The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold governments at all levels accountable, its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) vowed yesterday after being sworn in.  He said the NBA would ensure that the rule of law is complied with and that it serves all irrespective of status.

Osigwe decried the loss of confidence in the judiciary and announced a plan to review appellate court judgments towards upholding the rule of law.

$1m fraud: EFCC nab syndicate for impersonating Olukoyede

The Nation Pg.26,ThisDay Pg.36

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a four-man syndicate for allegedly impersonating and blackmailing its Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, in a $1 million fraud.

The agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.  He said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at Gimbiya Street, Garki, and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja. Oyewale stated that the alleged fraudsters impersonated the EFCC Chairman and contacted a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, for a deal.

8 NDLEA Officers promoted for brave operation on waterways

Daily Sun Pg.5, Punch Pg.7, ThisDay Pg.37

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd.) has approved special promotion for eight officers of the Marine Command of the Agency for their brave and professional conduct during a recent operation to arrest drug traffickers and interdict canoes and boats moving illicit drugs from Ghana to Nigeria through the Lagos waterways.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to decorate the eight officers with their new ranks and also hand them commendation letters at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja yesterday, August 29,  2024, Marwa said, “every time we have a breakthrough, it tells the world a story about the new NDLEA we are working hard to build. It also reinforces our conviction as an organisation that we are on the right track. So, an occasion such as this is a source of pride for me.”

Court restrains Uzodimma, others from demolishing Imo market

Punch Pg.4

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, and the Central Market Complex Development and Investment Company, Donez Global Services Ltd, Joe Jonny Joyson Enterprises Ltd,  and Nigerian Export-Import Bank have been restrained as defendants either through their agents, servants, assigns, heirs, privies or any other person acting on their behalf from taking any further steps in furtherance of the forceful demolition and ejection of the rightful owners of the land and structures erected on the piece of land known as Central Market Layout, Owerri, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction by the applicants.

Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, Dr. Christian Nwadigo, who spoke on behalf of the plaintiffs’/landowners’ legal team, said the plaintiffs/applicants, who are, Incorporated Board of Trustees of Rhema Life Ministry International, Sunway Global Properties Ltd, Zero-One Global Properties Ltd, Ekpereamaka Jessica Nwankwo and Nwankwo Emmanuel were issued with a certificate of occupancy by the same Imo State Government who was forcefully trying to acquire the land without recourse to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy issued by it through the Ministry of Land, Survey and Urban Planning.

SGF, SSG Offices not creation of law – Anyim

Punch Pg.12

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, on Thursday, said the Offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Secretary to State Governments were not a creation of the law.

He stated that Sections 171(1)(2) and 208 of the 1999 Constitution only specified the SGF and the SSGs as officers whom the President and governors have the authority to appoint to exercise their executive powers.

 

 

LG financial autonomy: NBA to monitor compliance to Supreme Court judgment

Nigerian Tribune Pg.2

The 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said that the NBA, as the watchdog of society, shall set up a Local Governments Monitoring Committee to monitor and ensure strict compliance with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria granting financial independence and autonomy to the 774 local governments in Nigeria.

Osigwe, who disclosed this in his inaugural speech after being sworn in as the 32nd President of the umbrella body of lawyers in the country at the 2024 Annual General Conference of the NBA held in Lagos, said this will enhance good governance, deepen constitutional democracy, and promote the rule of law in the country.

End Bad Governance: Court strikes out suit against protesters, others

Nigerian Tribune Pg.24

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday threw out a suit instituted against the anti-hardship nationwide protesters for want of diligent prosecution.  Justice Peter Lifu struck out the suit following the absence of the 17 plaintiffs who instituted the suit and 26 defendants who were in court but were without legal representation.

The plaintiffs, who are from the six geopolitical zones of the country, had asked the court for an order to terminate the protest because their fundamental rights to freedom of movement, human dignity, right to own property, economic, social, and cultural development, and right to national peace and security had been breached.

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