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Yerima and a soldier who never wore uniform, By Suyi Ayodele

On Sunday, June 18, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte 1, the returnee Emperor of France, marched the French Imperial Army against the two armies of the Seventh Coalition at Waterloo, then in the Netherlands. The first of the Seventh Coalition Army was led by the British Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington.

The Duke of Wellington, the account states, distinguished himself so well that the great Napoleon and his soldiers were badly routed. The Coalition forces marched on Paris on July 7, 1815, and forced Napoleon to abdicate the French throne. The 1815 battle ended what is known in history as the Napoleonic Wars.

The failure to stop Duke Wellington by the French Emperor marked the end of his reign and Napoleon never fought any battle till he died on May 5, 1821. Waterloo, the place of defeat is metaphorically used to describe a disastrous end of any venture or human endeavour, to date. But that is not the story here.

After the feat achieved in the battlefront, Duke Wellington led home his victorious armies drawn from the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom of Netherlands, Hanover, Brunswick and Nassau. While on his high horse and followed by other Generals in the Coalition, the Duke decided on a shortcut, which happened to be a farmland.

But unbeknownst to him, the owner of the farm, peeved by the constant destruction of his corn and other crops by wayfarers using his farm as thoroughfare, had fenced off the pathway, gated it, built a sentry post and assigned his last child to be on guard. The farmer, a no-nonsense father, had also instructed his son that he should allow “nobody” access to the pathway.

The lad was on the sentry duty when Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley came calling with other battle-tested Generals following. The Duke met a locked gate, with a lad standing by on guard. He commanded: “Open up boy!” The lad responded: “No sir!”.

The Duke, startled, was said to have alighted from his horse, walked up to the boy and announced: “I am the Duke of Wellington”. Sizing up the Duke in his military fatigue, in what the Language of British and American Literature will describe as ‘dangerous eyeballing’, the lad asked firmly: “Would the Duke of Wellington ask a boy to disobey instructions from his father?”

Those words did the magic. The Duke got the message. He was not just a Field Marshall for fun. The Duke of Wellington understood what instructions were and how obedience to them could be sacrosanct to the success or failure of any venture.

He asked the lad: “Are you on duty here, boy?” The lad answered: “Yes, sir. My father asked me to guard here, until he returns!” Turning to the other Generals, the Duke announced: “Boy, if you are on duty here, always do your duty well.” With that, he mounted his horse, others followed, and the Duke led them through the longer route to the warm welcome of the jubilant crowd waiting to celebrate the Seventh Coalition Armies for their success at the Battle Waterloo.

Seeing the Duke turning away, the lad, barefooted, and clad in torn apparel, ran and announced enthusiastically, to the hearing of his father and other farmhands in the other section of the plantation: “Father, I have done what Napoleon could not do. I have turned back the Duke of Wellington”.

In one of the accounts of this incident, the British Heritage History series of Great Englishmen by the British historian, Martha Bertha Synge, otherwise known as M.B. Synge (1861-1939), states that while recounting the encounter with the lad, the Duke of Wellington, who later became British Prime Minister in 1828, said: “I once met a soldier who never wore a uniform; the little boy who would not leave his post.” The Duke further described the Battle of Waterloo as “…the nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life” (Creevey Papers Chapter x, pg.236).

I have taken this historic voyage to address the encounter between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Naval Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, on Monday, November 11, 2025, around Gaduwa area of the FCT, over a disputed piece of land.

Our focus today, however, is not about Wike and his conduct during the unfortunate encounter but on the role the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, played when Wike called the General in the heat of the outburst with the Naval Lieutenant.

Against all temptations, I am restraining myself from joining the crowd of the ‘pro’ or ‘anti’ Wike and concentrating on the professional intervention of the CDS when it mattered. Maybe, when the minister has gone through the full circle of the legendary Tortoise, his appointing authority would do an appraisal of his personality identikit and apply the necessary administrative sanctions.

We recollect the short fable of the Tortoise, who while setting out on a journey, his relations and neighbours bade him goodbye. One inquisitive cousin asked for Tortoise’s destination. The cunny one answered: “The place of disgrace.”

Out of curiosity, another relation asked what Tortoise would be doing while away. The trickster said: “Disgraceful acts.” Yet a concerned neighbour asked when Mr. Tortoise would return. The answer he got was: “When I am thoroughly disgraced.”

I only wish that one day, Minister Wike, and other people in authority, will see the wisdom in the words of the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower (October 14, 1890-March 28, 1969), who quipped: “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”

Generals in the Military, world over, know the value of military solidarity and the need never to abandon any of their own in and out of office or formation. The contemporary US conservative democrat and eight-term congressional representative for Illinois District (January 2005 – January 2021), Daniel William Lipinski, summed up that concept when he posited that: “On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.” That is the raison d’être in the Military.

That was exactly what General Oluyede, the CDS, did when Wike called him to report Naval Lieutenant Yerima. When the minister, after speaking with the CDS and handed the phone to the junior naval officer, with the announcement, “the CDS”, my heart skipped. I prayed silently that the CDS would do what is noble and professional.

To the credit of Yerima, the junior officer did not lose his composure. He merely readjusted his posture, offered the regimental compliment, “morning sir”, and explained his mission to the military overall boss. In doing so, the naval officer emphasised that he was on that spot on the order of a three-star General, the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd).

While all who might have watched the video of that ugly encounter had no privilege of knowing what the CDS told the young naval officer, the action that followed indicated that the General must have upheld the sanctity of Duke Wellington injunction that any soldier on duty should “…always do your duty well.” Otherwise, Yerima would have moved his men out of the disputed site after the telephone conversation. That would have had an unmitigated negative effect on the psyche of the men in uniform!

I have read arguments here and there about who was right and who was wrong. Some commenters, especially the celebrated night-soil man of Lagos, in charge of dirty gutters and oozing latrines, went overboard, calling for the young officer’s summary dismissal.

I am least bothered by all those pro-and-anti-arguments. The most important thing for me is that General Oluyede saved the dignity of the Military by not ordering Yerima out of that place after his telephone conversation with the minister and the young officer.

And this position has nothing to do with whether or not the CDS supported his colleague General, Vice Admiral Gambo (retd). No. The truth be said: If the CDS had done otherwise, nobody in uniform, be it military or paramilitary, would ever deserve the respect of the populace!

It is only in Nigeria that the encounter between Wike and Yerima can take place. It is only here we don’t value our soldiers. While not all men in military uniform are honourable, we must understand too that every profession has its own black sheep! Those who stay awake so that we can sleep deserve our respect!

That is why the sane countries of the world respect their service men. They equally honour their veterans. By the Nigerian military setting, the former Chief of Naval Staff, is entitled to some levels of military compliments after service. Yerima announced that when he told the CDS that he is the Security Officer (SO) to the retired Vice Admiral.

That, in essence, means that the top naval brass has the right to deploy his security personnel wherever he wishes. Until decided otherwise, Gambo is considered to own the land in dispute for now. The Naval Lieutenant, Yerima, is his Security Officer. That settles the question of the legality or otherwise of the young officer’s presence and that of his men, on the site.

If anyone has any issue with why military personnel should be on guard duty at a construction site, the interrogation should be directed at the military leadership and those who deployed armed military personnel to the homes of retired Generals and other top military brass. The first element of soldiering is obedience to superior order; that is given, any day!

Thus, it would have been unprofessional for a Regular Course-trained officer like Yerima to subordinate his military high command directive to the whims and caprices of a bullying adult who doesn’t know that the white chicken’s age comes with wisdom (adìye funfun kò mo ara è l’ágba). The argument that the military being subordinate to civilian authority does not hold water here. No trained military personnel will succumb to the shouting of a civilian over a command given by a higher military authority.

If Yerima had deferred to Wike’s age and position, he would have gone back to base to face military discipline. The young officer, in my view, displayed that submissiveness of the military to civilian authority, by not meeting Wike’s insult with insult.

His honourific: “I am not a fool, sir”, got me! Nothing stopped him, but for his military training, professional discipline and good family upbringing, to have responded thus: “I am not a fool, Sir. But in case you are from a generation of fools, Sir, please accept my sympathy, Sir!” If that had happened, we would only debate it and question his upbringing, and probably, his constituency would have sanctioned him in the end. But the young officer chose decorum, he displayed the lost adult maturity of his aggressor!

Besides, the tension that we all saw in that encounter could only have been managed by a well-trained “Regular Course” officer who has “integrity” like Yerima! The Nigerian Armed Forces should be proud of Yerima and his conduct. Little wonder that no section of the military (active or retired) has condemned the young officer.

Something worse could have happened, especially as Wike kept daring the young officer with his “you will kill all of us” outbursts. A soldier friend once told me, apparently quoting Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, that “only a madman argues with a man holding a gun.” What if Yerima lacked “integrity?” What if he had the same character disposition as the minister? Or what if their roles were reversed? Just imagine the last scenario!

It is worthy to note that the minister called the CDS at the heat of the encounter, One can only ask that if Wike knew, ab initio, that he could dial up the CDS once, why did he not do that before leaving the office? If, for the purpose of this argument, the former Chief of Naval Staff acquired the land in dispute illegally, is it in the position of the minister to be the enforcer of the law on land usage contravention? What was the intention of storming the disputed land with armed policemen, a possible shoot-out with the military boys? And again, as a father, does Wike still call any of his doted children “fool” when in rage?

Whatever may be the final decision on this matter, the biggest lesson for me here is the veracity of the saying of our sage that 20 years after the younger one had been born, the older child is still in the womb (ogún odún tí a ti bí omodé, inú ni àgbà wà). The elder here is our amiable young “officer with integrity”, Naval Lieutenant Yerima. The most professional officer in this encounter is the CDS, who, when it mattered most, preserved the dignity of the Military! Nigerians, old or young, privileged or otherwise, have learnt from the CDS’s intervention that every military personnel wears his or her uniform in trust for the nation!

And, if I am further tempted to counsel Minister Wike on this matter, I would simply ask him to ask his Yoruba friends the meaning of the saying: “Gbòngbò ònà sún omo l’ésè, iwájú ló ún sún omo sí” – the protruding root on the road only trips a child forward! If he continues in this stride, the day is near when the minister will meet “a soldier who never wore a uniform; the little boy who would not leave his post.” May the gods and the ancestors give him listening ears! Ise!

The views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of Law & Society Magazine.

[Download Judgment] Federal High Court sentences UNICAL professor Ndifon to 5 years imprisonment for sexual abuse

The infamous Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), was on Monday sentenced to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had been able to prove the evidence in counts one and two beyond a reasonable doubt against the 1st defendant.

Justice Omotosho, therefore, sentenced Ndifon to a two-year jail term in count one and a five-year imprisonment in count two, which must run concurrently.

The judge, however, discharged and acquitted Sunny Anyanwu, who was earlier a member of Ndifon ‘s team of lawyers, of the charges against him.

He held that the anti-corruption commission was unable to link the offences in counts three and four, in which Anyanwu’s name appeared, to the co-defendant.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ICPC had, in the amended charge dated Jan. 19, 2024, preferred four counts against Ndifon (1st defendant) and his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu (2nd defendant)

Although Ndifon was initially the sole defendant in the sexual harassment charge, Anyanwu was later joined as 2nd defendant in the amended charge.

The development followed allegations that Anyanwu had attempted to pervert the course of justice by calling the star witness on her mobile phone during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threaten her.

Anyanwu, while being a lawyer to Ndifon, was said to have called TKJ not not either honour the ICPC’s invitation or write any statement in respect of the allegations of sexual harassment case against his client.

In the amended charge, counts one and two accused the professor of sexually harassing some female students of the school.

The commission said that Ndifon, while serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNICAL, asked a female Diploma student, identified as TKJ and a star witness, to send him “pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself” through WhatsApp chats.

He was also accused of having, on different occasions, asked TKJ to give him “a blow job” as an exchange for gaining admission into the institution to study law.

Ndifon, a public officer, was alleged to have sexually harassed many female students of the institution using his position to gain undue advantage over them.

While count three was preferred solely against Anyanwu, the two defendants were accused of attempting to influence the course of justice in count four of the charge.

The anti-corruption commission had, on 14 February 2024, closed its case against the suspended professor and Anyanwu.

ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told Justice Omotosho after Bwaigu Fungo, the 4th prosecution witness, a Forensic and intelligence Analyst with the commission, was cross-examined by the defence lawyer.

But the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to sufficiently prove the allegations against them.

But Justice Omotosho had, on 6 March 2024, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Ndifon and Anyanwu against the charge.

In defending himself, Ndifon testified as the first defence witness (DW-1), while CSP Babagana Mingali, a Forensic Analyst who works at the laboratory of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), gave his testimony as DW-2.

Delivering the judgment, the judge said the commission had been able to prove the ingredients of the offences in counts one and two.

He observed that Ndifon was unable to controvert the evidence that he unduly pressurised TKJ to perform the immoral act with her.

He said: “The victim was desirous of being admitted into the university and the 1st defendant was in advantage to help her being the dean and the diploma course is under his supervision,

“The instances of undue advantage are so much. The 1st defendant abused his office.”

According to him, the court observes the 1st defendant and sees that the 1st defendant is not a witness of truth and cannot be believed by any reasonable court.

“Consequently, the 1st defendant is hereby convicted of count one and count two,” he said.

The judge said, being a first-time offender, he was minded to temper justice with mercy as prayed by Ndifon and his lawyer, Oladimeji Ekengba.

On count three, the judge said he observed that although Anyanwu made a phone call to TKJ, this was about four months before the investigation commenced into the case and a charge was preferred against Ndifon.

He said the court cannot assume or speculate on the intention of the 2nd defendant at the time the act was committed.

Justice Omotosho, therefore, discharged and acquitted Anyanwu of count three and count four, which both defendants were charged.

The judge, however, condemned Anyanwu’s unprofessional act by calling a supposed witness in his client’s matter.

Also, Justice Omotosho berated Ndifon’s immoral conduct.

He said: “It was with dismay I read through this case that a Dean of Law can turn himself to a sexual predator.”

He said his randy nature should be condemned by all.

According to the judge, he is a disgrace to the community of learner persons and must be made to face the wrath of the law.

He said this would serve as a deterrent to others like him in public office who have a penchant for taking undue advantage of the female folks.

Click here to download the judgment.

FRN-vs-Prof.-cyril-ndifon1

All Nigerian Judges Conference: Tinubu to Judges: “Justice Must Never Be for Sale,” as he unveils major plans for Nigerian judiciary

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu opened the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference on Monday in Abuja.

He told the nation’s top judges that the Judiciary remains the backbone of Nigeria’s democracy.

He said judges have consistently rescued the country in moments of national uncertainty.
Tinubu praised the courage of the courts in defending constitutional order through firm rulings.

He stressed that public confidence is the true currency of justice in any democracy.
He said judgments lose moral authority when citizens doubt their fairness.

Tinubu acknowledged growing public frustration over delays and integrity concerns in the courts.

He said these concerns demand reflection, reform and renewed commitment to justice.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s full support for the Judiciary.
He said all three arms of government must work together with mutual respect.

Tinubu insisted that a strong and fearless Judiciary is essential for Nigeria’s future.

He promised tangible support to improve court capacity and efficiency nationwide.
He said courts must no longer be places where cases drag on for years.
He promised better infrastructure, modern tools and dignified working conditions for judges.

Tinubu said judicial digitalisation will receive sustained government backing.
He emphasised that technology is now a necessity for timely and transparent justice.
He said no Nigerian court should be left behind in the digital transition.

The President highlighted the vital role of judges themselves in nation-building.
He called judicial welfare and training essential for a strong and credible Bench.
Tinubu pledged continued support to the National Judicial Institute for advanced training.

He warned that no reform can succeed where integrity is compromised.
Tinubu declared that justice must never be bought and the Bench must reject corruption.
He said a corrupt Judiciary destroys the nation at its core.
He promised support for strong disciplinary systems to protect judicial dignity.

Tinubu urged judges to confront hard questions during the conference.
He asked them to design practical solutions for case backlogs and access to justice.
He said the Judiciary must remain the true last hope of the common man.

The President described judges as guardians of Nigeria’s moral conscience.
He said they hold the power to defend the weak and restrain the powerful.
Tinubu assured them of his administration’s continued partnership and support.

He concluded that every fair judgment strengthens the nation’s democratic soul and urged the judiciary to write a legacy of courage, integrity and justice.

NBA-SPIDEL unveils exhibition team for forthcoming Conference

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Conference Planning Committee (CPC) has set up a sub-committee to drive its exhibition programme for the 2025 Annual Conference.

The Annual Conference is scheduled to be held from December 1 to December 5, 2025, at the prestigious Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. To register, click here http://nbaspidel.ng/.

According to a statement by CPC Chair, Assoc. Prof. Uju Agomoh, and CPC Secretary, Mr. Enome Amatey, the sub-committee is led by former NBA Gwagwalada Branch Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Tayo Ogunjide, while Mr. Peter Ime Akpan is the Alternate Chairman. Ofonime Etuknwa has been appointed as the Secretary, while NBA Uyo Branch Chairman, who also doubles as Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr. Godswill Umoh, will act as a Consultant to the sub-committee.

Other members of the sub-committee are the immediate past NBA Assistant General Secretary Daniel Kip, Chidinma Amadi, Idris Abayomi, Kingsley Emeka Nnamani, Annie Ginika, and Mr. James Emeka Onyema (NBA-SPIDEL Administrative Officer).

Inaugurating the sub-committee last Wednesday, Agomoh described it as a “crucial component” of the 2025 Annual Conference, adding that this year’s conference theme, “A Banner Without Stain: Justice, Accountability and Development,” is “both timely and profound.”

She stated that the theme “challenges us, as members of the legal profession and as citizens, to uphold integrity in public and private life, to demand transparency and justice, and to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s sustainable development.

“The Exhibition Subcommittee, which we inaugurate today (12/11/2025), is a crucial component of this vision. Beyond its logistical role, this Subcommittee is tasked with designing and curating an exhibition space that reflects the essence of our theme—a space where ideas meet innovation, and where law, governance, and development intersect in tangible and inspiring ways.

“Through your efforts, we expect to showcase the work of public institutions, legal innovators, development agencies, civil society organizations, and other partners who embody the values of justice and accountability in their service to the nation. Your exhibition will not only complement our conference sessions but will serve as a living demonstration of what it means to hold high a “banner without stain.”

“As you embark on this important assignment, I urge you to bring creativity, diligence, and collaboration to bear. Let the exhibition be engaging, inclusive, and reflective of SPIDEL’s identity as the conscience of the Nigerian Bar Association—the section that champions law as a tool for social justice and national progress.

“I have full confidence in your capacity to deliver excellence. The CPC stands ready to provide you with the guidance and support you may require, and together we shall deliver a conference that will not only be memorable but will also reaffirm SPIDEL’s leadership in advancing the cause of justice and development in Nigeria.

“On this note, and on behalf of the entire Conference Planning Committee, I am delighted to formally inaugurate the Exhibition Subcommittee for the NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Annual Conference.”

Responding, Ogunjide thanked the CPC leadership for the confidence reposed in the sub-committee, adding that “we are honored and privileged to accept this appointment. We extend our gratitude to you, your illustrious CPC team, and the entire esteemed leadership of NBA-SPIDEL for this opportunity to contribute to the success of the Annual Conference. We pray for a highly successful Conference.”

Seven universities get approval for law faculties as CLE boosts admission quotas, rejects three

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has approved the commencement of undergraduate Law programmes in seven new universities across the country, while also upgrading admission quotas in selected existing institutions. The resolutions posted on its Official Page were reached at the Council’s 4th Quarterly Virtual Meeting held on October 28, 2025, under the chairmanship of Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, OFR, Life Bencher.

The approvals presented by the Board of Studies led by the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, mark another strategic move by the Council to widen access to quality legal education in response to the increasing national demand for trained legal professionals.

After extensive review, the CLE granted provisional accreditation to the following institutions to begin their LL.B programmes, each with an initial quota of 50 students:

  1. Peter University, Achina/Onneh, Anambra State
  2. Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State
  3. Northwest University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
  4. Wesley University, Ondo, Ondo State
  5. Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno State
  6. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State
  7. Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State

The Council noted that the move is part of a deliberate effort to expand legal education to underserved zones, especially in the North-East and South-South. Follow-up accreditation visits have been scheduled to ensure strict adherence to standards.

However, the CLE declined accreditation for:

  • Paul University, Awka, Anambra State
  • Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
  • Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State

The affected institutions were found to have shortfalls in infrastructure and academic staffing. The Council stressed that until these deficiencies are addressed, no approval will be granted.

In recognition of marked upgrades in infrastructure and faculty strength, the Council approved higher intake capacities for the 2026 academic session as follows:

Institution Previous Quota New Quota State

(a) Yobe State University, Damaturu 50 100 Yobe

(b) University of Maiduguri 200 250 Borno

(c) Veritas University, Bwari 50 100 FCT

(d) University of Port Harcourt 50 100 Rivers

These adjustments are expected to accommodate over 200 additional law students nationwide.

In a significant development, the CLE shortened the five-year moratorium imposed on Baze University in 2023, reducing it to three years, following evidence of substantial compliance. The institution also received an increased quota from 50 to 100 students.

The Council emphasised that all approvals, provisional or otherwise, are tied to continuous compliance with minimum standards. It also described the new measures as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening legal education at a time when Nigeria faces rising judicial workloads and complex commercial disputes.

Family Horror: Son accused of Killing Nigerian professor father, injuring his two sisters

A New Orleans man is in custody after his family says he stabbed his father and two sisters, leaving his father, Samuel Eweni, dead.  

Family members didn’t want talk on camera Wednesday but confirmed to WWL Louisiana that Samuel Eweni was a computer sciences professor at Southern University at New Orleans.  

Relatives say he and his two daughters were stabbed Tuesday night by Chukwuebuka Eweni, who is the son and brother of the victims. One of the victims was released from the hospital, the other is still being treated as of Wednesday afternoon and is expected to survive.  

Family members say Eweni has long suffered from mental illness but has never been violent. They described Tuesday evening as an ordinary night at their home on Pebble Drive before Eweni grabbed a knife. They say they don’t know what set him off.  

After the stabbing, family members say they found out Eweni went to New Orleans East Hospital, where he would routinely check himself in for mental help. Without knowing anything about the crime, family members say the hospital transferred him to a facility in Jefferson Parish. That’s where he was tracked down and taken into custody Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday afternoon, SUNO released the following statement about Samuel Eweni’s death: 

“Dr. Eweni was more than an educator—he was a mentor and a guiding light to so many of our students,” said Dr. Joseph Bouie, Jr., Chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans. “His contributions to the College of Business and Public Administration and to the university’s mission of transforming lives through education will be remembered and celebrated. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this deeply difficult time.” 

Chuckwuebuka Eweni now faces one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.  

Senate’s pause on Section 230: A vital moment for evidence-based lawmaking, By Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi

The reform of Section 230 should not be about moral judgment — it should be about saving lives.

When the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria chose to step down the proposed amendment to Section 230 of the Criminal Code Act (HB 2038), it did more than delay a legislative process; it demonstrated rare courage and sensitivity. The Senate’s decision to pause and reflect showed commendable prudence and awareness of the far-reaching implications this clause holds for women’s lives, health, and rights.

In a country where legislative decisions can shape the fate of millions, taking time to listen, consult, and review is not a weakness; it is leadership. The Senate’s restraint affirms that reproductive health issues demand evidence-based deliberation, not rushed legislation driven by moral panic or political expediency.

Understanding the Controversy Around Section 230

Section 230 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code currently states that anyone who “unlawfully supplies or procures anything intended to be used to procure a miscarriage” is guilty of a felony and liable to three years’ imprisonment.

The proposed amendment under HB 2038, passed by the House of Representatives, seeks to increase this penalty from three to five years. However, during the Senate debate, some lawmakers referenced an even stiffer sentence, up to ten years, though such wording does not appear in the House version.

This situation, coupled with the absence of a clear legal definition of what constitutes an “unlawful abortion,” rightly prompted the Senate to step down the clause for further scrutiny. The ambiguity is not a small matter — it could criminalise life-saving medical care and put both patients and doctors at grave risk.

Why Clarity Matters

The phrase “unlawfully used” in the current law is dangerously vague. Without clear boundaries, it leaves room for misinterpretation by law enforcement, health professionals, and the courts.

What happens in cases of rape, incest, severe foetal anomaly, or when a woman’s life or health is in danger? Should a doctor saving a woman’s life face jail time?

According to national reports, about 4.6 per cent of Nigerian women of reproductive age undergo induced abortions every year. Tragically, around 63 per cent of these are unsafe, contributing to an estimated 6,000 preventable maternal deaths annually – that’s roughly ten Nigerian women dying every day from complications that could have been prevented with access to safe care.

Such legal uncertainty does not only endanger women, it paralyses healthcare providers. Many doctors have admitted that they fear prosecution if they act to save a patient’s life in emergencies involving pregnancy complications.

The Cost of Silence and Fear

According to national reports, about 4.6 per cent of Nigerian women of reproductive age undergo induced abortions every year. Tragically, around 63 per cent of these are unsafe, contributing to an estimated 6,000 preventable maternal deaths annually – that’s roughly ten Nigerian women dying every day from complications that could have been prevented with access to safe care.

Criminalising abortion does not eliminate it; it merely drives it underground. The real consequence of harsh or unclear laws is not moral order, it is silent death, stigma, and suffering, especially among the poor and young.

Aligning Law With Medical Reality

Nigeria’s own laws already recognise that doctors can act “in good faith and with reasonable care and skill” to save a mother’s life (Section 297 of the Criminal Code). The Federal Ministry of Health also issued National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications in 2018, providing medical clarity for such cases.

Any reform to Section 230 must align with these standards, not contradict them. The goal should be coherence, compassion, and care — not confusion and criminalisation.

Punishment Without Purpose Helps No One

While accountability for those who misuse abortion drugs or instruments is necessary, increasing penalties from three to five, or ten, years will not save lives. It will only discourage healthcare providers from offering emergency treatment when it is most needed.

If our laws must punish, let them punish criminal negligence or exploitation, not medical professionals who act in good faith to save lives.

The Senate’s decision to step back is not a setback; it is a step forward for democracy and human rights. By choosing reflection over haste, lawmakers have opened the door to crafting legislation that truly safeguards Nigerian women.

A Call for Inclusive Consultation

Reproductive health is not a matter for lawmakers alone. It is a social, moral, and medical issue that affects families, communities, and national wellbeing. Any reform of Section 230 must therefore involve broad consultation with:

  • Women’s rights groups and community representatives,
  • Professional bodies such as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and SOGON,
  • Legal and medical experts, faith and traditional leaders, and
  • Survivors and families who have lived through the tragedies of unsafe abortion.
  • Inclusive dialogue ensures that laws reflect lived realities, not abstract ideology.

A Humane Path Forward

The Senate now stands at a crucial crossroads. This is a moment not for fear, but for fairness; not for stigma, but for science. Nigeria has an opportunity to create a law that protects women, respects healthcare workers, and upholds our collective commitment to justice, dignity, and public health.

Restrictive or unclear laws don’t save lives, they cost them. Every delay in reform translates to more women lost to preventable causes. The goal should not be punishment, it should be protection.

Conclusion

The Senate’s decision to step back is not a setback; it is a step forward for democracy and human rights. By choosing reflection over haste, lawmakers have opened the door to crafting legislation that truly safeguards Nigerian women.

The reform of Section 230 should not be about moral judgment — it should be about saving lives.

Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi is an advocate, a human rights attorney, activist, gender and the law expert, with the University of Lagos.

The views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of Law & Society Magazine.

CJN names Akwa Ibom host of 2025 national judiciary sports competition

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has instructed members of the National Sports Association for Judiciary to conduct themselves properly at the 2025 edition of the annual Judiciary Sports Competition otherwise known as the CJN Games coming up in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Receiving members of the Association in her chambers in Abuja, the Chief Justice of Nigeria warned them against any act capable of bringing the judiciary into disrepute.

She asked them to be guided by the teachings of sports including cooperation, discipline, adherence to rules and camaraderie.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged them to be orderly in their conduct as representatives of the judiciary.

She urged them to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship by maintaining their composure at all times.

His Lordship also reminded them of the importance of keeping and ensuring that they keep proper accounts of resources given to them to organize the tournament.

The CJN further advised the male -dominated leadership of the Association to be gender sensitive even as she jokingly threatened to deny approval for the next edition if women are not made members of the executives.

Earlier, the National President of the association, Mr Noah Sunday had commended the CJN for giving approval to organise this year’s edition of the tournament.

He promised that they would conduct themselves properly and would not let the judiciary down.

He said Akwa Ibom State is ready to host the games.

A statement by Mr Tobi Soniyi, Senior Special Assistant to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on Media said that highlights of the visit included the unveiling and the presentation of the tournament trophy and sports kits to the CJN.

After GGSS Maga, Where Next? List of secondary schools attacked by terrorists from 2014-2025

By Lillian Okenwa

The kidnapping of 25 female students from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, on Sunday night has, like previous abductions of schoolgirls, sparked widespread outrage — but for how long will this continue?

The armed men killed the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, as he was reportedly attempting to protect the students during the invasion.

Like the case of Chibok on 14 April 2014, when Boko Haram insurgents invaded the Government Girls Secondary School and abducted 276 schoolgirls and on 19 February 2018, when they invaded the Government Girls Science Technical College, abducting 110 students, witnesses said the terrorists operated without resistance.

This has caused widespread panic, throwing the entire region into deep fear and mourning.

What is more worrisome is the trend the insecurity has taken, especially in the northern part of the country, where the majority of Nigeria’s out-of-school children, according to UNICEF, are from. UNICEF says that 69% of the country’s 13.2 million out-of-school children are in the north.

UNICET also reveal that more than 70% of women aged 20-29 are unable to read and write.

  1. Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State (November 2025)

In the early hours of Sunday, 16 November 2025, armed terrorists launched a deadly attack on Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State abducting several students and killing a vice principal. They operated without restraint.

2. LEA Kuriga Kaduna State (March 2024)

On 7 March 2024, 227 pupils were kidnapped from a Local Government Education Authority School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, underlining that school abductions remain a pressing national security challenge.

 3. Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri (June 2021)

Armed bandits on 17 June 2021, stormed the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, killing a police officer and abducting at least 80 students and five teachers.

Afaka and Greenfield University Attacks ( March and April 2021)

On 11 March 2021, 39 students were kidnapped from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State. A few weeks later, on 20 April 2021, 22 people, including students and staff, were abducted from Greenfield University, Kaduna State.

Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, in Zamfara State ( February 2021)

On 26 February 2021, Nigeria was once again thrust into global headlines following the mass abduction of schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, in Zamfara State. 

Bandits stormed the Jangebe school hostel in the middle of the night, overwhelming the limited security presence and firing shots to terrify students. In a swift and coordinated operation, the attackers abducted 279 schoolgirls, forcing them into nearby forests known to serve as hideouts for criminal groups.

In the morning, parents and guardians, trying to know the fate of their children, stormed the school.

A few days later, all 279 abducted girls were released on 2 March 2021. Their return brought relief but also renewed questions about the concessions made to secure their freedom.

Authorities maintained that no ransom was paid, though many Nigerians remained sceptical due to the recurring pattern of negotiated releases.

After the ordeal, many parents withdrew their children from the school.

Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State (17 February 2021)

On February 17, 2021, armed bandits stormed the Government Science College, Kagara, located in Niger State, kidnapping students, teachers, and school staff in an incident that sent shockwaves across the nation.

During the attack, one student was killed, while 27 students, three staff members, and 12 family members of staff were abducted. The attackers fled into the nearby forests, continuing the pattern of mass school kidnappings that had plagued northern Nigeria.

The Niger State Government immediately initiated negotiations with the abductors, avoiding military confrontation to prevent harm to the victims. 

The federal government also condemned the incident, with security agencies launching operations aimed at securing the release of the captives.

However, after several days of intense negotiation, the kidnapped students and staff were released on 27 February 2021. It is not known if the government paid the ransom or not.

Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State (11 December 2020)

On 11 December 2020, over 300 boys were abducted from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State. The attack was carried out by armed bandits and caused widespread fear and panic across the region. 

According to findings, armed bandits in their hundreds stormed the school, firing shots and scaring the students. 

Some terrified students escaped being abducted by fleeing into the bushes, while others were not so lucky as the attackers marched over 300 students into the forest.

The attack happened while the late President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting the region. Local and international organisations, including UNICEF, the UN, all called for immediate steps to rescue the students and protect schools.

The abducted students, numbering over 340, regained their freedom after intense negotiation on December 17, 2020, nearly a week after the attack. The Katsina State Government announced that no ransom was paid, though many analysts believe some form of negotiation or settlement likely took place.

The boys later recounted their ordeal, describing beatings, hunger, and days spent trekking through forests.

Government Girls Science & Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State (19 February 2018)

On 19 February 2018, Boko Haram struck again, kidnapping about 110 girls aged between 11–19 from Government Girls Science & Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State. Most of the girls were later released, but the incident highlighted the persistent threat to school children in the northeast. The attack, similar to the infamous Chibok school kidnapping of 2014, reignited concerns over the safety of schools in Nigeria.

Like the Chibok abduction, the Dapchi attack prompted swift condemnation from both national and international communities. The Nigerian government faced intense pressure to secure the release of the girls, with widespread calls for stronger protection of educational institutions in conflict-prone areas.

Weeks after the abduction, most of the girls were released following negotiations between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram. However, Leah Sharibu, a 14-year-old student, remained in captivity because she refused to renounce her Christian faith, making her the sole girl still held by the group as of recent reports.

 Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State (14 April 2014)

On 14 April 2014, Boko Haram terrorists stormed Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, abducting 276 female students. The attacks sparked global outrage due to the scale of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. The incident has been described as Nigeria’s most high-profile mass abduction case.

This happened during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. From 2016 to 2017, 108 were rescued by the Nigerian military.

One of the captives, a Christian teenager at that time, Rabiat was forced to become a Muslim and later married off to one of the fighters, then to another. She eventually became a mother to three children.

According to her, the crisis in the Boko Haram group paved the way for her escape. Rabiat later surrendered to the Nigerian army.

“I left because Boko Haram had problems and were fighting [with each other],” she said in her native Hausa language, explaining how some hostages took that as a chance to escape captivity.

Many survivors also report suffering mental and physical health problems because of the abuses they have suffered. Some described continuing to endure bleeding and other serious gynaecological problems as a result of rape. Many of the students, as well as some of the teachers, described recurring nightmares, anxiety, being easily frightened, an inability to focus, and other signs commonly associated with trauma.

Access to psychological support for women abused by Boko Haram has been a significant challenge, with human rights organisations consistently reporting that survivors are often failed by government inaction and receive inadequate or no tailored reintegration services.

While there are reports of some governmental efforts to engage with bandits (often related to peace talks by certain individuals), a systematic comparison of support for victims of the two groups reveals significant gaps in support for victims overall, rather than a “pampering” of bandits. 

Most of this report was obtained from Intelregion.com

Obi faults Nigeria’s oversized COP30 team, questions government priorities

2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the large number of delegates the President Bola Tinubu-led administration sent to the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30).

​He issued the criticism on Saturday in a now-trending post he shared on his official X page.

​Obi said that sending such a large delegation to an international function was a misplaced priority, given that about 150 million Nigerians lived in multidimensional poverty, struggling daily with food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to basic services.

​He added that Nigeria could not compare herself with China, which had a larger population and larger GDP.

​The former Anambra State governor further noted that the nation’s participation on the international stage must reflect responsible leadership, one that truly prioritised the needs of its people and demonstrates the country’s genuine capacity to engage meaningfully in global climate action.

​Speaking via his social media handle, Obi wrote: “Again, in a bitter twist of irony, we thank Nigeria for having the third-largest delegation at COP30, with 749 delegates, similar to China with 789 delegates.

​“While Nigeria needs to have a strong voice in global climate discussions, this spectacle comes at a heavy cost to our people, with about 150 million living in multidimensional poverty, struggling daily with food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to basic services.

​“Yet, our leaders travel in large numbers, funded by taxpayers, attending climate talks abroad while the citizens they are meant to serve continue to suffer.

​“Compared to China, which had about the same contingent, China has a high HDI, while Nigeria has a low one, with a key measure of life expectancy at the lowest 54 years, against China’s 79 years. China’s GDP stands at $18.74 trillion, while Nigeria’s GDP is barely 1% of that size, a little over $200 billion. China’s GDP per capita is about $13,300, whereas that of Nigeria is below 10% of that, reflecting the deep economic disparity between the two nations.

​“Moreover, 63% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, which is about 150 million people, the highest number in the world, facing deprivations in health, education, and living standards, while it is only 3.9% in China; meanwhile, China’s population is about seven times larger than ours.

​“This stark contrast illustrates why Nigeria should not be sending a delegation of this size. The human and financial resources expended on hundreds of officials travelling abroad could instead be directed toward urgent social investments at home, improving healthcare, education, and living conditions to lift our people out of poverty.”

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