President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice Pays Courtesy Visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State

By: Michael Mike

As part of the preparation for its upcoming External Court Sessions and sensitization campaign scheduled to take place respectively from 5 to 7 May and from 8 to 16 May 2025 in Lagos, the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, led an advance delegation of the Court to Lagos from 28 April to 4 May 2025.
 
On 30 April 2025, the President paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State at the Lagos High Court’s premises, during which both judicial leaders engaged in a rich and forward-looking discussion on legal collaboration, institutional challenges, and the role of regional justice mechanisms in West Africa.
 
Welcoming the delegation, Honorable Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, the Chief Judge of Lagos State expressed deep appreciation for the visit, describing it as an honour to host such a distinguished judicial institution. He commended the ECOWAS Court for its high standards of jurisprudence and its commitment to justice in the sub-region. Acknowledging the Court’s achievements, he emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and exchange between national and regional judicial bodies.
 
The Chief Judge provided an overview of the Lagos State Judiciary’s structure and recent developments, including its expansion across five judicial divisions (Lagos Island, Ikeja, Epe, Badagry, and Ikorodu) and newer courts in high-density areas like Iba and Yaba. He also outlined plans to establish more courts along underserved areas such as the Apapa–Badagry corridor, with support from local authorities and the judiciary’s leadership.
 
While highlighting that the judiciary in Lagos enjoys a fair degree of government support, the Chief Judge noted infrastructural constraints, particularly the adaptation of their current facility following the destruction of the previous High Court during the #EndSARS protests.
 
On the issue of enforcement of regional court decisions, the Chief Judge echoed a familiar challenge: the difficulty of enforcing judgments in sovereign states with diverse political climates. He noted, however, that international charters must be respected once ratified, and that the existence of judicial bodies like the ECOWAS Court play a vital role in ensuring legal accountability and curbing impunity, even when direct enforcement mechanisms are limited.
 
In his response, President Ricardo who was accompanied by his Vice president, Honorable justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma  and Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, the Chief Registrar of the Court expressed gratitude to the Chief Judge and his colleagues for the warm welcome and institutional support. He emphasized that the visit and upcoming court activities in Lagos would not have been possible without their cooperation. He took the opportunity to extend a formal invitation to the Chief Judge to attend the opening ceremony of the ECOWAS Court’s next judicial year, expected to take place in October or November 2025.
 
President Ricardo acknowledged the withdrawal of three member states from ECOWAS, which has reduced the number of participating states in the Court from 15 to 12. He described the development as regrettable but affirmed the Court’s continued commitment to its mandate.
 
He also outlined the ECOWAS Court’s core jurisdictions, which include: human rights protection (representing over 80% of its caseload), interpretation and application of ECOWAS legal instruments, disputes involving community civil servants, and advisory legal opinions to ECOWAS institutions.
 
Finally, the President highlighted the upcoming sensitization campaign, to be held from 5 to 7 May 2025 in Lagos, aimed at increasing public awareness about the Court’s role and improving access to regional justice.

President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice Pays Courtesy Visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State

NIMC Announces Price Review for Services

By: Michael Mike

National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced a price review for its products and services.

Some of the services offered by the Commission include: modification like date of birth, name , address , phone number , Diaspora Enrolment, and verification service, among others

A statement on Thursday by the Commission’s Head, Corporate Communications Unit, Dr. Kayode Adegoke read: “The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) wishes to inform the general public of a price review for its products and services. After a decade of maintaining the same pricing structure, NIMC has conducted a comprehensive review to ensure alignment with current operational costs and industry standards.

“The revised pricing structure aims to maintain the quality and integrity of NIMC’s services while ensuring affordability and accessibility for Nigerians. The new prices will take effect immediately.

“NIMC warns all Front-End Partners (FEPs) to adhere strictly to the new pricing structure. Any FEP found charging more than the approved rates will face sanctions, including license revocation.”

Adegoke assured that: “NIMC is committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians and ensuring that our services are delivered at fair and transparent prices.”

He disclosed that: “The new pricing structure will be published on NIMC’s website -www.nimc.gov.ng (where it will be accessible to all Nigerians and relevant stakeholders.

NIMC reaffirmed its commitment to providing secure and reliable identity services to Nigerians, encouraging
the public to report any FEP charging above the approved rates to its inspectorate and enforcement unit via ieu@nimc.gov.ng or call 08155015388.

Meanwhile, the NIMC DG/CEO, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote has thanked Nigerians, sister agencies and all the Commission partners for their steadfast support, while expressing her deep appreciation to President Tinubu, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Harmonization partners, Management and staff of NIMC for their immeasurable support towards building a strong and lasting National Identity System.

NIMC Announces Price Review for Services

Workers Day: CHRICED Calls for Payment of Living Wage
… Nigerian Workers Facing Unprecedented Hardship, Decries NHRC

By: Michael Mike

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for payment of living wage to Nigerian workers.

In a signed statement to commemorate the Workers Day, the Executive Director of CHRICED, Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi,said: “On this Workers’ Day, we call on the Federal and State Governments to recognize workers as essential partners in national development. It is not enough to simply pay the minimum wage; governments must ensure that workers receive a living wage—a wage aligned with the real cost of living and adjusted regularly to reflect inflation and other macroeconomic conditions. Doing so will not only uplift the lives of workers but also boost national productivity and stability.

“We further urge the implementation of comprehensive social programmes that address workers’ needs in housing, healthcare, and agriculture.”

While saluting the resilience, perseverance, and unwavering commitment of Nigeria’s workforce, especially amid the harsh economic conditions that have worsened under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, Zikirullahi said: “CHRICED acknowledges the growing financial burden on workers, many of whom now take on multiple jobs just to survive. Inflation has surged from 21% at the start of this administration to 24.23%, yet the Federal Government has failed to match this economic reality with meaningful improvements in workers’ welfare. It is unacceptable that the national minimum wage remains a paltry N70,000, despite increased government revenues from crude oil sales, expanded taxation, and savings from fuel subsidy removal. These revenue increases have also boosted state allocations through the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), leaving no excuse for states and the federal government to continue neglecting workers.

“We are particularly alarmed by reports such as the recent protest by workers in Oyo State, highlighting the Federal Government’s failure to pay wage awards for over five months. Additionally, despite the passage of the new minimum wage law on July 29, 2024, more than 20 states have yet to revise their salary structures in line with the law. This delay reflects a disturbing level of disregard for the well-being and dignity of Nigerian workers.”

He lamented that: “It is deeply troubling that while billions of naira are earmarked for allowances and perks for political elites across the executive, legislative, and judicial arms, civil servants receive little to no support—even during important festivities like Christmas or Eid. Under the “Renewed Hope” agenda, CHRICED is concerned that the current administration has failed to offer Nigerian workers any meaningful hope or pathway to improved livelihoods.”

CHRICED called on all tiers of government to act with urgency, empathy, and accountability in addressing these pressing issues, insisting that: “The welfare of Nigerian workers must be elevated from rhetoric to reality.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu has decried that
Nigerian workers are facing unprecedented hardships due to high inflation rate which has significantly eroded the purchasing power of salaries, making it increasingly difficult for workers to afford basic necessities of life.

Ojukwu, in his statement on Workers Day, noted that the soaring cost of transportation has further compounded these challenges, often hindering workers’ ability to commute to their workplaces, thereby affecting overall productivity.

According to him, the Commission notes with great concern the harsh economic realities occasioned by the recent economic reforms. He said these have exacerbated poverty, rendering individuals vulnerable to preventive illnesses and deaths due to inadequate access to nutrition, and healthcare.

He said: “While we commend the Federal Government for some of the initiatives so far taken to alleviate the economic hardship, we call for economic reforms that prioritize human dignity, social justice and the well-being of citizens. Nigerians deserves policies that ensure decent work, fair wages and access to essential services, which will enable them to live with dignity and hope for a better future.”

He said that the Commission has observed reports indicating that law enforcement agencies have at some times suppressed peaceful protests, organized by citizens and workers who attempt to draw attention to their grievances. Such actions he said not only contravene the constitutional right to peaceful assembly but also stifle the democratic expression of concerns which is vital for national development.

He urged the Federal Government to use the Workers Day to engage more in constructive dialogue, as promised during the End Bad Governance protests, one that fosters open communication channels with labour unions and workers’ representatives to collaboratively address their concerns.

He also emphasised the need to ensure that law enforcement agencies respect and uphold citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in all aspects of their lives including economic concerns.

The NHRC boss further urged labour unions to adopt more proactive measures in advocating for workers’ rights as they serve as robust platforms for voicing workers’ concerns and negotiating better conditions on their behalf.

He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of Nigerian workers and ensuring that their voices are heard, respected, and acted upon, adding that the International Labour Day serves as a strong reminder of the invaluable contribution of the Nigerian Workers to National Development.

Workers Day: CHRICED Calls for Payment of Living Wage