Author: bibncollar

Prominent human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, has issued a stirring call for urgent reform of Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, advocating for the direct participation of voters — the real stakeholders — in post-election court proceedings. Speaking at the launch of his latest book, The Selectorate: When Judges Topple the People, in Abuja, Prof. Odinkalu decried the current jurisprudence that restricts locus standi in election petitions exclusively to political parties and their candidates. He described this as a systemic disenfranchisement of the Nigerian electorate, who, despite casting the votes in…

In a dramatic turn of events, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mbano/Etiti Branch successfully conducted its Branch election on Saturday, 5 July 2025, following a court-ordered rescheduling from its original date of June 28, 2025. The election, which saw K.C. Nwaokorie emerge as Chairman, Juliet Ijeoma Kester-Duru (formerly Juliet Nwaiwu) as Vice Chairman, and Ifeanyi Chukwuocha as Secretary, was preceded by a legal battle that gripped the attention of the legal community in Imo State. The election was initially postponed due to a suit filed by Mrs. Chisara W. Egwim Chima, a chairmanship contestant who was disqualified following a petition…

KO MBADIWE UNIVERSITY Ideato is a state owned institution. The Government of Hope Uzodimma successfully recovered the institution from the grips of Owelle Richest Okorocha. The University is growing in all spheres. With a population of less than 200 students in 2021, the University has not less than 1200 students at the moment with a projection of over 1700 by the next academic session. The hostel accommodation can not stretch to the needs of the rising population of the school. Four students live in a room, contrary to the intention of the founding father of the University, who set out…

Although not an entirely new phenomenon, there is no arguing the fact that “coalition” is the latest vocabulary in Nigeria’s political lexicon. Nigerians are not new to coalition and the fear of coalition is the beginning of political wisdom. There was coalition of political parties in 2013 leading to the formation of APC that resulted the voting out of PDP in 2015. PDP had ruled Nigeria since 1999 but coalition removed them from office at the centre and installed the ruling APC. The immediate past week witnessed the coming together of many opposition members including disgruntled elements of the ruling…

For the avoidance of doubt, I do not speak on behalf of any individual or group, nor do I align myself with any party in the ongoing controversy involving Senator Natasha. My position is neutral and principled: I stand for all, in general, and more specifically for the rule of law, truth, and justice. With due respect to all concerned, particularly some of our distinguished legal colleagues and commentators, I find it necessary to offer this clarification in the interest of legal accuracy, public enlightenment, and the integrity of legal discourse: 1. *NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION TOOK PLACE IN NATASHA’S CASE:*…

“The mind grows old, no less than the body.” – Aristotle, The Politics, Book II, Ch. 9, 146 (Penguin Classics, 1981) A little over two decades ago, away from its perception as a shrine for the resolution of the most rarefied disputes in the country, the Supreme Court of Nigeria played host to a Nigerian drama. With less than two years to go before retirement, a senior justice of that court approached then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mohammed Lawal Uwais, with a discovery. A wise, old uncle of his from the village in one of the states of southern…

Following the Federal High Court’s ruling against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, legal expert Dr. Monday Ubani has weighed in with a sharp reaction. The court mandated Senator Natasha to issue a public apology to the Senate—not only within the Senate chamber but also in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page—and imposed a ₦5 million fine payable to the Federal Government. Dr. Ubani described the outcome as a clear vindication of the Senate’s position after months of defiance by the senator. He emphasized that despite the Senate’s resolution since February requesting an apology, Senator Natasha chose to challenge the body…

Renowned privacy law experts Olumide Babalola and Dr. Uchenna Nnawuchi are set to launch a groundbreaking academic resource titled “Casebook on Privacy and Data Protection in Nigeria.” The unveiling will take place in a virtual event scheduled for Monday, 4th August 2025 at 2:00 PM WAT, hosted live on Zoom. This casebook represents a pioneering effort in Nigerian legal literature by compiling key judicial decisions on privacy and data protection from Nigeria’s independence to the present day. It provides an essential and comprehensive reference for legal practitioners, academics, policymakers, and regulators seeking to understand the development, significance, and contemporary issues surrounding privacy…

On June 18, 2025, the Forum held its general meeting, followed by what was described as an “interesting lecture” on a timely and sensitive topic: “Prosecuting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: Challenges and Opportunities.” The guest lecturer at the event was Mr. Chidi Anyaoha, Esq., a Deputy Director in the Department of Public Prosecution at the Ministry of Justice. In his remarks, Mr. Anyaoha noted that “prosecuting conflict-related matters is a complex issue that poses significant challenges, but also presents opportunities for justice and healing.” He then outlined several key aspects to consider in this area of legal and humanitarian importance. Challenges:…

Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu has been excluded from a scheduled meeting and lunch between President Donald Trump and leaders from five African countries to discuss commercial opportunities aimed at benefiting American and African citizens. On Wednesday, a White House official said Mr Trump scheduled a discussion with leaders of five African countries including Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal. The discussion, according to Reuters, will be held at the White House on July 9, focused on advancing relationships between the U.S. and Africa especially in terms of commercial opportunities. “President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the…