IMO State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has vowed not to relinquish the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Imo West senatorial district in next year’s general elections, insisting that he remains in the race.
He dismissed as a lie, suggestions that he would surrender his ambition to another candidate, following the ruling of an Abuja Federal High Court, declaring former governor, Rochas Okorocha, as winner of the party’s primary election.
The court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, on October 29, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Uzodimma’s name and replace it with Okorocha’s on the grounds that Uzodimma did not win the May 18 primary election.
The state APC has since rejected the judgment, insisting that Uzodimma remained its candidate for the district.
This was re-echoed on Sunday, November 8, by Uzodimma after attending Mass at the Government House Chapel in Owerri, the state capital.
He stated: “If they tell you that I will hold this ticket and somebody will collect it and give it to another, tell the person it is a lie.”
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had removed 1,608, 660 invalid registrants, as well as a total of 876 voters, who have been verified as deceased, from the voter register.
Chairman of the Commission, Joash Amupitan, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Monday, November 9, explained that the decision was part of ongoing clean-up exercise, following claims, objections and complaints that trailed its display of the preliminary voter register last month.
There was public outcry and many, including civil society organisations (CSOs), questioned the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated photos and retention of identified names of some dead voters on the register, leading to calls for explanation and thorough clean up of the register, even as many Nigerians, especially the opposition political parties and politicians accused the Commission of alleged manipulation and plans to rig next year’s general elections.
The electoral umpire later admitted the errors and vowed to clean up the register.
Amupitan announced that INEC would publish the cleaned-up voter register on December 16, as required by the electoral law.
*Approves Rehabilitation Of Ubulu-Okiti Junction On Benin-Asaba Expressway
THE Delta State Executive Council (Exco) has approved the next year’s Appropriation Bill of N1,236,874,981,081trillion for onward transmission to the State House of Assembly.
The council, at its meeting on Monday, November 9, presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Government House Annex in Warri, also okayed several infrastructure projects, including roads, education, judicial facilities and community development.
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, who disclosed this while briefing journalists after the meeting, said the proposed budget would provide the financial framework for the execution of ongoing projects and new development initiatives across the state next year.
Aniagwu expressed government’s commitment to sustaining project delivery and ensuring infrastructure development continued across different parts of the state, despite ongoing political activities.
He listed other major decisions taken by the council to include approvals for road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation in several communities across the three senatorial districts.
In Oshimili North, the council approved the construction of the Ministry of Works Multi-Purpose Cooperative Road at Okotomi, Okpanam, as well Savage Onianwa Close; Frederick Osy Osadebe Drive; and Professor Dili Ofuokwu Street in Ibusa.
In Oshimili South, approvals were given for several roads in Asaba, including Ennayelugo Crescent, with a spur to Bremmy Hotel Street in Bonsac; Pat Manuel Muotoh Street, with adjoining spurs and overlay works off Rose Ojeh Street; Dr. Chukwuka Obiora Street and Favour Odogwu Street.
Other approved projects in the state capital include Gallant Chi Chi; Engr. Fred Ejiofor Street; Obiegbune Street; Professor Sam Osamene Street; and reconstruction of Iseke Road, with adjoining spurs in Zappa Community.
The council also approved the reconstruction of Otor-Udu–Owhrode/Orhuwhorun/Mofor Road, with a spur at Erhiephiyor and Usiefrun in Udu Local Council.
Other road interventions include rehabilitation of Aladja Road, from Premium Steel Mill, formerly DSC, to Aladja Town; construction of Okuokprere Community Road in Ethiope West; rehabilitation of Amori Road in Mosogar; and construction of Etevie Ikosa Okpi/Primary Health Care Road in Emu-Unor, Ndokwa West.
In Isoko North, it approved construction of the Emevor–Ivrogbor–Orogun Road, Phase Three, as well as Kolokolo-Tisun Road, Phase Two, in Warri North.
In addition, the council approved the construction of a section of MTN Road, from Okirighwire Road to Flourish International School, with a spur to Town Gate Road in Sapele.
In Aniocha South, approval was given for the construction of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo Street and Obi Palace Internal Road; reconstruction of Umu Jeboma and Ogbeokwuni Streets, and maintenance of critical failed sections of roads around Ogwashi-Uku.
The government also okayed rehabilitation of two kilometres on either side of the Benin-Asaba Expressway at Ubulu-Okiti to improve access and ease movement for residents and other road users.
Other approved projects include rehabilitation of the Old Lagos-Asaba Road in Agbor; construction of Ighegheidin and Osih Streets in Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North East; construction of Ewere Street through Isimi Road, from Area Five Junction to Second Powerline Road, in Boji-Boji Owa.
The Exco also okayed adjustment of the completion period for the reconstruction of PTI-Eku Road, from Chainage 3+600 to Ugolo Junction in Okpe Local Council, from 12 months to seven months; and completion period for Phase Two of the Warri Internal Ring Road, covering the section from NPA Gate to Effurun Flyover Expressway, from 12 months to eight months.
In the judicial sector, it approved construction of five additional residential houses for Judges in the state to improve their accommodation and working conditions; and construction of a modern Police station and staff quarters at Osubi in Okpe Local Council.
The council have the nod for completion of the administrative block of the College of Education, Warri; and installation of standard solar streetlights across the DESOPADEC mandate areas to improve public lighting and community safety.
Aniagwu said the spread of the projects demonstrated the administration’s recognition of the needs of communities across the state in infrastructure development, rather than concentrate interventions in a few locations.
He added that the meeting was deliberately held in Warri to bring government closer to residents in different parts of the state, saying Governor Oborevwori believes that people outside Asaba, the state capital, should also experience the presence of government through holding important government activities and distributing development projects.
He stated that the administration would not allow political activities to distract it from its responsibility to deliver projects and improve the living conditions of residents.
THE Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, commences Postgraduate Programmes this academic session.
According to a notice signed by the Registrar, Florence Ngozi Nweke, the courses in the various departments will take off in the 2026/2027 academic year.
THE Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Delta State Government, state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Epiphany Azinge, have condemned the violence that trailed NDC’s road procession on Saturday, November 7, in which one person was killed, several others injured and over 30 campaign buses destroyed.
The procession, organised by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement to galvanize support for next year’s general elections, suddenly became bloody when armed me attacked the NDC supporters along the busy Nnebisi road in the state capital.
While the state Police Command said the organisers ignored its earlier security advice to shelve the road procession, during an engagement and briefing with them, following identified security threats indicating the likelihood of violence, NDC stated that it indeed complied with a Police directive not to assemble at Inter-Bau Junction in the state capital, noting that when the gathering commenced, a Police patrol van that was initially present disappeared before the masked attackers struck.
In his reaction to the incident, NDC senatorial candidate for Delta North and former speaker of the state House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to call his supporters to order.
Ochei, speaking during a media briefing at his campaign office, blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the incident, alleging that the attackers were mobilised by the ruling party and led by commercial tricycle operators acting under the supervision of a government task force official.
He stated: “I see no reason why the ruling party should descend so low as to mobilise people to attack the opposition. This is condemnable and unacceptable. If you are doing well as a party, come out and tell the people what you have achieved to merit re-election instead of resorting to intimidation.”
Ochei warned that Delta State was dangerously becoming a “theatre of bloodshed,” adding: “The governor should call APC members to order and ensure that this dastardly act is thoroughly investigated.
“Delta State should not be turned into a theatre of bloodshed.”
On his part, the state Coordinator of the OK Movement, Favour Emerue, lamented that an otherwise peaceful show of force was marred by violence, expressing disappointment over the security lapses that made it easy for the attacker to strike.
Emerue said the organisers did all that were required, including notifying the Police and meeting with the Commissioner of Police (CP) to arrange security, as well as complied with a directive not to assemble at Inter-Bau Junction.
He said: “This is not the democracy we fought for. Nigerians are ready to defend their votes in 2027 to ensure that the country works. No Deltan should lose his or her life because of an election.”
The organisers warned that they would hold Oborevwori personally responsible for the safety of opposition supporters, adding: “If any Delta resident lost their life as a result of political violence, the governor will be held responsible.”
Emerue also called on security agencies to prosecute those found culpable.
Both Ochei and Emerue stated that the attack was an attempt to stifle the opposition, because the ruling party lacks a record of performance to run on. Ochei urged the ruling party to engage in issue-based campaigns, rather than alleged thuggery.
On its part, the Delta State Government condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable, warning political parties and their supporters against actions capable of threatening public peace and security.
The government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, reiterated its zero tolerance for political violence, intimidation and other forms of political rascality, recalling that it had repeatedly cautioned political parties against engaging in activities capable of disrupting the peace
Aniagwu stressed that the incident could have been avoided if the organisers had heeded Police security advice to shelve the street march and instead hold their campaign at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
The government expressed concern that the advice was ignored, resulting in a confrontation that claimed a life and left several others injured, urging Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that everyone found responsible is brought to justice.
Aniagwu warned that the state government would no longer tolerate politically motivated attacks against any individual, irrespective of party affiliation, stressing that Delta remained a safe place for residents and visitors, and the government would not allow the actions of individuals or groups to undermine the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
He called on political parties, their leaders and supporters to conduct their activities within the bounds of the law and demonstrate respect for human life, public order and the rights of other citizens.
In the same vein, the state APC Campaign Council strongly condemned the violence that trailed the procession.
Aniagwu, who doubles as Chairman of the Council’s Media Committee, in a separate statement, said APC was deeply saddened by reports of loss of life, injuries and destruction of property, adding: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased, those injured and everyone affected by this regrettable development.
“No political ambition or disagreement is worth the life of any citizen, and no political contest should ever degenerate into violence.”
He added: As a council, we demand an impartial investigation into the unfortunate development, even as we insist that political disagreements must not degenerate to any form of intimidation, violence or destruction of property.
“It is important to reiterate that, from the very outset of our political mobilisation, particularly at the inauguration of the Delta State APC Campaign Council, our leadership made an unequivocal commitment to peaceful, responsible and issue-based campaigns. That commitment remains unwavering.
“Our campaign philosophy is anchored on presenting our achievements, programmes, vision and policy alternatives to the good people of Delta State, and we have no intention of deviating from that path.”
The statement call on the state Police Command to undertake a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident, identify all individuals involved, establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and bring anyone found culpable, including any sponsors or instigators, to justice, insisting that no individual should be shielded from the consequences of criminal conduct on account of political affiliation or influence.
Aniagwu reiterated the commitment of the campaign council to peaceful political engagement, issue-based campaigns and protection of the peace, security and collective interests of all residents of the state.
Already, the Police Command said it had commenced full-scale investigation into the incident, noting that upon receiving a distress call, Police operatives mobilised to the scene and took the injured victims to the hospital for medical attention.
The Command, in a statement by its spokesman, Bright Edafe (SP), said security was subsequently reinforced in the affected area to forestall further breakdown of law and order, while investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
He added: “The Commissioner of Police, Samuel E. Erale, condemns the violence and reiterates that political parties are free to conduct lawful campaigns and other political activities.
“He, however, advises all political parties and their supporters to avoid road processions in the interest of public safety and to liaise with the Police ahead of any political gatherings to facilitate adequate security arrangements.
“The CP assures residents of the Command’s commitment to a thorough and impartial investigation and urges anyone with useful information to contact the Command through phone numbers 09155570008 or 09155570007.”
Meanwhile, the Asagba has state that he did not write any letter to the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, warning him over the party bloody rally.
Azinge, in a statement by his chief of staff, Philips E. Nwokolo, on Sunday night, November 8, described the fake and generated by AI- letter as the handiwork the political jobbers
While disassociating himself from the letter, the statement said: “The Asagba of Asaba wishes to inform the general public that the said letter did not emanate from the throne and utterly condemns such malicious and despicable act which is believed to be the handiwork of political jobbers.
“His royal majesty had earlier granted a press conference where he made the position of the palace very clear. His royal majesty, in his press conference, condemned the acts of political intolerance that occurred yesterday (Saturday), as he maintained that Asaba, as the most peaceful capital city in Nigeria, is against violence of any sort, be it political or otherwise.
“His royal majesty admonished politicians and political parties to respect the wishes of the people at all times, while also advising political parties to seek adequate security protection before engaging in any rally or peace protest.
“Therefore, the false narrative that HRM berates Obi and his political pressure groups for being solely responsible for yesterday’s unrest, using Artificial Intelligence to produce fake palace letterhead and signature, shows how desperate some political actors have become and must be nipped in the bud by the appropriate quarters.
“Finally, the palace urges media persons and members of the public to disregard the said publication and place no value on it, as both the letter headed paper and signature therein are fake.”
DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 female national football team, the Flamingos, on their historic victory at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, saying their triumph was a testament to the growing strength of female football and the abundant sporting talents across Nigeria.
The Flamingos made history on Saturday, November 7, by defeating Japan 2-1 in a thrilling final to emerge champions of the tournament, Nigeria’s first-ever title in the competition, thereby making the country the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Oborevwori, in a congratulatory statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, described the victory as a remarkable achievement that had brought immense pride and honour to Nigeria and Africa, commending the young players for their determination, discipline, resilience and fighting spirit.
The governor particularly celebrated Delta Queens FC’s Onyinyechi Opara, who was part of the team, describing her achievement as another proud moment for the state, adding that she has continued the tradition of sporting excellence for which Delta was renowned, following in the footsteps of several outstanding athletes who had represented the state and Nigeria with distinction at national and international competitions.
The governor said Opara’s contribution to the victory further demonstrated the capacity of Deltans, particularly young people, to excel when given the right opportunities, encouragement and support.
Oborevwori restated his administration’s commitment to sports development and youth empowerment through sustained investment in sporting infrastructure, grassroots talent discovery and initiatives aimed at providing young athletes with opportunities to realise their potential.
He charged the team to remain focused and continue to raise the bar, assuring them that their feat would serve as inspiration to a new generation of Nigerian girls aspiring to make their mark in football and other sporting disciplines.
NIGERIA’S High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected the Denior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) title, popularly known as Blue Silk, recently conferred on him by the Nigerian Law Society (NLS).
Fani-Kayode stated that he neither authorised nor approved the acceptance of the title, describing the circumstances surrounding the development as an administrative misjudgement.
The former minister of Aviation, in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, by his media aide, Lizzy Okoji, said members of his staff represented him at the NLS event after his office received an invitation from the society.
According to the statement: “His Excellency wishes to categorically state that he did not personally authorise or approve the acceptance of the said designation, and hereby formally disassociates himself from the purported conferment.
“His Excellency’s representation at the event by members of his staff was undertaken in the course of official engagements after the invitation was sent to his office by the Society.
“The circumstances surrounding the representation and subsequent communication of acceptance were regrettable and arose from an unfortunate administrative misjudgement, without any intention whatsoever to misrepresent His Excellency’s personal position or professional convictions.”
Fani-Kayode questioned the legal and professional implications of the title, particularly whether it conforms with the statutory framework regulating the legal profession and relevant court judgements.
The statement said: “As a legal practitioner of over 41 years standing, His Excellency would be the last person to knowingly engage in any act that violates the law, undermines the integrity of the legal profession, or brings the profession into disrepute.
“He comes from a distinguished lineage of three generations of legal practitioners and remains deeply committed to upholding the law, professional ethics, and the established traditions of this noble and learned profession.
“His Excellency, therefore, unequivocally repudiates the purported conferment, and reiterates that neither his representation at the event nor any communication made on his behalf should be interpreted as his personal endorsement or acceptance of the designation.
“This clarification is issued to place His Excellency’s position firmly on record, dispel any misconception arising from the incident, and reaffirm his commitment to the rule of law, professional ethics, and the dignity of the legal profession.”
Fani-Kayode’s rejection came a day after the NLS named him; son of President Bola Tinubu, Seyi; Olufunmilayo Osifuye; Ihudiebube Chukwumdi; and Alabi Olalekan Adigun, as recipients of the SCN title at its 2026 annual general conference in Abuja.
Recall that the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) had insisted that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) remains the only professional rank recognised under Nigerian law.
The Cable reported that in February this year, LPPC warned Nigerian lawyers against adopting the Blue Silk title, because it lacked statutory backing and could attract disciplinary consequences.
This followed the May 13 Abuja Federal High Court judgment dismissing a suit seeking judicial recognition of the Blue Silk rank.
The presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, held that the LPPC had the statutory authority to confer the SAN rank.
The NLS and Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON), however, insisted that they have the autonomy to confer the SCN designation under their internal rules and regulations.
THE World Bank said debt-service payments among low- and middle-income countries reached $1.4tn in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of increases NIGERIA’S external debt increased to $145.015billion in 2025, representing a 6.6 per cent rise from the previous year, according to the World Bank’s International Debt Report 2026.
The report showed an increase of $61.8billion from the $83.213billion recorded in 2015, reflecting a 74.3 per cent rise in the country’s external debt over the decade.
The Bank data also showed that public and publicly guaranteed debt accounted for $62.4billion of the total, while private non-guaranteed debt stood at $54.476billion, and short-term external debt at $28.139billion.
A breakdown of Nigeria’s public and publicly guaranteed external debt shows that multilateral creditors accounted for the largest share at $31.365billion, followed by private creditors with $24.352billion, and bilateral creditors with $6.683billion.
The Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) accounted for $18.533billion of the multilateral debt, while the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Special Drawing Rights allocations stood at $5.516billion.
China was Nigeria’s largest bilateral creditor, with $5.672billion, followed by France with $774million and other bilateral creditors with $237million.
Despite the increase in the debt stock, Nigeria recorded improvements in two key debt indicators, with external debt relative to exports declining by 4.3 per cent to 2.12 per cent, while the debt-to-Gross National Income ratio fell by 6.6 per cent to 51 per cent.
However, the country’s debt servicing burden increased, with external debt service relative to exports rising by 9.6 per cent to 19 per cent. Debt service as a proportion of Gross National Income also increased by 6.9 per cent to five per cent.
The Bank said debt-service payments among low- and middle-income countries reached $1.4trilliin in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of increases.
Payments rose by 1.9 per cent, driven largely by obligations to private creditors, particularly international bondholders.
Between 2022 and 2025, the countries covered by the report paid approximately $436.1billion more in debt servicing than they received in new financing.
However, the trend reversed in 2025, when long-term debt flows recorded a net inflow of $45.4billion, compared with a net outflow of $118.4billion in 2024.
The data also showed a significant difference in borrowing costs between official and private creditors.
New commitments from official creditors in 2025 carried an average interest rate of 1.9 per cent, with a maturity of 25 years and a five-year grace period.In comparison, private creditors charged an average interest rate of 9.6 per cent, with a 12-year maturity, and an eight-year grace period.
THE Niger State Police Command has arrested five men, including four who allegedly offered their biological children for money ritual.
They were arrested during a Police operation at an isolated compound in the Garima area of Bosso, near Minna, the state capital, during which operatives interrupted a ritual involving slaughtered chickens, blood-stained clothing and other suspicious items.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun (SP), who disclosed this in a statement in Minna, said the incident occurred on October 27, about 8:30pm, when operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, while on routine patrol around Bosso, received intelligence about suspected ritual activities at an isolated compound in Garima.
Daily Post reported Abiodun as disclosing that the operatives moved to the location and arrested five persons, identified as Mohammed Idris Dogara, 57, from Nasarawa State, but residing in Bosso; Aliyu Sule, 25, Abubakar Abdullahi, 40, of New Garima; Ibrahim Mohammed Hamisu, 43; and Shehu Abubakar, 40, a native doctor from Maikunkele.
Items recovered at the scene included blood-stained red and white clothing, four calabashes, two live chickens, three slaughtered chickens, a blood-stained knife and a large mat on which the items were arranged.
Abiodun said preliminary investigations revealled that Ibrahim, Abubakar, Aliyu and Mohammed had approached the native doctor to perform money rituals for them using a skeleton allegedly discovered during mining activities.
The Command’s spokesman explained that the native doctor reportedly declined their request, explaining that he did not offer such services, but the four men allegedly persisted, offering their biological children as sacrifices in exchange for different sums of money.
Consequently, the native doctor reportedly instructed each of them to purchase a chicken and assemble at a designated location for the ritual.
The suspects were, however, arrested while carrying out the activities, with Aliyu Sule holding a blood-stained knife and preparing to slaughter his chicken, after the three others had already slaughtered theirs.
Abiodun said the suspects confessed to the allegations and were undergoing further investigation before being charged to court.
THE National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three Judges for one year without pay over various acts of judicial misconduct, including unlawful detention of litigants, reopening of concluded cases and imposition of fines without due process.
In addition, NJC barred two of the Judges from elevation for three years, while issuing warning letters and cautions to six others over alleged breaches of judicial conduct.
A statement said the NJC’s 112th meeting, held on November 3, and chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CNN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, approved the suspension of Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.
Justice Kabir was axed over the unlawful detention of a litigant for 58 days without proper contempt proceedings, after “the Investigation Committee found that she ordered the litigant’s arrest and detention for alleged disobedience of court orders without the issuance and service of the mandatory Forms 48 and 49 or the institution of proper contempt proceedings.”
NJC said the alleged contempt occurred outside the court’s presence and could not lawfully be summarily tried and punished, adding: “The committee also found that the action violated the litigant’s right to fair hearing.”
The Council consequently approved her suspension for one year without pay and barred her from nomination for elevation for three years.
In the same vein, Grand Kadi Salihu was suspended for one year without pay over his involvement in reopening a judgment delivered by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Upper Area Court.
The NJC said the investigation committee found that the Grand Kadi exceeded his authority by constituting a committee to review the judgment and subsequently assigned the matter to a Higher Sharia Court Judge, who received fresh evidence and delivered another judgment.
It explained: “The committee held that the process amounted to an appeal against a valid judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, which was subsequently set aside by the Jigawa State High Court,” an action violated Rule 3.3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, 2016.
The Council directed that the most senior Kadi of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal should perform the functions of the office of the Grand Kadi during the suspension.
Also, Justice Biambo was suspended for one year without pay and barred from elevation for three years for issuing bench warrants and imposing fines on litigants in a civil dispute without due process.
It said the committee found that he ordered the arrest of the petitioners for alleged disobedience of an interim injunction and subsequently imposed fines of N300,000 on each of them without instituting contempt proceedings or serving Forms 48 and 49.
“The committee held that the alleged contempt occurred outside the court’s presence and ought not to have been summarily tried and punished,” NJC added.
The NJC also cautioned Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court over his handling of proceedings involving former attorney general of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).Justice Kawu was found to have granted interim bail to Malami, despite a subsisting remand order issued by another Judge of the same court.
The Council said the investigation committee found that Justice Kawu knew of the earlier order, which was due to expire at midnight on December 24, 2025, but granted interim bail on December 23, 2025, in conflict with it.
The NJC consequently directed that a warning letter be issued to Justice Kawu and that he be placed on its Watch List, as well as to Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana of the Nasarawa State High Court over their failure to deliver judgment in an appeal within the constitutionally prescribed 90 days.
The Council said it rejected their arguments that the constitutional provision did not apply to appellate courts, saying they admitted that judgment was delivered outside the stipulated period without a satisfactory explanation for the delay.
The NJC stressed their actions breached Section 294 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), counselling them to be more diligent in their case management.
The NJC also cautioned Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court for entertaining an application and making orders after being informed that an appeal had already been entered at the Court of Appeal, noting that the committee found that his action “amounted to disregard for the appellate court and bordered on insubordination.”
Also, Justice C. A. Ogbuagor of the Enugu State High Court was cautioned for allegedly denying fair hearing and disregarding due process and the hierarchy of courts by continuing proceedings, despite a pending appeal and an application for stay of proceedings.
In another development, Justice Chibuike Azuama of the Imo State High Court was cautioned and placed on the NJC’s Watch List for granting an ex parte garnishee order freezing the bank accounts of Puma Energy, a company that was not a party to the substantive suit, noting that the action caused the company substantial losses.
Meanwhile, the NJC has recommended 28 candidates for appointment as judicial officers across five states and the FCT.
The candidates consist of 24 nominees for appointment as High Court Judges in Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa and Ogun states; one candidate for appointment as Grand Kadi of the Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal; another as Kadi of the Adamawa State Sharia Court of Appeal; and two for the Adamawa State Customary Court of Appeal.
The Council stated that all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
It directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include the name of the state’s acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in the shortlist of candidates for appointment as substantive Chief Judge, following a petition by Bob Kay Njemanze, who challenged her exclusion from the shortlist submitted by the commission.
It said although the State Judicial Service Commission had the constitutional responsibility to advise it on suitable candidates, it retained the authority to determine the suitability of persons presented to it.
The NJC consequently directed its secretariat to formally request the commission to include Agugua’s name in the shortlist.
