Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, against N941, 994, 079 for reasons of forfeiture of the money to the federal government.

The angry Judge threw away the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/156/2026 in FRN Vs N941, 994, 079 on ground of being grossly incompetent and non justiceable.

ICPC had through its counsel, Mr Hamza Sani sought to move an ex-parte application praying for forfeiture of the huge sum to the federal government, having been allegedly found to be proceed of unlawful transaction in a bank account.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja put four Osogbo-based suspected political thugs on trial on two counts of alleged murder and unlawful firearms possession.

The four defendants, namely, Adejare Waliyu, Kilanko Ismaila Damilare, Kehinde Adeola and Muheeb Taoheeb, were arraigned before Justice Binta Fatima Nyako for allegedly shooting one Sheriff to death during a political crisis.

Counsel to the IGP, Mr Adeniyi Oyeyemi, in the charges, accused Adejare Waliyu of unlawful possession of sophisticated prohibited pump action rifle contrary to Section 27 of the Firearms Act.

In count two , the four defendants were accused of killing one Sheriff with the unlawfully possessed pump action rifle contrary to Section 319 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.

They were said to have committed the alleged crimes between August 26 and November 28, 2022, in Osun State.

However, when the charge was read to them, the four accused persons pleaded not guilty.

Although the IGP lawyer requested for a date to commence trial of the defendants, counsel to the accused persons, Mr Okon Ita, moved an application in which he pleaded with the judge to transfer the trial of his clients to Osogbo, where the alleged murder was committed.

Among others, the lawyer argued that the alleged offences were committed in Osogbo and that all witnesses listed to testify for the prosecution are all resident in the Osun State capital.

He admitted that the Federal High Court is one in any part of Nigeria but submitted that for administrative sake and in the interest of justice for the defendants, it would be safer for the trial to hold where the alleged crimes were committed.

The IGP raised objections against the request but Justice Binta Nyako saw merit in the argument of the accused persons and granted same.

The judge ordered that the case be transferred to the Osogbo Division of the Federal High Court for administrative convenience and being the place where the alleged murder was carried out.

Pending the transfer of the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/655/2022, Justice Nyako ordered that the accused persons should remain in the custody of the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

CJN Kekere-Ekun, NJC chairperson, had pledged sweeping reforms aimed at promoting judicial excellence, transparency, and effective administration of justice.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has commenced a discreet but far-reaching investigation into some highly placed judges in the country, including heads of courts, insiders at the council have told Ekwutosblog.

The NJC is the constitutional body responsible for appointing, promoting and disciplining judicial officers in Nigeria.

The 24-member council, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat kekere – Ekun, derives its authority from Paragraph 20 of Part One of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Our sources said the ongoing “extraordinary investigation” was triggered by a wave of “damning and disturbing petitions” filed against some unnamed “very senior judicial officers.”

“The allegation against one of the senior judges is so grave that Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun has ordered an urgent probe to identify culpable individuals and cleanse the judiciary,” an official familiar with the development told Ekwutosblog, adding that the inquiry is being handled with strict confidentiality and is known only to a handful of insiders.

“I can tell you that the NJC has, in recent times, received several petitions and complaints alleging serious and shocking misconduct, forgery, age falsification and false asset declarations,” the source said. “Deeply disturbed by the weight of the allegations, the CJN is mobilising the NJC for urgent administrative action. She does not want these claims to further erode public confidence in the judiciary.”

Our sources declined to disclose the identities of the judges under investigation or the individuals who filed the petitions, saying they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

When contacted, Tobi Soniyi, Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on Media, directed all enquiries to the NJC, saying he had not been briefed on the issue.

The NJC’s Deputy Director (Information), Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, also told Ekwutosblog she was unaware of any such probe.

Justice Kekere-Ekun had, in September 2025, during a ceremony marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year, pledged w – reforms-aimed at promoting judicial excellence, transparency and effective justice administration.