By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Chief Judge of Niger State,Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has stressed the need for continued cordial and mutual understanding between members of the Bar and the Bench towards enhancing speedy dispensation of criminal and Civil Justice in the state.

She noted that both the Bar and the Bench are crucial and critical partners in the administration of Justice, urging legal practitioners in the state to continue to adhere strictly to the ethical and code of conduct of their practice.

Justice Halima Ibrahim was speaking during the 2026 Bar and Bench forum to commemorate the annual legal year of the Niger State Judiciary at the High Court foyer.

She urged members of the legal practitioners to engage in an open,decorum-driven discussion to resolve the operational challenges towards enhancing administration of justice in the state.

The Chief Judge noted that the e-filling system introduced in the state Judiciary,was aimed at going along with the digital system and she commended the NBA Minna Branch for its prompt adoption of the judiciary’s newly introduced e-filling system.

Speaking in the format of the interactive Justice Halima noted that a list of speakers had earlier been submitted,however, she stated that the floor remained open to all members of the Bar to express their concerns,grievances and preferred suggestions and the way forward regarding court operations and judicial service.

“ We as democrats,and given the essence of being here,is to evaluate ourselves,identify our problems and forge ways ahead. I’m ready with what model may be used” the Chief Judge stated.

She assured lawyers that they are under her protection and enjoyed full immunity on the floor to speak their minds in ensuring two ways feedback process key Judicial officers including the Director ICT and DCR litigation will be available to receive complaints regarding e-filling platform.

While also highlighting administrative challenges encountered by the court particularly in handling appeals she told legal practitioners to key in to the e-filling platform already introduced in the state High courts.

Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik use the forum to formally congratulated the new executive of the Minna branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and also appreciated the immediate past leader of the branch Isyaku Barau for his support and cooperation during his tenure.

She assured that constructive feedback recieved from the forum, would be utilized to improve judicial efficiency and service delivery for the overall benefit of the legal profession and the citizens.

In her remarks,the Chief Registrar, of the High Court of Justice in Niger State,Amina Laminde Musa Saidu Esq explained that the Forum brings together two indispensable partners in the administration of Justice the Bench and the Bar.

She noted that their roles may differ,but share a common responsiblity in upholding the rule of law,preserve the integrity of the legal profession,and ensure the fair,efficient,and timely administration of justice.

According to the Chief Registrar, the effectiveness of the justice system depends significantly on a cordial and professional relationship between the Bench and Bar,founded on mutual respect, cooperation and constructive engagement.

“This forum therefore provides an important platform to discuss matters affecting court administration,professional conduct and practice,as well as challenges confronting the administration of justice in our state” she stated.

While commending the Chief Judge for her efforts in sustaining the Bench and Bar engagement and her commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two critical stakeholders,the Chief Registrar, pointed out that the initiative reflects the Chief Judge recognition that meaningful judicial reform requires consultation,cooperation,and the collective commitment of all stakeholders.

By George Mbgeleke
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) demands an urgent explanation from the Federal Government, the Imo State Government and the Nigeria Police Force over conflicting accounts surrounding the release of 20 abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

HURIWA in a statement by its national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, says the allegations by parents that they raised millions of naira to secure their children’s freedom raise serious questions that the authorities must address transparently.
The association urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to clarify their respective positions and apologise to Nigerians if investigations establish that official statements created a misleading impression about the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release.
HURIWA notes that the police attribute the release to sustained search-and-rescue operations at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State, while the state government maintains that no ransom was paid.

However, accounts attributed to some parents tell a different story.
One mother, Alirat Wahab, reportedly told News Central Television that her family raised N6 million after the kidnappers demanded money for the release of their son.
Wahab said the abductors initially demanded N50 million for each of the 20 victims before negotiations led to a reduction in the amount demanded from her family.
“We only had N5.5m at the time, but they insisted on N6m,” she reportedly said.
Her husband also claimed that parents pooled resources, obtained loans and solicited contributions from relatives, friends and sympathisers to meet the demands.
Another mother reportedly told News Central that she paid N3 million after struggling to raise the money and sending someone to Imo State to deliver it.
HURIWA says these allegations warrant an impartial investigation, particularly because the families describe substantial financial sacrifices while the government insists that the victims were released without ransom.
The association stresses that a security operation and a possible ransom payment are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The critical questions are whether ransom was paid, whether security operatives conducted a rescue operation, and how these circumstances relate to the victims’ eventual release.
HURIWA therefore calls on the Inspector-General of Police to provide a detailed account of the operation and explain whether the police knew of any ransom negotiations or payments before the victims regained their freedom.
The association also urges the Imo State Government to explain the basis of its categorical denial of ransom payment and reconcile that position with the accounts attributed to the parents.
HURIWA cautions against treating the allegations as established facts before independent verification. However, it insists that the families deserve to be heard and that the authorities must provide evidence-based answers rather than leave the public to reconcile conflicting narratives.
The association warns that failure to address these questions could further weaken public confidence in security institutions at a time when Nigerians expect greater transparency and more effective action against kidnapping.
HURIWA calls on President Tinubu to urgently review the country’s security architecture, strengthen efforts to combat kidnapping and terrorism, and improve the protection of travellers on highways.
The association further insists that if an investigation establishes that any public official deliberately misrepresented material facts about the victims’ release, the relevant authorities must take appropriate action in accordance with the law. Where official statements prove inaccurate or misleading, HURIWA says the authorities should correct the record and offer an appropriate apology to Nigerians.
HURIWA welcomes the return of the 20 prospective corps members but maintains that their freedom must not end the search for answers. Nigerians deserve to know what happened, while the affected families deserve clarity about the circumstances surrounding their children’s release and recognition of the financial burdens they say they incurred.

9 October 2026

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to bring its investigations involving former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to a clear and lawful conclusion, warning political parties against presenting candidates whose unresolved corruption cases raise serious questions about public accountability.

HURIWA said an opinion poll it conducted across Nigeria, involving more than 6,000 respondents, indicated overwhelming public disapproval of political parties fielding politicians facing unresolved corruption allegations.
According to the association, 99 per cent of respondents condemned the practice, with particular criticism directed at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over its reported decision to field Okowa for a senatorial contest in Delta North.
HURIWA said respondents in Delta North questioned why the party would reportedly choose the former governor instead of the incumbent senator, Prince Ned Nwoko, and demanded that the EFCC clarify the status of its investigation into Okowa.
OKOWA: HURIWA RECALLS EFCC DETENTION
HURIWA said the EFCC must explain the status of its investigation into Okowa, who was arrested and detained in November 2024 over allegations concerning the management of funds received during his eight-year tenure as Delta State governor.
Media reports at the time quoted an unnamed EFCC source as saying:
“Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from the investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested.”
The Punch also reported the source as saying:
“The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.”
The allegations reported at the time also included questions about funds allegedly used to acquire shares in a floating liquefied natural gas project and other investments.
HURIWA stressed that these were allegations under investigation and not proof of guilt. It noted that Okowa subsequently denied wrongdoing, with his aide maintaining that the EFCC had not established a case against him.
The association said the former governor should be entitled to due process, just as Nigerians deserved transparency about the investigation and a clear explanation of whether the evidence warranted prosecution.
HURIWA argued that where investigators have sufficient evidence to prosecute, the EFCC should proceed without undue delay. Where the evidence is insufficient, the commission should equally clarify the position rather than leave the matter indefinitely unresolved.
BELLO CASE RAISES SIMILAR QUESTIONS
The association said respondents in Kogi State expressed similar concerns about the unresolved allegations involving former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Bello has faced EFCC allegations concerning the alleged diversion of public funds during his tenure. HURIWA said the reported scale of the allegations made it imperative for the anti-graft agency to pursue the matter transparently and through the courts.
The association emphasised that neither an accusation nor an investigation should be treated as a conviction. However, it maintained that political office should not become a shield against lawful investigation or prosecution.
HURIWA called on political parties to demonstrate greater sensitivity to public concerns about integrity when selecting candidates for elective offices.
APC, INEC AND EFCC MUST ADDRESS PUBLIC CONCERNS
HURIWA said its reported poll reflected public frustration with what respondents perceived as a gap between anti-corruption rhetoric and the political choices made by parties seeking public office.
It urged the APC to explain the rationale behind its reported senatorial choice in Delta North and called on all political parties to adopt transparent candidate-selection standards.
The association also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to apply the electoral law impartially, noting that eligibility questions must be determined by the relevant constitutional and statutory provisions rather than public allegations alone.
HURIWA called on the EFCC to provide an update on the status of the Okowa investigation and pursue any prosecution justified by the evidence. It urged the commission to ensure that the Bello case also proceeds in accordance with the law.
The association said Nigerians should not have to choose between respect for the presumption of innocence and the demand for accountability from public officials.
It maintained that both principles must be upheld: no individual should be declared guilty without due process, and no politically influential person should be insulated from investigation because of party affiliation or electoral ambition.