and 2023, Greenspan filed 12 FOIA requests with six different US government agencies and components seeking information about a joint investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS, DEA, and the US Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Indiana and Northern District of Illinois.In each FOIA request, the American sought criminal investigative records about four named individuals “allegedly associated with the drug ring: Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Abegboyega Akande, and Abiodun Agbele.”
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