Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Justice

  • Federal Authorities Arraign Nine Suspects Over Deadly Benue State Massacre

    Federal Authorities Arraign Nine Suspects Over Deadly Benue State Massacre

    Figures cited by Daily Post reveal that nine individuals allegedly involved in a horrific attack that claimed over 150 lives in Benue State have finally faced a federal court in Abuja. The defendants were slammed with 57 counts of terrorism-related charges following the June 2025 massacre in the Yelewata community. The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry potential sentences of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

    The trial comes amid heightened pressure on the Federal Government to curb the persistent farmer-herder clashes and banditry that have plagued north-central Nigeria. Legal representatives for the state argued that the prosecution has gathered substantial evidence to link the suspects to the planning and execution of the coordinated assault. The presiding judge has ordered the defendants to be remanded in a maximum-security facility pending the commencement of the trial.

    Additional coverage from Channels TV and The Guardian confirms the start of the judicial proceedings. Channels TV reported that “the arraignment signals a renewed commitment to justice for victims of rural violence,” while The Guardian quoted a community leader from Yelewata who said, “We are watching this trial closely to see if the government truly values our lives.”

    Echotitbits take: High-profile arraignments in Nigeria often suffer from “trial fatigue” and endless adjournments. To restore faith in the security apparatus, the government needs a swift and transparent conviction. This case is a litmus test for the effectiveness of the new counter-terrorism legal framework.

    Source: LMTonline – https://www.lmtonline.com/news/world/article/nine-arraigned-for-deadly-attack-in-nigeria-that-21329076.php, February 3, 2026

    Photo credit: LMTonline

  • NBA demands swift justice after DSS officer arrested in alleged abduction and rape case

    NBA demands swift justice after DSS officer arrested in alleged abduction and rape case

    According to The Guardian Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Dutse branch has called for a swift, transparent investigation after a DSS officer was arrested over allegations involving a minor.

    The report says the case has run for over two years and gained new momentum after a court order directed security agencies to arrest and investigate the suspect.

    The DSS is quoted as saying such acts violate its regulations and that it will make the outcome of the investigation public, as pressure mounts for accountability.

    Legal observers say the case highlights the need for stronger oversight, survivor protection and zero tolerance for abuses of power.

    Echotitbits take: This case will test institutional credibility. Watch for open prosecution, victim protection, and consequences beyond internal disciplinary processes.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/nba-seeks-justice-in-alleged-forced-conversion-of-muslim-girl/11 January 2026

    The Punch 2026-01-11

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Ogun Police Charge Driver with Negligence Over Fatal Anthony Joshua Accident

    Ogun Police Charge Driver with Negligence Over Fatal Anthony Joshua Accident

    Reporting by Premium Times indicates that the Ogun State Police Command has officially charged a driver with criminal negligence following a tragic road accident involving associates of boxing star Anthony Joshua. The accident, which occurred shortly after the group’s arrival in Nigeria, resulted in the deaths of two of Joshua’s close friends.

    Police investigators found that the driver’s ‘reckless disregard for safety protocols’ was the primary cause of the fatal crash. The court proceedings are expected to begin later this month, while the local community in Ogun continues to mourn the loss of the visitors.

    Punch Newspaper validated the story, reporting that ‘bystanders stole Anthony Joshua’s phone at the accident scene,’ highlighting the chaotic aftermath of the crash. Vanguard also mentioned the incident in their review of January’s headlines, noting that ‘Ogun police charge driver over fatal accident.’

    Echotitbits take: This incident is a PR nightmare for Nigerian tourism and safety. Beyond the legal case against the driver, the reports of theft at the crash site reflect a disturbing lack of empathy that the government needs to address through community engagement.

    Source: The Punch — https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/fatal-crash-anthony-joshua-escaped-death-after-swapping-seats-report/%3famp
    The Punch  January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Osinbajo commits to prosecuting rape perpetrators as Correctional Service commissions operational vehicles

    Osinbajo commits to prosecuting rape perpetrators as Correctional Service commissions operational vehicles

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the National Economic Council (NEC) will remain a platform to encourage State House of Assemblies to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 and the Child’s Rights Act of 2003.

    The Vice President made this commitment when he participated in a National Human Right’s Commission (NHRC) virtual meeting on the scourge of rape & sexual – gender based violence in Nigeria and the way forward.

    In his remark, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said: “We will work with all actors to detect and punish the perpetrators of these sickening acts and work even harder to prevent their occurrence.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, from the State House, participates in a virtual meeting with the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHC) to end rape. Friday, June 19, 2020.

    “We will continue to use the platform of the National Economic Council to encourage States yet to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 and the Child’s Rights Act of 2003 to do so”, the Vice President state.

    Prof. Osinbajo noted that gender based violence, rape and sexual assaults are a blemish on our collective humanity and dignity as a people and a nation.

    Recent rape incidents of Uwavera Omozuwa, a 22-year-old Microbiology student of University of Benin, who was at a Church where she was reported to have visited for the purpose of reading and later died at the hospital; Barakat Bello, thereafter killed in her home in Ibadan and Jenifer, an 18-year-old girl molested in Kaduna had sparked anger from women across Nigeria.

    The sad incidents saw concerned women troop to the streets in an organized protests across the nation to renew calls for a system that ensures perpetrators do not escape punishment.

    In another development, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commissioned newly procured operational vehicles for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to further increase the agency’s capacity to discharge its duties.

    Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola commissions newly purchased operational vehicles for the Nigerian Correctional Service

    The commissioning, which was led by the Minister on Friday in Abuja, brings to a total of 451 operational vehicles purchased by the NCS in the last five years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

  • Justice Dongban-Mensem sworn-in as substantive President of Appeal Court

    Justice Dongban-Mensem sworn-in as substantive President of Appeal Court

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was Friday sworn in as the 7th substantive President of the Court of Appeal by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed.

    Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja, Mohammed charged Dongban-Mensem to uphold the credibility and integrity of the Appellate Court.

    CJN tasked the new president to live up to expectations and ensure a very cordial relationship with her colleagues on the bench of the Court of Appeal.

    Noting that the Appellate Court has the largest number of Justices in the Nigeria, Mohammed urged Dongban-Mensem to always uphold her good character, behaviour and hardwork.

    “From my personal experience, workload in the Court of Appeal, especially in the divisions is the highest. It is a home of work. It is a home of cooperation. But with your experience, hard work and zeal, you will not find your new status difficult.

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    “If you sustain your good character and conduct, your tenure will definitely be an excellent one. Try to be yourself and do not allow others derail you. Remain what we know you for,” Mohammed said.

    In her remarks, Dongban-Mensem, who expressed joy over her confirmation as the substantive President of the Court of Appeal, promised Nigerians to do her utmost best in ensuring that justice is upheld at the Court of Appeal.

    She assured to build on the legacy left behind by her predecessors.

    The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed among other eminent personalities like Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Simon Lalong, Abubakar Bello and Abubakar Bagudu of Sokoto, Plateau, Niger and Kebbi states respectively.

    The event was also witnessed by the National Coordinator for Special Marshal in Nigeria, Sini Titsi Kwabe, with some other Special Marshals.

    Monica Dongban is an active member of Special Marshal, a volunteer arm of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    Dongban-Mensem was born on June 13, 1957 to the family of M.B. Douglas-Mensem; a retired Appeal Court Justice.

    She hails from Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State. She got both her LL.B and LL.M degrees from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    She was a Visiting Lecturer on Press Law at Catholic Media Centre, Kaduna from 1988-1992 and Part-time Lecturer at University of Jos between 1989 and 1997.

    From 1990-1993, Justice Dongban-Mensem served as Deputy Chief Registrar, Superior Courts and Protocol Affairs, and was appointed Judge, High Court of Justice, Plateau Judiciary from 1993-1996.

    Dongban-Mensem transferred her service to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Judiciary in 1997, where she served until she was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2003.

    She was sworn-in as the Acting President, Court of Appeal, on March 6, 2020, by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

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    Until this recent elevation, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, and Life Member of Body of Benchers.

    Her leisure is writing, reading, golfing ,  working with children, women and the elderly. She is a mother of four children and two grandchildren.