This week, the courts have been bustling with high-profile cases entangled with government actions, allegations of corruption, and protracted legal disputes.
SERAP Issues Ultimatum to Tinubu: Withdraw CBN cybersecurity Levy in 48 hours
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the withdrawal of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) directive imposing a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on electronic transfers. SERAP argues that the levy violates the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations. The group has threatened legal action if the administration fails to comply.
EFCC Arraigns Court Registrar for Forgery, Misappropriation of N3.8m:
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Abubakar Dandare, a Registrar of the Upper Sharia Court in Gusau, Zamfara State, on charges of criminal breach of trust and forgery related to the alleged misappropriation of N3.8 million meant for the family of a deceased individual. The court granted Dandare bail with stringent conditions.
Court Grants Former Aviation Minister N100m Bail:
Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, his daughter, son-in-law, and a company were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of alleged corrupt practices involving N2.7 billion. The defendants pleaded not guilty, and the court granted them bail with conditions, including a N100 million bond and two sureties each.
Court Dismisses Suit Against N22.7trn Ways and Means Loan: The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking to prevent the Federal Government from securitizing the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means loan obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing (locus standi) and failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove their case.
N80bn fraud: Court Rejects Yahaya Bello’s Application to Halt Trial: The Federal High Court in Abuja denied former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s request to suspend the trial regarding the N80.2bn fraud charges against him. The court rejected Bello’s application and stated that the trial could proceed if he appeared in court, which his lawyer agreed to bring him before the court on June 13.
Court Dismisses Prosecution Case Against NCC After 13 years:
After 13 years, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court dismissed a case of alleged malicious prosecution filed against the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) by movie producer Charles Ayiga. The court found that Ayiga did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the NCC’s liability for malicious prosecution, and the Commission had lawful authority to apprehend and prosecute him.