NEWS
I Weep for Law Profession in Nigeria – Ewhrudjakpo
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has once again expressed concern over setbacks vitiating the integrity and relevance of the law profession in Nigeria due to unprofessional conducts of some members of the bar and bench.
Ewhrudjakpo, who stated this during a courtesy visit by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Niger Delta University (NDU) Chapter at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, lamented that the once respected profession is fast losing its value in the country.
Citing recent court pronouncements and judgements in the country, he said the integrity of the Nigerian legal system had eroded away, noting that judiciary was no longer the hope of the common man as it used to be.
Ewhrudjakpo decried what he described as “forum shopping” being indulged in by many practicing lawyers, who institute cases only in courts where they can easily obtain favourable judgement by all means for their clients.
His words: “The legal profession has lost its value because of the conduct and attitude of the Bar and Bench. Today, most lawyers do a lot of forum shopping to get favourable judgements from judges in different divisions of the courts.
“It is really unfortunate that the real legal profession is dying and fading away. The judiciary itself has become so corrupt; it has become so unfortunate. I am afraid the judiciary is no longer the hope of the common man.”
While encouraging the law students to strive to be different from those who had soiled the integrity and reputation of the legal profession, the Deputy Governor charged them to carve a niche for themselves by exploring new areas to make a positive impact.
Responding to their demands, Senator Ewhrudjakpo promised that the government would address the issue of the broken down generator at the campus of the Law Faculty in Yenagoa in no distant time.
He mooted the idea of installing a solar farm to sufficiently tackle the power supply challenge in the institution and assured them of supporting their LAWSAN Week activities.
According to him, “The bar is losing its value, but I charge you to be different from others. Strive to carve a niche for yourselves by following professional ethics
“Don’t confine yourself to the style of charge and bail lawyers. Explore new areas or fields in your legal practice to make a positive impact on the profession and society at large” he added.
Earlier in his address, the President of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), NDU chapter, Reverend Father Anthony Suowari, informed that visit was to formally introduce the new executive members of the association to the Deputy Governor.
While appreciating the contributions of the Deputy Governor to the Faculty of Law at the NDU, Reverend Father Suowari, appealed to the government to support the programmes earmarked for the LAWSAN Students Week in January next year.
NEWS
Kwara NSCDC Organises Medical Outreach, Award Night
From Samuel James, Ilorin
The Kwara state command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has organized a Medical Outreach, Security Summit and Award Night to mark its end-of-year activities in the state.
The event which was organized by the Tanke Division highlighted the Corp’s commitment to community service, security enhancement and the recognition of excellence.
The event started with a Medical Outreach that aimed at improving health and well-being of elderly residents in the Tanke community, as free medical tests were conducted to demonstrate the Corps’ dedication to social responsibility and care for the welfare of citizens.
The Security Summit, which followed, focused on strategies to enlighten neighborhood safety and foster greater collaboration among stakeholders. It also centered its discussions on proactive measures to tackle security challenges and to enhance collective efforts toward ensuring a safe society.
The event also culminated in an Award Night to celebrate officers and stakeholders who have shown outstanding dedication, professionalism, and contributions to public safety.
While addressing the gathering, the State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, who was represented by the Area K Commander, ACC Kehinde Adebayo, extolled the officers for their unwavering commitment to duty, and explained that recognizing hard work and dedication is not only to motivate personnel but also to inspire excellence and strengthen service delivery.
In his remarks, the Tanke Divisional Officer, SC Oyinloye Yinka, explained the importance of the event, describing it as a platform to appreciate officers for their resilience and to encourage stakeholders’ involvement while reinforcing the Corps’ mandate of safeguarding lives and property.
Oyinloye further appreciated the stakeholders for their unwavering support, acknowledging that the division’s achievements were made possible through the collaborative efforts and partnerships.
The State Command however reassured of its readiness to sustain these initiatives and to deepen community engagement, and enhance operational efficiency in the years to come.
NEWS
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 1,850 Personnel in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,850 personnel to guarantee a seamless and secured yuletide celebration in Kogi State.
In a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Aliyu, noted that the Kogi State Commandant of NSCDC, Esther Akinlade, carefully chose these personnel from various units, encompassing the Operations department, Special Rapid response,Agro rangers, Female squad Intelligence, and Critical National Assets Infrastructure departments.
According to the statement, the Commandant emphasized that NSCDC in conjunction with sister agencies, is dedicated to ensure a crime-free environment in the State before, during, and after the festive period considering the peculiarity of kogi State bordering nine different States including FCT.
“Commandant Akinlade urged the youth to abstain from involvement in any form of social misconduct or unlawful activities that could disrupt law and order as anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law.
“She urged the public to observe the celebrations with moderation and to relay any credible information concerning any form of criminal activities and hideouts to the relevant authority thereby contributing to the preservation of the relative peace prevalent in the state” the statement added.
NEWS
Wike Gives Landowners Fresh Two-week Ultimatum to Settle on C-of-O
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocation.
This was contained in a statement issued at the weekend, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read; “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published.
They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.“Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”