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SERAP Urges Tinubu to Prevent Wike and Governors from Providing Cars and Houses to Judges.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a compelling call to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to prevent the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, along with Nigeria’s 36 governors, from undermining the integrity of the judiciary through the provision of cars and houses to judges. In a letter dated November 9, 2024, with insights shared by the Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP expressed concern over the potential erosion of judicial independence, indicating that such practices may render the judiciary submissive to the executive branch of government.

This admonition follows reports regarding the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval for the construction of 40 housing units intended for judicial officers in the Federal Capital Territory. Minister Wike characterized this initiative as part of the government’s Renewed Hope Housing agenda. However, SERAP maintains that these actions violate the constitutional principles of separation of powers and jeopardize the judiciary’s autonomy.

The organization emphasized the importance of maintaining an independent judiciary, free from political interference, and urged President Tinubu to take decisive action. Specifically, SERAP called for the Attorney-General of the Federation to formally challenge the legality of the practice involving the executive branch’s provision of accommodations to judges. Furthermore, they called upon the President to enhance judicial welfare through appropriate constitutional measures, thereby affirming the administration’s commitment to the rule of law.

SERAP’s letter underscores a significant concern regarding public confidence in the judiciary and raises critical issues related to access to justice. The organization’s plea extends beyond mere recommendations, as it warns of potential legal actions should there be no timely response from the President.

In conclusion, SERAP’s initiative serves as a vital reminder of the necessity for the Nigerian government to respect and uphold judicial independence as a cornerstone of democracy and governance. The integrity of the judiciary must be safeguarded to ensure it remains a robust check on the executive’s power, fostering an environment where the rule of law prevails.

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“Take It Down Act” Signed Into Law: Federal Protection Against Non-Consensual Image Sharing.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

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President Donald Trump has signed the “Take It Down Act” into law, criminalizing the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, including those generated by artificial intelligence. The legislation mandates the prompt removal of such content by digital platforms and carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment for offenders.

The law garnered bipartisan support and addresses growing concerns surrounding the proliferation of deepfakes and non-consensual pornography. Platforms failing to remove flagged content within 48 hours face civil penalties. First Lady Melania Trump, a vocal supporter of the bill, attended the signing ceremony.

While praised as a significant step in protecting individuals from online exploitation, the law has also drawn criticism. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, for example, warns of potential for misuse, suggesting the legislation may grant excessive censorship powers and stifle lawful speech. Digital platforms are now mandated to implement rapid response systems for content removal upon receiving complaints.

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2025 UTME: JAMB to Release Resit UTME Results Amidst Performance Concerns.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the impending release of the results for the 379,000 candidates who participated in the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This resit examination, conducted between Friday and Monday, followed widespread reports of technical and logistical challenges during the initial UTME administration, primarily impacting candidates in Lagos and the South-East.

JAMB acknowledged systemic lapses necessitating the resit, and Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede publicly accepted responsibility for the disruptions. The release of these results comes amidst broader concerns regarding overall UTME performance, with a significant proportion of the 1.95 million candidates scoring below 200 out of 400. The Board’s spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed the results will be accessible on Wednesday. The public awaits these results with keen interest, anticipating insights into whether the resit effectively addressed the initial issues and improved candidate outcomes.

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Mohammed Accuses Tinubu Administration of Regional Bias.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

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Controversial northern politician Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed has publicly accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of prioritizing the development of the South-West region at the expense of national unity. Speaking on the Political Advantage Platform (PAP) podcast, Mohammed alleged that the government’s policies disproportionately favor the Yoruba ethnic group, asserting that the administration is “about Yorubas for Yorubas and by Yorubas.”

While claiming no personal animosity towards the President, Mohammed criticized Tinubu for allegedly focusing on regional development using national resources. She further attributed the current economic hardship to the government’s perceived disregard for the concerns of ordinary Nigerians, coupled with its reliance on external bodies for guidance.

Mohammed, a former member of Tinubu’s presidential campaign team, expressed disappointment with the administration’s performance, particularly in addressing insecurity and fulfilling the initial expectations surrounding Tinubu’s perceived experience as Governor of Lagos. Her statements raise significant questions regarding the perceived regional balance and national unity under the current administration.

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