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One-Party Dominance Threatens Federal System, SANs Warn
The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria has warned that Nigeria’s federal system is under serious threat due to the dominance of a single political party, stressing that the judiciary must remain strong where opposition is weak.
BOSAN said the current political landscape has weakened federalism and virtually eliminated effective opposition, thereby placing greater responsibility on the judiciary to protect the constitution and the rule of law.
The body made the remarks in a speech delivered at a special court session marking the ceremonial commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Federal High Court and the 41st Annual Judges’ Conference held in Abuja on Monday.
Currently, the All Progressives Congress controls at least 26 of the 36 states in the federation, with opposition parties decrying a tilt toward a one-party state.
In the address, read on its behalf by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), BOSAN declared: “When there is no strong opposition, the judiciary must be strong. It must be adept. It must be innovative. It must defend the law and the constitution, and employ every inherent sanction of a court of law.
“The framers of the Constitution would never have entrusted the judiciary with the custody and control of the Constitution, without at the same time, giving it the necessary jurisdictional power to protect it at the time of mindless corruption.
“As I said before, it is midnight. It is you, judges, who will lead in this darkness. At such a time as this, you must be bold and courageous. You must be honest, you must be innovative.”
BOSAN further cautioned against what it described as the criminalisation of politics, urging judges to rise to the challenge of safeguarding constitutionally guaranteed rights
It said: “Criminalisation of politics means that you are the hope of the nation. If the electoral process continues to be dominated by money, if violence and ethnicity continue to prevail, if the checks and balances instituted by law have been eliminated or have ceased to be effective, if all the structures for accountability provided in the constitution are surprisingly ignored, in that case, we need a judiciary that can assert itself.
“Do so now! Do not fear and do not be afraid. If this generation does not appreciate you, generations to come will do so. Generations to come shall look back and wonder how you were able to save a nation so totally lacking in moderation.
“It has been said that as long as the nation is rife with corruption, we should not consider ourselves a democracy.
“The hope of the nation is in the judiciary to remove this cankerworm of corruption so that we can have a genuine democracy. This means that judges must be enlightened. You must spiritualise yourselves. You must be holy.”
The body added that it depended not so much on the priests, pastors, and imams to have a godly society, stressing that the men of God had taught the lessons they ought to teach.
“It remains for you, judges, to punish disobedience. The appropriate use of punishment. You have the means to compel criminals to give up crime.
“That is why it is said that a nation is as good as its judiciary. It is for this reason that some people blame not the politicians, but our judges and magistrates,” the body said.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, acknowledged that public expectations of the judiciary had risen significantly in recent years, noting that scrutiny had intensified.
She stressed that the judiciary remained the last line of defence for the constitution and the rights it guaranteed.
“In an age where misinformation travels swiftly, and institutional trust is increasingly fragile, we must continually demonstrate, through both conduct and decisions, that justice in Nigeria is anchored firmly on impartiality, transparency, and integrity.
“The Judiciary does not speak through press statements or public commentary; our judgments constitute our voice, and the manner in which we discharge our duties defines the authority and credibility of that voice.
“Beyond the substance of our judgments, the public increasingly measures justice by the discipline of our daily processes.
“Punctuality in sitting, consistency in court schedules, and the courtesy of giving advance notice when a court will not sit are no longer minor administrative matters,” she said.
She emphasised that these expectations were essential expressions of respect for litigants, counsel, and citizens whose time, resources, and confidence are invested in the justice system.
She noted that it would be unrealistic to ignore the fact that public confidence in judicial institutions was fragile, and that perceptions, whether fair or otherwise, carried real consequences.
“Where court processes appear unpredictable, opaque, or inefficient, the credibility of even sound decisions may suffer.
“Restoring confidence is not achieved by rhetoric, but by reliability, professionalism, and visible order in the administration of justice.
“Judicial independence must therefore be upheld, not as an abstract ideal, but as a lived and daily discipline grounded in courage, restraint, and fidelity to the law.
“Independence is not an adornment of democracy; it is its lifeblood. Yet independence, standing alone, is insufficient unless exercised with responsibility and moral clarity,” she added.
She also said that the Bench and the Bar must remain partners in the administration of justice.
“A weak link on either side diminishes the system as a whole. I therefore urge members of the Bar to uphold the highest standards of advocacy, to eschew tactics that frustrate proceedings, and to work constructively with the courts in advancing efficiency, professionalism, and the Rule of Law,” Justice Kekere-Ekun said.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John T. Tsoho, disclosed that the court disposed of a total of 16,019 cases at the end of the 2023/2024 legal year.
He said 3,113 were civil cases, while 5,818 were criminal matters.
He added that 3,724 motions and 3,374 fundamental human rights cases were filed within the same period.
Justice Tsoho said the annual ceremony served as a reminder of the court’s collective responsibility to uphold the rule of law, administer justice fairly and impartially, and safeguard the rights of citizens.
He further disclosed that, in line with efforts to modernise the judiciary, the Federal High Court had commenced an e-filing system at its Lagos Division, with plans to extend it to all divisions nationwide.
“We are intensifying investment in infrastructural development such as construction of court buildings, judges’ quarters, renovation of courtrooms and staff quarters where needed.
“We also strive to provide essential technological equipment in our courts,” he said.
Justice Tsoho noted that the initiatives were aimed at enhancing service delivery despite limited resources.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), urged the judiciary to guard its independence jealously, noting that its authority rests on public confidence in its neutrality.
While commending the Federal High Court for its resilience and fidelity to the law, he called for continued courage, saying judicial decisions remained vital in shaping governance and ensuring national stability.
Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to relocate Nigeria’s capital from Abuja to Lagos upon his re-election in 2027.
Frank made this allegation known in a statement on Monday.
The former APC chieftain slammed Tinubu’s government for what he described as a ‘Lagos-centric agenda.’
He said that it has become clear to him that the President is pursuing an agenda of sidelining other regions.
According to Frank, major decisions of Tinubu’s administration are targeted to benefit Lagos State.
“It is now clear that the President’s long-term plan is to concentrate political and economic power in Lagos if given another term in office,” Frank said.
Frank also claimed that federal appointments and development initiatives under Tinubu have been largely one-sided, warning that such a trend undermines national unity.
“We do not want a president who is one-sided,” he said.
“Where are Tinubu’s MOUs tied to agricultural and livestock production in the North, industrial development in the Southeast, and oil and gas development in the South-South? None!
“Secondly, no president in Nigeria’s history has divided the country and its people along regional and ethnic lines the way this administration has done.
“There is a growing sense of alienation and division among Nigerians that is deeply troubling.
“It appears to be a deliberate strategy to impoverish certain regions, especially the North, South, and Southeast, so that citizens are economically weakened ahead of the 2027 election cycle,” Frank stated.
His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the date for Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria.
The Emir, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, has not reported the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal, 1447AH, today, Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan .
This was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Daular Usmaniyya , signed by the Wazir of Sokoto and Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Sultan’s Palace, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The statement stated that the Sultan’s Palace Moon Sighting Committee had not received any reliable reports of moon sightings from anywhere in Nigeria. According to this information, Thursday, March 19, will be the day to complete the 30th day of Ramadan.
The Sultan of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day of the lesser Sallah, i.e. the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH.
He urged Muslims to use this time of Eid al-Fitr to pray for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The statement said: “His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has received the moon sighting report, which showed that the crescent moon was not sighted today, Wednesday.
“Accordingly, he declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as 1 Shawwal 1447AH (the Day of the Small Prayer). He also congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the occasion, and wished them the guidance and blessings of God.”
“He also called for continued prayers for peace, progress, and development of the country . He also wished Muslims a peaceful and prosperous Eid. May Allah (SWT) accept our acts of worship, amen.”
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approves ₦19.6 billion Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola The Adamawa State government says the hospital aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Adamawa State Fintiri explains that the facility will serve as a training center and improve healthcare services in the North-East.
Yola, Adamawa State – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola. The proposed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will cost the state ₦19.6 billion, and it’s expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The landmark project is designed to significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare services across the state.
The project aligns with Governor Fintiri’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The hospital will also improve access to quality healthcare and position Adamawa as a referral hub for specialized medical services in the North-East region.
As reported by Daily Trust, the hospital will be equipped with modern medical technology and specialized units when completed.
The state governor explained that the hospital capable units to handle high-risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergencies, and other complex medical cases affecting women and children. Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals.
It will help to strengthen capacity and improve the quality of medical services within the state’s health sector. It will offer other healthcare services like advanced diagnostic and laboratory services, fully equipped operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency response facilities, and modern inpatient wards designed to provide quality care for patients.
Recall that Fintiri’s administration executed over 100 infrastructural, educational, health, and social projects across Adamawa state, transforming both urban centres and rural communities. The administration completed major road networks, flyovers, and township roads, including the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, Yola, and the Nyibango-Yolde Pate Road in Yola South.
Over 100 new primary health care centres were built, while hospitals such as Numan General Hospital and Specialist Hospital, Yola, underwent comprehensive development and modernisation.
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