Justice

NSCDC Nabs Father, Teenage Son, and Elderly Man for Def!l!ng Girls in Gombe

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NSCDC Nabs Father, Teenage Son, and Elderly Man for Def!l!ng Girls in Gombe Saad expressed concern over the increasing number of kidnappings in the state The suspects allegedly took advantage of her vulnerability and subjected her to repeated s3xual abuse The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps paraded a father and son on Monday, accused … Read more

Professional Fees: FG Disburses N1.1 Billion to Prominent Law Firms Including Afe Babalola, Olanipekun and Others

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  • 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7 million as professional fees
  • Afe Babalola, Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received N482.7 million
  • LDS Legal was paid N70.9m, while King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co each received N15.7m Professional Fees

According to an analysis of data from GovSpend, a platform that tracks and analyzes Nigeria’s Federal Government expenditure, the Ministry of Justice has paid approximately N1.1 billion in professional fees to prominent lawyers and law firms, including Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and 23 other firms over three years.

Eko Hot Blog gathered that the term “professional services” within legal practice refers to various activities performed by lawyers for their clients, such as offering legal advice, drafting legal documents, and representing clients in legal matters.

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These services may also include transactional tasks like identifying legal risks in real estate and business dealings, negotiation, mediation, regulatory compliance, advocacy, lobbying, and risk management.

In July 2024, Babalola, Olanipekun, and Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, collectively received N482.7 million from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Babalola was paid N372.9 million on July 23 for representing the Federal Government in a court case registered FHC/ABJ/SC/8962/2023. Olanipekun and Izinyon received N103.6 million and N6.2 million, respectively, for providing similar services at different times. Olanipekun’s payment was made on July 26, while Izinyon received his fee three days later.

Professional Fees: FG Disburses N1.1 Billion to Prominent Law Firms Including Afe Babalola, Olanipekun and Others

Further analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s records shows that in 2022, at least 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7 million as professional fees, while four lawyers were paid a total of N319.3 million.

Further analysis of the Ministry of Justice’s records reveals that in 2022, no fewer than 17 lawyers received a cumulative sum of N359.7m as professional fees, while four lawyers were paid a total of N319.3m in 2021.

Among those who received payments in 2022 were Savannah Law Chambers, which was paid N17.4m; Lex Habitae, which received N21.8m; Rashida Mohammed & Co in Sokoto, which got N17.4m; and Abdullahi Haruna & Co, which also received N17.4m.

LDS Legal was paid N70.9m, while King’s Chambers and Iwuanyanwu & Co each received N15.7m. Sulaiman Salihu & Co was paid N31.4m in two tranches.

Other firms that benefited include Justice Solicitors & Attorneys, which was paid N15.7m; Pelican Legal, which received N15.7m; and Aderemi Olatubora & Co, which was paid N17.4m. Gboyega Oyewole of Lords and Temple Attorneys was paid N5.4m, while Savannah Law Chambers received an additional N29m.

Hanafi Mumini Ishola of Hanafi & Associates received N20.7m, Law Forte was paid N22.3m in two tranches, and Madyan Legal Consult received N24.8m in two tranches.

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How Nigerians Are Regularly Killed In S’Africa Without Justice

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How Nigerians Are Regularly Killed In S’Africa Without Justice

The Nigerian community in South Africa is grappling with the tragic killing of Mr. Julius Chukwunta, who succumbed to injuries following a violent altercation in Midrand, Johannesburg. Chukwunta’s death has sparked outrage and raised concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa. EDITOR’S PICKS  NNPC Unveils Command Centre for Real-Time Monitoring of Hydrocarbon … Read more

Four Lagos Drug Lords Jailed for 28 Years, Ordered to Forfeit VGC Properties

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A Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, has sentenced four drug kingpins to a combined total of 28 years in prison with hard labour. EKO HOT BLOG gathered that the kingpins were arrested two years ago with 2.1 tonnes of cocaine at a residential estate in Ikorodu. Femi Babafemi, Director … Read more

Gov Adeleke Frees Convict Sentenced to Death for Stealing Fowl in Ogun

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Adeleke pardons 53 inmates, including Segun Olowookere. Olowookere’s case gained attention after viral plea. Clemency based on good conduct recommendations. Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has granted a pardon to Segun Olowookere, who was sentenced to death for alleged involvement in stealing a fowl. The case of Segun, who was 17 at the time … Read more

Kwara: IGP Takes Action Following Death In Police Detention, Orders Investigation

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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to immediately take over the investigation into the death of Jimoh Abdulqaudri, who died while in police detention in Kwara State. Egbetokun, who visited the family of the deceased on Sunday, described Abdulqaudri’s death as an unfortunate incident and … Read more

Trigger-Happy Policeman Arrested For Killing Teenager Over Fireworks in Delta

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A policeman in Delta State has been arrested and detained for allegedly shooting and killing a 17-year-old boy, Emeka Odogwu, in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area. EKO HOT BLOG reports that the tragic incident occurred on Saturday night when police officers arrived in the area after finding fireworks, known locally as “knockouts,” in the … Read more

Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Killing Ex-Girlfriend

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A court in Italy has sentenced 23-year-old Filippo Turetta to life in prison for the brutal murder of his former girlfriend, Giulia Cecchettin, in a case that has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of violence against women in the country. EKO HOT BLOG reports that Turetta, who admitted to killing Cecchettin, 22, in November 2023—just … Read more

Ex-NLC Chairman Kaduna Eboigbodin Dies After Clash with Police in Benin City

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Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin, former Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State, has tragically passed away following an altercation with police officers at a roadblock in Benin City’s Upper Sokponba area. EKO HOT BLOG reports that Civil society organizations have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the police, demanding that those responsible be identified … Read more

Teen Apologises for Lie that Led to the Beheading of French Teacher, Samuel Paty

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A teenager who falsely accused her teacher of inappropriate behavior, which contributed to his murder by an Islamist radical, apologized to his family in a French court on Tuesday. Eight individuals have been on trial since November, charged with helping create a climate of hatred that led to the brutal killing of Samuel Paty, a … Read more

Mother Jailed For Hiding Baby Daughter In Drawer For Nearly Three Years

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A mother in Britain has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after keeping her baby daughter in a drawer under her bed for nearly three years. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court in northwest England, where the judge described the child – … Read more

HURMA Condemns Attack on Lagos Task Force Officer, Demands Justice

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Ekohotblog reports that the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has spoken out against an attack on a Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers (LSSTFLG) officer in Epe. The group has called for an urgent investigation and the prosecution of those responsible to serve as an example. In a letter signed by its Executive … Read more

Reps March Against Gender-Based Violence, Demand Justice

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Reps’ Committee Still Awaiting Clear Mandate

The House of Representatives will march against gender-based violence on Monday as part of activities marking the 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi announced that the march, involving over 1,000 participants, will begin at the National Assembly and end at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters. The demonstration … Read more

McGregor Found Guilty Of Assault, Ordered To Pay Damages In Civil Court

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A woman who accused Conor McGregor of raping her has won her civil case against the Irish mixed martial arts fighter, securing damages. The jury found McGregor guilty of assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018 and ordered him to pay her over €248,000 (£206,000) in compensation. EDITOR’S PICKS  Electricity Meter Costs … Read more

Gunmen Kill Benue Lawyer, Mike Ofikwu in Otukpo

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An Otukpo-based lawyer and activist, Mr. Mike Ofikwu, was tragically killed by armed men at his residence in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident occurred on Wednesday around 8 p.m. at the entrance of Ofikwu’s home on Otukpa Street. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants, who were trailing him, drove up in … Read more

Anambra FA Demands Investigation Into Ex-Falcons Star, Maureen Mmadu’s Arrest

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The Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), Chikelue “General” Iloenyosi, has called on Zone 13 of the Nigeria Police in Ukpo to conduct a thorough investigation into the troubling arrest of Nigerian women’s football icon, Maureen Mmadu. Iloenyosi condemned the reported invasion of the Maureen Mmadu Kiddies Academy (MMKA) in Ozubulu, during which … Read more

Okpebholo Swears in New SSG,Attorney-General in Edo

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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, swore in the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice on Wednesday, just 24 hours after taking office. Barrister Musa Ikhilor was appointed as SSG, while Barrister Samson Osagie assumed the role of Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. Okpebholo had announced the nominations … Read more

BREAKING: Court of Appeal Acquits Former CJN Walter Onnoghen of Corruption Charges

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has discharged and acquitted former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, of the charges that led to his removal from office in 2019. This ruling comes nearly six years after Onnoghen was suspended by former President Muhammadu Buhari, just 29 days before the presidential election. decision to suspend Onnoghen … Read more

Attorney General Takes Over Prosecution of 75 Protesters In Abuja Court

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Prosecuting Minors AGF Fagbemi

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has taken charge of the case involving 75 young #EndBadGovernance protesters, aged between 12 and 15, who appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday. The youths are facing ten charges, including terrorism, attempted overthrow of the government, and alleged mutiny due … Read more

Police Inspector Dismissed, Arraigned for Murder of Igbo-Jah in Enugu

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The Nigeria Police on Monday arraigned Police Inspector Joseph Ozonwanji, formerly with Enugu’s Anti-Cultism Police Squad, before a Chief Magistrate’s Court for the murder of Igbo ogene musician Okezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah. The incident occurred over the weekend. Following an internal trial, Inspector Ozonwanji was dismissed, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police … Read more

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