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By Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq. | Legal Diary News The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in his ongoing criminal trial concerning the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Delivering her ruling on 26 October 2026, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require the former governor to enter his defence. El-Rufai is standing trial on an amended five-count charge instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS). The allegations arose from statements reportedly made during a television interview concerning the interception of telephone communications involving the National Security Adviser. Following the conclusion of the prosecution's case, the defence filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case req...

By Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq. | Legal Diary News The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted a interim Mareva injunction restricting dealings with financial assets valued at up to $100 million in connection with an ongoing corporate ownership dispute involving Chappal Energies. The order was granted by Justice Lewis Allagoa following an application brought by Ufoma Joseph Immanuel, Chappal Energies Offshore Limited and Project Odinmin Investment Limited. The dispute concerns competing claims relating to shareholding, management and control of the energy company. The court restrained relevant financial institutions from releasing or transferring specified funds and assets connected with R28 Limited, Adebisi Adebutu and Michael Humphries, pending the determination of the applicants' motion for an interlocutory injunction. The court also restrained interference with the operational premises, management and physical assets of the applicant compani...

By Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq. | Legal Diary News The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a ₦10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by popular Nollywood actor Emeka Ike against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Delivering judgment on 28 October 2026, Justice Salim Ibrahim upheld the preliminary objections raised by the respondents, holding that the suit was incompetent and improperly constituted. The court also dismissed the substantive claims for lack of sufficient proof. The dispute arose from the alleged publication of the actor's voter registration information on social media. Ike contended that the publication violated his constitutional right to privacy and the protection of his personal data. He relied on Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and relevan...

By Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq. | Legal Diary News The Nigerian Bar Association's proposal for the restructuring of the National Judicial Council (NJC) has returned to public attention, renewing discussions concerning judicial independence, accountability and transparency in Nigeria's justice system. The proposal, originally advanced in April 2024, seeks significant changes to the composition and leadership structure of the NJC, the constitutional body responsible for important aspects of judicial appointments and discipline. Central to the proposal is the recommendation that the Chief Justice of Nigeria should no longer automatically serve as Chairman of the Council. The NBA had expressed concerns that the existing composition of the NJC could undermine public confidence in the impartial investigation and discipline of judicial officers. Under the proposed arrangement, the Council would comprise judicial officers, representatives of the legal profession and no...

By Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq. | Legal Diary News A United States District Court for the District of Columbia has rejected an application seeking permission to obtain information from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and DCI Group in ongoing litigation concerning access to federal investigative records. In a ruling delivered on 30 October 2026, Justice Beryl A. Howell dismissed the application filed by American researcher Aaron Greenspan, holding that the proposed discovery was not sufficiently relevant to the issues before the court. The proceedings arose from requests submitted under the United States Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), seeking access to records connected with federal investigations conducted in the early 1990s. During the litigation, Greenspan sought permission to obtain information concerning alleged cyberattacks on his website and matters involving DCI Group. However, the court held that the proposed discovery would not materially assist in de...

By Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq. | Legal Diary News A United States District Court for the District of Columbia has rejected an application seeking permission to obtain information from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and DCI Group in ongoing litigation concerning access to federal investigative records. In a ruling delivered on 30 October 2026, Justice Beryl A. Howell dismissed the application filed by American researcher Aaron Greenspan, holding that the proposed discovery was not sufficiently relevant to the issues before the court. The proceedings arose from requests submitted under the United States Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), seeking access to records connected with federal investigations conducted in the early 1990s. During the litigation, Greenspan sought permission to obtain information concerning alleged cyberattacks on his website and matters involving DCI Group. However, the court held that the proposed discovery would not materially assist in de...