Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Edo State Government said its deployment of technology and innovation would help it to meet targeted N100billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by December ending.

It said it had made gains in the area of increasing the state IGR and being able to manage some of the challenging issues with tax evasion and tax avoidance.

Executive Chairman of Edo Internal Revenue Services (EIRS), Otunba Bamidele Bankole-Balogun, in an interview, said the state was making steady progress through audit processes, assessments and good use of the courts.

He said the state’s IGR at the end of August was N74billion and had hit N79billion at press time.

Bankole-Balogun said the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration inherited a virtually non-existent digitalised system.

The EIRS boss said his team was working assiduously to digitalise revenue collections in Edo State such that in future, cash collections and manual collections would be reduced to the barest minimum.

He said: ‘At the moment, Edo State Internal Revenue Service is making tremendous gains in the area of increasing the state’s IGR. There are many components to our taxation and each and every part of this mix is seeing significant improvement as compared to last year in review.

‘There are other companies that are lined up and individuals lined up somewhere. It has been traditionally difficult, as you say, to come to grips with high net worth individuals. They have all the resources to evade and avoid tax, but we’re on top of it.’

He expressed the state’s preparedness for the new tax regime from January 1, 2026.

‘As you know, the new tax regime that will come in on the 1st of January 2026 places very little emphasis on the low income and places a lot of emphasis on the high income. Our objective is to tap into the high net worth individuals who are able to pay much more than the lower income, so as to harness that group and maximise the potential from the group.

‘Digitalisation is on top of it. Tax bodies are on top of it. The FIRS, which will now be the Federal Revenue Service, is also on top of it. Edo State Internal Revenue Service is also on top of it. Technology will help and as you know TINs, BDNs and NINs are going to be critical to doing any financial transaction in Nigeria from the 1st of January. So all of these mechanisms put together, hopefully, will help us to get more from these people who can pay more actually to give everybody a better life.’

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has inaugurated the committee for the screening of 2026 Hajj Tour Operators at the Hajj House in Abuja.

The committee comprises management workers of the commission alongside other key members, including representatives from the secretariat.

The commission’s Director of Administration, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, who represented the Chairman at the event, described the inauguration as an important milestone in preparations for the Hajj operation.

He expressed the commission’s confidence in the competence and capacity of the committee members to deliver on the crucial assignment.

Shutti urged the committee to thoroughly scrutinise all documents submitted by intending Hajj Tour Operators seeking licences for the 2026 exercise, ensuring validity, accuracy, and compliance with international best practices.

He directed the committee to recommend slot allocations only to qualified and competent operators.

‘You are expected to submit your recommendations to the leadership of the commission for approval or otherwise, and produce a comprehensive report of your findings at the end of the exercise,’ Shutti said.

The director reminded the committee of the urgency of their task, stressing that the assignment must be completed within one week in line with the deadline set by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the 2026 operations.

Before pouring jeremiads on Nigeria at 65, behold the parallels between Emperor Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (reigned: 605-562 BC) and US President Donald Trump, as America approaches its 250th year in 2026!

Much more than a warrior-king, Nebuchadnezzar was a renowned builder. His neo-Babylonian Empire, of course, provided a surfeit of forced labour.

Trump is a real estate magnate. But with Trump accused as a shark that often shirks payment for work done, duped labour is answer to Nebuchadnezzar’s forced labour.

Nebuchadnezzar drove Jews into exile, among hated Gentiles, in his prized Babylon city, with his 586 BC razing of Jerusalem; and his capture and torture of rebellious Judah King Zedekiah.

In a settler country with neither Jew nor Gentile, Trump is creating fake Gentiles of US illegal immigrants, and dumping them in fake Babylon: in Africa, South America and Asia, where as the ancient Jews in Babylon, they might not even know anyone!

But it’s in preening hubris that the Trump-Nebuchadnezzar parallel is eeriest.

At the zenith of his self-worship – even with a prophetic caution, by Daniel the Jew to humble himself – Nebuchadnezzar crowed: ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built, as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?’

Compare and contrast that with Trump’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) September 25 conceit, and you’ll spot the tragic similarity between the two.

Using his native New York and UN base as Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon city, Trump bluffed and blustered, abused and traduced, cursed and smeared everyone in sight.

The United Nations was useless for alleged escalator and TelePrompTer sabotage; and for not aiding him to stop ‘seven wars’ – a brazen lie by the way – even though America picks up the biggest chunk of the UN tab, which is true.

Global science is wrong on climate change, only because a loud Trump – even with combative ignorance – declared it’s ‘the greatest con ever perpetrated on the world.’

Europe earned Trump’s ire, for not herding own ‘illegal immigrants’ into human pens like hens; and, like the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), cart them off to wherever the wannabe emperor damn well pleases!

For shunning that icy savagery, Trump foreswore Europe would go to hell! Besides, having numbed uppity America with his cocktail of bare-faced lies, and pushing his deep vices as high virtues, he pitches such vile claptrap to the globe. What hubris!

Prof. Wole Soyinka just christened Trump ‘Idi Amin of America’: after that odious 20th century military brute, that made Uganda – and Africa – a global laughing stock. By his UNGA huff-and-puff, Trump further branded himself some neo-Nebuchadnezzar.

But it’s all thanks to American democracy, just shy of its 250th year: returning the Idi Amin favour, and delivering America’s own 21st century global laughing stock!

Dolly Parton, that great American country music megastar, with a sweet but haunting voice, once sang ‘It’s my time to cry .’ in one of her fetching numbers.

Africa and the third world, often savagely caricatured by a condescending America and the rest of the West are, in Trump, grabbing their chance to laugh – or even gloat! Indeed, Trump’s bubbly bumbling would have been so sweet, were it not so tragic!

Nigeria is 65. America, 249 years. But its doubtful if a Trump, with his clear flaws, can gain the Nigerian presidency, even with Nigeria’s many challenges!

Which is why, the world leaders at UNGA, condemned to enduring Trump’s tirade – at least the historic-minded among them – would not but wonder if this was not after all a 21st century Nebuchadnezzar eating grass, after burst hubris!

To be sure, core historians claim that was a Jewish biblical fable – for in truth, no hard core historical account recorded Nebuchadnezzar as eating grass. But it’s a powerful metaphor: pride goes before a fall. That might just be America’s fate under Trump. He radically disrupts the world. Yet, his thinking – and whining – are baby-like!

Still, an ambivalence gifts Trump apologists – quite a number! – some cold comfort.

Nebuchadnezzar was the divine rod from Jehovah himself – thus goes the biblical account – to punish the decadence of Judah.

Trump too, might just be the divine rod to conk the Democratic Party, often blamed for the moral decay of America. The grand irony, though: no single person epitomizes that decay more than Trump!

Still, never mind: Trump as divine rod is why America’s White Evangelicals support him – aside the snouting elephant of White racism in the room! Some priggish Nigerians also buy into that ‘divine’ apologia.

Just as well Trump merrily emits raw American wrongs, buried under more than two centuries of – hypocritical (?) – breeding. But it would appear crunch time!

Still, America is famous for self-correcting, after major crises. Might there then be redemption, after profane Divine Rod Trump is long gone? Maybe!

But a chilly video making the rounds, tracking a 250-year empire rise-and-bust cycle, suggests otherwise.

On 4 July 2026, America will be 250 years. Rome: 244 years from republic to empire. Ottoman: 250 years from its rise to its peak. Britain: 251 years from empire to a bust.

What’s more? America suffers socio-economic dissonance that bodes ill. Its rich 0.1%, claims the video, corral more wealth than the rest 90%. Trust in institutions has fallen 54% from 1970. By 2026, it would plunge below 20% – the Soviet Union sank at 19%. America’s political polarization is almost at par with its civil war period. By its 250th year – 2016 – that fissure would reach nadir not plumbed by any modern democracy.

Incidentally, Trump, the unfazed face of this rot, is here bang at the crunch: levying war against Congress and getting away with it, convicted on 34-point felony yet elected president, and whines regularly to divide, not unite, his country.

Now, if he goes to UNGA to play Nebuchadnezzar, after wreaking the system at home, it’s signal to the rest of the world that America’s global awe is dated.

That has started in earnest: Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, at those same UNGA portals, already told Trump to buzz off pushing political outlawry in Brazil, with his daft support for the jailed Jair Bolsonaro who, after defeat, staged a Trump-like siege on Parliament to stay in power. Unlike Trump, however, he just got tossed into the can.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, right there in New York, told American soldiers to, on Palestine, disobey outlawry orders from their commander-in-chief!

Even the French, philosopher-Kings of America’s ‘liberty and fraternity’ credo: their president had to abandon his car, and trek to own embassy, because insecure Trump must project raw power, and seal up the entire New York!

For these diplomatic incivilities, Trump has the mandate of his people. They voted him. So, if they drown, they drown in concert.

The saving grace is America might not remain a global bully much longer, though it can continue ruling or misruling itself in its vast insular territory.

So, how does Nigeria at 65 take advantage of this winking global opportunity? Use natural and human resources to build Nigeria for formidable global trade – and peace.

That – and not stale jeremiads at 65 – should drive Nigerian thinking.

A former Edo Speaker Hon Frank Okiye has been appointed pioneer Chairman of the Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission.

The appointment of Okiye was contained in a statement by Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Okhilor, following establishment of the Commission.

Ikhilor said the Commission was conceived as the central regulatory body for all lottery, gaming, and related activities within the State.

He said the Commission was to provide legal and institutional framework for regulating lottery and gaming operations as well as ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in the conduct of lottery activities.

The SSG explained that the Commission would safeguard interests of participants as well as generate revenue for the state through well-structured licensing and regulation of gaming operators.

Other members of the Commission are Dandy Imoukhuede Oserei, Elvis Uadiale, Ndidi Aghimien and Hon. Habibat Yakubu as Secretary.

Okhilor said the names of the nominees would be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has officially launched ISO 37003:2025, a Fraud Control Management System designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and governance across the country.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, SON Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, described the standard as a globally recognised framework that helps organisations prevent fraud before it occurs, detect it efficiently, and respond decisively to minimise damage.

He added that ISO 37003:2025 also fosters a culture of integrity by embedding fraud prevention into the core of organisational operations.

Dr. Okeke explained that adoption of the standard will benefit both the public and private sectors – reducing leakages and rebuilding trust in government while positioning Nigerian companies as credible and trustworthy partners to investors.

He further stressed that widespread implementation would improve Nigeria’s global rankings and attract foreign direct investment.

SON, he noted, will embark on awareness campaigns, training, and certification programmes to ensure effective adoption, calling for active participation from government leaders, industry captains, professional bodies, and civil society.

Also speaking, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Convener of ISO/TC309/WG8, highlighted that ISO 37003:2025 serves as a guardian for organisations managing fraud risks, noting that the process of developing the standard began during the ISO TC 309 plenary in Sydney, Australia, in November 2018.

‘There was awareness of fraud risks in organisations and existing fraud controls within the organisations, including internal fraud, whistleblowing, code of conduct, anti-fraud policies, fraud training, and management reviews to mitigate the impact of fraud.

‘With the existence of these internal mechanisms and statutory regulations, there was a clear need for an ISO standard dealing with fraud control. Research findings from the literature published by reputable sources show that fraud costs the global economy about $4 trillion per year. The chief executive of the Strategic Institute of Forensic Examiners put it at $4.7 trillion a year, so it is increasing.

He added that this Amounts to a total loss of 7% in the annual turnover of the organisations. Based on the findings, the leadership of TC309 in 2022 approved the proposal and established Working Group 8 to develop a fraud control management system standard. After going through all the different stages of development, from working draft to committee draft, draft international standard to final draft international standard, the document was published as an international standard on 29th May 2025.

Land remains one of the most valuable assets in the world today, contributing to economic growth at an unprecedented rate across global landscapes.

Cities around the world like Monaco, where land costs an average of $100,000 – $120,000 for a square metre, Hong Kong, London, New York, Tokyo, and Paris, to mention a few, have witnessed a dramatic growth as a result of land investments.

The Lagos State’s experience of land’s capability to improve local economy is not different from the experiences of the wealthy cities (by land value) mentioned above.

As Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos State is grappling with unchecked population growth, rapid urbanisation, which among other things birthed the need for increasing security of land ownership.

The state has witnessed, in time past, violent land grabbing cases, fraudulent misrepresentation in title perfection, cloning of titles, and documents theft, which has cast doubts in the minds of the general public about the state’s capability in running a smooth, efficient, and reliable land administration.

Title perfection, which is the process of converting an imperfect landholding into a legally recognised, registrable, and defensible title, is crucial for individuals, families, developers, and corporate organisations.

It fosters land-based investments, and ensures, among other things, security of tenure, reduces disputes, and enhances the value of real estate assets by making them acceptable for mortgage, investment, and development.

In Lagos State, however, the path to title perfection has become a long, costly, and sometimes frustrating journey. Although very rare, title perfection trip, which should last a maximum of one calendar year could take forever.

At the heart of title perfection process in Lagos State and across Nigeria lies a controversial group: the middlemen. These middlemen include lawyers, estate agents (both educated and semi-literate), and estate surveyors and valuers.

Their involvement has become both indispensable and problematic, shaping how land title perfection is perceived and practised.

While some middlemen provide legitimate guidance, others thrive on exploiting loopholes, inefficiencies, and applicants’ ignorance.

This paper interrogates the problems posed by middlemen in Lagos’ title perfection process, the impact on applicants and the government, and the possible reforms that can sanitise the system for the benefit of all stakeholders.

At first glance, the role of middlemen appears justifiable. Land title perfection involves multitude of stages, and cumbersome process, and would be requiring different application documents, payments of statutory fees (such as consent assessment, stamp duties, and registration fee), surveys, charting, and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy or Governor’s Consent. These procedures are highly technical, bureaucratic, and time-consuming.

Given the complexity, many applicants, whether individuals, families, or corporate bodies-turn to middlemen for assistance. Lawyers are often engaged for drafting, legal interpretations, and processing. Estate surveyors and valuers guide on property-related documentation and valuation requirements. Agents and informal facilitators offer ‘connections’ within the Lands Bureau. In practice, the middleman has become the bridge between the landowner and the Lands Bureau.

Yet, instead of easing the process, this arrangement has bred distortions, bottlenecks, and corruption.

What nature of problems do the middlemen cause in title perfection process in Lagos State? A few ones are:

One of the major criticisms of middlemen is the sharp escalation in the cost of title perfection. Statutory fees in Lagos are already high compared to other states in Nigeria. When applicants engage middlemen, additional charges are imposed-sometimes arbitrary, sometimes exploitative. What should ordinarily cost millions of naira in statutory charges ends up being inflated to double or triple the official amount. For ordinary landowners, this makes perfection nearly impossible.

Middlemen thrive on applicants’ ignorance of procedures. Many title seekers are not informed about the official steps, documentation, and fees involved. This knowledge gap is exploited by middlemen who withhold information, manipulate timelines, and justify arbitrary costs. There are cases when middlemen will put their personal details at places on application forms where applicant’s details are needed. This sharp practice and more, leave applicants at the mercy of middlemen, without direct knowledge of what transpires within the Lands Bureau.

The activities of middlemen have entrenched corruption in the system. Instead of following due process, some middlemen resort to informal payments, bribery, and ‘man-know-man’ tactics to fast-track applications. This undermines institutional integrity, frustrates honest applicants, and encourages a vicious cycle where only those who can afford ‘extra’ payments get results.

Ironically, middlemen do not always speed up the process. In many cases, files are delayed or even lost because middlemen operate through informal channels rather than official routes. Applicants who refuse to pay additional charges often suffer endless delays. The inefficiency feeds a perception that title perfection in Lagos is designed to frustrate ordinary citizens.

While lawyers and estate surveyors are trained professionals, the system is also flooded with unqualified agents and touts who pose as facilitators. Many of these semi-literate middlemen mislead applicants, file incomplete documentation, and collect fees without delivering results. Their activities deepen the crisis of trust in the land administration system.

The middlemen crisis has dual consequences. For the government, it translates into loss of revenue, since informal payments often bypass official channels. It also undermines Lagos State’s vision of becoming a global smart city with efficient land administration.

For applicants, the consequences are financial and emotional. Exorbitant costs discourage many landowners from perfecting their titles, leading to a large number of unregistered properties in Lagos.

This perpetuates land disputes, weakens collateral value for mortgage financing, and reduces confidence in real estate investments. The emotional toll of repeated delays, endless demands for money, and uncertain outcomes cannot be ignored.

The challenges posed by middlemen are not insurmountable. With deliberate reforms, Lagos State can reduce reliance on middlemen, improve efficiency, and restore confidence in the land title perfection process.

The government must deepen the ongoing digital reforms in the Lands Bureau. A fully automated, transparent, and user-friendly platform where applicants can submit documents, track progress, and make payments directly will drastically reduce human interference. Online dashboards showing real-time application status can eliminate reliance on middlemen.

Applicants need to be educated about the steps, costs, and timelines involved in title perfection. Regular sensitisation through newspapers, radio, and community forums can close the knowledge gap that middlemen exploit. A citizen who understands the process is less vulnerable to exploitation.

Lagos can establish one-stop centres where all land perfection processes-survey charting, valuation, consent, stamping, and registration-are coordinated. This reduces the run-around across multiple offices and curtails opportunities for middlemen to hijack the process.

While lawyers and Estate Surveyors are legitimate players, their activities in title perfection need to be better regulated by their professional bodies to ensure transparency and fairness. Unqualified agents and touts should be weeded out through enforcement and public warnings.

The high cost of perfection in Lagos fuels the demand for shortcuts. A review of statutory fees to make them more affordable will encourage compliance. When official fees are fair and predictable, the incentive to patronise middlemen diminishes.

The Lands Bureau must strengthen internal monitoring systems. Staff found colluding with middlemen should face disciplinary actions. Anonymous whistleblowing channels and audits can also help check corruption.

In conclusion, land title perfection is not merely a bureaucratic exercise-it is the foundation of property rights, investment confidence, and urban development in Lagos State. Yet, the overwhelming role of middlemen has turned the process into a burden for many applicants. While middlemen emerged to fill gaps created by bureaucracy, they have become part of the problem, inflating costs, encouraging corruption, and undermining trust.

For Lagos State to achieve its ambition of transparent land administration, bold reforms must be undertaken. Digitalisation, public education, regulatory enforcement, and fee rationalisation will go a long way in reducing reliance on middlemen. By making the process efficient, affordable, and transparent, Lagos can ensure that landowners perfect their titles with confidence and without exploitation.

The crisis of middlemen should no longer define title perfection in Lagos. It is time for the government, professionals, and the public to embrace a new order where land title perfection is transparent, affordable, and truly accessible to all.

The Attorney General of the Federation(AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has hinted of plans to probe the September 11 United Kingdom judgment involving Senior Advocate Mike Ozekhome and the late Gen. Jerry Useni over a disputed London property.

The Tribunal judgment was given by Judge Ewan Paton.

The late Gen Useni was the true owner of the disputed property located at 79, Randall Avenue, LondonNW2, purchased in 1993, according to the Tribunal. He got the property under false identity-Tali Shani.

Ozekhome’a application to register the property was ordered to be cancelled by the Tribunal. It ruled that Tali Shani couldn’t pass ownership because the name was used as a conduit for the late General’s fraudulent acquisition.

Fagbemi spoke yesterday at a special court session to mark the beginning of the Supreme Court’s 2025/2026 Legal Year and the inauguration of 57 senior advocates of Nigeria(SANs).

Fagbemi expressed concern about the rising number of complaints of professional misconduct against senior lawyers.

He noted that his office receives such complaints frequently.

Fagbemi said: ‘My office has, in recent times, taken note of the increasing number of complaints against senior members of the bar.

‘Thankfully, these are few and far between, but they still constitute such numbers as to be troubling.

‘The complaints border on professional misconduct and, if not addressed urgently, are capable of bringing this prestigious rank into disrepute locally and, as we have seen recently, internationally.

‘We need to reverse the perception that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria confers immunity from disciplinary measures for professional misconduct.

‘We simply cannot have a Bar where one law applies to juniors and another to seniors.

My Lords, of note is the topical and trending matter that recently struck at the standing of our profession in Nigeria in the eyes of the world and in a way that stands out in recent memory.

‘It bears sadly on the high esteem and integrity that our noble profession commands as a sine qua non for our collective commitment and investment in the legal brand.

‘I am referring to the recent decision (11th September 2025) of an English property tribunal, by Judge Ewan Paton.

‘It will be remiss of me not to bring such an egregious development to the attention of my lords, in the hope that it is addressed frontally against the backdrop of the hallowed rules that guard and define the finest traditions by which our nobility should be measured.

‘It is for this reason that my office has now taken the unusual step of verifying the authenticity of this and often complaints with a view to referring them to the appropriate disciplinary bodies.

‘I look forward to receiving the cooperation of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Body of Senior Advocates in this regard,’ Fagbemi said.

The AGF, who challenged the Judiciary to be transparent in its operations, said ‘it is quite concerning to see the adverse ratings and negative perception indexes of our Judiciary.’

He went on: ‘Public confidence in the judiciary has been shaken by perceptions of undue influence, inconsistent rulings, and delays that frustrate justice.

‘Allegations of corruption, though often unproven, cast long shadows.

‘While I agree that the judiciary should be accountable less to public opinion and more to public interest, may I respectfully insist that in this climate, the judiciary should discharge that accountability by being principled, independent and impartial.

‘It must not only deliver justice, it must do so transparently, consistently, and with intellectual rigour.

‘It is therefore the responsibility of everyone present here and beyond to ensure that, like Caesar’s wife, the judiciary is above reproach and suspicion,’ Fagbemi said.

Also yesterday, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun expressed concern over the inadequate funding of states’ Judiciaries by the governors.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said the unfortunate development hampers the capacity of courts in states to effectively function.

She said: ‘The judiciary, especially at the sub-national level, is often underfunded, which impacts its ability to function effectively.

‘Inadequate funding leads to poor infrastructure, insufficient resources, and inadequate training for judicial staff members and support staff.

‘This, in turn, affects the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial process. I need to state unequivocally that the challenges facing the Judiciary are not the responsibilities of the judiciary alone.

‘They require a collaborative effort involving all the three arms of government – the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary – as well as the active participation of the citizens.

‘I therefore, call upon the executive arm of government, especially in the states to provide adequate funding for the judiciary, improve judicial

infrastructure, and support the implementation of technological advancements.

‘I urge the legislature to enact laws that support the independence of the Judiciary, strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms, and streamline court processes,’ she said

Bandits have abducted several motorists, including former SUBEB chairman, Mohammed Bawa Niworu, Niger State Independent Electoral Commissioner Ahmed Mohammed, his driver, and other passengers along the Mokwa-New Bussa road in Mashegu LGA.

The attack, which occurred Monday evening near the Ibbi National Park, saw armed men block the road and seize victims from multiple vehicles, including three commercial Sharon buses carrying traders from New Bussa market.

A Sharon driver who plies the route daily told our reporter that three Sharon vehicles with their passengers, who were traders returning from New Bussa weekly market, were taken to an unknown destination during the incident.

When contacted, the Niger State Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, saying that a Police patrol vehicle was damaged with gunshots in the process, adding that they abducted some passengers along the road from about three vehicles.

According to him, the police command has mobilised more tactical teams with other security agencies, and vigilante members trailing the suspected kidnappers with a view to rescuing the abducted victims and possible arrest of the hoodlums.

Nigeria’s justice sector took a bold step last week, toward reform as stakeholders gathered in Maiduguri, Borno State, for a two-day retreat on strengthening justice delivery through technology, innovation, and coordinated reform.

Convened by the Federal Ministry of Justice under Attorney-General Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the forum brought together key justice institutions, policymakers, and legal experts.

Discussions centred on deploying digital tools to reduce case backlogs, improve transparency, and make the system more accessible, especially for vulnerable groups.

With Borno’s post-insurgency rebuilding efforts as backdrop, participants emphasised collaboration, accountability, and innovation as critical drivers for a faster, fairer, and people-centred justice system

Held under the theme: ‘Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation, and Coordinated Reform,’ the event brought together the heads of Nigeria’s most critical justice institutions.

For many participants, the retreat was more than a meeting – it was a turning point, a crucible where old silos gave way to a collective vision of a digital, transparent, and citizen-friendly justice system.

Fagbemi: Future of justice lies in technology

Fagbemi left no doubt about the scale of ambition.

‘The future of justice in Nigeria is intrinsically linked to its embrace of technology,’ he declared. ‘The methods of achieving justice must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

‘Our citizens expect services that are not only fair but also efficient, transparent, and accessible.’

Fagbemi argued that technology is no longer optional but central to justice delivery.

From digital case management and artificial intelligence in legal research to online access to legal services, he said, innovations offer a unique chance to tackle the judiciary’s biggest challenges – case backlogs, delays, and limited access to justice.

But he issued a caution: technology alone is not sufficient.

‘It must be embedded within a coordinated reform agenda that fosters collaboration, accountability, and innovation across the sector,’ he said.

Breaking the silo mentality

The AGF stressed that a fragmented approach to justice was no longer tenable.

‘The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Legal Aid Council, the Human Rights Commission, the Law Reform Commission, the Nigerian Copyright Commission – all these institutions carry noble responsibilities, but too often they work in isolation,’ he said.

He urged participants to dismantle silos and build a justice ecosystem where institutions complement rather than duplicate each other.

‘Together, they form a constellation of institutions whose combined light must guide our nation toward fairness, efficiency, and trust in the rule of law,’ he said.

Institutions at the heart of reform

The retreat highlighted the roles of different institutions in the reform drive.

NDLEA: for its battle against drug abuse and trafficking.

NAPTIP: for defending the most vulnerable, particularly victims of human trafficking.

Legal Aid Council: for ensuring access to justice for the poor.

NHRC: for standing as the conscience of Nigeria’s democracy.

Nigerian Law School and NIALS: for shaping the next generation of lawyers.

Law Reform Commission: for keeping laws relevant to changing realities.

Copyright Commission: for safeguarding intellectual property.

Regional Centre for Arbitration: for aligning Nigeria with global best practices.

By placing all these institutions on the same platform, the AGF made clear that reform must be collaborative, comprehensive, and citizen-focused.

Jedy-Agba: Coordinated reform is non-negotiable

Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, echoed the AGF’s message, insisting that ‘true transformation requires coordinated reform across the entire justice sector.’

She described the retreat’s agenda – including cluster sessions informed by a pre-retreat survey – as deliberately designed to move beyond rhetoric to practical solutions.

‘The collective desire for an efficient, accessible, and equitable justice system is a powerful force that now has a clear-eyed strategy to guide it,’ she said.

The symbolism of holding the retreat in Borno State was not lost on her.

A region scarred by insurgency, Borno provided a powerful backdrop for conversations about justice as an instrument of healing and rebuilding.

Zulum: Technology is a necessity

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State delivered a sobering keynote, tying justice reform to the realities of insurgency, terrorism, and community rebuilding.

‘In the aftermath of tragic events such as the recent terrorist attack in Darul Jamal, citizens now demand a faster, more transparent, and more accountable justice system,’ Zulum said.

‘These expectations cannot be achieved using outdated tools or fragmented systems. Technology must be embraced not as a luxury, but as a necessity.’

Zulum highlighted how digital tools had already transformed Borno’s justice system: enabling virtual court sittings, improving prison decongestion, and expanding access to legal aid in hard-to-reach communities.

But like the AGF, he warned that technology alone is not enough.

‘We need innovations not only in ICT gadgets but in mindsets, procedures, and leadership approach,’ he said.

‘Justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust, and restoring the social contract.’

Shittu: Bridging the rural-urban justice divide

In one of the retreat’s most thought-provoking papers, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) addressed the theme: ‘Strengthening Justice in Nigeria: Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide.’

He argued that despite constitutional guarantees, many rural Nigerians remain effectively cut off from justice. The barriers, he said, are both structural and systemic:

Geographical limitations: Courts and legal institutions are concentrated in urban centres. Farmers and traders often face prohibitively costly and time-consuming journeys to access justice.

Poverty and economic exclusion: High litigation costs, including lawyers’ and filing fees, keep justice out of reach for the poor.

Illiteracy and lack of awareness: Many Nigerians cannot read or write, making it impossible to understand legal documents or enforce rights.

Weak institutions and corruption: Delays, inefficiencies, and corruption erode public trust and deny justice in practice.

‘Justice delayed is not only justice denied; in rural Nigeria, it is justice abandoned,’ Dr. Shittu warned.

Using technology to close the gap

Despite these challenges, Dr. Shittu pointed to Nigeria’s high mobile penetration as a unique opportunity. He recommended:

E-filing and digital case management to reduce delays.

Mobile and USSD platforms to allow citizens to lodge complaints, seek legal aid, and receive updates without internet access.

Community radio, SMS alerts, and local-language broadcasts to spread legal awareness.

Beyond technology, he urged a community-based approach, including mobile courts, grassroots legal clinics, and ADR mechanisms led by trained traditional leaders.

‘By formalising local dispute-resolution systems while embedding human rights standards, Nigeria can create a hybrid justice model that is both accessible and legitimate,’ he said.

Ngige: Legal education must catch up

Another critical intervention came from Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, who spoke on ‘Innovations in Legal Education: Preparing Lawyers for the Digital Age.’

He noted the law school’s chronic underfunding, energy insecurity, and shortage of ICT-trained personnel as obstacles to modernising legal training. ‘Funds meant for technology are wasted on diesel to power campuses,’ he lamented.

Ngige called for:

Improved funding to modernise infrastructure.

Strengthened ICT training for students and faculty.

Ethical guidelines for using AI, robotics, and blockchain in legal practice.

Stronger collaboration between Nigerian and foreign law schools.

Continuous professional training for lawyers and judges through the NBA.

‘Though digital tools have transformed legal practice, caution must remain the watchword,’ he said. ‘A right infusion of governance and ethics is essential.’

Innovation, ethics as pillars of reform

Two papers emphasised innovation and ethics as pillars of reform.

Shamsudeen Hammed, representing NITDA’s DG/CEO, presented ‘Design Thinking for Collaborative Problem-Solving in Justice Sector Reforms: Lessons from the UAE.’

He argued that traditional, rigid approaches often fail in complex justice challenges.

Instead, Design Thinking-human-centred, empathetic, and iterative-should place citizens at the core of reforms.

Drawing from the UAE, he stressed treating citizens as customers, using pilots that ‘fail fast and learn faster,’ and adopting KPIs like backlog reduction and user satisfaction. Leaders were urged to prototype, empathise with users, and collaborate across silos.

Prof. Olanrewaju Onadeko (SAN), in his paper ‘Guardians of Justice: Prosecutors at the Intersection of Ethics, Professionalism and Human Rights,’ underscored prosecutors’ vital role in justice delivery.

He highlighted their duty to balance accountability with fairness and human rights while upholding ethics and professionalism.

He recommended adopting a prosecutorial code of conduct, strengthening adherence to professional guidelines, and ensuring prosecutors receive adequate security given the dangers of their work.

Together, the papers called for a justice system that is innovative, ethical, and people-centred-anchored on technology, empathy, and professionalism.

Toward a citizen-centred justice system

Across the sessions, a consensus emerged: justice reform is not just a technical matter but a moral imperative.

For Fagbemi, technology must be wedded to accountability and collaboration.

For Jedy-Agba, reform must be coordinated. For Zulum, justice is central to peace and healing.

For Shittu, inclusivity is non-negotiable. For Ngige, legal education must keep pace with innovation.

Each voice added to the same conclusion: Nigeria must embrace a whole-of-society approach where institutions, communities, and citizens together redefine justice for the 21st century.

The Maiduguri retreat may go down as a watershed moment for Nigeria’s justice sector.

For the first time, the heads of institutions came together not only to identify problems but to agree on a shared roadmap.

The message was clear: technology and innovation, guided by reform and accountability, are the levers by which justice in Nigeria can be transformed.

If the commitments made in Maiduguri are sustained, Nigerians may yet witness a justice system that is faster, fairer, more transparent, and, above all, accessible to every citizen, whether in the bustling streets of Lagos or the remote villages of Borno.

LeBron James said Monday he had not decided when to retire from basketball as he prepares to become the first player in NBA history to play a 23rd season in the league.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar told reporters at a media day that he is ‘excited’ by the prospect of another season in the league alongside Luka Doncic and a bolstered roster.

James will turn 41 in December and plans to savour every minute of the tail-end of a glittering career that has straddled three different decades.

But the four-time NBA champion and all-time points scorer says he has no idea of when he will retire.

‘I’m excited about today, I’m excited about the opportunity to be able to play the game that I love for another season,’ James told reporters. ‘Whatever the journey lays out this year, I’m super-invested because I don’t know when the end is. It’s a lot sooner than later.

‘I’m just super-appreciative of the fact that I come up here to do another media day and talk to you guys.’

James, who averaged 24.4 points per game last season, said his love for basketball – and hunger to keep improving – remained undimmed.

‘The thing still pushing me is the fact that my love for the game is still high, and the love of the process is even higher,’ he said.

‘It’s that simple – me training and working my body and trying to get my body as close to 100% as possible every year, it’s a beautiful thing for me.The NBA season is a roller coaster. But no matter the good, the bad, ugly, I still love that process.

‘For me personally, I love to play the game, I love to play at a high level. Age is kind of just a number. Not many guys at my age, especially going to year 23, is able to play a level like that. I try not to take it for granted.’

Last season, the Lakers sent shockwaves around the NBA after signing Luka Doncic in a stunning trade with the Dallas Mavericks.

James said the prospect of playing with the Slovenian star after a full training camp – instead of learning on the fly last year – was another motivating force for his 23rd season.

‘The motivation to play alongside him every night, that’s super motivating,’ James said. ‘That’s gonna train my body for every night I go out there and try to be the best player I can for him. We gonna bounce that off one another.’

In addition to a full training camp alongside Doncic, James is also relishing the prospect of starting the new season with a squad that has been bolstered by the arrival of veteran guard Marcus Smart and centre Deandre Ayton.

‘I’m excited about getting to work, and I’m excited to see what we can do,’ James said.