Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, is facing an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraudulent activities. The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.04m and seven properties connected to him, including prime real estate in Lekki and Ikoyi, Lagos. Justice Akintayo Aluko deemed the interim forfeiture necessary to prevent the dissipation of assets believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The EFCC presented evidence suggesting that Emefiele negotiated kickbacks for foreign exchange allocations to companies in exchange for money. The court also ordered the…

A 41-year-old woman, Adenike Salami, was brought before the Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court in Lagos State for allegedly forging an airline ticket and fraudulently obtaining $2,500. The charges of conspiracy, fraud, and forgery were presented against her by the police. The prosecutor revealed that Salami, along with accomplices, deceived a victim by forging an airline ticket and defrauding them. The incident took place on June 27, 2024, in Mushin, Lagos, where Salami is accused of obtaining money under false pretences. Salami allegedly created a fake Taag-Linhas Airline ticket without authorization and used it to deceive Catherine Mbaku into giving her $2,500…

Federal High Court halts sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines The Federal High Court in Lagos has put a stop to the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines, declaring the transaction null and void. Justice Lewis-Allagoa ordered the halt of the Federal Government’s plans to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air, following a lawsuit filed by the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other aviation industry stakeholders. The plaintiffs argued that the bidding process for Nigeria Air was unfair and favored Ethiopian Airlines, excluding local airlines and undermining the Nigerian economy. They claimed that…

Join the Nationwide #EndBadGovernance Protest Today, August 1, 2024, marks the beginning of the #EndBadGovernance protest, aimed at addressing citizens’ dissatisfaction with government policies causing economic hardships. The Federal Government has expressed concerns about potential unrest and has deployed security personnel across the country to ensure safety. In Lagos, a ruling by the High Court restricting protesters to specific locations has sparked debates on civil liberties. Legal experts and activists question the judiciary’s role in upholding fundamental rights. While some support the protest as a legitimate form of expression, others emphasize the need for peaceful demonstrations to prevent violence. As…

In a landmark ruling, Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sentenced artisan Peter Odu to life imprisonment for defiling a 13-year-old housemaid. The judge emphasized the gravity of the crime, noting the impact on the young victim and society’s duty to protect vulnerable members. Oshodi stated, “Instead of providing her with safety and guidance, you exploited her vulnerability for your desires. The physical and emotional trauma inflicted on this child is immeasurable.” He highlighted the severity of offences against children and the need to enforce laws to their fullest extent. Consequently, Peter Odu…

Breaking News: Court of Appeal Affirms Sentence of Baale of Shangisha for Faking Abduction The Court of Appeal Lagos Division upheld the 15-year sentence of Mutiu Ogundare, the dethroned Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, Lagos State, for faking his own abduction. The decision was reached after Ogundare challenged his initial conviction. Lead Justice Peter Bassi read the verdict, upholding the lower court’s judgment while reducing the sentence to 12 years. Ogundare was remanded in Kirikiri Prison for the elaborate hoax, staged alongside his wife and brother. The staged kidnapping took place in 2017, leading to his removal as Baale by…

In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Lagos has finalized the forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 linked to former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The order was issued by Justice Ayokunle Faji following an application by the EFCC. The funds, allegedly proceeds of unlawful activities by Emefiele, were discovered to be kickbacks for approving forex allocations during a crisis. Despite publication orders for interested parties to come forward, no claimants surfaced. This decision comes on the heels of a separate ruling forfeiting N12.18bn worth of properties from Emefiele. The EFCC, led by Mrs. Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, has revealed details of the investigation…

Unraveling the Chaos: Understanding the Judicial System in Nigeria In a recent interview with Prof. Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), the spotlight is on the current turmoil surrounding the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano and the conflicting court orders that have ensued. The situation in Kano State highlights the disarray within the Nigerian judiciary, with contradictory judgments and allegations of judicial malpractice. Prof. Olawuyi emphasizes the need for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene and address the misconduct and ethical lapses that have tainted the judicial process. The appointment of judges, including the recent re-appointment of…

The Future of Criminal Justice in Lagos State: Insights from the Justice Reform Summit At the recent Lagos State Justice Reform Summit, critical crime statistics and reform plans were unveiled to revolutionize the state’s criminal justice system. Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos High Court presented data showing Lekki, Oshodi/Isolo, and Apapa as areas with the highest crime rates. With 62,117 inmates enrolled in the Lagos State Criminal Information System between 2018 and 2024, Justice Oshodi highlighted the need for comprehensive changes. The statistics also revealed the leading states of origin for crime suspects, with Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos topping…