Sir Louis Nwachukwu Mbanefo was born on May 13, 1911, in Odojele Village in the larger part of Onitsha, Anambra State. His father, Odu Mbanefo, was a traditional chief. He attended the University College, London, where he studied law, graduating with Upper Second Class Honours in 1935. Shortly after that, he was called to the bar. He was then admitted to Kings College in Cambridge, where he obtained a further degree in history in 1937.

After studying, he returned to Onitsha and set up his own law firm. He was the first lawyer in the area at the time. His practice covered a huge area, basically the East and North of the country. He made several notable appearances in landmark cases before the Regional Court, Supreme Court, and West African Court of Appeal.

Mbanefo was later elected into the Eastern Region Parliament in 1950, where he stood out as an excellent orator and legislator. He, however, returned to practising law and was called to the Bench in 1952, becoming a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He reached the peak of his judicial career when he was appointed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as an ad hoc Judge, a position he occupied till 1966, when he returned to his post as Chief Justice of the Eastern Region. His ICJ appointment spanned over four years, and that was the defining moment of his career and an indelible legacy to international law.

When the Biafra War broke out, he was appointed Chief Justice of Biafra and Ambassador Plenipotentiary. He was actively involved in the peace talks with the Nigerian government and worked actively towards a diplomatic resolution of the crisis.

There is, therefore, no gainsaying that history will judge Sir Louis as a man of sterling courage and integrity who was a key player in the process of effectively negotiating an end to hostilities during the war.

This photograph, taken in 1980 and published by Sunday Punch, captures Chief Francis Arthur Nzeribe, a prominent Nigerian politician and businessman.

Born on 2 November 1938 in Oguta, Imo State, Nzeribe hailed from a distinguished family and held traditional titles including Ogbuagu, Osniji, and Damanze Oyimba of Oguta. He attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri, before earning a scholarship from the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1958 to study marine engineering in England.
Nzeribe’s career was marked by both business and politics. By 1960, he was selling life insurance to black immigrants in Britain and briefly worked with Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah in public relations. In 1969, he founded the Fanz Organization in London, dealing in heavy construction, arms, oil brokerage, publishing, and property investment, with significant operations in the Middle East and Gulf states. By 1979, Fanz reported an annual trading turnover of £70 million.

In Nigeria, Nzeribe expanded into insurance and other ventures, including Sentinel Assurance. Politically, he became a senator for the Imo Orlu constituency from 1999 to 2007 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was also an influential figure in the Association for a Better Nigeria in 1993, which supported General Ibrahim Babangida.
Known for his wealth, influence, and strategic acumen, Chief Nzeribe remains a controversial yet significant figure in Nigeria’s political and business history.

Source: Sunday Punch; Wikipedia

In a major story reported by the Daily Times on Saturday, March 16, 1974, two high-ranking Nigerian military officers were suspended pending an investigation into allegations linked to a high-profile court trial in London.

The Officers Involved

The suspended officers were:

Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, a prominent figure at the Supreme Headquarters.

Brigadier Foluso Sotomi, the Director of the Military Public Relations Corps.

Both men were regarded as influential figures in Nigeria’s military establishment at the time, making the suspension a matter of national attention.

The Allegations

The suspension stemmed from accusations made by Iyabo Olorunkoya, a Nigerian woman facing trial in London for hemp (cannabis) smuggling. During her proceedings, Iyabo implicated the two brigadiers, claiming they were involved in facilitating or being connected to the illegal activities.
The Federal Government of Nigeria responded promptly by ordering a formal investigation, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges and the need to uphold military discipline and public trust.

Investigation and Suspension

The decision to suspend Brigadiers Adekunle and Sotomi was immediate and aimed at preventing any potential interference with the inquiry. Both officers were required to remain inactive in their official duties until the investigation concluded.
The case drew widespread attention in Nigeria, with citizens and media closely following developments. It was considered one of the most significant headlines in the Daily Times, highlighting public concern over military integrity and accountability.

Historical Significance

This event is a notable example of:

The intersection of military authority and legal accountability in Nigeria during the 1970s.

The influence of international legal cases on domestic affairs, as the accusations arose during a trial in London.

The role of the press in documenting high-profile cases and informing public opinion.

Source

Daily Times, Saturday, March 16, 1974 – Front page headline: “SOTOMI, ADEKUNLE SUSPENDED”

This case remains a significant reference point in Nigerian military history, illustrating the scrutiny and accountability demanded of top officers during politically sensitive periods.