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State Governments Can Offset, Waive Minor Fines Owed By Inmates – Aregbesola

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The Federal Government has revealed that state governors can offset or grant waivers to inmates with fines less than N1 million.

This is according to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during the commissioning of a 20-bed space medical facility at Port Harcourt maximum security custodial centre.

Aregbesola said while the Federal Government is finding long time solutions to the challenge of prison decongestion, the State Government can in the meantime provide basic supports, like offsetting the meager fines and debts, building court houses at the correctional services premises or try the defendants virtually from the Correctional Centres for speedy determination of cases.

He held that some of the inmates are held behind bars for minor offences that can be easily waved by the states.

The Minister further stated that he recently asked the comptroller of Correctional centres to compile the list of inmates whose reason for incarceration is a fine or a debt not more than one million naira that are meant to be paid to the state governments.

According to him, about 5,000 inmates where shortlisted under this category and most of them have stayed long enough in the care of the Federal Government to consume foods worth more than they are supposed to pay as fines and debt to the states.

According to him, in Rivers State, there are about 22 of such inmates and the 22 of them are collectively owing a little above 3million naira, an amount he thinks the State Government can offset or wave for the inmates to be freed.

The minister noted that apart from reducing the financial burden on the Federal Government, such decisions by the state will also help in decongesting the correctional centres.

He said for instance, the Maximum facility in Port Harcourt was built 1,800 inmates, but as of May 12, 2023 the centre was holding 3,100 inmates.

While emphasizing that the situation in Port Harcourt is a reflection of the cases in most of the facilities across the country, the minister said Additionally, the Federal Government is building 6 mega facilities with at least 3,000 capacity in the six geopolitical zones to further decongest the existing facilities.

The one for the South-South is located in Bori in Khana Local Government Area of the Ogoni ethnic group in Rivers State.

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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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