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International IDEA, other development partners to hold National Justice Summit

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International IDEA, other development partners to hold National Justice Summit

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International DEA) and other development partners, convened a National Justice Summit to foster dialogue and reimagine justice delivery in Nigeria.

The justice system in Nigeria has continued to play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding citizens’ rights. Nigeria has made commendable progress to strengthen access to justice, but challenges that include trial delays, and prison congestion persist, with several, especially women, children and persons with disability not enjoying effective access to justice.

To address these issues and drive comprehensive reform was the reason for the convocation of the National Justice Summit, which is a gathering of key stakeholders in Nigeria’s justice system. The first summit held in 2017 and resulted in the adoption of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Justice (NPJ), a well thought out response to myriad problems that bedeviled Nigeria’s justice sector.

The NPJ 2017 offered a comprehensive framework for achieving equitable, fair and efficient administration of Justice. Its aim was to enhance access to justice for all, promote transparency, strengthen legal protections and ensure timely delivery of justice.

Five years later, the NPJ is now undergoing revision. Under the banner of the National Justice Summit 2024, Chief Judges, Attorneys-General, Solicitors-General from Nigeria’s 36 states will convene under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, to adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024. The Summit, which will hold on April 24-25, 2024, will be declared open by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will have the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and members of the legal fraternity among others in attendance.

RoLAC II’s contributions to the National Policy on Justice aim to improve the legal framework for criminal justice delivery in Nigeria, move state interventions in the criminal justice sector towards resolving perennial trial delays and prison congestion in a sustainable manner, and access to justice for women, children, and persons with disabilities. Once adopted, the National Policy on Justice will be the roadmap that guides government, civil society and donor interventions for justice delivery in Nigeria.

International IDEA is the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, which is funded by the European Union. The RoLAC II Programme aims to contribute to the consolidation of rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria. With a focus on enhancing the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery, the Programme promotes transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the Nigerian justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the EU – Federal Republic of Nigeria Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022-2027. It aims to further consolidate the justice sector and anti-corruption reforms, reduce gender-based violence, and promote respect for human rights.

International IDEA, other development partners to hold National Justice Summit

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Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state

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Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation MESA have arrested 58 suspected illegal miners at an illegal gold mining site in Ososo general area, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

A security source disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on March 28 during a fighting patrol conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Rear).

According to the source, the troops stormed the mining site and arrested the suspects without resistance.

“The suspects are currently in troops’ custody for further action,” the source said.

He noted that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities and other criminal enterprises within Edo State and its environs.

Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state

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Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno

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Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with operatives of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC), have arrested two suspected logistics suppliers to Boko Haram terrorists in Gubio town, Borno State.

A military source disclosed that the suspects, identified as Mal Bunu Gojemi and Zanna Alhaji Mallam, were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday during a joint logistics strangulation operation conducted by troops in the area.

According to the source, the suspects confessed during preliminary interrogation to being long-time suppliers of logistics to the Boko Haram.

Items recovered from them include three mobile phones, a traditional cap, and the sum of N40,000.

“The suspects have since been handed over to operatives of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre for further investigation,” the source said.

He added that the operation was carried out without any incident.

The Nigerian Army and other security agencies have continued to intensify operations aimed at cutting off logistics supply chains to insurgents as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.

Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno

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NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide

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NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide

By: Zagazola Makama

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in imported dry stockfish heads and arrested a key member of an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across several countries, including India.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Babafemi said the seizure followed credible intelligence on trans-border criminal activities, which led to a coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command at Ojo area of Lagos on March 19.

He said the operatives recovered 237 wraps of cocaine, weighing 5.80 kilograms, concealed inside stockfish heads locally known as “okporoko,” in three jumbo bags allegedly in possession of a 36-year-old suspect identified as Akputa Dickson Ejike.

According to him, the consignment was destined for Delhi, India.

Babafemi further stated that in a separate operation on March 25, NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos intercepted two illicit consignments heading to the United Kingdom.

He said one of the consignments contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while the second contained 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.

The NDLEA spokesperson added that operatives of the agency also arrested a suspected female drug baron, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, 46, popularly known as “Iya Ghana,” during a raid at her residence in Yaba, Lagos, where 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, weighing 76.30 kilograms, were recovered.

He said another suspect, Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, 39, was arrested in Surulere, Lagos, with 78 blocks of the same substance weighing 41 kilograms.

Babafemi disclosed that in Ekiti State, an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, was arrested during a special raid at Erinmo road, Efon-Alaaye, with 2.2 kilograms of skunk and methamphetamine, while another suspect was arrested in Ondo State with 894.72 kilograms of skunk recovered from an uncompleted building.

He said further operations in Benue, Edo and Taraba States led to multiple seizures, including skunk, codeine-based syrup, and cannabis concealed in animal feed, with several suspects arrested.

Babafemi added that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign also continued nationwide with sensitisation lectures in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano and Lagos States.

He commended NDLEA officers across the affected commands for the successful operations, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to balancing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction efforts.

NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide

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