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Falana Takes Legal Action: Advocates for Minors’ Education Rights After Protest Release
Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Femi Falana, has announced his intention to sue the federal government for neglecting the educational rights of minors who were detained following protests against poor governance. This declaration came during the launch of Judicial Terrorism: A Macabre Trial and Death Sentences on Major General Zamani Lekwot and 5 Others on the Zangon Kataf Crisis, a book by Mr. Richard Akinola, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.
At the event, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, expressed concern that “32 years into Civil Rule, the country’s judicial system still harbors military parasites.” He recalled how the Buhari administration undermined Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, through the Code of Conduct Tribunal in 2019, leading to Onnoghen’s removal under dubious charges that only saw him acquitted in November 2024.
Falana shared his recent courtroom experience where he represented 119 Nigerians, including 29 minors. He noted that the government withdrew the frivolous charges against them, feeling too ashamed to continue in open court. “While the minors have been released, ending the trial is just the beginning. These children, who should be in school, must be rehabilitated. If the government neglects its duty, we will take legal action as mandated by the Child Rights Law, which guarantees free, compulsory education up to junior secondary school, and we will fight to extend this to senior secondary school,” he asserted.
In his address titled “Military Terrorism in Judicial Robes,” which was read by Comrade Owei Lakemfa, Odinkalu stressed the significance of remembering historical injustices, warning, “If we forget yesterday, we cannot remember today, and our tomorrow suffers.” He recounted the aftermath of the 1983 coup, highlighting how military tribunals were misused to settle scores, leading to the execution of individuals for non-capital offenses.
Reflecting on the Zangon Kataf case, Odinkalu criticized the judicial decisions pre-determined by the regime, asserting that the remnants of military rule continue to taint the judicial system, where “military logic overrides justice.”
Mr. Richard Akinola added that Justice Benedict Okadigbo’s actions during the Zangon Kataf tribunal represent a low point in Nigeria’s judicial history, lamenting the current political influences on judges that erode public trust. He quoted Lord Denning, stating, “When a judge sits on a case, he himself is on trial,” calling for greater accountability in the judiciary.
General Lucky Irabor, former Chief of Defence Staff, clarified that while some instances of judicial terrorism exist, they do not represent the entire military establishment, emphasizing that “misuse of power does not reflect the ethos of the military as an institution.”
In closing, Bishop Hassan Kukah, who contributed the foreword to Akinola’s book, urged Nigerians to unite and overcome internal divisions, appreciating the nation’s stability compared to those suffering from war or displacement. He encouraged a spirit of forgiveness, reminding the audience that everything occurs under God’s will.
The 114-page book, structured into seven chapters, pays tribute to General Zamani Lekwot, who attended the launch in person.
Party realignments in the House of Representatives gathered further pace as more lawmakers crossed over to rival platforms, underscoring intensifying political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 elections.
During plenary, presided over by the Speaker, a fresh batch of six members from the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party formally defected to the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress.
The shift was particularly notable within the Kano caucus, where four NNPP lawmakers abandoned their party to align with the ADC, signalling a significant shake-up in the state’s political configuration.
The latest movement adds to an already growing trend of defections within the lower chamber, as legislators continue to reposition themselves amid evolving alliances and internal party tensions.
Speaker Abbas read the letter of resignation from the NNPP lawmakers, which noted “persistent leadership crisis in the NNPP resulting in internal divisions,” as reason for aligning with the ADC.
“I find it imperative to align with a platform that guarantees inclusion and I hereby notify the House of my intention to join the African Democratic Congress,” the letter read in part.
Still in Kano, three members of of the NNPP, Rep. Umar Zakari, Rep. Umar Datti and Rep. Abdulhakeem Ado resigned their membership from the NNPP and joined the ADC, citing protracted leadership crises both at the sub-national and national levels.
In Zamfara State, Rep. Ahmadu Kabiru, member representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency stated his resignation from the PDP “with immediate effect due to irreconciliable differences.”
He therefore announced his decision to join the APC, pleading his readiness to “align with the transformatory policies of the President as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Also defecting from the PDP to APC is Rep. Chinedu Martins, member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State.
The lawmaker from Imo State confirmed that his switch to the APC had been concluded at ward level as far back as March 2026.
Following the steady stream of defections in recent months, the APC continues to dominate the House with a commanding 282 members. The PDP trails significantly with 30 seats, while the ADC has emerged as a growing force with 24 lawmakers.
Other parties hold smaller blocs, with the Labour Party at 10 seats, APGA with five, and the Accord Party controlling four. The Action Peoples Party and the Social Democratic Party each have two members, leaving the NNPP with just a single seat in the chamber.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a fresh set of appointments across critical institutions in Nigeria’s education sector, reinforcing leadership in examination bodies, technical education, and national library services.
The appointments were confirmed in an official statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday.
New and Renewed Appointments
Among those appointed is Modupe Adeola Adelabu, who will serve as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council.
Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi has been retained as Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, ensuring continuity in the management of the national examination body.
In the technical education space, Babatunde Salako has been appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education.
Meanwhile, Idris Bugaje has been reappointed as Executive Secretary of NBTE for a second and final five-year term.
Polytechnic and Library Leadership
The President also approved the appointment of Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam in Plateau State, where he will serve a five-year tenure.
Additionally, Chinwe Veronica Anunobi has had her tenure renewed as Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Library of Nigeria for a final five-year term.
Focus on Continuity and Stability
The mix of fresh appointments and renewals suggests a strategy aimed at maintaining stability while strengthening leadership across key education agencies.
Observers say such decisions are critical to sustaining reforms, improving institutional performance, and ensuring continuity in policy implementation within the sector.
The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment regarding an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reinstate its national convention, which was previously nullified by the Court of Appeal.
The convention in question took place on November 15 and 16, 2025, at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A five-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Lawal Garba, announced that a date for the final ruling would be communicated to all parties involved.
This decision followed the adoption of written briefs by legal representatives for and against the appeal.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP is urging the apex court to set aside the lower court’s decision, which invalidated the Ibadan convention.
The faction maintains that the dispute is an “internal party affair, which is not justiciable,” and argues that all necessary legal procedures were followed during the event.
However, previous rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal favored aggrieved members, barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the convention’s outcomes and restricting access to the party’s national secretariat.
The legal trouble began in October 2025, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court stopped the convention from proceeding.
The judge ruled that the party had failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the PDP’s own constitution, stating that the party must comply with “relevant statutory provisions including the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022).”
A second major blow came from Justice Peter Lifu, who ordered the party to halt the convention after a suit was filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Lamido alleged he was unfairly excluded from the chairmanship race. Justice Lifu noted:“The evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.”
On November 14, 2025—just one day before the event—Justice Lifu issued a final order restraining the party from moving forward, holding that the PDP had failed to “afford a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido the opportunity to prepare and contest as a chairmanship candidate.”
With the Supreme Court now set to have the final say, the PDP remains in a state of legal uncertainty as it awaits the verdict that will determine the legitimacy of its current national leadership.
Defections Deepen as NNPP, PDP Lawmakers Switch Sides in Reps
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