Author: Lawbreed Limited

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction of a former banker, Ugenyi Kalu, who was sentenced to four years and two months’ imprisonment for fraud by Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. A statement released on Tuesday by the EFCC via Facebook noted that Kalu, who previously served as the Head of the Lagos Region at NEXIM Bank, was arraigned by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate on a five-count charge bordering on official corruption and gratification.One of the charges stated: “That you, Ugenyi Kalu, sometime in November 2016, in Lagos within…

The Nigerian Bar Association views with contempt the purported resolution passed by the Benue State House of Assembly directing Governor Hyacinth Alia to remove the Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Maurice Ikpambwese, from office. The resolution is not only unjustifiable but violates the spirit and intendment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The removal of a judicial officer, especially one occupying the esteemed position of Chief Judge, must adhere strictly to due process as outlined in our Constitution. Any deviation from this process is a direct affront to the rule of law and poses a significant threat to…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed all banks and financial institutions to publicly disclose details of dormant accounts, unclaimed balances, and other financial assets on their official websites. According to CBN, a dormant account refers to a bank account that has remained inactive for at least one year. The directive was outlined in a circular issued on Monday, titled “Guidelines on Management of Dormant Account, Accounts, Unclaimed Balances and Other Financial Assets in Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria.” The circular was signed by Michael Akuka on behalf of the director of CBN’s financial policy and regulation…

The Federal Government on Tuesday declared that it is working in collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure growth in Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector. To this end, the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, has set up a committee to interface with the Central Bank of Nigeria to enhance the financing of small businesses in the country. This was part of decisions taken at the first meeting of the National Council on MSMEs for 2025 held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking after deliberations by members, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the federal government,…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered commercial bank directors with non-performing insider related loans, to step down immediately. This was disclosed in a circular titled ‘Compliance with Insider-Related Credit Limits’ issued on February 17 and signed by Adetona Adedeji, acting director of banking supervision at the CBN. The circular reads: “Directors with non-performing insider-related facilities are required to step down immediately from the board, while the bank should commence immediate remediation of the loans through the recovery of the collaterals, including the shareholdings of the affected directors. The circular stated that all banks must ensure that insider-related loans…

he FBI has arrested Nigerian Pastor Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi for conspiring with Osun monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, to defraud the U.S. government of $4.2 million COVID-19 relief funds. Like the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Mr Oluwasanmi also submitted forged documents to apply for the COVID-19 loans meant to lessen the financial burden of struggling businesses during the pandemic. Mr Oluwasanmi used his three companies Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings and Dayspring Transportation to obtain millions of dollars which he later diverted for his own personal expenses, in breach of U.S. federal laws. The U.S.-based Nigerian pastor was indicted for fraud on…

Dear Colleagues, The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) hereby invites members to submit nominations of suitably qualified candidates for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court. This follows the official communication from the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, regarding the appointment of six (6) new Judges to the Bench. The specified states for consideration are: In line with the NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the appointment of Judicial Officers, the NBA is expected to recommend qualified candidates for onward submission to the Honourable Chief Judge. We, therefore, urge members to identify…

The Federal High Court has announced its 2025 Easter Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges. This is contained in a circular signed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho. According to the statement, the Court shall proceed on its Easter Vacation from Wednesday the 16th day of April, 2025 to Monday the 28th day of April, 2025. This is Pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (C) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended). The Court resumes sitting on Tuesday, 29th April, 2025 in all Judicial…

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has congratulated Kabir Akanbi, Esq. on his appointment as the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In an official statement, the NBA president wished him success, wisdom, and strength as he takes on this significant responsibility. READ BELOW>>>>>>>> CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM THE NBA PRESIDENT TO KABIR AKANBI ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS CHIEF REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT Dear Mr. Kabir Akanbi, The NBA congratulates you on your well-deserved appointment as the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Your elevation to this esteemed position is…

A Dubai court has sentenced Abdulrahman Bashar, the owner of Rahmaniya Group and Ultimate Oil & Gas, to one year in prison for financial crimes linked to his dealings with CI Energy Company, an oil and gas firm. This marks the second time in less than five years that the Nigerian billionaire has been sentenced to jail, following a ten-month imprisonment ordered by a UK court in 2020. According to court documents reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES, the UAE court issued its verdict on January 30, 2025, after Mr. Bashar, 48, failed to appear for trial despite being officially notified. Charges…