By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Niger State Judiciary has announced a series of activities to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year.

The Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Niger State, Amina L. Musa-Saidu, made this known in a statement outlining the programme of activities for the new Legal Year.

She said the commencement of a new Legal Year provides an opportunity for the Judiciary to reflect on its achievements and challenges in the preceding year, renew its commitment to justice delivery and set priorities for the year ahead.

According to her, the activities will promote stronger engagement between the Bar and the Bench and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders in the administration of justice.

The programme will begin with a Bar-Bench Forum on Thursday, October 8, at the Foyer of the High Court of Justice Complex, Minna, at 10:00 a.m. The forum is expected to provide an opportunity for lawyers and judges to discuss issues affecting justice administration, professional conduct and court practice.

A Special Jumma’at Prayer will be held on Friday, October 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the Central Mosque, Minna, to thank Almighty Allah for the achievements recorded during the previous Legal Year and seek guidance and blessings for the new year.

The programme will continue on Saturday, October 10, with a Magistrates’ Workshop at 9:00 a.m. at the High Court Complex. The workshop, organised by the Education and Training Committee of the High Court, is aimed at strengthening the professional knowledge and capacity of Magistrates.

On Sunday, October 11, a Special Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, adjacent to General Hospital, Keteren Gwari, Minna, at 10:00 a.m. This will be followed by the Chief Judge’s Dinner and Award Presentation at 7:00 p.m. at the High Court Complex.

The final day of the programme, Monday, October 12, will begin with the inspection of a Guard of Honour by the Chief Judge of Niger State at 8:00 a.m., followed by a Special Court Session to formally mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year.

Musa-Saidu said the occasion is expected to bring together members of the Judiciary and legal profession, representatives of the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, traditional institutions, security agencies, justice-sector stakeholders and other invited guests.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the Niger State Judiciary to improving efficiency and professionalism, strengthening access to justice and upholding the independence, integrity and dignity of the judicial process.

She called for the continued cooperation and support of the Bar, justice-sector stakeholders and the general public in ensuring effective administration of justice in the state.

By George Mgbeleke
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says the reported recovery of 28 human skulls and other human remains from suspected criminal camps in Umuaku and Nneato forests in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State demands urgent and coordinated action from the South-East governors.

In a statement signed by national coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko said the discovery exposes the grave security threat facing communities in the region and reinforces the need for the governors to work together to protect lives and property.

HURIWA urges the six South-East governors to develop a common regional strategy against kidnapping, terrorism, armed criminal gangs and other violent threats.
The association says the governors must strengthen intelligence sharing, coordinate security operations and support security agencies with credible information and logistics needed to dismantle criminal hideouts across the region.
HURIWA says the security challenge also threatens the economic future of the South-East.
The association warns that no region can attract investment, create jobs or achieve sustainable development when citizens fear travelling, farming, doing business or returning home because of insecurity.
HURIWA therefore urges the governors to treat security and economic development as interconnected priorities and work together to create a safer environment for businesses and citizens.
HURIWA also says armed vigilante groups must operate strictly to protect lives and property.
The association warns the governors against turning vigilantes into political foot soldiers or instruments for settling political differences.
HURIWA says community-based security groups can complement conventional security agencies, but authorities must subject them to clear rules of engagement, proper training, accountability and respect for human rights.
The association welcomes the prospect of state police and says properly structured state policing could improve the capacity of governments to confront kidnappers, terrorists and other armed criminal groups.
HURIWA, however, demands strong constitutional and institutional safeguards to prevent governors and other political actors from abusing state police for partisan purposes.
The association says state police must protect citizens, not political interests.
HURIWA also calls on residents across the South-East to support legitimate security operations by providing credible intelligence about suspicious movements, criminal activities and suspected hideouts.
The association urges the Abia State Police Command and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough forensic investigation into the recovered human remains, identify the victims and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
HURIWA says the families of missing persons deserve answers and that security agencies must pursue every credible lead that can identify the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
The association says the reported discovery of human remains should not become another news cycle that quickly disappears from public attention.
HURIWA demands sustained security operations against criminal camps and stronger cooperation between the governors, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents.
HURIWA says a safe and secure South-East remains imperative for economic advancement, investment, employment and sustainable development.
The association therefore urges the South-East governors to put aside political differences and work collectively to restore security and public confidence across the region.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Former Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly,Rt Hon. Adamu Usman,has filed a lawsuit before the Minna Federal High Court Division challenging his substitution of his name with that of Adamu Suleiman by the All Progressive Congress (APC), as the winner of the Edati,Lavun/ Mokwa Federal Constituency 16th,May 2026,APC Primary Election.

The Pre-election lawsuit on the resumed hearing of the matter before Justice Mohammed Barau Saidu,,the Counsel to the Plaintiff,Philip Friday Ada Omachi, submitted that all the respondents in the matter were duly served with the originating summons

The Counsel further told the Court that the Counsel to the first respondent informed the Court that he was served with the motion on notice as filed by the counsel to the plaintiff stating that she is within the timeframe to respond praying the Court to adjourn to a new date for her to respond.

Joined in the lawsuit are the All Progressive Congress (APC),Adamu Suleiman and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

Adamu Usman,who was also one time Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State,approached the Court praying the Court to seek whether by the combined interpretation of sections 84 (1), (2),85 and 86 of the electoral Act,2026, and Articles 2,7 of the Constitution of the first respondent,the All Progressive Congress,2022 is bound to by its Constitution procedure for the conduct of direct and Consensus mode of primaries.

He also prayed the Court to determine whether the APC guidelines allow the nomination of a Candidate for the 2027 General Elections,in the nomination to contest for the elections into the House of Representatives,Lavun/Mokwa/ Edati. Federal Constituency of Niger State at the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the Plaintiff prayed the Court to whether by the combined interpretation of relevant sections of the Electoral Act, 2026: and relevant Article of the first respondent,the APC procedure for the conduct of direct consensus mode of primaries and the party guidelines for the nomination of Candidates for the 2027 general elections, the submission of the name of the second respondent Adamu Suleiman Pataugi by the first respondent the APC to the third respondent the INEC as her Candidate for the Edati, Lavun and Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State in the coming general elections “ he has not withdrawn his candidacy, is null,void and ineffective”

Adamu Usman,then prayed the Court to nullify the submission of the name of the second respondent Adamu Suleiman, by the first respondent the APC to the third respondent the INEC as the Candidate to the third respondent for Edati,Lavun and Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State in the coming general election,” when the plaintiff who emerged winner of the Primary Election by Consensus as contained in the APC result sheet is not dead and when he has not withdrawn his candidacy,is null,void and of no effect whatsoever”

He further prayed the Court to accept,recognize and publish only the name of the Plaintiff as the lawful Candidate of the first respondent the APC for election as member of House of Representatives for Edati,Lavun and Mokwa Federal Constituency of Niger State,for the purpose of contesting the 2027 general election.

“We submit therefore My Lord that,there can be nothing more arbitrary and capricious than the act of the first respondent summiting,forwarding the name of the second respondent to the third respondent as its candidate with regards to an election conducted by her which was clearly won by the plaintiff.

“Especially that the plaintiff has neither withdrawn from the election nor has been pronounced dead.

“ The honourable Court is therefore urged with all humility, that on the strength of the facts deposed to in the plaintiff’s affidavit in support of the originating summons, the arguments canvassed herein in support,the documents exhibited before the Court and the law in support thereof,to uphold the plaintiff’s claim and grant the reliefs sought” he submitted.

Justice Muhammad Barau Sa’idu, after listening to the submissions of the Plaintiff Attorney,adjourned the case to the fourteenth of October 2026 for the adoption of motion on notice and hearing of the suit.