Court Declares Free Basic Education An Enforceable Right

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared that every Nigerian child has the constitutional right to free and compulsory primary education, and free junior secondary education.

In a suit filed by a non-governmental organisation, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), against the Federal Ministry of Education and the Attorney General of the Federation, Justice John Tsoho also declared that the Federal and State governments have constitutional duties to provide adequate funds for it.

In the suit, LEDAP asked the court to determine whether by the combined effect of Section 18 (3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 2 (1) of the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, (UBE) 2004, the right to free and compulsory primary education and free junior secondary education for all qualified Nigerian citizens are enforceable rights in Nigeria.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AFTER A MEETING OF STAKEHOLDERS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON THE 20TH FEBRUARY 2017

WHEREAS:

A.​ Following the repugnant attempt by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif and other undemocratic forces to undermine and take over the Peoples Democratic Party, the National Convention of the party held at Port Harcourt on the 21st day of May 2016 dissolved the then National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee and replaced the National Working Committee with a 7-member National Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as Chairman and Sen. Ben Obi as Secretary with a mandate to run the party and organize an elective National Convention as soon as practicable;

B.​ The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in FHC/PH/CS/524/2016 PDP & ORS. Vs. SHERRIF & ORS in its judgment endorsed the decisions of the 21st May 2016 National Convention, holding that the Convention did not violate any extant Order of the Courts or any provisions of the Party’s or Country’s Constitution.

Yahya Jammeh Bows Down To Pressure, Agrees To Go Into Exile In Mauritania

Barely a few hours before his mandate expires, President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia is reported to have accepted a last-minute deal to relinquish power peacefully and go into exile. According to reports from Banjul which are yet to be independently confirmed, Mr Jammeh agreed to step down in the interest of peace and stability of the Gambia after a tense closed door meeting with the visiting president of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

Reports added that Mr Jammeh will leave for Mauritania tonight with President Aziz. It is not clear whether he will settle there permanently or move to another country.

Mr Jammeh’s mandate expires at midnight of Wednesday after his surprised defeat in last month’s election by opposition candidate Adama Barrow.

BREAKING: Jimoh Ibrahim is the Authentic Candidate of PDP - Supreme Court Judgement!

The unconfirmed Information reaching us indicates that the Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP  in Ondo state has finally been declared the authentic candidate to stand the about to be conducted governorship election in Ondo state. The Supreme Court today affirmed the candidacy of Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim of the Sheriff faction as the real candidate, upturning the yesterdy ruling of the Court of Appeal.

More details soon>>>>>>>

Reforming our Legal and Penal System - Faseyiku

If Nigeria must work, it will only do so if we have a legal and penal system that works. I love the on-going war against corruption and have high hopes that the administration will not be distracted. But we will be undone if we do not address the institutional robustness of the legal and penal system in Nigeria. The framework is currently too weak to sustain us and cope with the myriad of issues that are emerging daily. At the moment, lawyers take us for a ride and that must stop. In the UK, when you have a QC, I mean a single one, arguing your case, it can never get better. You hardly have a situation where 13 QCs (as in the case of PMB's certificate) or 60 QCs as in the Ricky Tarfa matter lining up behind an accussed. A case that one QC cannot argue successfully, a hundred are unlikely to do so. 

Therefore, if we need to pay judges as much as we pay the nation's number one citizen and ringfence the pensions payment system for retired judges to pevent them becoming "legal consultants" so be it. Indeed, we must bar them from any engagement with the bar in any form or shape once they retire from service. We must also make it possible for them to face criminal prosecution for proven cases of misconduct rather than simply retiring the errant ones. It has to be a combination of the stick and the carrot. Another way is to make it possible for them to serve on the bench for life as is the practice in the US. That way, the prospect of them becoming conduits of corruption will be curtailed. Retirement should be completely voluntary or based on health reasons.

BAD MARKET AGAIN!!! Saraki Must Face Code of Conduct Tribunal Says Federal High Court!

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed the appeal by the Senate president, Bukola Saraki

Senator Saraki's appeal to stop his trial at the Court of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) failed as Justice Ibrahim Baba held that the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the application.

This is the fourth court Saraki has run to since the tribunal began his arraignment. An appeal court in Abuja had dismissed a similar petition last month and the Supreme Court has got a file from Saraki’s lawyers seeking to declare that the CCT cannot continue with the case, given all kinds of cited technicalities.

Jonathan appoints Bode-George’s wife , Roli as NDLEA boss

President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Roli Bode-George as the new Director General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The appointee is the wife of a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George.

Mr. George, a leader of the PDP in Lagos, is currently a delegate, appointed by the president, at the National Conference. His conviction for fraud, when he served as head of the Nigeria Ports Authority, by a High Court was upturned by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Jonathan’s spokesperson, Reuben Abati, announced the appointment on his twitter handle on Thursday evening. He said the appointment is with immediate effect.