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Tinubu repositioning Nigeria’s judiciary to strengthen justice delivery – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu is repositioning the judiciary to strengthen the administration of justice.
Wike stated this at the inauguration of the construction of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal Complex, in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that President Tinubu’s approval for the construction of the Appeal Court Complex, accommodation for judges and justices and retirement homes was a testament of the importance attached to the judiciary.
“There are things that must be done for us to get it right, and one of the things that must be done for this country to move forward is to put the judiciary where it is supposed to be.
“This is the essence of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
He explained that the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dangban-Mensem had during the 2023 Legal Year requested for the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal and accommodation for judges.
He said: “I took the matter to president Tinubu, and he graciously approved.
“That there are three arms of government, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, and all must be treated equally.”
The minister stressed that the project would be completed before September 2025, adding that he would not be a party to a project that would take more than two years to deliver.
He said that the project would be executed at N37 billion, adding that N30 billion had been provided in the 2024 budget.
The minister warned the contractor, Visible Construction, not to collect money and fail to deliver the job, saying “you have collected the first set of money, I don’t want to hear it has been raining.
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“You collected the money when it was raining, so you must also do the job as it is raining.
“The contract was given to him to deliver in 16 months, but he promised to deliver between 12 and 13 months if funds are made available,” Wike said.
He added that president Tinubu had also approved the construction of 40 housing units for the accommodation of judges and justices.
He said that out of the 40 houses,10 would be allocated to the Court of Appeal, 10 to the Federal High Court and 20 to the FCT Courts.
He further said that Tinubu had equally approved the construction of retirement homes for judges and justices, beginning with the heads of courts.
“Mr President has approved the construction of retirement homes for the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Chief Judge of the FCT, President of the Industrial Courts and the President of the Court of Appeal.
“The Chief Judge of FCT also requested for more court rooms for the Magistrates in Maitama, Asokoro and Garki Districts.
“I want to assure that the foundation of the accommodation and retirement homes will be laid in August and completed before September 2024,” Wike said.
Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, explained that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, was sited in Dakibiyu District.
Ahmad added that the complex, which was located within the vicinity of the Code of Conduct Bureau and the FCT High Court.
He said that the five-storey complex would consist of 10 courts consisting of 10 suites for the Justices, administrative offices for the Registrar, support staff, and file rooms for storage of case documents.
Other facilities, he said, include conveniences and recess areas for the justices.
Earlier, Dongban-Mensem thanked Wike and Tinubu for recognising the role of Judiciary and taking steps to provide what it needs to perform its task.
“This marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to strengthen the administration of justice in our great nation,” she said.
Inaugurating the construction of the complex, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode, Ariwoola thanked Tinubu, Attorney General and Wike for the support to the judiciary.
“All the judiciary needs is to be left alone to perform its role unhindered as much as possible. Once you take care of the judiciary, you’ve taken care of justice,” he said.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth of the 12 Islamic calendar year, begins today, Saturday March 1, 2025, the Sultan of Sokoto and Leader of Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, declared on Friday.
The Sultan explained that his declaration followed verified and authenticated reports from various Muslim leaders across the country, which he said had been accepted.
The Sultan said: “Today, Friday, 28th February, 2025, brings us to the end of Sha’ban. Reports of positive sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan were brought to us by various leaders across the country. We have verified and have authenticated such reports and have duly accepted such reports.
“Therefore, tomorrow, 1st March, 2025, makes it 1st Ramadan 1446 After Hijrah,” the Sultan said.
He, therefore, called on Muslims in the country to commence the fasting while also urging them to pray for leaders to enable them to lead the nation and its people well.
He seized the opportunity of the announcement to enjoin well-to-do Muslims to reach out and give to the less privileged or needy during the period.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pt Limited, an Indian company, over the illegal production and exportation of dangerous opioid combinations into West Africa, including Nigeria.
Opioids are a class of drugs that work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including pain relief.
Opioid drugs include prescription pain medicine and illegal drugs.
In a statement on Friday, NAFDAC said investigations revealed that the company, managed by Vinod Sharma on the outskirts of Mumbai in India, is responsible for manufacturing and distributing Tafrodol and Royal 225 drugs containing a harmful mix of tapentadol and carisoprodol.
Tapentadol is a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol is a banned muscle relaxant.
The agency said the substances pose severe health risks such as respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and death to users.
“A BBC World Service investigation exposed how packets of these drugs, branded with the Aveo Pharmaceuticals logo, have been found on the streets of Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire,” the statement reads.
“Further evidence confirmed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals is also involved in the illegal exportation of high-dose tramadol above 100 mg, a strength not registered or approved by NAFDAC.
“Undercover footage captured Vinod Sharma admitting to the mass distribution of these opioids for abuse as street drugs across West Africa.
“Given the severity of these findings, NAFDAC has taken decisive action to blacklist Aveo Pharmaceuticals and block any future registration of its products in Nigeria.”
NAFDAC said it is committed to protecting public health by enforcing international best practices in pharmaceutical regulation, including stringent product registration, good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspections, post-marketing surveillance, and pre-shipment inspections for high-risk imports.
The agency said it has intensified enforcement operations against illicit pharmaceuticals in major drug distribution hubs across the country.
NAFDAC urged the public to avoid unregistered medicines and only use prescription drugs dispensed by licensed healthcare professionals.
“With continued vigilance and public support, NAFDAC will persist in its fight against the circulation of fake, substandard, and dangerous pharmaceuticals in Nigeria,” the agency said.
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