JUDICIARY
Bayelsa Legal Year: Diri Tasks Lawyers on Justice Delivery System
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Legal practitioners in the country have again been urged to refrain from making condemnatory statements on court judgements in the media, which put the integrity of the Nigerian judicial system into serious question.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, gave the charge at a ceremonial court session in Yenagoa, on Friday, to mark the commencement of the 2023-2024 Legal Year in the state.
Diri, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the practice among lawyers to speak to the press after court judgements, often condemning such rulings, undermines the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive therefore, called on legal practitioners to stop what he called “the practice of law in the media”, noting that whatever they used to qualify a court judgement, that is what the public would call it.
He stressed that there was no need for lawyers and their clients to make unguarded and disparaging comments about unfavorable court rulings as they have opportunity for appeal up to the supreme court.
Senator Diri, however, called on members of the Bench to be above board in their judgements to protect the image of the judiciary as the hope of the common man.
Describing the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, Diri said, everything necessary should be put in place to improve the dispensation of justice in the Nigerian justice system.
He said, “The first people who give the impression that justice has been miscarried are lawyers. The lawyers are the first to come out of the court to address the press condemning court judgements.
“Whatever you call the judgement that comes out of the court, that is exactly what the public ends up calling it. I really want us to caution ourselves. Let us stop the media practice of law in our country to safeguard the integrity of the justice system.
“We need, as a people and as a country, to see what we can do to improve on what we dispense out. And to that extent, I am talking to the judges and judicial officers that make up the bench.”
In her legal year address, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, noted that opening of a new legal year afforded critical stakeholders in the justice sector to take stock of the outgone year, and make projections into the new year.
Justice Ayemieye outlined major achievements in the previous legal year to include the upgrade of High Court complex named after Justice Koripamo Ungbuku; completion of new Judges Quarters; introduction of Court Recording System, and e-filing of cases.
She disclosed that at the commencement of the past year, total number of cases stood at 2,577; whereas, fresh cases filed within the year under review amounted to 2,834.
Justice Ayemieye also informed that 2,575 cases were successfully disposed off by the courts, while the number of pending cases brought forward to the new legal year stood at 2,850.
On challenges confronting the state judiciary, the Chief Judge highlighted man-power deficits, inadequate funding and increasing pressure on existing court infrastructure and called on the government to sustain its support by addressing the challenges.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to open all courts outside Yenagoa to increase accessibility and reduce the cost of litigation. We have commenced work on the renovation of both the Magistrate and High Courts in Kaiama. Ogbia and Sagbama High Courts will follow in a matter of days. It is our hope that by end of the current year, all courts sitting outside their designated places of session would be fully relocated” she disclosed.
In his address, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch, Mr. Somina Johnbull, assured the Chief Judge of the state NBA’s preparedness to work with her in building a virile judiciary for the benefit of all.
Johnbull, called on relevant authorities to make an upward review of the salaries of judiciary staff to strengthen and enhance their independence.
Also, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Biriyai Dambo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and his predecessor, Kemasuode Wodu (SAN), acknowledged the harmonious working relationship between the executive and judiciary in the state.
While advising young lawyers to be patient, hardworking and diligent, Wodu also implored older members of the Bench and Bar to take their healthcare seriously.
From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.
The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday last week.
The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.
Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.
The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.
The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.
Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.
The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.
“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.
Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.
The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.
The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.
A Senior District Court 3, Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday restrained Mr Aliyu Bello, the embattled Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, from presenting himself as Chairman or a member of the party.This followed a motion filed by Suleiman Turaki, Counsel to Ibrahim Iliyasu, the Chairman of APC in Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area of the state.
Report says that on July 1, Iliyasu, alongside 13 other officials of the party in the ward, suspended Bello from the party over alleged anti-party activities. The order signed by Abdullahi Lanze, Senior District Judge of the court, stated that the prayer was granted after hearing the application presented by the applicant’s counsel.The order specifically restrained Bello, his agents, privies, supporters or any person acting on his behalf, authority, or direction, from presenting himself as a member or Chairman of the party.The court also barred Bello from issuing statements, carrying out functions, or acting in any manner whatsoever, through the media or otherwise, as a member or Chairman of APC.This would be pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. (NAN). A 30-year-old unemployed man, Sadiq Usman, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly parading himself as a military officer.
Usman is facing a two-count charge of impersonation.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24 at about 3.
30 p. m. at Alaba Rago Market area of Ojo, Lagos State.Ikhayere said that the defendant, who was unemployed, unlawfully had in his possession a Nigerian military camouflage uniform, cap, belt, and boots.
“He paraded himself as a member of the Nigerian Army and had in his possession two Nigerian Navy identity cards,” she said.
According to her, the defendant was arrested when he failed to give a satisfactory account of the items.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 77(a)(b) and 79(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 77 stipulates a three-year jail term for anyone found guilty of impersonating a member of the armed forces or the police.
Section 79 stipulates two years imprisonment for unlawfully wearing the uniform of the armed forces.
The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
Owolabi adjourned the case until July 1 for mention. (NAN)
Enhancing Agricultural Productivity Through Research
ShareBy Abachi Ungbo Agriculture is an important economic activity that is providing employment to a huge segment of the Nigeria...
New Wave of Malnutrition and the Road to 2027
ShareBy Dakuku Peterside As the political season begins in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections, we are beginning to see...
Gov Adeleke Deploys 1,750 Imole Teachers Corps to Osun Schools
ShareFrom Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo As financial constraints delay planned mass teachers’ recruitment, Governor Ademola Adeleke has deployed a total of...
NAICOM Issues Guidelines for Insurtech Operations in Nigeria
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has officially issued operational guidelines for Insurtech businesses in Nigeria, following...
RMAFC Hosts First African Confab on Climate Justice
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in partnership with the Center for African-American Research...
FG Allocates N78.6bn UBE Fund to 27 States, FCT
ShareBy Tony Obiechina Abuja The Federal Government has announced that 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had access...
NAFDAC Generates N2.5bn from Illicit Drug Market Raids
ShareBy Ubong Ukpong, Abuja The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday, said that it...
INC Rejects Bill Granting Exclusive Co-chairmanship to Ooni, Sultan
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in...
2027: Abbas Charges Young Nigerians to Get Involved, Vie for Elective Offices
ShareBy Ubong Ukpong, Abuja Ahead of the 2027 general elections, House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has charged...
Yelwata IDPs Protest, Demand Return to Ancestral Homes
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from different camps including the one at Yelewata community in...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish