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CJN Swears In 57 New SANs, Warns Against Abuse of Privilege

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The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, officially swore in 57 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on Monday, marking both the highest recognition in the Nigerian legal profession and the formal commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year. The ceremony was held at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja.

Addressing the newly conferred SANs, Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized that the title is a privilege earned through rigorous dedication. “The conferment of this rank is a rigorous process, reflecting the high expectations placed upon those who bear the title,” she said. “It signifies not only professional excellence but also a commitment to ethical conduct and the upholding of the integrity of the legal profession.”

The CJN issued a stern warning to the new Senior Advocates, reminding them that the title is not a permanent right and can be revoked.

“The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a privilege, not a right. The privilege can, and indeed will, be withdrawn in appropriate circumstances where it is abused,” Justice Kekere-Ekun stated. She commended the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee for maintaining the integrity of the selection process. She also urged the new SANs to internalize the principles shared during their pre-swearing-in induction, advising them to “carry this rank with the utmost dignity, grace, and sense of responsibility it demands.”

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During her address, Justice Kekere-Ekun also reviewed the Supreme Court’s performance in the recently concluded legal year. She noted significant progress in clearing case backlogs, highlighting the judiciary’s commitment to the speedy dispensation of justice.

In the 2024/2025 legal year, which ended on July 18, 2025, the court considered a total of 2,280 matters, which included both motions and appeals. The court successfully delivered a total of 369 judgments. The CJN pointed out that this represents significant progress when compared to the preceding 2023/2024 legal year, during which the court handled 1,124 cases and delivered 247 judgments and rulings.

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FG increases allowances for Civil Servants

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The Federal Government has approved an increase in peculiar allowances and other welfare benefits for civil servants.

Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, in a move expected to increase the take-home pay of civil servants and boost the morale of the government’s workforce.
Walson-Jack said the increment affects workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
This is targeted at ensuring a broad-based impact across all cadres of the civil service.
According to her, the allowances have been structured to reflect across all grade levels, leading to better earnings for senior and junior officers.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has approved a review of some key allowances for civil servants.
Some of them include duty tour allowance (DTA), estacode, and book allowance.

The head of service said almost all allowances in the Public Service Rules have been revised.

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One key reform is the approval of 100 percent DTA, which is for civil servants attending approved training programmes irrespective of whether travel is involved or not.
She said, “Even if you are based in Abuja and attend training within Abuja, you are entitled to full DTA.”
Apart from salary-related adjustments, the Federal Government has also introduced an exit benefit scheme for retiring civil servants under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The scheme, which provides 100 per cent of a retiree’s full emoluments as an exit package, in addition to their pension, takes effect from January 1, 2026.

For the head of service, the move is part of efforts to enhance dignity in retirement. She maintained that no public servant should leave service without adequate financial support.

The Federal Government equally confirmed the operationalisation of the Employee Compensation Scheme, aimed at financially protecting workers who suffer job-related injuries or death.

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Nigeria’s latest reforms followed an increase in calls from labour unions for improved welfare for civil servants as the cost of living continues to soar, putting more pressure on workers.
It comes about two years after the Federal Government approved a salary rise of between 25% and 35% for civil servants on the remaining six consolidated salary structures.

The salary structure includes the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS), and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).
Support for Oyo Workers

In the meantime, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced a ₦10,000 monthly transportation support fund for civil servants in the state to cushion the impacts of the rising costs of living.

Makinde said this will run for an initial period of three months. According to him, the move is part of the Oyo government’s response to prevailing economic pressures, particularly the rising cost of transportation.

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The governor said it will help lessen the financial burden on civil servants in the state and ensure uninterrupted service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.

“This support is a direct response to the realities our workers are facing,” Makinde said. “We understand that transportation costs have gone up significantly, and as a government, we must act to ease that burden.”
The transport allowance took effect in March, 2026.

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Military set to try suspected coup plotters, set up General Court-Martial

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The Nigerian military on Friday inaugurated a General Court-Martial to try officers accused in an alleged coup plot, marking the formal commencement of proceedings.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the accused officers were brought to the venue of the sitting, the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess, Asokoro, at about 8:53 a.m. under tight security.

Journalists were, however, denied access into the courtroom as proceedings commenced behind closed doors.

Several civil lawyers were observed arriving at the venue ahead of the inauguration, suggesting the presence of legal representatives for the accused.

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The sitting signals the beginning of the military’s internal trial process following months of investigation into the alleged plot.

The case dates back to October 2025 when about 16 serving military personnel, comprising senior and junior officers, were arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline.

Subsequent investigations by military authorities, however, established that some of the officers had cases to answer bordering on an alleged attempt to overthrow the constitutional government, leading to the decision to subject them to court-martial.

NAN reports that more than 30 accused officer were brought in a “Marcopolo” luxurious bus.

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In a related development, the Federal Government had earlier arraigned several civilian suspects and retired military personnel before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the same alleged coup plot.

The defendants, Including a retired Major General and a serving police officer, were charged with offences bordering on treason and terrorism.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court subsequently ordered their remand in custody pending the hearing of their bail applications.

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The parallel proceedings underscore the dual-track approach, with serving military personnel facing court-martial, while civilians and retired officers are being tried in civilian courts.

Further details of the court-martial proceedings were not immediately available as at the time of filing this report. (NAN)

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Oyedele Formally Assumes Office as Finance Minister Vows to Sustaim Reform Momentum

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The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has formally assumed office following the completion of the handover process by the former Minister, Mr. Wale Edun, OFR.

The handover was conducted Thursday 23rd April 2026, within the stipulated timeline following President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s directive.

Mr. Edun’s period in office was marked by the advancement of key fiscal and economic reforms aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment and repositioning the economy for sustainable growth.

These included efforts to strengthen revenue performance, improve fiscal coordination, and support broader structural reforms under the Administration’s economic agenda.

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The newly appointed Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Oyedele in his remarks commended the outgoing Minister for his service and contributions to the ongoing reform efforts in the economy.

He further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the confidence reposed in him to serve in this capacity. He also extoled Mr. Wale Edun for his service to the nation and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Welcoming the new Minister to the Ministry in this new capacity, the Permanent Secretary, Finance, Mr. Raymond Omachi and Permanent Secretary Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma pledged full support and loyalty of the Management and staff of the Ministry in advancing the Minister’s mandates.

Mr. Oyedele reaffirmed his readiness to working closely with the leadership and staff of the Ministry in order to deliver concrete outcomes aligned with the government’s economic priorities.

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He emphasised the need to build on existing reforms while focusing on measurable impact across key sectors of the economy.

The assumption of office signals continuity in the Ministry’s service delivery to the nation, with focus on deepening economic reforms, fiscal discipline, and improved outcomes for Nigerians.

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