A group, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-Nigeria), has decried congestion at Port Harcourt Maximum Security Prison and “the inhuman condition under which inmates are held.”
It said it noticed during its visit to the prison that the facility, designed for 804 people, held 3,752 inmates, of which 3,283 were awaiting trial, with only 469 convicted, making it the prison with the highest number of awaiting trial inmates in the country.
The group urged Governor Nyesom Wike and the Chief Judge, Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, to reverse the situation.
It made its request in its letters to Governor Wike and Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra, dated February 2, signed by its Executive Director, Sylvester Uhaa.
The organisation said the situation posed health, economic and social danger for the inmates, their families and state.
It added that the overcrowding of the prison constituted security threat to the host community and prison officials in case of riot or jailbreak.
“The detention of 3,283 suspects, representing 87.5 per cent of the population, is one of the greatest and brutal forms of human rights violation,” the body said.
It enjoined the chief judge “to visit the prison, review cases of those awaiting trial and make recommendations for speedy trial.”
The group asked the governor to direct those charged with ensuring justice delivery to perform.
It requested Wike to ask the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to work with the House of Assembly to domesticate the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as this would solve some of the problems.
Tag: CJ
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Wike, CJ urged to act on 3,283 awaiting trial cases
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CJ fetes orphans, elderly
The Judiciary will assist disabled persons and the less privileged to achieve their dreams of becoming useful citizens, the Lagos State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Olufunlayo Atilade, has said.
Justice Atilade spoke when she visited Bethesda Home for the Blind (a vocational training centre), Oloosa, Mushin; Holy Family Home for the Elderly at Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin and Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment in Akoka, Lagos.
She donated relief materials and celebrated the New Year with the inmates.
The CJ was accompanied on the visit by the Head of the Family Court, Justice Yetunde Idowu, Justice Iyabo Kasali, Justice Morenike Obadina, the Chief Registrar, Mr Emmanuel Ogundare and principal officers of the judiciary.
She said her visit was to let the inmates be aware that they were not alone and that she was ready to assist them to make their dreams become a reality.
The blind students President, Emmanuel Ikpeamaeze told the Chief Judge and her entourage that they have brought joy to their lives with the visit.
Ikpeamaeze, who said the visit also demonstrated that they still matter in the society prayed for CJ and her team saying, “as you have come to sew in our lives, so shall you reap abundantly in your life”.
The CJ told the elderly persons at the Holy Family Home for the Elderly, Mushin, not to despair because they are far from their homes and families and assured the inmates of the capabilities of the care givers to take good care of them.
Justice Atilade who said she was conscious of the fact that everyone would get old one day also assured them of her continued support.
The centre’s Coordinator, Sister Anthonia Adebowale, said it established to care for the physical and spiritual needs of the elderly persons “even in death”.
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Fire guts CJ’ s chamber at Igbosere
The High Court of Lagos state, Igbosere was thrown into pandemonium on Wednesday as fire ravaged the chambers of the Chief Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade.
Witnesses said that the fire started few minutes after workers resumed for duties at 8.00 a.m.
The fire was said to have been caused by a spark from one of the air-conditioning unit in the Chief judge’s chamber.The chamber of the Chief Judge is on the top floor of the old building facing Catholic Mission Street, Lagos.
The courtroom is reserved for use of the Chief Judge whenever she is in the Lagos division of the court.It was gathered that the fire started when one of the cleaners switched on the faulty air-conditioner and left the courtroom.
Another account has it that the fire was noticed by a security woman popularly called Alhaja who raised alarm.
The security woman was said to have been hurriedly taken to the hospital as a result of the smoke she allegedly inhaled before the arrival of the firefighters.The building was saved from being razed down following the quick intervention of Lagos State Fire Service that prevented the fire from spreading to other courtrooms.
However, it took the firefighter about one hour to put out the fire which was emitting heavy smoke from the court room.
It was observed that the fire incidence disrupted judiciary activities as litigants were evacuated from the premises and the gates locked.
But, some of the furniture and bookshelves in the CJ’s chamber were partly destroyed in the incident .
An eyewitness, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said he was in the office when he was informed that there was a fire outbreak.
According to the witness who is a court registrar, “the fire started from one of the air-conditioning unit in the CJ’s chamber. But, before anyone could get to know about it, it has gone out of control”. -
Judge returns case on NBA poll to CJ
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has returned the suit filed by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) against the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and others to the Chief Judge for re-assignment.
“I will return this case file to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court for assignment to another judge who will proceed with the case and I will proceed on my own vacation,” the judge said.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), told the court that parties had been served with the processes, adding that the proof of service was in the court file.
Justice Adeniyi earlier refused to give a return date, saying: “I will not impose a date on the court that will continue with this matter.”
Ngige led Sebatine Hon (SAN) and 18 others for the plaintiff; Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN), A. A. Malik, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Paul Erekoro (SAN) appeared for the defendants.
Gadzama is challenging the outcome of last month’s NBA election as it relates to the office of the President.
He is seeking the following reliefs:
- A declaration that the Defendants jointly and/or severally are bound by the provisions of the Constitution of the NBA amended and adopted in August 2015 and must in all matters relating to, connected with the business and or affairs of the Association, obey and give effect to the provisions thereof.
- A declaration that that the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position of the President held on July 30 and 31, 2016 under the supervision of the 8th to 14th Defendants, which purportedly produced the 15th Defendant as President, was in total violation and disregard of the mandatory provisions of the NBA Constitution 2015, Election Guidelines set down for the said Election fell short of established standards and international best practices, thereby making the said Election null, void and of no effect whatsoever.
- That the internet voting mechanism, method and system adopted for the conduct of the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position of the President held on July 30 and 31, 2016 was not in conformity with the mandatory provisions of the NBA Constitution 2015, in that all the pre-requisite preparations, obligations and duties provided for under the Constitution to guarantee free, fair, credible and transparent electronic voting system were ignored, disregarded and or not complied with by the Defendants.
- That the integrity of the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position of the President organised by the 8th to 14th, Defendants on 30th and 31st July 2016, which purportedly returned the 15th Defendant as President was fundamentally and incurably compromised by undue influence, overbearing, biased conduct and utterances of the 14th Defendant (Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN) through the media and at Bar meetings before and during the Election and thereby robbed the conduct of the election of every element of impartiality, independence and transparency as required by established standards and international best practices.
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Law School class of 85 to honour CJ, SANs
The Class of 85 of Nigeria Law School will honour some of its members, who have distinguished themselves in various spheres of the legal profession tomorrow.
The event coincides with the ongoing Annual General Conference of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) taking place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Chairman of the class, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), in a statement, said four high court judges, six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANS), two professors of law, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and three other members, who had distinguished themselves and uplifted the profile of the class, would be honoured at the annual class reunion.
The event will hold by 2pm at the Asia Town Chinese Restaurant in GRA, Port Harcourt.
Among the judges to be honored are the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Oyebola Ojo; Justices Sabiu Yahuza of the Federal High Court; Jude Okeke of High Court of Federal Capital Territory and Justice Ada Onyetenu of Federal High Court.
Among the SANs to be honored are Chief Joe Odey-Agi; Mr. Dejo Lamikanra; Mr. Charles Obishai; Sir Granville Abibo; Sir Emeka Anaenugwu and Mr. Aham Eke-Ejelam.
Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mr Taiwo Abidogun and the Director of Civil Litigation in the same ministry, Mr. Dayo Apata, would be honoured.
The university dons on the honour list are the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa, and her Rivers State University of Science and Technology counterpart, Prof. Sunday Okogbule.
The Chief Registrar of National Industrial Arbitration Panel, Hajia Hajara Usman, former Group Company Secretary of NNPC, Mr. Ike Oguine and former Director of Legal Services of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr . Moses Adediran are among those to be honored.
The Class leader, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) is expected to declare the reunion open.
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Protect citizens’ rights, CJ tells lawyers
Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, has urged lawyers to do more to protect citizens’ rights.
He spoke during the inauguration of the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Bar Centre, built bythe Aguata branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as part of its 2016 Law Week.
“Let this Bar Centre promote issues relating to personal liberties of the citizens. Let it promote the rights of citizens to be heard, fair hearing, speedy justice delivery, law, justice and peace in the state,” he said.
Umeadi paid tribute to former Vice President Dr Alex Ekwueme, after whom the building is named.
“This edifice is named after our leader, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme. He was first an architect by profession in which he established his proficiency and achieved renown the world over. He established himself, attained land- mark and iconic achievements all over the country
“He veered into law and this is why he is being honoured here today as a lawyer. Let this building replicate the virtues of this great man in whose honour it is named.
“Let it turn out Senior Advocates of Nigeria, jurists, great politicians of repute, and let us also witness the enrolment of young men and women into the legal profession,” Umeadi stated
Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), who gave the keynote address with the theme: The legal profession: an agent of change for a value-driven nation, said law has remained an instrument of social engineering, adding that members of the legal profession have a great role to play in society’s development.
He urged lawyers to continue to make meaningful contributions to the country’s development.
The maiden edition of the Frontline Bar Journal was launched, while the presenter, Chief Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), donated three computers and 300 seats to the Bar Centre.
The branch chairman, Mr. Sebastine Anyia, described the occassion as special.
Recalling how his early days in the branch, he said: “I came to the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Camp at Umunya in October 2003 as Corp member and thereafter I was posted to Aguata, the law office of Mr. H. M, Ejirn for my primary place of assignment.
“We were five lawyers posted to his office. I was the last to report but before I got there, I was told that he had tested the first four Corp members, but luckily he accepted me. He sat me down and told me the following words: ‘My son, you are a man, this is the profession that will keep food on your table, build a house for you, marry a wife for you and train all your children.
“’The attention you give to the profession determines what you will be tomorrow. You are not a woman that a rich man may come from nowhere tomorrow and marry. You start from day one’. These golden words have remained in my memory till date,” Anyia stated.
On his first experience in Court, Anyia said: “It is interesting to place on record my first experience as a lawyer in the High Court of Justice, Ekwulobia.
“I appeared with my principal before Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu. My principal announced himself and added appearing with S. U. Anyia.
“I got up and bowed as the tradition demands, but as at the time I got up to bow, my lord was writing, so he did not see me stand up.
“Thereafter, my Lord then asked and who is the S. U. Anyia I got up. I received the first baptism office from my lord.
“My head became very heavy, I was looking for where to hide but there was none. After the court session, I told my principal that I wanted to go home, I did not think that I could cope.
“He laughed at me and said: ‘You have not seen anything yet. In this profession you do not allow yourself to be intimidated.’ But trust me, I avoided her court for over two months until I was forced by my principal to appear before my lord again. This experience strengthened me and gave me the courage to be firm. My lord, I thank you for that baptism of fire which I initially misconstrued,” Anyia said
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I’m not in hiding, says Abia CJ
Abia State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe yesterday denied insinuations that he ran into hiding last week to avoid swearing in Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah who was awarded certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
When Dr. Ogah arrived Umuahia last Thursday, the CJ was not available, prompting insinuations that she went into hiding.
But in a statement yesterday, she said she was in her office working at the time she was thought to have gone into hiding.
The acting Registrar of Abia State Judicary, Mrs. Vicky Analaba, said: “The attention of the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzoamaka Uzokwe, has been drawn to various spurious and mischievous reports alleging that the Honorable Chief Judge had absconded from her duty post on Thursday 30th June 2016, to avoid swearing in Uche Ogah as Governor of Abia State.
“Contrary to the allegations of cowardice by mischievous politicians, the Chief Judge, was in her office throughout work time on Thursday 30 June 2016 from 8:30am till 4:30pm.
“For the avoidance of doubt, on Thursday 30th June 2016, the Chief Judge was in her court room performing her lawful duties, including the delivery of four rulings on that date.
“The particulars of the ruling in question are: HU/35CM/2015 FRANCIS AKOR vs THE STATE; HU/ICM/2016-JOHNSON ASIEGBU vs. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, HU/42CM/2016-ONYEKACHI SAMUEL vs. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE; HU/34CM/2016-LUCKY SAMPSON vs. THE STATE.
“These facts are verifiable and in the records of the court. The various lawyers who appeared in the respective suits listed above are also living witnesses.
“This press release has become necessary in order to avoid further mischief and to set the records straight.”
Also yesterday, the Abia State government raised the alarm about what it described as an attempt by some individuals and “desperate politicians” to whisk away judicial officers.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ikpeazu, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, In a statement titled: “Plot to kidnap judiciary officers in Abia State”, warned those planning to carry out such a “nefarious act” to desist from it or be ready to face the consequences of their actions.
He warned that the state government would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law upon such persons.
While urging Abians to be vigilant while they go about their lawful duties and businesses, he urged them to report suspicious movements to security agencies, which he called upon to increase their surveillance around judicial officers to ensure that their lives were protected.
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‘Osun CJ didn’t grant order on debt profile’
Osun State has described as “totally false”, the report in some newspapers that the Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, granted an order compelling Governor Rauf Aregbesola to provide information about the state’s debt profile.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, urged reporters “to always cross-check facts before rushing to the press”.
He explained that the order granted the applicant on Wednesday was the right to put the other party – the governor – on notice.
The SSG stressed that it was not an order granting the substantive reliefs of the applicant.
He noted that a little due diligence by reporters would have revealed to them that the process leading to the report was made “ex-parte”, which means that the other party needs not be put on notice before such application for leave is heard by the court.
Adeoti added that a simple inquiry on the proceeding from the clerk of the court would have made the fact known to the reporters instead of rushing to the press without adequate understanding.
The statement reads: “It is both sad and disheartening a journalist would go to press with a story without cross-checking the facts. The report referred to above is total falsehood. The applicant in the case is a well-known member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ikeji Arakeji, who served in the last PDP administration in the state.
“The order of court granted him is the right to put the other party on notice, in this instance, the governor. It is not an order granting the substantive reliefs of the applicant.
The statement added that the Aregbesola administration “is a respecter of the judiciary and as such, would not do anything to undermine the judicial process in any way or shy away from defending the acts of government at any point it is called upon to do so”.
It called on the management of the relevant newspapers to call the reporters in question to order so that the news organisations would not be subjected to retracting stories at all times.
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CJ, NBA, others hail retired judge
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade has described Justice Adebisi Kayode-Ogunmekan (rtd) as a woman with profound intellectual depth.
Her deep knowledge of legal jurisprudence, the CJ said, is demonstrated in her judicial pronouncements.
Justice Atilade spoke at a valedictory court session in honour of Justice Kayode-Ogunmekan.
According to her, Justice Kayode-Oyemekun’s wealth of experience and ingenious resourcefulness at the Bar and in the Public service proved valuable as they were brought to bear on the job and earned her the deserved elevation to the High Court Bench almost two decades ago.
“Not only has our retiree proved her worth as a jurist of immense quality, Her Ladyship has also stood the test of time. A woman of excellence with a keen eye for details, whose strength of character was ably exemplified in her reliability, uprightness and forthrightness. Little wonder that she is loved and admired by all, including her brother and sister judges in the Lagos State Judiciary,” the CJ said.
Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association of Nigeria, Lagos Branch, Martin Ogunleye described the retired judge as an asset to the state judiciary. He said she promoted reconciliation in many cases that came before her.
Ogunleye added: “We at the Lagos Branch of NBA wish you a deserved rest and blissful retirement after 38 years of fruitful and rewarding public service, you have played your part and history will be kind to you when your role and time on the bench is chronicled.”
Justice Kayode-Oyemekun in her remarks, attributed her success at both the public service and the judiciary to the grace of God.
She expressed her profound appreciation to the state judiciary for a well deserved honour bestowed on her by all and sundry in the justice sector and more especially her brother and sister judges at the bench.
She used the occasion to call on appropriate authorities to provide better welfare packages for legal practitioners while also advising lawyers and judges alike to be mindful of their limitations in all legal proceedings by holding tenaciously to the guiding principles of the legal practice.
Justice Kayode-Ogunmekan was born into the family of Prince Michael Adedipupo Ogun, the late Olofin Ajaiye of Orugbo Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, in Lagos State on August 12, 1950.
She attended the Anglican Girls School, Broad Street, Lagos from January 1956-Decemebr 1958, and Children’s Home School, Molete, Ibadan between January 1959 – December 1963.
She enrolled at the prestigious Queen’s School, Ede in 1963 where she successfully completed her West African School Certificate Examination with distinction between 1964 and 1968.
She thereafter proceeded to Ijebu Ode Grammar School for her Higher Secondary Education Certificate (HSC) from 1969-1970.
She went further to obtain her General Certificate Examination (A-Levels), and her excellent performance in her chosen subjects earned her a direct admission to the University of Lagos, Akoka in 1971 for her Law degree. She was called to the Bar in July, 1975.
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CJ urges lawyers to keep fit
Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi has urged lawyers to keep fit physically.
He spoke while opening the maiden Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN) football competition for lawyers in the state.
The eight Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in the state participated. It was held at the Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha.
“It is not an accident that we are here at Ikpeazu Stadium today to mark commencement of this competition today. Chuba Ikpeazu was a great jurist whose love for football made him two time chairman of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) and history has made it that we are here today for this great event. He was a Queens Counsel (QC) just like the promoter of this tournament, Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN).
“Keep fit. Enjoy yourselves in the field of play and imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship. Football is bound to bring us together as it has always done and I am happy that this is happening at my time in the judiciary.”
On why he sponsored the tournament, Okafor said it was to ensure unity at the Bar and provide lawyers with an opportunity to ease off tension.
“Lawyers by their nature, do a lot of mental and intellectual work with little or no time to relax or ease off, so this will provide them the opportunity to do so, keep them physically fit and consequently remove unwarranted ailments from their system.
“At the same time, it will give lawyer the opportunity to make modest contributions to the socio- economic and political development of the country. Because lawyers are very knowledgeable, they constitute a very critical segment of the society.
“So, wherever they come together, they brainstorm, hold critical and frank discussions with constructive criticism which will one way or the other promote unity, socio-economic and political development,” Okafor said.
In his welcome address, Chairman of NBA Aguata branch, Mr. S. U. Anyia, who is also chairman of the Committee of branch chairmen and Secretaries of NBA in Anambra State, said: “ The importance of this competition cannot be over emphasized because it has taken us outside the arena of ‘I put to you’ to a convivial atmosphere that will give us a relaxed ambience, free from stress. It will also keep us physically fit and considerably reduce most sicknesses like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity and so on from us.”
In some of the games, Onitsha branch defeated Idemmili branch by 4-0; Aguata branch defeated Anaocha 4-2 in a penalty shootout, Awka branch defeated Otuocha by 3-0.