News

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

Published

9 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

NYSC Pays Arrears After Two-month Break

Published

3 minutes ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The National Youth Service Corps resumed payments for arrears on Wednesday, marking the first disbursement since the last payment on June 3, following a two-month break.

This payment relates to the new N77,000 monthly allowance recently approved by the Federal Government.

Recall that on April 5th, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that corps members who recently completed their service will receive the new N77,000 monthly allowance approved by the Federal Government.

Speaking during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu said, “Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details.”

He emphasised the government’s commitment, adding, “Nigerians should not fret about that because the government is both responsible and responsive to their needs.”

This development was confirmed by PUNCH, by a previously serving corps member who chose to remain anonymous, who said, “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.

The payment of arrears, covering the period from July 2024 to March 2025, follows widespread frustration over delayed implementation after the Federal Government approved the allowance increase as part of its commitment to easing economic hardship for Nigerian youth.

News

FCTA Withdraws Park Licences, Directs Fresh Screening Of Operators

Published

13 minutes ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has withdrawn all park licences in Abuja, directing operators to resubmit their documents for a fresh screening exercise, with a possibility of reallocation.

The Director, Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, while explaining the reasons for the demolition of Boulevard Park, Maitama, Abuja.

The FCTA carried out the demolition of Boulevard Park in Maitama on Tuesday, over violations of park policies and distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.

Assistant Director, Department of Development Control, and Sector Head for Maitama and Wuse, Sherif Razak, explained during the exercise that the park, originally designated for recreational purposes, had been overbuilt and misused.

He said the park had been converted to worship centres, revival grounds, and restaurants, operating under unhygienic conditions.

Galadima explained that the decision to withdraw park licenses followed a memo jointly submitted by the Directors of Parks and Recreation and Lands to the Minister of the FCT, highlighting several inadequacies and violations associated with parks management in the FCT.

He said the new directive offers park operators the opportunity to resubmit their documents to the Department of Parks and Recreation for review.

“If they meet the terms and conditions, they can be reallocated. Owners of parks should respond to the call, submit their documents, and if they meet the requirements, they will return to their parks,” he said.

The Director stressed that the decision was not taken to deliberately witch-hunt park operators, but is part of efforts to restore order and compliance with existing policies.

“There’s nothing like witch-hunting. All park allocations have been withdrawn following a series of violations, and the Minister is at liberty to do whatever he wants to do with land in the FCT, parks inclusive,” he stated.

On the recent demolition of Boulevard Park, Galadima clarified that operators were duly notified before enforcement, pointing out that the park had long violated its terms of allocation, operating in direct contravention of recreational policy.

“Boulevard Park was allocated for recreational purposes, but the activities taking place there are a total violation of the park policy in terms of operation. Boulevard has violated all the terms and conditions,” he said.

He noted that monitoring park operations was the primary responsibility of the Department of Parks and Recreation, adding that parks were expected to submit concept designs for approval before operations commenced. However, lapses in monitoring had led to widespread abuse.

“The FCT is a creation of law, and lawlessness will not be tolerated. The development of the city is guided by law, and every operator must comply with the terms and conditions of their allocation,” Galadima said.

He stated that a ministerial committee had been set up to review all allocations and uses of parks, to ensure they were serving their original recreational purpose.

News

Tinubu Names New VCs For Education Varsities In Zaria, Kano

Published

24 minutes ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday named Prof. Yahaya Bunkure as the new Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu appoints Nakore, Kodage into governing council of Federal University of Education Kano, Bunkure, names VC Federal University of Education Zaria.’

Bunkure is a renowned academic specialising in science education.

He is currently the Vice Chancellor of Saadatu Rimi University of Education in Kano.

Tinubu also appointed Abdurrazaq Nakore, an engineer, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

He named Prof. Abdullahi Kodage as Vice Chancellor of the university.

Nakore, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, was Executive Secretary of the Rural Electricity Board in Jigawa State.

The Federal University of Education, Zaria, and the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, were among the four Colleges of Education upgraded into full-fledged universities between 2022 and 2023.

“In accordance with the institution’s governing laws, the pro-chancellor will serve a term of four years, while the Vice-Chancellors will serve for five years,” the statement added.