The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Security Agencies Relations Committee has described the late Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan (GCFR) as a “formidable elder statesman,” adding that he was a “man of great honour and zeal who during his short lived tenure as the Interim Head of State recorded great strides and made remarkable...
UN ASKS RIGHTS COMMISSION TO PROBE 27,858 TORTURE CASES
The United Nations Committee against Torture has urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate 27,858 complaints of torture in Nigeria. Noting that the commission “has mandate to visit places of deprivation of liberty, receive complaints, conduct investigations and award compensation and request enforcement of its decisions,” the UN Committee commended the commission for its “active involvement in advisory,...
‘MAKE TORTURE C’TE INDEPENDENT,’ UN URGES FG
The Committee against Torture (CAT), a United Nations entity, has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the National Committee against Torture (NCAT) is given legal teeth and becomes an independent body. While noting Nigeria’s ratification in 2009 of the Optional Protocol to the Torture Convention and its mandate to NCAT to visit places of detention and investigate any complaints...
NBA KADUNA UNVEILS PAYMENT PORTAL FOR DUES
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kaduna Branch has joined the league of digital branches with the introduction of online payment system for its Branch and Welfare Dues. Following in the footsteps of the national body, the branch has deployed the Paystack payment portal for payment of its dues. In a press release signed by the Branch Financial Secretary, Diane Odey,...
MAGODO: ‘SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT MERELY DECLARATORY,’ SAYS OKUTEPA
Fiery senior lawyer and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lead Prosecutor, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN has queried the manner of execution of the Supreme Court judgment in the Magodo Shangisha GRA Scheme II, Lagos lawsuit. Arguing that the judgment was merely declaratory, the senior lawyer said that while judgments of the Supreme Courts are to be given effect by all,...
#ENDSARS: ‘WE’RE CONCERNED ABOUT SARS, MILITARIZATION OF POLICING,’ – UN C’TE
The United Nations Committee against Torture (UN-CAT) is worried by “militarization of policing activities” by Nigeria through joint operations, saying this was reported during the #ENDSARS protest at Lekki on October 20, 2020 and the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee also stated that it is “deeply concerned at allegations of gross-misconduct by the...
BPF: NBA REVERSES SELF, CANCELS TRANSACTION CHARGES
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has cancelled the transaction charges payable by lawyers for the annual Bar Practising Fee (BPF). A statement personally signed by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, noted that “the leadership of the NBA has resolved that the Association will, as was the case with AGC 2021, bear the transaction charges associated with the payment of 2022...
‘MY FATHER LIVED A FULFILLED LIFE,’ SAYS UBANI
Former Nigerian Bar Association 1st Vice President and Chairman of NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law, (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Monday Ubani has said that his deceased father “lived a fulfilled life.” In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the fiery human rights activist said that his father died last Monday, adding that “he will be greatly missed by...
‘ACJA IMPLEMENTATION GAPS HAMPER SAFEGUARDS,’ SAYS UN TORTURE C’TE
The Committee against Torture (CAT), a United Nations entity, has poked holes in the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, saying there are “numerous shortcomings” in the implementation of the fundamental safeguards secured by the Act. In its latest report on torture in Nigeria, the Committee commended the enactment of the legislation, but decried poor implementation which has...
‘NIGERIA HAS TAKEN STEPS TO ENFORCE TORTURE CONVENTION,’ SAYS UN-CAT
The Committee against Torture, a United Nations entity, has commended Nigeria for its “accession to or ratification of” some international instruments since Nigeria’s accession to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In its latest report on torture, the Committee enumerated some “positive aspects” relating to Nigeria, noting that it “welcomes the accession to...