FocalPoint Reports

Posts

The Abuse Of Privilege By Retired Judicial Officers (2)

A lawyer who retains a retired judge for the purpose of reaching a serving judge is as culpable as the person who accepts the assignment. Law firms must therefore review the manner in which they engage retired judicial officers. Any consultancy arrangement should be transparent, properly documented and confined to legitimate services. A retired judge who provides an opinion should not participate in any communication with the judge handling the matter. Litigants must also be warned. The desperation to win a case at all costs is one of the factors corrupting the administration of justice. Some litigants appear less interested in retaining competent counsel than in locating someone who claims to know the judge. They move from one supposed intermediary to another, paying enormous sums for promised interventions. In many instances, the retired officer’s name may even be used without his knowledge. Fraudsters and influence merchants thrive because litigants are willing to purcha...

Tinubu Loves Nigeria – Yari Reveals APC’s Plan For 2027 Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said its 2027 presidential campaign will focus on the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration rather than personal attacks on political opponents. The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulazeez Yari, disclosed this in Gusau, Zamfara State, after meeting behind closed doors with Governor Dauda Lawal and traditional rulers in the state on Wednesday. Yari said the party would use the campaign to tell Nigerians what the Tinubu administration had achieved and what it planned to do if given another term. He said the campaign would be based on issues and the records of the government, rather than making promises or attacking individuals. According to him, Nigeria has gone through difficult periods that made some people doubt whether the country would remain united, but Nigerians have continued to protect the unity of the nation. “Nigeria is a wonderful country. We have been seeing so many thin...

Don’t just focus on profits, Tinubu tells banks

President Bola Tinubu has challenged Nigerian banks to rethink their approach to risk and play a more active role in driving economic growth and improving the welfare of Nigerians, insisting that strong profits alone are no longer enough. The President spoke at the opening of the 19th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Abuja, yesterday. Represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, President Tinubu said banks must move beyond celebrating huge profits and shareholder dividends to financing productive sectors of the economy. He said: “For years, we have measured financial institutions by balance-sheet growth, profitability and shareholder returns. These remain important. But we must increasingly ask: what is the financial system doing for the real economy? “A resilient banking system cannot exist indefinitely where businesses cannot obtain affordable credit, man...

‘I Made Nothing Less Than ₦10 Million Monthly From Akara Business’ – Gov. Eno

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has recalled making nothing less than ₦10 million monthly from his akara and bread business before venturing into politics. Eno’s comment comes months after the Nigerian First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, sparked reactions after encouraging Nigerians to explore small businesses such as akara and kuli-kuli as part of efforts to improve their livelihoods. Speaking after a Renewed Hope Initiative meeting with wives of state governors in Abuja in June, Oluremi said such businesses could be started with relatively little capital. She said at the time, “We’re trying to give hope, and to start Akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant.” Speaking during Akwa-Ibom State’s monthly covenant prayer service on Tuesday, Eno, in a video trending online, said he started the business by selling akara and bread, which he packaged a...

Tinubu’s FBI Report Campaign Damaging Nigeria’s Image – Reps Spokesman

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has criticised the campaign by opposition politicians over the alleged United States government documents concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday evening, Agbese described it as an attempt to damage Nigeria’s collective image abroad. A Washington-based lobbying firm has been spearheading a campaign to draw the attention of officials in the Donald Trump administration and members of Congress to allegations concerning Tinubu. Speaking jointly for concerned lawmakers and civil society groups on the matter, the lawmaker said political disagreements should not be pursued at the expense of the reputation and wellbeing of Nigerians living, working and doing business outside the country. According to him, the circulation of old documents and unproven allegations in foreign political circles could create consequences far beyond the individuals being targeted, particu...

2027: Tinubu will walk to villa without pressure – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will have an easy ride in the 2027 presidential election. Wike said the emerging opposition coalition would not pose a serious challenge to Tinubu. He added that the President would return to the Presidential Villa without facing much pressure. The minister spoke during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while discussing the opposition coalition and preparations for the 2027 election. “This will be an election where a president will be walking to the Villa with no pressure,” Wike said. Wike also spoke about the Rainbow Coalition, saying its main objective was to support Tinubu rather than promote the interest of any particular individual. “Rainbow coalition is not about one person. What is important is that we are supporting Mr President. No one party takes everything,” he said. The minister further dismissed the strength of opposition parties, arguing that ...