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Senate amends FCT customary criminal trials
The Senate on Thursday commenced amendment to the Federal Capital Territory Customary Court Act, 2007, to expand the jurisdiction of customary courts in the FCT to include criminal trials.
According to the sponsor of the piece of legislation under consideration, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central), the bill proposes amendments to sections 2,14,48,49 and 50 of the Principal Act to alter the Quorum of the Court, provide for criminal jurisdiction of the court, and right of appeal to aggrieved persons to appeal to the FCT High Court in the case of criminal matters.
Explaining the reason behind the introduction of the FCT Customary Court Act, 2007 (Amendment) bill, Bamidele said, “Customary Courts in other parts of the country are now contributing immensely to criminal justice administration.”
Citing Lagos and Akwa-Ibom States as examples, the lawmaker explained further that “to bring the FCT Customary Court at par with the Customary Courts in other parts of the country, this bill prescribes the criminal jurisdiction of the court in Part II of the Schedule to the bill by specifying offences and punishments cognizable by the court.”
He added that, “the bill proposes to amend Part II of the Schedule to the Principal Act to specify categories of offences and terms of imprisonment or fines that can be imposed by the FCT Customary Court in exercise of its proposed criminal jurisdiction.”
Senator Bamidele said if passed into law, offences that attract maximum prison term of seven years or maximum fine of N500,000 or both, will now be tried by the FCT Customary Courts without prejudice to the jurisdiction of magistrate courts in the FCT.
“The passage of this bill will erase the pressure on magistrate courts in the FCT and it will also strengthen the right of accused persons to be arraigned in court within a reasonable time as recognized under section 35 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended,” Bamidele said.
Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Sabi Abdullahi (APC – Niger North), raised concerns as to whether the bill if passed into law would ensure fairness in the dispensation of justice.
“When you talk about customary court, it is a court that looks at issues that bother on the customs, traditions, norms and likes of the people within the context of their tradition.
“Most of the states of the federation have peculiar traditions, customs and the likes. But in the FCT, it is a collection of all Nigerians in one place, and so I’m wondering, if you saddle one person with the responsibility of adjudicating, will there be justice and fairness?” the lawmaker queried.
“The idea behind picking one or two people within the context of the customary court for example, is different from the regular court where you have very trained professionals,” Senator Abdullahi observed.
Other lawmakers such as Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP – Abia South), Philip Aduda (PDP – FCT), Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC – Kwara Central), Abbo Elisha Ishaku (APC – Adamawa North) objected to the idea of non-professionals adjudicating over customary court proceedings in criminal trials.
The lawmakers advised the sponsor of the bill to tweak the legislation in a way that provides for the inclusion of experienced legal professionals in the Quorum of Customary Courts, if it at all its jurisdiction must include the dispensation of criminal justice.
Senator James Manager (PDP – Delta South), while sharing the observation raised by lawmakers who spoke before him, appealed that the bill be allowed to scale second reading, so as to give opportunity for necessary input and corrections at the stage of Public Hearing.
Senator Teslim Folarin (APC – Oyo Central), however, kicked against the bill and called for it to be stepped down to allow for further legislative input.
The bill, which eventually scaled second reading after a voice vote put forward by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further work.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has applauded media professionals for their dedication to promoting transparency and keeping citizens informed about government activities.
Governor Ododo who was represented by the Secretary to Kogi State Government (SGS), Folashade Ayoade made this known during the official launch of the state’s first Annual Media Performance Report held in Lokoja.
Ododo described the report as a landmark initiative in line with the administration’s commitment to open governance, emphasizing that effective communication is not only about the volume of coverage but the accuracy, sentiment, and impact of the information shared with the public.
He urged stakeholders to remain objective and fair in their reportage, stressing that the government does not support exaggerated claims, but rather believes in truthfully communicating achievements of the administration.
Ododo acknowledged the collective effort that went into creating the media performance report, emphasizing the important role played by the Special Adviser on Media Hon. Ismaila Isah and his team in delivering the report, which he noted aligns with the administration’s values of teamwork and effective communication.
He expressed deep appreciation to journalists across the state and beyond, recognizing their sacrifices in the line of duty, further pledged to facilitate direct engagement between members of the press and the Kogi State Government, assuring that the administration values the role of the media in building trust and shaping public discourse.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor and Host of the event, Ismaila Isah emphasized that the report is not just a retrospective analysis but a forward looking tool to refine future communication strategies.
Isah expressed his gratitude to Governor Ododo for his unwavering support, and called for continued collaboration between the government and the media to further strengthen public trust and accelerate the development of Kogi State.
Vice President of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) Zone D and General Manager, Prime FM Lokoja, Momoh Jimoh Adeiza applauded the report as a major achievement, urging the state government to increase its support for the media to further empower journalists to fulfill their crucial role in the development of the state.
Erosion: Oyo to benefit from European Investment Bank intervention
Oyo State has been listed among the Twenty-three beneficiaries of the European Investment Bank’s intervention in addressing the challenges of erosion and land degradation control in Nigeria.
The intervention project is under the auspices of the European Investment Bank-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).
In a statement by Bukola Bakare, Director, Press & Public Relations,
Ministry of Information and Orientation,
Oyo State, said the National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks made this known on Tuesday in Ibadan when he led the Federal Project Management Unit delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde in his office.
The National Project Coordinator disclosed that the courtesy visit was part of the Federal Project Management Unit team to Oyo State scoping mission to evaluate the State’s readiness as a crucial step towards disbursement and project implementation take off.
According to Engr. Yalaks, the Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the climate Adaptation: Erosion and Watershed succeeding the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project (Newmap) to address the issue of land degradation in a targeted subwatershed, improve livelihood, and promote Environmental resilience for sustainable development.
He added that the project is supported by the European Union and oversees by the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) with implementation by the twenty three (23) participating States including Oyo State.
Briefing the Governor on the pre requisite requirements, Yalaks commended Governor Makinde led administration for his approval and release of 500 million naira as counterpart fund and other important pre requisite requirements which secured the State as one of the 23 States for the EIB intervention.
His words, “I’m happy to announce to you that Oyo State has met 100% percent legitimate criteria to attract the funding.”
He confirmed that after conducting an assessment of the prioritized sites which are threat to lives and infrastructural development. They are therefore considered as candidate sites in line with the conditions precedence of the EIB.
Welcoming the FPMU delegation on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal highlighted some of the achievements of Engr. Seyi Makinde in demonstrating the highest level of political will to tackle environmental challenges in the state.
He expressed optimism about the project’s potential for success and assured the team of the state’s unwavering support.
“We are already on course and it is an irreversible course, we cannot go back, all the requests you have demanded from us as the state government, we will fulfil. We need to put more efforts in terms of making this partnership a workable one”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola commended Engr. Seyi Makinde for his leadership quality in chosen the prioritized sites in Eruwa, Igbeti, Ibadan and most especially the gully erosion site within the Ladoke Akintola University(LAUTECH) Ogbomoso which is currently a threat to infrastructural development, added that the State is ready for full project implementation take off.
Present at the visit were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, State Project Coordinator, Barr. Tayo Ayoade and members of the State Project Management Unit of NEWMAP.
President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, paid a condolence visit to Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, following the passing of his mother, Hajiya Sarafa’u Umaru, who died on March 23, 2025, at the age of 93.
During the visit, Senator Lawan expressed his deep sorrow over the loss, describing Hajiya Sarafa’u as a woman of “great virtue, kindness, and wisdom,” whose life left an indelible mark on her family and community.
“It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today to commiserate with His Excellency, Governor Radda, and the entire family over the loss of their beloved matriarch.
“Hajiya Sarafa’u was a pillar of strength and devotion, and her legacy lives on through the exemplary leadership of her son, who continues to serve Katsina State with passion and humility,” Lawan said.
The former Senate President explained that his absence during the initial mourning period was due to his participation in an executive course at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States.
However, he emphasized the importance of personally conveying his sympathies upon his return.
“I regret that I could not be here earlier, but I felt it necessary to come in person to offer my condolences and stand in solidarity with the Governor and the people of Katsina during this difficult time,” he added.
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