Posts in category: Law & Justice

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Thursday joined the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the presentation of financial support to families of fallen heroes of the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force.

The event, organised by the Office of the First Lady through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme, was held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This second edition of the initiative targeted families of security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty since the inception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

A total of 1,638 families of deceased police officers received financial empowerment packages aimed at helping them rebuild their livelihoods and cater for their dependants.

The ceremony was also attended by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio; Service Chiefs; the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA); and wives of heads of security agencies.

Speaking at the event, IGP Disu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the First Lady for the intervention, describing it as a demonstration of national gratitude and compassion.

“The Renewed Hope Initiative goes beyond policy. It is about restoring dignity and supporting citizens at vulnerable moments,” the IGP said.

He assured the bereaved families that the sacrifices of their loved ones would never be forgotten, and reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of its personnel and providing continued support to families of officers who paid the ultimate price.

Rejected at home. Recognised beyond it

There is a certain irony in watching a man whose capacity was once deemed expendable at home emerge as a voice of consequence on a national professional stage.

Samson Raphael Osagie, PhD, FICMC—former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State—is not a man whose credentials require embellishment. His record, intellect, experience and professional standing speak with sufficient authority.

Yet, his departure from public office was handled in a manner that many considered unbefitting of a man of his calibre and contribution.

But history has a way of correcting the limitations of political judgement.

While some at home may have sought to diminish his relevance, the wider professional community has continued to recognise his value. Today, that recognition is on full display as he takes the stage as a Speaker at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC) 2026, under the theme, “Beyond Limits ’26.”

This is more than an invitation to speak. It is professional validation.

It is a reminder that competence does not become irrelevant because political circumstances change; intellectual capacity does not disappear because an appointment ends; and a man of substance does not cease to matter because those in a position to recognise his worth choose otherwise.

From Uhunmwode to Edo South, and from Edo State to the national professional arena, Samson Raphael Osagie continues to demonstrate that genuine excellence ultimately finds its platform.

You may edge a man out of office, but you cannot easily edge excellence out of relevance.

Congratulations to Samson Raphael Osagie, PhD, FICMC.

Edo South should celebrate him. Uhunmwode should own his achievement. Edo State should recognise the distinction.

When excellence is recognised beyond home, perhaps home should pause—not to ask why the man is being celebrated elsewhere, but why his value was not celebrated enough at home.

By Ikhuenbor Felix Igbinevbo

Former Attorney General of Edo State, Dr. Samson Osagie, on Sunday said persons convicted under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act should serve their full sentences to deter others.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria,( NAN), Dr. Osagie said the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, was enacted to provide a legal framework for the detection, prevention, prosecution and punishment of acts of terrorism in Nigeria. He noted public concerns over the possibility of convicted terrorists being granted amnesty through executive orders.

He further disclosed there was a need to amend the Act and Section 175 of the Constitution on prerogative of mercy to exclude persons convicted of terrorism or terrorism-related offences. “It has become pertinent to recommend that the Act be further amended to exclude such persons from benefiting from presidential clemency during the pendency of their jail term,” he said.

Also speaking, former NBA Young Lawyers Forum Chairman, Mr. Uwomano Aki, described terrorism as “a direct attack on the sovereignty, security, and collective existence of the nation.” He said where a court has found an accused guilty after a fair trial, granting executive clemency later is difficult to justify.

Similarly, a member of the NBA, Mrs. Adaobi Fortune, said any consideration of amnesty for convicted terrorists must be guided by overriding national interest. “The sovereignty of Nigeria and interests of its citizens should override every other consideration,” she said.

Also, President of the African Women Lawyers Association, Mrs. Amanda Demechi-Asagba, said the law already contains safeguards against the release of terrorists sentenced to life. She explained that under the 2022 Act, life imprisonment means an offender remains in prison for life unless the sentence is overturned on appeal or altered by pardon. She called for a further amendment requiring terrorism convicts to spend at least 30 years before being considered for clemency.

This unanimous call by legal experts underscores growing public demand for tougher measures against terrorisms as they argued that denying convicted terrorists access to clemency will not only uphold justice for victims but also strengthen national security and reinforce the resolve to stamp out terrorism from Nigeria.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered that 48 properties linked to the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, be taken over by the Federal Government.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proven that the properties were likely bought with money from illegal activities.

The EFCC had filed the suit seeking to permanently take over 57 properties worth N212.8 billion alleged to be linked to Malami. Justice Abdulmalik said Malami failed to show that he acquired the properties through legal means.

Earlier, the judge dismissed several applications and motions filed to claim ownership of the properties by Malami, his family members, and some companies linked to the properties. She stated that the issue before the court was not “who owns the properties, but whether the money used to buy the properties was legitimately obtained.”

Justice Abdulmalik gave the order based on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.

However, the judge also cancelled the earlier court order on nine other properties included in the EFCC’s application.
She said the anti-graft agency failed to prove that the nine properties located in Kebbi and Kaduna states were bought with illegal money.