News
CDS Musa sets high bar for newly-decorated Major Generals
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged 35 newly decorated Major-Generals to make 2025 a determining year in the fight against terrorism and insecurity across the country.
Gen. Musa, who spoke at the decoration ceremony of the Major-Generals at the Command Officers Mess in Abuja, said their elevation indicated that there is always a reward for hard work in the Armed Forces.
He said: “We have been dealing with insurgencies, terrorism, and banditry for 15 or 16 years and still counting. I think it is high time we dealt with it finally. I know we can do it. So, I want to call on all of us to put on our thinking caps and make that great sacrifice that 2025 should be a determining year for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“Having reached the peak of your careers, always remember that the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces will continue to rely on the leadership and expertise of individuals like you to safeguard our country and its people. Nigeria is looking up to us. We must do everything to defend democracy in Nigeria and across the sub-region. It is a duty and a task for all of us to perform.
“Our nation is going through so much and it takes men of steel and character for us to succeed, and that is what we aim for. The rank of Major-General signifies not only a high level of responsibility but also a deep sense of duty towards our country and its people.
“I, therefore, congratulate you and your families on achieving this laudable feat. Today is, however, not only a day for celebration but also a clarion call to the tasks ahead.”
The CDS urged the newly decorated Major-Generals and other officers of the Armed Forces to remain committed in the task ahead, not thinking of self but the nation, and uphold democratic governance and loyalty to constituted authority.
The COAS, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, reminded the newly promoted Major-Generals that with higher rank comes higher responsibilities.
“From now onwards, more accountabilities will be required and demanded of you. As Major-Generals, what you do or fail to do matters a lot to the system, and particularly the national security.
“Therefore, I charge you all to always keep your new status in mind to avoid embarrassing the military establishment and profession and particularly to justify the confidence that has been imposed in you,” he said.
Also, the Federal Government has said it disposed of 1,743 terrorism cases and secured 742 convictions in the past four years.
It said 880 suspected terrorists were discharged or acquitted by the court, while 92 cases were adjourned within the period.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) and that of the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Mohammed Baba Doko, gave the update at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) yesterday in Abuja.
The director said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had made significant progress in the trials of suspected terrorists.
He said: “Between the year 2017 and till date, a number of suspects were prosecuted at Wawa in Kainji (Niger State). At the first phase of the trial, 282 cases were disposed of, 50 of which got convictions, 203 discharged for want of evidence, and 28 adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial.
“At the second phase of the trial in 2018, a total number of 804 suspects or cases were disposed of, out of which 203 got convictions, 582 were discharged for want of evidence, and the other cases were adjourned to Abuja for continuation of trial.
“At the third phase of the trial, between July 9 and 12, 2018, a total number of 224 cases were disposed of, out of which 113 got convictions, 97 were discharged for want of evidence, five were acquitted, and nine other cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.
“At the fourth phase of trial in December 2023, a total number of 25 cases were listed for trial, 14 got convictions, one was ordered to be sent to Operation Safe Corridor for DDR rehabilitation and reintegration, and 10 cases were adjourned for continuation of trial.
“At the fifth phase of the trial in July 2024, a total number of 253 cases were disposed of, out of which 125 got convictions, 85 were about terrorism financing cases, 22 were related to International Criminal Court (ICC) criminalities; that is, crimes against humanity; and 22 were adjourned for trial.
“Now, at the sixth phase of trial, two weeks ago (December 2024), a total number of 237 cases were disposed of, about nine were adjourned for continuation of trial.”
According to the DPP, some of the cases include acts of terrorism, terrorism financing, ICC criminalities, for which some of the defendants were sentenced to terms of imprisonment.
“Now, it’s important to note that within the last one year of this administration, about 515 cases were disposed of, and over 800 clients – we call them clients. Those that have served terms or were discharged or acquitted at the final stages of trial were moved to Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation and reintegration in accordance with the orders of the court and the policy of the Federal Government.
“So, all of these steps were taken in conjunction with relevant stakeholders to ensure accountability for the crimes committed by violent people across the country, not just Boko Haram.”
He said the suspect kept and tried at the Wawa military cantonment in Kainji in Niger State was due to security considerations.
…hails emergence of Bawa as state chairman
The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District Senator Manu Haruna on Sunday donated five operational vehicles to Taraba Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to enhance its operations.
Manu also seized the opportunity to congratulate the state Chairman, Hon Abubakar Bawa when he visited the secretariat in Jalingo last Sunday.
The former State Deputy Governor expressed his congratulations to Chairman Bawa and the state working committee for their election, emphasizing the importance of unity and progress within the party. He commended their commitment to strengthening the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State.
In a generous move to enhance the operational capacity of the party at the grassroots level, Senator Manu donated five vehicles — one for each Local Government Area (LGA) party chapter in Taraba Central.
This donation is intended to facilitate better coordination and outreach efforts within the party.
Senator Manu praised Hon. Abubakar Bawa for his dedicated efforts to elevate the PDP in the state, asserting that Taraba will always remain a stronghold for the party.
In response, State Party Chairman Alhaji Bawa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Senator Manu for his thoughtful visit and generous donation. He acknowledged the impact of such contributions on the party’s progress and reemphasized the commitment of the PDP to serve the interests of the people in Taraba State.
By Francesca Hangeior
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has canvassed for greater efforts and commitments to the Federal Government’s aspirations to produce a workable legal framework for the country.
He charged the Committee put in place by the federal government to review, revise and consolidate the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, LFN, to double the efforts and commitments to deliver on the mandate at the appointed time.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, spoke on Monday in Abuja at the second retreat of the Committee put in place in October last year for the laws of the federation revision and reform.
The AGF while challenging the committee to be up and doing asked the members to remain united in purpose and steadfast in the resolve to produce a legal framework that is worthy of the nation’s aspirations.
He said the second retreat organized by the federal government was a strategic consolidation of the national law reform efforts and to provide an invaluable opportunity to come up with a better workable legal framework for the nation.
“Let me start by expressing gratitude to the Chairman, Co-Chairperson and members of the Committee for their selfless service and sacrifice, to ensure that this project is executed efficiently and effectively.
“The call to be part of this assignment is indeed a sacred that inevitably and positively affects the lives of individuals, government, businesses as well as citizens of this nation.
“The general purpose of law is to regulate human behavior by protecting lives and properties in society. The inauguration of the Committee on the 24th October, 2024 marked a historic milestone in our collective efforts to modernize, consolidate, and harmonize Nigeria’s body of federal statutes.
“The retreat successfully provides a clear framework for the structure and methodology of the revision exercise, oriented the 14 Working Groups tasked with reviewing specific legal subject areas, and fostered collaboration among key institutions and stakeholders on the project.
“Following the initial retreat, I wish to note that the Committee has recorded steady progress in its work.
“The Ministry has taken several measures to ensure that the assignment is delivered efficiently, including:training sessions for secretaries of the working groups to enhance documentation and coordination; technical meetings of the main committee and its various sub-committees; working sessions and deliberations among editors and reviewers; and ongoing technical collation of revised laws by the Secretariat.
“This second retreat is a strategic consolidation of our national law reform efforts and provides an invaluable opportunity to: review progress made since the first phase;
address any technical or structural challenges encountered during the collation process;
– Harmonize the output across working groups; and set the tone for the final stages of this important project.
“The next stage of the law review and consolidation process would include editing and proofreading the reviewed legislation, ahead of the final collation, production and printing of the laws of the federation.
“It is my conviction that these phases will be executed with even greater commitment by the Committee, with the support of stakeholders and development partners.
“I wish to commend the leadership of the LFN Committee, the Secretariat for its diligent coordination and day-to-day management as well as the Working Groups, Editors, and Reviewers, for their intellectual rigour and professionalism.
“Special gratitude to our development partners, particularly RoLAC, for standing firmly behind this national project.
“Let me urge all participants to use this retreat as a platform for robust engagement, peer learning, and practical collaboration.
“We must remain united in purpose and steadfast in our resolve to produce a legal framework that is worthy of our nation’s aspirations.
” I wish to express gratitude for your commitment to duty and I charge you to work in synergy and cooperation, in the overall interest of the nation”, the AGF said.
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has replied to the Nigerian Bar Association regarding the reason for relocating its Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.
Ibas faulted the reason cited by the NBA, describing it as misleading and uncharitable.
The Sole Administrator stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, and sent to newsmen.
He said while the NBA reserves the right to choose a venue for its conference, the association had yet to address the issue of the refund of the hosting rights paid by the state government for the conference.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
It added, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
It added, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
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