Scandal Hits NJC Judicial Interview Panel as Nepotism Allegations Emerge After Member’s Daughter, Other ‘Insider Candidates’ Named for Judicial Appointments

Public controversy has erupted over the composition of a key National Judicial Council (NJC) interview panel following allegations of nepotism and insider dealing in the selection of candidates for judicial appointments. Judicial sources told SaharaReporters that the panel was constituted in a manner that allegedly favours connected candidates, raising serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and conflict of interest.

According to the sources, the interview panel is chaired by Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court. Allegations have emerged that a foster child and research assistant of Justice Okoro is being positioned as the preferred candidate from Akwa Ibom State. Further concerns were raised after retired Supreme Court Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs was reportedly named to replace another panel member, despite claims that his daughter is an “insider candidate” from Kaduna State and is among those to be interviewed.

Other members of the panel include retired Supreme Court justices Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili and Bode Rhodes-Vivour, former Court of Appeal Justice Adeola Moshood, as well as current and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidents Afam Osigwe and Yakubu Maikyau. While their inclusion adds institutional weight, critics argue it does not sufficiently address the alleged conflicts of interest.

Human rights lawyer and former NHRC chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, publicly condemned the situation, stating that allowing a panel member to interview his own daughter violates basic principles of conflict of interest and undermines the credibility of the judicial appointment process.

The allegations have sparked widespread debate among legal practitioners, civil society groups, and the public, with many warning that perceived insider dealing within the judiciary could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system. Observers are calling on the NJC to ensure strict adherence to transparency, impartiality, and ethical standards in the selection of judicial officers.

Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Group Rejects Tinubu’s Tax Reform, Describes It as IMF–World Bank Agenda to Deepen Poverty in Nigeria

The Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organization (GAFAMORG) has strongly rejected the proposed tax reform law being advanced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing it as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank–inspired agenda aimed at deepening poverty and further exploiting Nigerians. The group warned that the country’s worsening economic crisis is the result of deliberate policy choices by a corrupt ruling elite aligned with failed foreign economic orthodoxies.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Babatunde Agunbiade, and Public Relations Officer, Adeoye Ade-Adewumi, GAFAMORG argued that Nigeria’s challenges are not caused by insufficient taxation but by criminal mismanagement, massive corruption, nepotism, and elite capture of state resources. The organisation said the proposed tax law would impose additional burdens on already over-taxed workers, small traders, and struggling households, while leaving the wealthy and powerful untouched.

The group accused the Tinubu administration of ignoring large-scale tax evasion by elites, excessive tax waivers for multinational corporations, and widespread looting through inflated contracts and opaque concessions. It also criticised the operation of Free Trade Zones, describing them as tax havens for the rich where corporations enjoy sweeping exemptions and weak oversight, while ordinary Nigerians face aggressive and sometimes extortionate tax enforcement.

GAFAMORG further described Nigeria’s tax administration system as broken, citing overlapping taxes, harassment by revenue agents, lack of transparency, and weak accountability. It warned that introducing new taxes without fixing these structural problems amounts to “economic violence against the poor.”

Reflecting on Nigeria’s past experiences with IMF- and World Bank-backed reforms such as Structural Adjustment, privatisation, and subsidy removal, the organisation said these policies have consistently shrunk the middle class, expanded poverty, enriched a tiny elite, and weakened the country’s productive capacity.

Invoking the legacy of late human rights lawyer Chief Gani Fawehinmi, GAFAMORG called on Nigerians to completely reject the proposed tax law, mobilise civic, legal, media, and popular resistance, and demand its immediate withdrawal. The group insisted that Nigeria does not need IMF-approved hardship but justice, accountability, equity, and people-centred governance.

PDP Accuses Tinubu-Led APC Government of Marginalising Opposition States, Forcing Governors to Defect for Federal Benefits, Says Governance Favors Party Loyalty Over Equity

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of running Nigeria along partisan lines, alleging that states governed by opposition parties are deliberately sidelined from federal benefits. The party claims this exclusionary approach has compelled several opposition politicians, particularly governors, to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to “connect to the centre” and access national resources.

Speaking on Channels Television, PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong argued that governance under the Tinubu-led APC prioritises party affiliation over fairness and inclusiveness. He stated that many defecting governors openly justify their moves by saying alignment with the ruling party is necessary to attract federal support to their states, which he said reflects a non-egalitarian system.

According to Ememobong, this trend underscores nepotism and reinforces the perception that opposition-controlled states are excluded from the benefits of federal power. He maintained that such practices suggest Nigeria is being run largely on APC interests rather than as a neutral federal system serving all citizens equally.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has dismissed allegations that it plans to target opposition figures through unlawful arrests or prosecutions, describing such claims as false and misleading. The government said reports of an alleged programme aimed at suppressing opposition politicians were fabricated and based on a forged document, insisting that no such initiative exists.

Why the Chief Justice of Nigeria Must End Nepotism and Abuse of Power in Judicial Appointments

In this hard-hitting opinion piece, human rights lawyer Chidi Anselm Odinkalu argues that Nigeria’s judicial appointment process has been captured by nepotism, favoritism, and abuse of power. Citing alleged insider advantages, opaque screening processes, and the growing trend of judicial “hereditary succession,” Odinkalu warns that public trust in the judiciary is at risk. He calls on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to urgently reform the system by publishing candidates’ scores and restoring transparency to judicial appointments, especially in the ongoing Federal High Court selection process.

On Sunday, December 22, 2025, thousands of students and activists in Novi Pazar, Serbia, protested against what they describe as government interference in state universities. This marked the first major student-led demonstration in the southwestern town.

The protest is part of a broader movement opposing political influence in higher education, following last year’s collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad that killed 16 people. Students from Novi Pazar had previously walked for days to join mass protests in Novi Sad on the anniversary of the tragedy.

Protesters demanded the resignation of the university's managing board and the election of a new rector. Participants observed a moment of silence for the victims of the roof collapse and chanted slogans like “Pump up!” while waving flags representing their towns and universities.

The movement includes students, academics, and opposition figures, who accuse President Aleksandar Vucic and his party of fostering corruption, nepotism, poor public services, and media restrictions. Vucic and his party deny these allegations.

Novi Pazar, Serbia’s youngest town demographically, has a majority Muslim population, with 60% under 30, and no clashes with Orthodox Serb neighbors have been reported since Yugoslavia’s breakup.

Source: Reuters, December 22, 2025.

Controversy as Kwara Government Includes SUBEB Chairman’s Wife in Singapore Debate Delegation

The Kwara State Government is facing criticism after the wife of the KWASUBEB chairman was included in an official delegation to Singapore for the 2025 Asia Parliamentary International Debate Competition. While the PDP alleges nepotism and abuse of office, the state government insists her participation was based on professional expertise and was not funded by public resources, sparking broader debates on ethics and transparency in public service.

NAHCON Commissioner Defies VP Shettima’s Order, Retains Retired Staff Amid Nepotism Allegations


The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is facing fresh controversy as insiders accuse Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Elegushi, of ignoring Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s directive by retaining a retired officer, Mr. Gaffar, who left the commission in 2023. The retired officer reportedly attends official meetings, travels with the commissioner, and maintains offices in Abuja and Saudi Arabia — actions seen as violations of Public Service Rules. Elegushi is also accused of keeping a former NYSC corps member allegedly related to him, granting her full staff privileges despite her service ending months ago. These actions allegedly defy a written directive from VP Shettima rejecting NAHCON’s request to re-engage retired staff and ordering all such appointments reversed. Staff fear retaliation, with claims that Elegushi is consolidating power ahead of a possible bid for the NAHCON chairmanship. Efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Tunji-Ojo certificate saga: Prove you’re not shielding South-West ministers – Gani to Tinubu.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Taofik Gani, has urged President Bola Tinubu to prove his transparency and fairness by directing the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to publicly clear his name over alleged irregularities in his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, record and previous corruption allegations.

Gani made this call in a statement on Wednesday, warning that the growing perception of nepotism and selective justice in the Tinubu administration could undermine public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.

He said there are several petitions against Tunji-Ojo, including claims that he absconded during his mandatory NYSC service year but still presented a discharge certificate during his ministerial screening.

“If President Tinubu and his party, the APC, are sincere about fighting corruption, the minister should be directed to clear himself or resign honorably like Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who resigned after allegations of certificate forgery.

“This is where President Tinubu has to prove that he is not shielding South-West ministers in corruption cases,” Gani stated.

Convener of the League for Good Governance, Isaiah Ijele, urged Tinubu to allow the Department of State Services, DSS, to investigate the certificate scandal hung on the minister.

Fresh Crisis Rocks Nigerian Gymnastics Federation Amid Alleged Nepotism, Election Irregularities

Tinubu Appoints Rinsola Abiola as DG of Citizenship & Leadership Training Centre, Honoring MKO’s Legacy


President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ms. Rinsola Abiola, daughter of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, as the new Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC).

Announced by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Monday, the move underscores Tinubu’s push to strengthen leadership development and civic education nationwide.

Rinsola, an expert in strategic communication and government relations, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President. Her new role at the Abuja-based CLTC — dedicated to patriotism, leadership skills, and civic responsibility — carries symbolic weight, honoring her father’s legacy as the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election and a champion of Nigeria’s democracy.

In the same announcement, Tinubu appointed Nasir Bala Aminu Ja’oji as Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership. Ja’oji, a known youth and women’s empowerment advocate, brings experience as a former Special Adviser on Mobilisation to the Kano State Governor.

The duo is tasked with advancing the CLTC’s mission to promote national unity and leadership excellence. While many praise Abiola’s qualifications and pedigree, critics raise concerns over possible nepotism in political appointments. The Presidency insists the choice was based purely on competence and a proven track record.

Stakeholders now look to Rinsola’s leadership to revitalize the CLTC, expand youth programs, and strengthen civic engagement across Nigeria.

#TinubuAppointments #RinsolaAbiola #MKOAbiolaLegacy #NigeriaLeadership #CivicEducation

Nigerian Communications Commission Staff Ask Tinubu To Constitute Board Amid Promotion Scandal, Alleged Corruption
Amid a scandal over a controversial promotion exercise and allegations of fund mismanagement, staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are calling on President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the current board and appoint a new leadership team.

The March 2025 promotion exercise reportedly lacked transparency and fairness, with accusations of favoritism, ethnic bias, and political interference. Staff allege that promotions were conducted without proper board, ministerial, or presidential approval, and that merit was ignored.

Some employees believe that only a complete overhaul of the board and management can restore integrity to the commission. They point to increasing nepotism, divisiveness, and contract-chasing by the current leadership, warning that the NCC is drifting away from its original mission.

Despite denials by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, who insisted the process was fair and aligned with regulations, internal discontent remains high. Staff are using personal channels to raise concerns with the government, fearing that the once-respected agency is on a path to ruin if no urgent reforms are made.

They say silence is golden, but in this nation, silence is a violence that aids the oppressor. I am young, Nigerian, and tired. Tired of the systemic corruption that has plagued our lands for far too long. Tired of the senseless killings, the nepotism, the poverty, and the injustice.

I have chosen to rise, to be the change I wish to see, even when it's dangerous. I am learning to lead with integrity, to be the light in the darkness that my generation so desperately needs. I am finding my voice, and I refuse to be silenced.

I believe in the power of my generation to demand change, to protect human rights, and to speak out when things go wrong. We are the future, and it is our responsibility to fight for a better tomorrow. It won't be easy, but nothing worth fighting for ever is.

So I choose to speak, to rise, and to fight. I choose to break the chains of silence and to demand a better future for myself and my fellow Nigerians. I choose to believe in the power of youth, and I will never give up on the hope for a better Nigeria.