legal diary News

Retired Supreme Court Justice Amina Adamu Augie has raised serious concerns about the state of Nigeria’s judiciary, particularly the persistent threat posed by corruption and the increasing misuse of artificial intelligence by legal practitioners. Speaking on the broader challenges confronting the administration of justice, Justice Augie warned that corruption within the judicial system can weaken the independence of courts, erode public confidence and undermine the constitutional responsibility of the judiciary to dispense justice fairly and impartially. She stressed that when judicial processes are influenced by improper considerations, the credibility of court decisions and the legitimacy of the justice system are placed at risk. According to her, the fight against corruption requires a sustained commitment to integrity, transparency, accountability and professional discipline among judges, lawyers and other stakeholders in the justice sector. She emphasized that judi...

Legal Diary News | 23 October 2026 A Sharia Court sitting in Kawo, Kaduna State, has reportedly set aside the four-year prison sentence imposed on a 23-year-old journalist, Farida Isiak, following a dispute involving a Facebook publication and an alleged ₦100 charcoal transaction. The court also granted the journalist bail and ordered that a fresh plea be taken, effectively reopening the criminal proceedings. The development follows public concerns over the circumstances surrounding the journalist's conviction and the severity of the punishment imposed. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had called for an impartial investigation into the matter, expressing concern that judicial processes should not be used to intimidate journalists or undermine press freedom. The union emphasised the importance of protecting journalists against arbitrary prosecution while ensuring that criminal proceedings comply with established principles of justice. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS The...

Legal Diary News | 23 October 2026 The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has announced arrangements for airport pick-up and drop-off services for delegates attending its 2026 Annual Conference in Umuahia, Abia State. The conference, scheduled for 10–13 November 2026 , at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, will focus on the theme “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development.” The event is expected to bring together legal practitioners, judicial officers, policymakers, public interest advocates and other stakeholders to examine critical issues affecting justice delivery, democratic governance and national development in Nigeria. AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS As part of preparations to facilitate delegates' participation, the Conference Planning Committee has announced airport pick-up arrangements for arrivals on 9 November 2026 and drop-off services for departures o...

Legal Diary News | 23 October 2026 The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, permission to present selected closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings in the ongoing ₦10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by the former governor. Delivering the ruling on Thursday, 22 October 2026, Justice Chigozie Onah rejected El-Rufai's application to have the entire CCTV footage, lasting over six hours, played in open court. Instead, the court allocated 20 minutes to each party to present relevant portions of the recordings. The judge observed that the court could not be turned into a viewing centre, stressing the need for efficient management of judicial proceedings. Justice Onah also upheld concerns raised by the ICPC that playing the complete recordings publicly could expose sensitive security arrangements at the commis...

Court rules that prolonged suspension without salary constitutes unfair labour practice and violates principles of fairness in employment relationships. Legal Diary News | 23 October 2026 The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Ibadan, has declared the indefinite suspension without pay of a former employee, Tochukwu, by BNSL Limited wrongful and an unfair labour practice. Delivering judgment, Justice Dele Peters ordered the company to pay the former employee ₦5.4 million in outstanding salaries covering November 2018 to July 2019, alongside ₦500,000 in litigation costs , bringing the total award to ₦5.9 million. Background of the Case The employee challenged her suspension and subsequent termination, alleging that the company failed to comply with due process and withheld her salaries. She maintained that she was initially suspended for three months without pay but was subsequently prevented from returning to work. The company defended its actions, a...

Court rules that an employer need not secure a criminal conviction before dismissing an employee for gross misconduct. Case: Rashidat Ronke Oyeneyin v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Suit No.: NICN/ABJ/293/2022 Court: National Industrial Court, Abuja Division Presiding Judge: Hon. Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae Judgment Date: 29 September 2026 News Publication: 21 October 2026 Background of the Case The National Industrial Court, sitting in Abuja, dismissed a suit filed by Rashidat Ronke Oyeneyin challenging her dismissal from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The claimant alleged that she was denied fair hearing during disciplinary proceedings involving allegations of bribery, corruption and other acts of misconduct. She argued that the EFCC failed to provide her with relevant documents and did not allow her to question the complainant. The EFCC maintained that the claimant was investigated, issued a query and gi...