Retiring Supreme Court Justice Warns Politicians Against Giving Cows, Rams to Judges

Retiring Supreme Court Justice Ibrahim Musa Saulawa has urged politicians and litigants to stop giving cows, rams and other gifts to judges, warning that such gestures could undermine judicial integrity and independence.

Justice Saulawa made the call during his valedictory court session at the Supreme Court in Abuja following his retirement after attaining the mandatory age of 70.

The retiring justice described some of the gifts presented to judicial officers as “Greek gifts” and questioned why politicians should send cows, rams and other items to Supreme Court justices.

He said he had previously raised the issue with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and urged the judiciary to take steps to discourage the practice.

Saulawa said judges must maintain honesty, morality, contentment and integrity and avoid accepting anything that could compromise their independence or create an appearance of influence.

He recalled an incident from his time on the Katsina State Magistrate’s Court, when a prominent businessman, Alhaji Ali Bagobiri, offered him a Peugeot 504 car.

According to Saulawa, he rejected the vehicle despite efforts by the businessman and other prominent individuals, including the Emir of Katsina, to persuade him to accept it.

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The businessman later appeared before Saulawa in a case involving the alleged assault of a worker, Ahmad, who was said to have spent about two weeks in an intensive care unit.

Saulawa said the accused persons were convicted and fined N7,000 each, while the victim was awarded N10,000 in damages.

The retired justice said the experience reinforced his position that judges must keep personal benefits and judicial responsibilities separate.

He also recalled his role during the June 12, 1993 presidential election crisis, when he was serving as Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal.

Saulawa said conflicting court orders had emerged over the election and that he acted on the directive of the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Mustapha Akanbi, to secure the appellate court’s registry and ensure that judicial processes were properly handled.

He said the judiciary resisted attempts to interfere with the judicial process during the crisis before the election was eventually annulled by the military government headed by General Ibrahim Babangida.

Justice Saulawa’s judicial career began in 1983 when he was appointed a Magistrate Grade II in the Kaduna State Judiciary. He subsequently served as a chief magistrate, Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, High Court judge in Katsina and Justice of the Court of Appeal before his elevation to the Supreme Court in November 2020.

Born in Katsina on September 29, 1956, Saulawa studied law at Bayero University, Kano, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982. His retirement brings an end to a more than four-decade legal and judicial career.

At the valedictory session, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, praised Saulawa for his contribution to the judiciary and described his career as one marked by service and principle.

Kekere-Ekun also recalled an earlier occasion when she and Saulawa resisted an attempt to place a personal benefit before their judicial responsibilities, saying the episode underscored the importance of protecting the integrity of judicial office.

Former Chief Justices of Nigeria Mahmud Mohammed and Olukayode Ariwoola, along with other senior judicial officers and members of the legal profession, attended the ceremony.

Saulawa’s retirement leaves behind a judicial career spanning the magistracy, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, with his final message focused on the need for judges to protect public confidence in the administration of justice.

Retiring Supreme Court Justice Warns Politicians Against Giving Cows, Rams to Judges

NMDPRA Moves Against Fuel Pump Fraud, Threatens Licence Revocation

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has intensified its crackdown on fuel pump fraud, directing filling stations nationwide to immediately inspect, calibrate and verify their dispensing equipment following the discovery of cases of under-dispensing.

The regulator said it had identified incidents in which motorists and other consumers received less petrol than the quantity displayed on the pump, describing the practice as a serious breach of consumer trust.

Under its latest directive, operators of retail outlets must check and calibrate their fuel dispensers and totalisers to ensure that the equipment accurately measures the quantity of petroleum products sold.

The NMDPRA warned that stations found to be under-dispensing, operating with improperly calibrated equipment or otherwise compromising dispensing accuracy would be required to take corrective action.

It also warned that persistent or serious violations could lead to the revocation of operating licences.

The crackdown comes as motorists contend with elevated petrol prices across Nigeria. Recent reports put pump prices at around ₦1,350 to ₦1,400 per litre in Lagos, with prices reaching about ₦1,450 in Abuja and higher levels in some other locations.

The combination of higher pump prices and inaccurate dispensing has heightened concerns about the amount of fuel consumers actually receive for their money.

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The problem, however, is not necessarily limited to deliberate manipulation. Faulty or poorly calibrated dispensing equipment can also cause inaccurate measurements, making regular inspection and verification important for both consumers and station operators.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has directed its members to inspect their dispensing meters following the NMDPRA warning.

PETROAN National President Billy Gillis-Harry said the association held an emergency meeting after the regulator raised the issue and subsequently instructed its members to check their equipment nationwide.

He also urged motorists to pay attention to the quantity displayed on the pump while buying fuel and to request receipts for their purchases.

The NMDPRA has also called on major industry associations, including the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and PETROAN, to ensure that their members comply with the directive.

The latest enforcement drive forms part of the regulator’s wider responsibility to protect consumers and ensure transparency in petroleum product transactions.

The NMDPRA has separately said that petrol pump prices are determined by market forces under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and are not fixed by the regulator. It has also said it is working with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to monitor practices including price-gouging, collusion, under-dispensing and compromised product quality.

The regulator has urged consumers and industry stakeholders to report suspected irregularities through its feedback and reporting channels for investigation and possible enforcement.

For motorists, the latest directive means greater attention should be paid to the quantity shown on fuel dispensers, receipts and any noticeable discrepancy between the amount paid and the fuel delivered.

The NMDPRA’s warning also puts filling station operators under increased pressure to ensure that their equipment remains properly calibrated and that consumers receive the full quantity of petrol or other petroleum products for which they have paid.

NMDPRA Moves Against Fuel Pump Fraud, Threatens Licence Revocation

Wike’s Son Jordan Faces Fresh Court Twist as Judge Orders American Passport Produced

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama has ordered Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike, son of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to produce his American passport in court as hearing continued in a $2.1 million Abuja land dispute.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued the order on Tuesday following an application by counsel to the claimants, Hamza Dantani, during cross-examination of Jordan in the suit marked CV/008/2026.

The case was filed by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, who allege that Jordan agreed to facilitate the acquisition of 60 hectares of land in Abuja—30 hectares each in Katampe and Guzape.

According to the claimants, they first met Jordan in London and later met him in Abuja, where they allegedly sought his assistance in securing the properties.

They allege that Jordan demanded $2.1 million as a facilitation fee, with $2 million allegedly intended for his father and $100,000 for himself.

The claimants further allege that the money was handed over on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani, while Jordan was accompanied by Onor Sandy.

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They claim that after receiving the money, Jordan failed to facilitate the land acquisition or refund the funds and subsequently became unreachable.

Jordan has denied the allegations.

During cross-examination, Dantani questioned Jordan about his whereabouts on September 26, 2025. Jordan told the court that he was outside Nigeria on that date and had travelled using his American passport.

Dantani then asked the court to compel him to produce the document. Justice Oriji granted the application and ordered Jordan to bring the passport before the court.

The passport is expected to be relevant to the parties’ competing accounts of Jordan’s whereabouts on the date the claimants allege the $2.1 million was paid.

Earlier in the proceedings, the claimants’ counsel also asked Jordan to write his full name and signature five times each on a plain sheet of paper. The application was granted without objection from the defence.

The wider dispute is linked to a joint venture agreement dated October 17, 2025, involving Jordan and two companies, Apostle Associate Limited and Creekstone General Contractor Ltd.

According to the claimants’ statement of claim, the proposed project involved the construction of 24 units of six-bedroom fully detached duplexes on 1.7 hectares of land at Guzape New Extension and 1.5 hectares at Katampe New Extension.

The claimants were allegedly expected to contribute $4.2 million, valued at about ₦6.3 billion, while Jordan was to provide the land.

The defence has disputed the claimants’ account of their dealings with Jordan, including the allegation that he received the $2.1 million.

The court has not determined the merits of the competing allegations, and the proceedings remain ongoing.

Justice Oriji adjourned the case until Wednesday for continuation of the hearing.

Wike’s Son Jordan Faces Fresh Court Twist as Judge Orders American Passport Produced