News

Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System Has Recorded Significant Improvement, Says Akinseye-George, SAN

Published

10 months ago

December 18, 2024

Joseph Ebi Kanjo|Benin

The President, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, has said that despite the challenges facing Nigeria’s criminal justice system, it has no doubt recorded some significant improvements in the dispensation of criminal justice since the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJL).

Akinseye-George made the remarks at a two-day workshop on the National Minimum Standard for effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws in states.

The president, who made his opening remarks virtually at the two days capacity building workshop in Benin, said the workshop was aimed at promoting a deeper understanding of the National Minimum Standard for the implementation of the ACJL/ACJA by members of the public.

Akinseye-George, who said the programme was being held across six states where RoLAC is working to improve the justice system, added: “The purpose of the workshop is to promote a deeper understanding by the participants and the general public of the National Minimum Standard for effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws in states.”

The President, while describing the
National Minimum Standard as a document that has brought together in a single document the most salient features of the ACJL/ACJA of various states, disclosed that it is a document that has been accepted by the body of Attorney-Generals, Solicitor-Generals, Permanent Secretaries of Ministries, among others.

“The body of Attorney Generals of the country under the chairmanship of the Attorney-General of the Federation has adopted the National Minimum Standard as a basis for implementing reforms and measuring impacts by justice sector agencies and operatives.

“The National Minimum Standard document has also been adopted by Solicitor Generals and Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Justice across the country.”

Also speaking, Ugochukwu Emmanuel of the CSLS, said the workshop was to review the implementation and the adoption of the National Minimum Standard, a document, which according to him, “we intend states to adopt for the effective implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Laws.”

He added: “The essence of the training was to access the level of adoption of the National Minimum Standard in Edo, stressing that “this is the first phase of this project.”

On her part, Mrs. Esosa Osula, Coordinator of the programme , said contributions from participants at the workshop showed that key players in the justice system are ready to embrace the National Minimum Standard.

Osula, who was one of the facilitators at the workshop, while thanking his Lordship Hon. Justice William Aziegbemi, for his immense contributions and guide at the workshop, expressed optimism that participants would take it from where the workshop stopped as regards the implementation of the National Minimum Standard for the implementation of ACJL.

On his part, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, Barrister Idemudia Iredia-Osifo, while acknowledging the fact that the ACJL came with its challenges since its enactment, promised to give all necessary support for the full implementation in the state.

Also lending her voice, the Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers in Edo State, Fransisca Edema, said her members are doing their best for the full implementation of the ACJL through enlightenment of clients and other activities.

On his part, the Director, Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), Edo State, Mr. Orobosa Okunbor, said: “We have moved beyond where we were as regards the implementation of the ACJL in Edo State.

“But there are still some challenges regarding resources. Also working with security agencies concerned has been challenging. We are a state government agency while the security agencies are federal, so there is a challenge.”

The two days workshop attracted representative of Attorney-General of the state, judges in the state including Hon. Justice William Aziegbemi, representatives from the the state Ministry of Justice; members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin branch; members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers; the Nigeria Police Force; the Department of State Services; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); the Correctional Service, among others.

News

DSS Arraigns Sowore Over Anti-Tinubu Post

Published

6 hours ago

September 30, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government is set to arraign human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a five-count charge for allegedly posting false statements about President Bola Tinubu intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, court papers show.

Sowore was sighted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the arraignment.

The suit dated 16th September,2025, was lodged after Sowore allegedly refused to delete the controversial posts about the President.

The Sahara Reporters publisher was accused of using his official X handle to make the post, “This criminal @ official PBAT Actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The alleged offending post, said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

The charges were brought on behalf of the DSS and the Federal Government by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside four other counsel to the DSS –M.E. Ernest, U.B. Bulla, Dr. C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor.

Social media companies X Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are listed as co-defendants.

Confirming the legal action in a Facebook post last week, Sowore wrote, “The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘X’ (formerly Twitter Facebook, and myself. They claimed that because I called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of ‘novel’ offences they invented and spread across five counts.

“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”

Recall that the human rights activist and African Action Congress candidate in the 2023 election vowed not to delete the controversial tweet, despite a request from the DSS to X demanding its removal.

Restating his stance, Sowore wrote, “This morning, X (formerly Twitter) officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the lawless DSS over my Tweet on Tinubu. One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X.”

News

Lagos Opens Portal For Teaching Job Applications

Published

7 hours ago

September 30, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board has opened its official application portal for teaching positions across the state.

In a statement signed on Monday by the Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, the board said the recruitment exercise, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, targets qualified candidates willing to contribute to the delivery of quality education in Lagos State.

The statement partly read, “This is a unique opportunity for NCE holders, B.A (Ed), B.Sc (Ed), B.Ed, HND+PGDE, BA+PGDE, and B.Sc+PGDE graduates to build a career in teaching and contribute meaningfully to qualitative service delivery in the State.”

According to the commission, applicants are required to submit applications strictly online via https://subebjobs.lagosstate.gov.ng.

The statement warned that physical submissions would not be entertained and stressed that the board has not authorised anyone to collect money for the exercise, which is completely free.

It stated that the documents for application include, O’ Level Certificate (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB), Degree Certificate or NCE Certificate, and NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate, as applicable.

The board also noted that notifications or statements of results issued beyond two years would not be accepted.

“LASUBEB has not engaged or authorised any individual or group to collect money for this exercise. The application is absolutely free.

“Closing Date: The portal will close on 14th October, 2025,” the statement concluded.

News

FG Approves New NYSC Mandatory Regulations

Published

8 hours ago

September 30, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved the compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) a mandatory requirement for mobilisation into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The provides that, effective from Oct. 6, no Nigerian graduate – whether from a Nigerian university, polytechnic, college of education, or an overseas institution would be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance.

This directive was contained in a circular issued to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Sunday in Abuja.

The directive does not, however, affect serving Corps members or those enrolled before the enforcement date.

Akume said that the compliance directive was to convey the approval for the adjustment of “NYSC mobilisation criteria in accordance with the President’s regulation requiring proof of NERD Policy compliance for all prospective Corps members, regardless of where they were educated.”