legal diary News

By Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq. | Legal Diary News The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), through its Committee on Legal Practice, has announced plans to host a professional development webinar aimed at strengthening lawyers' knowledge and practical skills in election petition litigation. The webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (WAT) , will focus on the theme: “Election Petitions: From Filing to Judgment — Mastering Procedure, Pleadings, Evidence and Advocacy.” The programme is designed to provide legal practitioners with practical insights into the complexities of election petition proceedings, particularly the procedural requirements, preparation of pleadings, presentation of evidence and effective courtroom advocacy. Election petition litigation remains a specialised area of Nigerian jurisprudence, characterised by strict statutory timelines, technical procedural requirements and the need for meticulous preparat...

Government intensifies prosecution of terrorism-related offences as concerns over fair hearing, legal representation and criminal justice reforms persist. Reported by Michael Ochili 24 October 2026 | Legal Diary News The Federal Government of Nigeria has reportedly secured 653 convictions during the eleventh phase of its mass terrorism trials , marking another development in the country's efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism and threats to national security. The trials form part of the Federal Government's ongoing initiative to prosecute individuals accused of involvement in terrorism-related activities, particularly those linked to insurgency and other violent extremist operations across the country. The development reflects continuing efforts by the government, through the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant security agencies, to strengthen accountability and ensure that persons implicated in terrorism-related offences are brought before the ...

Court declares premature termination of appointment unlawful, reinforces due process and institutional accountability within ECOWAS. Reported by Michael Ochili 24 October 2026 | Legal Diary News The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has awarded $50,000 in general damages to Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, a former Commissioner for Internal Services of the ECOWAS Commission, after declaring his removal and replacement before the expiration of his tenure unlawful. The Court also ordered the payment of his outstanding salaries, allowances and other accrued financial entitlements from the date of his unlawful removal until the expiration of his tenure, less any amounts already received. The judgment, delivered on 7 October 2026, followed a legal challenge instituted by Darma against the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Council of Ministers over the circumstances surrounding his removal from office. BACKGROUN...

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...