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Nigerian Bar Association criticizes Oyo State government over judiciary funding and non-functional courts
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Ibadan branch, has expressed strong disapproval regarding the insufficient funding of the judiciary and the non-operation of Rent Tribunals and Customary Courts in Oyo State. Mr. Ibrahim Lawal, Chairman of the NBA Ibadan branch, highlighted these concerns during a courtesy visit from the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council. Lawal described the state of the judiciary as "unimpressive," noting that the NBA executives have repeatedly urged Governor Seyi Makinde to address these issues, particularly concerning the lower courts. He pointed out that the governor has not inaugurated the Presidents of the Grace C Customary Courts in seven years, courts which are crucial for delivering justice at the grassroots level. The Customary Courts and Rent Tribunal Courts have not been functional since the administration of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Lawal also raised concerns about the lack of official vehicles for some Magistrates, the poor condition of many courts, and the recent disconnection of electricity to the Customary Court of Appeal due to unpaid bills. He further stated that the State Ministry of Justice is also facing difficulties, with staff sometimes relying on private individuals for basic support. Lawal emphasized that while Governor Makinde may have performed well in other sectors, judicial reform has not been a priority. He also mentioned delays in the appointment of judges due to a lack of basic
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
A woman in Edo State's Ovia North-East Local Government Area has been apprehended by community members after she reportedly threw her five-year-old child into a river. This action allegedly followed instructions from a self-acclaimed seer in Benin City. Videos of the incident, shared by X user ChuksEricE, have caused widespread outrage. The woman reportedly stated that she had not conceived another child since the birth of the five-year-old, who also could not walk since birth. She claimed a seer told her the child was a python in human form and was responsible for her inability to have more children, advising her to "get rid of the child" to either have more children or avoid giving birth to others with the same condition. Public reaction has been strong, with many condemning the act and questioning the influence of spiritualists. The Edo State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement, and authorities are still verifying the full circumstances and the child's condition and whereabouts.
Must ReadThe Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s export-led growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA by unveiling a $1 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility. This facility aims to boost production, competitiveness, and intra-African trade for Nigerian businesses. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, announced this during the second quarter 2026 meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee in Abuja. The financing is intended to help businesses expand operations, modernize production processes, and increase exports to African markets. Oduwole acknowledged that Nigerian businesses still face challenges such as export documentation, certification, standards compliance, and market access, and stated that the government is addressing these through enhanced trade facilitation measures and collaboration with institutions like the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. She also emphasized the need to domesticate key AfCFTA protocols, including the Digital Trade Protocol. The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs Patience Okala, noted that the $1 billion facility is targeted at large African businesses with a minimum financing capacity of $10 million, and her office is working with fund managers to facilitate access for eligible Nigerian companies. The AfCFTA, which began trading in January 2021, is the world’
The Senate Committee on South East Development Commission has ordered Mark Okoye, the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission, to account for the alleged mismanagement of ₦16.6bn appropriated in the 2025 budget. During an investigative hearing, the committee, chaired by Senator Orji Kalu, raised objections to items in the commission’s financial report, including ₦153m for a liaison office rent and ₦2.5bn categorised as “implied expenditure.” Senator Kalu stated that preliminary findings from the Central Bank of Nigeria indicated only ₦13bn remained from the ₦16.6bn disbursed, suggesting ₦3.6bn was spent without clear justification. Other committee members, including Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, and Austin Akobundu, also expressed dissatisfaction. Okoye defended the expenditure, asserting that funds were used judiciously for priority projects and procurement. However, the committee rejected his explanation as insufficient and directed the SEDC to submit comprehensive documentation, including contract details and payment schedules, by the 23rd of this month for further review.