By Wandoo Sombo

Stakeholders in the justice sector will host a convergence of legal practitioners and mediators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to promote peaceful dispute resolution through mediation.

The programme tagged; ‘’Abuja Settlement Week 2025’’ is organised by the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), in collaboration with the Abuja Multi-Door Courthouse (AMDC) under the auspices of the Chief Judge of the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is: “Promoting Peace, Encouraging Mediation, Delivering Justice.”

Chairperson, Abuja Settlement Week Sterling Committee, Mrs Miriam Kombo-Ezeh, said the programme would offer free and subsidised mediation sessions for family, workplace, land, commercial disputes.

“The Abuja settlement week will also feature the deployment of trained neutrals for court-referred and walk-in cases while also showcasing awareness activities to educate the public on the benefits of mediation.

“It will also include engagement with communities, professionals, and justice sector stakeholders,’’ she said.

Kombo-Ezeh also said that the general aim of the programme was to reaffirm the judiciary’s commitment to promoting access to justice and peaceful co-existence across the FCT.

She said the theme of the programme was a flagship initiative to bring together mediators, legal professionals and the public to resolve disputes through mediation, which was faster, more affordable, and confidential alternative to litigation.

NAN also reports that the programme will hold from July 7 to July 11 at the Abuja Multi-Door Courthouse, High Court Complex, Gudu. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Sadiya Hamza

By Segun Giwa

The Ondo State Government says kidnappers found guilty in the state will face death penalty by hanging.

The government also announced that buildings and facilities used by kidnappers in committing crime would be demolished after following due process in the court.

The Attorney General and State Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, stated this at a news briefing after the State Executive Council meeting on Saturday in Akure.

Ajulo explained that the anti-kidnapping law would be reviewed by the Ondo State House of Assembly that will prescribe death penalty for kidnappers by hanging.

He said the council was also concerned about the spate of cultism in the state and would do everything necessary to decisively deal with the situation.

He said penalty for kidnappers in the state would now be death by hanging after reviewing the law through the state’s House of Assembly.

“The governor, being a lover of rule of law, would not go the way it’s being done in other states, without following necessary court due process.

“We should know that we have investors coming to the state and as part of measures is to ensure we encourage them that they and their investment are safe,” he said.

Also speaking, Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, said the executive also approved installation of 6000 solar powered streetlights across the three senatorial districts.

Olawoye said the construction of 24.75km dual carriageway from Okitipupa to Igbokoda Jetty was also approved at the meeting.

He also disclosed that the council also approved the construction of 6.7km dual carriageway from Supare Junction–Akungba–Ikare Road in Akoko.

The Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Bola Taiwo, said that the state government had approved the selection process of Olu of Okeigbo by the warrant chiefs. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

By Edith Nwapi

An Abuja High Court on Thursday admitted the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan to bail in the sum of N50million for alleged defamation.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation charged Akpoti-Uduaghan with three counts bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello.

The suspended senator was accompanied to the court for the trial by her husband and associates.

However, when the charge was read, she pleaded not guilty.

In view of her plea, the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, asked Justice Chizoba Oji to remand her in a correction centre pending the determination bail.

However, Natasha’s counsel, Prof. Roland Otaru, sought and got permission to move bail application for the defendant.

This was on the grounds that it was matured for hearing having been served on the prosecution and having joined issues with each other.

In moving the bail application, Otaru urged the judge to exercise her discretion in favour of the defendant.

He argued that the suspended Sen was not a flight risk and would not interfere with police investigation and witnesses.

He submitted that the constitution of the country presumes her innocent, while the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 emphasises bail in such an offence.

On his part, the prosecution counsel urged the judge to refuse the bail application.

He added that the prosecution took great efforts and encountered difficulties before the defendant could be served with the charge.

However, in her ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji, noted that the alleged offence was not a capital one and that the law presumes her innocent for now.

She admitted her to bail in the sum of N50 million and one reasonable surety in the like sum.

The judge held that the surety must be owner of land property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Oji subsequently, adjourned until Sept. 23 for the commencement of trial.

The senator was accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with Bello, to kill her.

In count two, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it will harm the reputation of ex-governor Yahaya Bello.

She is, in count three, accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniubong. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Edith Nwapi

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed serious worry about the increasing spread of hate speech facilitated by digital technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN, expressed the concern in his speech at a roundtable to commemorate the 2025 International Day for Countering Hate Speech.

He highlighted the threat hate speech poses to democratic values, social cohesion and human rights.

“Hate speech is not just a threat to individual dignity, it is a direct attack on democratic value and social cohesion.

“It violates the right to dignity of the human person, the right to be free from discrimination, and the right to participate in public life without fear of suppression or violence.

“This year’s theme invites us to examine the growing intersection between technology and human rights.

“It challenges us to reflect on the double-edged nature of AI as both a tool for development and a potential amplifier of harmful narratives, including hate speech” he said.

AI, he said especially, in its generative form is reshaping the way information is produced, consumed, and disseminated.

“The same technologies that empower innovation can also be exploited to generate, amplify, and target hate speech with unprecedented speed and reach.

“This scenario portends dangers for the enjoyment of the right to privacy as guaranteed by section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

“Through algorithmic targeting, manipulated images, deepfakes, and automated bots, hateful and discriminatory narratives can now be crafted and circulated far more efficiently, often bypassing existing regulatory frameworks,” he said.

If not addressed, Ojukwu said, these technologies can incite violence and reinforce dangerous stereotypes.

“The threat of hate speech in the digital age is real. But so too is the power of solidarity, informed voices and ethical leadership for the enjoyment of the human rights dimensions of these emerging technologies.

“Let us not allow algorithms to shape our humanity.

“We must remain vigilant, we must remain united, and we must act online and offline in defence of dignity, truth and justice,” he said.

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders, especially media, youth, and digital platforms to join in building a Nigeria where human rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled for all.

Ojukwu later reissued a 12-page Advisory on Countering Hate Speech which was previously issued on June 18, 2023.

Similarly, senior human rights adviser to the UN Resident Human Rights Commissioner in Nigeria, Ms Adwao Kufuor, extended greetings from her boss Mr Mohammed Tall.

She said the UN would always identify with NHRC in the struggle to tackle the menace both offline and online.

“Hate speech is on the rise worldwide. It is more on social media; social media has given a lot of misinformation.

“Hate speech has turned into a business, it is used as a weapon to destroy. The mix between hate speech and AI is very dangerous.

“Hate speech is apparent in social media. Tackling hate speech is a priority in the UN,” she said.

Mr Hiliary Ogbonna, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the commission, said the media are the purveyors of hate speech in the political field.

“What we have also seen is the centrality of the media in purveying these hate speeches.

“Today is a very stark reminder to all of us that we need to ensure that our politics is clean and politics is free from hate speeches.

“We have also seen that hate speeches, when not controlled in the political firmament, would lead to multiple violations of human rights.

“These include voter suppression, disenfranchisement, as well as political and electoral violence.

“Now, in terms of prohibition, our electoral act in section 92 prohibits all forms of hate speeches,” he said.