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NJC Recommends Retirement Of Two Judges, Dismisses Petitions Against 18 Others
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the compulsory retirement of the Grand Kadi, Shu’aibu A. Talba, the Grand Kadi of Yobe State and Justice Abdulkareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq of the Osun State High Court with immediate effect.
The NJC has, in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the Constitution, suspended both judicial officers from office pending the approval of the recommendation of their compulsory retirements by their respective governors.
The council took the decion at its 93rd virtual meeting held on December 16, 2020, during which it rejected 18 petitions against 14 judges and equally recommended the appointment of 69 more.
The spokesman of the NJC, Soji Oye, who made these public in a statement on Sunday, said the meeting also recommended the the promotion of 70 of the council.
Talba, according to the statement, “was recommended for compulsory retirement following an investigation into a petition against him written by one Malam Zakar Adamu, Chairman, Movement for Justice in Nigeria, alleging that His Lordship falsified his age on two occasions, i.e. from 1st February, 1955 to 27th August, 1955 and later to 30th December, 1959.
“Findings revealed that he was supposed to have retired on 1st February, 2020 by virtue of his declared date of birth of 1st February 1955.
“Council, after deliberation, decided to recommend His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.
“Furthermore, Council requested the Government of Yobe State to deduct all salaries received by His Lordship from 1st February, 2020 till date, from his gratuity, and remit same to the National Judicial Council that pays salaries of all Judicial Officers in the Federation.”
The NJC recommended Abdulrasaq’s compulsory retired after considering a petition written against him by Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN) and found merit in his allegation Justice Abdulrasaq “falsified his date of birth from 3rd September, 1955 to 3rd September, 1957.
“Council, therefore, recommended His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State with effect from 3rd September, 2020. It also requested the Osun State Government to deduct from His Lordship gratuity, salaries received by him from 3rd September, 2020, and remit same to the National Judicial Council.”

Those against whom petitions were dismissed include: Justices Simon A. Amobeda, Taiwo O. Taiwo, Nnamdi Dimgba and R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie (of the Federal High Court); T. O. Uloho and Michael N. Obi (of the Delta State High Court), and G. M. Onyeabo ( of the Lagos State High Court).
Others are: Justices A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra ( Chief Judge, Rivers State), A. U. Kingsley-Chuku and Justice J. N. Ukpugwnum (of the River State High Court), F. B. Andetur (Chief Judge, Taraba State), Comfort C. Ani (Enugu State High Court), M. A. Pindiga (Gombe State High Court) and M. M. Umar (Kebbi State High Court).
“Similarly, Council considered the Report of the Interview Committee and recommended the appointment of 69 Judicial Officers as Heads of Court, Judges of High Court of States, Kadis of States/FCT Sharia Courts of Appeal and Judges of the Customary Courts of Appeal.
“In another development, Council also received and approved the Report of its Committee on Appointments, Promotion and Discipline which recommended the promotion of 70 members of Staff of the National Judicial Council.
“The notifications of retirement of 12 judicial officers and notifications of death of three judges of Federal and State Courts were also received and noted by council.”
December 20, 2020
NIPSS DG, Galadima, is dead
The Director-General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru in Plateau state, Prof. Habu Galadima, is dead.
A member of the Directing Staff of the institute confirmed the Director General’s death to our correspondent in Jos on Sunday.
The staff said, “The news of his death is true. He went to Abuja for a programme only for us to hear on Sunday morning that he has passed on. We don’t know what really happened.”
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A statement signed by NIPSS Secretary/Director of Administration, Brid Gen CFJ Udaya (retd.), also confirmed Galadima’s death.
It said ” On behalf of the Board of Governors, Management and staff of the National Institute, we regret to announce the sudden demise of the Director General/CEO of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies NIPSS, Prof Habu Shuaibu Galadima which occurred this morning 20th December, 2020 after a brief illness.
“He will be buried according to Islamic rites.”
Galadima’s death came barely one year after assuming office as the Director-General of NIPSS in August 2019.
December 20, 2020
How Nigerian doctor shoots self, wife in US
The police in the US are investigating the death of a Nigerian couple believed to have resulted from murder-suicide.
Dr. Ben Okigbo and his wife, Theresa, were found dead in their Sugar Land, Texas home on Friday morning, according to police.
The discovery was said to have been made around 10:05 am at the Greatwood Subdivision in the 1500 block of Brookstone Lane.
“One of the kids dialed 911 (the emergency police number), apparently there was a fight or disturbance going on inside the resident,” Police chief, Eric Robins, said.
The police said that when officers arrived, they found the couple dead inside the home.
“It appears that it could be a potential murder-suicide but it has not been totally ruled,” Chief Robins said.
Police said the couple’s three adult children were also at the scene, with two of them suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
Neighbours were said to have been shocked when they heard the news.
A neighbor, Ace Walker, said he was shocked to see police cars and crime tape in his neighbourhood.
“It’s like right down the street so that’s really wild,” he said.
Steven Nelson, who lives down the street, says the neighbourhood has always been quiet.
Nelson said he had seen the husband before, while walking his dog.
READ ALSO: 80 Abducted Islamiyya Students, Rescued In Katsina
“It’s shocking for all of us because you just don’t expect something like that to happen here; it’s always somewhere else,” he said.
It’s still unclear about what happened and how the couple died.
“My heart goes out to them. That’s really sad,” Walker said.
Chief Robins said it’s a tough situation, especially with Christmas a week away.
“We try to make sure our residents are safe in the City of Sugar Land.
“But when these types of things happen, especially during this time of the year, holiday season with everything else that is going on, we ask people who have crisis in their home to seek out and reach help,” he said.
While the police was yet to identify the couple, a Facebook post by the Rector at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Houston said: Dear friends, the causes for grief in 2020 seem to multiply.
“I am very sad to inform you that Ben and Theresa Okigbo died this morning at their home in Sugarland.
“Their sons Peter and Paul were transported to Memorial Sugarland Hospital, but have since been released.
“Currently, they are with their sister Laura, in the care of their uncle, Ben Okoh.
“This news is absolutely devastating for our Epiphany family, especially for many of our Nigerian members, whose lives and hearts were touched so profoundly by Ben and Theresa.
“We have no good answers, only broken hearts to bring to our Lord Jesus. And there is no better place for our broken hearts to be than in his care.
“I assured Ben and Laura that their Epiphany family is ready to surround them with grace and mercy, and to be of any assistance we can to these three children who will now grapple with the loss of two parents.
“Keep them in your prayers. More information will follow as plans are made.”
December 20, 2020
Troops raid Gana militia gang’s camp, kill 2 in Benue
The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have raided an hideout of some of late Gana’s militia gang members in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue killing two.
READ ALSO: 80 Abducted Islamiyya Students, Rescued In Katsina
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Sunday, said that troops also arrested one of the bandits.
Enenche said the recent operation was in continuation of efforts to forestall banditry and other criminal activities in the North Central zone of the country.
He also disclosed that three locally made rifles, 21 rounds of 7.62mm Special Ammunition as well as other items including a motorcycle were recovered by the troops during the encounter.
“Troops have on Dec. 16, conducted a dawn raid on the criminals’ location at Adangbe Village in Mbacher Council Ward of the Local Government Area.
“The superior firepower of the troops forced the bandits to flee in disarray.
“However, as troops engaged the criminals in a hot pursuit, two of them were neutralised, while another was arrested by the gallant troops.
“The arrested one has been handed over to the Police for further action,” he said.
(NAN)
December 20, 2020
Release of Kankara school children, cheering news -CAN
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna chapter, says the release of Kankara school children abducted by gunmen in Katsina State is cheering news to all.
Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the chapter gave this commendation in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.
Hayab however said that the spirit and tempo that government and the security agencies deployed to get the children back home should be sustained and engaged to get others still in captivity to return home.
READ ALSO: 80 Abducted Islamiyya Students, Rescued In Katsina
He said could imagine the joy, peace, and excitement of the parents and all well-wishers on the heels of the good news heralding the school children’s return.

He noted that to make many more homes, families and communities happy, we appeal to the government to double her effort to rescue many more Nigerians that are in the dens of bandits, criminals and terrorists.
“I appeal the government and security sgencies to sustain the temple so as not to allow the criminals to regroup or re-strategies.
According to him, Some Nigerians have suffered untold tragedy and many are still suffering in the hands of bandits.

Therefore, we pray to see that the evil stops and a new lease of life of peace and harmony take over the country.

He said CAN equally appeal that the same tactics engaged to get the 344 students released should be urgently deployed in getting others out of captivity.
“Some of the Chibok girls are still there, we can’t forget them.
“Our prayer is that Nigerians will celebrate this Christmas and enter the New Year with hope for a secured nation,“he said.
December 20, 2020
COVID-19 Second wave: Kaduna imposes restrictions on churches, mosques, others
The Kaduna State Government has limited the service hour of churches and mosques to one hour in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state.
This was contained in a statement shared by the Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Sunday.
According to the statement, civil servants from Grade 14 and below are to work from home from Monday, December 21.
It read in part, “Further to Covid-19 containment measures announced last week, KDSG has directed civil servants below Grade Level 14 to work from home from Monday, 21st December 2020.
READ ALSO: 80 Abducted Islamiyya Students, Rescued In Katsina
“Places of worship must enforce facemasks, provide sanitisers, and ensure physical distancing. The number of worshippers will be capped. Congregational worship should not exceed one hour.
“Transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50 per cent of capacity.
“KDSG appeals to all residents to see Covid-19 prevention as a personal responsibility.”
December 20, 2020
80 Abducted Islamiyya Students, Rescued In Katsina
A release by the Katsina state police command says that all 80 Islamiyya students, who were abducted from an Islamiyya school in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina on Saturday night, have been rescued by the police.
The students were abducted by unidentified gunmen on their way back from Maulid celebrations at a village called Unguwar Al-Kasim of the same local government area on Saturday.
The statement by the spokesman of the Police command in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah, on Sunday morning said, at about 10pm Saturday, a distress call was received by the Police that some Islamiyya students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya, Mahuta village were abducted.
“Numbering about 80, while on their way back from Maulud occasion celebrated at Unguwan Alkasim village, Dandume to Mahuta village, [they] were accosted by bandits, who had already kidnapped four persons and rustled 12 cows from Danbaure village, Funtua LGA, trying to escape into the forest.
On receipt of the report, “the DPO led Operations Puff Adder, Sharan Daji and Vigilante group to the area and engaged the bandits into a fierce gun duel.
“Subsequently, the teams succeeded in dislodging the bandits and rescued all the 84 kidnapped victims and recovered all the twelve rustled cows,” the statement read in part.
Isah added that search parties were still combing the area with a view of arresting the injured bandits and recovery of their dead bodies as investigation was ongoing.
The abduction of the Islamiyya students took place a day after 344 schoolboys were rescued in same state.
The boys were abducted on Friday 11th December, 2020 after gunmen raided the all-boys Government Science Secondary School in Kankara village.
The boys were later marched into the nearby Rugu forest.
They spent six days in captivity before they were finally released by the bandits after negotiations with the government at the state and federal levels.
December 20, 2020
Gunmen Abducts Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho’s Aide, Demands N25m ransom
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Barely few hours of abduction of a Monarch from Ankpa Local government area in Kogi state, unknown gunmen also abducted Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho’s Aide, Barrister Isaac Emmanuel Ekpa around Ochadamu in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
Barrister Isaac Ekpa who was the Chairman of Olamaboro local government area according to sources was abducted on Friday, around Ochadamu in Ofu Local Government Area of the state while on his way to his country home.
Ekpa was said to be making preparations for his late father’s burial before the sad event took place.
It was gathered that while the kidnappers are demanding for N25 million ransom, the family of the victim was negotiating to pay N1 million for his release.
When contacted, the Kogi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Williams Ayah, confirmed the abduction, saying a patrol team attached to the Ofu area discovered an abandoned car along the road in Ochadamu area.
He said that on close scrutiny, they found an abandoned ID card in the vehicle bearing the name Emmanuel Isaac Ekpa, apparently indicating he was kidnapped by gunmen.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Edeh had directed men of the command to track the culprits and rescue the victim.
December 20, 2020
Six children killed in reprisal attacks in Kaduna state
Six children aged between one and five have been killed in reprisal attacks carried out on some herder settlements in Kauru and Lere local government areas.
A statement released by the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the reprisal attacks were carried out by aggrieved youths following the killing of seven persons on Thursday night in Gora Gan, Zangon Kataf local government.
The security agencies reported that seven herders were killed in a counter killing in Ungwan Idi and Kasheku villages of Kauru local government while two herders were injured at Ningi village of Lere local government.
Aruwan gave the names of the seven herders killed at Ungwan Idi and Kasheku villages in Kauru local government as follows Mustapha Haruna (One year), Ya’u Kada (One year), Sa’idu Abdullahi (One year), Zainab Zakari (One year), Sadiya Abdullahi (Five years), Aisha Abdullahi (One year) and one unidentified woman burnt beyond recognition
He said five persons are still missing and that the troops are searching for them in the general area. He said six huts were burnt in the attack.
According to Aruwan, Aisha Mohammed (20 years) and Sadiya Abdullahi (25 years) who were wounded in the Kauru LGA reprisal attack are receiving medical attention at Ungwan Idi Clinic.
He said at Ningi village of Lere local government area, the two herders who were injured and rushed to General Hospital, Saminaka, in the same local government are Bingel Odi (31 years) and Isa Joda (Seven years).
Furthermore, Aruwan said the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned the renewed counter killings and has sent condolences to the families that lost their loved and wished those recuperating speedy recovery.
”He described the renewed killing and counter killing of innocent citizens of Atyap and Fulani ethnicity as unfortunate. He decried the resort to violence, noting that it is not a solution to grievances and disputes, but a tragic way to escalate matters and drag people into more pains and misery.
The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide relief materials to the affected families with immediate effect.”the statement read
December 20, 2020
Unknown Gunmen kidnap Ex-Kogi LGA Chairman
Gunmen have abducted the former chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Barrister Isaac Ekpa.
He was kidnapped on Friday around Ochadamu in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The former council boss, said to be making preparations for his late father’s burial, it was gathered was abducted on his way to his hometown.
The kidnappers are said to be demanding 25 million ransom, but the family of the victim are negotiating to pay N1 million for his release.
When contacted, the Kogi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Williams Ayah, confirmed the incident, saying a patrol team attached to the Ofu area discovered an abandoned car along the road in the Ochadamu area.
He said that on close scrutiny, they found an abandoned ID card in the vehicle bearing the name Emmanuel Isaac Ekpa, indicating he may have been kidnapped.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Edeh had directed men of the command to track the culprits and rescue the victim.
December 20, 2020