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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, and other criminal justice sector stakeholders have suggested ways to enhance the effectiveness of the system in the country.

They stressed the importance of continuous reforms and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders as a measure to ensure improved service delivery within the criminal justice system.

Akinseye-George, who is the President of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), and the other stakeholders spoke in Abuja at a capacity building workshop on the emerging trends in the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJA/ACJL).

The event, attended by senior officials from relevant criminal justice sector agencies, was organised by the CSLS, in partnership with the Rule is Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme.

Among the other stakeholders who spoke were Mrs. Idayat Akanni (Director of Magistrates at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT); Mrs. Muinat Adeleye (Deputy Director, Prosecution and Legal Services at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA), and Abdullahi Danjuma, a senior official with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Akinseye-George noted that since the ACJA came into existence about 10 years ago, the criminal justice system has witnessed some positive trends, which are reflected in the enthusiasm exhibited by key stakeholders.

He added that the leadership of the criminal justice sector, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Supreme Court, ‘has demonstrated a very positive attitude towards the implementation of these laws.’

Akinseye-George, however, expressed concern about emerging negative trends, which he said were beginning to work against the objectives of the laws.

He said, apart from the fact that the AGF has constituted a National Working Group to oversee the implementation of the ACJA/ACJLs, he also recently conducted a stakeholders’ forum to review the ACJA amendment bill 2023.

Akinseye-George disclosed that ‘efforts are currently being made to finalise the final draft of that amendment bill.

‘We have been assured that once works are completed on the bill, it will be forwarded to the National Assembly within the next few days.

‘We want to use this opportunity to appeal to the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, to promptly set in motion the legislative processes required for the passage of the improved ACJA,’ he said.

Akinseye-George said the negative trends noticed in the implementation of the laws are associated with identified important gaps which are inherent in, among others, the existing weak pre-trial case management system.

Akinseye-George added, ‘It is because of the weakness of the pre-trial case management system that many of our courts have continued to adjourn criminal cases for more than 14 days, which is the minimum standard provided for in the ACJA.’

He noted that although the current position of the law is that no court has the power to grant a stay of proceedings in criminal cases in the country, some judges were still doing so and also deploying the trial-within-trial procedure to delay proceedings.

Akinseye-George urged the trial courts (both Magistrates and the High Courts) to do away with the practice where applications for objection to the admissibility of confessional statements lead to a prolonged trial-within-trial that often results in delay in the actual trial.

He added, ‘We appeal to our courts to adopt the new approach, which allows the prosecution to front-load its evidence in support of the voluntariness of the confessional statements.

‘And when the prosecution’s evidence is front-loaded, the defence is given the opportunity, when presenting its case, to also present counter-evidence to support its position that the statements were not made voluntarily.

‘There is no need to conduct a separate trial from the main trial, just because of the disagreement about the voluntariness or otherwise of the said confessional statements.

‘The judge can simply resolve this issue while reviewing the entire case at judgment to determine, from available evidence, whether or not the statements were made voluntarily and decide whether or not to rely on such confessional statements,’ he said.

Akanni stressed the need to continue to reform the criminal justice system and the applicable laws to ensure their continuous relevance.

She said, ‘We are living in a rapidly evolving society, a society shaped by technological advances, shifting social norms, rising demands for transparency, and an increasingly informed public that seeks justice not just as a concept, but as a lived reality.

‘In such a dynamic context, the laws that guide our justice system must not stand still. For when laws fail to adapt, they risk becoming tools of delay, and in time, instruments of denial.

‘Today, we find ourselves at a crossroads, where tradition must engage innovation, and where the legal system must continue to balance the scales of justice with both wisdom and foresight,’ Mrs. Akanni said.

Danjuma stressed the need for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to address existing challenges in the system to ensure effectiveness.

He also called for improved adoption of the non-custodial option as a way of decongesting the various correctional centres.

The authorities of the Delta State Environmental Taskforce have arrested four environmental marshals involved in illegal night extortion of residents of Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were apprehended on Friday along Summit Road in Asaba, the state capital.

The task force team, led by Chief Agbari, recognised the marshals engaging in unauthorised activities and contacted Comrade Adim Dikedi, the Supervisory Officer on Environment for Oshimili South, for clarification regarding the marshals’ actions.

Upon receiving the call, Supervisor Dikedi ordered the immediate detention of the four officers at a police station until he could address the matter personally.

It was revealed that one of the apprehended marshals was impersonating the current Supervisor on Environment, prompting further concern about corruption within the ranks.

Dikedi emphasised his agency’s commitment to eradicating corruption among environmental marshals.

He expressed that any form of misconduct would not be tolerated and reaffirmed a directive issued in January, prohibiting marshals from operating beyond 4:00 pm.

He said the incident underscored the challenges of overseeing environmental enforcement and the need for accountability within such an agency.

Dikedi said ensuring transparency and integrity among environmental officers is crucial for maintaining public trust, especially when allegations of extortion are involved.

Supervisor Dikedi expressed commitment to a stricter policy, indicating a proactive approach to preventing similar incidents in the future, reinforcing operational guidelines for environmental personnel.

He stressed that the incident had raised awareness about the importance of ethical conduct in governance and the effective management of environmental resources.

Dikedi noted the popular Ogbegonogo Central Market in Asaba is the only market, he officially authorised environmental marshals to operate in the evenings to assist in the decongestion of the traffic jam always occurring there.

He warned that henceforth any Oshimili South environmental marshal caught operating at odd hours should be arrested with immediate effect and taken to the nearest police station.

October has arrived with its rainy days and unpredictable power supply, but Netflix is offering a stacked lineup of new releases to keep the month exciting.

From spy thrillers and true-crime horrors to heartfelt dramas and romcoms, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re into anime and action, this one might just be your new obsession. It’s from the artiste who wrote John Wick (so you know the fight scenes will hit hard). Splinter Cell: Deathwatch drops us into the shadowy world of espionage with Sam Fisher-a legend in the field-who gets pulled back into action to mentor a rookie. Together, they unravel a conspiracy that could change everything.

It’s an action-packed anime with serious style, dropping just in time for those nights when all you want is to curl up in bed with your laptop.

If dark and bloody themes aren’t your thing-or if you just need a laugh and a little romance-you’ll love the energy Nobody Wants This brings. The Emmy-nominated romcom centers on an outspoken, agnostic woman who somehow falls for a very unconventional rabbi. It sounds odd on paper, but the chemistry, humour, and writing make it work.

Season 1 was a surprise hit, and Season 2 promises to keep the charm going. If you missed it the first time around, October is your chance to binge Season 1 before the new episodes land. It’s light, funny, and perfect for unwinding after a hectic day.

Confession: I’m extremely biased here. If Cillian Murphy is in it, I’m watching it. He’s been a gangster, a physicist, a supervillain, and now, he’s Steve.

Adapted from the novel Shy, the story follows a headteacher struggling to keep his reform school alive while trying to guide a troubled student. It’s heavy, emotional, and a world away from Murphy’s Oppenheimer spotlight last year but that’s exactly why people love him.

If you enjoy slow-burning dramas with performances that linger long after the credits roll, Steve is one to watch. Yes, it’s moody. Yes, it’ll probably break your heart a little. But it’s also Cillian Murphy at his best, and honestly, some of us would watch him read a phone book.

Remember how Netflix had us all hooked on Dahmer last year? Well, Ryan Murphy is back this time with The Ed Gein Story, about the real-life killer whose crimes inspired countless horror movies.

Set in 1950s Wisconsin, the series follows how Gein terrorized his town, desecrating graves and murdering women.

Charlie Hunnam takes on the chilling lead role, and if the show sticks to Murphy’s formula, expect a disturbing deep dive that will dominate social media the moment it drops. If you’re into true-crime binges that make you double-check your doors before bed, this one’s for you.

First of all 10/10 title. This Thai crime drama follows two bank employees who think they’ve struck gold by stealing from a dead woman’s account. Spoiler: they haven’t. Instead, they’re pulled deep into her criminal underworld, facing consequences they definitely weren’t ready for.

It’s stylish, unpredictable, and proof that not all the best Netflix releases come from Hollywood. If you love discovering international gems or just need a break from the same old thrillers, this is your perfect mid-October pick.

Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room: Henry Cavill is gone. Yes, it hurts. But Liam Hemsworth is stepping in, and maybe just maybe he won’t ruin your favorite Witcher.

This season picks up after the chaos of Season 3, with Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri separated by war and hunted by enemies who’d rather see them dead than reunited.

The stakes are higher, the story is inching toward its grand finale, and it promises to feel darker and more dangerous than ever. Even if you’re watching purely out of curiosity to see how Hemsworth handles the role, there’s no denying The Witcher remains one of Netflix’s most bingeable fantasy epics.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued stern warnings to contractors handling failed federal roads in Edo State, threatening to revoke contracts of those who fail to return to the site.

Umahi also vowed to redeploy heads of the ministry in states where palliative works are neglected, stressing the need to ease the movement of motorists.

He gave the warning during an inspection tour of federal roads in Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts, accompanied by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The team visited Ujuelen, the Ekpoma stretch of the Benin-Auchi-Lokoja Expressway, Egbele in Uromi, sections of the Benin-Asaba Expressway under reconstruction, and the Ewu-Agbor road.

During the visit, Umahi urged the governor to intensify support for road users and officially handed over the completion of one carriageway from Ewu to Agbor to the Edo State Government. He explained that while the Federal Ministry of Works would provide the design, the state government would handle execution.

The minister emphasized that contractors have a moral responsibility to assist with remedial work on the nation’s highways.

According to him, ‘You have to hold me responsible for the heavy traffic on the highway because the President has given every assistance to ensure that this road, all the way from Warri down to Abuja, is in very good condition. The President has directed that none of this project should not stop. So if you see any of them stopping, it is our responsibility. And we owe the public very serious apologies.

‘I’ve been announcing that the President has directed that all contractors be back on site. He has saved money to pay them. I’m directing them to get back to the site. I’m commending them because they have not been paid even a kobo in terms of mobilization. So I commend them for starting. When I terminate the job, you can go and demarket me. You can go and say all kinds of nonsense about me. But my conscience is before God. I work for God. I work for the President. And so I’m very courageous to do the right thing. And this is very important. And when you are doing the right thing, no matter the attack you have, God will always be with you.

‘One of the greatest problems we have is that we have about six companies. They have more than 25 jobs each. And these were inherited jobs from the past administration. So they don’t have the personnel. They don’t have the equipment to man those jobs. So they go into economic politics. And say, Oh, there is rain. Oh, there is compensation. But I’m poised to address such politics. People are suffering.

‘The President is committed to righting the wrongs of the past. When we came on board and I challenged anybody, tell me any state outside what the governors are doing that has a hundred kilometers of road that you can pass without a challenge.’

Governor Okpbholo, on his part, thanked President Tinubu for prioritizing Edo roads.

He described the APC as a progressive party delivering tangible results, assuring that Edo’s promise of bloc vote for the president in 2027 is non-negotiable.

‘What our administration is doing is visible to everyone. In the past, the State Government put up signs saying ‘please bear with us. This is a federal road.’ But Edo people use these roads, and we cannot abandon them. President Tinubu has changed the narrative, and our people are grateful. The by-election results have shown that Edo people have rejected the PDP and embraced APC,’ the governor said.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Friday re-emphasized that no Nigerian mother should lose her life while giving birth, as she commissioned two major health facilities in Gombe State.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 100-bed Senator Oluremi Tinubu Maternal and Child Specialist Hospital, the First Lady described healthcare – particularly maternal and child health – as central to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

According to a statement issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said ‘the commissioning of this hospital is not just the unveiling of a building; it is the opening of doors to life, to hope, and to a healthier future for our mothers and our children.

‘Healthcare, especially maternal and child health, is at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which seeks to ensure that every Nigerian child has a healthy start in life, and that no mother dies while birthing life’, Mrs. Tinubu declared.

She commended the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for building the hospital, noting that the facility would significantly help reduce maternal and infant mortality while bringing relief to families in Gombe and neighboring states.

‘It is my belief that this facility will provide quality healthcare services, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and bring relief to families in Gombe State and beyond,’ the First Lady said, while urging medical professionals, community leaders, and citizens to ensure the facility serves its purpose with excellence, compassion, and integrity.

In addition to the specialist hospital, Senator Tinubu also commissioned the ultra-modern New College of Nursing and Midwifery, Gombe, where she interacted with enthusiastic students who expressed gratitude for her visit.

The First Lady’s engagements in Gombe form part of her ongoing nationwide advocacy for improved healthcare and education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She has since returned to Abuja after her two-day official visit to the state.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a retired Director (Administration and Finance) at the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Garba Mohammed Duku to either refund N1, 592,750,000 (N1.6b) to the coffers of the Federal Government or spend the next four years in prison.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday after convicting Duku, said to have retired from the AMMC in 2014, of the offences of corruption and money laundering, on a six-count charge brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Duku, who looked well-fed, with glowing skin, was said to have committed the offences between 2012 and 2013, when he converted funds, totalling N318,550,000 transferred from AMMC into his personal account domiciled with Fidelity Bank Plc.

Justice Omotosho found that Duku received N56,250,000 into the Fidelity Bank account on July 23, 2012; N71m on December 2012; N53m on December 7, 2012; N54m on December 2012; N46m on March 8, 2013 and N36,300,000 on March 21, 2013.

The judge found that, not only was the defendant unable to justify the payment of his employer’s funds into his personal account that he opened just a year earlier (2011) and became dormant immediately he retired, he also failed to provide convincing evidence for what official projects the funds were deployed for.

Justice Omotosho noted that the manner the defendant withdrew the funds hastily, in tens of millions, some of which were sent to bureau de change for conversion to United States dollars, betrayed a sinister motive.

The judge found that the defendant, in his statement to the ICPC claimed to have handed some of the funds in dollars to some of his superiors, a claim the court said, he failed to support with evidence.

Justice Omotosho also noted that some of his subordinates, called as prosecution witnesses, claimed to have been directed to issue certificates of completion for projects they did not inspect, a claim, the judge said the defendants also failed to disprove.

He faulted the defendant’s lawyer’s arguement that the funds in question were appropriated for, noting that most of the funds appropriated by public officials in the country are mostly monies duly budgeted/appropriated for projects .

Justice Omotosho found that the prosecution established all the relevant ingredients relating to the offences charged and proved itS case beyond reasonable doubt, as required under the law, with the three witnesses called.

He also found the the defendant failed to dislodge the case of the prosecution through his sole witness, which was himself.

The judge, accordingly convicted the defendant on all counts.

In his allocutus, the defendant, who said he could not fully recollect all that happened while he was in service as at when he made statements to the investigation some years later, prayed the court for mercy.

The judge proceeded to sentence Duku to four years imprisonment per count with an option of fine, which must be an equivalent of five times the amount listed in each count.

Four count one, he is to refund N355m; count two, N230m; count three, N270m; count four, N266.25m; count five, N280m and count six, N191.5m.

Popular media personality Daddy Freeze has spoken candidly about the toll his failed marriage took on his life, including a strained relationship with his children that has lasted for years.

Speaking in an interview with media host Chude Jideonwo, Freeze recalled marrying his ex-wife because she was pregnant, admitting that the union was troubled from the start.

‘The marriage broke me. It was two damaged people in a union and when it ended, it cost me jobs, it kept me from my children, and it left me so broken that even the few jobs I got, I could not do them well,’ he said.

He also revealed how financial struggles worsened the situation. ‘I remember being so broke that I could not even afford N10,000 to buy cake for my daughter’s birthday,’ Freeze noted, adding that his children came to view him as ‘the devil.’

Reflecting on the past decade, he described the pain of limited contact with his kids. ‘The last time I saw them, it was just five minutes, supervised,’ he said. ‘Am I a murderer?’

Freeze, however, highlighted a more stable phase in his present marriage, stressing that he has never raised his hand against his wife.

Beyond family, the broadcaster also addressed his views on religion, faith and prosperity preaching, reiterating controversial positions he has often taken about Christianity.

Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, has disclosed that he would opt for termination if his 16-year-old daughter were to become pregnant.

The father of two made the revelation during a conversation on The Honest Bunch Podcast with his co-anchor, Zinnie Posh.

When Zinnie asked, ‘What would you do if your 16-year-old daughter got pregnant?’ Freeze responded that his first instinct would be to identify the person responsible for the pregnancy, before taking further steps.

He said, ‘the pregnancy would be terminated. At such a young age, it would be unfair for my daughter to take on the responsibility of raising a child’.

‘For me, a mistake at such a young age shouldn’t be compounded by raising a child while still a teenager’. He added

He argued that keeping the baby would simply mean another mistake, though he clarified that he would respect his daughter’s personal choice if she insisted.

When asked what would happen if his daughter insisted on keeping the pregnancy, he responded, ‘After what I do to her, she won’t even want to keep it.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the book ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,’ by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, will provide guidance and serves as a road map for the nation to build a safer future.

Tinubu said this when his spoke as the Special Guest of Honour during the launch of the book at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, on Friday.

Represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, Tinubu said Irabor has demonstrated that ‘leadership in war is not solely about firepower, but also about intellectuals’.

He said, as Theater Commander, Irabor confronted an existential threat to our national identity with the desired determination and pragmatism.

‘Scars tells a story. It reminds us of pain but it also proves that survival is possible. Therefore, the scars we carry as a nation are evidence of our resilience.

‘They remind us of the sacrifice of our heroes past, soldiers, displaced families, and communities,’ Tinubu said.

The President emphasised that the book encourages learning from past experiences to build a safer, more stable future. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to this vision, highlighting the Renewed Hope Agenda’s goal of transforming Nigeria into a nation of peace, opportunity, and unity.

Tinubu emphasised that security is central to his vision, highlighting efforts to modernize the armed forces with cutting-edge technology and platforms.

‘We are also streamlining intelligence gathering capability and deepening regional partnership to boost collective security.

‘We are investing in a whole-of-society approach to security so that peace is not only won on the battlefield but sustained in daily life with participation of the citizens.

‘Let all Nigerians be aware that we will not rest until we defeat all indices of insecurity,’ the President said.

He praised the book as a powerful testament to the importance of ideas in addressing challenges, noting that General Irabor’s work reminds us to cherish and pursue peace, never forgetting the cost of achieving it.

‘Let us use this occasion not only to acknowledge the book but also to affirm our commitment to working together toward a future where every Nigerian can live without fear, thrive in peace, and contribute to the nation’s greatness,’ the President said.

Former National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, called for a collective action against Boko Haram.

Monguno identified defective governance and impaired national cohesion as factors hampering peace in the country.

He said the struggle for power within the state, share of resource allocations and fear of domination by ethnic nationalities were making it impossible to address the issue of insecurity.

He said the challenges can be addressed through national cohesion.

‘You cannot address insecurity in the absence of national cohesion. The issue of national cohesion is very important.

‘You cannot legislate love, and you cannot enforce affection, it is something that must come from within,’ Monguno said.

Award-winning singer Tiwa Savage has left fans puzzled after sharing cryptic messages on her Instagram Story.

‘Just because it looks easy doesn’t mean it is. one day the story of the traumas will be reviewed,’ she wrote, followed by, ‘The crown is heavy, Lord help me carry it.’

The posts came at a time when the ‘Queen of Afrobeats’ had been more open about her personal struggles, including heartbreak, leaked content, and emotional scars.

Although Tiwa offered no further explanation, her words have triggered widespread speculation among fans and critics.

However, Tiwa has not released any follow-up statement to clarify the intent behind her posts.