Legal Diary News

From the look of things, Nigeria’s National Assembly has tactically harmonised both chambers on the Electoral Amendment Bill 2026, thereby eliminating the necessity for a conference committee. With identical versions now passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Bill may have to await the presidential assent. At the core of the amendment are three major provisions relating to electronic transmission. First  is the mandatory Electronic Transmission of Results. And second is the statutory Recognition of the IREV Portal. The third is the  fallback to Form EC8A in Cases of Communication Failure. Under the proposed framework, where there is no communication failure, results recorded at each polling unit on Form EC8A, duly signed by the Presiding Officer and countersigned by party agents, must be uploaded to the IREV portal immediately after announcement. Where electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges, the duly completed and signed E...

I respectfully write to share my considered thoughts on the ongoing deliberations concerning the amendment of the Electoral Act, particularly on the issue of electronic transmission of election results. Nigeria stands at a critical democratic crossroads. As the continues its deliberations on proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, the nation must decide whether to consolidate recent electoral reforms or retreat into familiar controversies that have historically undermined public confidence in our democratic process. Recently, Dr. SAN appeared on The Morning Show on , where he provided a historical perspective on the evolution of electoral reforms in Nigeria. He carefully traced the mischief that the introduction of electronic transmission was designed to cure manipulation during manual collation, alteration of figures between polling units and collation centres, ballot snatching, and the disappearance or substitution of result sheets. According to him, electronic t...

Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, on Saturday appeared on The Morning Show on Arise TV to examine the ongoing amendment of Nigeria’s Electoral Bill especially on the issue of electronic transmission by the National Assembly, offering a historical perspective on the reform and the mischief the proposed changes seek to cure. Responding to questions on his assessment of the new bill as passed by House of Representatives and the Senate on the issue, Dr. Ubani recalled that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in the last round of election litigation, held that the Electoral Act, 2022 made no provision for electronic transmission of results and did not mention the INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV). That omission, he noted, constrained the courts and made it impossible to invalidate the presidential election on the grounds canvassed. The decision, according to him, exposed clear gaps in the law and provided compelling justification for a comprehensive amendment. He explained that the Hou...

The Institute of Corporate and Public Administrators of Nigeria (ICPAN) invites all professionals and stakeholders to its upcoming ICPAN Conference 2025 , a virtual event focused on the crucial topic: “The Role of Fraud Examiners in Fraud Detection and Prevention.” 📅 Event Details: Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM (West Central Africa Time) Platform: Zoom Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82947360089?pwd=rTgtODYd3gkEqx05kYQbbadgwlLUtB.1 Meeting ID: 829 4736 0089 Passcode: 11e7ZL Conference Theme: “The Role of Fraud Examiners in Fraud Detection and Prevention” In an era where fraud schemes are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, the conference will delve into the vital role that fraud examiners play in identifying, preventing, and addressing fraudulent activities across both the public and private sectors. Why You Should Attend: Participants will benefit from expert-led discussions on: Innovative tools and techniques in fraud dete...

In a recent press release from the State House, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a new list of nominees for the South East Development Commission (SEDC) board. The new appointments include a chairman and five executive directors, who are expected to play a crucial role in developing the South East region. New Chairman and Executive Directors The new chairman of the SEDC board is Dr. Emeka Nworgu, who replaces Hon. Emeka Atuma. The five new executive directors are: Stanley Ohajuruka: Executive Director of Finance, replacing Anthony Ugbo  Toby Okechukwu: Executive Director of Projects, replacing Obinna Obiekweihe Chief Sylvester Okonkwo: Executive Director of Corporate Services, replacing Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja Chidi Echeazu: Executive Director (portfolio to be determined) Dr. Clifford Ogbede: Executive Director (portfolio to be determined) Retained Nominees The President retained several nominees from the initial list, including: - Hon. Mark C. Okoye: Managing Director/Chief E...

The recent decision by the Senate to fire Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has sparked intense debate on the implications of such action on the country's procedural guardrails. While many may argue that Umar's alleged gross misconduct warrants severe consequences, others caution that the manner of his removal undermines the very principles of due process. In a bid to hold public officials accountable, the Senate's action may inadvertently perpetuate a culture of disregard for established procedures. This raises critical questions about the balance between accountability and the rule of law. The Importance of Procedural Integrity Procedural integrity is the bedrock of any democratic system, ensuring that actions taken by those in power are lawful, reasonable, and fair. It provides a safeguard against arbitrary decision-making and protects the rights of all individuals, including those in positions of authority. Consequences of Disregarding Proced...