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Again, NJC overrules Gov Uzodinma over Imo Chief Judge, fires 10 judges

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The National Judicial Council (NJC) has again overruled the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma on the appointment of Chief Judge for the State’s Judiciary, directing him to immediately inaugurate the most senior Judge in the state into the office.

The Council insisted that the Governor must act in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to resolve the judicial logjam he created on the appointment rather than using his own whims and caprices .that are contrary to the laws of the country.

NJC in its latest action, sanctioned Justice T. N. Nzeukwu for making himself available to Uzodinma to be unlawfully inaugurated as Imo Chief Judge despite knowing he was fourth and not first in the hierarchy of Judges of the Imo State Judiciary.

The unlawful conduct of Justice Nzeukwu was said to be contrary to Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and is therefore to be compulsorily retired from service as punishment.

The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Justice V. U. Okorie who chaired the Commission that nominated Justice Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge was however absolved, having dissented on record against the recommendation to appoint Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge.

NJC and Uzodinma have been on warpath in the last one year over which side has the Constitutional rights to nominate and appoint a Chief Judge for Imo state.

While Uzodinma assumed the right in utter breach of the Constitutional provisions, NJC is insisting on the Constitution donated power to make recommendations to the Governor for the appointment to be lawful.

Meanwhile, 10 Judges on the bench of the State’s High Court of Justice have been recommended for compulsory retirement from duties for falsification of their own ages to confer undue advantages on themselves.

While nine of the Judges were found to have altered their dates of birth in their official records in order to confer on themselves the undue advantage of staying longer in service, the other Judicial Officer, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu ran foul of the law for presenting himself to be unlawfully inaugurated as Chief Judge.

The nine Judges found to have falsified their records comprised of five High Court Judges and four Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State.

The five High Court Judges are Justices M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi while the four from the Customary Court of Appeal are Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya and Rosemond Ibe.

NJC, however, dismissed, for want of merit, similar allegations against three Judges of the State High Court whose dates of birth were found to bear no discrepancy.

The three Judges whose dates of birth were found to bear no discrepancy are Justices I. O. Agugua, C. A. Ononeze-Madu and L. C. Azuama.

Six other High Court Judges of the State, whose dates of birth either had discrepancies but with acceptable explanations or with discrepancies arising from genuine correction of their dates of birth to their disadvantage, were also exonerated.

Two of them were given a clean bill of health owing to provision of acceptable explanation for discrepancies in their dates of birth and they are Hon Justices Vincent I. Onyeka and Vivian O. B. Ekezie.

However, NJC directed that Justices Onyeka and Ekezie must maintain the date of birth supplied by the Council of Legal Education in their official records.

Four other Judges absolved on account that they genuinely corrected their dates of birth to their disadvantage are Justice P. U. Nnodum, Alma Ngozi Eluwa, Matthew Chinedu Ijezie and Ononogbo Chidi Linus.

The decisions of the NJC were contained in a public statement by its Deputy Director of Information, Mrs Kemi Babalola Ogedegbe.

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Deploy Benin coup response against terrorists at home – Adeyanju urges Tinubu

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Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju has urged President Bola Tinubu to use the same might the Nigerian Armed Forces displayed against those behind the failed attempted coup in Benin Republic to crush terrorists operating in Nigeria.

Adeyanju said the intervention of the Nigerian Armed Forces should be a clear signal to those undermining democracy within the Sahel that their days are numbered.

He made the call while commending Tinubu for his intervention in halting the attempted coup in Benin Republic.

In a terse statement he signed, Adeyanju said Nigerians should be proud of Tinubu’s intervention.

He said: “I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces for their decisive intervention that helped halt the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin.

“This is truly a proud moment for me as a Nigerian who loves democracy and understands the dangers of military rule.

“Let this stand as a clear signal to all who seek to undermine democracy in the Sahel that their days are numbered.

“The same might displayed in Benin should be applied with even greater resolve to crush the terrorist groups operating within our borders, so that Nigeria can truly lead by example.”

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2025 POLICE PPROs’ CONFERENCE OPENS IN ABUJA AS IGP EGBETOKUN SETS NEW COMMUNICATION AGENDA …URGES POLICE SPOKESPERSONS TO LEAD THE FIGHT AGAINST MISINFORMATION….

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
8- DEC- 2025

The Nigeria Police Force took a major step toward redefining its communication framework on Monday, December 8, 2025, as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, formally inaugurated the 2025 Annual Conference of Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) in Abuja. The event, held at the Police Resource Centre, brought together senior communication officers, security experts, and institutional partners for a comprehensive review of the Force’s public engagement strategies.

At the opening ceremony, the Inspector-General underscored the growing importance of credible communication in contemporary policing. He noted that the annual conference had evolved into a national platform for refining the Police’s image, strengthening community relations, and establishing a unified voice on matters of public interest. He stressed that public trust, now more than ever, is directly linked to the consistency and accuracy of information disseminated by Police spokespersons.

During his keynote remarks, the IGP drew attention to the escalating threats posed by misinformation and disinformation in Nigeria’s digital and physical communication spaces. He observed that distorted narratives and perception-driven crises have increasingly influenced public attitudes toward security institutions. As a result, he identified information management as a critical operational priority and urged PPROs to adopt a more strategic posture in countering falsehoods swiftly and effectively.

According to the IGP, Police spokespersons must be intentional and proactive in shaping public narratives. He called on them to embrace professionalism, factual accuracy, and speed in their communication duties, emphasising that “falsehood flourishes where truth is delayed.” In his address, he encouraged the intelligent use of social media as a mechanism for transparency, engagement, and real-time feedback, warning that information vacuums often become havens for distortion and speculation.

The Inspector-General also expressed confidence in the capacity-building sessions lined up for the conference, noting that the modules would broaden the communicative expertise of participants and enhance the overall public image of the Nigeria Police Force. He challenged the officers in attendance to recommit themselves to the values of integrity, diligence, and excellence, pointing out that the future of policing is significantly influenced by the quality of communication between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

The opening of the conference attracted a distinguished array of guests from the public relations community, academia, development institutions, and the policing sector. Among those in attendance were the President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr (represented by Council Member and former Adamawa State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ahmed Sajoh, fnipr); the Director-General of the National Institute of Police Studies, Prof. Olu Ogunsakin; and the National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, represented by Ambassador Wada Sadiq.

Also present were the Deputy National Vice Chairman (North) of the PCRC and veteran Force spokesperson, AIG Tunji Alapini (Rtd), NPM, mni; the Provost of the Police Public Relations School, Abuja, CP (Dr.) Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtd); as well as representatives from international and development partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Alert, GS-Foundation, the German Embassy, Moniepoint, and the CLEEN Foundation.

The conference is expected to continue with a series of technical sessions designed to refine crisis communication, enhance digital engagement, and equip Police spokespersons with the tools needed to effectively manage emerging information challenges.

 

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GOC 82 DIVISION UNVEILS NEW OFFICERS’ ACCOMMODATION AND COMMANDER’S CHALET IN ABAKPA CANTONMENT

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
8- DEC- 2025

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Fadairo, has commissioned two newly completed projects at Abakpa Cantonment in Enugu. The facilities include an Officers’ Transit Accommodation and a Commander’s Guest Chalet for the 44 Engineer Brigade.

Both projects were initiated, funded, and constructed under the leadership of the immediate past Commander of the 44 Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General O.C. Onovwiona, who now serves as the Director, Leadership Development Institute at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre. The initiative was undertaken to uplift the living and working environment of officers within the brigade.

During the commissioning ceremony, Major General Fadairo praised Brigadier General Onovwiona’s vision, dedication, and commitment to improving troop welfare. He urged officers who will benefit from the facilities to take responsibility for their maintenance so the structures can remain functional and beneficial in the long term. The GOC further encouraged other commanders across formations to emulate such gestures that directly impact personnel wellbeing.

Earlier in his remarks, Brigadier General Onovwiona explained that the project was inspired by the welfare-focused command philosophy of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.A. Lagbaja, and aligns with two key pillars of the current Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, which emphasize robust administration and exemplary leadership. He expressed satisfaction that the facilities would contribute to improving morale and operational readiness within the brigade. He also conveyed his appreciation to the GOC for honouring the invitation to commission the projects.

In his welcome address, the current Commander of the 44 Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General O.D. Bello, highlighted that the projects were thoughtfully executed to support the welfare and efficiency of troops. He commended the GOC for making time to attend the event despite his demanding responsibilities.

The ceremony featured the formal commissioning and unveiling of the facilities, a guided tour of the buildings, symbolic presentation of keys to beneficiaries, and a group photograph to commemorate the event.

 

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