Category: Nigerian Tribune

Women in Tyomu community, in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, on Tuesday protested the abduction of 18 residents of the community, including eight women.

The protesters blocked the highway and appealed to the state government to secure the release of their community members.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Friday along the Adoka-Ankpa Road while travelling to Kogi State for a burial.

It was reported that some residents of the community hired a vehicle to attend a burial ceremony in Kogi State, but the vehicle they were travelling in was attacked, and all 18 passengers, including eight women, were abducted.

‘The abductors have called relatives of some of the victims and demanded N30 million, while the residents have raised and paid N3 million, but the victims are yet to be released,’ one of the protesters said.

Speaking on the incident, the Security Adviser to the Governor on Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, confirmed the incident but said the actual number of people kidnapped was unknown.

He added that the incident had been reported to the relevant security agencies, which, he said, were already working on it.

According to him, ‘I got the report of the kidnapping incident, but I am yet to know the exact number of people involved.

‘First of all, travelling to Kogi State at night is a concern. People would be travelling to Kogi State at night, especially when everybody is aware of how dangerous the situation along that route is. So, this is not correct; we shouldn’t be putting people under pressure.

‘We located the place. The DPO of Adoka and the security guards in surrounding areas are working tirelessly to see how they can get to the location.

‘The worst thing about kidnapping is that the location from which the kidnappers make their calls is usually different from where the victims are actually being kept. So, it is not as straightforward as people may think.

‘It is therefore a challenge for security agencies to navigate and identify the exact location. It is not as easy as people think.

‘You cannot just storm a location because, if there is collateral damage, if you want to chase the people the way they want us to chase them, while trying to rescue the victims, you may end up hurting them.

‘That is why we are always careful when handling these matters. We are working on this particular case, and I do not hide information from the families of the victims. I keep them informed about how far we have gone, where we are and what the next steps are.

‘However, I understand that the families later went to the road and started blocking it.’

Also, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, confirmed the incident and accused the transport company that conveyed the victims of failing to report the incident to security agencies.

The Information Commissioner said, ‘The position of the Commissioner of Police is that the company did not report the incident to the police. Ordinarily, if something like this happens, the company should immediately inform the relevant security agencies.

‘It was the protest by the affected people that eventually brought the matter to the attention of the Commissioner of Police.

‘The Commissioner of Police is out now to liaise with the transport company and the families of the affected persons to see how they can begin tracing the kidnapped victims.’

Iorpev advised transport companies to always notify the security agencies and the families of people involved for a prompt response.

‘Now, the families are protesting and calling on the government to intervene, but the proper official channel for reporting such an incident would have been the police, particularly the Commissioner of Police.

‘I have not even been informed about the incident, and that is very unfortunate. We regret what happened,’ Iorpev said.

He expressed the assurance of the Police Commissioner to lead his team to see what could be done to resolve the matter in the shortest possible time.

‘So, we are calling for calm. The government will do something as soon as possible,’ the Information Commissioner said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondongu, told newsmen in a telephone interview that the command did not receive any formal report about the kidnapping, but that its operatives on patrol along the route at the weekend sighted an abandoned vehicle and suspected that its occupants might have been taken away.

While stating that the command could not confirm the number of victims, Aondongu said the police had calmed the situation in Tyomu and cleared the road, allowing motorists and other road users to move freely.

The PPRO appealed to the protesting community for patience, as security operatives were working to rescue the victims.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Kano State, Dr Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso, has led a solidarity mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Madobi Local Government Area, the hometown of former Kano State governor and National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The mobilisation, which attracted hundreds of APC supporters, including women and youth groups, was aimed at building what the organisers described as a new political alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The supporters, who gathered in Madobi, chanted solidarity songs in support of President Tinubu and pledged to mobilise voters for his re-election bid.

Speaking at the event, Dr Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso said the political realignment in the Madobi area was unprecedented, noting that former political opponents had decided to work together in support of the Tinubu administration.

He said, ‘We are now realigning with forces that fought us 28 years ago,’ adding that the alliance was intended to create a broad political platform to support Tinubu in 2027.

According to him, the new alliance brings together political actors who had competed against one another over the years but had now agreed to work together for a common political objective.

A former member of the Kano State House of Assembly and grassroots politician, Habibu Hassan Elyakub, said the alliance had demonstrated growing support for Tinubu in the area.

Elyakub said the political strength of Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso had remained evident despite the influence of Rabiu Kwankwaso in Madobi.

He recalled that Musa Ilyasu had won elections in the local government, including the chairmanship election, and expressed confidence that the alliance would mobilise support for Tinubu in 2027.

He said, ‘We are not afraid and we are all out to make President Tinubu win this election in 2027.’

The APC chieftain also urged political actors to respect the electoral process, saying the large turnout of women and youths demonstrated the level of mobilisation for the Tinubu campaign.

The Woman Leader, Hajiya Assabe Diko, said women and youths in the area would embark on house-to-house and door-to-door campaigns to mobilise residents ahead of the election.

She said the group would intensify grassroots engagement to persuade more voters to support Tinubu.

Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso also highlighted projects executed or ongoing under the Tinubu administration in Kano State, citing the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano-Katsina (AKKK) road, railway projects, road networks and security initiatives.

He described the projects as evidence of the administration’s activities in the state and urged residents to support the government.

The Gombe State chapter of the Nyesom Wike-backed main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami winner of the fresh primary elections conducted on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, following an order by the Federal High Court.

The election was held across the 114 political wards in the 11 constitutionally recognised local government areas of the state.

Three candidates contested the fresh primary elections: Usman Aliyu Gary, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

At the end of the collation of the election results, Prof Isa Ali Pantami polled a total of 2,054 votes, Hon Khamis Ahmed Mailantarki polled 389 votes, while Usman Aliyu Garry polled 112 votes.

The Returning Officer, Hon Shekarau, thereby declared Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as the winner of the PDP governorship primary election in Gombe State.

Speaking shortly before the results were announced, leader of the PDP in Gombe State and Senator representing Gombe North, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, said that, ‘At the end of this exercise, all of us are winners. There should be no losers. All of us, as members of the same political family, should understand that whoever wins this primary must carry everyone along.’

According to him, ‘If whoever emerges from this primary is unable to win the general election, then all of us have lost. But if we come together, rally around all our members, and seek the support of every member of our party, we can achieve victory.

‘We must show solidarity with one another and with the party.’

Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo concluded: ‘From this point forward, we need to go back and start working – and we need to start now. We must begin the work immediately if we are to win this election, and not just this election. There are several other elections ahead for our party and our members must be ready to vote for the candidates.’

President Bola Tinubu is seeking the approval of the House of Representatives for the

The President’s request was contained in a letter with Reference No: PRES/134-1/36/HR/BP/NDDC dated 20th August, 2026 addressed to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, which was read during Tuesday plenary.

According to the letter titled: ‘Submission of 2026 statutory budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)’, President Tinubu explained that the communication was in line with the provisions of Section 121 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

According to him, Minister of Niger Delta Development prepared the 2026 Statutory Budget Proposal of the NDDC which was forwarded for consideration and passage by the House of Representatives.

He further explained that the ‘Budget proposal has been prepared on the basis of the NDDC’s revenue and expenditure forecasts and it aligned with the fiscal and developmental policies of the Federal Government and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘In addition, the Budget Proposal takes into consideration the 2024-2026 Economic Recovery Growth Plan as well as key assumptions of the 2026 Appropriation Act of the Federal Government.

‘The House of Representatives is invited to note that the NDDC is prioritising improvement in Youth Empowerment, Energy and Power Supply, Education, Industrial and Enterprise Development, Health, Security and increased productivity in Agriculture in order to lift a significant number of our citizens out of poverty.’

To this end, he solicited for timely passage of the 2026 Statutory Budget Proposal of the NDDC by the House of Representatives.

Four Rotary clubs in Ibadan, Oyo State, have donated school items to over 100 pupils of St Patrick Primary School, Mokola, Ibadan, as part of efforts to support basic education and give back to society.

The clubs involved in the initiative are Rotary Club of Ibadan Ologuneru, Rotary Club of Ibadan Gold, Rotary Club of Ibadan Prestige and Rotary Club of Ibadan Ring Road.

The items donated to the pupils included school bags, exercise books, ducks and water bottles.

Speaking during the presentation, President of Rotary Club of Ibadan Prestige, Rotarian Bankole Oyewole, said the initiative was organised in line with Rotary International’s designation of September as Basic Education and Literacy Month.

Oyewole said the clubs decided to come together to support the pupils and contribute to improving their learning experience.

He said, ‘September is designated by Rotary International as Basic Education and Literacy Month. That is why we decided to come together as clubs to carry out this project and support the children.

‘We believe that education is very important, and we want to encourage these pupils by providing some of the basic materials they need to remain in school and learn effectively.

‘We also want this gesture to go beyond today. We hope to come back and continue supporting the school, particularly in areas where we can make a meaningful difference.’

Also speaking, President of Rotary Club of Ibadan Gold, Rotarian Tracey Oloyede, said the donation was part of the club’s commitment to supporting children and promoting education within the community.

Oloyede said the initiative was aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the pupils while helping to reduce some of the challenges they may face in accessing basic learning materials.

She said, ‘We are happy to be here and to be able to support these children. As Rotarians, we believe that giving back to the community is one of the ways we can make a positive impact.

‘We chose to support the pupils with basic school items because these are things they need every day in school. We hope that this will encourage them to take their education seriously and also motivate others to support education in their communities.’

She added that the Rotary clubs would continue to identify areas where they could collaborate to support schools and young people in Ibadan.

President of Rotary Club of Ibadan Ologuneru, Rotarian Adewale Akinade, said the initiative demonstrated Rotary’s commitment to supporting children and strengthening basic education in the community.

Akinade said, ‘We are delighted to be part of this initiative because education remains one of the important ways of giving children a better future. These materials may appear simple, but they can make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of the pupils.

Similarly, President of Rotary Club of Ibadan Ring Road, Rotarian Mojisola Omoyele, said the collaboration was aimed at complementing the efforts of parents and teachers in providing the basic materials needed by the pupils.

Omoyele said, ‘Our coming together is about giving back to the society and making a positive difference in the lives of these children. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a conducive environment with the basic materials required for education.

‘We are happy to see the excitement on the faces of the pupils, and we hope this gesture will encourage them to value their education. Rotary will continue to support initiatives that promote education, literacy and the wellbeing of children.’

The management of the school applauded the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would contribute to the pupils’ academic development and encourage them to take their education more seriously.

The school appreciated the Rotary clubs for identifying with the needs of the pupils and called for more support from individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to improve the learning environment.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, on Tuesday commissioned 50 housing units for widows and families of fallen military personnel in Ibadan, describing the project as a practical expression of appreciation for the sacrifices of officers and soldiers who died in service to the nation.

The houses, located at the PHDL Pacesetter Estate 4, Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, were commissioned by the COAS, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda.

Shuaibu said the occasion was significant because it combined the remembrance of fallen heroes with the responsibility of caring for the families they left behind.

According to him, Nigerian Army personnel operate under demanding conditions and often make significant personal sacrifices while defending the country and protecting communities.

He said although no gesture could replace the loved ones lost by the families of fallen personnel, the Army had a responsibility to ensure that such families were not forgotten.

The Army chief described the houses as more than physical structures, saying they would provide stability and dignity for the beneficiaries and create an environment where their children could grow and families could rebuild their lives.

He commended Family Homes Funds Limited for the initiative and its commitment to supporting the welfare of military personnel and their families.

He also commended the Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Limited for its role in completing the project.

Shuaibu assured the beneficiaries that the Nigerian Army remained mindful of the sacrifices made by their loved ones, stressing that their service remained part of the history and honour of the institution.

‘These homes are, therefore, not presented as a substitute for what was lost, but as one of the ways we can stand with you and acknowledge the sacrifices that your families have made alongside them,’ he said.

The COAS said the Post-Housing Army Scheme provides housing units for soldiers under a subsidised ownership arrangement, with the scheme bearing 80 per cent of the cost while serving soldiers contribute the remaining 20 per cent.

The development comprises about 60 housing units, including 30 two-bedroom flats and bungalows and 30 three-bedroom bungalows.

As part of the scheme’s support for wounded soldiers, five per cent of the completed housing units are reserved for personnel who sustained injuries in battle and are allocated to them free of charge.

Shuaibu urged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the houses and maintain them responsibly. He also called on residents of the community to promote peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and a strong sense of community.

The Chief of Army Staff expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his continued support for the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their families.

He also appreciated the Oyo State Government, traditional institutions, partners and other stakeholders for their contributions to the project.

Shuaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of serving personnel, veterans and families of fallen heroes, saying the Army would continue to explore practical interventions to recognise their sacrifices and provide meaningful support.

After the commissioning, the COAS made a symbolic presentation of keys to the beneficiaries.

A soldier injured in battle, Lance Corporal Olufemi Olalekan, was also presented with a key to his own house.

The wounded soldier, who wore a sterile mask, reportedly returned from hospital recently after sustaining facial injuries from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Operations, Family Homes Funds Limited, Dr Henry Emeka Inegbu, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Abdulmutalab Mukhtar, expressed appreciation to the partners whose commitment made the 50-unit housing project possible.

He said the project, delivered under the FHFL Social Housing Programme and the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, was one of the organisation’s meaningful interventions because of the families it was designed to support.

Inegbu said the houses were more than shelters for the spouses and children of fallen servicemen, describing them as recognition of the sacrifices made by families who lost their loved ones in service to the nation.

He commended the Chief of Army Staff for his interest in the project, stressing that providing secure homes for families of fallen heroes was an acknowledgement of a national debt that could only be honoured through tangible support.

He disclosed that each of the 50 two-bedroom detached bungalows was equipped with a solar home system and connected streetlights, while industrial boreholes and a water reticulation system were provided to ensure access to clean water across the estate.

He added that a skill acquisition programme would also be implemented for the beneficiaries, particularly the women, to equip them with economic skills and promote self-reliance alongside home ownership.

The Family Homes Funds executive urged the beneficiaries to protect and maintain the houses, describing them as a foundation from which their children could build their future.

He thanked the Oyo State Government, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Post Housing Development Limited and other partners for their contributions.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Major General Kevin Ukandu, said the commissioning of the 50 housing units was not merely about providing shelter but about honouring the memory and sacrifice of fallen Nigerian Army personnel.

He said the homes were intended to provide the widows and families left behind with stability, security and dignity, stressing that although no house could replace a lost husband, father or loved one, decent accommodation could offer some measure of comfort and support.

Ukandu appreciated the Chief of Army Staff for providing the strategic leadership and enabling environment that facilitated the project. He also thanked the Oyo State Government, traditional institutions and sister security agencies for their support.

He commended Family Homes Funds Limited of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for its partnership and commitment to the project, noting that the initiative demonstrated what could be achieved when government agencies collaborated towards a common objective.

He further commended his predecessor, Major General I.A. Alison, for his contribution to the development and completion of the project.

Ukandu reaffirmed the commitment of the Post-Service Housing Development Limited to delivering quality and affordable housing in support of the welfare objectives of the Chief of Army Staff.

He said the organisation would continue to work with state governments, government agencies and other partners on initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of military personnel, their families and those who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, a widow, Mrs Grace Abiodun Adenodi, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Limited and Family Homes Funds Limited for providing the homes.

She said the gesture was more than the provision of houses, as it reassured the widows that the sacrifices of their fallen husbands had not been forgotten.

Adenodi prayed for God’s continued blessings on everyone who contributed to the project and for the souls of the fallen heroes to continue to rest in peace.

Personalities who graced the occasion included senior Army officers; wives of Nigerian Army officers and soldiers; the Aare Alasa, Chief Ademola Odunade, who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and Oyo government officials, among others.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has outlined his vision for the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election during a closed-door session with 150 young executives and founders in Ikoyi.

The meeting, themed ‘Lagos: The Next Chapter,’ was convened by real estate firm 7-Fifteen Capital to facilitate dialogue between public leadership and the private sector.

Addressing the gathering, Hamzat said his agenda would focus on innovation, inclusion and infrastructure, with emphasis on improving the business environment, attracting investment and enhancing living standards.

According to him, the priority would be to build on existing progress while strengthening education, healthcare delivery, support for youth and MSMEs, and security.

‘The next chapter for Lagos is going to be about building on the progress we have already made and taking the state to a new level of innovation, inclusion and infrastructure,’ he said.

‘We must establish Lagos as a leading centre for education, strengthen healthcare delivery, create more opportunities for our young people and MSMEs, and make Lagos the safest mega-city in Africa.’

Dr Hamzat also presented his Digital Lagos 2.0 proposal, which seeks to integrate artificial intelligence, blockchain and smart-city technologies to drive efficiency in governance and position Lagos as a technology hub.

The keynote was followed by a fireside conversation where participants engaged the Deputy Governor on issues around sustainability, town planning, the creative economy, tourism and public-private partnerships.

CEO and Co-Founder of 7-Fifteen Capital, Tope Adekoya, said the session was aimed at fostering direct engagement between policymakers and emerging business leaders.

‘Lagos is home to an increasingly influential community of young founders and business leaders who are creating opportunities and contributing meaningfully to the city’s growth. This evening was an opportunity to bring that community together with public leadership and create space for direct conversation,’ he said.

On her part, Deputy CEO and Co-Founder, Adesuwa Belo-Osagie, said the company’s interest in the conversation extends beyond its core business.

‘Our responsibility goes beyond financial investment and property development. The next chapter of Lagos will be written collectively by public servants, businesses and private citizens who care enough to participate in shaping it,’ she said.

The event ended with networking and an exhibition of the firm’s projects in Lagos and Abuja.

The Presidency has declared that the 2025 performance of NNPCL has validated its stance that a return to the fuel subsidy regime would amount to a step backwards for the country’s economy.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated this on his official X handle on Tuesday.

He was reacting to NNPCL’s key financial performance in 2025.

Onanuga stated that ‘Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation rose 22% to ?18.0 trillion; Earnings Per Share increased 32% to ?35.9; Operating cash flow grew 16% to ?12.8 trillion.’

He also disclosed that ‘return on Equity improved by 200 basis points to 16%; and the declared dividend increased 35% to ?5.8 trillion.’

According to Onanuga, ‘Crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.77 million barrels per day, its highest level in five years.

‘Natural gas output averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day, a three-year high.

‘Oil and condensate production totalled 565.8 million barrels, up 5%, with NNPC Limited’s equity share increasing 11% to 223.7 million barrels.

‘Natural gas production reached 2,606.2 billion standard cubic feet, up 9%, while its equity share rose 11% to 1,154.9 billion standard cubic feet.’

The statement concluded by dismissing the proposal by African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to return to the fuel subsidy regime if elected, saying it would reverse the country’s economic progress.

‘Atiku’s subsidy programme will certainly kill this company, which could be our own Aramco. Our country has no business taking 100 steps back. Forward ever!’

Older men who remain sexually active can benefit from HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), even when age-related conditions such as reduced libido and erectile dysfunction affect their sexual lives, a public health specialist, Dr Segun Oyedeji, has said.

Oyedeji, Principal Consultant with Kent Counsul Ltd, said older people should not be excluded from HIV prevention medications simply because of their age or because they are managing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

He spoke at the sideline of a two-day national training of media personnel on lenacapavir organised by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS.

He explained that some medications used in managing non-communicable diseases could affect libido and sexual function, although newer medicines may have fewer effects on sexual desire.

‘Older people will benefit from PrEP pills because as you grow older, you are likely to have non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Once you have those, you take some drugs for those conditions, and those drugs you are taking might affect your libido depending on the type of drug you are taking,’ Oyedeji said.

Oyedeji, who is also a certified PrEP Master Trainer with the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), said sexually active older adults should have access to appropriate HIV prevention services following proper clinical assessment.

The expert, however, cautioned against viewing PrEP medications as protection against every sexually transmitted infection, stating, ‘PrEP pills protect against HIV, not other STIs.”

According to him, condoms can provide dual protection by helping to prevent unintended pregnancy while also reducing the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections when used correctly and consistently.

He stressed that people should understand the specific protection offered by each HIV prevention method rather than assuming that one intervention eliminates every sexual-health risk.

Oyedeji said people seeking to commence PrEP must undergo appropriate clinical assessment, including HIV testing and kidney function tests.

‘If you have an underlying kidney condition, then PrEP can further exacerbate it. So that’s why that aspect is very important,’ he said.

He said people taking oral PrEP must follow the prescribed dosing schedule, while those using long-acting formulations must return for their scheduled doses.

Oyedeji advised people who may have difficulty adhering to a particular regimen to discuss alternative HIV prevention options with trained healthcare providers.

He urged anyone who believes they may have been exposed to HIV to seek medical attention within 72 hours of exposure to benefit from post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) rather than waiting.

According to him, possible exposure through unprotected sex with a person whose HIV status is unknown and sexual assault are among situations that may require urgent assessment for PEP.

The expert also urged people using hormones or undergoing other medical or cosmetic treatments to disclose their full medical history when seeking PrEP.

He said information about existing health conditions, medications and hormonal treatments would help clinicians identify possible contraindications and determine the most appropriate prevention option.

Oyedeji advised people on PrEP to exercise caution with alcohol and, where possible, avoid taking alcohol alongside medicines.

He urged sexually active people to know their HIV status and, where appropriate, have an informed understanding of their partner’s status.

A retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, has cautioned politicians against attempting to sway judicial officers with what he described as ‘Greek gifts’.

Retiring from the Bench on Tuesday after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70, the jurist insisted that action must be taken against the practice of politicians gifting cows and rams to judges, adding that he had previously raised the matter with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

‘Why should a politician send a ram, cow or other items to a Supreme Court Justice? It is unheard of in other countries.

‘I am calling on the CJN to do something about this. I once raised the issue. It is demeaning and equally frustrating,’ Justice Saulawa said while speaking at a valedictory court session the apex court held in his honour as he bowed out of the Bench after a 44-year journey in the legal profession.

While urging judges across the country to embrace a culture of integrity, honesty and morality, the retiring Justice recalled a case in which an influential person he later convicted had tried, before judgment was delivered, to influence him through proxies after he declined a gift of a car.

‘Prior to the case, the Alhaji had donated to me a brand-new Peugeot motor vehicle, which I flatly rejected. He went to the extent of seeking the intervention of some prominent personalities, including the Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Usman, the District Head, Alhaji Balan Goggo, et al., with a view to influencing me to accept the ‘Greek gift’, but to no avail,’ Justice Saulawa added.

A representative of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BoSAN), Mr Damien Dodo, SAN, who declared that he was embarrassed by the poor attendance of lawyers, blamed it on miscommunication, saying it was not a reflection of the personality of Justice Saulawa, who, he said, served the country ‘with granite integrity’.

The outgoing jurist disclosed that, while in service, he had, in a bid to safeguard his principles, turned down several invitations to attend social gatherings. ‘But some of my learned friends are always there, even if they didn’t need to be there,’ he noted.

Recalling the crisis that led to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Justice Saulawa said, as the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal at the time, he took steps to stem the tide of conflicting court orders which, he said, were orchestrated by the military.

He noted that while the FCT High Court issued two interim orders that restrained the Professor Humphrey Nwosu-led National Electoral Commission (NEC) from conducting the presidential poll and announcing the results, some state high courts issued conflicting orders directing that the results be announced.

Insisting that the legal confusion was masterminded by the military, Justice Saulawa said he acted on the directive of the then President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice M. Akanbi, by swiftly moving to Kaduna to take control of the appellate court’s registry.

‘Appeals were filed at the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division, by the NEC. As the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, and the only spokesperson thereof, I flew from Lagos to Kaduna and took effective control of the Registry and supervised the registering of the appeals and the issuing of the appropriate court processes to the respective parties to the appeals.

‘I equally issued a press release regarding the circumstances surrounding the two appeals and motions relating thereto. Later in the evening, I flew back to Lagos and briefed the PCA, Hon. Justice MMA Akanbi, a man of unquestionable integrity and unwavering courage.

‘Upon my advice, the Hon. PCA called for an emergency meeting of the Hon. Presiding Justices over the crisis,’ he said, noting that it was only after every effort the military made to infiltrate the judiciary ‘was frustrated by myself and Justice Akanbi’ that the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the outcome of the presidential contest on the excuse that he was saving ‘the judiciary from self-destruction’.

While faulting the military for engaging in ‘forum shopping’, which he said led to all the conflicting court orders, Justice Saulawa insisted that the judiciary at that time deserved ‘a gold medal. We actually did all we could do to frustrate the military,’ he added.

Meanwhile, the CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in her address at the valedictory court session, extolled Justice Saulawa’s virtues, describing him as ‘a man whose life has been defined by service’.

The CJN recalled the time the retiring Justice was serving as the Presiding Justice of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, saying: ‘There was, during that period, a particular moment which has remained with me, because of what it revealed about the values we both held dear.

‘A situation arose which called for a clear and principled response to an attempt, however discreetly made, to place a matter of personal benefit in the path of judicial duty.

‘Without hesitation, we each took the position that the integrity of the judicial office admits of no compromise and that even the appearance of impropriety must be guarded against.

‘What followed was a quiet but unmistakable affirmation of a principle that needed no elaborate expression: that the honour of the judicial office is preserved not merely in our judgments from the Bench, but also in the choices we make when no judgment is being written.

‘I believe that moment deepened my appreciation of my Lord’s character and, in its own quiet way, helped to define the mutual respect and understanding that have characterised our relationship since,’ the CJN added.

Both the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was represented at the event by the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, lauded Justice Saulawa for his years of service and wished him a happy retirement.