News
Group drums support for Malami, urges public officers’ commitment to service
The National Coordinator of Initiative for Demonstrating Change in Nigeria (NCISCN); Mr. Ogochukwu Elem in collaboration with the leaders of Integrity Group of Nigeria (IGN) have called on all lovers of democratic process in the country to throw their weight behind the Nation’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice; Mr. Abubakar Malam,SAN. to enable him explore all legal avenues that would help to move Nigeria foward.
Mr. Ogochukwu made the call during a joint briefing of newsmen in Abakaliki with his counterpart of the Integrity Group ; Mr. Chinedu Nwali on the current state of the nation’s judicial system.
Mr. Ogochukwu noted that the administration of the Federal Ministry of Justice, headed by the Attorney General of the Federation has recorded remarkable achievements.
According to the group, “The Ministry of Justice, has nine parastatals under it and covers the entire court system, human rights, legal advice, prosecution, among others”.
“It is on record that it is under the leadership of of Abubakar Malami that the ministry advised President Muhammadu Buhari on assent to over 12 bills”.
“It was the advice of Malami led Ministry of Justice that led the President to assent to 5 out of the 12 bills and decline assent to 7 of the bills from the National Assembly.”. He said.
The group also stated that the Attorney General has been able to clamp down on corrupt elements by fast-tracking trials.
Mr.Elem highlighted some of the major track records of Mr. Malami to include but not limited to, “Not too Young to Run Bill” wherein Malami advised the President to assent to the bill.
He noted that the Not Too Young To Run Bill, sought to reduce the age limit for vying for political offices adding that its approval by President Buhari “opened up the democratic space” in the country.
“The Act allowed many in the young age bracket to contest in the 2019 elections.100% implementation as can be seen in the 2019 election, would take Nigeria to the global world before 2023”
He enumerated Other Feats recorded by Mr. Malami to include; State legislative and Judicial independence.
“The ministry took major steps to help the president improve the independence of the state legislature and judiciary”.
He explained that there is a bill to provide for fiscal independence of Legislative and Judicial arm of State Government by the direct funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
“The Executive Order by the President, on State Judiciary and Legislation was a win-win that would have a positive bearing on national development”.
The group leader maintained that, the Order would enable the judiciary to deliver free and fair judgment at the State level, without any form of external or political influence.
Ogochukwu Elem who was visibly enthusiastic about the leadership credentials of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, reiterated that the President assented to a bill to provide for pre-election matters, set statutory time for determination of pre-election matters to guarantee sound judicial pronouncements due to the professional advise of the Minister and his team of legal practitioners.
“The pre-election matters bill is a step forward for judicial processes in the country such that election petitions are adjudicated upon within record time thereby eliminating undue delays.”
“There is significant Minimized delays in trial of criminal cases more especially the high profile cases.It has ensured legislation for speedy trial of cases. For instance, three former governors have been convicted and mechanisms have been set in motion towards” seizing their assets, which are proceeds of crime.”
The South East Secretary of the Group, Mr. Chinedu Nwali used the medium to call other Ministers to emulate the intelligence, initiatives and sacrifices of Mr. Malami stressing that such commitment and support is what Buhari’s administration needs to attain it’s desired height.
Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), have arrested two principal suspects involved in the killing of 16 Nigerians of Northern extraction in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government last week.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the DSS in Uromi, following credible intelligence. Operatives of various security agencies are hunting for other key suspects involved in the unfortunate incidents
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, had on Monday in Kano State, during a condolence visit, revealed that 14 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the killing.
Governor Okpebholo who visited the State to condole with the Government and families of the victims, had vowed that justice will be served and those involved in the killing will be brought to justice.
Governor Okpebholo had also assured families of the victims that adequate compensations will be paid.
In the latest development, the two principal suspects arrested by officials of the DSS, have been transferred to Abuja, the nation’s capital, for further interrogation and prosecution by the relevant authorities.
A Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of rape after spending eight years in prison in South Africa.
Trouble started when the televangelist was accused of raping young women from his South African church, an accusation he denied when he was arrested eight years ago.
His trial was aired live I South Africa and gained interest across the country, but insisted that he was not guiltynof 32-count charges against him.
In 2018, one witness told the court she had been raped by the pastor – who ran a church in the city of Port Elizabeth – when she was 14 years old.
The presiding judge on Wednesday 1st April, 2025 delivered judgement, saying Pastor Timothy Omotoso has not bèn found guilty over this case because prosecutors had mishandled the case.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) shared a similar assessment, saying that “former prosecutors in the case acted improperly and the accused were not sufficiently cross-examined by the state”.
The NPA said it will now “consider its legal options”.
For his part, Mr Omotoso told the media he thanked God for the verdict.
His co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, were also found not guilty.
Mr Omotoso was dramatically arrested at an airport in 2017 as he sought to leave the country.
His trial was the first prominent rape case to be broadcast live in a country where sexual violence is rampant.
The hearings attracted huge interest, and raised difficult questions about victims’ rights, impartiality and whether justice is best served by having television cameras in courtrooms.
Following Wednesday’s verdict, Mr Omotoso will be deported to Nigeria, South African media outlet News24 reported.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
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