Two heads of court, the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, are to proceed on compulsory retirement, having been found by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to have falsified their ages.

NJC in a statement made available to newsmen through its Deputy Director (Information), Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, NJC disclosed that the Imo state CJ was recommended to Governor Hope Uzodinma for compulsory retirement with effect from October 27, 2021, with all salaries and allowances he received in excess from the said date refunded to the Council.

Likewise, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi who was meant to have retired 12 years ago will refund all salaries and allowances received for the past 12 years.

“The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth: 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958.

“However, 27 October 1956 appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.

“Similarly, Council finds that Hon. Kadi Mahdi has 3 different dates of birth (10 December, 28 January, and July) all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952.

“The Council held that Grand Kadi Mahdi committed an act of misconduct in violation of Rule 02908(i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2021, and ought to have retired from service 12 years ago.

“The Council, therefore, resolved to recommend Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi for compulsory retirement to the Governor of Yobe State and that he should refund all salaries and allowances received for the past 12 years,” the statement said.

The NJC, which is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the decision to sanction the two judges was taken at its 107th meeting that was held on November 13 and 14, 2024.

Similarly, NJC suspended a judge of the Rivers State High Court, Justice G. C. Aguma, from performing judicial functions for a period of one year without pay and also placed him on the “Watch List” for two years thereafter.

Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court was equally suspended for one year without pay and placed on the “Watch List” for two years thereafter.

“The Council’s findings revealed that Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgement debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State.

“The Council finds that Justice Aguma failed to raise any query as to why the garnishee proceedings were brought to his court in Bori for a money judgment that could effectively be enforced in Abuja.

“That the judgment was delivered on 15 July 2020, at the High Court of the FCT, while the certificate of judgment was registered at Bori Division of the High Court of Rivers State on 16 July 2020.

“The Council further finds that the speed with which the Hon. Justice Aguma took and granted the order absolute against the judgment debtors showed that he had an interest, especially as he failed to take into consideration the stay of execution of the judgment granted in favour of the judgement debtors by the Bwari High Court, which had been brought to his attention.

“On the part of Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State, the Council found him to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.

“He also failed to adhere to the principle of stare decisis from his different interpretation of the word “aspirant” and abused his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice filed along with the Originating Summons.”

The Council said it considered the report of its preliminary complaints assessment committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, and empanelled six committees for further investigation.

It disclosed that whereas 22 of the petitions were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were considered to be sub judice.

The Council said it also empanelled a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State, even as it recommended the appointment of 36 new High Court judges.

“The Council, at its meeting, also issued letter of caution to Hon. Justice I. A. Jamil of Kogi State to be more circumspect in handling sensitive matters in the future.

“The Council further resolved to issue letter of caution to Hon. Justice J. J. Majebi, Chief Judge, Kogi State, for assigning a sensitive matter to a junior judge on the bench.

“The Council also deliberated on 4 petitions against Hon. Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as follows: Petition by Mr Douglas W. Chukwu, the Secretary of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, against Hon. Justice Lifu was discountenanced, as the petitioner, who had earlier indicated interest in participating in the hearing of his petition, failed, neglected, and refused to appear before the Committee.

“The Council also finds that the allegations of inducement to the tune of $1 million, a bulletproof car, and the gift of a plot of land to Hon. Justice Lifu by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Rivers State, were not substantiated in any form.

“It was also found that the same parties who appeared before the High Court in Rivers State also appeared before Hon. Justice Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja but failed to disclose or bring to the notice of the Hon. Judge the existence of a sister case at Rivers State High Court.

“The Council noted that the acts of misconduct alleged were actually perpetuated by the petitioners who filed the case at the Rivers State High Court; after the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja had been instituted, suggesting forum shopping.

“Council finds that Hon. Justice Lifu neither exhibited personal interest in the matter nor misconducted himself in the procedure and noted that the complaints contained in the petition are now subject of appeal by the petitioners.

“Similarly, Council dismissed the two petitions by Abednego Oli Benjamin, Chairman, Boot Party, Rivers State Chapter, against Hon. Justice Lifu, as it finds the allegations of bribery and other corrupt practices against the subject judge were unsubstantiated. 

“It also finds that there is no proof of misconduct in the ex parte orders made by the subject judge. 

“Council also noted that the ex parte orders are now the subject of appeals.

“On the petition by Dr. G. M. Giles-West Clark, Rivers State House of Assembly, against Hon. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, the Council finds that the petition was not supported with a verifying affidavit and was therefore, discountenanced.

“On the Petition against the Court of Appeal by Aham Eke-Ejelama, SAN, Council finds that the matters were cases that were commenced during vacation. 

“It also finds that they were urgent matters assigned to vacation justices and that vacation judges sit in Abuja. 

“The council also finds the assertion that the appellants’ counsel applied to be heard in Abuja is not correct, as only a head of court can assign vacation cases. 

“Consequently, Council dismissed the petition for lack of substance.

“The Council thereafter directed that the President of the Court of Appeal should deal with the assignment of the appeals administratively in the normal course of business.

“Also, the petitions against Hon. Justice Peter C. Obiora, JCA, formerly of Anambra State High Court, and Hon. Justice I. S. Yerima, Chief Judge, Oyo State, were discontinued by the petitioners through notices of discontinuance served on the Council.

“The petition by Hon. C. Oforma Agbo JP against Hon. Justice Comfort C. Ani of the Enugu State High Court was investigated, and no evidence of judicial misconduct was found against the judge.

“The petition against Hon. Justice Kabir Dabo, High Court of Justice, Kaduna State, by Alhaji Samaila Musa, was dismissed for being unmeritorious, as the Judge did not violate any law by issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the petitioner.

“Furthermore, the petition by Hopeson Dike against Hon. Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam of the Federal High Court was discountenanced as the petitioner abandoned it and failed to honour Council’s invitation.

“While the NJC is ready to sanction erring judicial officers, it has a duty to protect them against unfounded allegations.

“The Council resolved that legal practitioners who, by themselves or in collusion with litigants, write frivolous petitions to blackmail the judicial officers will be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) or the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for appropriate action. 

“Also, at the meeting, the Council recommended thirty-six (36) candidates for judicial appointment to their various state governors,” the statement further read.

The recommendations include eight judges for the High Court of Oyo State, among them Opayinka Adeniyi Gabriel Oyediran Oloyede Semiu, Oladejo Olusoji Moses, Ademola-Salami Oluwaseun Toluwanimi, Adesina Jimoh Adam, Adekunle Yemi Saubana, Adepoju Olutola Jolade Adenike and Muraina Olayemi Rasaq.

In Kebbi State, four judges have been recommended, including Muhammad Kwaido Hassan, Ibrahim Umar Halima, Jagwadeji Suru Lauratu and Muhammad Nuruddeen

Seven judges were proposed for the High Court of Sokoto State, featuring candidates such Haruna Dogondaji Mariya, Sahabi Jaredi Hadiza, Ahmad Sha’aibu, Hassan Fatima, Mohammed Sa’idu Fatima, Muhammad Nura Bello and Moyi Abubakar.

Akwa Ibom State will see the addition of six judges, including Ekanem James Bassey, Umohandi Mfon Winifred, Essien Bassey Iwakaowo, Morrison Henry Comfort, Ntekim Edet Ekpo and Eddie Julius Sharon.

Meanwhile, seven kadis are recommended for the Sharia Court of Appeal in Sokoto State, including Muhammad Abdulazeez Yar’Abba, Lawal Isa Abubakar, Bello Sokoto Ibrahim, Imam Abubakar Bello, Muhammad Abibu Lawal, Ibrahim Bodinga Umar and Kabiru Marnona Umar.

Two kadis have been proposed for the Sharia Court of Appeal in Kebbi State, with the likes of Aliyu Kabir SAN,
Bello Muhammad Atiku on the list.

For Oyo State’s Customary Court of Appeal, two judges are also recommended, namely Safiya Amope Oyediran and Ojeyemi Ademola Ojekunle.

The candidates recommended by the NJC are now expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors.

The conflict between religious beliefs and workplace ethics played out at Capital Express Global Trustees Limited, Lagos on Thursday when a young lawyer was forced to resign from his appointment following his refusal to participate in the compulsory daily 20-minute morning devotion in the office.

Although nothing in Unique Eke’s appointment letter spelt out certain religious regulations every staff member must abide by, nor was he informed by other means at the time of his employment that refusal to comply with the company’s unwritten religious policy could cost him his job, Eke was instructed by the company’s Group Managing Director (GMD), Obaleke Olufemi to tender his resignation since he (Eke) maintained that his religious belief restrains him from participating in the morning devotion.

Trouble began for the now ex-Trust Associate, a Jehovah’s Witness on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, when he was summoned to the office of the GMD accompanied by other top staff members Mr. Olufemi Kalejaiye and Mrs. Oyinposola Akinsulie.

After expressing his annoyance over Eke’s continual absence at the morning devotion, stressing that it is intrinsic to the organisation’s ideology, he advised Eke to tender his resignation immediately if he could not comply with the policy.

On being summoned again by the GMD on Thursday, Eke’s moves to explain how the policy conflicts with his personal convictions as well as his request for some time to consider the directive was refused as Mr. Olufemi insisted on a letter of resignation by 9:00 a.m. on of the same day.

A part of his resignation letter of November 14, 2024, reads:

“Further to the directives of Mr. Obaleke  Olufemi, the General Managing Director, I hereby tender my resignation from the employment of Capital Express Global Trustees Limited as a Trust Associate.

“On November 13, 2024, at about 8:15 a.m., Mr. Olufemi, in the company of Mr. Olufemi Kalejaiye and Mrs. Oyinposola Akinsulie, expressed disgust at my exercise of the right to be excluded from the office morning devotion, a religious activity which I chose not to participate in. He thereafter directed me to submit my resignation, effective immediately.

“On November 14, 2024, at about 8:00 a.m., I met with Mr. Olufemi in an attempt to explain the reason for my refusal to participate in the religious activity. After our discussion, he reaffirmed his earlier directive and advised me to comply with it on or before 9:00 a.m.

“Notwithstanding the above, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked here. Thank you…”

Interestingly however, Eke got an email from the company stating that his services were no longer required as his “performance” had been found “to be grossly below acceptance levels.”

This development has led some public affairs analysts to question whether a premium should be placed on competence or certain religious practices or both in organisations.

A video of nurses of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo state using their phones as a source of light has gone viral. 

The hospital has been battling power outage for over 17 days. The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company had cut the electricity supply to the Hospital due to unpaid bills. The hospital is being billed under the “band A” tariff structure, resulting in a monthly bill of N80million.

The lack of power supply has affected essential services at the hospital, including surgeries, diagnostic tests, and other critical medical procedures.

Last week, patients and family members protested power and water cuts in the health facility. 

In a recent video by The Cable, nurses of the hospital could be seen using the flashlight of their phone to light up the rooms.

Colleen Jo Matarico a special education teacher accused of raping a 13-year-old student in her car had ditched her husband for the teenager whom she referred to as her “crystal meth,” according to prosecutors.

The 43-year-old grandmother, from Los Angeles, USA, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, November 12 to five felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under age 14,  two felony counts of lewd acts upon a child age 14 or 15, and one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, CBS News reported.

Prosecutors alleged that she was sexually abusing the male student for over a year, and even left her husband because she believed she was in love with him, the Los Angeles Times added.

In online messages, she called the teen “her ‘crystal meth’” — and “the only person she would go to jail for,” Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson told Tuesday’s hearing.

The mom of two continued to pursue the boy after “multiple people in her family” begged her to stop — and the boy said he was “concerned and scared” of her jealousy, the prosecutor said.

Matarico who worked at John Burroughs Middle School started abusing the boy when he turned 13, while she was still his teacher, Anson told the court.

Most of the alleged sex abuse took place between August and November, according to the criminal complaint. She is also accused of giving the boy marijuana.

More recently, when she became aware of the investigation, Matarico allegedly drove to the high school where the boy is now a pupil and waited for him in her car where she allegedly raped him, according to Anson.

The teacher then contacted one of the boy’s friends via Instagram in order to stay in contact with him, the Los Angeles Times said.

It was in one of those messages that Matarico allegedly confessed to leaving her husband because she loved the teenager, and said that he was “her ‘crystal meth,’” Anson said Tuesday.

The teacher’s lawyer, Carlos Bido, pushed for her to be released on house arrest with electronic monitoring because she has no criminal history and has two children ages 11 and 15 as well as grandchildren.

“Ms. Matarico is cooperating fully with the legal process and is prepared to address these serious allegations in court,” Bido told the LA Times.

LA County Superior Court Judge Susan J. De Witt refused to release the teacher.

Anson had argued that Matarico had made clear she would continue trying to contact the boy if released, and that it would put him at harm.

The judge also granted a protective order barring Matarico from speaking with the victim or going near his school or home.

Linda Ikeji

• Watch the video

Following the alleged sealing up of his company on account of violating some laws, a Chinese national became so enraged that he mutilated some Naira notes in the presence of government officials.

The incident which was captured on camera took place at a Chinese company located along the Lekki-Epe expressway in Lagos.

The video making the rounds on social media reveals the moment the angry Chinese man brought out the naira notes and tore them right in the presence of the officials. 

Watch the video below.

Cold terror has gripped the residents of Saki, in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo State, especially those living around Almusharaf Hospital, Oke Sunah following the deaths of a doctor and three nurses within 72 hours.

The residents became apprehensive when a nurse, who is a staff of the hospital died three days ago and then the doctor and two other nurses in the same hospital died between Tuesday and Wednesday.

A resident of the area, Mr Adekunle Lawal, who spoke with Vanguard said: “Three days ago, one nurse died and on Monday another nurse died and yesterday, the doctor and another nurse died.

“We are afraid because we don’t know what caused their deaths. The doctor is a quack doctor. Maybe all of them treated a patient who has a contagious disease which, I think, was not well handled.

“It’s a very big hospital. They carry out minor surgery on patients and at times they invite doctors elsewhere to join them.

“If it’s a contagious disease, how come that no patients died but the staff? People are also speculating that it could be food poisoning. Maybe one of them ate food and gave others to eat. We don’t know. All these are mere assumptions until those responsible for monitoring these hospitals carry out an autopsy on the deceased. None of the patients died, it’s only the staff of the hospital.

“All of them have been buried. You know they are Muslim. Please, the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies should step in.”

Another resident, Mr Adeola Fehintola, a legal practitioner said, those in charge of surveillance should investigate the matter.

“You know Saki is very close to the borders. Maybe someone with a contagious disease has just come in. My people are living there, those in charge should do something urgent to know the actual cause of death.”

Vanguard

• As armed bandits decapitate 6, abduct 13 in Niger state

While the Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Edo State Command, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the rising number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria., not fewer than 10 people were killed, six of whom were beheaded, and over a dozen more kidnapped by armed bandits in an attack in a community in Niger state.

Moyespoke at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin City, Edo State. 

The theme of the event was “Say No to Migrant Smuggling. If You Must Migrate, Migrate Safely, Orderly, and Regularly.” 

Speaking at the event, Moye emphasized the urgency of the campaign given the increasing numbers of irregular migrants. 

Assistant Controller of Immigration David Amanahu, a facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, also delivered a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap. 

Amanahu noted, “The Controller-General’s message is clear: the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.” 

Another facilitator, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Woshak Danladi, outlined the severe dangers of irregular migration. 

“Irregular migration can cost you your freedom, and in some cases, even your life. 

“There’s a risk of organ harvesting, human rights abuses, and many more dangers,” he warned, urging officers to actively educate the public on these risks.

Meanwhile, the agents of terror stormed two communities in Rafi Local Government and broke into people’s homes on Tuesday said Abdullahi Nurudeen, a youth leader in Belu-Belu, one of the affected communities.

“They shot dead 10 people, but later they beheaded six of the victims,” he told Anadolu via telephone, adding that “the attackers also kidnapped over 12 people in our community and one more in Wayam, another village attacked by the bandits.”

Wasiu Abiodun, a spokesman for Niger State police command, confirmed the attack but did not say how many people were killed or kidnapped.

“Some people were kidnapped during the attack but we cannot ascertain their number,” he told Anadolu.

He said the bandits may have attacked in retaliation for joint security forces raids on their hideouts in Niger State the last weekend.

The Mining Marshals deployed to end illegal activities in mining sites across the country, have claimed that they were stopped by security forces from arresting some Chinese nationals engaging in the illegal exploitation of lithium in Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The incident which occurred last Friday pitched the mining marshals against the military and policemen, who claimed that they were there to protect the Chinese.

Federal Government had through the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake and Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, recently commissioned the mining marshals, a specialised unit drafted from the NSCDC as part of efforts to tackle the menace of illegal mining in the country.

During the sting operation, the illegal miners temporarily moved to their living quarters at the site, apparently having gotten wind of the swoop by the mining marshals. They were, however, pulled out and lined up for onward conveyance to Abuja by the team led by the mining Marshals Commander, Attah Onoja.

The Marshals claimed that they were stopped by security officials from taking the suspects away having been earlier cleared to carry out the operations.

To forestall the breakdown of law and order, the commander of the Mining Marshals was said to have quietly retreated, noting that necessary steps known to law were being taken and he would stop at nothing to ensure lawful mining activities in the area and Nigeria at large.

Onoja explained that they embarked on the operation not to halt mining activities in the area but to ensure that those operating there were duly licensed, since the information at their disposal did not capture those mining there hitherto as the licensees.

At the mining site, the Marshals were alleged to have discovered the presence of vehicles belonging to a China-State-owned company.

Alleging illegality of the operations in Libata via a telephone conversation, Chief Executive Officer, of El-TahDam Exploration, Engr. Adamu Tah, said his company validly acquired a Mining Lease to operate on the site with the $50 million processing plant designed to create over 3,000 jobs, but was denied access by the Chinese under the cover of a company and aided by both military and mobile police attached to sustain their operations.

He said: “The Chinese, because of the illegal mining they are undertaking there, exploiting and carting away countless tonnes of crude materials, want to frustrate our efforts to set up the processing plant there. They also have some state actors in strong support since the complaint letter to that effect dispatched to them remains unattended. Other local cohorts and influential figures are clearly behind their illegal act, no doubt.”

According to Tah, who confirmed that he had won the support of the host community to make his planned $50 million investment in the area, all he wanted was for the illegal occupants to vacate the site so that he could resume operations and continue with his plan to establish the processing plant.

Credits: Vanguard