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Lawyer Asks Court To Void EFCC, NSCDC Acts

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A lawyer, Joshua Ijaodola, has filed suits at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to nullify the Acts establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, citing their unconstitutionality.

Ijaodola, in two fresh suits dated June 23 and filed on June 24, argued that the Acts violated Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in 2018 and 2023, respectively.

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In the first suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1231/2025, the lawyer sued the National Assembly, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, and the EFCC as the first to fourth defendants.

In the second suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1232/2025, the National Assembly, AGF, NPF, and NSCDC were named as the first to fourth defendants, respectively.

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In an affidavit of non-multiplication of actions submitted in support of the suits, Ijaodola affirmed that the matter was not pending before any other court.

In the case against the EFCC, the lawyer sought an order declaring the Act establishing the agency “unconstitutional and in violation of Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in 2023.”

He posed a sole legal question for determination, “Whether or not the Act establishing the 4th defendant (EFCC) is unconstitutional and in violation of Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in 2023.”

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The same relief was sought in the suit against the NSCDC.

READ ALSO:$1bn Fraud: Court Refuses Detained CBEX Operators Bail

In his affidavit supporting the EFCC suit, Ijaodola argued that the National Assembly created the EFCC as “an economic police” under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004.

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He maintained that the third defendant is the constitutionally empowered body responsible for detecting, preventing, apprehending, and prosecuting crimes under Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 4 of the Police Act, 2022.

He contended that the first defendant (National Assembly), through Section 6 of the EFCC Act, delegated part of the police’s statutory duties to the fourth defendant.

He further alleged that Section 8(5) of the EFCC Act effectively grants police powers to the EFCC, including the authority to investigate, arrest, detain, and prosecute economic offenders, which contravenes Section 214 of the Constitution.

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In the case against the NSCDC, Ijaodola argued that the National Assembly established the NSCDC under the NSCDC (Amendment) Act, 2007, granting it police powers that also contravened Section 214 of the Constitution.

He submitted that both the EFCC and the NSCDC have been usurping the constitutional powers of the police under the guise of their enabling Acts.

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The lawyer further stated that the Nigerian government, represented by the AGF (second defendant), had been spending billions of naira on maintaining the EFCC and NSCDC, despite their unconstitutional establishment.

He urged the court to grant his applications in the interest of justice and the supremacy of the Constitution.

“The declaration is made conscientiously, believing it to be true, under the provisions of the Oaths Act,” he said.

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The suits are yet to be assigned to a judge for hearing.

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2Baba’s Wife, Natasha Wins Best Legislator Awards

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Wife of legendary singer Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2Baba, and lawmaker Representing Egor Constituency at Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Natasha Osawawru has been honoured with Best Legislator Awards.

The Edo-born lawmaker was honoured at the 2025 National Leadership Awards held at the Nigerian Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.

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The female lawmaker had championed bills and embarked on initiatives which focused on women empowerment, education, healthcare and youth development.

READ ALSO:‘This Is Not Me’ – 2Baba Apologises To Wife Natasha, Children Over Controversial Comments

Other laudable projects she has embarked upon in her constituency include scholarships, free medical outreach, and skills acquisition programmes that have directly benefited her constituents.

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Speaking after receiving the award, Osawaru dedicated the honour to the people of Egor Constituency and reaffirmed her commitment to “serve with integrity, passion, and dedication.”

The National Leadership Awards celebrates excellence and service across sectors in Nigeria.

Osawaru’s recognition further cements her reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic and impactful young legislators.

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Lunar Eclipse To Hit Nigeria, Other African Countries

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Nigerians, alongside residents of some African nations, are set to witness a rare celestial spectacle on Sunday, September 7, when a total lunar eclipse lights up the skies from 8:00 p.m. West Africa Time.

The phenomenon, which will last about 83 minutes, is expected to turn the Moon a vivid reddish colour, drawing the attention of sky watchers across the region.

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According to the National Television Authority (NTA), scientists confirmed that the eclipse will be visible across much of Africa.

READ ALSO:2024 Solar Eclipse: See When, Where It Will Happen

“Countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe will experience the eclipse, though the westernmost areas may miss parts of the early penumbral or partial phases due to the Moon rising closer to or during totality,” the network reported on Sunday.

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Although some westernmost areas may not see the early phases, much of Nigeria will enjoy a clear view of the event, which scientists describe as safe and awe-inspiring.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration stated on its website that a lunar eclipse may be total, partial, or penumbral, and predicted that Sunday’s total eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

READ ALSO:Eight Amazing Facts You Should Know About Solar Eclipse 2024

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The Moon’s red glow, often referred to as a “blood moon,” comes from sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere, a phenomenon NASA recently linked to temperature variations on the lunar surface during such events.

Unlike solar eclipses, which require protective eyewear, this lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the naked eye.

A total lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, with Earth’s shadow falling across the Moon.

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DSS Gives X Ultimatum To Pull Down Sowore’s Tweet

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has demanded that X (formerly Twitter) remove a tweet against President Bola Tinubu by activist Omoyele Sowore, giving the social media platform a 24-hour ultimatum to comply.

The DSS claims the tweet “disparages” President Bola Tinubu and poses a threat to Nigeria’s national security.

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In a letter signed on behalf of the Director-General, the DSS cited a tweet from Sowore’s verified handle, @YeleSowore, dated August 25, 2025. The tweet, which has now been widely reported, reads: “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The DSS’s notice to X stated that the tweet is a “disparaging” and “dangerous” publication that could incite unrest and create “political tension.”

READ ALSO:JUST IN: DSS Writes X, Wants Sowore’s Account Deactivated Over Tweet Targeting Tinubu

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The tweet under reference is against the transparency on X and Government has frowned at it and found it extremely dangerous, false, privacy violation behaviour that manipulate and negatively impacts on the person of the President and the Country.”

The said tweet is still in circulation and has attracted widespread condemnation by majority of Nigerians, some of whom may resort to unwholesome activities to vent their grievance over it, especially supporters of the President who have started taking to the streets in protest, thereby creating political tension and threatening the country’s national security. This is in addition to the disparaging effect the tweet has on the reputation of Mr. President and the country before the comity of nations.”

The service claimed that the tweet, directed at the President’s official X account, has already led to protests from his supporters.

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The letter also asserted that the tweet violates several Nigerian laws, including the Cyber Crimes Act 2025, the Criminal Code Act, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The DSS alleged that the words used by Sowore constitute “misleading information, online harassment and abuse,” and an attempt to “cause disunity” and “discredit the President.”

READ ALSO:DSS Charges Top Ansaru Leaders Over Terrorism, Kuje Prison Break Roles

The security agency warned of “far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures” if X fails to take down the tweet and its attendant retweets within the stipulated 24-hour period.

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It is against the above highlighted backdrop that we make an immediate and urgent demand on your Corporation to as a matter of its own policy, immediately TAKE DOWN the tweet and its attendant re-tweets. This demand is unequivocal with its attendant consequence. Should you fail, neglect and refuse to comply with the command in this notice, the Federal Government will be compelled to take far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures through our Organisation, whose mandate covers such criminal acts. In the light of the above having been made official to you, 24 hours is sufficient enough to take necessary action.”

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