The Chief of Staff to the Kwara State Governor, Aminu Logun, has died.

Logun’s death was confirmed on Twitter by Fafoluyi Olayinka, the Special Assistant, New Media to the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman.

“Kwara State Chief Of Staff, Aminu Adisa Logun Is Dead.. Indeed, death is the next thing after birth. Black Tuesday here in Kwara.”Fafoluyi said

The late Logun was appointed the Chief of Staff of the Kwara State Governor in 2019 few weeks after Governor Abdulrazaq was sworn in.

44-year-old Pastor Oluwafemi Oyebola of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ogo Oluwa parish in Ogun state, has been arrested by men of the state police command for allegedly raping his daughter on several occasions, getting her pregnant three times and forcing her to go through abortions each time.

The accused pastor was arrested following a complaint by his 24-year-old daughter. The victim had reported at the Owode-Egbado divisional headquarters that her father has been forcefully having sex with her since 2015 shortly after the demise of her mother. She told the Police that she got pregnant for her father three times but he took her to a nurse who terminated the pregnancies, each time .

She told the police that after the third pregnancy was terminated, her father did family planning for her so as not to get pregnant any longer. She got tired of his evil act and summoned the courage to report an NGO, Advocacy For Children And Vulnerable Persons Network who led her to the police station.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the pastor was immediately arrested after the case was reported at the police station.

“On interrogation, the suspect made a confessional statement that all that his daughter said was nothing but the whole truth.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Anti-human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for further investigation and prosecution” Oyeyemi said.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, has reacted to the harrowing footage of a Nigerian man crying and begging that he has only days to live as a dreaded Pakistani gang tortured him because his “brother” owes them.

According to reports, the man’s brother named Andrew used him as a collateral for a business with the group. However, as Andrew didn’t show up to pay what he owes, the gang tortured the human collateral he left behind and filmed it to serve as a warning.

Reacting to the harrowing video, NIDCOM said the Nigerian mission in Islamabad, Pakistan, has escalated the issue for investigation.TheNigerian man is seen begging his uncle to sell everything they have and pay a man called Nuruz otherwise he will be killed on July 10.

NIDCOM tweeted: “Our attention has been drawn to this disturbing video of a Nigerian brutally beaten up and threatened to be killed by a Deadly Pakistani Gang after his brother ripped off the gang.

 “We are escalating immediately to our mission in Islamabad, Pakistan for investigation.

“We call on Nigeria Community in Pakistan to be calm as the Mission will investigate and revert.”

Link to the full video below

NAIROBI, Kenya July 7 – Schools in Kenya will not re-open until 2021 due to fears of COVID-19 infections which has started taking toll in the country.

Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha said it will not be practical and safe to re-open schools because the peak period for the virus infections is just starting.

He said this academic year is lost, meaning all learners will be required to repeat their current classes when schools re-open next year. He did not provide the exact dates.

Consequently, he said, national examinations for primary and secondary schools will not be done this year.

“Schools will re-open next year that is when KCPE and KCSE examinations will be done,” Magoha said.

Schools in Kenya were ordered closed on March 15, by President Uhuru Kenyatta soon after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country.

“Schools will re-open next year that is when Kenya certificate of primary education ( KCPE )and kenya certificate of secondary education (KCSE examinations will be done,” Magoha said, “but if the situation improves, things will change.”

Magoha said he had consulted with the Ministry of Health and agreed on reducing physical contact in learning institutions by having fewer learners, were schools to re-open once the curve flattens. COVID-19 cases had surged to 8,07 by July 7.

Based on this disturbing trend, stakeholders have shelved an initial proposal to reopen basic education learning institutions,” the CS said.

He said the Ministry will explore several ways that will ensure school going children are engaged while at home, signalling the continuation of online learning that is going on in several schools, mainly private institutions.

Universities were also allowed to re-open subject to meeting COVID-19 protocols but training colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions will re-open in September, after meeting “stringent guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.”

“Reopening of universities for face-to-face sessions will be on a case-by-case basis based on approved compliance with the Ministry of Health COVID-19 protocols,” the CS said.

“Universities should continue holding virtual learning and graduations for students who have successfully completed their programmes and met graduation requirements set by their respective Senates. Universities should consider phased reopening to achieve physical and social distancing, especially in halls of residence, lecture rooms and dining halls,” he said and warned that institutions that will flout the COVID-19 containment measures will be closed.

The schools were closed in March 15, after the first case of coronavirus was reported in the country.

“All the decisions that we have made with stakeholders regarding reopening of learning institutions may change as informed by reports from the Ministry of Health, prevailing circumstances and increased knowledge of the COVID-19,” he explained.

The Senate on Tuesday received a formal request for the confirmation of 11 nominees as Judges of the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The request was contained in a letter read on the floor during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

The letter read: “In accordance to Section 256(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed names of eleven (11) nominees as Judges of the High Court of the FCT, Abuja”.

The nominees are: Abubakar Husseini Musa (Adamawa State); Edward Okpe (Benue State); Babashani Abubakar (Borno State); Emuesiri Francis (Delta State); Jude Ogho (Delta State); Josephine Enobi (Edo State); Christopher Opeyemi Oba (Ekiti State); Mohammed Idris (Kano State); Hassan Maryam Aliyu (Kebbi State); Fashola Akeem Adebowale (Lagos State); and Hamza Muazu (Niger State).

The Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda, while relying on Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules objected to the absence of a nominee from the FCT.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC– Ekiti Central), while coming under the same point of order, explained to the contrary that the FCT already has Judges on the bench of the FCT High Court.

“What is being done by the National Judicial Council at the moment is to fill existing vacancies on the bench of the FCT Judiciary.

“What will become an issue is if you take list of the over 40 Judges of the FCT and any particular state is missing, that is when it becomes an issue.

“A major criterion is to ensure that states that do not have anybody on the bench are given priority. I just wanted to clarify that FCT has Judges on the bench of the FCT”, the lawmaker explained.

In a related development, the President also requested the upper chamber to confirm the appointment of three members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

“In compliance with the provision of Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and pursuant to Section 1(2) and (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act LFN 2004, I write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the following three nominees for appointment as members of the Code of Conduct Bureau. The curriculum vitae of the nominees are attached herewith.

They are: Barr. Ben Umeano (Anambra State – South East); Hon. Johnson Abonaema (Edo State – South South); Olayinka Babatunde Balogun (Ogun State – South West).

Also to be confirmed is the appointment of Umar Garba Danbatta, as Executive Vice Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a second term of five (5) years.

According to President Buhari, the nominee’s appointment is in accordance with the provision of Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

Meanwhile, the confirmation of the nomination of Idahagbon Williams Omoregie for appointment as Commissioner of the Federal Civil Service Commission was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service.

The Senate President also referred the nominations of Usman Mahmud Hassan as Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to the Committee on National Planning and Economic matters; Tella Adeniran Rahmon as Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission to the Committee on INEC; Suleiman Sani as Career Ambassador; and the appointment of 41 Non-Career Ambassadors to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The Committees are expected to submit their reports to the Senate in two weeks.

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday has passed a bill against sexual harassment in educational institutions after it scaled the third reading.

Following a BBC investigation that uncovered alleged sexual misconduct by lecturers in Nigeria and Ghana, the sexual harassment bill sponsored by Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President and 106 others has 27 clauses.

It proposes 14-year jail term, with a minimum of five years, without an option of fine for any educator who commits sexual offences in tertiary institutions.

However, Biodun Ogunyemi, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), during the public hearing of the bill in Abuja described it as biased. He said the bill will stigmatise lecturers in universities.

The anti-sexual harassment bill was originally introduced in 2016 but didn’t pass both houses of parliament.

Critics rejected the bill because it did not cover sexual harassment in the workplace and included a defence for consent. The defence for consent has been removed from the latest bill.

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has been suspended by the Presidency.

Magu was arrested on Monday by a combined team of Department of State Services personnel and policemen at the Wuse II office of the EFCC to face an interagency committee investigating corruption allegations against him.

This development comes a day after he was arrested and detained by security operatives in Abuja.
He had appeared before a panel probing allegations of gross misconduct against him.

Narrating his ordeal, he said he first worked with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who paid him N10, 000 as monthly salary

“The first law firm I worked for was owned by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He was a former NBA Chairman in Abuja and had over 10 lawyers in his employ.

“He was handling a case for my family and my uncle whom I was staying with then felt I could do my pupillage with him. I joined his firm in January 2019 where I was paid N10,000 as salary. We reported for work before 7am and closed by 8pm.

“We were only entitled to 30 minutes break in a day. I was steadfast at the firm till my fourth month. During the Easter break, my boss granted me two weeks leave to go visit my parents; My dad was sick. On my return, he said I was not eligible to be paid my monthly salary having been absent for two weeks.

“His refusal to even pay me half of the month’s salary was just about the last straw that propelled me to quit.”

Due to the experience above, Ugochukwu joined another law firm were he was paid N20, 000 monthly 

“I eventually joined another law firm where I was paid N20,000 monthly.

“This firm afforded me the time to source for freelance jobs to support my salary. Due to my hunger for more practice experience” 

From there he joined the immediate former law firm where he was paid N30, 000 monthly 

“I got yet another law firm where I was paid N30,000, working under the same conditions as the SAN. This was where I was growing as a young litigator until COVID-19 happened.”

Ugochukwu praised the last principal as a good man who forgave mistakes. The only thing he disliked in the firm was the meager salary though the boss promised to review it based on his performance but unfortunately for him, the COVID pandemic affected the business leading to him being laid off

“My immediate former principal is a good man. Aside him, I was the only lawyer in his firm. This provided me with the opportunity to handle some cases in court.

“He was tolerable and forgave the mistakes I committed while practicing Law. He afforded me the opportunity to grow as a young lawyer and I was enjoying the cruise.

“The only thing I never enjoyed while at his office was my salary at the end of the month which was N30,000. He promised to review my salary based on my performance evaluation at the end of each month.

“The cruise was going great until the covid-19 pandemic happened which affected his business. He called me to his office when the lockdown was relaxed and gave me a cheque of N15,000 and told me he could no longer afford my services. He cited COVID-19 as reasons for his decisions to let me go.

“Although he promised to contact me if things got any better for his firm. I have been at home since my release date in May 2020 without a contact from him.”

He said he narrated his situation on lawyers’ forum on Facebook and some lawyers promised to help but up till date the ‘audio’ promises have not material to job offers

“After I made my lack of employment situation public on a lawyers’ Forum on Facebook, I have been contacted by some Lawyers who I think felt sorry for my situation and offered to help.

“However, most of the online ‘audio’ helps promised haven’t materialized into any viable job offer. I’m still hopeful that a life changing job offer would come in the nearest future.

“I’m only but a young lawyer who is seeking for a place where I will be wholeheartedly accepted and given an opportunity to thrive. Not every lawyer is a street lawyer you know.”

Ugochukwu said for now he will keep developing himself along the lines of technology, entertainment and corporate law

“I Just want to keep learning and developing myself as much as I can. At the moment, I am keen on deepening my knowledge in Legal Technology and entertainment Law.

“I also love corporate and Commercial law. I want to develop myself until I become one of the notable go-to persons in the world in my areas of specialty.”

The Federal Government has announced that the decontamination of schools against the spread of COVID-19 in preparation for the resumption of class activities will begin on Tuesday.

It has also assured that it had enough teams on the ground to carry out the disinfection exercise.

The Minister of Environment, Muhammad Mahmood, disclosed this in Abuja at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

‘Earlier I told you that we have sat with the Ministry of Education and we have the list of all the schools that need to be disinfected before resumption. Well, what we plan to do now is to do (decontaminate) the centres that will be used,’ the minister said.

On why the process had been delayed, the minister said it was intentional, as the plan was to ensure that the chemicals were effective enough when the schools resume.

‘The delay is because it is better to disinfect and decontaminate within a short period of time so that the kids will be going back into these classes when they have been freshly decontaminated.

‘This is because the chemicals we use are chemicals that are not long-lasting, they have short contact time to do their job. So, we will be getting this done before Monday when they (schoolchildren) will be back to use these classes.’

The minister said the decontamination would commence from Tuesday and assured parents that the schools would be safe for learning activities.

‘So, it is between tomorrow (Tuesday) and the rest of the week. We have enough teams and people that we will engage to get that done. So, rest assured that your kids will be returning to a safe environment when they resume,’ he said.

Mahmood noted that the decontamination exercise would be done across the country.

The Management of the Nigerian Law School has issued a press release urging members of the public to disregard as false and a misrepresentation, allegations in the media going around that there is a fraud in the Nigerian Law School based on the appearance of the Director-General , Prof. Isa Chiroma, SAN before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SPAC). 

This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Council & Director of Administration, Mrs. E.O Max-Uba which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer.

Besides, the statement noted that the appearance of its DG is sequel to the annual report of the Auditor General of the Federation on the Accounts of various MDAs. 

Furthermore, it specifically stated that there were five queries against the Director General from the Auditor General in which due explanations were furnished. 

Specifically reacting to the query on paying about 34 million to members of staff as cleaning allowance, it noted that same was not a personal cost and not to individuals, stating that documentary evidence exists to back the assertions. 

Furthermore, on allegations of paying about 35 million as dressing allowance without the approval of National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), it noted that this payment are in consonance with the traditional work ethics of the profession and therefore, the scheme is in line with the Council’s condition of service. 

They have been several allegations making around that there exists fraud in the Nigerian Law School sequel to the 2015 Auditor-General’s report submitted to the Senate Committee on Public Account.

The statement reads:

RE: MEDIA MISREPRESENTATION OF AUDITOR-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION’S REPORT ON THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL

The attention of the Management of the Nigerian Law School has been drawn to a lot of misleading media reports arising from the  appearance of its Director-General, Prof Isa Chiroma, SAN at a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SPAC) on Thursday 2nd July, 2020 . The appearance was in connection with the annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation on the Accounts of  various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government of Nigeria for the year ended 31st December, 2015.

Whilst the institution would not ordinarily join issues or respond to such misleading publications, it has become necessary by Management to make some clarifications as most sections of the media have deliberately misrepresented the issues raised at the public hearing.

The facts are that five (5) queries  were raised by the Auditor-General and the requisite explanations were proffered by the management  as outlined below:

• QUERY: The Nigerian Law School at various intervals made use of pension fund to offset expenses not related to the payment of pension.

EXPLANATION: The payments of N401,000 (Four Hundred and One Thousand Naira), N413,600 (Four Hundred and Thirteen Thousand Naira ) respectively were travelling expenses of the Nigerian Law School Pension Board of Trustee (BOT) members to visit the Chairman of the pensioners association who was terminally ill. N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira)  was the benefit for the next of kin of the deceased Chairman of the pensioners association.

• QUERY: The sum of N34,330,500 (Thirty Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand Five Hundred Hundred Naira) was at several times paid to members of staff as provision and cleaning allowance. The Management of the School could not substantiate these payments with any approval from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

EXPLANATION: The payments were not personnel cost and so did not require the approval  of NSIWC. These were overhead cost items for telephone bills, toiletries, cleaning and related items. The payments were on mandates into individual bank accounts of staff and not to a single person. The documents evidencing these payments are still available.

• QUERY: The sum of N36,895,434.10 (Thirty Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand Four Hundred and Thirty Four Naira, Ten Kobo) representing 10% of consolidated salary was as several times paid to staff as dressing allowance with no approval from the NSIWC.

EXPLANATION: The Council of Legal Education traditionally  has a dress code for its staff and students as part of its work ethics. In  furtherance of this tradition , the Council approved a Scheme and Condition of Service on March 10, 2009 that provides in part,  the payment of 10% dressing allowance to its staff.

The payments were made into the individual bank accounts of staff and not to a single person as erroneously reported.

• The erstwhile Nigerian Law School Pension Board of Trustees has since been dissolved in line with circular from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and it assets and liabilities transferred to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).
• The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation raised the above queries on the accounts of the Council of Legal Education for the Year ended 31st December 2013. These explanations along with others were made to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts but the proceedings were grossly misrepresented and sectionalised .

Members of the public are hereby assured that there is no fraud in the accounts of Nigerian Law School as reported. The management of the School will appear before the Senate Committee this week to clear the other queries raised by the Auditor-General.

Mrs. E.O. Max-Uba
Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration