ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the suspension of Chief Mike Ozekhome from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The decision was taken at its 173rd general meeting held on June 23, 2026.

The committee explained that the action was taken pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all Matters Pertaining to the Rank, pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings, presently before the Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee of the LPPC and other proceedings.

In a statement signed by the Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria, and Secretary, Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, Kabir Akanbi, the suspension is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and prestige of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, while due consideration is given to the matters under review.

“The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), at its 173rd General Meeting held on 23d June 2026, approved the suspension of Chief Mike Ozekhome from the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“Accordingly, Chief Mike Ozekhome shall refrain from parading himself, presenting himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings.

“The LPPC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession and to ensuring that the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continues to command public confidence and respect,” the statement added.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party in Osun State on Wednesday boycotted a strategic stakeholders’ peace meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, as concerns continue to mount over rising political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The meeting was convened in response to a series of violent incidents and killings that have heightened political tension across the state.

Among the recent incidents was the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, in Ilobu last week.

In another disturbing development, a resident was reportedly shot dead in Esa-Oke, further raising concerns over the deteriorating security situation.

Despite the absence of the APC and Accord Party, representatives of about 11 political parties attended the meeting. Also present were representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), civil society organisations, traditional institutions, heads of security agencies and other critical stakeholders.

A representative of the Ataoja of Osogbo was also in attendance as participants deliberated on the growing security challenges arising from political violence and the need to ensure peaceful campaigns ahead of the governorship election.

During the interactive session, several stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the inability of security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for recent killings and attacks in parts of the state.

Some participants argued that while security agencies had continued to issue assurances, many perpetrators of political violence had yet to be brought to justice, a situation they said was fuelling fear and encouraging further attacks.

They called for more proactive intelligence gathering, prompt arrests and diligent prosecution of suspects in order to restore public confidence and deter criminal elements from carrying out further violence.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, assured residents that the command was doing everything within its capacity to curb political violence and maintain law and order across the state.

He urged political leaders to caution their supporters and promote peaceful coexistence, stressing that elections should never be viewed as warfare.

According to him, political differences must not be allowed to degenerate into violence, intimidation and bloodshed.

Gotan warned that the police would deal decisively with anyone found disturbing public peace or engaging in acts capable of threatening the security of lives and property.

He disclosed that several suspects connected with recent disturbances had been arrested and charged in court, while security operatives had recovered a number of rifles and other dangerous weapons from suspected troublemakers.

The police commissioner reiterated the commitment of the command to ensuring a peaceful electoral process and called on all stakeholders to work together to prevent further violence in the state.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence and embrace peaceful participation ahead of the election.

Delivering a goodwill message at the meeting, Babalola described the gathering as timely and necessary in view of recent incidents of violence and killings across the state.

She commended the Osun State Police Command for organising the peace meeting, noting that it underscored the importance of collaboration, dialogue and continuous engagement among stakeholders in the electoral process.

According to her, such engagements provide opportunities to address concerns, build trust and collectively develop measures capable of guaranteeing a peaceful electoral environment.

“The recent incidents of violence, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of lives, are deeply concerning and have created an atmosphere of apprehension among citizens and stakeholders,” she said.

The REC stressed that elections should not be seen as warfare but as a democratic process through which citizens freely choose their leaders.

“Elections are not a war. They should be viewed as a contest of ideas, visions and programmes for the development of our state rather than an avenue for violence, intimidation or hostility,” Babalola stated.

She reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and transparent governorship election, emphasising that the commission remains focused on delivering an electoral process that reflects the wishes of the people.

Babalola, however, noted that the success of any election is a collective responsibility and cannot be achieved by INEC alone.

According to her, political parties, candidates, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and the electorate all have crucial roles to play in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.

She urged political actors to embrace issue-based campaigns, sportsmanship and strict adherence to the rule of law while rejecting hate speech, incitement, misinformation and all forms of conduct capable of threatening peace and security.

The REC warned that violence has no place in a democratic society and that any attempt to disrupt the electoral process could undermine democracy and negatively affect the lives and livelihoods of the people.

She also commended security agencies operating under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) for their continued cooperation and professionalism in preparing for the election.

Babalola specifically acknowledged the role of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, who serves as Co-Chairman of ICCES in the state, for fostering collaboration among security agencies and electoral stakeholders.

Expressing confidence in the preparedness of stakeholders, she said peace would prevail before, during and after the governorship election through professionalism, commitment and cooperation.

The INEC boss urged participants to renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence and democratic values.

“Let us choose dialogue over confrontation, tolerance over hostility and unity over division. The responsibility of ensuring a peaceful election belongs to all of us,” she said.

She concluded by appreciating the Osun State Police Command for organising the engagement and expressed optimism that the forthcoming governorship election would be peaceful, credible and acceptable to all stakeholders.

The meeting ended with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful, credible and violence-free governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026, while urging security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute those behind recent acts of violence across the state.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Senate has passed a bill seeking to increase the statutory allocation to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) from 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account, in a move aimed at strengthening police funding, improving operational capacity and enhancing the welfare of personnel.

The legislation, titled Police Trust Fund Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1030), was read for the third time and passed following the consideration of a report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Mallam-Madori Ahmed (APC, Jigawa East).

Presenting the report, Ahmed urged the Senate to consider and adopt the committee’s recommendations on the executive bill, which seeks to establish a stronger legal and institutional framework for funding and supporting the operations of the Nigeria Police Force.

The bill is designed to provide sustainable financing for police training, procurement of security equipment, acquisition of operational assets and improvement of personnel welfare, with the objective of enhancing accountability, efficiency and service delivery within the Force.

Lawmakers noted that the proposed legislation is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s policing architecture by boosting intelligence gathering capabilities and improving the fight against crime and insecurity across the country.

A key provision of the bill is the increase in statutory allocation to the Police Trust Fund from the current 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent of total revenue accruing to the Federation Account, a proposal that generated extensive debate among senators over its fiscal implications.

Sponsored by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), the bill seeks to repeal the existing Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act of 2019 and replace it with a more comprehensive framework capable of addressing longstanding challenges facing the Force.

Leading the debate before the bill passed second reading, Bamidele described the proposal as a strategic national security intervention aimed at tackling chronic underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, obsolete equipment and welfare concerns within the police system.

He argued that evolving security threats, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and cybercrime, require a modern and sustainably funded police force capable of responding effectively to contemporary challenges.

According to the Senate Leader, the proposed funding structure goes beyond allocations from the Federation Account and incorporates development levies, government interventions, international grants and private-sector contributions.

He explained that the bill also introduces a strengthened governance structure, including a multi-stakeholder board and a Project Implementation Committee, to ensure greater transparency, accountability and efficient project execution.

Bamidele said the objectives of the legislation include establishing a more robust and accountable Police Trust Fund, ensuring predictable and sustainable funding streams, enhancing operational and technological capabilities of the Force, improving personnel welfare and professionalism, and supporting modern policing strategies in line with global best practices.

Under the proposed funding model, the Trust Fund will derive resources from:

One per cent of total revenue accruing to the Federation Account;
Development levies as provided under relevant tax laws;
Grants and interventions from federal, state and local governments;
Donations and support from bilateral and multilateral development partners; and
Contributions and endowments from the private sector.

The Senate Leader said the diversified funding arrangement would reduce dependence on annual budgetary allocations and guarantee long-term sustainability.

He added that funds generated under the scheme would be deployed to priority areas, including the acquisition of modern security equipment and operational tools, deployment of digital surveillance systems and forensic technology, construction and rehabilitation of police facilities, strengthening of training institutions, enhancement of intelligence gathering and operational efficiency, emergency response interventions during internal security crises, and improved welfare packages for police officers and personnel.

With its passage by the Senate, the bill now moves to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration before it can be transmitted for presidential assent.