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Appea Court Lack Jurisdiction To Declare Abure As The National Chairman Of LP – Supreme Court

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The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision that recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). In a decisive ruling, a five-member panel declared that the Court of Appeal lacked the legal authority to determine the party’s leadership matters.

In a unanimous verdict, the highest court in the land stated that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction over the matter. The panel observed that since the case revolved around the internal leadership structure of the Labour Party, it fell outside the jurisdiction of the courts.

The ruling reinforced the long-standing principle that leadership disputes within political parties should be resolved internally, rather than through judicial intervention.

The Supreme Court stressed that leadership struggles within political parties are purely internal matters. According to legal principles, courts should not interfere in such issues, as they fall under the party’s constitution and governance framework. By upholding this legal doctrine, the apex court reaffirmed that political parties must settle their leadership crises independently.

The Supreme Court upheld the appeal lodged by Senator Nenadi Usman and a fellow appellant, ruling that their claims were valid. Their appeal challenged the earlier judgment, arguing that it was flawed due to jurisdictional overreach. After thorough legal scrutiny, the Supreme Court found merit in their argument and ruled in their favour.

The legal battle also involved a cross-appeal filed by supporters of Julius Abure, who sought to challenge the decision against their leader. However, the Supreme Court dismissed this cross-appeal, declaring it unsubstantiated and lacking merit. The ruling effectively ended the legal contest over the Labour Party’s chairmanship, cementing the judiciary’s stance on non-interference in party leadership disputes.

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FG: 226 Terrorism Suspects Convicted in December 2024

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Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, announced that the federal government successfully prosecuted and convicted 226 terrorism suspects in December 2024.

Fagbemi attributed this success to intentional efforts aimed at enhancing the criminal justice system in Nigeria.

During a special engagement session on Thursday, he provided updates to Nigerians and stakeholders on the achievements of the Federal Ministry of Justice and its agencies in advancing the criminal justice administration from October 2024 to the present.

He highlighted significant improvements in the prosecution of crimes under the Ministry’s jurisdiction. “Between December 9 and 13, 2024, we effectively conducted 237 terrorism cases, resulting in the successful prosecution and conviction of 226 suspects,” Fagbemi stated.

He emphasized that these accomplishments stemmed from existing policies and actions focused on bolstering the capabilities of prosecutors, fostering collaboration among prosecuting agencies, and developing suitable policy frameworks in partnership with the National Security Adviser and other law enforcement bodies.

The Minister also noted other achievements, including the formation of a Joint Case Team (JCT) dedicated to addressing cybercrime.

Additionally, he mentioned that the federal government is currently reviewing the Cyber Crime Legal Framework to strengthen national regulations in line with emerging trends and global best practices.

On another front, the Minister reported progress in enhancing protections for victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through awareness campaigns and improved access to justice. “During this reporting period, we secured six convictions for SGBV offences, including the case of Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu,” he stated.

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Fagbemi further highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to developing a child-sensitive justice system that addresses the needs of children involved with the law, whether as victims, witnesses, or offenders. Efforts continue towards enacting laws against child recruitment and implementing safeguards for child offenders.

In the realm of anti-corruption and asset recovery, the Minister revealed that Nigeria signed an Asset Sharing Agreement with the United States on January 10, 2025, leading to the repatriation of assets worth $52,882,018.95. Of this amount, $50 million will fund the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) Project, designed to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians, while the remaining $2.88 million will enhance counter-terrorism capacity building for practitioners in the criminal justice sector.

Fagbemi mentioned ongoing negotiations for additional recoveries in foreign jurisdictions, including the U.S., Bailiwick of Jersey, and France, expressing hope for a swift conclusion to repatriate more funds to Nigeria.

Regarding legal aid, he disclosed that the government is enhancing access to justice through the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, which provides free legal services to low-income citizens in both criminal and civil matters. The Council managed 2,790 criminal cases and 1,021 civil matters, with 482 resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

The Council also conducted 760 visits to correctional facilities nationwide to review inmate cases and provided assistance to 637 suspects during police interviews and bail processes under its Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS).

Moreover, the Council engaged in media outreach and community sensitization campaigns on citizens’ rights and access to the criminal justice system, collaborating with traditional leaders, religious figures, and community organizations. A total of 370 sensitization campaigns were conducted during this reporting period.

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Kaduna’s $350m Loan Mess: 12 LGAs Sideline In El-Rufai’s Urban Renewal Projects

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By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

At least 12 local government areas in Kaduna State have reportedly been sidelined in the multi-million-dollar Urban Renewal Programme initiated by the immediate past administration of Nasir El-Rufai, despite ongoing repayments of a $350m World Bank loan secured for the project.

Stakeholders across the state have raised alarm over the alleged lopsided implementation of the infrastructural programme, with several communities in Southern and Central Kaduna lamenting neglect and abandonment.

Field investigations by Our Correspondent revealed that not a single kilometre of road has been completed in LGAs such as Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Ikara, Jaba, Kagarko, Kajuru, Kauru, Kudan, Makarfi, Sanga, Soba, and Zangon Kataf—some of the poorest and most underserved areas in the state.

Sources within the affected communities alleged that while construction flag-offs were conducted with fanfare, the projects never progressed beyond groundbreaking stages. In many instances, equipment was abandoned and contractors demobilised shortly after the ceremonies.

Transparency advocates and civil society organisations have described the situation as a gross injustice. Comrade Phelimon Andrew, a Zango-Kataf-based activist, called for a legislative probe into the programme.

“We can’t keep taking loans for political PR. The communities have a right to know where every dollar went,” Andrew said.

The World Bank facility, secured under the El-Rufai administration, was intended to fund the Urban Renewal Programme—a signature initiative aimed at modernising infrastructure across the state. However, critics say the implementation has been anything but inclusive.

Residents expressed frustration over deteriorating road conditions and failed promises. Musa Yakubu, a commercial motorcyclist in Sabo Tasha, said the abandoned roadworks have made commuting both costly and hazardous.

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“This road was supposed to be completed under El-Rufai’s administration. Now it’s just a dust trap in dry season and a muddy mess when it rains,” he lamented.

Similarly, Gimbiya Musa, who runs a shop near the stalled Television Garage–Sabo Tasha bridge, said her business has suffered a 50 per cent decline in sales due to low customer traffic.

In Zitti village, Zango Kataf LGA, residents reported that children now play on half-graded roads while open drains attract refuse dumps.

“It’s a constant reminder of a broken promise,” said Ezekiel Haruna, a community leader.

A school teacher in Kafanchan, Fatima Bello, added: “El-Rufai gave us hope that Kaduna would be transformed. What we got were potholes, dust storms and traffic chaos.”

Garba Habibu from Birnin Gwari, one of the hardest-hit LGAs, called on Governor Uba Sani to probe the previous administration.

“This administration must tell us the truth about what happened to the $350m World Bank loan. We deserve answers,” he said.

An insider within the state Ministry of Works, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that about 76 per cent of the projects were concentrated in Kaduna North Senatorial District, leaving Southern and Central zones with abandoned sites.

A youth leader in Kaura also criticised the unequal spread of development.

“How can we keep paying back a loan and have nothing to show for it?” he asked, citing the stalled Yarbwan–Kafanchan road as an example.

In Birnin Gwari, plagued by insecurity and poor road access, residents said the failed projects have compounded their suffering. Government insiders confirmed to PUNCH that many of the affected LGAs never saw project completion or even contractor mobilisation.

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“Everything was about media visibility and urban optics,” one source within the Kaduna Government House said.

Community leaders are now demanding urgent attention and equity in infrastructural development, warning that continued marginalisation may breed discontent.

Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Ministry of Works for official comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to key officials were not returned at press time.

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FG To Repatriate 15,000 Nigerians Stranded Abroad

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The Federal Government has announced that discussions are underway regarding the safe and dignified return of 15,000 Nigerians stranded in Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and other parts of the world.

Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), made this statement during a media briefing on Friday in Abuja.

Ahmed highlighted that there are currently no fewer than six million displaced individuals within Nigeria, while thousands of refugees reside in various countries around the globe.

“We have 15,000 Nigerians wishing to return to the country voluntarily, and we also have at least 100,000 foreigners residing in Nigeria as refugees.

“All of these fall under the commission’s responsibilities, to provide them with support,” he stated.

While reaffirming the government’s relentless efforts to ensure the safe return of displaced persons, Ahmed expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the assistance extended to the commission and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

The NCFRMI chief also revealed that Nigeria will host the inaugural thematic meeting under its chairmanship of the Rabat Process, with over 100 delegates from the 57 partner countries expected to attend.

It is worth noting that Nigeria assumed the chairmanship of the Rabat Process—a Euro-African dialogue on migration and development—in January 2025.

Ahmed stated that the meeting, scheduled for 13 and 14 May, themed “Youth, Innovation and Education: Driving the Future of Migration,” aims to facilitate bilateral discussions between Nigeria and other nations, ultimately enhancing migration governance.

“Membership in these platforms offers opportunities for knowledge transfer and improved migration management.

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“Nigeria’s leadership in the Rabat Process is viewed as advantageous, despite its one-year term,” he added.

The federal commissioner also addressed the challenges of managing migration, emphasising the need for adequate advocacy to educate younger generations about legal migration pathways.

“There is a necessity to inform migrants about the repercussions of irregular migration, which can lead to negative outcomes.

“The focus should be on promoting legal migration pathways to reduce the number of irregular migrants.

“Regular migration involves travelling through lawful channels, whereas irregular migration often entails perilous and unlawful methods.

“Irregular migration can result in hardship and danger, leaving many migrants unable to return to their home countries,” he remarked.

Ahmed, therefore, called for improved coordination and support from various stakeholders, including the media, to enhance migration governance.

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