The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has charged the Judges and Staff of the National Industrial Court to always be at par with the technological trends happening the world over, especially as it relates to the Justice sector. Mr. Akpata made this known while delivering his address at the commencement ceremony of the 2020/2021 New legal Year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) at Abuja on the 5th of October, 2020.

According to the respected gentleman, the event of the pandemic—COVID 19; has taught everyone lessons that must be learnt. He considered that the effects of the pandemic has brought some notable changes in the administration of Justice with the virtual hearing of cases by various courts, as well as the virtual conduct of the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Bar Association. This he said were various proofs of technical awakening and as such the Justice sector cannot afford to miss out on the opportunities it presents.

On the need for financial Independence for the Judiciary, he stated that the NBA would take up measures to address the situation within the existing legal framework. As the true independence of the Judiciary is interwoven with the financial Independence of the court, hence, it is a sad scenario when heads of various courts are seen going ‘a-begging’ to the executive arm in order to carry out needed reforms within the Judiciary—another arm of government. He likened such a scenario to a ‘Master-Servant’ relationship, whilst he condemned it.

Mr. Olumide Akpata, however, did not miss out on praising the Industrial Court for recent developments and successes recorded by the court, noting that the Judges, staff and the industrial court remains a model for others. He commended their dutifulness in carrying out their mandate as a specialized labour court and further reaffirmed his commitment and partnership with the court moving forward.

A Nigerian Army colonel has been abducted by bandits after running into an ambush along Abuja-Kaduna Highway, military sources told Peoples Gazette, as received by Equity News.

SB Onifade was on a road trip at about 3:00 a.m. on September 27 when he was abducted. He has yet to be found and no arrests have been made in connection with the violence, which occurred near the Olam Farms axis of the crucial highway.

The officer was not in military uniform when he was kidnapped, military sources said.

The Gazette learnt that the development has sent panic through the Nigerian Army Headquarters, which promptly issued a warning to officers to be wary of road trips.

Motorists have become increasingly fearful about using Abuja-Kaduna Highway amidst worsening exploits of kidnappers, whose number and intensity have failed to subside despite several interventions by security forces.

A spokesperson for the Nigerian Army did not immediately return requests seeking comments about Mr. Onifade’s abduction Monday afternoon.

Source: peoplesgazette.com

Akin Alabi has filed a motion before the House of Representatives asking for an urgent dissolution of the dreaded police special anti-robbery squad, SARS.

Mr. Alabi, APC-Oyo, said there is enough evidence in the public domain to proscribe SARS immediately, warning that the unit has committed enough atrocities.

Mr. Alabi said SARS operatives have become so lawless that even the police inspector-general can no longer contain their excesses, decrying how Nigerians now harbour untold fear of the deadly and corrupt unit.

“Policing in Nigeria continues to fall short of modern practices where citizens should be treated with utmost respect and decorum, therefore making it very difficult for an average citizen to truly trust that the police are their friends,” Mr. Alabi said.

Lawmakers were notified of the motion today and would likely be considered at a plenary this week.

The demand came after widespread outcry against SARS deadly and crooked conduct led to an emotional weekend for the country.

Inspector-General Muhammed Adamu responded to the outrage by announcing yet another restriction of SARS officers from the road, a decision Nigerians, including Mr. Alabi, said was superfluous and did not go far enough.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved an upward review of teachers salaries and retirement.

The president increased years of service from 35 to 40 for all Nigerian teachers in primary and secondary schools.

Education minister Adamu Adamu announced the administration’s decision on Monday afternoon in Abuja.

The development capped decades of agitation by early school workers that the government should implement an upward review of their retirement and salaries.

Details shortly…

The defence headquarters on Monday said its troops have killed two suspected bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Defence spokesperson John Enenche said the bandits were neutralised on Sunday by troops of “Operation Thunder Strike” deployed to Rijana village along the expressway.

Mr. Enenche also said the troops recovered two locally made guns while many bandits escaped with gunshots wounds.

Despite the military’s reports about tackling insecurity along the dangerous Abuja-Kaduna expressway, kidnapping and banditry persist. Many travelers prefer to travel by rail because of that insecurity.

Gunmen abducted dozens on the expressway in June and July. The gunmen have not been found or prosecuted.

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has constituted a task force to secure the release of a 25-year-old lawyer, Abisola Paulette Ajayi, who was abducted on Sunday night.

Akpata, who made the disclosure in a series of tweets on his handle, said he had also spoken to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Attorney-General of Rivers State as well as the Police Command in the state to request their assistance for Ajayi’s safe return.

It was gathered that Ajayi, a Masters student of the University of Science and Technology (UST) in Rivers State, was abducted on October 4, 2020 in front of her home in Rumukurushi, Port Harcourt, by men dressed in combat fatigues and dark T-shirts.

Her mother, Ngozi Ajayi, was punched when she attempted to save her daughter.

The task force is headed by NBA 1st Vice-President, John Aikpokpo-Martins.

Its other members are: Kunle Edun (Welfare Secretary); Prince Nyekwere (Chairman NBA PH); Victor Frank-Briggs; Irene Pepple; Anthonia Osademe (Vice-Chairman NBA Port Harcourt) and Ngozi Ajayi.

The NBA urged the public that any useful information on the matter be made available to the NBA Welfare Secretary or the Vice Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) said it would soon meet to decide the fate of the ongoing recruitment of constables invalidated by a judgement of the Court of Appeal last Wednesday.

Its Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said the commission was getting calls from people that took part in the 2019 recruitment and others currently taking part in this year’s exercise to know their fate.

He said a way forward would be taken at the meeting when it holds.

The Commission described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law, adding that they will continue to work with the Nigeria Police for the collective good of the nation.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate during September 19 governorship election in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has faulted result of the exercise, which he claimed was marred with violence and voters intimidation, saying he would continue pursuing pre-election suits in courts as provided for in democratic system.

He explained that though he won’t challenge the election results through an election petition, he had resolved to pursue the two pre-election cases filed against PDP and its flagbearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election.

Ize-Iyamu alleged that contrary to free, fair exercise being reported by the media, state officials and supporter of Governor Godwin Obaskeki took to hostile and provocative actions as means to intimidate voters and opposition parties supporters.

Through a statement released to newsmen on Monday by his Campaign Council’s Media Head,  John Mayaki, Ize-Iyamu hinted that results were falsified and that there were unlawful cancellations of results in many local government areas of the state.

“Sadly, two persons were killed during the election, while gun-wielding thugs took over collation centres in many locations without the intervention of law-enforcement agents. There were also several cases of malfunctioning card readers, which disenfranchised duly registered voters, in addition to many cases of unregistered voters voting with pre-purchased voters’ cards not collected by their actual owners.

“These malpractices could easily form the basis to challenge the election results. We have however decided not to commence an election petition. This is to avoid further tension in the state. We are also mindful that the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and many well-placed individuals have made pronouncements endorsing the process, which we have chosen to respect.

“Nonetheless, we must emphasize that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flagbearers have continued to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totalling 13. One such cases came up in the High Court, Benin on 2nd October, 2020, days after the election.

“On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flagbearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election. These are all lawful and integral parts of the electoral process in any democracy, which we must all respect and acknowledge as genuine democrats. The outcome of these pending cases has direct effect on the election. Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also continue with their pre-election cases against us.

“Let me conclude by noting that our cause to uplift our state using the democratic system is a noble mission from which we SHALL NEVER waiver. As law-abiding citizens, we must all continue to believe in the electoral process as an important part of the democratic system, as it remains the best method of choosing who leads the people, devoid of violence and avoidable acrimony,’’ the statement said.