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 Business › Cross River Govt Faces Suit Over Unpaid Rent, Presco Deal by TheHeat(op): 10:52am On May 08 |
Traditional rulers and leaders of Nsadop and Abayum communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State have dragged the state government, its Attorney-General and a community representative before the High Court sitting in Okundi-Boki over the disputed handover of the Nsadop Oil Palm Estate to Presco Plc.https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/05/host-communities-sue-criver-govt-over-oil-palm-estate-deal/amp/ 3 Likes 1 Share
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| Celebrities › Ogala’s “surgery” Claim Under Fire In Court by TheHeat(op): 9:59am On Apr 24 |
Proceedings at a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday shifted focus to the credibility of a medical claim by actress Doris Ogala, as her absence stalled her arraignment on alleged cyberstalking and related offences. Ogala is facing a four-count charge filed by the Federal Government under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. The charges border on alleged publication of nude and intimate images of a cleric, identified as Okafor, without consent; dissemination of false allegations including rape, ritual practices and involvement in a death; transmission of harmful electronic messages; and attempted extortion. At the hearing before Justice Akintayo Aluko, prosecuting counsel, Tolulope Mokuolu, applied for a bench warrant to compel the defendant’s appearance, citing her absence despite being duly served with hearing notice. “My Lord, the defendant is absent in court despite being duly served. We apply for a bench warrant to compel her appearance,” Mokuolu said. However, defence counsel opposed the application, informing the court that Ogala had undergone surgery on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and was currently recuperating in Abia State. He added that an affidavit explaining her medical condition had been filed and was before the court. “My Lord, the defendant is indisposed, having undergone a medical procedure. She is presently recovering and unable to attend court. We urge the court to refuse the application,” the defence counsel submitted. The prosecution, however, challenged the claim, insisting that no prior notice of the alleged surgery was given and that the affidavit relied upon was not served on the prosecution. “My Lord, we were not served with the said affidavit, and no notice was given of any medical condition. The hearing notice gave eight clear days, which was sufficient time to notify the court and counsel,” Mokuolu argued. He further questioned the authenticity of the medical report, noting that it did not emanate from a government hospital. “The medical report being relied upon is not from a government hospital, which is the standard requirement. There is no way to verify its authenticity on the face of it,” he added. Justice Aluko, in his remarks, faulted the defence for failing to notify the prosecution and properly serve the relevant processes. “The defence should have informed the prosecution ahead of time and ensured that the affidavit was duly served,” the judge said. Despite the concerns raised, the court declined the application for a bench warrant, holding that in the interest of justice, and given that the affidavit was already before it, the request would be refused. Following the ruling, the prosecution urged the court to impose stricter conditions to ensure the defendant’s appearance at the next sitting. “My Lord, we urge the court to direct that any medical report must come from a government hospital and that the defence should be held responsible if the defendant fails to appear at the next adjourned date,” Mokuolu submitted. Ruling, Justice Aluko directed that the defendant must present a comprehensive and verifiable medical report from a government hospital and ensure that same is served on the prosecution before the next hearing. “The defendant must present a verifiable report from a government hospital, same to be served on the prosecution before the next date. She must also be present in court for her arraignment,” the court held. The matter was adjourned to June 9, 2026, for arraignment.
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| Crime › Outrage In Nasarawa As Lawyer Demands Probe Into Deadly Community Attack by TheHeat(op): 10:25am On Apr 23 |
Anuku community in Kanje District of Awe Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, has been thrown into turmoil following a violent incident that reportedly left one person dead, several others injured and scores displaced. Raising the alarm, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Terkaa Aondo, condemned what he described as a brutal assault on residents, citing accounts from the community that Moses Utim, 37, was killed during the attack. “I condemn in the strongest terms the violent attack on unarmed residents of Anuku community,” Aondo said, adding that the incident resulted in “loss of lives, injuries and displacement of residents.” The senior lawyer linked the unrest to disputed mining activities in the area, alleging that IVAGOM Integrated Solutions Ltd had commenced operations on farmlands belonging to locals without consent or compensation. “Available information indicates that mining operations commenced on farmlands belonging to members of the community without their consent, adequate compensation, or regard for their means of livelihood,” he stated. He further cited reports that armed individuals invaded the community on April 18, 2026, destroying homes and forcing residents to flee. “Reports indicate that armed individuals attacked unarmed residents, inflicting injuries, destroying property and forcing men, women and children to flee their homes,” Aondo said. The SAN also pointed to claims that security personnel were present during the incident, raising concerns about the protection of civilians. “The reported presence of security personnel without effective intervention raises serious concerns about the protection of lives and property,” he added. According to him, access roads leading out of the community were allegedly blocked in the aftermath, worsening the plight of fleeing residents. “The subsequent blockade of access roads leading out of the community further compounds the situation,” he said. Aondo stressed that the allegations require independent verification but warned that the reported developments raise serious constitutional and human rights concerns, including the rights to life, dignity, movement and property. “The sanctity of life must be preserved. The use of force in any situation that results in harm to civilians is unacceptable,” he said. He called on security agencies to restore order and ensure the safe return of displaced persons, while urging a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident. “I call on relevant security agencies to immediately restore law and order and ensure the safe return of displaced persons,” he stated. The senior advocate also urged regulatory authorities to examine the mining operations in the area for compliance with extant laws. “The appropriate authorities should investigate the operations of the company to determine compliance with applicable mining laws and regulations,” he said. He further appealed for humanitarian assistance for affected residents, including compensation for victims and displaced families. Authorities in Nasarawa State had yet to issue an official response to the incident as of press time.
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| Politics › Umuahia–ikot Ekpene Road: Ubani Defends Abia Govt Intervention by TheHeat(op): 5:42pm On Mar 16 |
UMUAHIA — A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, has questioned the rationale behind the Federal Ministry of Works’ claim that the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene Road project is still being executed and funded by the Federal Government. Ubani’s reaction followed a statement credited to the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State, Mr. Chidi Uwaeziozi, who reportedly stated that the road project remained under the supervision and funding of the Federal Government. In a statement, Ubani said the timing of the claim had raised concerns, particularly as a competent contractor engaged through the Abia State Government had already mobilised to site and commenced work aimed at completing the long-delayed project. According to him, the intervention by the Abia State Government became necessary following years of delays and what he described as uncoordinated construction on the road. Ubani recalled that the contract for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the strategic highway was awarded in 2019 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The road, he noted, serves as a major economic corridor linking Abia State with Akwa Ibom State and providing access to Cross River State and other parts of the South-South region. He said that despite the importance of the road to commerce and transportation, the project had experienced prolonged delays, leaving several sections in poor condition. Ubani stated that apart from limited construction activity around the Ndioru axis, particularly between Ndioru Market and Okwe, much of the road linking Umuahia through Ikwuano to Ikot Ekpene had remained in a deplorable state. He noted that the prolonged delay in completing the project had caused significant hardship for residents and motorists who rely on the road for daily movement and economic activities. According to him, the situation prompted repeated appeals from community leaders, traditional rulers and residents who called for urgent government intervention. Ubani said the sustained agitation by the people of the area eventually attracted the attention of the Abia State Government, which initiated discussions with the Federal Government on how to address the situation. He explained that the state government later stepped in to facilitate the reconstruction of the road by engaging a contractor to complete the project. Ubani maintained that the priority for residents of Umuahia, Ikwuano and neighbouring communities was the timely completion of the road rather than disputes over which tier of government should take credit for the project. “The important thing is that the road should be completed so that the suffering of the people who use it daily can come to an end,” he said. He added that the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene Road remained a strategic inter-state route whose rehabilitation would significantly improve economic activities and connectivity between the South-East and South-South regions.
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| Properties › Ikoyi Property: Ojukwu Firm Asks IGP To Restore Possession by TheHeat(op): 4:05pm On Mar 14 |
LAGOS — Ojukwu Transport Limited, OTL, a company founded by the late Sir Louis Philip Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has asked the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to intervene in a dispute over a property located at No. 4 Macpherson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, which it said has been under the control of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police since May 1, 2025. In a letter by its lawyer, Chief O. Ugolo, SAN, acting on the instruction of a director of the firm, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jnr., the company asked the police chief to review the circumstances surrounding the takeover of the property and facilitate its release to the company. OTL stated that the premises were taken over on May 1, 2025, a public holiday, by officers said to be attached to the Zone 2 Command following a petition reportedly written on behalf of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. According to the company, individuals identified as legal representatives of the minister, alongside other persons and security personnel, were present when the police assumed control of the property. The company explained that one of its directors later arrived at the premises and presented documents indicating that a warrant of execution had earlier been levied on the property and that OTL was in possession of it with the knowledge of both the Ikoyi Divisional Police Office and the Lagos State Police Command. However, the company said its workers were asked to vacate the premises, after which the locks were reportedly changed. The director was subsequently invited to the Zone 2 Command where he made a statement and was asked to see the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the command. OTL further stated that the petition which prompted police action alleged that unidentified persons had taken over the property. The company, however, maintained that it was lawfully occupying the premises based on a court judgment. The firm said that about ten months after the takeover, the property remains under police control while, according to it, the matter is said to still be under investigation. Providing background to the dispute, the company said a judgment delivered on June 1, 2018, by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji of the Lagos State High Court in Suit No. LD/794/2011 affirmed its ownership of several properties in Lagos, including the Ikoyi property. OTL stated that following the judgment, a warrant of possession was executed with the participation of law enforcement authorities. It added that a certificate of completion of execution, known as Form O, was subsequently issued in July 2022. The company, however, noted that further legal disputes later arose over the property following another judgment delivered in 2022 by Justice A. M. Lawal of the Lagos State High Court in Suit No. LD/1539/2012, which granted possession and control of the Ikoyi property and four others to Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu in her capacity as next friend to her sons. OTL said it had filed an appeal against that judgment, maintaining that the certificate confirming its possession of the property remains valid pending the determination of the appeal or any order setting it aside. The company also stated that several related proceedings were pending before the courts at the time the police assumed control of the property in May 2025. OTL has therefore appealed to the IGP to review the matter and direct the release of the property to enable the company to resume work on the building. According to the firm, the premises had been under police lock and key for a prolonged period and had deteriorated over time. It added that it retains legal rights over the property unless and until a competent court decides otherwise, urging members of the public to exercise caution in any dealings concerning the premises while the dispute remains before the courts.
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| Politics › Widow, Children Secure Court Order Halting Akingboye Burial by TheHeat(op): 10:34am On Mar 02 |
The widow and children of late businessman and former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Bamidele Akingboye, have secured a court order halting plans for his burial pending the determination of a suit before the court. The order was granted by Justice Atinuke Ipaye of the Lagos State High Court sitting at Osborne, Lagos, following a motion ex-parte filed by Mrs. Christiana Akingboye and six of her children. The applicants approached the court seeking to preserve the remains of the deceased and to restrain the Medical Director of Lagos Island General Hospital, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID Panti, and Samuel Akingboye from burying or tampering with the body pending the hearing of the substantive motion. The suit, marked LD/9238/2026, was instituted by Mrs. Christiana Akingboye alongside Iyanuoluwa Michael Akingboye, Oluwagbenga Anthony Akingboye, Benson Bamidele Akingboye, Melvin Ayomikun Akingboye, Zion Akinbamidele Akingboye and Michealla Omoyiwola Akingboye. In the application dated January 29, 2026, the applicants prayed the court for interim orders restraining the respondents from burying, transporting or altering the condition or custody of the remains pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion. Counsel to the applicants, Dr. Sheriff Adesanya, urged the court to grant the application, relying on affidavit evidence and written address filed in support of the motion. Ruling on February 16, 2026, Justice Ipaye held that applications of such nature require the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously in line with established principles of law. She noted that since the matter was heard ex-parte, the court would refrain from making substantive findings but held that the applicants had placed sufficient and compelling facts before it to warrant the reliefs sought. The judge observed that the dispute was emotionally charged, involving the alleged surviving widow and six children who were seeking to protect their right to participate in the burial of their husband and father in line with his wishes while alive. Consequently, the court granted the prayers and issued an interim injunction restraining the respondents, their agents or privies from burying, interring, transporting or tampering with the remains of the deceased pending the determination of the substantive motion. The court also ordered that the status quo be maintained regarding the remains and directed that no steps be taken concerning the movement, release, handling or disposal of the body until the matter is determined. Justice Ipaye further restrained the respondents from recognising or acting on any purported authorisation relating to the burial issued by any person other than the applicants, and barred the deceased’s first son, Samuel Akingboye, or anyone acting on his behalf from arranging or conducting any burial within or outside Lagos State. In addition, the court ordered that the body of the late politician be preserved in an appropriate facility pending the hearing and determination of the suit. When the matter came up again on February 23, 2026, the court renewed the interim orders for another seven days and adjourned the case till March 2, 2026, for further hearing. Chief Akingboye died on September 3, 2025, in Lagos under circumstances that initially sparked controversy and a police investigation. Following his death, allegations of possible foul play were raised against members of his household, particularly his wife and children. However, the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions later issued legal advice after reviewing police investigation reports, CCTV footage, witness statements, medical records and post-mortem findings. The DPP concluded that there was no prima facie case against the widow, her children or any member of the household and recommended that no prosecution be initiated. Investigations also showed no evidence that anyone harmed the deceased, while the post-mortem examination indicated that the death was consistent with suicide, effectively clearing the family of the allegations. |
| Politics › Petition Ignites Probe Bid Over Deputy Speaker’s NYSC, Law School Records by TheHeat(op): 12:01am On Feb 20 |
ABUJA — A high-stakes legal controversy has erupted around Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, following a petition urging the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee to examine the circumstances of his enrolment as a lawyer and his participation in the National Youth Service Corps. The petition, filed by former Nigerian Bar Association First Vice President John Aikpokpo-Martins, alleges that the lawmaker’s NYSC service period overlapped with his studies at the Nigerian Law School, raising questions about compliance with statutory requirements governing both programmes and the process that led to his call to the Bar. The development has stirred intense debate within the Nigerian Bar Association, with attention now turning to whether regulatory authorities will open a formal inquiry into the claims. Allegation of double participation At the heart of the petition is the claim that Kalu was mobilised for NYSC from March 9, 2010 to March 8, 2011, but simultaneously attended the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, between April 23, 2010 and July 1, 2011. According to the petitioner, Section 2(3) of the NYSC Act mandates a continuous one-year national service, making it “statutorily impossible” for a corps member to lawfully engage in full-time academic training at the same time. He further cited what he described as a strict policy of the Nigerian Law School and the Council of Legal Education prohibiting students from serving as corps members during their period of study. In an affidavit deposed to before the LPDC, Aikpokpo-Martins averred that Kalu, who was admitted into the Nigerian Law School under the name Benjamin Okezie Osisiogu before effecting a change of name, solemnly declared on April 23, 2010 that he was not and would not engage in employment or participate in the NYSC during his course of study. The petitioner, however, maintained that documentary evidence — including the NYSC discharge certificate allegedly issued to Kalu — shows that he continuously participated in the service year within the same period. Questions over call to Bar Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar on September 6, 2011 and subsequently enrolled as a legal practitioner at the Supreme Court with enrolment number SCN/078630. But Aikpokpo-Martins insists that the circumstances surrounding the alleged overlap raise fundamental questions about whether the Deputy Speaker met the mandatory 70 per cent attendance requirement of the Nigerian Law School — a prerequisite for certification and call to the Bar. “It is either he did not attend the Nigerian Law School as required, or he did not lawfully participate in the NYSC for a continuous period of one year,” the petitioner contended. He further argued that a false declaration made to secure admission into the Law School, if established, would cast doubt on the respondent’s character and fitness to practise law, noting that good character is a condition precedent for admission to the Bar. Call for sanctions, prosecution In his petition to the LPDC, Aikpokpo-Martins urged the disciplinary body to investigate the allegations and impose appropriate sanctions under Section 11(1)(c) of the Legal Practitioners Act if the claims are proven. Simultaneously, in a letter dated February 9, 2026 to the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, he called for the withdrawal of Certificate of National Service No. A001773067 reportedly issued to Kalu on March 8, 2011. He also demanded the prosecution of the Deputy Speaker under Sections 13(1)(b), 13(3) and 13(4) of the NYSC Act, which prescribe penalties including fines and imprisonment for failure to serve continuously for one year or for making false statements in relation to the scheme. The petitioner emphasised that the matter transcends partisan considerations, arguing that the high office occupied by Kalu requires strict adherence to the rule of law. “The exalted position he presently occupies must showcase the highest standards of integrity, transparency and adherence to the law,” he stated. Subpoena threat Aikpokpo-Martins disclosed his intention to apply for subpoenas compelling the Director-General of the NYSC and the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School to produce official records, including call-up letters, attendance registers, payment records and discharge documents. He maintained that such records would conclusively establish whether there was indeed a simultaneous participation in both programmes. Wider implications The development has triggered debate within legal circles over the sanctity of professional standards and the integrity of Nigeria’s youth service scheme. Senior lawyers contacted by this platform noted that the LPDC has the jurisdiction to investigate allegations of professional misconduct, including fraudulent enrolment, if properly established. They, however, cautioned that the allegations remain claims until tested before the appropriate authorities. “If there was any misrepresentation in securing admission to the Law School or participation in the NYSC, it is a serious issue. But it must be proven with credible evidence,” one senior advocate said. Others observed that the NYSC Act’s requirement of continuous service has historically been strictly interpreted, making any proven breach potentially consequential. Silence from respondent As at press time, there was no official response from Kalu to the allegations contained in the petitions. Efforts to reach his media office were unsuccessful. The NYSC and the LPDC have also yet to publicly indicate whether formal investigations have commenced. Rule of law test The unfolding controversy places the spotlight once again on the intersection of public office, professional regulation and statutory compliance. For the petitioner, the issue is clear: institutions must not look the other way when confronted with allegations touching on integrity. Whether the LPDC and the NYSC will act swiftly — and what their findings may ultimately reveal — remains to be seen. But the petitions have already ignited what may become one of the most consequential professional scrutiny cases involving a high-ranking public official in recent times. |
| Politics › Abande Killings: Alia’s Kwande Visit Questioned As Victims Wait In Vain by TheHeat(op): 4:31pm On Feb 12 |
The Vice-Chancellor of Mkar University, Gboko, Professor Zacharys Anger Gundu, has criticised Governor Hyacinth Alia over his recent visit to Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, saying the trip fell short of its purpose because the governor did not reach Abande community, where a deadly attack reportedly took place. Gundu said the governor’s failure to visit Abande, despite earlier assurances, deprived bereaved families and traumatised residents of the reassurance they desperately needed from the state’s highest authority. According to him, Governor Alia stopped at Anwase during the visit, stressing that Anwase is not Abande and questioning why the governor did not proceed to the actual scene of the killings. He argued that the physical presence of a governor in a devastated community carries deep symbolic and emotional significance, especially at a time when residents feel exposed and abandoned. “If the governor failed to reach Abande, where the attack occurred and where the affected people were waiting, then he lost a vital opportunity to show that their lives matter and that the state is committed to protecting them,” Gundu said. The university don warned that the episode could reinforce the perception that remote communities are expendable, noting that Abande’s distance from major towns should not translate into neglect. “Abande is part of Benue. No part of the state should be treated as if it can be ceded or ignored because it is out of the way,” he said. Gundu also questioned the message the aborted visit may have sent to residents of vulnerable areas across the state, asking whether fear or other considerations influenced the decision not to proceed to Abande. “If the governor could not go there, what does that tell the people living in Abande? That they are on their own?” he asked. Beyond the missed visit, Gundu said he was disturbed that illicit mining activities in Kwande were not mentioned during the governor’s trip, describing the silence as significant given the role of illegal solid mineral exploitation in fueling insecurity in the area. He explained that illegal mining, particularly around the Turan axis, has become deeply linked to violence, with criminal networks and armed actors competing for control of mineral-rich sites. According to him, the situation is worsened by the alleged involvement of political and economic elites, some of whom he accused of benefitting from what he described as “illicit blood minerals” extracted at great cost to local communities. Describing Kwande as “the land of gold and the sacred land of the Tiv,” Gundu warned that allowing unchecked exploitation and violence to continue could have grave historical and social consequences. He recalled previous killings in Kwande and lamented what he described as official denial in the past, noting that refusing to acknowledge attacks only deepens the pain of victims and delays meaningful intervention. Gundu also criticised traditional rulers, elected officials and political appointees from Kwande who may have accompanied the governor but allegedly failed to insist that Abande be included in the visit. “If any leader from Kwande was present and did not urge the governor to go to Abande to see things for himself, that leader failed the people,” he said. He urged traditional institutions and public office holders to see the protection of lives as their foremost responsibility and warned those profiting from solid mineral exploitation that economic gains must not come at the expense of human lives. “Abande, Turan, Kwande and Benue lives matter,” Gundu said, calling on Governor Alia to reflect this reality through decisive and visible actions. “It is not too late,” he added. “History beckons.” |
| Business › Land Row: Lawyer Asks IGP To Rein In Lagos CP Over Police Contradictions by TheHeat(op): 7:41pm On Jan 28 |
LAGOS — A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Charles Ugwuanyi, has renewed his call on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to rein in the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP, over what he described as contradictory, unlawful and harassing actions of the Lagos State Police Command in a land dispute involving Peace Estate, Okota. Ugwuanyi raised the alarm while giving further details on the arrest and detention of his client, Alhaji Jamiu Raimi Olonade, a Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, holder over a parcel of land located at Idowu Rufai Street, Okota. According to the lawyer, the most disturbing aspect of the incident was that the Lagos State Police Command allegedly acted at cross purposes within its own structure on January 15, 2026. He disclosed that on the said date, about 30 police officers from the Lagos State Command were officially deployed to provide security for Olonade while he was erecting a fence on his land, following repeated disruptions by members of the Peace Estate Residents Association. Ugwuanyi said the request for police protection was formally made and duly approved by the command. “However, under the same Commissioner of Police, a Task Force was later dispatched to arrest our client on the claim that an alarm had been raised on social media alleging that someone was building on a road,” he said. He explained that when Task Force operatives arrived at the site at about 2pm, the police officers already providing security advised Olonade to cooperate and present his documents, believing the issue would be promptly resolved. According to Ugwuanyi, while the Task Force took Olonade away, the police officers officially attached to him remained at the site and continued to provide security for his workers, who went ahead to complete the fencing work for the day and closed at about 6pm. “Shockingly, despite the fact that our client presented all relevant documents to the Task Force Chairman and their in-house lawyer, he was unjustifiably detained until about 8pm the following day,” the lawyer alleged. He further claimed that during Olonade’s detention, residents of Peace Estate, allegedly with the tacit support of the Task Force, invaded the land at night and completely destroyed the fence erected by his client after the police officers officially deployed to protect him had withdrawn. Ugwuanyi noted that in their petition against Olonade, the Peace Estate Residents Association admitted that Olonade came to the land on January 15 with many police officers and individuals they described as “thugs.” “This raises a fundamental question,” he said. “Is it the same Commissioner of Police that deployed officers to protect our client and his workers that also sent Task Force operatives to arrest him based on a social media post? Obviously, something is not adding up.” The lawyer stated that the matter had earlier been reported to Zone 2 of the Nigeria Police Force and was being handled under the directive of the IGP. He accused the residents of engaging in forum shopping, moving from Zone 2 to Abuja, and now from the courts to the Task Force and the CP, in search of favourable intervention. He stressed that a state police command lacks the authority to interfere in a matter already before a zonal command acting on the instructions of the IGP, adding that the Lagos State Police Command must respect the offices of the IGP and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan. Ugwuanyi maintained that Olonade’s land was duly verified by relevant Lagos State agencies, certified as residential, issued a valid C of O and granted building approval. He added that the dispute is already before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, warning that continued police involvement could amount to interference in a matter that is sub judice. The lawyer warned that unless the IGP intervenes decisively to restore order and ensure strict adherence to due process, the matter may be escalated to the Senate Committee on Public Petitions. |
| Celebrities › Court Gags VDM, Doris Ogala Over Chris Okafor by TheHeat(op): 7:45pm On Jan 22 |
An Ikeja High Court of Lagos State has granted an interim gag order restraining social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), actress Doris Ogala and one Kelvin Chimaobi Emmanuel, also known as Kaatruth, from further mentioning Pastor Chris Okafor on social media platforms. Justice Savage granted the order on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following two applications moved by Ife Ajayi, Esq., lead counsel to Pastor Okafor. The court restrained the defendants, their agents or privies from mentioning or referring to Pastor Okafor, his images or videos, as well as the name of his church, Grace Nation International, also known as Liberation City, on social media or any other media platform, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice fixed for February 2, 2026. Justice Savage also barred the defendants from releasing any alleged private materials, including chats, conversations, texts, pictures or videos, said to be used to blackmail or extort money from the claimant. In the same ruling, the court granted Pastor Okafor’s application for substituted service, ordering that service of court processes on the defendants be effected through publication in Vanguard newspaper. The suit was filed pursuant to Order 43 Rules 1, 2 and 7 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
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| Politics › Ubani Distances Self From Malami, Warns Against Media Smear by TheHeat(op): 6:55pm On Jan 12 |
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Ubani, has denied any link with the embattled former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, describing attempts to associate him with an alleged criminal narrative as reckless, malicious and contemptuous of court. Ubani, through his solicitor, Nkem Okoro, issued a strong rebuttal to a publication authored by one Tonye Jaja, accusing the writer of deliberately inserting his name into a sensational narrative without facts, documents, witnesses or any identifiable connection to wrongdoing. Okoro, in a statement on Monday said the publication was not only defamatory but also a direct violation of an existing court order restraining Jaja from making further defamatory or reputation-damaging publications against Ubani. She added that the author’s conduct showed open disregard for the authority of the court and the rule of law, especially in light of ongoing civil and criminal proceedings already instituted against him. According to the statement, “The casual mention of a person’s name in a criminal narrative without particulars does not amount to evidence or public interest disclosure.It is character assassination and an abuse of media space.” Okoro categorically denied the allegation that Ubani had any professional, financial, administrative or personal dealings with Malami, SAN, stressing that no relationship, transaction or interaction exists that could justify the claims being circulated. According to her, the complete absence of factual particulars in the publication further exposes what she described as the emptiness and mischief behind the allegations, warning that reputation should not be sacrificed on the altar of sensationalism. The statement further disclosed that a “robust civil and criminal enforcement processes” has been initiated against Jaja over what it termed serial defamatory publications and persistent contemptuous conduct. These processes, it said, are being pursued deliberately and will be carried through to their logical conclusion. The statement stressed that if the author or anyone else genuinely possesses credible evidence against Ubani, the proper forum remains the courtroom and not media trials, open letters or unrestrained use of public platforms to smear reputations. It urged members of the public to completely disregard the publication, advising readers to rely on verifiable facts, due judicial process and the rule of law rather than unsubstantiated narratives. The statement made it clear that patience has limits, warning that any further defamatory publications would attract immediate and escalated legal consequences. “All further defamatory publications shall attract severe consequences sooner or later,” the statement warned, adding that accountability was inevitable. It reiterated commitment to protecting its client’s integrity and ensuring that the matter is resolved strictly within the bounds of the law, insisting that the era of unchecked media accusations must give way to responsibility and judicial discipline. |
| Politics › Inside Akingboye’s Final Days: Family Feuds, Legal Troubles And Pressures by TheHeat(op): 5:11pm On Dec 31, 2025 |
Emerging details surrounding the death of businessman, Mr. Akingboye, point to a complex web of family disputes, unresolved legal troubles and a rapid post-death scramble for assets, raising troubling questions about the pressures that defined his final years. At the centre of the controversy is his widow, Mrs. Christiana Akingboye, who alleges that her husband lived under sustained psychological strain caused by internal family crises and legal complications involving his sons—pressure she insists critically weakened his mental and physical health before his death. Investigations reveal that Mr. Akingboye had battled serious health challenges since 2019, with repeated medical interventions in Nigeria and Dubai. However, according to the widow, these medical struggles were only part of a broader picture. She claims her husband was simultaneously consumed by efforts to resolve legal issues linked to his children, fearing both reputational damage and incarceration outcomes. Mrs. Akingboye alleged that one son, Mr. Samuel Akingboye, is connected to a fraud-related matter reportedly under investigation at the Zone 2 Police Command. She said the late businessman personally engaged law enforcement authorities in a bid to manage the situation, a role that placed enormous emotional demands on him. Documents, she maintained, exist to substantiate the matter. A second strand of the family crisis, she alleged, involved Mr. Francis Akingboye, based in Canada, who is said to be linked to an alleged fraud involving an elderly American pensioner, Mr. Marcus Heckett, and a sum of about $27,000. Mrs. Akingboye described Heckett as a long-time family acquaintance and said the allegation generated intense emotional distress for her husband, who struggled to contain the fallout within the family. Taken together, she said, these unresolved issues created what she described as “immense and sustained psychological pressure,” accelerating a visible decline in her husband’s mental wellbeing. Questions have also been raised over events immediately following Mr. Akingboye’s death. According to the widow, accusations implicating her and her children surfaced within hours, despite the absence of medical, forensic or investigative findings at the time. She described the speed of the allegations as alarming and prejudicial. She further alleged that altered or misleading images were circulated publicly to reinforce a predetermined narrative, while security operatives reportedly visited her residence the next day. Mrs. Akingboye insisted that hospital records, medical reports and dated photographs exist to establish her husband’s longstanding health condition and contradict claims that he was medically fit before his death. Investigative findings also indicate that CCTV footage exists showing the incident in which Mr. Akingboye sustained the fatal fall. The widow said the footage is with the police, though she was informed it was “not clear,” raising further questions about evidence handling and disclosure. Beyond the death itself, attention has shifted to what the widow described as an unusually swift move to take control of the deceased’s assets. She alleged that properties jointly developed by her and her husband in Akure and Okitipupa were locked without her consent, while efforts were allegedly made to assume control of his dredging business without formal estate authorisation. She also debunked online claims that vehicles were removed or sold, clarifying that Mr. Akingboye owned only two vehicles, both still at the family residence. As investigations continue, Mrs. Akingboye insists that she and her children are victims of intimidation, disinformation and economic exclusion. She is calling for a transparent, evidence-based inquiry into both the circumstances of her husband’s death and the actions taken immediately after. “This is not about emotion or sentiment,” she said. “It is about facts, evidence and due process. Let the truth speak.”
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| Politics › Lamurde Bloodshed: NGO Drags Nigeria to ECOWAS Court by TheHeat(op): 8:19pm On Dec 20, 2025 |
A human rights organisation, Cadrell Advocacy Centre, has dragged the Federal Republic of Nigeria before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the alleged extra-judicial killing of at least nine unarmed women protesters by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The suit, filed at the regional court in Abuja, was brought by Cadrell in the public interest and on behalf of the victims and their families. The organisation, led by its Executive Director, Mr. Evans Ufeli, accused Nigerian security forces of using excessive and lethal force against civilians engaged in a peaceful protest, in what it described as grave violations of regional and international human rights obligations. The case stems from events of December 8, 2025, when women residents of Lamurde staged a peaceful road protest to express anger over what they described as the failure of security agencies to effectively enforce a government-imposed curfew amid violent clashes between the Bachama and Chobo communities. According to the application before the court, the protesters were unarmed and posed no imminent threat when soldiers of the Nigerian Army encountered them while attempting to pass through the area. Witnesses and relatives of the victims reportedly said that after the road was temporarily blocked, one soldier fired shots into the air, after which other soldiers opened live fire on the women. As a result, at least nine women were killed instantly, while several others sustained gunshot injuries. The incident was widely reported by national newspapers, including Premium Times. Amnesty International Nigeria also independently confirmed that the killings were carried out by soldiers of the Nigerian Army, based on eyewitness testimonies and accounts from victims’ families. Cadrell told the court that despite the seriousness of the incident, the Nigerian Army denied responsibility and blamed a local militia, without conducting any transparent, independent or impartial investigation. The organisation added that, several months after the killings, no soldier has been arrested, prosecuted or disciplined, and no compensation has been paid to the families of the deceased. The rights group argued that the actions of the soldiers violated the victims’ rights to life, human dignity, peaceful assembly, equality before the law and access to an effective remedy, as guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It further maintained that the ECOWAS Court has jurisdiction to hear the case, stressing that Nigeria is a signatory to the ECOWAS Treaty, the Court’s Protocol and the African Charter, and that exhaustion of domestic remedies is not required under the court’s human rights regime. Among the reliefs sought, Cadrell asked the court to declare Nigeria liable for the acts of the Nigerian Army, order an independent and impartial investigation into the Lamurde killings, and compel the prosecution of those responsible. The group is also seeking compensation for the injured victims and families of the deceased, as well as an award of N10 billion in general damages against the Federal Government. The organisation further urged the court to mandate institutional reforms to regulate military engagement with civilian protesters, warning that failure to ensure accountability would deepen public distrust in security operations and undermine the rule of law.
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| Politics › Nasarawa Land Dispute: Tiv Communities Allege Court Order Breach by TheHeat(op): 10:07pm On Dec 18, 2025 |
Tiv indigenous communities in Nasarawa State have raised the alarm over what they described as a blatant breach of a subsisting court order, following reports of renewed government-backed land acquisition affecting several Tiv villages. The dispute is the subject of Suit No. NSD/LF44/2025, pending before the Nasarawa State High Court, Lafia Judicial Division, between representatives of the Tiv communities and the Nasarawa State Government, among others. On May 27, 2025, the High Court reportedly ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit. However, counsel to the Tiv communities, Mr. Terkaa Aondo, SAN, alleged that the Nasarawa State Governor has continued to carry out acts of trespass on the disputed land in defiance of the court order. According to Aondo, these acts include farming activities allegedly being carried out for private use on the contested land, a development he said undermines the authority of the court and heightens tension in the affected areas. “Compounding the situation,” Aondo said, “is the fact that there is a pending interlocutory appeal before the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Judicial Division, entered as Appeal No. CA/MK/222/2025, which is yet to be determined.” He maintained that once an appeal has been duly entered, any action taken on the subject matter of the dispute risks rendering the appeal nugatory and amounts to a disregard for due judicial process. Meanwhile, fresh anxiety has reportedly swept through Tiv settlements following claims that the Nasarawa State Government has released a new acquisition map allegedly covering land in more than ten Tiv villages in Doka District of Doma Local Government Area. The affected communities were listed as Doga, Gbatar, Igbawua, Kwaghitse, Uta, Tsekele, Ugee, Age, Angbo, Tsehuee, Ugor and Kaatuna. Community leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the development as disturbing, alleging that it signals an expansion of land appropriation efforts even as the core dispute remains unresolved before the courts. They called on the Nasarawa State Government to immediately respect the subsisting status quo order, halt all activities on the disputed lands and refrain from any fresh acquisitions until the courts have finally determined the matter. The leaders warned that avoidable actions could further escalate tension and deepen the sense of disenfranchisement among indigenous Tiv communities in the area. As at the time of filing this report, official responses from the Nasarawa State Government on the alleged breach of the court order and the reported acquisition map were not available.
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| Politics › Akingboye's Death: Widow Alleges Harassment, Property Grabs by TheHeat(op): 1:44pm On Dec 18, 2025 |
Mrs. Christiana Akingboye, widow of the late Mr. Akingboye, has alleged that sustained psychological pressure, family disputes, and unresolved legal troubles involving her husband’s sons significantly contributed to the mental strain that preceded his death, alongside what she describes as a coordinated campaign of harassment and property seizure directed at her and her children. In a detailed account, Mrs. Akingboye stated that the conduct of her stepson particularly Mr. Samuel Akingboye and Mr. Francis Akingboye—constituted a major source of emotional and mental distress for her late husband in the period leading up to his demise. She maintains that these stressors, combined with her husband’s longstanding medical challenges, critically affected his mental health and overall well-being. According to Mrs. Akingboye, her husband had been grappling with serious and ongoing health issues since 2019, requiring medical attention in both Nigeria and Dubai. She said this fragile health condition was further aggravated by persistent family crises and legal complications involving his sons, matters which he was personally attempting to resolve before his death. She alleged that Mr. Samuel Akingboye, the first son, is linked to an ongoing fraud-related matter reportedly under investigation at the Zone 2 Police Command. Mrs. Akingboye stated that her late husband had been actively involved in engaging with authorities in an effort to help resolve the case and prevent his son’s incarceration, a responsibility she described as emotionally exhausting and deeply distressing for him. She added that documentary evidence exists to support the existence of this matter. Mrs. Akingboye further alleged that the second son, Mr. Francis Akingboye, who resides in Canada, is connected to a separate fraud-related case involving an alleged defrauding of an elderly American pensioner, Mr. Marcus Heckett, of approximately USD 27,000. She stated that Mr. Heckett is a long-standing family acquaintance and that she is in possession of evidence supporting this allegation, which she says further weighed heavily on her husband as he struggled to manage the reputational and emotional fallout within the family. According to the widow, these unresolved issues placed her husband under “immense and sustained psychological pressure,” contributing to a decline in his mental health. She asserts that this cumulative stress formed a critical backdrop to the events leading to his death. Mrs. Akingboye also expressed concern that despite this context, within hours of her husband’s passing, she and her children were accused of involvement in his death—an allegation she described as unfounded and made without the benefit of medical, forensic, or investigative conclusions. She questioned how such accusations could be formed in less than four hours after her husband’s death, calling for transparency regarding the source of those claims. She further alleged that misleading and altered images were circulated publicly to reinforce a false narrative, while law enforcement officers were reportedly brought to her residence the following day. Mrs. Akingboye stated that authentic medical reports, hospital records, and dated photographs exist to establish her husband’s medical condition prior to his death and contradict claims that he was in good health. In addition, she disclosed that CCTV footage exists capturing the incident in which her husband sustained the fatal fall on the day of his death.( with the police though they claim not clear) She stated that this footage, alongside original photographs and medical documentation, may be released through appropriate legal and journalistic channels to ensure factual accuracy. Beyond the allegations surrounding the death, Mrs. Akingboye raised concerns over what she described as a rapid and aggressive move to take control of her late husband’s assets. She alleged that properties jointly developed by her and her husband in Akure and Okitipupa were locked down without her consent, and that attempts were made to assume control of her husband’s dredging business, which was operated in partnership with a third party and without lawful authorization from his estate. She noted that discussions and actions regarding asset takeover allegedly began while her husband’s remains were still in the mortuary, a development she described as deeply distressing and indicative of misplaced priorities. Mrs. Akingboye also denied claims circulating online that vehicles belonging to her late husband had been removed or sold, clarifying that he owned only two vehicles a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban and a 2008 Ford truck both of which remain at the family residence. She further questioned the reported reassignment of police personnel previously attached to her husband, stating that any such action undertaken without formal authorization should be reviewed by the appropriate authorities. She confirmed that she had engaged proper command channels to ensure compliance with established procedures. Mrs. Akingboye concluded by stating that she and her children are victims of an orchestrated attempt to intimidate, discredit, and dispossess them, while deflecting attention from deeper issues that placed her husband under extreme stress during his final years. She emphasized that she is not seeking to prejudice any investigation but is calling for a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based review of all relevant circumstances. “All allegations I have raised are supported by evidence and are capable of independent verification,” she said. “My only demand is that the truth be allowed to emerge through due process, without intimidation, distortion, or exploitation.”
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| Business › Alleged Backdoor Reallocation: Court Orders Status Quo In Maitama Land Case by TheHeat(op): 8:50am On Dec 18, 2025 |
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, has ordered all parties in the dispute over Plot 3619, Maitama District, Cadastral Zone A06, to maintain the res and preserve the status quo, in a development that appears to strengthen the position of the claimant challenging the alleged revocation of her title. The suit, No. CV/4154/25, was instituted by Maryam Ahmed, suing through her lawful attorney, EMI Systems Ltd, against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, over what she described as an unlawful and clandestine revocation and reallocation of her land. At proceedings held on December 2, 2025, the claimant/applicant was represented by a formidable team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, led by Goddy Uche, SAN, alongside Abdullaziz Ibrahim, SAN, and T.J. Aondo, SAN. The defendants were represented by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, while Simeon Eigege announced appearance for a party seeking to be joined in the matter. During the sitting, a motion for joinder was filed by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who seeks to be joined as a party to the suit. The governor had been identified by the defendants themselves as the alleged beneficiary of a purported reallocation of the disputed plot, despite the claimant’s subsisting title. Following submissions by counsel, all parties undertook before the court to preserve the res and maintain the status quo pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction and joinder applications. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to January 21, 2026, for hearing of all pending applications. In the substantive suit, the claimant is asking the court to declare that the FCT Minister acted outside the law by allegedly revoking her interest, closing her AGIS policy file and reallocating Plot 3619 while her statutory right of occupancy remains valid and subsisting. She is also seeking declarations that the purported revocation and reallocation of the land to a third party were done without due process and are therefore unlawful, null and void. The claimant further prayed the court to set aside any purported revocation and reallocation, nullify any fresh offer of grant or certificate of occupancy allegedly issued to another person, and issue a mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to recognise and honour her subsisting certificate of occupancy and statutory right of occupancy over the land. In her pleadings, Maryam Ahmed averred that she lawfully obtained a certificate of occupancy over the plot and duly secured building plan approval from the FCDA. She stated that construction equipment had already been moved to the site in preparation for development before the controversy arose. She insisted that at no time was she served with any notice of revocation, as required by law, adding that she only became aware of the alleged revocation through the defendants’ counter-affidavit and a motion for joinder filed in court. According to the claimant, the FCT Minister proceeded to issue a fresh certificate of occupancy to Governor Fintiri without first revoking or withdrawing her own valid certificate of occupancy, a step she described as a fundamental breach of land administration laws and her constitutional right to fair hearing. She is also asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents or any third-party allottees from selling, transferring, developing or further dealing with the disputed plot. In addition, the claimant is claiming ₦100 million as general damages for the alleged unlawful revocation of her title and closure of her AGIS file, as well as ₦200 million as cost of litigation. Pending the determination of the substantive suit, the claimant filed a motion for interlocutory injunction seeking to restrain the defendants from further acts of revocation or reallocation and to stop any person allegedly allocated the plot from carrying out construction or other activities on the land. However, in a counter-affidavit opposing the application, the FCT Minister and the FCDA argued that the motion lacked urgency. They contended that all lands in the FCT are vested in the Minister and that failure to develop allocated land within two years makes it liable to revocation. The claimant, however, maintained that such powers must be exercised strictly in accordance with the law, including service of a valid notice of revocation, which she insists was never done in her case, making the alleged revocation legally untenable. 1 Like 1 Share
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| Celebrities › Graceful Transition: GUC, Eezee Tee Reaffirm Father–son Bond In Open Letters by TheHeat(op): 9:12am On Dec 15, 2025 |
Renowned gospel music minister, Gift Ugochi Christopher, popularly known as Minister GUC, and his former boss and label executive, Dr. Ezekiel “EeZee Tee” ThankGod, have publicly reaffirmed mutual respect and affection in an exchange of emotional letters, amid the singer’s transition into a new phase of his career. In a heartfelt message addressed to Dr. EeZee Tee, GUC expressed profound gratitude for the role his former boss played in shaping both his spiritual life and music career. The singer described EeZee Tee’s support as going beyond professional guidance, noting that he was given not only physical shelter but also emotional and spiritual safety. “Thank you for taking me in,” GUC wrote, describing the decision as one that gave him room to grow, fail, learn and rise again without fear. He praised EeZee Tee’s leadership example, particularly his devotion to Christ, saying it formed the foundation that enabled him to support others. GUC further acknowledged the sacrifices, prayers, counsel and unwavering belief he received during his formative years, praying that God would reward Dr EeZee Tee in ways beyond human recognition. In response, Dr. EeZee Tee released an equally warm message, describing GUC as a “gift” in both name and nature. He commended the gospel minister’s character, humility and consistency, noting that his strength was evident not only in public achievements but also in quiet acts of love and selflessness. Dr EeZee Tee also shared a token sum of money which GUC sent to him as seed, saying that he was really amazed at the depth of gratitude which GUC has showered on him. He also praised GUC for honouring relationships in both private and public, even during challenging moments, and for choosing integrity when no one was watching. Dr EeZee Tee said the singer’s growth, effort and promise were evident, adding that he remained grateful to be associated with him. Significantly, the label executive confirmed that GUC is entering “a greater dimension” of their partnership, following his transition into a higher role, coinciding with the release of the singer’s first single titled GOOD GOD featuring SUMISOLA. Dr. EeZee Tee described GUC as one of his greatest blessings and encouraged him to keep soaring, stressing that his destiny for greatness remains unstoppable. The exchange has drawn widespread attention within the gospel music community, with many observers describing it as a rare display of maturity, gratitude and grace in an industry often marked by conflict during transitions.
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| Politics › ‘Stop The Lies—Release The Autopsy’: Akingboye's Widow Cries Out by TheHeat(op): 1:31pm On Dec 11, 2025 |
Christy Akingboye, widow of the late Ondo State Social Democratic Party, SDP, governorship candidate, Bamidele Akingboye, has demanded the immediate release of her husband’s autopsy report, condemning what she described as wicked and pre-emptive falsehoods surrounding his death. Speaking with journalists in Lagos, she expressed shock that neither she nor her children had been given access to the autopsy findings, even as a blogger publicly boasted of reading the report online and claimed it confirmed murder. She questioned how a private blogger could allegedly access a document that the authorities have refused to release to the family. She said the inconsistencies from the police have only deepened their fears. “When my children and I met with the Commissioner of Police last month, he claimed he already had the report — yet he didn’t show it to us,” she said. “Instead, he said he was washing his hands off the matter and returning it to Panti, a division where we previously faced hostility, for onward transmission to the DPP.” According to her, the situation became even more troubling that same day. “The CP went on Channels TV to say the autopsy confirmed murder. Meanwhile, we, the immediate family, have not seen a single page. Nobody has shown us anything,” she said. Mrs. Akingboye accused blogger Jimmy Adekanle of colluding with her step-son to weaponise a questionable, unverified report to smear her and destabilise the family. She insisted that an autopsy cannot, on its own, declare a death as murder until tested in court. “All I want is straightforward: release the report officially. It is my right as his widow. If a sponsored blogger supposedly has access to a document in police custody, why is the family kept in darkness?” she asked. She stressed that only a court of law can establish murder, warning that the spread of unverified claims was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage her family’s reputation. Lamenting the secrecy surrounding the process, she said the autopsy — which should naturally be accessible to the police and next of kin — has been withheld from those most entitled to it. The widow urged authorities to come clean, release the autopsy without delay, and end the confusion and emotional distress trailing her husband’s death.
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| Politics › Alleged Defamation: Court Stops Derogatory Publications Against Ubani by TheHeat(op): 1:12pm On Dec 11, 2025 |
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued an ex parte interim injunction restraining Barrister Lilian Okenwa, Editor-in-Chief of Law and Society Magazine, and Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja from making further derogatory publications against prominent Nigerian lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN. The order, granted on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, by Justice S. U. Bature of the Maitama Division, follows a defamation suit filed by Ubani. In the suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/4411/2025, Dr. Ubani alleged that the defendants circulated materials that injured his hard-earned professional reputation. Justice Bature, after reviewing Ubani’s ex parte application (No. FCT/HC/M/16245/2025) filed on December 4, 2025, and supported by an affidavit sworn to by Susan Nwenna Nwaze, granted the following: “The defendants, their agents, and privies are barred from issuing or disseminating any further publications considered derogatory of Ubani pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice. “All parties are directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the court hears the motion on notice.” The court granted permission for substituted service of all processes to Lilian Okenwa by pasting processes at No. 17 Tunde Ogbeha Street, Durumi II, Gudu, Abuja; And service of the same processes for Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja by service at House 475B, Crescent off 4th Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja. The matter has been adjourned to December 16, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice. |
| Politics › Nigeria Cannot Defeat Insecurity With Powerless Local Governments — Ubani by TheHeat(op): 3:07pm On Nov 29, 2025 |
Legal practitioner and policy analyst, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, has warned that Nigeria’s persistent insecurity will remain unresolved unless the Federal Government confronts what he calls the most neglected pillar of national safety — a functional and fully empowered local government system. Ubani said despite decades of investment in military operations, counter-terrorism campaigns, recruitment drives and surveillance technologies, the country continues to witness rising kidnappings, banditry and violent community attacks because the tier of government constitutionally positioned to act as the first responder remains politically weakened and financially crippled. Reacting to Nigeria’s latest security crisis, he noted that the Federal Government’s recent National Emergency on Insecurity, unveiled by President Bola Tinubu, again omitted the most crucial reform: restoring capacity and autonomy to local governments. The package includes recruiting more security personnel and withdrawing police protection from VIPs, but Ubani insists these steps cannot succeed without fixing grassroots governance. He argued that security threats do not begin in Abuja or state capitals but in communities, rural settlements and neglected neighbourhoods. Since these areas fall under local government jurisdiction, Ubani said councils are constitutionally designed to detect early threats, mobilise community responses and support policing efforts. Yet, they have been systematically stripped of this capacity. According to him, the State Joint Local Government Account and other political controls have allowed state governments to seize council funds, impose loyalists and undermine independent administration. Many local councils, he said, now function as extensions of state executives rather than as frontline governance institutions. Ubani warned that a local government unable to maintain rural roads for patrols, provide street lighting, support vigilante structures, empower traditional authorities or fund surveillance tools is a council rendered ineffective in protecting its population. This vacuum, he added, has created ungoverned spaces where bandits flourish and kidnappers operate freely. He noted that national debates consistently centre on state police, youth employment, military expansion, rural education reforms and economic interventions, while the foundational need for effective local government administration is repeatedly ignored. “No matter how many security personnel are recruited, or how advanced our surveillance equipment becomes, no national strategy can succeed when communities remain abandoned and disconnected from governance,” he said. Ubani described full constitutional and financial autonomy for local governments as the most urgent reform needed to stem insecurity at its roots. He commended the attempt by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to seek Supreme Court clarity on the issue, but lamented that political interference frustrated the initiative. Calling on President Tinubu to act decisively, he said direct funding and unrestricted autonomy for local councils must now be treated as a national priority. “The path to a safer Nigeria begins with strengthening the tier of government closest to the people,” Ubani stated. “Non-functional local government administration breeds insecurity. The sooner we confront this truth, the sooner Nigeria can make real progress.” |
| Politics › Exposed! Source Reveals Plot To Frame Late Akingboye's Widow, Seize VGC Property by TheHeat(op): 11:44am On Nov 21, 2025 |
Fresh claims have deepened the controversy around the death of former Ondo State SDP governorship candidate, Mr. Bamidele Akingboye, as a source within the family yesterday exposed a coordinated plot to frame his widow, Mrs. Christy Akingboye, in order to take possession of the late businessman’s valuable property in VGC, Lagos. This comes amid an earlier alarm raised by the deceased’s widow that an image circulated as evidence of the late husband’s condition was doctored, allegedly to support a false narrative of how and when he died. A source within the family, who asked not to be named, said the emerging pattern shows that “the real target is the VGC property,” describing the campaign against Mrs. Christy Akingboye as a deliberate setup. According to the source, “The plan is simple: paint Christy as responsible for her husband’s death, get her and her children remanded, and then quietly move to sell off the VGC house. That is why they are pushing these stories and manipulating evidence.” The source also alleged that bloggers have been paid to repeatedly publish negative content about the widow and her children. “There’s a network behind this. Some bloggers are receiving money to keep her name trending for the wrong reasons. It is a smear campaign,” the source added. The source also revealed that contrary to reports that the late Akingboye was hale and hearty before his death, Akingboye was actually sick and had just been discharged from the hospital a day before his death. “The truth is that Akingboye had mental health issues which ordinarily we would have loved to keep away from the public but for these false narratives aimed at framing his wife Christy. The simple truth is that Akingboye committed suicide and there is CCTV evidence to confirm that. “The narrative that he was killed by his wife Christy is a big lie. How can a wife kill her husband of 32 years? How can a wife kill her husband who she has been caring for in the hospital and who had just been discharged from the hospital a day before? The truth will surely prevail and all these evil plots against Christy will be exposed.” The source also indicated that the evil plot against Christy and her children included putting them in prison with the burial ceremony conducted without them but that the plan obviously failed. The source also stated that a particular blogger has publicly read a purported autopsy report on the late Akingboye on air, despite the Commissioner of Police telling all parties at an earlier meeting that he had received the document but did not know its content because it was to be presented in court. The source questioned why the autopsy, which had not yet been formally disclosed to the family or tendered in court, was reportedly in the hands of bloggers. “On November 17, a blogger went on air and claimed the autopsy confirmed murder. Even the CP had previously gone on air to say the autopsy revealed murder and that seven suspects were detained. This contradicts what he told us earlier — that he had washed his hands off the case and was waiting for the court to formally disclose the report,” the source said. The source further argued that the blogger’s claim was prejudicial and misleading. “An autopsy only states findings. It is the court — and only the court — that can pronounce murder after a proper trial. In this situation, nothing has been proven beyond reasonable doubt.” PHOTO OF THE LATE AKINGBOYE IN HOSPITAL BEFORE HIS DEATH
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| Celebrities › Ubani’s Daughter Bags Msc At Bournemouth by TheHeat(op): 12:14am On Nov 19, 2025 |
Bournemouth University turned into a small hub of celebration as Chinwe Ubani, Daughter of human right lawyer, Dr Monday Ubani, SAN, sealed her academic journey with an MSc in Digital Marketing, earning cheers from every corner of the hall. Her father, Dr. Monday, mother, Faustina, and her siblings were on ground to witness the proud moment, beaming as Chinwe crossed the stage to receive her degree. Though the ceremony was brief, it overflowed with joy and gratitude, marking the end of a journey powered by hard work, prayers and unwavering support. The family also extended appreciation to lecturers, church members, neighbours and friends who stood by her from start to finish. For the Ubani clan, the day was more than a graduation — it was a moment of fulfilment, marked by heartfelt thanks and a well-earned triumph. 1 Like
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| Business › Christy Akingboye Explains Family’s Debt Struggles Before Husband’s Death by TheHeat(op): 8:09am On Nov 18, 2025 |
Christy Akingboye has given further insight into the heavy financial pressure her late husband, Bamidele Akingboye, battled in the weeks leading to his death, revealing a desperate effort by the family to manage mounting debts and avoid legal trouble. She described her husband’s final days as a period marked by exhaustion, depression, fear of legal consequences, and overwhelming financial pressure which triggered his mental health condition before he eventually committed suicide. She explained that her husband was worried creditors — particularly individuals she identified as Tunji, Agbaje, Richard, and Agbaje — would report him to authorities if he failed to meet repayment deadlines. She said one creditor had even threatened to escalate the matter. To show commitment to repayment, she urged her husband to make part-payments. In response, he confessed that out of fear of being reported to the EFCC, he had transferred ₦130 million to his son Samuel the previous day. She said she immediately asked that the money be returned so creditors could be paid. Her husband called Samuel on speakerphone, requesting the refund, which Samuel agreed to send back. Christy said the plan was to pull together about ₦200 million to settle the most aggressive creditors. She confirmed receiving multiple transfers from her husband between August 26 and 28, which she promptly disbursed to settle debts. She added that bank statements later presented to police showed these transactions were made while her husband was alive and the funds were used directly to pay creditors. She noted that the household had been under intense pressure, with her husband repeatedly expressing fear and struggling emotionally. Despite the financial crisis, she kept encouraging him, telling him they could start afresh even if they had to sell their home. Christy also clarified that by late August, the family had significantly reduced the debt burden. She said an earlier bank issue that threatened their house was later resolved after auditors discovered the family had overpaid by more than ₦540 million on an earlier facility. The bank eventually accepted a much lower settlement figure, allowing the family to retain the property.
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| Celebrities › Widow Accuses Stepson Of Circulating Doctored Image Of Late Akingboye by TheHeat(op): 6:31pm On Nov 17, 2025 |
…Says AI-generated photo fuelled false murder claims Christy Akingboye, widow of the late SDP governorship candidate in the 2024 Ondo poll, Bamidele Akingboye, has accused her stepson of circulating a doctored photograph to falsely suggest she abused or killed her husband. Breaking her silence in Lagos, Christy said the family had endured weeks of smear campaigns built around an AI-altered image purported to be her husband’s corpse. According to her, the fabricated picture—designed with blood stains and bruises—was pushed online to whip up anger, distort facts and trigger a murder narrative against her. Displaying the original mortuary images, she insisted the late politician had no bruises, injuries or signs of violence. “The real pictures show a clean face. To my shock, they used AI to paint blood on him. That single fake picture demolished every attempt to preserve his dignity,” she said. She alleged that the doctored image was circulated by her stepson, Samuel, whom she still refers to as her son, shortly after the tragedy. Instead of allowing the family to grieve or providing emotional support, she claimed he launched a campaign of blackmail, fabrications and media manipulation built around the altered picture. Christy said she initially kept silent to protect her husband’s legacy and shield the family from stigma, but the spread of the fake image left her with no choice. She maintained that her husband battled bipolar manic disorder for five years, with episodes in Lagos, Abuja and Dubai requiring psychiatric intervention. “My daughter once stopped him from jumping off the balcony. In Dubai, the police took him straight to a psychiatric facility,” she said. According to her, his condition deteriorated under political pressure, rising debts and sleepless nights. The late Akingboye, she said, feared creditors would report him to law-enforcement agencies and struggled with suicidal tendencies long before his final act. She deliberately concealed these episodes after his death, she said, to protect his memory. Christy faulted the initial police response, alleging bias, poor evidence handling and a rush to arrest her and her children without examining his room, checking medical records or securing the scene. A fresh investigative team later visited the balcony and surrounding apartments, but by then, she said, crucial CCTV footage had already been overwritten because officers failed to act promptly. Her concerns deepened when the case was returned to the original investigating unit. She described repeated summons and pressure to fit into a murder storyline—pressure she believes was fed by the viral doctored photograph. She recounted how she and her children were escorted to Panti last Friday despite assurances they would not be detained. “Over 20 armed officers were waiting for us. If I hadn’t prepared my children outside, they would have panicked,” she said. Christy questioned Samuel’s frequent visits to police formations even after being told the case had moved. “What is he going there to do every day?” she asked. Narrating events before her husband’s death, Christy said he appeared deeply agitated on August 26, confessing that spiralling debts and threats from creditors had left him in fear. He transferred ₦130 million to Samuel, allegedly to avoid being reported. After she advised him to request a refund to restructure payments, he called Samuel on speakerphone to explain his intention. She said the family later discovered they had been overcharged on a major facility and negotiated a reduction of a ₦1.2 billion claim to ₦75 million. “That was how we saved the house. It lifted his mood temporarily,” she said. Christy urged authorities to rely on her husband’s medical records rather than online propaganda pushed through doctored images. “My hands are clean. God knows the truth. I loved my husband and stood by him. The fake picture destroyed everything, but the real evidence will speak,” she said.
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| Business › Play Meets Innovation As Auldon Toys Unveils N8bn Children Centre by TheHeat(op): 10:07am On Nov 17, 2025 |
A burst of colour, noise and excitement swept through Lagos at the weekend as Auldon Toys, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paul Orajiaka, threw open the doors of its sprawling N8 billion children’s experience centre—an audacious investment that signals a new era for Nigeria’s toy and creative learning industry. What once began as a modest wholesale operation in Lagos markets has now transformed into a futuristic playground of ideas, imagination and innovation. The new centre, a first of its kind in West Africa, combines retail, learning, entertainment and light manufacturing under one roof, creating a world where Nigerian children can shop, build, explore and dream without limitation. The complex houses a massive toy supermarket, a cosy family café, and interactive classrooms designed to stretch the minds of young learners. There are workshops where doll clothes are stitched by hand, assembly lines where children watch simple toys being pieced together, and dedicated technology labs for robotics, physics-inspired games and early engineering challenges. For Orajiaka, the launch is more than a business expansion—it is a personal milestone in a journey that started 27 years ago. Taking journalists through the facility, he described the centre as a “rebirth” for Auldon Toys, a shift driven by his desire to bring children closer to quality play experiences. “Before now, we were strictly wholesale,” he said. “But Nigerian children deserve more than bulk products—they deserve an environment where play blends naturally with learning. This centre gives them that freedom to choose, interact and create.” He disclosed that over N8 billion went into the project, calling it a testament to Auldon’s confidence in Nigeria’s creative potential. He said plans were already underway to replicate the model in major cities across the country and within the West African sub-region. “To us, this is only the beginning. Every child, regardless of background, should handle toys that inspire learning and imagination. Poor-quality products should not limit their curiosity,” he added. Part of Auldon’s long-term vision is to weave the centre into Nigeria’s educational ecosystem. Orajiaka revealed that the company is developing summer programmes through which schools can bring pupils for practical sessions on robotics, toy assembly, basic engineering and doll fashion design. The goal, he explained, is to ignite curiosity early and help children build foundational STEM and creative skills. But even this bold leap, he admitted, is shadowed by Nigeria’s harsh business landscape. With unstable power supply, the facility currently runs largely on diesel generators—an unsustainable cost that weighs heavily on operations. He urged the government to fix structural barriers that continue to frustrate private investment, particularly reliable electricity, regulatory efficiency and affordable financing for SMEs. “Many businesses still build their own roads, water and power systems. It shouldn’t be so. If we had cheaper funding earlier, Auldon’s growth would have been much faster,” he said. In a show of institutional support, the Chief Executive Officer of FCMB Group, Mr. Ladi Balogun, was on hand at the unveiling. He praised Auldon Toys for daring to innovate in a sector often overlooked by investors. Balogun described the project as a “timely demonstration of confidence in Nigeria’s creative manufacturing space,” noting that FCMB was proud to associate with a brand that has shown resilience, ingenuity and strong local value creation. He said Auldon’s model fits perfectly into FCMB’s development strategy of backing homegrown enterprises with scalable potential. According to him, Nigeria’s entrepreneurs need more than money—they need long-term partnerships, advisory support and an enabling environment. He reaffirmed the bank’s readiness to continue supporting SMEs in creative manufacturing, retail and light industry, insisting that such ventures are crucial to job creation and national growth. “At the heart of this is the Nigerian child,” he said. “Any initiative that builds their confidence, sparks creativity and drives economic value deserves full backing. FCMB will continue to stand with businesses that create opportunities and transform communities.” With its vibrant colours, humming machines and excited children pressing their faces against glass displays, Auldon’s new centre feels less like a retail outlet and more like a statement—a declaration that Nigeria’s toy and creative learning industry is ready for global attention.
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| Culture › Court Stops Burial Of Abia Monarch, Prof. Sam Ajiri; Orders Autopsy by TheHeat(op): 12:29pm On Nov 13, 2025 |
The Magistrate Court of Abia State sitting in Olori, Ikwuano Magisterial District, has stopped the planned burial of the late traditional ruler of Ntalakwu Oboro Autonomous Community, HRH Prof. Sam Ajiri, pending the conduct of an autopsy to determine the cause and time of his death.https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/court-stops-burial-of-abia-monarch-orders-autopsy/amp/ 3 Likes 1 Share
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| Politics › Ubani To Aguocha: Follow Due Process In Ikwuano LGA Split by TheHeat(op): 12:51pm On Nov 06, 2025 |
Legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Monday Ubani, has commended Obi Aguocha, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, for sponsoring a bill seeking the creation of Ikwuano North and Ikwuano South Local Government Areas from the present Ikwuano LGA in Abia State. Ubani, however, urged the lawmaker to work closely with Governor Alex Otti to ensure that the process complies fully with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The bill, which recently passed its First Reading at the House of Representatives, has been widely celebrated by Ikwuano indigenes both at home and abroad, who say the current local government is too large to be effectively managed. Ikwuano comprises four major clans — Oloko, Oboro, Ariam, and Ibere — each with significant population and landmass capable of sustaining a full-fledged local government. Ubani noted that the creation of an additional local government in Ikwuano was one of the major campaign promises made by both Hon. Aguocha and Governor Otti in 2023, and commended the lawmaker for taking steps to actualize that commitment through legislative means. However, he emphasized that Section 8 of the Constitution sets out a clear procedure for creating new local governments, beginning with legislative action at the state level. According to him, “The process must start with the Abia State House of Assembly after a formal request supported by the majority of representatives from the affected area. This should be followed by a resolution of the existing local government council and a referendum conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ascertain the wishes of the people.” Ubani explained that once the referendum is approved, the House of Assembly can pass a bill for the new local government and forward it to the governor for assent. But the process remains incomplete until the National Assembly amends the Constitution to include the new council areas in the First Schedule. He cited the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation (2003), which affirmed that while states can create local government development areas, such creations remain inchoate until constitutionally recognized by the National Assembly. “The initiative by Hon. Aguocha is patriotic and commendable, but to ensure success, he must work hand in hand with Governor Otti,” Ubani advised. “An Executive Bill from the governor, backed by the Abia State House of Assembly, will make the process constitutionally sound. Thereafter, the National Assembly can handle the amendment for recognition.” Ubani expressed optimism that Governor Otti, known for keeping his campaign promises, will support the effort, noting that the creation of Ikwuano North and Ikwuano South LGAs would bring governance closer to the people, promote balanced development, and deepen democratic participation. “The dream of splitting Ikwuano is both constitutionally feasible and socially desirable. It will enhance local administration and accelerate growth for all communities,” he said. Residents have also expressed hope that with sustained collaboration between the federal and state representatives, the long-awaited division of Ikwuano will soon become a reality.
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| Politics › Ubani's Law Firm Secures Release Of Man Detained 8-yrs Without Trial by TheHeat(op): 12:20pm On Nov 03, 2025 |
The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Sewedo Folorunsho, who was detained for eight years without trial, following a fundamental rights suit filed by the law firm of Monday O. Ubani, SAN & Co. In the judgment delivered on October 22, 2025, Justice Adenike K. Shonubi declared the prolonged detention unlawful and a violation of the applicant’s constitutional rights to personal liberty, dignity of human person, and fair hearing. The court also awarded ₦500,000 in damages against the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for the unlawful detention. Mr. Folorunsho, represented by the law firm of Monday O. Ubani, SAN & Co., had sued the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State (1st Respondent), the Attorney General of Lagos State (2nd Respondent), and the Deputy Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos (3rd Respondent) for the enforcement of his fundamental rights. According to court documents, the applicant was arrested in 2012 by the police over an allegation of murder and detained in a police cell before being arraigned in 2017 before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court on a holding charge. No information was ever filed before the High Court to commence trial, resulting in his continued detention at the correctional facility from 2017 until the court’s judgment. Justice Shonubi held that the prolonged detention without trial violated constitutional provisions and ordered Mr. Folorunsho’s immediate release. Reacting to the judgment, Mr. Monday O. Ubani, SAN, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. His associate, Mr. Iwowo Anthony, who appeared for the firm, adopted the written address in support of the application. The court’s order has been forwarded to the relevant authorities for compliance. |
| Celebrities › Ubani Announces Mother’s Burial Date by TheHeat(op): 1:08pm On Nov 02, 2025 |
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani, has announced the burial arrangements for his late mother, Mrs. Nsomma Gladys Ubani. According to him, the late Mrs. Ubani, who hailed from Awomukwu Village in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, passed away peacefully in February 2025 at the age of 90. Her funeral has been scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at her hometown, Awomukwu Village, Ikwuano LGA, Abia State. Dr. Ubani described his late mother as a loving and devoted matriarch who lived a life of faith, service, and compassion, adding that the family looks forward to celebrating her enduring legacy. He invited friends, associates, and members of the public to join the family in honouring the memory of their late mother.
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| Career › Ubani Tasks Law Students On Ethics, Discipline, Innovation by TheHeat(op): 9:21pm On Oct 17, 2025 |
LAGOS — Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Monday Ubani, has called on young lawyers and law students across the country to embrace technology, innovation, and integrity as the driving forces of the future legal profession. Ubani made the charge while delivering the keynote address at the Leadership Summit organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN) in collaboration with the Leadership Academy for the African Continent. The summit, themed “Empowering Future Bar Leaders: Innovation, Technology and Excellence in Leadership,” brought together law students, legal educators, and young practitioners from across Nigeria. In his address, Ubani declared that the legal profession is undergoing a profound transformation, warning that those who fail to adapt to digital realities risk being left behind. > “The law you are studying today is no longer confined to dusty libraries or paper-filled chambers. Artificial intelligence now assists in legal research, blockchain is redefining contracts, and even the courtroom has gone virtual,” he said. The learned silk emphasised that the next generation of great lawyers will not be defined by how many statutes or cases they can recall, but by their capacity to deploy technology to enhance access to justice. According to him, technology should be seen as a tool for reform, not a threat to the profession. He cited examples of emerging innovations that have revolutionised justice systems around the world — from mobile apps offering free legal advice to indigent citizens, to blockchain-based registries securing property ownership, and AI tools helping judges clear court backlogs. > “These are not dreams — they are realities in progressive jurisdictions. Nigeria and Africa need you to bring such innovations home,” Ubani challenged the students. However, the former NBA Vice President warned that technological advancement without integrity could erode public trust and damage the very foundation of justice. > “Innovation without character is dangerous. Technology without ethics leads to destruction. Leadership in law must always be anchored on truth, discipline, and service,” he cautioned. Ubani stressed that while the digital age has created new opportunities for efficiency and access, it has also intensified ethical challenges, including misinformation, cybercrime, and data breaches. He urged future lawyers to be the moral compass of society, capable of balancing progress with principle. > “Excellence in leadership means you do not cut corners. You do not compromise your values. Aim not only to be successful but to be significant—to make a lasting difference,” he admonished. He also urged young lawyers to lead with courage, service, and integrity, describing these as the true hallmarks of professional greatness. > “Do not wait for the future — be the future. Dare to innovate. Embrace technology. Strive for excellence. And above all, lead with integrity. If you do this, you will not only transform the legal profession; you will transform Nigeria, Africa, and indeed, the world,” he concluded. The summit featured a cross-section of notable legal personalities including Hon. Justice Yahaya Mohammed, Madam Mohammed Adama, Dr. Franklin Chinagorom Ogbu, Aisha Abdu Mohammed, and Tunde Adejumo, among others. Participants described Ubani’s keynote as a timely wake-up call for a new generation of ethical, tech-driven leaders committed to reforming justice delivery in Africa’s digital era.
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| Politics › Locus Standi: Inside Justice Omotosho’s Verdict On Rivers Emergency Rule by TheHeat(op): 7:55pm On Oct 13, 2025 |
By Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN Background to the Case I was present at the Federal High Court, Abuja, when Hon. Justice James Omotosho delivered judgment in the suit challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the dissolution of its elected structures. The plaintiffs had approached the court seeking judicial review of the President’s action. In that decision, the Court held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to institute the suit. I had earlier written a brief report of that case, which was widely published in the media, and thereafter promised to provide a detailed review upon obtaining the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment. Having now obtained the judgment, this review focuses exclusively on one central issue — whether the plaintiffs possessed the requisite locus standi to bring the action. Another important issue, whether the Federal High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit, was also considered and decided in the negative. However, that jurisdictional question will be addressed fully in a subsequent review. --- The Long Journey of Locus Standi in Nigerian Law The principle of locus standi, or the right of a person to bring an action before a court, has travelled a long and inconsistent path in Nigerian judicial history. In Olawoyin v. Attorney-General of Northern Nigeria, the Federal Supreme Court adopted a strict interpretation of standing, holding that the plaintiff must show a personal interest in the subject matter of the suit that is directly affected. This conservative approach was reaffirmed in the landmark case of Abraham Adesanya v. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where the Supreme Court, per Fatayi-Williams, CJN, held that Senator Adesanya lacked sufficient personal interest to challenge the appointment of the Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission. The Court declared that courts are not constituted to determine hypothetical or academic questions. --- Criticism of the Restrictive Approach This restrictive approach drew severe criticism for frustrating public accountability and preventing citizens from challenging unconstitutional acts of government. However, the tide appeared to shift with the decision in Fawehinmi v. Akilu & Togun, where the Supreme Court, in a bold move, broadened the concept of standing. The Court held that a private citizen could seek judicial intervention in matters involving grave public wrongs when the state failed to act. --- Towards a More Liberal Interpretation The expansion continued in Centre for Oil Pollution Watch v. NNPC, where the Supreme Court recognized that environmental protection and other public concerns warranted a liberal approach to standing, particularly when public officers or institutions fail in their duties. This case was widely regarded as Nigeria’s closest embrace of the public interest model of standing — satisfying best international practices on the concept. --- A Step Backwards Unfortunately, the decision in Fawehinmi v. Okonjo-Iweala (2025) marked a regression. In that case, the Supreme Court returned to the stringent doctrine of sufficient personal interest, holding that Fawehinmi lacked locus to challenge the appointment and dollar salary payment of the Finance Minister, as well as other alleged breaches of constitutional procedure. The Court emphasized that a litigant must show direct injury or personal loss distinct from that of the general public. Justice Omotosho, in the Rivers State Emergency Rule Case, relied heavily on this recent precedent, concluding that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated any personal interest sufficient to clothe them with locus standi. The Court reasoned that, while the plaintiffs may have been motivated by patriotic concerns, they had not shown any direct or special injury suffered beyond that experienced by the general public as a result of the emergency proclamation. --- Bound by Judicial Precedent By anchoring his decision on the apex court’s precedent, Justice Omotosho acted within the boundaries of judicial propriety. The doctrine of stare decisis mandates lower courts to follow the decisions of superior courts, even if such decisions appear unprogressive. Thus, while one may disagree with the ultimate outcome, it cannot be denied that the judgment rests on a solid legal foundation. --- Persistent Judicial Inconsistency This oscillation in judicial interpretation has not been confined to the Supreme Court alone. For instance, in Edun v. Governor of Edo State & Anor, one of our strong advocates in the public interest litigation community had his case dismissed on the grounds that he lacked locus standi to challenge government action. Similarly, in Monday Ubani v. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Ors, where I, alongside Inibehe Effiong and SERAP, challenged the Federal Government’s ban on Twitter (now X), the Federal High Court in Lagos held that only Twitter had the locus standi to sue, thereby dismissing the action for want of standing. Ironically, in another case — Ubani & Anor v. The National Assembly — the same Federal High Court upheld our right to challenge certain actions of the National Assembly, affirming that we possessed sufficient interest as citizens to question legislative conduct that threatened constitutional order. These contrasting outcomes aptly demonstrate the doctrinal inconsistency and judicial uncertainty surrounding the application of locus standi in Nigeria. --- Implications for Accountability and Justice The practical implication of this ruling and similar cases is that Nigerian courts are once again operating under the narrow confines of Abraham Adesanya’s restrictive formulation of locus standi. Recent lower court decisions, including Justice Omotosho’s, demonstrate a judicial retreat from the more liberal posture previously hinted at in Centre for Oil Pollution Watch v. NNPC. The present legal position in Nigeria is that a litigant must demonstrate a sufficient personal interest — often a tangible injury or potential damage distinct from that of the general public — before a court will entertain a public interest case. This approach has serious implications for accountability and the enforcement of constitutional and environmental rights, as it restricts access to justice for concerned citizens and civic groups. --- Need for Legislative Intervention My latest thesis on Public Interest and Locus Standi argues for a legislative intervention to cure this doctrinal confusion. Countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and India have enacted constitutional and statutory provisions defining who qualifies as a public interest litigant and under what conditions they may approach the court. In those jurisdictions, courts have become veritable instruments for promoting transparency, good governance, and constitutionalism. --- Reforming Nigeria’s Legal Landscape Nigeria can no longer afford to remain trapped in the technical rigidity of Abraham Adesanya and Fawehinmi v. Okonjo-Iweala. A clear legislative or constitutional reform is required to harmonize the judicial approach and codify the circumstances under which citizens and civic organizations can challenge unlawful governmental acts. Such reform would ensure that the courts once again become accessible arenas for justice, accountability, and the rule of law. --- Conclusion In that regard, the work of public interest litigation in Nigeria would have been truly accomplished, transforming it from a theoretical ideal into a functional mechanism for justice and good governance. Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN Legal Practitioner & Policy Analyst |
| Politics › Ubani Slams ‘baseless’ Open Letter, Petitions Police Over Defamation by TheHeat(op): 10:24am On Oct 08, 2025 |
ABUJA — Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, has condemned what he described as a “malicious and defamatory” publication authored by one Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, accusing the latter of fabricating lies intended to malign his reputation and mislead the public. The publication, titled “Open Letter to BOSAN: BOSAN Should Avoid the Appearance of Selective Justice – Is Ozekhome the Only Erring SAN that Has Caused National or International Embarrassment to Nigeria? What About the International Embarrassment Caused to Nigeria by the Duo of Malami and Monday Ubani?”, was dated October 7, 2025, and has sparked sharp reactions within legal circles. In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, Dr. Ubani described the article as “a mischievous, ill-conceived, and defamatory attack” filled with “lies, innuendos, and malicious distortions.” According to him, the author falsely alleged that he was cited for contempt by Justice Binta Nyako in a matter involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. “At no time have I ever been cited for contempt by Justice Nyako or any court in Nigeria. The allegation that I was sanctioned or reprimanded in connection with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s matter is an outright fabrication without a single judicial record to support it,” he said. Ubani stated that the certified true copy of the judgment in question is publicly available and contains no such finding. He maintained that all his public statements have always been consistent with the Rules of Professional Conduct and the decorum expected of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He further dismissed claims that he had ever “engaged or promoted” one Dr. Sandra Duru, also known as “Prof. Mgbeke,” as a principal witness in any legal matter, describing the assertion as “another baseless fabrication.” “The Senate’s official legal engagements are conducted through lawful institutional channels with properly documented procedures.Every step taken in that regard has been transparent, accountable, and professionally guided,” he said. Ubani also questioned the credibility of Dr. Jaja, describing him as “unknown to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), or any recognised legal platform.” He said Jaja’s claim of leading “1,000 legislative lawyers” was “a pure invention of fantasy,” adding that his record of “reckless publications and pseudo-intellectual rants” was well known. He accused Jaja of relying on gossip-based online blogs and engaging in smear campaigns against respected members of the legal profession. In response, Ubani revealed that his legal team has been instructed to petition the Inspector-General of Police to investigate Dr. Jaja for alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. He also plans to institute a civil action for libel and injurious falsehood to claim damages and obtain injunctive relief. Ubani, who has been at the Bar for over three decades, reiterated his unblemished record and commitment to the rule of law. “I have never faced any disciplinary issue before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee or BOSAN. My professional integrity and service record speak for themselves,” he said. He listed his professional roles, including former 2nd Vice President of the NBA, past Chairman of the Ikeja Branch, past Chairman of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), and current Chairman of the NBA Committee on Electoral Reform. He also serves as Special Adviser on Legal and Constitutional Matters to the President of the Senate. Urging the public to disregard the publication, Ubani described it as the product of “malice, envy, and intellectual bankruptcy.” He reaffirmed his “unshakeable commitment” to the rule of law, professional ethics, and the dignity of the legal profession. |
