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Tag: CJ

  • CJ advocates closer Bar, Bench ties

    Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade,  has called for closer ties between the Bar and Bench for better justice delivery.

    She spoke while inaugurating the Lawyers’ Changing Room renovated for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, by the judiciary.

    According to her, a symbiotic relationship between the two is imperative if the wheel of justice is to run smoothly.

    The CJ urged lawyers to maintain the highest level of diligence and integrity in the discharge of their duties.

    The ceremony also marked the launch of a coffee-making machine donated to the branch by Patoreal Limited.

    NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Martin Ogunleye praised Justice Atilade for fostering excellent relations with the Bar.

    He noted that the Lagos CJ had earlier upgraded the foyer used by the branch for its monthly meetings and other activities to a world-class facility.

    Ogunleye added: “My Lord is a shining example of how the Bench can support the Bar to drive reform and engender progress.

    “We continue to receive tremendous support from Your Lordship on all fronts for which we are very grateful.”

    The branch secretary, Mr. Stephen Obajaja, stated that the new Changing Room would impact positively on the lifestyle of lawyers, and thanked Justice Atilade and her management team “for bequeathing this great edifice to Lagos lawyers and posterity.”

    Among those at the ceremony were Justice Opeyemi Oke, Justice Yetunde Idowu; Chief Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Ogundare; Deputy Chief Registrar (Legal), Mrs. Femi Segun, Deputy Chief Registrar (Administration), Mrs. S. Solebo and a member of the State House of Assembly (Eti-Osa II Constituency) Gbolahan Yishawu.

  • Ecobank vs Honeywell: Court directs CJ to re-assign case

    Ecobank vs Honeywell: Court directs CJ to re-assign case

    The Court of Appeal in Lagos has directed the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to re-assign a winding-up petition by Ecobank Nigeria Limited against Honeywell Flour Mills Plc.

    Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo said justice demands that both sides must be heard. She made no order as to cost.

    The justice upheld an appeal by Honeywell against an ex-parte order made by Justice Mohammed Yunusa last December 4.

    The company appealed against partial freezing of its accounts following an application by Ecobank’s lawyer Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN), an insolvency expert.

    Justice Yunusa had restrained Honeywell Group’s chairman, Dr Oba Otukedo, the company’s directors and subsidiaries from withdrawing from any bank or financial institution.

    But Honeywell, through its lawyer Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) sought to discharge the order.

    Justice Yunusa, in his ruling, on the application to discharge the order, held that the company could withdraw up to N60million in a month (N15million only per week) pending when the suit was heard and determined to enable Honeywell Group meet its financial obligations.

    Dissatisfied with the ruling, Honeywell appealed, insisting that it wants full access to its funds. The suit is sequel to an alleged N3. 5 billion unpaid loan facility which Ecobank gave Honeywell.

    Justice Obaseki-Adejumo said Justice Yunusa made the ex-parte order without notice to Honeywell. She said it violated the rules guiding winding-up petitions.

    According to her, the rules state that every application in such a petition shall be by motion on notice to the person against whom the order was to be made.

    “Justice of the case demands that both side be heard. The ruling of the Federal High Court is hereby set aside. The petition shall be assigned to another judge for necessary action. Parties shall bear their costs,” she held.

    Ecobank had also appealed a ruling by Justice Mohammed Idris striking out contempt proceedings initiated against it by Achorage Leisures Limited and its sister company Siloam Global Services Limited, both of which are subsidiaries of Honeywell Group.

    They accused the bank of disobeying an earlier directive by the judge that all parties should maintain status ante-bellum, which the bank denied.

  • Wike to swear in Okocha as CJ today

    Wike to swear in Okocha as CJ today

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike will today swear in Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha as the state’s Chief Judge (CJ).

    A statement yesterday by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said the ceremony would hold at the Executive Council Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt at 10am.

    All invited guests are expected to be seated at the venue of the swearing-in by 9.30 am.

  • Senior staff use juniors to perpetrate fraud, says Lagos CJ

    Senior staff use juniors to perpetrate fraud, says Lagos CJ

    A secret investigation conducted by the Lagos State judiciary has revealed that junior bank workers who are caught and prosecuted for electronic or card fraud are usually stooges of senior bank officials.

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, who made this revelation during the 6th Annual Payment Systems and Fraud Conference of the E-Payment Providers’ Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), added that bank workers are usually reluctant to appear as witnesses in court and when they do, the evidence they provide is usually “against logic.”

    Mrs. Atilade, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, said: “The rate of electronic fraud in banking is alarming. From evidence before the courts the involvement of workers in financial institutions in aiding most of the fraud, is established.

    “Every time we have a case of somebody losing money from card fraud, money transfer or something like that, we find out that bank workers don’t like to come to court to give evidence.

    “Even when they come they give evidence that is against logic, and, of course, there’s no way we can convict on the basis of such evidence.”

    Mrs. Atilade added that junior workers such as cleaners or gatemen are usually used to commit such fraud.

    “We have also established that most of the defendants are workers within the banks, they could be cleaners or even gatemen.

    “Secret investigations have revealed that it is those who are supposed to be their managers, those who are in charge of ATMs that actually release cards to these junior bank officers to go and get money from someone’s account.

    “But of course this is a secret investigation there’s no way we can rely on that to secure convictions.”

    Speaking earlier, Susan Potgeiter, the head of the Commercial Crime Office, South Africa Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) called on stakeholders in the e-payment market in Nigeria to collaborate in sharing information about card fraud.

    Otunba Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)), revealed that there was a low suspect apprehension rate of card fraud perpetrators in 2014 in Nigeria.

    He said of the 1,461 cases of card fraud valued at over N7.75b recorded in 2014, only 41 suspects were apprehended with transactions valued at over N899 million.

  • Kogi CJ advocates constant training for judicial officers

    Kogi CJ advocates constant training for judicial officers

    The Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasir Ajanah (CON) has called for the constant training and re-training of judicial officers, including the area of Internet Computer Technology (ICT) to enhance their capacity and efficiency in the administration of justice.

    Ajanah made the call while declaring open a 10-day induction seminar/workshop for newly appointed magistrates, Area Court judges and Registrars at the state High Court complex, Lokoja.

    The Chief Judge described the job of judicial officers as onerous and therefore requiring of up-to-date skills, knowledge and instinct that would enable them perform optimally and efficiently in the
    dispensation of justice.

    Ajanah who noted that the programme for new magistrates (seven) and Area Court judges (12) and three Registrars in the state as the first of its kind, said magistrates were before now appointed and sent out without proper training, a practice he observed as being
    counter-productive.

    “You are going to be faced with a lot of criminal cases so it is important for you to know how important it is for you to conduct yourselves in such a way that will bring honour to your profession.
    You will have to know how to access electronic evidence and use it. You are going to be dealing with cases with some involving electronic mails or even telephone sms,” he said.

    He urged them to abide by their Code of Conduct and maintain cordial relationship with the registry.

    According to the Chief Judge, the training which is expected to last from November 16 to 25, would cover Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Code of Conduct, Relationship with the Bar and court procedures among others.

    It will be recalled that the Chief Judge last week, and with approval of the state Judicial Service Commission appointed seven new magistrates and 12 Area Court judges following vacancies created by
    retirements and death among others.

    Responding on behalf of the participants, Ms. Rashidat Adinoyi expressed gratitude to the state judiciary for the appointment and training opportunity.

  • Lagos Customary court law for review, says CJ

    Lagos Customary court law for review, says CJ

    The 2011 Customary Court Law of Lagos State is to be amended to expand the scope of operations of customary court judges, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, has said.

    Addressing new Presidents and Judges of Customary Courts during their swearing–in ceremony at the High Court, Ikeja, Lagos last week, Justice Atilade said officials of the court are already working with the Ministry of Justice to amend the law with a view to increasing the jurisdiction of the courts.

    “In the past, the Customary Court Law had the jurisdiction to entertain cases involving tenement rates, sanitation issues, minor road traffic offences.

    “With the 2011 Customary Court Law, the jurisdiction of the Customary Courts in civil matters as provided for in Section 25 of the Customary Court Law 2011 is limited to matrimonial matters, issues of inheritance not exceeding N500,000.00 and civil bye-laws.  In criminal matters, the jurisdiction of the Customary Court is only limited to contempt in the face of the court as provided in Section 40 of the Law”, she noted.

    The Chief Judge pointed out that the Local Councils and LCDAs are responsible for the salaries, allowances, provision of court rooms and maintenance of such court rooms.

    In view of the responsibility of the Local Government Council and LCDAs, she said it would be necessary to increase the jurisdiction of these courts to accommodate minor offences such as minor traffic and sanitation offences which do not require custodial sentences .

    She said that the state government and the judiciary are also looking at the establishment of a Customary Court of Appeal for the state, noting that at the moment, all appeals from the Customary Courts go to the Magistrate Courts.

    Justice Atilade pointed out that with the pausity of Customary Court Judges in the state, it became expedient for the  Judicial Service Commission to  commence the process of recruiting persons of proven character and good standing in the society into the positions of Presidents and Members of the Customary Courts to replace such persons who had been disengaged by age, tenure or death.

    According to her, there are 52 Customary Courts spread all over the state with each Local Government Council or LCDA having at least one court.

    Justice Atilade congratulated all the newly appointed Presidents and members of the Customary Courts as Customary Court Judges of Lagos State.

    The Chief Judge admonished the new appointees to be diligent , fair

    and impartial, stressing that the attributes of a judge include but not limited to humility, impartiality ,knowledge of the customs of the land  and being a good listener .

    “A Judge must be above board whether in court or out of court .Above  all you must always bear in mind that in all you do, there is an ultimate Judge”, she stated.

     

     

  • CJ reverses transfer order on trial of ex-council chairman

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has reversed his decision transferring the trial of the former Caretaker Chairman of the Ogori/Mangogo Local Government Area of Kogi State, Gabriel Daudu to Justice P.M. Ayua of the Lokoja Judicial Division.

    The reversal of the order of Justice Auta was sequel to an appeal made to his office by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its lead counsel, Wahab Shittu.

    The EFCC, which is prosecuting Dauda, had in a letter dated August 19, and signed by its Director, Legal and Prosecution Department, Chile Okoromu,  informed Shittu of the new posture of Justice Auta on the matter.

    “Please be informed that the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has reversed his earlier decision concerning the above mentioned case and has therefore directed that it be re-assigned to Honourable Justice I. E. Ekwo for conclusion,” the letter stated in part.

    In view of this development, the trial of Gabriel Daudu would no longer start de-novo, but to now continue and be concluded  under the former trial judge, Justice I. E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Lokoja.

    The reversal of order by the Chief Judge was sequel to series of letters of appeal written by the EFCC through its counsel, Wahab Shittu, pleading that the matter be concluded by the trial judge, who has been handling it since it commenced.

    The case of Daudu, file number FHC/LKJ/17C/2011, was one of the four cases that were being prosecuted by a team of prosecutors led by Wahab Shittu on behalf of the EFCC, before Justice Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Lokoja, before his transfer to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State last year. Other cases include FRN Vs Yahaya Abubakar (FHC/LKJ/15C/2011); FRN Vs Raji Owuda Ahmed (FHC/LKJ/17C/2011) and FRN Vs Stephen Ropo Asala (FHC/LKJ/16C/2011).

    In 2014, Justice Inyang Ekwo was transferred out of Lokoja, which prompted the EFCC, through its lead counsel, Wahab Shittu, to appeal to Justice Auta to allow Justice Ekwo continue with the matter.

    Shittu had in a letter addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Auta, dated June 30, 2015 said: “Parties in the proceedings including the prosecution and the defence were well shocked during proceedings of the court on June 29, 2015 when his lordship, Honourable Justice I. E. Ekwo informed the parties of the directive to commence the matter de novo before another judge of the Federal High Court”.

    He had expressed displeasure over the development and urged the Chief Judge to take a second look at the case with a view to reviewing the decision. He argued that the directive starting the matter afresh would lead to great inconvenience and injustice to the parties.

    “We are constrained to inform His Lordship that this matter, which has been pending for almost five years has progressed to an advanced stage with both the prosecution and the defence having closed their respective cases paving the way for addresses by counsel.

    “In the light of the above and in the interest of justice, we humbly appeal to His Lordship to allow the presiding judge, Honorable Justice I. E. Ekwo, to conclude this matter, in view of the length of time it has taken and the progress already recorded in the proceedings.

    “We believe that in view of the above and the seriousness and urgency guiding the treatment of corruption related cases, His Lordship would treat this request strictly on the merits in the interest of speedy and fairer adjudication of corruption related cases, given the length of time involved and progress recorded in the proceedings”, he added.

    Daudu, who was also a lawmaker in the Kogi State House of Assembly, is currently facing an amended 210-count of money laundering and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of about N1.4bn.

     

     

     

     

  • Ebonyi APC condemns appointment of CJ’s wife into Umahi’s Exco

    The Ebonyi State All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the appointment of the wife of the Chief Judge (CJ), Mrs Lilian Nwankwo, as the Sole Administrator of the state’s Local Government Service Commission.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting and signed by its Acting Chairman, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze and Publicity Secretary, Ngaji Nwodo, the party noted that such appointment would have effect on the Judiciary.

    According to the communiqué, the APC noted the unpreparedness of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration for good leadership, as demonstrated by its policies and administrative summersaults, including vindictiveness.

    It said: “This shows that it is not only lacking in focus and ideas but it is also not the type of government Ebonyi residents are yearning for.”

    APC pledged to build one indivisible, indissoluble and united front to win future elections in the state.

    It said: “To achieve this, the meeting advised that all known internal wrangling and cleavages – wherever they had existed – should be eradicated to ensure that the APC wins all future elections, especially the governorship election.

    The party expressed appreciation for its optimum growth, as recorded by the recent influx of members of other parties into its fold.

    APC said: “The new members would be accorded equal rights and opportunities, as provided for in the party’s constitution.”

    But PDP’s State Chairman Joseph Onwe noted that APC’s criticism of Mrs Nwankwo’s appointment was political.

    He said: “The appointment has nothing to do with the Judiciary, as the Chief Judge’s wife is neither a judge nor a member of the Judiciary.”

    The PDP chairman said she would not meddle in the affairs of the Judiciary.

    Onwe said the policies of the state government under the PDP were aimed at developing the state and bringing democratic dividends to the people.

    He said: “Other states are applying the same policies because they are aimed at reducing the costs of governance and bringing development to the people.”

  • CJ solicits Lagos speaker’s assistance on autonomy for judiciary

    CJ solicits Lagos speaker’s assistance on autonomy for judiciary

    Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunlayo Atilade, has sought the assistance of Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, for financial autonomy of the judiciary with a view to managing its activities and resources effectively just as obtainable in the House of Assembly.  The Chief Judge said the call for assistance has become necessary because of the challenges it has had to contend with in the recent past due to dearth of resources and or failure of the relevant agencies to release its money when due.

    Atilade who was represented at a courtesy visit to the speaker by the Chief Registrar, Emmanuel Ogundare, said if the judiciary has  financial autonomy it will help dispense justice faster and more efficiently and also deal with other issues confronting it.  The CJ also advised the lawmakers to always furnish her office with a copy of any bill it intends to pass in order to have input of her office for more robust legislation.

    According to her, it is unfortunate that despite the fact that bills being attended to by the House is normally published before passage, the judiciary don’t normally get copies on time to make meaningful contribution, she urged the speaker to look into it so that they can make full contribution to it.

    While congratulating the Speaker for his election as the leader of the eight Assembly, the Chief Registrar who was accompanied by Mr. Olumide Lawal, Director Finance and Admin, Mrs. Adio BJ, Director of Account, Mrs. Deni Ajayi, Deputy Chief Registrar, also pleaded with the House to look at its budget favourably by the time the next budget is presented to the House.

    Responding, Obasa commended the Chief Judge for her efforts at ensuring speeding delivering of justice in the state since assumption of office, he also commended her effort at ensuring that innocent persons who are held behind bars for number of years are set free through her recent effort.   He assured the CJ that the House will look into the judiciary budget when the time comes with a view to assisting them to achieve their aims and objectives.

    The speaker also said on the financial autonomy the judiciary seeks the House will work with the ministry of justice to see how it can be done.  He noted that the issue of autonomy for the judiciary is not new as the issue came up during the 7th Assembly but the problem with the autonomy of the judiciary at that time was that they wanted their capital budget to be given to them directly.

    He assured however that they would look at how the autonomy can be achieved by working with relevant agencies to get the best result.  He also promised that the Assembly will ensure that copies of bills being processed by the House are forwarded to the judiciary to ensure its comprehensive input.  With the speaker to receive the team from the judiciary were Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, Hon. Bayo Oshinowo, among others.

     

  • CJ, Olanipekun support Lagos Law Week

    CJ, Olanipekun support Lagos Law Week

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade has assured the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch of her full support in hosting a successful Law Week for its members. The annual high-profile event is scheduled for June 24 to 26 at the MUSON Centre and City Hall, Lagos.

    Former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has also pledged to support the chapter in ensuring that the Law Week is a huge success, even as he made an immediate cheque donation to cushion teething logistical challenges usually encountered in hosting such event while promising to do more.

    Justice Atilade made the pledge while receiving a high-powered joint delegation of NBA Lagos Executive Committee and the Law Week Committee members in her chambers at Ikeja. The State Chief Judge promised that the judiciary would play an active role in the three-day programme, adding: “We look forward to the Law Week. I assure you of our participation as usual, especially at the Law Dinner. We would make sure judges attend.”

    Justice Atilade, who received the delegation alongside Justice Abdulfattah Lawal, Magistrate Emmanuel Ogundare (Chief Registrar) and Magistrate Demi Ajayi (DCR, Legal) among other senior officers of the State judiciary, also promised the delegation that the judiciary would take active part in the Bar/Bench Forum to be held during the Law Week.

    NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka who led the delegation had while speaking earlier, informed the Justice Atilade that the theme for this year’s Law Week is “The Future of the Legal  Profession: Protection from Exploitation.”