Court Sets January 5 for Bail Ruling of Bauchi Finance Commissioner in $9.7M Terrorism Financing Case The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 5, 2026, to rule on bail applications for Bauchi State Finance Commissioner Yakubu Adamu and three others, arraigned by the EFCC on terrorism financing and money laundering charges. The defendants face a ten-count charge involving conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and providing $2.3 million to alleged terrorists. Adamu is also accused of receiving $6.95 million outside the regulated financial system in 2024. They all pleaded not guilty. The court ordered that the defendants remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the bail ruling. #BauchiFinanceCommissioner #EFCC #MoneyLaundering #TerrorismFinancing #NigeriaNews #YakubuAdamu #FederalHighCourt #CorruptionCases

Nigerian Judicial Council to Interview 28 Shortlisted Candidates for 14 Federal High Court Vacancies Nationwide in January 2026 The National Judicial Council (NJC) has announced plans to interview 28 shortlisted candidates for appointment to the Federal High Court in the second week of January 2026. The interview panel, to be chaired by a senior Supreme Court Justice and including current and former Nigerian Bar Association presidents, aims to fill 14 judicial vacancies across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Nasarawa State having two vacant positions. Human rights scholar Prof. Chidi Odinkalu disclosed the details and called for transparency in the appointment process, urging the public to submit any relevant information on the candidates. Observers stress that openness in judicial appointments is crucial to strengthening public confidence and the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary. #NationalJudicialCouncil #FederalHighCourt #JudicialAppointments

Federal High Courts Locked Down as Judiciary Workers Begin Indefinite Strike In a significant disruption to Nigeria’s judicial system, members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have commenced an indefinite strike, effectively locking out judges, lawyers, litigants, and the public from Federal High Court premises across the country. The strike, which began on Monday, June 2, 2025, follows a directive from JUSUN’s national body issued on May 30. The union is demanding the payment of a five-month wage award, implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and a 25/35 percent salary increase.  At the Federal High Court headquarters in Abuja, all entrance gates were locked, leaving the premises deserted and halting all court activities. The strike has caused significant disruptions, with legal proceedings suspended and access to justice delayed for many Nigerians.  While some chapters of JUSUN have reportedly withdrawn from the industrial action, the Federal High Court gates remained closed as of 9:48 a.m. on Monday.  The strike underscores ongoing tensions between judiciary workers and the government over salary and wage issues. As the strike continues, stakeholders are calling for urgent dialogue to resolve the impasse and restore normalcy to the judicial system. #JUSUNStrike #JudiciaryShutdown #FederalHighCourt #JusticeDelayed #NigerianJudiciary

⚖️ NBA Slams DSS for Denying Lawyers Access to Federal High Court in Abuja The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) for barring lawyers from entering the Federal High Court in Abuja, calling the act a gross violation of legal rights and due process. The NBA described the incident as an attack on the rule of law and judicial independence, demanding accountability from the DSS and assurances that such interference will not happen again. Legal professionals nationwide are rallying behind the NBA, urging the protection of courtroom access and constitutional rights. #NBA #DSS #RuleOfLaw #JudiciaryUnderSiege #FederalHighCourt

BREAKING: Court Strikes Out DSS Video and Written Statements in Nnamdi Kanu Trial  In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that video recordings and written statements obtained by the Department of State Services (DSS) from Nnamdi Kanu in 2015 are inadmissible as evidence.  Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling on May 29, 2025, following a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements. The court found that the absence of Kanu’s legal counsel during the DSS interrogations violated Section 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which mandates that a suspect’s statement must be obtained in the presence of their lawyer or a legal representative.   The judge emphasized that, despite the prosecution’s argument that the interviews appeared cordial, the legal requirement for counsel presence is paramount. Consequently, the court expunged the video recordings and written statements from the record.  This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing trial of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, potentially impacting the prosecution’s case moving forward.  #NnamdiKanu #IPOB #FederalHighCourt #DSS #HumanRights