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Supreme Court Rules 2024 will enhance efficient appellate justice delivery – Fagbemi
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said the new Supreme Court Rules 2024 will enhance efficient appellate justice delivery in the country.
Fagbemi said this at the special session to mark the beginning of the 2024/2025 legal year and conferment of the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the newly promoted 87 lawyers.
He said that the rules were prepared by a rules committee headed by the Chief Justice with all the well received and promising innovations introduced therein.
“The rules will now be seamlessly rolled out directly for use by practitioners in this court as the new legal year kicks off.
“I can only beseech my learned colleagues to quickly internalise and embrace the rules so that its many well thought out benefits can begin to manifest in earnest in justice delivery at the Supreme Court.
“I am most delighted that my Lord has hit the ground running by identifying some core areas requiring attention, including deployment of technology in the administration of justice.
“It includes also abuses, such as the vexed phenomenon of frivolous ex-parte orders, media trial by lawyers in clear breach of the principle of sub judice and rules of professional conduct.
“Not discounting possible reforms for insulating the Supreme Court from pre-election matters, I share in Your Lordship’s vision and do pledge my unflinching support thereto,’’ he pledged.
He said that the recent landmark judgment of July 11 on financial autonomy for local governments is still causing introspective reactions amongst stakeholders.
“This judgment which has been greeted with huge sighs of relief would certainly enhance socio-economic development and reduce insecurity at the local government level, which is the base of the pyramid.
The minister said that President Bola Tinubu also promised that the independence, autonomy, welfare and development of the judiciary will continue to receive priority attention under the current administration.
“I want to assure the justice constituency that this administration will live up to its pledge to accord obeisant respect for judicial decisions and the rule of law.
“This is in realisation of the fact that sound and just judicial pronouncements are enablers of the critical factors that drive socio-economic development.
“We will therefore continue to take proactive steps to avoid undue exposure of the government to legal liabilities,’’ he pledged.
He said that the nobility of the legal profession demands unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, equality, and the pursuit of excellence in values.
“Thus, the conferment of the coveted rank of SAN is a fitting acknowledgement of the outstanding contributions of learned colleagues to the profession and to the nation.
“It is a testament to hard work, dedication, and commitment to the highest standards of legal practice.
“Your new, enviable status demands that you must be honest and maintain professional standards at all times within and outside the court room towards the judex, colleagues, clients, and the public.
“You must maintain a very high standard of professional conduct in the discharge of your duties,’’ he advised.
He equally warned that being a privilege also meant that it can be lost or taken away.
“It is worthy of note that under the new rules once a name is struck off there is no provision for restoration of the name to the roll.
“Therefore, you must continue to sustain the standards and qualities for which you were considered worthy of the rank ab initio.
“You are required to advance the course of justice, rule of law, promotion of the image or rating of the judiciary and legal profession, as worthy ambassadors’’.
He said that all the issues responsible for the lack of progress on the Legal Practitioners Act Amendment Bill have now been resolved and his office will proceed quickly to ensure its enactment into law. (NAN)
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has announced that more than 4,000 women have benefited from the Federal Government’s free Cesarean section (C-section) initiative since its inauguration.
Pate disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a media conference marking the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Innovating for Safer Birth: A Collective Responsibility to Crash Maternal Mortality,” with the slogan “Care for Moms, Hope for the Babies.”
Celebrated annually on April 11, Safe Motherhood Day aims to raise awareness about maternal health.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in November 2024, Pate revealed that the Federal Government would offer free C-sections for all women in need, as part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality.
This initiative is part of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project, which aims to improve access to quality healthcare and reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates.
Pate emphasized that the government was committed to ensuring no woman dies during childbirth and that every newborn receives the care and dignity they deserve.
He outlined several ongoing government efforts to ensure safe deliveries, including the Health Sector Renewal Investment initiative, which addressed long-standing challenges in the health system.
“Under this initiative, we have strengthened the Primary Health Care system to ensure better access to quality maternal, newborn, and child health services.
“We are scaling up Comprehensive Emergency Maternal, Obstetric, and Newborn Care, especially for indigent and vulnerable populations.
“More than 4,000 women have already received cesarean sections, treated, and reimbursed through the National Health Insurance Authority’s emergency obstetric care programme,” Pate explained.
He said that the government had also expanded coverage of skilled birth attendants in underserved areas and broadened health insurance coverage.
“The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System has been strengthened, with 23 states empaneled.
“Additionally, the Free Fistula Programme, offering free repair, care, and transportation, is currently active in 15 facilities.”
Pate noted that these reforms were already showing positive results, with improved health indicators in several states.
Addressing the theme of Safe Motherhood Day, Pate called on all Nigerians to take responsibility for ensuring safer childbirth for every woman, regardless of her background or location.
Country Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Walter Mulombo, also spoke on behalf of development partners.
He emphasised that safe motherhood started with comprehensive health security and called for continued investment in maternal and newborn health services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
He urged the government to enact and uphold laws that would protect women’s and children’s health rights, including maternity protection and access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The event culminated in the launch of key policy and guideline documents aimed at advancing safe motherhood.
These included the Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024-2028), Guidelines for Managing Postpartum Hemorrhage, Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Guidelines, Essential Gynaecological Skills Manuals, and the National Training Manual for Obstetric Fistula Management.
NAN also reports that these documents underscore the government’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centered health system that proactively addresses maternal health challenges.(NAN)
Zamfara State Elders Forum has criticised Governor Dauda Lawal Dare for attempting to take credit for recent security improvements in the region, accusing him of political opportunism and failing to deliver on campaign promises.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Zamfara Elders Forum, through its secretary Dr Alhaji Umaru Yusuf Tsafe, described the governor’s actions as “misleading” and a display of “inconsistency and opportunism.”
The group alleged that Lawal had reneged on his 2023 election pledge to end insecurity in Zamfara within a month, instead shifting blame to the federal government when the situation worsened under his leadership.
“Governor Lawal rode into office on the back of promises he has completely failed to deliver,” Tsafe said, noting that the governor had previously campaigned by blaming his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, for the state’s insecurity.
“Once in office, he claimed he lacked the resources to act, exposing his lack of foresight and leadership.”
The elders further accused Lawal of attempting to claim credit for recent security breakthroughs, which they attributed to the efforts, of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu,
National Security Adviser malam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and CDS musa
“Governor Lawal neither provided meaningful support nor initiated these operations,” the statement read, labelling his actions as “political desperation.”
The forum urged the people of Zamfara to demand accountability from their leaders, stressing that the state deserves “a governor who is honest, consistent, and genuinely committed to their safety.”
They condemned Lawal’s approach as exploitative, accusing him of seeking to benefit politically from the achievements of others.
Suspected Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) on Mandafuma bridge, along Biu-Damboa road in Borno state.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the incident occurred at about 2 am on Tuesday.
Makama said the explosion was aimed at hindering military reinforcements traveling through the area, and to disrupt the movement of motorists and passengers along the route.
Some images released by the publication show severe damage to the bridge which links Mandafuma village and Biu town.
On April 12, eight travelers were killed following an IED explosion on the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno state.
The incident which involved a commercial bus heading to Maiduguri from Damboa left 11 other persons severely injured.
Similarly, on March 21, four passengers were killed and four others injured after an IED exploded under a commercial vehicle in Biu LGA of the state.
The vehicle was said to have stepped on the IED upon reaching Sabon Garin, Kimba junction, leading to a massive explosion that killed on the spot four passengers, including three females and a male.