News
Lawyers Support Regional Divisions of the Supreme Court to Enhance Swift Justice
The recent proposal by the House of Representatives to decentralize the Supreme Court of Nigeria has received widespread support, especially from legal professionals across the country.
On December 9, the House introduced a bill aimed at creating five divisions of the Supreme Court, alongside the existing headquarters in Abuja. The proposed bill, titled “A Bill for Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,” aims to establish divisions in Umuahia, Bauchi, Uyo, Lagos, and Kano to improve access to justice, reduce logistical costs for litigants, and speed up the dispensation of cases. Abuja would still cater for the North Central region.
The bill, which has already passed its first reading, seeks to amend Section 230(1) of the 1999 Constitution. If successful, it will decentralize the court, bringing justice closer to Nigerians in various regions and alleviating the burden on justices at the apex court.
Legal experts, including the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Bridget Edokwe, have lauded the initiative. She believes that decentralizing the Supreme Court will expedite case resolutions and reduce costs for litigants who currently face financial strain traveling to Abuja for hearings.
Other legal professionals share her view. C.I Nnamani, an Enugu-based lawyer, noted that decentralization would allow for faster handling of appeals and improve access to justice, reducing the long delays that currently plague the system. He also applauded the decision to have Abuja cover the North Central region.
Human rights lawyer Malachy Ugwummadu expressed a nuanced perspective. He argued that if the move is meant for administrative convenience, it echoes practices from Nigeria’s 1960 and 1963 constitutions, where the Supreme Court had regional sittings for better management. However, he also pointed out that decentralization could deepen Nigeria’s federalism, enhancing state autonomy and allowing for more localized decision-making, as seen in other countries like the U.S. and South Africa.
Ugwummadu also highlighted the overload of cases in Nigeria’s Supreme Court, with non-federal issues like family disputes and land matters often reaching the apex court, further congesting the system. This has contributed to long waiting times for cases, where litigants sometimes wait years for a resolution, often resulting in witnesses and plaintiffs passing away before justice is served.
The decentralization proposal is seen as a step towards streamlining the judiciary, ensuring that the Supreme Court deals with only national matters, while regional courts handle everyday issues more efficiently. For many, this reform could be a vital solution to the overcrowding in the judicial system, offering faster justice for Nigerians across the country.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Naira continued its fall against the dollar at the parallel foreign exchange market on Thursday.
A Bureau de Change operator in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Abubakar Alhasan, said that the Naira dropped to N1500 per dollar on Thursday from N1490 exchanged on Wednesday.
This showed that the Naira fell by N10 against the dollar on Thursday compared to the N1,490 per dollar exchange rate the previous day.
Recall that this is the second time this week, the naira had weakened at the black market.
Meanwhile, at the official market, the Naira rose slightly by N0.04 to N1,499.07 on Thursday from N1,499.11 on Wednesday.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Troops have nabbed Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu, a notorious bandit kingpin terrorizing communities in Mada, Tsafe, and other parts of Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama, shared the news on Friday via a post on his X handle, revealing that the operation took place on February 27 in the Gusau Local Government Area of the state. The troops, part of Operation FANSAR YANMA, carried out a well-planned ambush, resulting in a fierce firefight. Several bandits were killed during the operation, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
Initially, Nabamamu fled to nearby homes but was soon pursued and captured alive by the security forces. However, hours after his arrest, his gang, led by Bakin Malam, retaliated by attacking Chediya, Bamamu, and Makera villages. The gang issued threats to residents, warning them of violent action unless Nabamamu was released. This prompted many villagers to flee in fear.
The Nigerian troops, however, quickly responded with superior firepower, forcing the bandits to retreat and preventing further attacks. Both air and land troops were deployed to safeguard the area while intelligence operations continue to track down fleeing gang members.
Nabamamu, who hails from Tsafe, Gidan Alhaji Kaduna, began his criminal activities as an Almajiri before attending Model Primary School, Tsafe. For over three decades, he was involved in armed robbery and later became one of the first Fulani men to engage in large-scale banditry in Zamfara. His criminal notoriety began with a violent robbery at the home of Sani Dan Kyaso, during which multiple murders were committed.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Some Nigerian passengers were left frustrated and delayed after an Air France flight, traveling from Paris to Abuja, was rerouted to Lomé, Togo, due to bad weather in the Nigerian capital.
This unexpected turn of events prompted a quick response from Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. He voiced his concerns over how Air France handled the situation.
The airline’s decision to land in Lomé was made to avoid a risky landing in Abuja caused by severe weather. However, Keyamo expressed dissatisfaction with the airline’s plan to leave passengers stranded overnight in Lomé, despite the weather in Abuja clearing up and the aircraft being ready to return.
Taking to his official social media, Keyamo confirmed that he had contacted both his team and Air France to demand immediate action. He insisted that passengers be promptly flown back to Abuja or, if they had to stay in Lomé, they should receive proper accommodations and care according to international standards.
“I’ve been alerted about the situation involving mostly Nigerian passengers stuck in Lomé by Air France. I stressed that they must return to Abuja tonight, or if they stay in Lomé, they should be treated according to best international standards,” Keyamo tweeted on Thursday night.
Passengers, understandably upset, had voiced concerns about the lack of communication and the potential for being left stranded. Thankfully, due to Keyamo’s intervention, efforts were made to ensure their safe return to Abuja.
Naira Continues to slide Against Dollar At The Black Market
Troops Nab Notorious Bandit, Hassan in Zamfara
FG speaks As Air France Diverts to Togo, Leaving Nigerian Passengers Stranded
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News10 hours agoBREAKING! It’s all over for Gov Fubara as Supreme Court orders CBN to stop allocations
-
News23 hours agoEFCC alerted to switch into action immediately as Rivers people money is being loaded into aircraft
-
News10 hours agoAkpabio V Natasha: Female Senator vows to open his underbelly as group petitions Senate
-
News17 hours agoGovt closes schools for 5 weeks for Ramadan
-
News23 hours agoJUST IN: Meranda Formally Resigned as Speaker – Obasa
-
News9 hours agoBREAKING! Supreme Court fires all Rivers LG Chairmen
-
News10 hours agoAngry Natasha exposes passes made to her by Akpabio
-
News17 hours agoRamdan: Look for moon today, Sultan tells Muslims