An ‘utterly wicked’ paedophile who was ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’ after he sexually abused children ‘in plain sight’ at the nursery where he worked has been jailed.

Vincent Chan was handed an 18-year sentence after he admitted 56 counts of molesting children, sexually assaulting a woman, taking upskirt videos of girls in his previous job in a primary school, and spying on females getting undressed.

His victims, aged between two and in her 70s, said they felt ‘violated’, ‘frightened’, and ‘disgusted’ in powerful statements read before the Wood Green Crown Court.

His Honour Judge John Dodd said the 45-year-old British national was ‘someone who clearly lost all sense of moral compass’, and behaved in a ‘sexually deviant manner, focusing not exclusively on the children in your care’.

He said: ‘Any right-thinking person hearing about your offences will feel revulsion and disbelief.’

He said: ‘The offending came to light because you chose to record your perverted activity. Your appetite for this material was substantial.

‘There are many victims left profoundly hurt as a result of your offending – their victim impact statements make for harrowing reading.’

Chan sat emotionless throughout the lengthy hearing, which outlined his sickening campaign of abuse lasting 15 years, as the parents of some of his young victims comforted each other just a few metres away.

He was finally caught when a colleague at the £2,000-a-month Bright Horizons Finchley Road nursery raised concerns about her experienced colleague Chan’s behaviour.

Chan was suspended and the police called in – only to find a disturbing cache of images and videos documenting his hideous crimes.

Prosecutor Philip Stott told the hearing Chan was offending right up until the day before he was suspended from work in 2024, when a whistleblower flagged he had been ‘filming children in his care who were clearly distressed, crying, wetting themselves or eating their own mucus, superimposing audio or imagery over the videos in an apparent attempt at humour’.

Around 20 family members of children previously at the nursery were in court for the hearing.

In a particularly sinister twist, one mother described how Chan gave her daughter a farewell card he had designed upon her leaving his nursery – the parent unaware Chan filmed himself sexually abusing her.

Reading from her statement, prosecutor Mr Stott said: ‘She (mum) thought that to be a kind and thoughtful gesture which she kept in the home for a year – but learning the truth has been deeply distressing.’

One of his child victims, who is now much older, said she experienced ‘a new sense of fear’ since becoming aware of his crimes.

‘Now I am edgy and jumpy, I struggle to walk alone in the dark,’ she said. ‘I have always had positive experiences with men, but this has changed that.’

A former colleague, who Chan sexually assaulted, described how she had no idea about his dark criminal past.

She said: ‘You have proven, even in sleep, there is no guaranteed safety when a predator is allowed to hide in plain sight.

‘You have spent the last 15 years building a life on the suffering and secrets of others.

‘Today, that silence ends.’

A statement on behalf of the community of around 200 people described how parents ‘blame ourselves’ for failing to keep their own children safe.

They added: ‘What should have been a time of safety and innocence has now become a time of distress.’

Another woman added: ‘I trusted you, but the truth was I was never safe with you.’

The judge said the blame was ‘yours (Chan) and yours alone’.

Chan, of Stanhope Avenue in Finchley, pleaded guilty to charges including five counts of sexual assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault by touching, 11 counts of voyeurism, and 23 counts of taking indecent images of children. One of the images was named ‘jailbait’, the court heard.

He also admitted six counts of outraging public decency – also known as upskirting – one sexual assault on a female by touching a woman’s breasts while she was asleep, and six counts of making indecent images of children.

The offending dates back around 15 years, and involves at least 20 female victims, although police believe there may be others who have not been identified.

‘Highly educated’ Masters graduate Chan was a supply teacher across primary and secondary schools in north London from 2006 to 2007, although there was no evidence of offending during this time.

It was after he joined St Mary’s Church of England School in Finchley, in October 2007, that Chan is believed to have begun targeting vulnerable children. He was initially hired as IT support, but also occasionally took classes.

It is understood he was responsible for photographing and filming events such as performances and trips for the school website.

He worked at Bright Horizons from 2017, sexually abusing at least four little girls aged between two and four after passing an advanced vetting process and reference checks to become an art specialist.

He later became a nursery nurse and was promoted to room leader. But this is thought to have limited his access to children, so he asked to be demoted to his former role, in which he fed, dressed and cleaned children.

Although he pleaded guilty to all charges, Chan has yet to explain why he carried out his depraved offending.

Defence counsel Nicholas Jones admitted his client had ‘limited’ mitigation, but said Chan pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He said: ‘He has a problem – he doesn’t want to be the person that he is, and is willing to get help.’

Three people in the public gallery left the court briefly as Mr Jones got to his feet.

And some of those who remained reacted with apparent anger as Mr Jones said the most serious offences would not happen again because Chan would not be permitted to work with children upon his release.

Police have contacted the families of around 1,200 children thought to have been in Chan’s care since his career began.

In a statement issued by their legal team at law firm Leigh Day, families said: ‘We welcome today’s outcome and are relieved that Vincent Chan is now behind bars for his sickening crimes.

‘However, we still do not know the full scale of his offending at Bright Horizons, Finchley Road. Every family deserves the truth, and every child who suffered must see justice done.

‘Bright Horizons must also be held to account. We believe their safeguarding failures created the perfect hunting ground for a predator. Chan was not a ‘lone wolf’, and this was not about extraordinary technical skill. He was able to operate for years in a workplace where safeguarding failures were missed, minimised or ignored.

‘Camden Council must use its powers to pursue Bright Horizons for breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Act. A nursery must be a place of safety, not a place where children are put at risk.

‘We are also using the Victims’ Right to Review to seek reconsideration of the neglect charges for which Chan was first arrested.

‘Our children carry what was done to them. They deserve justice, and we will not stop until they have it.’

Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: ‘Chan’s crimes are horrific, but we will not let his name overshadow today.

‘Our foremost responsibility throughout has been to the victims – carrying out a meticulous investigation that established the extent of the offending and ensured Chan was held to account.’

The Bright Horizons branch where Chan preyed on vulnerable children has now closed down.

A spokesman for the nursery chain, which is facing legal action from a group of parents over the abuse, said: ‘We are shocked and appalled by this individual’s horrific crimes. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the children and families affected, and we are committed to offering support to them during this incredibly difficult time.

‘Whilst this individual’s actions came to light after a colleague raised concerns and followed our whistle-blowing procedures to report him, we fully accept that the evidence shows the individual was able to commit these crimes despite our safeguarding measures.

‘In light of this, we have commissioned an external expert in this field to undertake a full review of our safeguarding practices.’

A Camden Council spokesman said: ‘This is a highly distressing case and our thoughts are with the children and families whose lives have been so deeply affected.

‘Camden Council is participating in the independent Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the abuse at the former Bright Horizons nursery branch, and at settings within Barnet, designed to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.’

Earlier this week nursery worker Nathan Bennett was convicted of eight charges including rape, sexual assault and assault by penetration, relating to five children aged two or three at the Partou King Street nursery in Bristol.

The 30-year-old will be sentenced next month.

Credits: Daily Mail

• Warns of far-reaching implications for rule of law

A blistering legal critique has emerged over the November 20, 2025, judgment delivered by Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court in the terrorism trial of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, with a Senior Advocate arguing that multiple procedural and evidentiary lapses could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Chris Ehumadu Okeke, SAN, said he delayed commenting on the ruling until he had carefully reviewed the judgment, ultimately concluding that several aspects raise troubling constitutional and legal questions.

At the heart of his argument is a warning that the certainty of law—considered a cornerstone of democratic societies—must not be compromised, regardless of the personalities involved.

“Societies are built not on the conveniences of today’s actors but on the rule of law when applied fairly and evenly,” he said.

Jurisdiction Questioned Over Broadcast Evidence

Okeke contends that the prosecution failed to establish a critical element of its case: where the alleged radio broadcast that formed the basis of the terrorism charge originated.

According to him, identifying the location of the broadcast is not a technicality but a jurisdictional necessity tied to the legal doctrine of dual criminality, which ensures cross-border offences are prosecuted within clear legal boundaries.

He cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act requiring that charges specify the time and place of an alleged offence to adequately notify the defendant.

Failure to do so, he argued, risks transforming prosecution into persecution.

Statements Taken Without Counsel

The senior lawyer also faulted the taking of some of Kanu’s statements in the absence of legal representation, describing it as a violation of statutory protections.

He referenced the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which mandates that suspects may make statements in the presence of a lawyer or designated witness, a position he noted has received judicial backing from the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Extraordinary Rendition Controversy Resurfaces

Okeke further revived debate over Kanu’s return to Nigeria from Kenya, arguing that the process appeared inconsistent with the country’s Extradition Act.

He maintained that once the defendant raised the issue—effectively an alibi in municipal law—the burden shifted to the prosecution to disprove it.

“The courts are not to gloss over such matters,” he said, warning that overlooking them risks muddying established criminal jurisprudence.

Missing Nexus Between Allegations and Violence

Another pillar of the critique centres on what Okeke described as the prosecution’s failure to produce witnesses who acted on Kanu’s alleged incitements.

Without testimony directly linking the defendant to violent acts, he argued, the case lacked the legal nexus required to sustain terrorism allegations.

“These requirements exist to ensure prosecutions are based on clear legal standards, not the fancies of a prosecuting authority,” he said.

Hearsay Evidence Concerns

Okeke also pointed to portions of testimony he believes amounted to hearsay—evidence given by witnesses who did not directly observe the events in question.

The Evidence Act, he noted, sets strict limits on such material because of its inherent unreliability in criminal trials.

Unusual Post-Judgment Order Raises Eyebrows

Particularly striking, he said, was the court’s indication that consequential orders could be sought after the 90-day appeal window.

Such a suggestion appears to conflict with the doctrine of functus officio, which holds that a judge’s authority largely ends once a final decision is delivered, except for minor clerical corrections.

“In over three decades of courtroom practice, I have yet to encounter an order like this,” he remarked.

Sentence Start Date Sparks Debate

Okeke further questioned why the prison term was ordered to run from the date of sentencing rather than from the period already spent in custody—a practice commonly recognised in criminal procedure.

He argued that the court cited no legal authority for departing from this norm, effectively discounting years already served.

Bigger Than One Case

While acknowledging that appellate courts ultimately determine the fate of contested rulings, the senior advocate framed his intervention as part of a broader warning about institutional integrity.

If procedural safeguards can be sidestepped in one high-profile case, he suggested, the precedent could reverberate far beyond a single defendant.

“The law is called the rule of law—not the rule of convenience or of man,” he said, cautioning that selective application of justice today could create victims tomorrow.

As legal observers await potential appeals, the critique is likely to reignite debate over due process, judicial discretion and the delicate balance between national security prosecutions and constitutional protections in Nigeria.

The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria has congratulated one of its strongest and most distinguished members, Mrs Cordelia U. Eke, on her appointment as Permanent Secretary in Rivers State.

In a statement issued by its President, Mrs Caroline Ibharuneafe, AWLA Nigeria described the appointment as “a powerful affirmation of competence, integrity, and decades of unwavering commitment to justice.”

Mrs Eke, currently Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, is widely respected as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Criminal Justice practitioner, certified mediator, trainer, author, mentor, and passionate advocate for women’s and children’s rights.

“With over 20 years of distinguished experience in Criminal Justice, Public International Law, Gender and Child Rights Advocacy, legal writing and research, Mrs Eke has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and an enduring passion for mentorship and institutional reform,” the statement read.

AWLA noted that her elevation to the position of Permanent Secretary is not only a personal milestone but also a significant step forward for women in leadership within Nigeria’s justice sector.

“As a long-standing and committed member of AWLA, Mrs Eke embodies the values of excellence, service, and courage that our Association stands for. Her appointment is well-deserved, and we are confident that she will bring visionary leadership, administrative discipline, and policy depth to Rivers State,” Mrs Ibharuneafe said.

AWLA Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women in leadership and advancing gender equity within the legal profession and public service.

In the meantime, all the newly appointed permanent secretaries are yet to be sworn in and assigned portfolios.

In a move aimed at overhauling grassroots justice delivery, the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, on Thursday signed into law the Taraba State Area Courts (Civil Procedure) Rules 2026 and the Taraba State District Courts Rules 2026.

The signing ceremony took place at the Taraba State High Court Complex in Jalingo, marking what the judiciary described as a decisive step in extending reform beyond the High Court to the lower courts that serve as the primary interface between citizens and the justice system.

Justice Agya said the new procedural instruments are designed to modernise operations, promote transparency and strengthen efficiency at the foundation of the state’s justice architecture.

“With the signing today… We have now extended this reform to the foundation of our justice delivery system—the courts that are closest to the people,” he said.

For many residents, he noted, Area Courts and District Courts represent the first—and sometimes only—point of contact with formal justice institutions.

“It is therefore imperative that their procedures be simple, efficient, accessible and responsive to contemporary realities,” he added.

Key Reforms: Digital Service, Case Management, Accountability

Among the most significant changes is the formal recognition of electronic and digital service of court processes—a reform aimed at reducing delays, cutting costs and accelerating case notifications.

By expressly providing for digital communication methods, the judiciary is aligning court procedures with modern communication realities in an effort to eliminate avoidable adjournments.

The new rules also strengthen oversight mechanisms by clarifying the role of Inspectors of Area Courts, reinforcing supervision standards and promoting accountability across lower courts.

In addition, filing fees in Area and District Courts have been reviewed. Justice Agya said the revision was carefully calibrated to balance operational sustainability with access to justice for ordinary citizens.

Perhaps most notably, the rules introduce structured case management procedures intended to discourage unnecessary adjournments and promote timely resolution of disputes.

“By introducing structured procedures for handling cases… we seek to foster a culture of efficiency and responsibility within our courts,” Agya said.

“Not Just Technical Adjustments”

The Chief Judge emphasized that the reforms represent more than procedural fine-tuning.

“This is about building a judiciary that is modern in outlook, disciplined in process, humane in application and accessible to all,” he said.

He commended members of the Rules Committee, judicial officers and stakeholders who contributed to drafting the reforms, describing their efforts as critical to the transformation agenda.

However, he cautioned that the success of the new framework will depend not merely on the written rules but on faithful implementation.

He urged District Court judges, Area Court judges, court staff and members of the Bar to study the new provisions carefully and apply them diligently.

“The administration of justice is a sacred trust,” Agya said. “Through these reforms, we reaffirm our resolve to deliver justice that is timely, fair, transparent and in tune with the needs of our people.”

The reforms position Taraba among a growing number of states seeking to modernise court procedures amid rising demands for faster, more accessible justice delivery in Nigeria.

The Metropolitan Police’s decision to compel officers and staff to disclose whether they are, or have ever been, Freemasons is being challenged in the High Court, with critics warning it could amount to the creation of a discriminatory “black list.”

The policy, introduced in December as part of the Met’s declarable associations rules, requires personnel to declare past or present membership of any organisation considered hierarchical, confidential in nature, and requiring members to support one another.

More than 300 Met officers and staff have already reported links to the Freemasons or similar groups.

Two serving officers who are Freemasons, alongside three major Masonic bodies representing members across England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, are seeking to bring legal action against the force. They argue the measure infringes on members’ rights and is driven by perception rather than evidence.

At the hearing, counsel for the Freemasons said the Met’s approach risked stigmatising members and could be compared to compiling lists based on religion or belief. They also claimed the decision reflected long-standing prejudices and conspiracy theories surrounding Freemasonry.

The Metropolitan Police, however, has defended the policy, insisting declarations are held confidentially and that officers remain free to join or remain in such organisations. The force argues the measure is necessary for vetting purposes and to maintain public trust by identifying potential conflicts of interest.

Lawyers for the Met have asked the court to dismiss the challenge, calling it “not arguable,” while the claimants are also seeking a temporary suspension of the policy pending a full hearing.

Source: Justice Watch Magazine

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced four persons to death by hanging for the brutal murder of the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East Police Division, SP Bako Amgbashim.

LIB reported that the gallant police officer was ambushed, captured and gruesomely murdered on September 8, 2023, by suspected cultists while returning from an operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East LGA.

The trial judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, also convicted the sixth defendant, Samuel Nwadinma, and sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, while the third accused person was discharged and acquitted of all four counts of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery.

In the judgment, the court further discharged Famous Okechukwu, Samuel Uchendu, Oyekachi Ikonwa, Godbless Nnamdi and Marshall Daniel, the ninth to 13th defendants, who were found guilty of membership of a secret cult group, having already served the maximum terms prescribed by law while in custody.

Justice Aprioku held that the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt the charges of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery against the four convicted persons, including a native doctor who prepared the charm allegedly used in killing the late DPO

The judge ruled that the first defendant, Robinson Sonabari (the native doctor), the second defendant, Bright Okparawo, the fourth defendant, Precious Amaeze, popularly known as Selina, and the fifth defendant, Loveday Jack, also known as Rugged Excess, be hanged by the neck until they are confirmed dead.

Speaking to journalists after the judgment, lead prosecution counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chigozie Amadi, commended the judiciary for ensuring that justice was served.

“Justice is not only seen to have been done but has manifestly been done. This was a protracted case, and we thank the judge as well as both the prosecution and defence counsel,” he said. 

“It is a capital offence, and we worked hard to prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt. Today, justice has been served for the gruesome murder of SP Bako Amgbashim.”

Also reacting, counsel for the Principal Legal Assistant, Nigeria Police Force, Celestine Dickson, said police officers, whose duty is to protect lives and property, have increasingly become targets of criminal gangs, expressing hope that the judgment would serve as a deterrent.

Meanwhile, the elder brother of the late DPO, Akasco Amgbashim, who travelled from Nasarawa State to witness the judgment, said the family had endured immense pain since the officer’s murder. 

While commending the judiciary, the Rivers State Government and the Nigeria Police Force, he described the judgment as a reminder that no individual has the right to take another person’s life.

“I thank the Federal Government and the police for standing firm to ensure justice. I also appreciate the Rivers State Government for supporting the police and the judiciary to carry out their duties effectively,” Akasko said. 

“Our people in Nasarawa State, especially the Amgbashim family, are grateful and relieved. This judgment should serve as a warning to criminals. A police officer exists for the peace and protection of society, and it is tragic when such a life is taken.

“Now that justice has been done, the lesson for everyone is that we must not take the law into our hands.”

Punch reports that the four convicted persons were among 72 suspects initially arraigned before the Rivers State High Court by a joint prosecution team of the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command over the murder of SP Amgbashim.

As the trial progressed, 61 accused persons, including a traditional ruler, the Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Kelvin Anugwo, and a former chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence, leaving 13 defendants to face judgment.

Amgbashim, who was known for his strong stance against cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes in flashpoint communities across Rivers State, had earlier served as DPO of Bori Police Division in Khana LGA, where he restored relative peace in several Ogoni communities, before his redeployment to Ahoada East.

His murder prompted a joint security operation led by the then Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, which later resulted in the killing of a suspected leader of the Iceland cult group, David Okparanwo, also known as 2-Baba, in February 2024. 

High drama unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday as Aso Savings and two other financial institutions pressed ahead with their legal challenge against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) over the controversial revocation of their banking licences.

The suit, which commenced on January 14, 2026, questions the legality of the regulators’ decision to withdraw the banks’ operating licences — a move that effectively triggered liquidation proceedings.

At the resumed hearing on February 12, counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Onu Silas, informed the court that all parties had now been served. However, he disclosed that the CBN only filed and served its memorandum of appearance on February 11, barely 24 hours before the sitting, while the NDIC had already filed all its processes.

Silas further told the court that despite the pending litigation, the NDIC was continuing with the liquidation of the second and third plaintiffs, raising concerns that the substance of the case could be overtaken by events before judicial determination.

In a significant development, the presiding judge ordered all parties, including the NDIC, to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit, effectively halting further actions that could alter the position of the parties.

The case was adjourned to March 12, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.

The legal battle now sets the stage for a potentially far-reaching ruling that could test the scope of regulatory authority exercised by the CBN and NDIC in Nigeria’s banking sector.