metro

Stop Inviting African Dictators, Falana Tells NBA Over George Weah Invitation

Published

1 month ago

August 25, 2026

Fuel subsidy removal: Falana demands accountability over N15.8tr resources, warns against ‘scam’ era

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana

Stop Inviting African Dictators, Falana Tells NBA Over George Weah Invitation

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly criticised the Nigerian Bar Association for inviting former Liberian President George Weah to address its annual conference, accusing Weah’s administration of undermining judicial independence and disregarding ECOWAS Court judgments during his tenure from 2018 to 2024. Falana made the remarks in a video posted on the NBA’s YouTube channel on Monday, a day after Weah delivered the keynote address at the conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday. The senior lawyer urged the NBA leadership to stop inviting what he described as “dictators in Africa” to address Nigerian lawyers, stating, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m delighted to be here. But let me say this, because you know I have to be frank with the audience. And this goes for the leadership of the Bar. I want to appeal that the Bar Association must stop—stop inviting dictators in Africa to come and address us.”

Falana alleged that under Weah’s presidency from 2018 to 2024, Liberia’s judiciary was effectively “captured,” forcing citizens to seek justice beyond the country’s borders at the ECOWAS Court. He stated, “Mr. Weah, George Weah, who was here yesterday and was talking about the judiciary: in his country, his regime captured the judiciary to the extent that they had to contact some of us outside the country to get legal redress in the ECOWAS Court.” The senior lawyer cited a case involving the Mandingo people of Liberia, whose landed properties were allegedly seized during the country’s civil war. According to him, the ECOWAS Court ruled in their favour, but Weah allegedly refused to enforce the judgment. “The ECOWAS Court gave them judgment. George Weah refused to comply with the judgment. The new government of Boakai has just set up a committee for the enforcement of that judgment,” he said.

READ ALSO:

Falana also referenced the case of a former associate justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia who, according to him, was removed from office without proper justification. He said the matter was taken to the ECOWAS Court, which nullified the dismissal, awarded the judge $200,000, and ordered his reinstatement—but alleged that Weah again refused to comply. “Again, we went to the ECOWAS Court. The ECOWAS Court set aside his dismissal and awarded him $200,000. He was ordered to be reinstated. Mr. George Weah refused to comply with the judgment.” Against this background, Falana questioned Weah’s suitability to address Nigerian lawyers on democracy, judicial independence, and the rule of law. “Now, that is the man coming here to talk to us about the rule of law and democracy,” he remarked.

Falana further alleged that drug trafficking flourished during Weah’s administration, claiming that drug barons became influential during his tenure. He noted that on August 19, Weah’s former Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor, was arrested and is currently standing trial over an alleged $370 million drug trafficking case. This allegation comes amid a major drug scandal in Liberia, where in June and July 2026, authorities intercepted two massive cocaine shipments—237.6 kilograms at Roberts International Airport and 3,971 kilograms in Duazon, Margibi County—with a combined estimated street value of approximately US$336 million. The seizures have intensified concerns that transnational drug trafficking organisations are using Liberia as a transit point for cocaine destined for Europe. In response to the scandal, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai ordered the dismissal, suspension, and prosecution of several government officials and security personnel allegedly linked to the investigation, including officials from Roberts International Airport, the Liberia National Police, the National Security Agency, and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency.

READ ALSO:

Falana also criticised Weah over an incident involving his son, Timothée Weah, who represented the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He alleged that Weah spent nine days in Qatar supporting his son during the tournament while using Liberian government resources. “So when you now have such a character… You know, during the last World Cup in Qatar, his son, Timothee, was playing for the United States of America, not for Liberia. This man left his country for nine days, took the money of that country to go and cheer his son in Qatar. So please, next time you want to invite African leaders, there are some of them that require inviting,” Falana said. He suggested more worthy African leaders for the NBA to invite, citing the president, vice president, and speaker of Namibia—all of whom are women—as well as the late former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Falana’s criticism came shortly after Weah used his keynote address to call for stronger institutions and an independent judiciary. The former Liberian president urged lawyers and judges to remain impartial and uphold justice without fear or favour. Weah argued that democracy could not survive on “strong men” but required institutions capable of protecting democratic values. He warned against governments that present themselves as democratic while engaging in corruption or working with judges to weaken the rule of law. “Democracy does not survive on the strength of elections alone. Elections are merely the doorway into democracy, not the house itself. What keeps democracy standing are institutions, and among the most important of these are an independent judiciary and a principled Bar,” Weah said. He also recalled his decision to concede defeat in Liberia’s 2023 presidential election before the final results were completed, saying the interest of the country and the will of the people must always prevail over personal ambition, adding, “A tyrant with a certificate of return is still a tyrant.”

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who declared the conference open, similarly called for a courageous and independent judiciary, saying judges must uphold the truth irrespective of status or social affiliations. The 66th NBA Annual General Conference, held in Port Harcourt, was themed “Beyond Limits.”

Stop Inviting African Dictators, Falana Tells NBA Over George Weah Invitation

Up Next

Nigerian Journalism Mourns: Eagle Online Publisher Dotun Oladipo Dies Suddenly at 56

Don't Miss

UNIZIK Suspends Professor Over Viral Sexual Assault Allegation as Probe Continues

metro

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

Published

21 minutes ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested five suspects in separate operations across the state and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits.

The arrests were made between September 18 and October 7, 2026, as part of the command’s ongoing intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

In the latest operation, operatives of the Inyi Police Division responded to a distress call over an alleged armed robbery at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw community in Oji River Local Government Area at about 5:10 a.m. on October 7.

The operation led to the arrest of 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso, while other suspects reportedly fled the scene.

Police said operatives recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry bar, hammer, scissors and chisel from him.

In another operation on October 5, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit, attached to the Nsukka sector, arrested two suspected cult members at Umudioka community in Nsukka Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, also known as Virus.

According to the police, three rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the two suspects.

READ ALSO:

The command said the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation to belonging to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, an allegation they would have the opportunity to challenge in court.

A separate operation on September 25 resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna at an alleged criminal hideout in Amagu Mpu community, Aninri Local Government Area.

Police operatives, working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, reportedly raided the location following intelligence on suspected criminal activities.

A locally made pistol was allegedly recovered from Ogbonna.

Meanwhile, operatives of the 9th Mile Police Division arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area, at about 11 p.m. on September 18.

The police said Chukwuemeka was arrested following information allegedly linking him to armed robbery activities in the area.

A cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge were reportedly recovered from him.

The four operations produced a total of five arrests, three firearms and six rounds of ammunition, with investigations continuing into the alleged offences and the suspects’ individual roles.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the officers involved and residents whose information assisted the operations.

Giwa urged residents to continue providing credible information to the police to help prevent armed robbery, cult-related violence and other security threats across the state.

The suspects remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

metro

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Arinze Nwogba

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N50 million bail to Arinze Nwogba, who is facing trial for allegedly impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Thursday, admitted Nwogba to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge held that the alleged offence was bailable and not a capital offence, while noting that Nwogba had indicated through his bail application that he would not abscond and would make himself available for trial.

The court, however, attached stringent conditions to the bail.

One of the sureties must be a Federal Government civil servant not below Grade Level 14, while both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The judge further directed that one of the sureties must reside in Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape.

Each surety is required to swear an affidavit of means and submit a tax clearance certificate covering the previous two years.

The court also ordered Nwogba and the sureties to submit photocopies of their National Identification slips.

The court registrar was directed to verify the bail documents and issue a report, with the prosecution also required to participate in the verification process.

Importantly, the ruling does not mean Nwogba walks out of custody immediately. He is to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected.

READ ALSO:

The case has been adjourned until October 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.

Nwogba is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026.

The police allege that he impersonated Professor Aina by using the JAMB registrar’s photograph on WhatsApp and Truecaller, allegedly with the intention of obtaining financial advantage.

According to the prosecution, a petition was submitted to the Inspector-General of Police over a suspected criminal operation involving the unauthorised use of the registrar’s name, photograph and telephone number to deceive members of the public.

The police alleged that the suspects also used LinkedIn and WhatsApp to approach prospective victims with purported government contracts.

In one alleged scheme, the impersonators reportedly claimed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops as part of a digitisation programme.

The prosecution alleged that prospective beneficiaries were subsequently asked to make payments, including N900,000 described as an initial “handshake” and another N3 million purportedly for officials of the ministry.

The police said Nwogba was arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during investigations into the alleged impersonation.

The prosecution further alleged that Nwogba used the operational name Dr Stephen Igwe and admitted forwarding bank account details to a relative allegedly connected with the fraudulent operation.

Another alleged member of the operation, identified by the police as Nnabuife Nwekpa, is said to be at large.

Nwogba pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge and remains presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves the allegations against him in court.

The bail ruling therefore allows him an opportunity to secure his release pending trial, but only after satisfying the conditions imposed by the court.

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

metro

NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is set to honour the Baale of Okun Igando in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye, after he intervened to save a large sea turtle from being killed by fishermen.

The development followed the rescue of the marine animal after it became entangled in a fishing net along the coastline of the community.

The fishermen reportedly initially believed they had caught a large fish. However, the situation changed after the Baale intervened and stopped attempts to kill or sell the animal.

Chief Jejelaiye urged the fishermen and other residents to release the turtle, while explaining the importance of protecting endangered and threatened marine species.

The fishermen, with the assistance of other community members, carefully freed the animal from the net and returned it alive to the Atlantic Ocean.

The rescue attracted widespread attention after footage of the incident circulated online, with many Nigerians commending the community for choosing to protect the animal rather than kill it.

READ ALSO:

NESREA has subsequently commended the Baale and the local fishing community for their intervention, describing the rescue as an example of grassroots environmental conservation.

The agency is expected to issue a Letter of Commendation to Chief Jejelaiye in recognition of his role in preventing harm to the marine animal and promoting wildlife protection within the community.

The incident has also renewed attention to the challenges facing sea turtles in Nigeria, particularly along the Lagos coastline.

Sea turtles are exposed to several threats, including accidental capture in fishing nets, destruction of nesting habitats, pollution, illegal hunting and human consumption.

Conservation efforts in the Ibeju-Lekki area have previously focused on educating fishing communities about the importance of protecting sea turtles and finding ways to reduce conflicts between conservation and fishing activities.

The latest rescue also highlights the role that traditional rulers and coastal communities can play in protecting endangered wildlife.

NESREA, which is responsible for enforcing Nigeria’s environmental laws and regulations, has continued to advocate stronger community participation in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

The rescued turtle was identified in reports as a leatherback sea turtle, one of the largest living turtle species. Leatherback turtles face serious threats globally from fishing gear, habitat loss, pollution and other human activities.

The successful release of the turtle back into the ocean has been described as a positive example of what can happen when local communities respond quickly to protect threatened wildlife.

The development is also expected to strengthen calls for greater awareness among fishermen and residents of Nigeria’s coastal communities on how to safely handle marine animals accidentally caught in fishing nets.

For Okun Igando, the intervention by the Baale has turned what could have been the death of a rare marine animal into a notable wildlife conservation success story.