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Tag: Court

  • Court orders status quo over installation of Onisemo of Lagos

    Court orders status quo over installation of Onisemo of Lagos

    The Lagos State High Court has ordered all parties to maintain the status quo in the dispute over the proposed installation of a new Onisemo of Lagos, pending further hearing in a suit challenging the selection process.

    The order was made following an application by members of the Onisemo Chieftaincy Family, who are contesting moves to install Mr. Lookman Bolaji Oluwa, also known as Lookman Noah Fagbayi, as the Onisemo of Lagos.

    The claimants (plaintiffs) in the suit are: Princess Olabiyi Kosoko, Mrs. Hawawu Abiodun Teluwo (suing for themselves and on behalf of the Onisemo Chieftaincy Family of Lagos) and Mr. Olusegun Adebiyi Gbolade.

    The defendants are: the Governor of Lagos State, the Attorney-General, Alayeluwa Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I (the Oba of Lagos), Executive Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government; Secretary, Chieftaincy Committee, Lagos Island Local Government; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Mr. Sodiq Abosupala and Mr. Lookman Bolaji Oluwa (a.k.a. Lookman Noah Fagbayi).

    At the hearing, Otunba Martins Ogunleye, counsel to the claimants, informed the court that while the first to sixth defendants had been served with the originating processes, service was yet to be effected on the seventh and eighth defendants.

    He moved a motion ex parte dated September 23, 2025, supported by a 22-paragraph affidavit, eight exhibits and a written address, urging the court to grant interim reliefs.

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    No legal representative appeared for the defendants at the session.

    In the substantive application, the claimants sought, among other reliefs, an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Oba of Lagos, his servants, agents or privies from installing, coronating or performing any installation rites on the eighth defendant as the Onisemo of Lagos, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

    Ruling, Justice N.O. Ojuromi held that interim injunctions are preservatory in nature and meant to maintain the res pending the determination of a motion on notice.

    The judge noted that the claimants relied heavily on Exhibit F, a letter from the third defendant dated September 13, 2025, allegedly informing the eighth defendant that his selection had been gazetted and that installation would soon follow.

    However, the court observed that the letter predated the service of the originating processes on the third defendant, which occurred on November 19.

    The court further held that the applicants had not sufficiently demonstrated steps allegedly taken by the defendants after service of court processes to justify the grant of an interim injunction without hearing from the other side.

    The court ordered that all parties should maintain the existing situation and adjourned the case to January 9, 2026, for report of service on the seventh and eigth defendants, with a promise of expedited hearing once service is completed.

    In an affidavit in support of the application, Princess Kosoko, the first claimant, deposed that she is the Secretary of the Oshokeji Ruling House of the Onisemo Chieftaincy Family of Lagos.

    She stated that the suit was instituted to challenge the “purported selection” of the eighth defendant as Onisemo of Lagos, insisting that he is not a member of the Onisemo chieftaincy family and does not belong to the Oshokeji Ruling House, which she said is the only ruling house entitled to produce the next Onisemo.

    Princess Kosoko further averred that it is the turn of the Oshokeji Ruling House to present the next Onisemo following the death of the last title holder, Chief Lekan Adamson, in 2019, adding that the third claimant was duly selected by the ruling house as the Onisemo-elect, as evidenced by Exhibit B.

    She alleged that in May 2025, the eighth defendant invaded the Onisemo Palace at 127/129 Enu-Owa Street, Lagos, laid claim to the stool.

    She said the family promptly petitioned the relevant authorities, including the Governor and other defendants, disowning the eighth defendant’s claims, but alleged that the authorities failed to act.

    Princess Kosoko disclosed that a separate court action seeking pre-emptive injunctive reliefs had earlier been filed by family members.

    She added that letters were also written to government officials urging them to maintain the status quo.

    She expressed shock at the emergence of the letter from the third defendant, which allegedly conveyed that the eighth defendant’s selection had been approved and gazetted, noting that the approval was allegedly signed on July 31, 2025, but backdated to April 2025, despite the pendency of court proceedings.

    Princess Kosoko warned that the actions of the defendants were capable of causing unrest within the family and the community, stressing that the stool of Onisemo is a traditional and cultural institution whose desecration could not be compensated with monetary damages.

    She maintained that the eighth defendant would suffer no loss if restrained, as he had not been formally installed, and undertook to indemnify the defendants in damages should the injunction later be found to have been wrongly sought.

    The case continues on January 9, 2026.

  • Court restrains Abia ex-commissioner from making comments against Otti

    Court restrains Abia ex-commissioner from making comments against Otti

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted an interlocutory injunction restraining a former Abia State Commissioner for Information, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, from making or publishing allegedly defamatory comments against Governor Alex Chioma Otti, pending the determination of a ₦100bn defamation suit filed by the governor.

    Justice J.E. Obanor, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, ordered Chikamnayo to desist from “writing, authoring, sharing, circulating, broadcasting, voicing, forwarding and/or syndicating” any defamatory content against the claimant on his Facebook wall, Iyierioba Chikamnayo, or on any other social or digital media platforms, including X, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp and TikTok, as well as traditional media such as newspapers, radio and television, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The judge stated: “Having carefully considered the application and all the processes before the Court, and there being no process challenging the same, I am satisfied as to the need to grant the interlocutory order sought. Motion No. M/15807/2025 is hereby granted, and the orders are accordingly made as prayed, pending the determination of the substantive suit.”

    The court adjourned the matter to January 19, 2026, for hearing.

    The ruling followed a motion on notice filed by Governor Otti’s legal team, led by Dr Sonny Ajala, SAN, accusing Chikamnayo of continuing to publish offensive materials against the governor despite being served with court processes on October 17, 2025.

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    According to court documents, Chikamnayo allegedly published a series of posts on his Facebook page between October 17 and October 31, 2025, after being served with the originating processes in the suit. Some of the posts allegedly described the governor in derogatory terms.

    In an affidavit in support of the motion, deposed to by Ifeanyi Michael Agbo, Practice Manager at Deeplaw Associates, the governor’s legal team stated that the defendant, described as a legal practitioner, continued to publish offensive materials against the claimant despite being aware of the pending lawsuit.

    The affidavit further alleged that the publications were intended to cause reputational damage and incite public hostility against the governor.

    In a written address accompanying the motion, Otti’s counsel argued that the continued publications violated the doctrine of sub judice, which prohibits actions or statements capable of prejudicing matters pending before a court.

    Ajala also submitted that the conduct complained of contravened Rule 30 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023, which enjoins lawyers to refrain from acts that may obstruct or adversely affect the administration of justice.

    The substantive suit, filed on October 8, 2025, followed a demand letter dated October 2, 2025, requesting a retraction of the alleged defamatory publications, which the defendant allegedly failed to comply with within the stipulated seven days.

    In the suit, Otti is seeking a declaration that his reputation, goodwill and standing have been gravely injured by the alleged false and malicious publications. He is also claiming ₦100bn as damages for reputational injury, psychological and emotional trauma.

    The governor is further asking the court to compel the defendant to tender an unreserved apology to be published on his Facebook page and in selected national newspapers, as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining further defamatory publications and ₦250m as cost of the action.

    Earlier, on October 16, 2025, Justice Obanor had granted leave to serve court processes on Chikamnayo through substituted means, including his Facebook wall and phone and WhatsApp number, after the court was informed that those were the channels through which he could be reached.

    The defendant was ordered to enter an appearance within 30 days of service or risk judgment being entered in his absence.

  • Court orders status quo in Maitama land dispute

    Court orders status quo in Maitama land dispute

    The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, has ordered all parties in the dispute over Plot 3619, Maitama District, Cadastral Zone A06, to maintain the res and preserve the status quo.

    The suit, numbered CV/4154/25, was filed by Maryam Ahmed, suing through her lawful attorney, EMI Systems Ltd, against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, over what she described as an unlawful and clandestine revocation and reallocation of her land.

    The claimant/applicant was represented by Goddy Uche, alongside Abdullaziz Ibrahim, and T.J. Aondo, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

    The defendants were represented by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), while Simeon Eigege announced appearance for a party seeking to be joined in the matter.

    During the sitting, a motion for joinder was filed by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who seeks to be joined as a party to the suit.

    The governor had been identified by the defendants themselves as the alleged beneficiary of a purported reallocation of the disputed plot, despite the claimant’s subsisting title.

    Following submissions by counsel, all parties undertook before the court to preserve the res and maintain the status quo pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction and joinder applications.

    The court subsequently adjourned the matter to January 21, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.

    In the substantive suit, the claimant is asking the court to declare that the FCT Minister acted outside the law by allegedly revoking her interest, closing her AGIS policy file and reallocating Plot 3619 while her statutory right of occupancy remains valid and subsisting.

    She is also seeking declarations that the purported revocation and reallocation of the land to a third party were done without due process and are therefore unlawful, null and void.

    The claimant further prayed the court to set aside any purported revocation and reallocation, nullify any fresh offer of grant or certificate of occupancy allegedly issued to another person, and issue a mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to recognise and honour her subsisting certificate of occupancy and statutory right of occupancy over the land.

    In her pleadings, Maryam Ahmed averred that she lawfully obtained a certificate of occupancy over the plot and duly secured building plan approval from the FCDA.

    She stated that construction equipment had already been moved to the site in preparation for development of the property.

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    She insisted that at no time was she served with any notice of revocation, as required by law, adding that she only became aware of the alleged revocation through the defendants’ counter-affidavit and a motion for joinder filed in court.

    According to the claimant, the FCT Minister proceeded to issue a fresh certificate of occupancy to Governor Fintiri without first revoking or withdrawing her own valid certificate of occupancy, a step she described as a fundamental breach of land administration laws and her constitutional right to fair hearing.

    She is also seeking a perpetual injunction from the court, restraining the defendants, their agents, and any third-party allottees from selling, transferring, developing, or further dealing with the disputed plot.

    In addition, the claimant is claiming N100 million as general damages for the alleged unlawful revocation of her title and closure of her AGIS file, as well as ₦200 million as the cost of litigation.

    Pending the determination of the substantive suit, the claimant filed a motion for interlocutory injunction seeking to restrain the defendants from further acts of revocation or reallocation and to stop any person allegedly allocated the plot from carrying out construction or other activities on the land.

    In a counter-affidavit opposing the application, the FCT Minister and the FCDA argued that the motion lacked urgency.

    They contended that all lands in the FCT are vested in the Minister and that failure to develop allocated land within two years makes it liable to revocation.

    The claimant, however, maintained that such powers must be exercised strictly in accordance with the law, including service of a valid notice of revocation, which she insists was never done in her case, making the alleged revocation legally untenable.

  • Court stops APC, INEC from enforcing resolution against Cross River chairman

    Court stops APC, INEC from enforcing resolution against Cross River chairman

    The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has restrained the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other defendants from giving effect to a resolution allegedly aimed at removing or sidelining the Cross River State Chairman of the party, Hon. Alphonsus Ogar Eba.

    Justice J. E. Obanor issued the interim orders on December 18, 2025 while sitting at Court 26, Jabi, Abuja, in a suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/5197/2025, filed by Eba against the APC, Mr. Ekum Ekok Ojogu, Mr. Patrick Asikpo Okon and INEC.

    The claimant approached the court through a motion ex parte,filed by his counsel, Ayotunde Ogunleye (SAN)  seeking protection from what he described as an unlawful resolution dated November 26, 2025, which allegedly sought to prevent him from carrying out his duties as the APC chairman in Cross River State.

    In granting the application, the court restrained the defendants, either by themselves, their agents or privies, from giving effect to or continuing to give effect to the said resolution, particularly any action that would prevent Eba from performing his responsibilities as the state chairman of the APC pending the determination of the substantive motion before the court.

    Justice Obanor also barred the defendants from stopping the claimant from attending the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, as well as any other party meetings he is entitled to attend during the subsistence of his tenure or any extension granted by the party’s NEC.

    In a further order, the court restrained the second defendant, Mr. Ekum Ekok Ojogu, or any other person, from parading himself as the Acting State Chairman of the APC in Cross River State while the tenure of the claimant subsists.

    The court also directed all the defendants to refrain from initiating, deliberating upon or taking any action or decision capable of adversely affecting Eba’s position or rights as the duly recognised chairman of the party in the state pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    Justice Obanor, after reviewing the processes filed before the court, held that there was sufficient reason to grant the interim reliefs sought by the claimant.

    “Having gone through all the processes before the court and being satisfied as to the need to grant the interim orders sought, Motion No. M/16959/2025 is hereby granted, and the orders are made as prayed, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice,” the judge ruled.

    The judge subsequently adjourned to January 22, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

  • UPDATED: Court orders INEC to accept Labour Party’s candidates for FCT council polls

    UPDATED: Court orders INEC to accept Labour Party’s candidates for FCT council polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been ordered to grant the Labour Party (LP) access code to enable it to upload the names and particulars of its nominated candidates for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council election scheduled to hold in February 2026

    INEC is also ordered to upload the names and particulars of the LP’s nominated candidates for the FCT area council election and publish the same at the respective six area councils for public scrutiny within 48 hours pending the hearing of an existing motion on notice filed by the LP.

    Justice J. O. E. Adeyemi-Ajayi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) issued the orders on December 16 while ruling on an ex parte motion for interim injunctions filed by the LP and moved by its lawyer, Christian Elom.

    In a supporting affidavit, the LP stated that it chose to approach the court after INEC allegedly failed to publish the names of its candidates for the February 2026 council elections as required, despite being duly notified.

    A certified true copy (CTC) of the enrolled orders as contained in the ruling on the motion ex parte, marked M/16037/2025, was seen on Thursday.

    The orders read:

    *An interim injunction is hereby granted, directing the defendant (INEC) to grant access code to the claimant/applicant (LP) to upload the names and particulars of its nominated candidates for the FCT area council election scheduled to hold in February 2026 by the defendant within 48 hours pending the hearing of the motion on notice. 

    *An interim injunction is hereby granted directing the defendant to upload the names and particulars of the claimant/applicant’s nominated candidates for the FCT area council election and publish the same at the respective six area councils for public scrutiny within 48 hours pending the hearing of the motion on notice. 

    *This interim injunction is hereby made this day upon application ex-parte which shall abate seven days from today unless extended before the abatement of the order. 

    Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi proceeded to grant an accelerated hearing in the case and adjourned till January 27 next year for the hearing of the motion on notice.

    The LP stated, in its support affidavit, that it gave the notice of its primary elections to the defendant (INEC) within the time frame provided by the law 

    The party added that after its primary elections, and within the 180 days provided by the law, it submitted the list of the candidates who emerged from the primaries it conducted and whom it proposes to support at the election, to INEC, in the prescribed forms. 

     The LP argued that INEC is duty-bound to, within seven days of receipt of the particulars of the candidates, publish the same in the constituency in which the candidates intend to contest the election. 

    The party added that the law mandates the defendant (INEC) to, at least 150 days before the day of the election, publish, by displaying at the relevant office or offices of the defendant, and on the defendant’s website, a statement of the full names and addresses of the candidates standing nominated by the claimant.

    The LP accused INEC of allegedly failing to perform these statutory responsibilities.

  • Court orders INEC to accept Labour Party’s candidates for FCT council polls

    Court orders INEC to accept Labour Party’s candidates for FCT council polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been ordered to grant the Labour Party (LP) access code to enable it to upload the names and particulars of its nominated candidates for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council election scheduled to hold in February 2026

    INEC is also ordered to upload the names and particulars of the LP’s nominated candidates for the FCT area council election and publish the same at the respective six area councils for public scrutiny within 48 hours, pending the hearing of an existing motion on notice filed by the LP.

    Justice J. O. E. Adeyemi-Ajayi issued the orders on December 16 while ruling on an ex parte motion for interim injunctions filed by the LP and moved by its lawyer, Christian Elom.

    In a supporting affidavit, the LP stated that it chose to approach the court after INEC allegedly failed to publish the names of its candidates for the February 2026 council elections as required, despite being duly notified.

    A certified true copy (CTC) of the enrolled orders as contained in the ruling on the motion ex parte, marked M/16037/2025, was seen on Thursday.

    The orders read:

    *An interim injunction is hereby granted, directing the defendant (INEC) to grant access code to the claimant/applicant (LP) to upload the names and particulars of its nominated candidates for the FCT area council election scheduled to hold in February 2026 by the defendant within 48 hours pending the hearing of the motion on notice. 

    *An interim injunction is hereby granted directing the defendant to upload the names and particulars of the claimant/applicant’s nominated candidates for the FCT area council election and publish the same at the respective six area councils for public scrutiny within 48 hours pending the hearing of the motion on notice. 

    *This interim injunction is hereby made this day upon application ex-parte which shall abate seven days from today unless extended before the abatement of the order. 

    Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi proceeded to grant an accelerated hearing in the case and adjourned till January 27 next year for the hearing of the motion on notice.

    The LP stated, in its support affidavit, that it gave the notice of its primary elections to the defendant (INEC) within the time frame provided by the law 

    The party added that after its primary elections, and within the 180 days provided by the law, it submitted the list of the candidates who emerged from the primaries it conducted and whom it proposes to support at the election, to INEC, in the prescribed forms. 

     The LP argued that INEC is duty-bound to, within seven days of receipt of the particulars of the candidates, publish the same in the constituency in which the candidates intend to contest the election. 

    The party added that the law mandates the defendant (INEC) to, at least 150 days before the day of the election, publish, by displaying at the relevant office or offices of the defendant, and on the defendant’s website, a statement of the full names and addresses of the candidates standing nominated by the claimant.

    The LP accused INEC of allegedly failing to perform these statutory responsibilities.

  • Court upholds PIA host community liability provisions

    Court upholds PIA host community liability provisions

    The Federal High Court n Warri, Delta State, has dismissed a suit challenging key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) relating to host community liability.

    It affirmed the validity of the statutory framework governing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

    In a judgment delivered on December 12, the court threw out all the claims filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (CHURAC), of the PIA that impose liability on host communities for acts of vandalism and sabotage affecting petroleum infrastructure, arguing that such provisions were unconstitutional, discriminatory, and amounted to a denial of fair hearing.

    At the hearing of the suit, Mrs. B. E. Oghenekaro appeared as counsel to the plaintiff.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation, listed as the first defendant, was represented by K. K. Akpule. Dr. Abiodun Adesanya, alongside A. A. Affe, represented the President of the Nigerian Senate, the 2nd defendant. There was no appearance for the 3rd defendant.

    The defendants had earlier raised a preliminary objection, contending that CHURAC lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action in a representative capacity on behalf of host communities.

    However, in its ruling, the court declined to uphold the objection, holding that the issue of locus standi did not bar it from considering the substantive issues raised in the suit.

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    Despite overruling the preliminary objection, the court proceeded to examine the plaintiff’s claims on their merits and ultimately found them lacking in substance.

    In its judgment, the court held that the challenge to the host community liability provisions of the PIA was unfounded.

    It ruled that the plaintiff failed to establish that the impugned sections of the Act were unconstitutional or discriminatory, or that they violated the right to fair hearing as alleged.

    The court further held that the National Assembly acted within its legislative competence in enacting the Petroleum Industry Act and that the provisions complained of were part of a broader statutory framework aimed at balancing the interests of host communities, operators, and the Nigerian state.

    Accordingly, the court dismissed all the reliefs sought by CHURAC in their entirety and affirmed the validity and enforceability of the relevant provisions of the PIA.

  • Court asked to halt police action in matrimonial dispute

    Court asked to halt police action in matrimonial dispute

    A businesswoman, Mrs. Mabel  Hussaini, has filed a rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the Inspector-General of Police and  senior police officers alleging unlawful arrest, detention, extortion, and persistent harassment over what she described as a civil and matrimonial dispute.

    In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1468/2025, Hussaini is asking the court to declare that the actions of the respondents violated her rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, private and family life, and freedom of movement as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

    Listed as respondents are the Inspector-General of Police; the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force CID Annex, Alagbon; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command; Chief Superintendent of Police Bolugi; Inspector Abayomi Michael; the EFCC; her estranged husband, Mr. Adedeji Adesiyan; and Citadel Views Gardens and Estates Limited.

    According to court documents, Hussaini married Adesiyan in 2016 under native law and custom, and the marriage produced a daughter, now eight years old.

    She told the court that in November., last year, her husband gave her $60,000 to invest in real estate and set up a trust fund for their daughter.

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    She said she used the money as agreed by purchasing a property at E18, Citadel Estate, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos, in the child’s name and opening a trust fund for her benefit.

    Hussaini stated that the relationship later deteriorated after she discovered that Adesiyan had allegedly contracted other marriages in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    She claimed he subsequently relocated to the UK and later demanded a refund of the money, despite knowing it had already been invested for their child.

    She alleged that he threatened her life when she explained that the funds were no longer available.

    She further alleged that Adesiyan reported her to the police on allegations of theft.

    While officers at Elemoro Police Station, Ibeju-Lekki, initially granted her bail after hearing her explanation, she claimed that the situation escalated on January 7, this year, when officers from the Force CID Annex, Alagbon, allegedly arrested her and her eight-year-old daughter at gunpoint and took them to Alagbon.

    According to Hussaini, she was verbally abused, humiliated, and detained for several hours without being allowed to fully state her case, in the presence of her young daughter.

    She alleged that the officers demanded N2 million for her release but eventually compelled her to pay N500,000 through a POS operator after threatening to send her to prison.

    She told the court that her lawyers petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, who allegedly directed that the matter be handled by the Zone 2 Police Command and treated as a civil dispute.

    Despite this directive, she claimed that the officers involved proceeded to file criminal charges against her, which were later withdrawn after senior police authorities reportedly described the dispute as civil and matrimonial in nature.

    Hussaini further alleged that the police officers continued to harass her and interfered with the property transaction by instructing the estate developer not to release documents relating to the Lekki property purchased for her daughter.

    She said the actions of the respondents caused her and her child severe emotional and psychological trauma.

    In her application, Hussaini is seeking an order restraining the respondents from further arresting, detaining, or harassing her over the dispute; a refund of the N500,000 allegedly extorted from her; and an order stopping any attempt to sell, investigate, or interfere with the property purchased in her daughter’s name.

    She also asked the court to award N50 million in damages against the police officers and her estranged husband for alleged unlawful arrest, detention, and abuse of power.

    She further seeks a declaration that the police lack constitutional authority to intervene in matrimonial disputes or to engage in debt recovery arising from civil transactions.

  • Alleged N2.2b fraud: Court orders Ngige to remain in prison till Thursday

    Alleged N2.2b fraud: Court orders Ngige to remain in prison till Thursday

    • …to rule on bail application on December 18

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gwarimpa has ordered that former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, be further remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja, until December 18, when his bail application will be determined.

    The court had, on December 12, after he was arraigned on an eight-count, ordered that Ngige be kept in Kuje prison pending the hearing of his bail application on Monday.

    Ngige is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges bordering on abuse of office and acceptance of gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure as supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023.

    On Monday, Justice Mariam Hassan ordered that Ngige should be returned to prison after she heard arguments from lawyers to the parties on whether or not Ngige deserved to be granted bail.

    His lawyer, Patrick Ikwu Monday, shortly after taking arguments for and against the bail request of the former governor of Anambra state.

    Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) prayed the court to, among others, grant bail to his client on health grounds

    He submitted that the former Minister would not jump bail or interfere with the prosecution’s witnesses if granted bail.

    Responding, prosecuting lawyer Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), objected, claiming that Ngige is a flight risk.

    Tahir said the EFCC had earlier granted Ngige administrative bail and allowed him to travel abroad for medical care, but failed to subsequently report back to the EFCC.

    He said the international passport released to him to facilitate his trip abroad was never returned till today.

    Tahir argued that it was when Ngige was rearrested that he came up with the idea that he lost his passport, which the prosecuting lawyer termed an afterthought.

    He prayed the court to reject Ngige’s application for bail.

    Justice Hassan has adjourned till Thursday for ruling.

    Ngige is named the sole defendant in the charge marked: FCT/HC/CR/726/2025.

    In count one, Ngige is alleged to have l, between September 2015 to May 2023, while being the supervising Minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Cezimo Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is his associate.

    Ngige is said to have awarded seven different contracts for consultancy, training, and supply by the NSITF to the said company to the tune of N366,470,920.68.

    In count two, he is alleged to have, while being the supervising Minister of NSITF, used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Zitacom Nigeria Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, is his associate.

    Ngige is alleged to have awarded eight different contracts for supply, training, and consultancy, with NSITF, to the said company to the tune of N583,682,686.00 (Five Hundred and Eighty Three Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Six Naira) only.

    He is, in count three, accused of using his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Jeff & Xris Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike is his associate, by the award of eight different contracts for consultancy, training and supplies with NSITF to the said company to the tune of N362,043,163.16 (Three Hundred and Sixty Two Million, Forty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Three Naira and Sixteen Kobo) only.

    In count four, he is alleged to have used his position to confer an unfair advantage upon Olde English Consolidated Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Uzoma Igbonwa, is his associate.

    He is accused of awarding four different contracts for consultancy, training, and construction by NSITF to the said company to the tune of N668,138,141.00 (Six Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, One Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Forty One Naira) only.

    In count five, the ex-minister is alleged to have used his position to confer unfair advantage upon Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, a company whose MD/CEO and alter ego, Uzoma Igbonwa, is his associate.

    Ngige is said to have awarded four different contracts by NSITF to the said company for consultancy, training, and supply to the tune of N161,604,625.00 (One Hundred and Sixty One Million, Six Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Five Naira) only.

    The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    In count six, Ngige is alleged to have corruptly accepted a gift to the tune of N38, 650,000 (Thirty Eight Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only, through his “organisation called Senator (Dr) Chris Nwabueze Ngige Campaign Organisation from Cezimo Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011901119), a contractor with NSITF, while performing your official act as Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.”

    In count seven, Ngige is alleged to have, while being the minister between September 2015 to May 2023, did corruptly accept a gift, to the tune of N55,003,000 (Fifty Five Million, Three Thousand Naira) only.

    The “gift” was allegedly received through his organisation called “Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme from Zitacom Nigeria Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1017263219), a contractor of NSITF, while performing your official act as Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.”

    Ngige is, in count eight, alleged to have corruptly accepted a gift, to the tune of N26,130,000 (Twenty Six Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) only, through his organisation called Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme.

    The money was said to have been received from Jeff & Xris Limited (Zenith Bank Account Number 1011533930), a contractor with NSITF, while performing his official act as Minister of Labour and Employment.

    The offences are said to be contrary to Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under Section 179(c) of the same Act.

  • Court sentences man to three years imprisonment for diversion, forgery in Kano

    Court sentences man to three years imprisonment for diversion, forgery in Kano

    A Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Musa Sale, on Wednesday sentenced Abdulrahman Sani Adam to three years in prison for diversion and forgery.

    The court, however, offered him an option of a ₦3 million fine.

    It also ruled that the diverted containers be forfeited to the Federal Government for auctioning.

    Adam was prosecuted on charges of criminal diversion and forgery after he was found to have diverted containers under customs supervision and falsified official documents to conceal the act.

    Director of Legal Services of the Nigeria Customs Service, Smart Akande—who served as prosecution counsel—said the convict’s actions denied the Federal Government revenue that should have been remitted.

    Speaking with journalists, Akande said the successful prosecution and sentencing serve as a strong deterrent to others who may engage in similar offences.

    He noted that diversion of customs-controlled containers and the bypassing of due procedures are criminal acts that must be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

    Akande expressed satisfaction with the judgment, saying it aligned with legal provisions.

    “This landmark judgment reeinforces.the NCS’s commitment to tackling revenue leakages, document forgery and other offences within the import‑export chain” Akande said.