legal diary News

Ruling highlights the importance of admissible evidence and strict compliance with criminal justice procedures. Reported by Michael Ochili 24 October 2026 | Legal Diary News The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has reportedly rejected seven extrajudicial statements tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing ₦33.2 billion arms procurement fraud trial involving former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd.). The ruling represents a significant development in the proceedings, drawing attention to the legal requirements governing the admissibility of evidence in criminal trials. The prosecution had sought to rely on the statements as part of its evidence in support of the allegations concerning the alleged diversion of public funds earmarked for arms procurement. However, the court declined to admit the seven statements, underscoring the importance of compliance with applicable evidential...

Court reinforces limits of interim freezing orders and the importance of due process in financial crime investigations. Reported by Michael Ochili 24 October 2026 | Legal Diary News The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has dismissed an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking permission to challenge its earlier judgment concerning the freezing of 124 bank accounts linked to businesswoman Aisha Achimugu and associated companies. The appellate court, in its ruling delivered on Thursday, 22 October 2026, held that the anti-graft agency failed to establish sufficient grounds to justify granting leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. The decision leaves undisturbed the court's judgment of 22 July 2026, which discharged an interim freezing order previously obtained by the EFCC against the affected bank accounts. BACKGROUND OF THE DISPUTE The legal controversy originated from an ex parte order granted by the...

Legal Diary News | 23 October 2026 The Supreme Court of Nigeria has recorded an increase in judicial activities during the 2025/2026 Legal Year, delivering 411 judgments and handling 2,456 cases , amid growing concerns over the rising volume of litigation, judicial workload and the need for sustained reforms in the administration of justice. The figures represent an improvement over the preceding 2024/2025 Legal Year, during which the apex court reportedly handled 2,280 matters and delivered 369 judgments and rulings. The development reflects the increasing responsibilities placed on Nigeria's highest judicial institution in resolving constitutional questions, civil and criminal appeals, electoral disputes and other matters of significant national importance. INCREASED JUDICIAL PRODUCTIVITY A comparison of the figures indicates that the Supreme Court recorded an increase of 176 matters, representing approximately 7.7 per cent growth in its reported caseload. Simi...

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...