Home Blog Page 204

Tinted Glass Permit: NBA seethes, warns IGP of contempt as police impound vehicle of judge

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has written the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, requesting him to immediately halt the nationwide enforcement of the tinted glass permit.

NBA in the letter it served the IGP on Thursday, drew his attention to the fact that issues surrounding the legality of the tinted glass policy are already pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, warning that “the Nigeria Police, as a law enforcement agency, should know better not to be lawless.”

This came on a day that police officers who were on the street to enforce the orders of the Assistant Inspector-General, AIG, Zone 5, on tinted glass permit, allegedly impounded a vehicle belonging to a judge of the National Industrial Court, NIC, in Delta State.

Reacting to the development, the NBA, through the Chairman of its Special Public Interest Litigation Committee, NBA-SPIDEL, Mr. Kunle Edun, SAN, told Vanguard that human rights committees of the 130 branches of the association have been activated to offer free legal services to motorists.

He said: “We shall invoke the powers of the Court to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force does not trample on the rights of Nigerians. Any citizen that is harassed by the Police in the purported enforcement of the illegal tinted glass permit by the Police should be free to contact any of the NBA branches.

“The Human Rights Committees of the 130 branches of the NBA in Nigeria are ready to offer pro bono services to anyone that is harassed.

“It has been estimated that the Police may generate at least N3billion within a month from monies that will be collected, thus, turning the Police into a revenue- generating agency of the Federal government instead of focusing on the more serious issues crime.

“The matter is in Court and the Nigeria Police as a law enforce should know better not to be lawless. Nigeria belongs to all of us and the Police should avoid anything that will provoke the members of the public.”

Likewise, the NBA which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, in its letter to the IGP, reminded him of a previous correspondence dated September 25, which invited his aattention to the pending suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821, 2025.

“However, despite the fact that your good office has been served with advance copies of the Originating Summons and Motion on Notice for injunction, there have been several statements from the Public Relations Department of the Nigeria Police Force particularly authored by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin and some state police commands across the country, suggesting, albeit very worrisomely, that the Nigeria Police Force would proceed to commence enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy tomorrow the 2nd October 2025.

“Kindly permit us to restate the settled and ubiquitous position of the law that a party served with an Originating Process and especially a Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction has a duty imposed on him by law to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the case is determined by the court one way or the other.

“In order words, the party on whom a motion for injunction has been served has a duty to keep the state of things the way they were at the time he was served with the motion in order to not foist a situation of helplessness on the court.”

Continuing, the NBA, which cited several legal authorities, stated: “Having regard to this above position of the law as magisterially laid down by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, it is very clear that the pendency of Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 should automatically put a stop to the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy pending the time when the court would arrive at a decision on the questions raised for determination in the Originating Summons, one way or the other.

“Consequently, we admonish your good office to allow the rule of law to prevail by halting any further attempt to enforce a policy whose legality is a subject for judicial determination.

“The NBA is aware of a contemptuous press release issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin presenting the Nigeria Police Force as obstinately proceeding with the enforcement of the policy despite the pendency in court of the suit challenging the legality of same.

“We wish to make it clear that the action of Mr. Hundeyin inciting the enforcement of the policy which is subjudice is an egregious act of disregard to and contempt for the majesty of the court.

“The NBA will therefore not hesitate to commence contempt/committal proceedings against CSP Benjamin Hundeyin if he fails to desist from clear utterances meant to downplay the authority of the court in the public domain.

“Similarly, the Officer-in-Charge of the Directorate of Legal Services AIG Ohiozoba O. Ehiede is advised to offer the proper legal guidance on this issue, which advise must be one that must guide the Nigeria Police Force to uphold the rule of law and not to tamper with the subject matter of the pending suit.

“NBA SPIDEL will not hesitate to commence disciplinary proceedings against him before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) in the event that he encourages disrespect to the authority of the court by advising the police to proceed with the enforcement of the policy.

“We hope that your good office will allow reason to prevail and act in accordance with the law by suspending the enforcement of the policy until the court decides the crucial question of its legality,” the letter further read.

Specifically, NBA, in the suit, is praying the court to among other things, determine: “Whether having regards to sections 34(1), 35 (1), 36(1), 37, 41 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition & Tinted Glass) Decree 1999 (now Act) and the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, the defendants can validly enforce mandatory rregistration, annual renewal, and payment of fees for tinted glass permits.

“Whether the defendants have statutory powers to impose any fees, charges, or annual renewal requirements for tinted glass permits in the absence of an enabling Act of the National Assembly.

“Whether the defendants have the power to seize, detain, or confiscate any vehicle for alleged violation of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition & Tinted Glass) Decree 1999.”

As well as, “Whether the continued threat of harassment, arrest, and extortion of motorists under the guise of tinted glass permit enforcement, despite possession of valid vehicle licenses, is constitutional, legal, and not ultra vires the powers of the defendants.

Aside from praying the court to declare the action of the police as illegal, NBA, further prayed the court for: “A declaration that motorists who have already been issued tinted glass permits are entitled to rely on them without renewal and further harassment or compulsion to reapply or pay fees.

“An order striking down the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition & Tinted Glass) Decree 1999 on the ground of material conflict and inconsistencies with tje fundamental rights provisions of Chapter IV of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.”

Equally, for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their officers, agents, or privies from enforcing what it described as “the illegal tinted glass policy against the motoring Nigerian public.”

Listed as 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit are the IGP and the NPF, respectively.

The Insecurity in Nigeria: A matter of urgent attention

By Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam, Esq.

Indeed! The recent tragic death of the ever-smiling Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a lawyer and brilliant news anchor with ARISE News, has brought to the forefront the pressing concerns of insecurity and its impact on lawyers in Nigeria. Maduagwu’s untimely demise in an armed robbery incident at her Abuja residence is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced in the country. And, as a legal practitioner in Nigeria, it is imperative to acknowledge that the insecurity situation in the country is spiraling out of control, with citizens and residents being victims of kidnapping, violence, and even death.

The Alarming Reality

  • Kidnapping: The recent case of Barrister Onyesom Peace Udoka, a newly called-to-bar lawyer who was kidnapped alongside her sister, highlights the vulnerability of even lawyers to insecurity. The kidnappers demanded huge ransom, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
  • Insecurity and Safety Concerns: Citizens like Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, are not immune to the rising insecurity in Nigeria. Armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes pose significant threats to their safety and well-being. Thus, targeted attacks is growing concern that professionals, are fast becoming targets for these crimes, potentially due to their visibility or perceived wealth.
  • Impact on Mental Health: The constant fear of insecurity creates a climate of fear and has taken a toll on the mental health of Nigerians, affecting their productivity and overall quality of life.
  • Accessing Justice: Insecurity hinders lawyers’ ability to access justice, particularly in areas where there is a breakdown of law and order.
  • Need for Enhanced Security Measures: There is a pressing need for improved security measures to protect its citizens from harm.

Stakeholders:
▪ Government Agencies: Nigerian government, security agencies (police, military, intelligence agencies), and regulatory bodies.
▪ Law Enforcement Agencies: Police, military, and other security forces responsible for maintaining law and order.
▪ Civil Society Organizations: Organizations advocating for human rights, justice, and security sector reform.
▪ Community Leaders: Traditional and religious leaders who can promote dialogue, reconciliation, and community engagement.
▪ Private Sector: Businesses and organizations that can support economic development, job creation, and security initiatives.
▪ International Partners: Foreign governments, international organizations, and development agencies that can provide support, expertise, and resources to address insecurity.
▪ Nigerian Bar Association: The NBA plays a crucial role in advocating for lawyers’ safety and security, as well as pushing for policy reforms to address insecurity.

A Call to Action
In light of Maduagwu’s tragic death and all other threats, it is essential for stakeholders and government agencies, to prioritize these insecurities. This can be achieved by:
i. Improved Security Measures: The government and relevant authorities must prioritize the safety and security of lawyers and citizens alike. This includes implementing effective security measures and addressing the root causes of insecurity. Thus, enhancing security surveillance nationwide, ensuring swift prosecution of perpetrators, and discouraging payment of ransom to kidnappers.
ii. Disarming Bandits and Herdsmen: Improve security in vulnerable communities, and promoting dialogue between farmers and herdsmen.
iii. Support for Victims’ Families: Families who fall victim to insecurity deserve support and justice. Thus, offering support services, including mental health resources, to help victims cope with the trauma of insecurity cannot be overemphasized.
iv. Advocating for Justice: Ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice, sending a strong message that such attacks will not be tolerated.
v. Judicial Reform: Strengthening the judicial system to ensure swift and fair justice, reducing case backlogs, and ensuring accountability for security personnel involved in human rights abuses.
vi. Economic Development: Creating job opportunities, investing in education and skills training, and promoting economic growth to reduce poverty and unemployment.
vii. Community Policing: Implementing community policing initiatives to build trust between law enforcement agencies and local communities.
viii. Border Security: Enhancing border security measures to prevent illegal activities such as smuggling, human trafficking, and arms trafficking.
ix. Counterterrorism Efforts: Implementing programs to disarm and demobilize militants and armed groups, offering alternative livelihoods and reintegrating them into society.

In conclusion, the tragic death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu serves as a poignant reminder of the need for urgent action to address insecurity in Nigeria. By working together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for all citizens to thrive.

Nigeria at 65: Rebuilding our nation from the family up

By Rev. Fr. Michael A. Banjo

Sixty-five years after independence, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We rejoice in the gift of freedom, for self-determination is the dignity of every people. With the Psalmist, we declare: “What great deeds the Lord worked for us, indeed we are glad” (Psalm 126:3). Our gratitude goes to the heroes who secured our liberty and laid the foundations of nationhood.

Yet this anniversary compels us to look beyond celebration. For while our nation has survived wars, transitions and dictatorships, we remain burdened by corruption, insecurity, weak institutions and the erosion of values. We are rich in human and natural resources, yet poor in outcomes. We are blessed with potential, yet trapped by mismanagement. At this point in history, Nigeria must choose: shall we continue on the path of decline, or shall we embrace the harder but life-giving path of renewal? That is the meaning of standing at a crossroads. Our decision today will shape the Nigeria our children inherit tomorrow.

The Long Journey of a Young Nation

In sixty-five years, we have recorded moments of resilience: a civil war survived, military regimes overcome, and democracy sustained despite imperfections. We have produced men and women of courage who excel in faith, science, sport and the arts. The Nigerian spirit is admired for energy and ingenuity. Yet for every triumph there is a shadow. Corruption has eaten deep into our institutions, insecurity stalks communities, education is underfunded, healthcare is fragile, and politics often degenerates into a struggle for power without service. Nigeria has stood tall in promise, yet stumbled on the same stone of moral failure. Mahatma Gandhi’s seven social sins – wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice and politics without principle – find painful expression in our national life.

At the Root: The Family and the Formation of Conscience

The true crisis of Nigeria is not economic but moral. At the root of our failures lies the neglect of authentic family values and the collapse in the formation of conscience. The family is the first school of discipline, respect, sacrifice and social responsibility. When it breaks down, the nation cannot stand. On this, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has spoken with clarity. In paragraph 3 of their September 2025 Communiqué, the Bishops describe the family as the domestic Church, the bedrock of society, and call parents the first educators in faith and morals, urging them to nurture children with discipline, love and Christian values. They remind the nation that healthy societies arise from healthy families, and that sound families require responsible, God-fearing parents. Scripture affirms the same truth: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). This wisdom is timeless. Children grow into adults carrying the formation that they receive in their earliest years. Tomorrow’s governors, judges, business leaders and lawmakers are today’s children. If their consciences are malformed, their future decisions will reflect that defect. Nation-building begins not with constitutions or infrastructure, but with the shaping of children. A child properly formed becomes an adult who builds and serves; a child left without formation becomes an adult who exploits and destroys. Our nation needs sanatio in radice – healing at the root; the root being the family.

The Erosion of Family Values

Over recent decades, Nigeria has watched the steady decline of family life. Parenting has grown lax, discipline is withheld, respect for elders and authority has diminished, and hard work is despised in favour of dishonest wealth. Many children grow up believing that success is measured not by honesty or labour but by fraud and cunning. Religion, meant to guide conscience, is too often commercialised. Marriage, meant to be stable, is dishonoured. Schools, meant to cultivate learning, sometimes harbour malpractice. Community sacrifice gives way to an aggressive individualism that places self above the common good. The consequences are plain. Kidnapping, ritual killings, internet fraud, drug abuse and shameless corruption scar our common life. And now, the children of yesterday who were not properly formed are raising another generation in their own image. Nemo dat quod non habet; no one can give what he does not have.

Why Laws Alone Cannot Save Us

It is not that Nigeria lacks laws. We have the Criminal Code, the Penal Code and the VAPP Act. Yet crime and corruption flourish. Laws cannot transform the human heart. They can restrain, but they cannot renew. The true safeguard of any nation is not the number of its statutes, but the conscience of its citizens. What Nigeria needs is a moral reawakening. As Pope Paul VI observed, authentic renewal comes when the Gospel penetrates the values people embrace, the models they imitate and the choices they make. Transformation happens when conscience is formed and values are internalised. This is the rebirth Nigeria requires.

The Way Forward: A National Reawakening

If Nigeria is to rise, renewal must begin in the home. Parents must reclaim their sacred duty as the first educators of conscience. Schools must be places not only of knowledge but of moral formation. Religious leaders must proclaim the truth with courage, resisting the temptation to trade integrity for popularity. Civil society must promote honesty and service. The media must inspire virtue as well as expose vice. Government, too, must recognise that development begins not with budgets and blueprints, but with character formation. A renewed national orientation programme is urgent, one that restores authentic African and Christian values to family and society. Without this, corruption will continue to sabotage progress.

A Call to Hope

Nigeria is at a decisive moment. Our children will inherit the nation we build today, and the values we instil in them will determine its destiny. If we fail in forming them rightly, we will fail the future. Yet we must not despair. Even in brokenness, there is hope. The God who has carried this nation through storms can renew her still. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we proclaim that Nigeria is not beyond redemption. With families recommitted to raising children of conscience, and with citizens willing to choose integrity over corruption, the nation can be reborn.
Nigeria at 65 must not pass as a mere number. It should be remembered as a turning point, a wake-up call and a commitment to rebuild from the roots. If we repair the family, we will repair the nation. If we form consciences rightly, we will form leaders rightly.

May God bless our families, and may God bless Nigeria.

01 October 2025

Rev. Fr. Michael A. Banjo
Secretary General,
Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria

Agbowoopa: The Distrainor in the House

By Funke Egbemode

When many took off, he stayed put. When the ones we thought were the brave ducked, he dug and rigged. He sweated and defended the homestead or what was left of it.  Even to me, his courage did not make sense. Why swim against the tide when you can just go with the flow? Why stay in a house with half its roof blown off? What is the sense in not just holding on tight to a tattered umbrella but also taking shelter under it? The umbrella itself looked like it needed help.

Leave and let the house crumble. You can build another one. But he stood there in the rain, in the scorching sun. He even bellowed in a fearful voice at passers-by who thought something was really wrong with him. He flexed his muscles at those who had armour. He looked them in the eye and dared them to cross his threshold.

Who the dickens did he think he was? But he paid us all no mind. It was his umbrella to keep, torn, shredded or bent. He mobilized money and started the rebuilding. When he was let down by those he trusted, he soldiered on. When those whose expeditions he sponsored aimed arrows at his bare chest, he nursed his wound, lips pursed in pain and determination. If he shed a tear, it was in private. If he bled, he hid the blood. To his tattered tent he held.

Then one day, he rose out of the ashes, with his umbrella in his hands, this time like a sword. He had rebuilt the house with everything he could muster. Soon, those who watched him rebuild and those who went away all came back, together. He welcomed them. And they all sat under the umbrella. Then one day, he said he wanted to become the leader. Some of the ‘returnees’ also showed interest. They all agreed to a fair contest. Then the demon of conspiracy came into the house and possessed almost everybody. Stabs in the back, followed by another stab in the heart led to a bloodied floor. Things became blurry and slippery. Of course, things fell apart. There was no centre for anybody to even hold.

Now, the builder is angry, raving and raging. What was taken from him he has sworn nobody else would get. He has even gone after those who left the house a second time, bellowing harder than before. He is like one character in Yoruba movie I watched a long time ago. His name was Cause Trouble. The name still makes me smile every time. But the most apt description for me, at least today, is the debt distrainor as described by Reverend Samuel Johnson. Distraining for debt among the Yorubas used to be a big deal in those days. A ‘distrainor’ is a licensed by fire-by-force debt collector who sits on the debtor in every way until he pays. He is said to ‘d’ogo ti’ until he collects.

Pay attention to how Rev. Johnson describes him. 

“The distrainor is a man of imperturbable temper, but of foul tongue, a veritable Thersites. He adopts any measure he likes, inflicting his presence and attention on the debtor everywhere and anywhere he may go, denying him privacy of any kind, and in the meantime using his tongue most foully upon him, his own person being inviolable, for touching him implies doing violence to the person of the authorities who appointed him the task. Loud in his abuses, intolerable in  his manners to all in the house whilst going in and out with the debtor till the inmates of the house get tired and quickly finds a way of getting rid of the distrainor by paying off the debt.”

Our builder, Cause Trouble or Distrainor is ‘drawing gbese’. He’s giving everybody in the house high blood pressure.

“He must not take anything away from the house but he may enjoy the use of anything he finds in the house.”

Does he remind you of someone?

This is a peaceful piece.  

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

Why is no one sharing Basorun Gaa’s name

‘BI o l’aya osika, bi o r’iku Gaa o yio s’otito. If you have the heart of a cruel man, take note of Gaa’s death and be true’

I have always wondered, how exactly did the notorious Basorun Gaa of the Old Oyo Empire think all his wickedness and heavy-handed ways would end? Did he actually think he would live forever and get away with it? How did he sleep at night, each night, knowing that he was causing a king, a whole Alaafin awake and in pains. History recorded Basorun Gaa as a Kingmaker and a King Destroyer, a Basorun who ‘raised five kings to the throne,  he murdered four, and was himself murdered by the fifth.’ Did the man ever think, even just once, that he was inflicting pain or that one day, all his evils would come back to bite him? How did a man grow so powerful he forgot he had not always been powerful? How do men of power, in power, forget where they were coming from? No matter how long a snake is, if it has a head, it will have a tail. Even good reigns come to an end, least of all bad ones.

All those centuries ago, did anybody tell Gaa his ways were evil and would lead him to perdition? I am sure they did. I am almost sure the ‘busybodies’ were beheaded at Gaa’s ‘gbagede’ for their disrespect and blasphemy. 

Gaa, he was famous for his powerful charms. He had powerful medicine men. There were even records of him possessing abilities to transform into a leopard, an elephant at will and returning to the human form. Who would not fear such a man? But reading through a version of his story (oh yes, the story of Basorun Gaa has many versions), the day he died, he tried transforming into an elephant. He couldn’t. His charms failed. Gaa had ordered four mortars to be placed in position to serve as his fore and hind legs (don’t laugh), two pestles (yes, like the ones we use to make pounded yam) to serve as elephant’s tusks. Then he launched into a long incantation session. If those mystery lines were to magically lift him on to the four mortars and install the pestles in his face as elephant’s tusks, they did not work for him that day. One, he could not help himself up because he was old, feeble and trembling. Two, the discouraging words of his son, Olaotan further weakened his withering muscles. Watching his father’s futile attempts to hold on to a glory that had long left him, Olaotan said: Father, have I not always said it were better you should secure a charm for ensuring perpetual youth? It was because I was strongly convinced that these charms will be of little avail to you when old age has set in ‘.

Can you see Gaa in your mind’s eyes, trying to get up and falling, repeating same lines of incantation over and again without any magical result? Power, physical or magical will fail one day even when it is used for good.

Moving forward, eventually, the warriors who had laid siege to Gaa’s residence gained access and arrested the once powerful Basorun, along with his last man standing, Gbagi. They were both dragged off to the palace of Alaafin Abiodun. Gaa was made to prostrate in the sun for hours. As he sweated, he pleaded for his life. As he pleaded, even women and children approached him to pull at his beard and a growth on his face, a face nobody dared gaze at until that day. There was dance and drinks, drums and more dance at the fall of the one they all once dreaded and pretended to revere.

Gaa’s end was a dreadful one. He was put to death like a common thief in the centre of the city, his flesh made to sizzle on a burning stake. Another account of Gaa’s last day said he was buried up to his waist while Oyo people went with knives to get their pounds of flesh, Gaa’s flesh at Akesan market.

This is history, not a folk tale. Is this why I have not met a Dr Gaa, Professor Gaa? Is that why there is no former or serving Senator Gaa or did I miss them? Have you met a Yoruba someone whose surname is Gaa? An interview with him would most certainly be interesting.

Lesson from today’s class? I leave it to you.

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

Honouring the Wisdom and Rights of Older Women – International Day of Older Persons, 1 October, 2025, By Ezinwa Okoroafor (FIDA Global President)

Today, the International Day of Older Persons, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Worldwide), recognises and appreciates the invaluable contributions of older persons to society. Older persons carry a lifetime of experience, knowledge, and resilience, yet all around the world, they continue to face unique challenges, including discrimination, neglect, and limited access to justice and essential services.

As women lawyers and advocates for human rights, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of older persons, particularly older women, who often experience compounded vulnerabilities. We call on states and governments worldwide to ensure the existence of robust legal frameworks, policies, and societal attitudes that guarantee safety, equality, and empowerment for all older persons.

We celebrate the wisdom, strength, and contributions of older persons while advocating for a world where aging is met with respect, inclusion, and justice.

#InternationalDayOfOlderPersons

#FIDAWorldwide

#RightsOfOlderPersons

#JusticeForAllAges

And Nigeria happened to Sommie

  • Sowore accuses police of failing deceased ARISE News Anchor

Reactions have continued to trail the gruesome death of ARISE News anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, even as a post she made weeks before her death has surfaced. 

In her now-viral post, Sommie, as she was fondly called, wished never to be caught up in the Nigerian situation. 

The post was made on August 14, 2025, just six weeks before her death.

The 29-year-old lawyer and broadcast journalist wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I pray from the depth of my heart that Nigeria never happens to me or anyone I care about.”

And Nigeria finally happened to her, especially with the reported delayed response of security operatives when they were alerted. 

Although the initial report was that Sommie got killed when armed robbers attacked her residence in the Katampe Area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, it has now been revealed that she jumped from her flat in the six floor apartment but did not die on the spot.

Sources hinted that when the police eventually arrived, they claimed there was no fuel in their patrol vehicle and by the time the journalist and an injured security man at the estate were conveyed to the hospital, the worst had happened

During the Arise News Morning Show on Tuesday, co-host Ojy Okpe also disclosed that Sommie did not die in the hospital.

According to her, “I reached out to our correspondent in Abuja, who detailed the circumstances surrounding her death.

“She jumped down from her home when she heard that about 14 armed robbers came to her home.

“And she did not die on the spot; she went to the hospital and she was rejected.

“This is really a tragic, tragic incident; Sommie’s life could have been saved, but the hospital rejected her.

“Like she stated, Nigeria happened to her.”

Meanwhile, the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday in Abuja, berated the Nigeria Police Force over the tragic death of Arise Television anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, describing it as a glaring example of how “Nigeria kills its brightest.”

Speaking with journalists outside the Federal High Court, where he is facing controversial charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), Sowore accused the police of negligence and systemic failure that directly led to the journalist’s death.

“They robbed every flat in that building. They called the police. Police did not show up until after she had jumped out of her window, gotten injured, and had no emergency support. She was found alive by the police, but when she had to be taken to the hospital, the police said they had no fuel in their car,” Sowore said.

“Maybe, maybe, if the police had not allowed their car to be stolen by thieves, maybe that car could have helped. So there’s a fundamental problem here. Her own tragedy is just symptomatic. But I feel so bad for her… Nigeria happened to her.”

Sowore broadened his criticism to the wider insecurity crisis in the country, lamenting that ordinary Nigerians are being killed “in droves” in Zamfara, Kaduna, Benue, and other states while the government and security agencies chase trivialities.

“The people that should be prosecuted by the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) are those engaging in banditry and terrorism. But the DPP is probably one of those meeting with them in Zamfara and taking selfies. If I were a terrorist, they would negotiate with me instead of dragging me to court,” Sowore fumed.

SaharaReporters earlier reported how Somtochukwu, popularly called Sommie, died on Monday, September 29, 2025, during an armed robbery at her Katampe residence in Abuja.

Fresh details by one Kaanayo Nwachukwu, who identified himself as a family friend, revealed that armed robbers stormed the six-flat apartment complex, moving from one flat to another.

Terrified by the commotion, Sommie attempted to escape before the robbers reached her apartment. She jumped from her window, sustaining severe injuries.

When the police eventually arrived minutes later, she was still alive. But according to Nwachukwu, eyewitnesses said the officers refused to take her to the hospital, claiming their patrol vehicle had no fuel.

Sommie managed to reach out to her mother’s close friend in Abuja for help, but by the time the woman arrived, she had died.

“That’s how Nigeria happened to this young, vibrant, promising star,” Nwachukwu lamented.

However, according to her colleague Ojy Okpe, who relayed the account of the station’s Abuja correspondent, Sommie jumped from her window after learning that around 14 armed robbers had stormed the building.

“And she did not die on the spot, she went to the hospital, and she was rejected,” she said.

“Sommie’s life could have been saved, but the hospital rejected her.”

Born on December 26, 1995, Sommie returned to Nigeria after studying law in the UK. She attended the Nigerian Law School and joined Arise TV in 2024.

Her death has sparked outrage nationwide, with many Nigerians citing her case as another grim indictment of insecurity, poor emergency response, and state failure.

In a statement signed by its management, Arise TV described Sommie as “a vibrant voice who engaged and connected with viewers,” and demanded a full investigation and prosecution of those responsible. 

Many Nigerians, who are reacting on social media, say they are more aggrieved that Nigeria finally happened to the young journalist. 

Freed on Her Birthday! New wig, Peace Udoka and sister released from kidnappers’ den

The newly called-to-bar lawyer, Peace Onyesom Udoka, and her sister, Gift Onyesom, who were kidnapped while returning from the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja, have been released and are currently at a village near Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State.

This was disclosed by activist Harrison Gwamnishu in his Facebook post on Tuesday.

The sisters were abducted along the Abuja-Benin route, around Lokoja, Kogi State, on September 26, 2025.

The highway is known for frequent kidnappings.

Udoka, a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, was last in contact with her family around 12 p.m. on Friday.

The kidnappers had demanded a N40m ransom for their release, later reducing it to N20m per person.

The release of the sisters comes after intense pressure and appeals from their family, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and activists like Harrison Gwamnishu, who had called on the Edo State Governor and security agencies to intervene.

Also, her release coincides with her birthday, according to the activist.

“FREEDOM ON HER BIRTHDAY. Peace Onyesom Udoka and Gift Onyesom kidnapped while returning from Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja have just been released to us at a village near Okpella.
It’s a tough journey. Details later today or tomorrow morning,” he posted.

Uphold integrity, professionalism, and discipline —IGP to newly called-to-bar Police lawyers in Abuja

As part of efforts to reposition the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has met with the newly called-to-Bar personnel of the Force.

Addressing the officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Egbetokun urged them to uphold integrity, professionalism, and discipline as they assume dual responsibilities as law enforcement officers and legal practitioners.

The IGP charged the 98 police officers, who were recently called to the Bar after completing the Nigerian Law School programme, to always ensure that every action they take is grounded in the law.

According to him, the Nigeria Police Force is not just an enforcement institution but also the frontline defender of law and order in the country. He stressed that the Force cannot effectively discharge this duty without officers who deeply understand the law and can apply it with clarity.

He said, “Your success, therefore, is not for yourselves alone, it is an asset for the Force and for Nigeria. Let me congratulate you on your successful completion of the Nigerian Law School programme and your call to the Bar. I have also been informed that one of you graduated with First Class Honours, a rare and outstanding feat. You have made the Nigeria Police Force proud, and for that, I thank you.

“Policing is about enforcing the law, and no Force can do this effectively without sound legal knowledge. The Police require officers who are not only courageous in the field but also competent in the courtroom and clear in their interpretation of justice.

“Every action we take must be grounded in the law. Every power we exercise must be backed by the law. And every responsibility we bear must be judged by the law. This is why your achievement matters.

“You return to this institution not just as police officers, but as custodians of legal knowledge. That knowledge must not be idle. It must be put to work, to strengthen the Force and to serve the people of Nigeria.

“Your success comes at a defining moment. The Nigeria Police Force has recently been upgraded in status and has now become the Force Directorate of Legal Services, under the command of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police. This elevation is not symbolic; it is strategic. The Directorate must now deliver sharper legal direction, ensure that our prosecutions are watertight, protect the Force against legal vulnerabilities, and shape policy at the highest levels. You are entering at this turning point, and the responsibility to make this Directorate excel rests heavily on your shoulders.”

While charging the lawyers, Egbetokun emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force does not need lawyers in uniform for decoration but officers who will add value. He said: “We need lawyers in uniform who will defend this institution with skill, with courage, and with integrity.

“As young officers, I charge you to: Strengthen prosecutions, ensure that our cases are tight, professional, and beyond compromise. Uphold integrity, let your conduct be above reproach; compromise and corruption must never stain the Directorate. Advise with authority, your legal opinion must be clear, practical, and reliable, such that commanders can trust it without hesitation.

“Advance reforms, help align the Force with constitutional standards, human rights obligations, and international best practices. Inspire others, be role models to officers coming behind you. Prove that police officers can wear the uniform and the lawyer’s gown with distinction.

“Your call to the Bar has doubled your responsibility. You are now accountable to the Force, to the legal profession, and to the Nigerian people. You cannot afford to fail in any of these. Remember this: the uniform you wear is not ordinary. Combined with the authority of the lawyer’s gown, it places you in a unique and demanding position. You must carry yourselves with humility, discipline, and loyalty to the Force.”

Egbetokun also advised them not to misuse their legal knowledge for personal advantage.

He added: “Channel it into service. Let your competence strengthen this Directorate. Let your integrity inspire this institution. Excellence will be recognised and rewarded. Mediocrity will not be tolerated. You have brought pride to this Force. But pride is not enough. This institution has invested in you. Now, you must justify that investment.

“Step into the Directorate of Legal Services with confidence, but also with duty. The nation is watching. The Force is depending on you. Your work will determine not just your future, but also the standing of the Nigeria Police as a professional institution of law enforcement.

“Make no mistake: this achievement is not about the gown you will wear in court. It is about the standard you will set in this uniform. The Police, at this time more than ever before, do not just need lawyers who carry titles—it needs officers who will make the law work for justice, for discipline, and for Nigeria.”

Pregnant woman shot by vigilante as illegal miners, residents clash in Niger

A pregnant woman was shot during a violent altercation between illegal mining operators and residents in Mutun Daya community, Shiroro local government area of Niger State.

The dispute reportedly started on Monday when a prominent politician and artisanal miner attempted to convert the community’s primary school into a mining site, despite resistance from the residents.

This development was said to have sparked fierce opposition from the members of Mutum Daya community.

The situation, DAILY POST learnt, escalated when local security guards employed by the miners shot an unidentified pregnant woman in the leg as she tried to pass through the contested area.

The incident, sources from the area said, ignited a fierce battle between the community’s youths and the security guards, but prompt deployment of security agents prevented further violence.

The state Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack in a statement.

The statement disclosed that on 29th September 2025, at about 10: 00 am, some groups of persons were sighted engaging in illegal mining in a school in Mutun-Daya, along Gwada road, and the community members resisted the activities.

“During this, a yet-to-be-identified vigilante man reportedly shot a woman on the leg. As a result of this, aggrieved youths in the area blocked Gwada- Sarkin-Pawa road, while DPO Gwada mobilised to the scene and the youths were persuaded to unblock the road,” the statement added.

The police spokesman explained that the situation was brought under control, and the injured victim was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, efforts to identify and arrest the vigilante man is in progress.

1...203204205...1,430Page 204 of 1,430

TIPS

Load more