All is set for the African Bar Association (AFBA) President-Elect, Ibrahim Edmund Ihediwa Mark, Life Bencher, Body Of Benchers, Nigeria, former  AFBA Vice President, (Budget & Finance) to be sworn in at the ongoing 2024 Annual Conference of the African Bar Association (AFBA) hosted by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is currently ongoing in the capital city of Lusaka.

HAGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN with AfBA President Elect, Chief Ibrahim Eddie Mark (Life Bencher) and President of Law Association of Zambia, Mr L. Zulu

Born on the 4th May 1962  at Omolo-Omagwa, Rivers State, Nigeria, Mark attended Primary and Secondary Schools between 1971 and 1980 in Port Harcourt. He was at the Rivers State University where he read law between 1984 and 1989. He went on to the Nigerian Law School and obtained his Bachelor of Laws between 1989 and 1990.

Mark, a certified Specialist On Asset Recovery (CSAR) who has a Certificate In Leading Professional Service Firm, attended the Harvard Business School Boston, Massachusetts USA in 2014.

He is a member of the following associations: Nigeria Bar Association, African Bar Association, Communication Lawyers Association, American Bar Association (International), International Association Of Asset Recovery, International Association Of Democratic Lawyers and International Bar Association.

Ibrahim Mark was Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Maiduguri Branch, Chairman, Borno State Football Association, Member, Council Of Legal Education, General Secretary, the Nigerian Bar Association, Member, Legal Aid Council Of Nigeria, Life Member, NEC, Nigerian Bar Association, Life Bencher, Body Of Benchers Of Nigeria, Vice President, (Budget & Finance) African Bar Association, Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation Appeals Committee, Senior Vice President, African Bar Association, Managing Partner, City Law Firm, Abuja, Nigeria.

While Alex Ikwechegh, the Aba North & South Federal Constituency Representative at the House of Assembly has apologised for assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Stephen Abuwatseya in his Maitama, Abuja residence on Sunday, the UK Labour Party has suspended MP Mike Amesbury after CCTV footage emerged appearing to show him punching a man to the ground.

He has also had the Labour whip withdrawn, meaning he will now sit as an independent MP in Parliament.

When the footage that showed Ikwechegh assaulting Abuwatseya went viral, his party the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on Monday, condemned the said assault but they are yet to take any decisive action on him.

In footage obtained by the Daily Mail, the Runcorn and Helsby MP is seen continuing to hit the man as he lies in the street.

Cheshire Police said a 55-year-old man had been voluntarily interviewed under caution about the incident and had since been released pending further enquiries.

Amesbury has been contacted for comment.

It comes after a different video, posted on X, purported to show Amesbury shouting and swearing at the man lying in the street in Frodsham, Cheshire.

A Labour Party spokesman said: “Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their inquiries following an incident on Friday night.

“As these inquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr Amesbury’s membership of the Labour Party pending an investigation.”

It is not clear what happened in the build-up to the moments caught on film.

In the initial clip, Amesbury shouts: “You won’t threaten the MP ever again, will you?”

In a statement issued before the Daily Mail footage emerged, Cheshire Police said: “At 02:48 BST on Saturday 26 October police were called to reports of an assault in Frodsham.

“A caller reported he had been assaulted by a man in Main Street. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Posting on his own Facebook page on Saturday, the 55-year-old backbencher said: “Last night I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened following an evening out with friends.

“This morning I contacted Cheshire Police myself to report what happened.

“I will not be making any further public comment but will of course cooperate with any inquiries if required by Cheshire Police.”

Senior minister Pat McFadden said the CCTV footage was “very graphic,” but he wanted to “let the police do their job and reach a conclusion before I say anything more.”

A Conservative Party spokesman said Amesbury “has questions to answer about his actions”, adding that it was “right they are thoroughly investigated”.

A spokesperson for Reform UK – whose candidate came second behind Amesbury in July’s general election – called for him to resign.

Former Conservative MP Dehenna Davison, whose father died from a single punch, called the CCTV footage “horrendous”.

In a post on X, she said: “The police are investigating and I am sure the full facts will emerge soon.

“I have spent years working with One Punch UK to raise awareness of the dangers a single punch can cause.

“Such violence – whatever the background to the altercation – is never and should never be justified.”

Amesbury has been a Labour MP in Cheshire since 2017 and served as a shadow minister between 2018 and 2024.

In the July general election he won his constituency with a majority of 14,696.

In July 2023, a 56-year-old man was found guilty of stalking and harassing Amesbury at his constituency office and in town.

Ikwechegh in a piece titled “A Statement of Regret and Commitment to Justice” dated October 28, 2024 said:

I, Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, Member of the House of Representatives, wish to address a deeply disturbing incident that occurred at my residence recently. A video has surfaced showing me engaging in unacceptable behavior towards an Uber driver who came to deliver a waybill for me. I am deeply sorry for my actions and acknowledge that they were unacceptable and unbecoming of a public official.

As a public servant, I recognize the trust placed in me by my constituents and the Nigerian people. My behavior fell short of the standards expected of me, and for that, I am truly sorry. I understand that my actions have caused harm and embarrassment to the driver, my constituents, and the nation at large.

I want to assure the public that I am fully cooperating with the Nigerian Police investigation into this matter. I support their efforts to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable. I also appreciate the swift condemnation of my actions by my party and the Nigerian Police, demonstrating our collective commitment to upholding the law and protecting the rights of all citizens.

Commitment to Change

I am taking immediate steps to address the underlying issues that led to this incident. I am seeking professional counseling to ensure that such behavior never happens again. Additionally, I will be engaging in community service initiatives focused on promoting respect, empathy, and understanding.

Call to Action

I urge all Nigerians to join me in promoting a culture of respect, tolerance, and understanding. We must work together to build a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Thank you for your understanding, and I hope that you will join me on this journey towards healing and growth.

Sincerely,

Honourable Alex Ikwechegh
Member, House of Representatives

Additional reports from The BBC

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has said it will take swift action following a troubling video of a man assaulting his wife verbally and physically.

The CCTV footage, dated October 27, 2024, shows the man, who is believed to be a lawyer and manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), in a heated argument with his wife over suspected infidelity.

The video captures him shouting, throwing objects, and threatening to smash his wife with a flower vase.

“I showed you the message and told you there was nothing between both of us. Are you unfortunate? I am warning you,” he yelled in the video.

“If you do not call anybody you are a bastard. Are you crazy? Do you want me to lose my job?”

The woman, on the other hand, appeals to her husband to restrain himself, warning him not to hit her in front of their children.

“Be careful. You know the children are here. Whatever you do here the children are watching. Do not touch me. I will call my dad. I want to make you lose your job or it is the consequences of your immoral attitude?” she said.

Although Law & Society cannot independently confirm the identity of the couple, the incident has sparked outrage, with many users calling for accountability and support for her.

In response to the Tweets, the DSVA said: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out or tagged us regarding this video. We appreciate your vigilance in bringing this to our attention. Now that we’re aware, we’re taking swift action to address the matter appropriately.”

Nearly three months after the directive from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, a Federal High Court Hon. Judge Justice Simon Amobeda has refused to comply with a judicial transfer order to Kogi State,

Justice Amobeda, who had been based in Kano, was posted to Kogi in July 2024, yet he has remained in Kano.

SaharaReporters learnt that Justice Tsoho issued a nationwide posting directive dated July 12, 2024, mandating all reassigned judges to report to their new divisions, which include major centres such as Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, Kwara, and Kogi.

In the directive, Justice Tsoho disclosed that all affected judges were to complete any remaining cases where defence hearings were closed before departing.

Meanwhile, the Chief Judge himself is set to operate between Abuja and Lagos.

The source said that Justice Amobeda’s decision not to report to Kogi is stirring discussions within the judiciary, especially following criticism surrounding one of his judgments that reportedly contained strict conditions.

“The reason for his non-compliance with the transfer remains unclear, and it is yet to be confirmed whether any disciplinary actions will be considered by the Federal High Court’s leadership,” a source said.

Another source on Monday, recalled that despite Justice Simon Amobeda’s recent transfer to the Federal High Court in Kogi, he issued a ruling on Saturday’s Kano local government elections, annulling the victories of all 44 chairmanship and councillorship candidates from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The judgment, delivered by Justice Amobeda in Kano on Friday, addressed a case filed by Muhammad Babayo and an NNPP faction disputing the party’s leadership.

Justice Amobeda ordered the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) to accept a new candidates’ list from the faction led by the recognized state chairman, Dalhatu Usman.

“The defendant is hereby restrained from releasing the voters register for the 2nd Defendant to conduct the proposed election on 26th October 2024,” declared Justice Amobeda.

The case named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); KANSIEC; the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) as defendants.

SaharaReporters learned that earlier, on October 22, Justice Amobeda delivered a controversial judgment, despite having been transferred to Kogi State since July.

Just four days before the Kano Local Government Area elections, Justice Amobeda dismissed Prof. Sani Malumfashi as the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, noting that he was a card-carrying member of a political party.

In his ruling last Tuesday, Justice Amobeda addressed a case filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the All Progressives Congress.

The defendants include the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, the Kano State House of Assembly, the Attorney General of Kano State, INEC, the Director of the Department of State Services, the Commissioner of Police for Kano, the State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano State Command, Anas Muhammad Mustapha, Mukhtar Garba Dandago, Isyaku Ibrahim Kunya, Kabir Jibril Zakirai, and Amina Inuwa Fagge.

The court ruled that the 9th to 14th defendants, as members of the NNPP and active participants in partisan politics, were ineligible to serve as the chairman and members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, in line with sections 197(1)(b) and 200(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 4 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2001.

In June, Justice Amobeda also ruled on the case of the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, affirming his right to freedom of movement and civil liberties, and ordering the Kano State Government to pay him N10 million in damages.

In his recent judgment, Justice Amobeda granted the applicant’s counsel’s withdrawal of reliefs 1 and 2, recognizing their legal right to do so, effectively removing those reliefs from the case.

He further asserted the court’s jurisdiction, stressing that the case fell within the scope of fundamental human rights abuses under the Constitution, thereby authorizing the court’s authority over the matter.

The remaining reliefs requested by the applicants include damages totalling N5 billion for alleged threats to their human rights.

SaharaReporters

The World Bank has expressed concern over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) ‘’lack of transparency and inconsistent financial reporting,” which it claims has impeded accurate oversight of oil revenue distribution to Nigeria’s Federation Account.

These findings were outlined in the bank’s Accelerating Resource Mobilisation Reforms (ARMOR) Report, released on May 17, 2024.

The World Bank criticized NNPCL’s governance, noting that the company’s reports submitted to the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) were inconsistent and lacked crucial details, such as pledged revenue specifics, crude oil trade values, actual payments, and receipts from global transactions. “Non-transparent reporting to the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) and FAAC makes it difficult for authorities to oversee NNPCL’s performance,” the report stated.

Additionally, NNPCL’s practice of pledging oil barrels for business deals was flagged. The report highlighted a deal where 35,000 barrels per day were pledged in exchange for a stake in the Dangote Refinery, with a total investment estimated at $5.8 billion as of 2022, yet the declared revenue was reportedly lower than expected.

The World Bank also pointed out that while international oil prices increased by 116% from 2020 to 2023, Nigeria’s net oil revenue to GDP ratio decreased from 2% to 1.8% due to declining oil production and fuel subsidies managed by NNPCL. The ARMOR report warned that Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenue has made the economy vulnerable, with oil production falling from 1.8 million barrels per day in 2020 to 1.4 million in 2023 due to security issues and underinvestment.

In addition to highlighting these issues, the World Bank urged Nigeria to pursue fiscal reforms to diversify revenue sources and improve non-oil revenue collection. The Nigerian government is seeking a $750 million loan as part of a broader $2.25 billion package from the World Bank to support its economic reform initiatives. These funds are contingent on measurable progress in increasing VAT collection, corporate tax compliance, and modernizing tax and customs administration.

The ARMOR program aims to bolster VAT collections to 1.8% of non-oil GDP and improve digital tax infrastructure. Despite tax reforms in 2020-2021, Nigeria’s non-oil tax revenue remains low compared to other developing nations. At 7.5%, Nigeria’s VAT rate is the lowest in Africa, falling far short of the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 15.8%.

📍3,850 days!

Today makes it exactly 3,850 days since the Chibok girls were abducted. That is:

📍10 years + 6 months + 2 weeks!

So far, at least 187 of the girls are back and about 89 remain in abduction.

While there have been reports of the fate of some of the remaining girls, there has been no official statement to confirm or debunk the news.

What is important, however, is that there are still parents/relatives of the missing girls who are still grieving, praying, and hoping for their return––someday, somehow, somewhere.

We must not forget.

#BringBackOurGirls

INVICTUS

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has disclosed that Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives seen in a viral video assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Stephen Abuwatseya is currently undergoing questioning at Maitama Police Station.

According to SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, in a press statement,” The FCT Police Command has received a report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters regarding an incident involving a Bolt driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, and Hon. Alexander Ikwegh, who represents the Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State. The incident occurred on October 27, 2024, at a residence on Zamfara Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery. During this altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.

“The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the Inspector General of Police following the incident. After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, ”You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,’ demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.

“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning.

“Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, has mandated a thorough investigation into the matter. The Command is committed to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases. Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken.”

• APGA condemns lawmaker’s assault on Abuja driver by Abia Rep, Alex Ikwechegh

The Nigeria Police Force has urged Nigerians to refrain from using the office or the name of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intimidate others following an assault on an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Stephen Abuwatseya by a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, on Sunday.

According to the police, using the IG’s name or office could undermine the values of impartiality that the office upholds in the country.

The Force, in a post via its official X.com handle on Monday stated these while reacting to

The distressed driver, Stephen Abuwatseya who had gone to deliver a package to the Reps Member in a viral video, filmed what transpired between them in Ikwechegh’s residence in Maitama, Abuja.

The video showed the visibly angered Reps member representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency (APGA) repeatedly slapping and insulting the driver for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him.

In the footage, Ikwechegh insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status while threatening to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences.

“Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen. Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money.

Watch the video here.

“I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up, I will do that myself. I will show that I am a big brother to you, tie you up, lie you down and put you in my generator house. Do you know where you are? Because you saw me sitting outside here. Look at this monkey.”

When the driver requested the delivery fee, the politician slapped him multiple times querying if the driver knew who he was talking to.

“Do you know who I am I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well,” he boasted.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, on Monday, condemned the alleged assault.

APGA, while reacting to the viral video, said the lawmaker’s reaction is condemnable in all ramifications, adding that as a lawmaker under its platform, his behaviour fell short of the party’s constitution.

The party’s reaction was contained in a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, on Monday.

The statement read in part, “The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance has been drawn to a viral video of alleged assault meted out to a citizen by the Honourable member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Alex Ikwechegh.

“As a political party founded on respect for Human Rights, we roundly condemn the action of our said member and Federal Parliamentarian, Alex Ikwechegh, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, on the platform of our great Party.

“As a party, we are founded on the basic principles of upholding the dignity of all humans, irrespective of class, creed and/or ethnicity. The recent video allegedly showing Ikwechegh assaulting a cab driver is totally unacceptable and runs counter to what our Party – APGA – represents.

“In line with APGA’s constitution, the Leadership of the Party shall set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the act, and if found wanting, appropriate sanctions shall be meted on him in line with the Constitution of APGA.”

According to Opara, all members of APGA and indeed all elected officials on the platform of the party are expected to exhibit the highest standards of decorum, civility and integrity in all public and private engagements.

“Our party shall not tolerate any verifiable conduct that is not in tandem with the ideals of our founding fathers. In APGA, we are our Brother’s and Sister’s keeper and it cannot be any other way,” the statement added.

A young French man has killed himself after his beard transplant in Turkey was scuttled by an estate agent posing as a surgeon.

According to Mail Online, Mathieu Vigier Latour travelled to Istanbul in March for the transplant, which cost him €1,300. But the treatment saw him lose 1,000 grafts of hair, while having 4,000 transferred from his head to his face.

Following the operation, the business student’s beard was left irregularly shaped, growing at an unnatural angle and ‘hedgehog’ like, his heartbroken father said.

In addition, Latour, 24, suffered burns after the procedure and was having trouble sleeping due to the discomfort.

He later discovered that the man who performed his transplant was not in fact a qualified surgeon, but an estate agent, the Telegraph reported.

As a result of his botched operation, Latour fell into a ‘vicious cycle’ and suffered from dysmorphic disorder, a condition in which people obsess about defects in their appearance. 

A Belgium specialist who was attempting to correct the procedure said his scalp would never recover in the patch where the grafts had been lost.

He ended up taking his own life three months after going to Turkey for the transplant.

Latour’s father is now campaigning to improve awareness about the risks of seemingly inexpensive health tourism.

He said it would be ‘a tribute to Mathieu’ if his son’s shocking experience could help prevent similar tragedies from happening again.

 A tweet made by finance expert Olúwatósìn Olaseinde has sparked widespread conversation on social media after she claimed that a prestigious school in Lekki Phase 1 denies admission to children from divorced homes. 

The school according to Olaseinde in her tweet said admitting children with divorced parents would conflict with their “family values.”