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Supreme Court Justices tackles CJN, protest lack of accommodation, vehicles
Fourteen lustices of the Supreme Court have protested the poor state of affairs in the court in a letter written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad.
The letter which is the first of its kind in the history of the apex court, contained the operational challenges that impair the optimal functioning of the court and efficient adjudication of cases.
A copy of the letter quoted by PREMIUM TIMES noted that the protest became necessary following the refusal of the CJN to address the issues despite drawing his attention to them.
The aggrieved justices led by the second most senior judge of the Supreme Court, Olukayode Ariwoola, listed the issues to include — vehicles, electricity tariff, supply of diesel, Internet services to (Justices’) residences and chambers, and epileptic electricity supply to the court.
Following the complaints that were raised at a March 2022 meeting “after several persistent requests to hold the meeting,” a “welfare committee” was set up to aggregate the issues.
But the justices said, “Your Lordship (the CJN) received and ignored these demands since 24th March 2022.”
According to the letter, some justices who were sworn in two years ago lack residential accommodation at the court.
“At the Justices meeting, we intimated your Lordship that some Justices sworn on the 6th day of November 2020 were yet to be accommodated by the court.
“Your Lordship promised to take up the issue that day. To date, Your Lordship has not taken any step in this direction.”
Another issue the justices raised concerns decrepit vehicles with several due for replacement, while “some of the vehicles supplied to the justices are either refurbished or substandard,” as Muhammad refused “to address this problem.”
On the issue of overseas training, the CJN was accused of gallivanting with his “spouse, children and personal staff,” while depriving the rest of the judges of the Supreme Court of such. On two occasions when the judges travelled overseas for the training, they said, they were not allowed to go with an assistant as it used to be under previous administrations.
“We demand to know what has become of our training funds. Have they been diverted, or is it a plain denial?” the justices queried.
“Your Lordship’s assumption of office Justices only attended two workshops in Dubai and Zanzibar. They were not accorded the privilege of travelling with accompanying persons as was the practice,” the letter said.
The jurists noted that despite improved budgetary allocation to the judiciary, “we find it strange that despite the upward review of our budgetary allocation, the court cannot cater for our legitimate entitlements. This is unacceptable!”
The justices decried the lack of legal research assistants, despite the magnitude of cases being adjudicated.
“We are confronted with various complex legal issues of national significance with the addition of time-bound matters coming in between our regular Court sittings. We require qualified legal assistants in order to offer our best. This demand has not been accorded any attention by the Honourable Chief Justice.”
They pointed out that “healthcare has deteriorated” with the Supreme Court’s staff clinic becoming a “mere consulting clinic,” where “drugs are not available to treat minor ailments. There is a general lack of concern for Justices who require immediate or emergency medical intervention.”
On the issue of rules of court, the justices said the CJN had withheld his assent to “Rules of Court for almost three years now,” thereby slowing justices’ productivity in dispensing with cases, adding “we strongly believe the new rules will aid speedy dispensation of justice.”
On erratic electricity supply, the justices said they have been confined to work between the “hours of 8am and 4pm daily, for lack of diesel,” after they were notified of the development by the Supreme Court’s Chief Registrar, Hajo Bello.
Lamenting the implications of Ms Bello’s memo of shutting down power supply by 4. p.m, even when justices have judgements and rulings to write outside of office hours, they said: “The implication of this memo (on power shutdown) is that the Justices must finish their work and close before 4 pm. Your Lordship with all due respect, this is the peak of the degeneration of the Court; it is the height of decadence and clear evidence of the absence of probity and moral rectitude.”
Drawing a comparison between the two other arms of government– Executive and Legislature, the justices said: “The Supreme Court is the seat of the Judiciary as an arm of government.”
Urging the CJN to take full responsibility for preserving the dignity of the apex court, the justices said: “We must not abandon our responsibility to call Your lordship to order in the face of these sad developments that threaten our survival as an institution. We have done our utmost best to send a wake-up call to Your Lordship. A stitch in time saves nine.”
They added that should Mr Muhammad fail to address their concerns, “we will be compelled to (take) further steps immediately. May this day never come.”
Those who signed the letter are Olukayode Ariwoola, Musa Dattijo Mohammed, Kudirat Motonmori O. Kekere-Ekun, and John Inyang Okoro
Others are Chima Centus Nweze, Amina Adamu Augie, Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, Mohammed Lawal, Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, Abdu Aboki, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijjani Abubakar and Emmanuel Agim.
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MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement
MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, describing him as a threat to religious harmony in Nigeria.
In a press release issued on April 6, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group accused the INEC chairman of authoring what it described as a “toxic 80-page legal brief,” allegedly used by the United States of America to indict Nigeria over claims of Christian genocide.
MURIC expressed dissatisfaction with what it termed the “graveyard silence” of the Federal Government over calls from Islamic organisations for Amupitan’s removal. According to the group, the government’s inaction reflects a lack of sensitivity to the concerns of the Muslim community.
The organisation further alleged that Amupitan’s continued leadership poses a risk to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system, claiming that a planned voter registration or revalidation exercise could disenfranchise Muslim voters.
“MURIC hereby declares a vote of no confidence in the current INEC boss,” the statement read, urging the Federal Government to replace him with what it described as a “tolerant Christian” to restore confidence and balance.
The group also accused the INEC chairman of failing to address the allegations against him, noting that his silence has raised concerns among observers. It argued that public officials in other countries often resign over similar controversies, citing examples of past resignations by international political figures.
MURIC warned that Nigeria’s progress could be hindered if individuals accused of misconduct remain in sensitive public offices, stressing that Amupitan’s continued stay in office represents what it called a “sit-tight syndrome.”
Describing the INEC chairman as an “electoral burden” and a “threat to religious harmony,” the group insisted that his resignation or removal is necessary to safeguard national unity and the integrity of the electoral process.
As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the Federal Government had issued an official response to the allegations.
MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement
News
Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria
Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to defeat banditry, terrorism, and insecurity across Nigeria, promising continued investment in the country’s security architecture. He made the declaration while commissioning the Gateway International Airport and several other federal projects in Ogun State on Saturday.
Speaking at a reception following the inauguration, Tinubu said his administration will intensify efforts to protect lives and property across the nation. “We will win over banditry and defeat insecurity. We will continue to invest more to strengthen the security architecture of Nigeria,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to national safety.
The president described the Gateway International Airport as the economic nerve center of Nigeria’s corridor, highlighting its role in boosting the aviation sector, trade, and socioeconomic development in Ogun State and the wider region. The airport is integrated with independent gas and energy infrastructure, ensuring sustainability and operational efficiency.
Tinubu also lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for using improved federal allocations to develop infrastructure capable of driving Ogun State to greater economic heights. He praised the state government’s focus on mobility, security, agriculture, and industrial development, noting that projects like the airport and new Gateway Airlines will enhance trade, logistics, and employment opportunities.
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Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, emphasized the transformative impact of the airport and related infrastructure on Ogun State’s economy. He noted that the state’s internally generated revenue has grown from ₦40 billion to over ₦250 billion annually, while its GDP increased from ₦4 trillion to ₦17 trillion over the past seven years. He added that the airport features a four-kilometre runway, modern control tower, advanced aviation systems, and cargo facilities, making it a centerpiece of the state’s emerging aerotropolis.
The ceremony also saw the launch of Gateway Airlines, operating Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, alongside cargo services designed to expand trade and logistics capacity. Beyond aviation, Ogun State has invested heavily in roads, healthcare, and housing, including over 1,600 km of rehabilitated roads, more than 7,000 affordable homes, and 140 primary healthcare centers, according to Governor Abiodun.
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, state governors, lawmakers, captains of industry, and traditional leaders. Both praised the collaboration between federal and state governments in delivering critical infrastructure, with Tinubu’s leadership highlighted as key to Nigeria’s development and security progress.
Tinubu emphasized that the federal government’s reforms and infrastructure investments are people-centered, aimed at improving daily life, fostering prosperity, and ensuring national security. He added that these efforts are designed to overcome violence and terrorism while positioning Nigeria for sustained economic growth.
Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria
News
Mother, Six Children Kidnapped in Fresh Kaduna Bandit Attack
Mother, Six Children Kidnapped in Fresh Kaduna Bandit Attack
In a fresh wave of banditry in Kaduna State, a mother and six children were abducted from their home in Kurmin‑Uwa near Janjala community in Kagarko Local Government Area on Friday night. The attack comes less than 24 hours after suspected bandits kidnapped ten residents, including seven members of a single family, in Unguwar Sabon‑Titi, Katari.
According to residents, the raid occurred around 10:23 p.m., with the assailants going directly to the targeted house before whisking away the victims, identified as Ladi Malachy, Patience Malachy, Promise Malachy, Inama Malachy, Peter Malachy, and Aboyi Malachy. Witnesses said the attackers fled into surrounding forests, leaving the community in fear.
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A local resident, Ibrahim Shehu, confirmed the abduction, while a community leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed he alerted security operatives immediately after learning about the raid. However, it remains unclear whether authorities responded promptly. Kurmin‑Uwa is located about two kilometres from Kagarko town, an area that has seen repeated bandit attacks on households.
Security sources indicate that search and rescue operations have been launched, as authorities work to locate the kidnappers and secure the release of the abducted family. Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
The back‑to‑back kidnappings have heightened tension in rural Kaduna communities, with residents calling for intensified patrols, improved security presence, and faster emergency response to prevent further abductions. Analysts warn that without swift action, such violent raids may continue to terrorise villages across the state.
Mother, Six Children Kidnapped in Fresh Kaduna Bandit Attack
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