DAILY NEWSPAPERS REVIEW THURSDAY AUGUST 27, 2020

BUHARI TO JUDICIARY: CRIMINAL CASES MUST NOT LAST MORE THAN 12 MONTHS – DAILY SUN PG.6, THE NATION PG.5, DAILY TRUST PG.5, PUNCH PG.11, THIS DAY PG.1, 9

President Muhammadu Buhari (retd) has lamented the slow pace of criminal Justice administration in the country and has proposed a 12-month time frame for the hearing and conclusion of such cases. The president, who spoke through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the 60th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the justice administration in the nations courts as “terribly slow pace.”

REPS WANT AGF’S CONSENT REMOVED FROM GARNISHEE PROCEEDINGS – PUNCH PG.23

The House of Representatives has proposed the removal of the Attorney General of Federation’s consent as precondition for the payment of judgment debts to those who win court cases against the Federal Government. The proposal is contained in a bill which passed second reading at the House on July 7, 2020. Sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Onofiok Luke, the legislation is titled, “Sheriffs and Civil Process (Amendment) Bill, 2020.”

FG APPOINTS DIXON COORDINATOR AMNESTY PROGRAMMME – DAILY SUN PG.8

The Federal Government has appointed Colonel M.D Miland Dixon (retd) as the new Coordinator, Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme, Daily Sun has gathered. Dikio, a member of the 21st Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) takes over from Prof. Charles Dokubo. Federal Ministry of Justice

TARABA CRISIS: JUDGE RETURNS CASE FILE IN SUIT AGAINST ISHAKU, OTHERS TO CJ – DAILY SUN PG.28, THE NATION PG.30

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, announced the decision to remit the case file in the suit relating to the bloody crisis between the Tiv and Jukun tribes in Taraba State to the Chief Judge of the court for further directives. Justice Mohammed took the decision after he refused to assign a date for the definite hearing of the case on the grounds that his tenure as a vacation judge would expire on Thursday (today).

EXECUTIVE ORDERS BREED DICTATORSHIP, EKWEREMADU WARNS – THE NATION PG.5, THIS DAY PG.9

Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on Wednesday cautioned against executive legislation through Executive Orders. He said the practice could plunge the country into authoritarianism and possible dictatorship. Ekweremadu’s position was contained in a paper he delivered at the ongoing 60th Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Abuja.

MOMPHA REGAINS FREEDOM – THE NATION PG.7, PUNCH PG.23

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday released suspected cyber fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha, about two weeks after he was re-arrested by the anti-graft agency in Lagos. The Nation learnt that Mompha subsequently directed his lawyer, Mr Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), to withdraw the N5m fundamental rights suit he filed against the EFCC to challenge his re-arrest.

I KILLED AFTER MY ESCAPE, SAYS RE-ARRESTED IBADAN SUSPECT – THE NATION PG.7

Two days after his escape from police custody, prime suspect in Ibadan serial killings, Sunday Shodipe said he killed again. Shodipe was speaking on Wednesday at Oyo State police command headquarters at Eleyele after his re-arrest on Sunday. The suspect said he killed one Mrs Funmilayo Oladeji at her home, two days after disappearing from custody on August 11.

LAWYERS’ LEAGUE DEMANDS END TO EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS – PUNCH PG.8

The Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates have demanded an end to arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial killings by agents of the Nigerian state. Spokesman for the coalition, Pelumi Olajengbesi, made the demand on behalf of the group at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

DSS/IPOB CLASH: ARMY PLACES TROOPS ON HIGH ALERT – PUNCH PG.9

The military authorities have placed troops of 82 Division, Enugu, on high alert following the clash between the operatives of the Department of State Services and the Indigenous People of Biafra in Emene, Enugu. It also asked troops to avoid individual movement in uniforms outside the barracks in order to prevent reprisals by IPOB members.

SAN, OTHERS FAULT ASSET DECLARATION SYSTEM, SEEK REFORMS – PUNCH PG.23

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George; the Country Director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho; and a former presidential candidate on the platform of KOWA Party, Adesina FagbenroByron, have picked holes in Nigeria’s asset declaration system for public office-holders and called for reforms. Poor funding, obsolete legislation and lack of political will, they say, are some of the factors hobbling the Code of Conduct Bureau.

FALANA SEEKS RELEASE OF SIX PRISON INMATES GRANTED AMNESTY – THIS DAY 34

Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the federal government to release six convicted prison inmates currently in the custody of the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre, Lagos. Falana said the request was made pursuant to the general amnesty granted them under the Thai Royal Amnesty Decree in 2016 and 2919.