News

Edo: Follow Due Process In Appointment Of Judges, Group Urges JSC

Published

3 years ago

October 30, 2022

The Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary (V4IJ), has urged members of the Edo State Judicial Commission (JSC), to follow due process and merit in the ongoing exercise of appointment of would-be-judges in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the group’s president, Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., and made available to INFO DAILY on Sunday.

Ogbankwa, who alleged that there have been “intense intrigues pervading the appointment process,” vowed that “V4IJ will not allow the imposition of unqualified candidates or candidates who do not have the requisite experience to be Judges in Edo State.”

He stated: “The Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary
(V4IJ), is not unaware of the undercurrent and intense intrigues, that is pervading the appointment process for would-be-judges in Edo State.

“The Vanguard states that our organisation will not allow the imposition of unqualified candidates or candidates who do not have the requisite experience to be Judges in Edo State.”

While calling on the JSC to perish thought of bringing any candidate lacking in the basic characteristics and qualifications to be a Judge in the state, V4IJ vowed to exploit all that is necessary under the Law to stop such.

The Vanguard therefore appealed to the JSC to forward names of applicants to the Bar Association in Edo State at the end of the submission exercise.

It further urged the Bar Association to do a thorough vetting of all candidates who submitted applications with a view to ensuring that unqualified candidates and those with “proven baggage are sifted out.”

It added: “We also call for great consideration to pawyers in the private Bar and of the male gender in this exercise , as both were greatly short changed at the last exercise. We know those who have served the Judiciary at the lower bench meritoriously and also those who distinguished themselves in the official bar, they should be given premium of place from their end.”

While calling for transparency in the appointment process, V4IJ said: “Days of writing recommendations to only those shortlisted and favoured by the powers that be are over. We are in touch with other partner organisations in Nigeria on this matter and we will wish to State that we will ensure that the process meets the transparency test, as Judicial Officers handle matters too weighty to be left to chance.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

16 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

16 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

16 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.