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SANs disagree over prosecution of indicted retired judges
Some senior lawyers in the country have disagreed over the prosecution of judges who were recently recommended for compulsory retirement for falsifying their ages.
The National Judicial Council, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in a statement on 15 November, disclosed that two heads of the court had been recommended for compulsory retirement over age falsification.
The Chief Judge of the Imo State High Court, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, was recommended for compulsory retirement.
Similarly, the NJC also directed the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, who had three different dates of birth—10 December, 28 January, and July, all in 1959, with the actual date of birth being 1952—to go on compulsory retirement.
Some Nigerians have been calling for the prosecution of the indicted judges to serve as a deterrent to others.
However, some Senior Advocates of Nigeria disagreed with the call, noting that prosecuting the affected judges might be too severe.
This was as some other senior lawyers said the prosecution would serve as a deterrent to others.
A former chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, stated that the decision of the NJC to retire the judges compulsorily was sufficient.
He said, “I think that punishment is enough. You know the disgrace and the shame of being exposed for falsifying age and then being retired compulsorily? Some punishments are even worse than prison because these are people of great importance in their various circles and societies. I think that punishment is enough, but as I said, I think we should give the new CJN a chance. I am going to personally do that.”
Sharing a similar view, another senior lawyer, Lekan Ojo, SAN, said the nature of the offence committed by the indicted judges would determine if they deserved to be prosecuted or not.
According to him, if the falsification is via an affidavit, it could constitute a crime, but if it was just through merely filling a form, it can’t be criminalised.
“In my view, after asking them to go on compulsory retirement and refund the excess money they might have collected, those two things are appropriate,” he stated.
However, another legal luminary, Chief Mike Ahamba, disagreed with Sagay and Ojo, saying, “I cannot question the decision of the NJC since they made the decision based on the facts before them.”
Another senior lawyer, Kunle Adegoke also echoed a similar position, commending the NJC for wielding the wisdom stick.
He said, “The punishment is not enough. The temple of justice is a place where integrity is prioritised, and I believe that to deter others from repeating the same, the punishment should be stiff.
“The NJC putting them on compulsory retirement is good, but they will still be entitled to pension. So I think prosecuting for such an offence will scare others from repeating the same.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says there will be a seven-hour power outage in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the affected areas will experience blackout on Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.
She attributed the action to scheduled annual preventive maintenance on two transformers.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria informs the public that its maintenance crew will conduct annual preventive maintenance on the 2x100MVA, TR3 & TR4 transformers at the Apo 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Abuja,” the statement read.
“The planned power interruptions are unavoidable, as Abuja DisCo will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the transformers during the maintenance period. Power supply will be restored to the affected areas upon completion of the maintenance exercise.”
Transmission Line Tower – TCN
Mbah explained that on Saturday, February 22, the power disruptions will affect the National Hospital, G2 Injection Station, Garki, Area 1, and Asokoro for seven hours.
According to the statement, areas including Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo Resettlement, Gudu, Apo Mechanic, and surrounding areas will also experience a seven-hour power outage.
Mbah explained that the interruption is necessary as Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the affected transformers during the maintenance period.
TCN apologised for any inconvenience caused to the affected customers during this time.
“Power supply will be restored once the maintenance exercise is completed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause the affected electricity customers,” the company said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of over 100 senior officers to higher ranks within the force.
The decision includes the elevation of 38 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners, alongside 100 Chief Superintendents of Police.
The approval was confirmed in a statement by the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, following an extraordinary plenary session held on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
The meeting was chaired by the PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), and attended by key officials, including retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galmuje, DIG Taiwo Lakanu, and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
Notable officers promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police include Emmanuel Deenom, Olufemi Takeet, and Yusuf Doki Sani, while others like Ibrahim Mohammed Agava and Akinloye Joseph Oyegade were promoted to Assistant Commissioners.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal University Lokoja has been shut down following students’ lingering protest.
The students began the protest on Monday following the killings of their colleagues by a trailer who rammed into the school shuttle bus, killing seven people instantly.
The closure of the school was disclosed in a circular with Ref. Number FUL/R/GEN/REGC/03 issued on Thursday by Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, Registrar and Secretary to Council, and copied Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command Director, DSS Kogi State.
The circular reads “Following the unfortunate loss of the lives of five students to a tragic trailer accident at Felele city centre on Monday, 17 February, 2025, students have barricaded the gates of the university despite magnanimous interventions from the the State Government as well as frantic efforts and appeal by the University Management for calm.
“Accordingly, arising from the advice of the State Security Agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the Vice-Chancellor after due consultation with Management, has decided on behalf of Senate, that the University (both campuses) be closed down Indefinitely within one hour of release of this circular.
“Students are therefore to vacate the campuses on/or before 12 noon today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025. Please note for strict compliance.”
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