News
AGF presents Justice Ministry scorecard
*Says, Tinubu’s administration faced 625 court cases in 12 months
By Francesca Hangeior
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has disclosed that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration faced a total of 625 court cases in the past 12 months.
The AGF, who made the revelation when he presented the scorecard of the Federal Ministry of Justice as part of activities to mark the first year of Tinubu’s administration, said the legal actions were instituted before States, Federal and ECOWAS Court.
He said the Ministry had after it was served with copies of the suits, responded accordingly, stressing that effective justice system is measured not only by the number of cases that were successfully disposed of, but by strategic measures that were adopted to avoid litigation.
According to the AGF, using a combination of effective defence strategies to cases, arbitration, mediation and diligent prosecution of appeal cases, the Ministry succeeded in saving the country from huge debt liabilities.
He said: “In the reporting period, a total of 625 (Six Hundred and Twenty-Five) cases instituted against the President, Federal Government and its Agencies, before States, Federal and ECOWAS Court were served and responded by the Ministry.
“The Ministry also received and treated 593 requests for legal advice and Petitions from May 2023 till date.
“In all, the Ministry obtained 235 judgements from May, 2023 to date,” he added.
Besides, the AGF further disclosed that through prosecution, the Ministry secured 160 convictions for criminal offences, 87 convictions for terrorism cases, 3 novel convictions for extremist terrorism actors involved in the radicalization of children and violence against women.
“I am pleased to report that following the Ministry’s intervention for the upgrade of facilities designated for trial of terrorism cases, the Ministry has resumed trials of terrorism cases in conjunction with the Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders.
“The percentages of Terrorism Cases initiated and Corruption Cases concluded within the reporting period has been significant.”
Fagbemi, SAN, said the Justice Ministry, in furtherance of President Tinubu’s priority of improving governance for effective service delivery, made concerted and collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders in the justice sector which culminated in significant gains and achievements.
“Within the period, the Ministry vetted/reviewed 485 Contracts and PPP Projects to ensure value for money, eliminate corruption and ensure adequate protection of FGN investments.
“A total of 574 Legal Opinions were also proffered during the reporting period.”
On some of the recoveries that were made, the AGF, said the Asset Sharing Agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey was signed in February, 2024 for the return of £2,125,944 proceeds of corruption.
“This has been approved by the President to be utilized for continuation of works on the Abuja-Kano Road project.
“The Ministry on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on April 25, 2024 concluded negotiation of a Settlement Agreement with Glencore International A.G. wherein Glencore is expected to pay the sum of $50 million USD as penalty and compensation for certain activities in Nigeria,” he added.
Reeling out some of the activities and achievements of agencies under the Ministry of Justice, the AGF, said the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, NLRC, is working with the Ministry in reviewing legal instruments that were affected by the recommendations of the Oronsanye Committee report and white papers on restructuring and rationalization of the Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions, 2012 and 2022, respectively.
Noting that the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, through ongoing advocacy and collaboration efforts, handled a total of 2,849,203 complaints from the public on various human rights issues, the AGF, said the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, secured 65 convictions comprising 57 perpetrators of human trafficking and 8 offenders who were prosecuted under the Violence Against Persons (VAPP) Act.
“The Agency also rescued 1,600 victims of human trafficking, out of which 340 victims were empowered with various skill acquisitions, with 90 victims enrolled in school for educational empowerment.”
Whereas the National Legal Aid Council, according to the AGF, handled 5,081 number of cases involving indigent citizens, from May 2023 to April, 2024, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in the past 11 months, recorded seizure of approximately 959,917.30 kg of illicit drugs, arrested 13,798 suspected drug traffickers, and secured the conviction of 3,247 drug offenders.
“A total of 7,586 individuals with drug abuse problem were counselled, while 1,337 others were successfully rehabilitated, reflecting the Agency’s dedication to providing holistic care and support for affected individuals.
“Additionally, over 3,188 public enlightenment programmes were conducted to raise awareness in schools, places of work, worship centres, markets, motor parks and communities about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking,” the AGF stated.
News
Malaysia Celebrates 67th Independence Day, Emphasises Economic Growth, Strengthening Ties with Nigeria
News
HoR Mediates Peace Among Rival Safety Professional Groups
News
Edo guber: LP’s Akpata remains a front runner, set to capture Edo
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Less than twenty-four hours to the start of voting in Saturday’s governorship poll in Edo State, a rash of fake news has broken out.
Leading parties in the election have had their fair shares of fake news either indicating the withdrawal of their candidates or disqualification by a Magistrate Court or Supreme Court.
For instance, Olumide Akpata of LP was said to have withdrawn from the race and thrown his support for Asue Ighodalo in a statement that read smoothly and appeared convincing.
THE CONCLAVE sent the statement to Akpata via WhatsApp for confirmed.
He responded by sending the same statement with FAKE NEWS boldly stamped on it.
He said he was set for victory at the poll.
There was also a news flash about the Supreme Court disqualifying Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, with a sign off: More details coming….
A Magistrate Court in Abuja was also reported to have disqualified Monday Okpebholo of the APC from the poll on account of age falsification.
The APC campaign organisation had swiftly put a lie to the report by deploying the court papers in the circumstance.
-
Metro19 hours ago
Police confirm alleged ritual, kidnap incident at Top View hotel Abuja
-
News13 hours ago
Few Hours To Edo Election, Governorship Candidate Withdraws
-
Sports21 hours ago
Champions League: Monaco shock Barcelona, Atalanta hold Arsenal
-
Politics19 hours ago
Fintiri pledges support for PDP chair Damagum amid party division
-
News19 hours ago
Council autonomy: Constitution for rework, says Akpabio
-
Politics20 hours ago
PDP governors divided over bid to sack party chair Damagum
-
Opinion13 hours ago
Permutations On Edo Governorship Election 2024
-
Entertainment20 hours ago
DJ Cuppy launches scholarship for African students