Lookman bags brace as Atalanta thrash Empoli 5-0
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman delivered an outstanding performance as Atalanta cruised to a 5-0 victory over Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Sunday. The Bergamo-based side struck three times in the first half and added two more after the break, with Lookman bagging a brace to cap off a dominant display. The Nigerian star found the net in the 43rd minute with a clinical finish, extending Atalanta’s lead after an own goal by Emmanuel Gyasi and a strike from Mateo Retegui. Lookman’s relentless attacking presence kept Empoli’s defence under constant pressure throughout the match. Beyond his goal, Lookman’s movement and creativity kept Empoli’s defenders on edge, as he linked up effectively with his teammates and played a crucial role in Atalanta’s attacking flow. Atalanta entered the match eager to rebound from their recent Champions League exit against Club Brugge. The team showcased their intent early on, dominating possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities. This performance comes after his recent Champions League disappointment, where Lookman had a penalty saved in Atalanta’s 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge. However, he has responded in style, proving his quality and determination in Serie A action. With the second half approaching, Lookman will look to add to his tally and continue leading Atalanta’s charge as they aim to secure a crucial three points. The Eagles, via its X account, celebrated the forward. Key Moments 27th Minute: Atalanta broke the deadlock when Davide Zappacosta’s cross deflected off Empoli’s Emmanuel Gyasi, resulting in an own goal that gave the visitors the lead. 34th Minute: Capitalizing on their momentum, Atalanta extended their advantage. A well-executed corner saw Ademola Lookman’s cross flicked on by Berat Djimsiti, allowing Mateo Retegui to finish clinically at the back post. 43rd Minute: Lookman added his name to the scoresheet with a display of individual brilliance. Receiving a through ball from Retegui, he deftly maneuvered past goalkeeper Marco Silvestri and calmly slotted the ball into the net. 55th Minute: Lookman secured his brace, showcasing his versatility. He timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap, then used a step-over to evade defender Liberato Cacace before finishing with his left foot. 74th Minute: Davide Zappacosta capped off the scoring with a precise low drive into the bottom corner, following a skillful cut inside from the edge of the area.
De Bruyne done? Captain Fantastico leads Man City flops in Liverpool loss
The Belgian looked a shadow of his former self while Josko Gvardiol was helpless to stop the electric Mohamed Salah in a disheartening defeat Manchester City used to relish those top-of-the-table clashes at home to Liverpool, but this was all about enduring a 90 minutes in which they knew they were miles apart from Arne Slot’s slick winning machine, who edged closer to the Premier League title with a 2-0 win over the champions. Mohamed Salah scored the first and set up the second for Dominik Szoboszlai in a manner reminiscent of the way Kylian Mbappe ravaged City and dumped them out of the Champions League in midweek. It was not a virtuoso display like the Frenchman’s, but it was befitting of the way Salah has dominated this season, and City had no one who could stop him or compete with him, not least Kevin De Bruyne, who looked utterly out of place in a fixture of this level. The writing was on the wall from the moment the starting XIs landed, with Erling Haaland not in the squad due to injury and Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan confined to the bench. The crowd were still up for the occasion, and Jeremy Doku’s twisting runs down the left and Savinho’s pace on the other flank gave them hope, but they were let down by their propensity to give the ball away too often, with the woeful De Bruyne the biggest culprit in that respect. Mohammed Salah (in red) contending with City’s Josko Gvardiol City were undone by Liverpool’s quick-thinking as no one expected Alexis Mac Allister to find Szoboszlai with a floor pass from the corner and for the Hungarian to flick the ball to Salah, whose shot was deflected past Ederson by Nathan Ake. More criticism could be made of how they let in the second, Josko Gvardiol failing to cut out the pass towards Salah or stop the Egyptian from teeing up Szoboszlai, who was picked up by no one as he wrong-footed Ederson to score. In between both goals, City did have the ball in the net from Omar Marmoush, but the Egyptian was clearly offside. Liverpool had the ball in the net again from Curtis Jones in the second half, but City were spared by a marginal offside spotted by VAR. The decision was greeted by the biggest roar of the afternoon from the home fans, who were stunned into silence by their own team’s impotence against the champions elect.
1966 coup: Ohanaeze seeks N10trn compensation, apology from FG
Socio-cultural Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Sunday demanded an apology and N10 trillion as compensation from President Bola Tinubu to the Igbo after the revelation by former military President, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) during the launch of his book “A Journey in Service” that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo coup as alleged. 59 years after the 1966 coup, IBB absolved the Igbo ethnic group from any blame for the events that led to the military mutiny that ousted then civilian administration led by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa. Apart from Balewa, others killed by the coupists include then-Premier of Northern Region, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello; then-Premier of Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola and several top military officers from the North. Meanwhile, the fact that then-Head of State, Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, among top Igbo politicians and military officers, was not killed made many believe that it was an Igbo-inspired mutiny. Additionally, most of the coup planners were Igbo. However, contrary to the narratives linking the coup to ethnic sentiments, IBB, in his book clarified that the coup was not driven by ethnic motivations. He highlighted the role of Major John Obienu, an Igbo officer, who played a key role in quelling the coup, revealing that many senior Igbo officers were also tragically killed during the uprising. Excerpts from the book read: “It was a terrible time for the Nigerian military. As I have said elsewhere, as a young officer who saw all of this from a distance, probably, ethnic sentiments did not drive the original objective of the coup plotters. “For instance, the head of the plotters, Major Kaduna Nzeogwu was only ‘Igbo’ in name. Born and raised in Kaduna, his immigrant parents were from Okpanam in today’s Delta State, which, in 1966, was in the old mid-western region. Nzeogwu spoke fluent Hausa and was as ‘Hausa’ as any! He and his original team probably thought, even if naively, that they could turn things around for the better in the country. “That said, it was heinously callous for Nzeogwu to have murdered Sir Ahmadu Bello and his wife, Hafsatu, because not only were they eminently adored by many but also because they were said not to have put up a fight. From that moment, the putsch was infiltrated by ‘outsiders’ to its supposed original intention, and it took on an unmistakably ethnic colouration, compounded by the fact that there were no related coup activities in the Eastern region. “It should, however, be borne in mind that some senior officers of Igbo extraction were also victims of the January coup. For instance, my erstwhile Commander at the Reconnaissance Squadron in Kaduna, Lt-Col. Arthur Chinyelu Unegbe, was brutally gunned down by his own ‘brother,’ Major Chris Anuforo, in the presence of his pregnant wife, at his 7 Point Road residence in Apapa, for merely being ‘a threat to the revolution’. ”As a disciplined and strict officer who, as the Quartermaster-General of the Army, was also in charge of ammunition, weapons, equipment, vehicles, and other vital items for the Army, the coup plotters feared that he might not cooperate with them. “It should also be remembered that some non-Igbo officers, like Major Adewale Ademoyega, Captain Ganiyu Adeleke, Lts Fola Oyewole, and Olafimihan, took part in the failed coup. Another officer of Igbo extraction, Major John Obienu, crushed the coup. “Those who argue that the original intention of the coup plotters was anything but ethnic refer to the fact that the initial purpose of the plotters was to release Chief Obafemi Awolowo from prison immediately after the coup and make him the executive provisional President of Nigeria.” However, after the IBB’s clarification, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has now demanded an apology and N10 trillion as compensation from President Bola Tinubu to the Igbo. The group noted that the coup unleashed disastrous repercussions on the Igbo people, among other factors, which ultimately led to the cataclysmic horrors of the Biafra War. In a statement issued by the Deputy National President of the Ohanaeze faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that the apology and compensation had become necessary due to the staggering loss of life, with approximately three million Igbo—predominantly innocent women and children—slaughtered during the conflict, an event that continues to reverberate through the collective consciousness of the Igbo people. He stated that the revelations would compel Nigerians to confront the stark injustices perpetrated against the Igbo people, insisting that President Tinubu must recognise this moment as an opportunity to extend a public and unequivocal apology on behalf of previous military regimes, particularly the General Yakubu Gowon’s administration. He added that such an apology was long overdue for the myriad wrongdoings inflicted upon the Igbo nation, which continue even decades after the conclusion of the Biafra War. He noted that the demand for ten trillion naira in reparations remained steadfast, stressing that the figure was not arbitrary but a symbolic recognition of the indelible losses the Igbo people had endured. He further stated that the Igbo people extended forgiveness to General Babangida and all others involved in the atrocities committed during the Biafra conflict, stressing that the confessions brought forth by Babangida should warrant accountability for those who participated in the tragic events that decimated the Igbo populace. The statement read: “The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, extends its profound appreciation to General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) for his remarkable courage in officially declaring that the January 1966 coup was unequivocally not an Igbo coup. “This pivotal acknowledgment is not merely a correction of historical nomenclature but a significant moment in our collective pursuit of justice and reconciliation, signalling a potential end to the historical vindictiveness and cruelty that have been pervasive in Federal Government policies towards the Igbo Nation. “His forthright exemption of the Igbo from the egregious classification as enemies of the Northern region in the aftermath of the coup is both timely and necessary, even if it arrives decades later. “The mislabeling of the January 1966 coup has unleashed disastrous repercussions upon the
Aiyedatiwa acknowledges divine favour at inauguration thanksgiving service
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who’s set to be inaugurated on Monday, has attributed his emergence as the state’s leader to divine providence. Speaking at the Inauguration Church Thanksgiving Service held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House, Oke Ijebu, Akure, on Sunday, he expressed deep gratitude to God for making his journey possible against all odds. Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that his political success was not by human effort but by God’s grace. Quoting Psalm 124:1, he remarked, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, what would our Israel be saying this day?” The governor also thanked the people of Ondo State for their overwhelming support, particularly during the last gubernatorial and local government elections. READ ALSO: Aiyedatiwa to take oath Monday, declares holiday He assured them of his administration’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability as he prepares to officially assume office. “As we prepare to take the oath of office tomorrow, we pledge to serve with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We shall work tirelessly to create opportunities, foster growth, and ensure our state remains a beacon of hope and prosperity,” Aiyedatiwa stated. Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the Seven-Point Developmental Agenda (OUR EASE), the governor pledged to focus on socioeconomic advancement in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, commerce, and industry. He also reassured citizens of his dedication to maintaining Ondo State’s reputation as one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria. Governor Aiyedatiwa further called for unity and reconciliation, urging all citizens to collaborate in building a prosperous future for the state. He highlighted the vital role of the church in societal development and pledged to strengthen partnerships that promote education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. Delivering a sermon titled “Appreciating God for His Favour,” Pastor Elijah Olujimi Olubade, the Regional Pastor of Zone 22, referenced Psalm 44:1-8, emphasising that true victories come by God’s grace. READ ALSO: Makinde reaffirms commitment to advancing technological innovation He also cited Romans 13:1, reminding the congregation that all authority is ordained by God and that leaders should govern with humility and gratitude. The Thanksgiving event featured a special session led by the governor, joined by his wife, Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, their family, the Deputy Governor and his family, and top government officials. The occasion also included the ceremonial cutting of the inauguration cake, symbolizing the beginning of a new era for Ondo State.
Makinde warns Osun APC against instability as Adeleke swears in new LG chairmen
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging them to avoid turning Osun State into a zone of lawlessness. The forum emphasised adherence to the rule of law and discouraged any form of self-help in political matters. Speaking in Osogbo on behalf of the forum, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, accompanied by PDP Governors Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, called for calm and lawful engagement over electoral disputes. Both governors were present in solidarity with Governor Ademola Adeleke at the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected council chairmen. READ ALSO: Gov Adeleke swears in Chairman Governing Council of OSCE Governor Makinde reminded those instigating unrest in Osun to learn from history, warning against actions that could destabilize the state. He urged the APC to allow peace to prevail, insisting that any grievances should be settled through the judiciary rather than resorting to illegal means. “The PDP and its governors are focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to our people. My brother, Governor Adeleke, is fulfilling his promises to the people of Osun State,” Makinde stated. “If anyone has a court judgment, there are legal procedures for enforcement. Resorting to self-help is both unlawful and unacceptable,” he added.
Gov Adeleke swears in newly elected LG chairmen
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke swore in the newly elected local government chairpersons and councillors on Sunday. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in all 30 LGAs and 332 wards in Saturday’s controversial election. During the swearing-in ceremony, Adeleke expressed satisfaction that the election took place despite earlier challenges. He congratulated the officials and urged them to fulfill their mandate by prioritizing good governance. However, the governor instructed the newly elected leaders to refrain from entering the local government secretariats to prevent clashes with individuals whom security forces had reportedly assisted in taking control of the premises. Adeleke saud: “We are all aware of the journey to where we are. The state is today rounding up a process that started a year or so ago. The state electoral body had issued due notice of election a year ago. I know the commission had complied with all extant rules and procedures, which led to the emergence of new local government chairmen and councillors. READ ALSO: Osun LG Poll: PDP, APC dispute voting video “We are equally aware of the legal controversies that dogged the holding of the election. It is, however, a thing of joy that the facts are out in the public domain, and we are satisfied that we are on the side of the law within the context of the rule of law and the constitution. “I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councillors. You have the mandate to deliver on good governance in your respective local governments. “I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change, community developers, and deliverers of dividends of democracy. “An Osun State High Court had affirmed the vacancies in both the Chairman and Councilors positions in all of Osun State Local Governments before your election on the 22nd February 2025. “We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats.” Adeleke extended his gratitude to the people of Osun for their unwavering support and bravery during the election. “We will not disappoint you. The welfare of the people remains our top priority,” he assured. He also commended the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission for carrying out its duties with professionalism and responsibility, as well as the security agencies for ensuring peace and order throughout the process. READ ALSO: Osun: PDP wins all 30 chairmanship, 332 councillorship seats Additionally, he acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for resisting attempts by certain groups to destabilize Osun. The event saw the presence of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also serves as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.
Trump appoints son of Ugandan immigrant FBI director
The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has confirmed Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick for FBI director, putting a Trump loyalist atop the nation’s most prominent law enforcement agency at a time of growing upheaval. Patel was confirmed by a 51-49 vote. Two moderate Republicans, Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined all Democrats in opposing Patel, but it was not enough to overcome broad Republican support. Collins and Murkowski, in opposing Patel, expressed concern about his past political advocacy for Trump and its potential effect on the FBI’s law enforcement activities. Republican supporters argued he would reform an agency that has been hampered by a decline in public trust. Democrats had forcefully opposed Patel’s nomination, saying his past calls for retribution against Trump’s critics made him unfit to lead the FBI. “Mr. Patel will be a political and national security disaster,” Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. Patel takes charge as Trump-backed officials seek to put their stamp on the FBI and its parent agency, the Justice Department, challenging decades-old traditions of independence and reorienting its mission toward Trump’s core priorities. Born to Ugandan immigrants of Indian descent, Patel’s family fled the country during the 1970s amid Idi Amin’s regime, seeking refuge in the US. At least 75 career Justice Department lawyers and FBI officials, who normally keep their roles from administration to administration, have either resigned, been fired or stripped of their posts in the first month of the Trump administration. Justice Department leadership has ordered broad policy changes, demanded loyalty to Trump’s agenda and sought to drop a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat who courted Trump, citing his cooperation on immigration enforcement. “Donald Trump himself and those around him have been very clear that they do believe that the president should affect prosecutorial decisions and prosecutorial outcomes,” said Noah Bookbinder, a former federal prosecutor and head of the ethics group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “They were offended by the efforts to prosecute Donald Trump and those close to him, and they see it as part of their mission to exact vengeance.” Trump-appointed officials have said many early moves are aimed at pursuing the administration’s policy goals and ending what they have described as abuses against Trump and his supporters. Trump and his allies planned during his campaign to install loyalists in the department and weaken the autonomy of a career workforce that they have long viewed with suspicion. Trump has been ensnared in Justice Department investigations dating back to his first campaign in 2016 and faced two federal criminal cases during his years out of power which were dropped after he won the election before reaching trials. “This DOJ will return to its core function of prosecuting dangerous criminals, not pursuing politically motivated witch hunts,” a senior official, Chad Mizelle, said in a statement last week. Department officials did not respond to a request for comment. Prosecutors working on Trump cases repeatedly denied any political influence over those prosecutions. TRADITION OF INDEPENDENCE The Trump administration’s efforts have collided with a deeply ingrained tradition of independence in federal criminal investigations, dating back to reforms that followed the Watergate scandal that toppled President Richard Nixon in 1974. The move by the acting deputy attorney general, Emil Bove, to drop the Adams case caused particular tumult. The top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, where the case was brought, and at least seven other prosecutors in New York and Washington resigned in protest, with some accusing the Trump administration of improper motives. A top Justice Department official accused the prosecutors of having disordered priorities. Trump-appointed officials also fired more than a dozen lawyers who were involved in the two criminal cases against Trump and about 18 prosecutors who handled cases arising from the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. The FBI faced internal strife even before Patel’s arrival. Bove demanded a list from the bureau of all employees who worked on the sprawling investigation into the attack on the Capitol for an internal review. Its acting director, Brian Driscoll, a career FBI agent, initially resisted and law enforcement groups condemned what they viewed as an unfair attack on career agents who worked on investigations assigned to them. Two groups of FBI agents sued over fears agent names would be publicly released. The Trump administration has said agents who only followed orders would not be disciplined and has committed, for now, not to identify FBI agents who worked on the January 6 probe. PATEL’S AGENDA Patel has vowed that politics will play no role in his leadership of the FBI, but his closeness to Trump has prompted concerns from Democrats and many legal experts. The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, last week accused Patel of orchestrating the removal of FBI officials from the outside, citing information from whistleblowers. Patel has said he will increase the FBI’s role in countering illegal immigration and violent crime, top Trump priorities, by “letting good cops be cops.” He has said he will scale back investigative work at the FBI’s Washington headquarters where many counterintelligence, national security and public corruption probes are housed. Patel has been among the biggest boosters of claims that a “deep state” within the government has pursued Trump in an attempt to sink his political prospects. “The erosion of trust is evident,” Patel wrote in a Wall Street Journal essay last month, referring to the FBI. Patel’s nomination is itself evidence of Trump’s attempts to exert greater control over federal law enforcement. The FBI director, who serves a 10-year term, is not typically a role that turns over with the change to a new presidential administration. Trump nominated Patel after winning the November election, effectively forcing former Director Christopher Wray, who Trump had appointed to the role in 2017, to resign. Trump fired Wray’s predecessor, James Comey.
Zelenskyy ready to resign for peace in Ukraine, NATO membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Kyiv on Sunday he would be willing to resign from his post in exchange for peace in Ukraine or NATO membership. “If it is peace for Ukraine, and if you really want me to leave my post, I’m ready,” Zelenskyy said in Ukrainian. “Alternatively, I can trade this for NATO membership, if such conditions exist, immediately, so we don’t have lengthy discussions. I’m focusing on Ukraine’s security today, not in 20 years. And I don’t intend to stay in power for decades.” Zelenskyy’s offer is a major concession amid an ongoing public dispute with President Donald Trump, which escalated last week when Trump suggested that the Ukrainian president was responsible for starting the war. In reality, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, initiating the current land war. In response, the Ukrainian president accused Trump of living in a “disinformation bubble” and pushing Kremlin talking points. The U.S. president then went on to call Zelenskyy a “dictator” and a “modestly successful comedian.” When asked about Trump on Sunday, Zelenskyy told reporters in Ukrainian, “We are partners and I want him on our side.” Asked directly about some of the things Trump has said about him over the past week, Zelenskyy said, “There is no space for emotions. I have pragmatic position. I can’t name these words a compliment, but what can I do?” “I am the elected president by 73% of Ukrainian people. After the martial law, there will be elections. Perhaps he will say something good about me. It is more important what Ukrainians think about me,” the Ukrainian president added. The feud comes as the U.S. and Russia have resumed high-level talks and several senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia. Trump has pledged to begin peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, saying on Friday that it’s not important for Zelenskyy to attend peace negotiations because “he’s been at meetings for three years and nothing got done.” “I don’t think he’s very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you,” Trump told Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade. “He’s been there for three years. He makes it very hard to make deals. But look what’s happened to his country, it’s been demolished.” Earlier this month, during an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy told moderator Kristen Welker that he would not accept a peace deal without Ukraine at the negotiating table. “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, never,” he said in English in that interview. “This is the war in Ukraine, against us, and it’s our human losses.”
Lagos engages magistrates in fight against SGBV
In a renewed effort to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Lagos, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has engaged 60 Magistrates in discussions on addressing the issue effectively. The initiative aims to enhance the role of the judiciary in ensuring justice for survivors and holding perpetrators accountable. This was made know via a post shared on the government Facebook page on Sunday. Speaking at the event held in Ikeja, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, emphasized the state’s commitment to reducing SGBV to the lowest level possible. She highlighted that SGBV is a widespread human rights violation that affects individuals regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic background, often leaving lasting physical and emotional trauma. Read Also: 16 Days of Activism: Prejudice against women ungodly, anti-social – Adesina Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi reiterated that the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, remains resolute in tackling the menace. The creation of DSVA, she noted, is a reflection of the government’s dedication to providing a coordinated response to domestic and sexual violence cases. Through this initiative, survivors are assured of support, while offenders are brought to justice. Addressing the role of the judiciary, she pointed out that Magistrates serve as the first point of contact for many survivors seeking justice. Their decisions, sensitivity, and commitment to fairness are crucial in shaping the outcomes of SGBV cases. She called on the judiciary to ensure that justice is not only served but also perceived as fair and effective. The engagement provided an opportunity for Magistrates to discuss challenges in prosecuting SGBV cases, exchange insights, and explore best practices for handling such matters. The initiative also focused on fostering collaboration between the judiciary and the Agency to enhance legal responses, strengthen case handling, and create a justice system that prioritizes the welfare of survivors while deterring future occurrences of SGBV. Magistrates were encouraged to adopt innovative approaches that improve efficiency in delivering justice. The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the judiciary to build a Lagos where every individual can live free from violence and fear.
Rivers CJ expands ADR services to speed up justice delivery
The Chief Judge of Rivers State (CJ), Justice Simeon Amadi, has certified two new private Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centres. The aim of the certification was to tackle the issue of delayed justice and reduce case congestion in courts, These centres, Praeclarus Alternative Dispute Resolution Services and Harmony Arbitration, Mediation, and Peace Building Centre, are both located in Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State. During the certificate presentation ceremony at the High Court Complex in Port Harcourt, Justice Amadi emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in ADR practices. He warned that any violation of the regulations set by the Rivers State Multi-Door Courthouse (RSMDC) could lead to the revocation of their certification. As the Chairman of the Governing Council of the RSMDC, he reiterated his commitment to easing the burden on the courts by promoting ADR as a quicker way to settle disputes. Encouraging legal practitioners and the public to embrace ADR, Justice Amadi highlighted its efficiency in resolving conflicts without the delays often experienced in traditional court processes. According to The Guardian report, Victor Nweke, the Director of the RSMDC, explained that the newly certified ADR centres met all necessary requirements before receiving their registration. Nweke pointed out that their certification allows them to collaborate with the RSMDC, enabling the transfer of certain cases, including those referred by the court, to these centres. According to Nweke, this partnership will not only ease the workload of the courts but also build public confidence in ADR as an effective means of conflict resolution. Read Also: Rivers commences anthrax vaccination campaign He further explained that rulings from these ADR centres will be recognized by the RSMDC and forwarded to the Chief Judge for legal validation, making the decisions legally binding. Speaking on behalf of both ADR centres, Alice Lawrence-Nemi, leader of Praeclarus Alternative Dispute Resolution Services and former Rivers State Commissioner for Education, expressed gratitude for the judiciary’s support. She assured that the centres would uphold the principles of fairness and professionalism in resolving disputes. Lawrence-Nemi also acknowledged the Chief Judge’s efforts in advancing ADR in Rivers State, expressing hope that other states in the region would adopt similar measures to enhance access to justice.
