Temidayo Adewoye of Perchstone & Graeyshas emerged the overall winner in the maiden edition of the Babalola’s Law Dictionary Quiz Competition for young lawyers with a ₦250,000 prize money courtesy of the firm of Olumide Babalola LP and Law Pavilion electronic report.
The Babalola’s Law Dictionary Quiz Competition for young lawyers had 10 finalists, which held at the Onikan Youth Centre, Lagos.
Chikwe Udensi receives a Gold medal award by the International Criminal Police Organisation as the best Interpol Systems Innovator in the world, topping the United States of America that won silver.
Judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) at a plenary sitting have elected Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji, a Nigerian as the president of the court for a three-year term.
Judge Robert Fremr from the Czech Republic was elected First Vice-President with Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut of France as Second Vice-President.
Chile Eboe-Osuji, who became the first Nigerian to be elevated to the court in 2012, would serve as ICC president for the next three years.
In the words of President Chile Eboe-Osuji:
“I am deeply honoured to have been elected by my peers as President of the International Criminal Court. As I take up my duties, I feel encouraged that I am able to rely on the wide experience of the two Vice-Presidents, Judge Robert Fremr and Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, both of whom I have closely worked with previously. I look forward to working together with them as well as with all the judges, all the Officials and the staff of the Court in a spirit of collegiality.
I also look forward to collaborating with the Assembly of States Parties, civil society and the international community at large, acting together to strengthen and reinforce the Rome Statute system, the 20th anniversary of the adoption of which we celebrate this year.
I am also grateful to the previous President, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, and Vice-Presidents, Judges Joyce Aluoch and Kuniko Ozaki, for their work and leadership.”
The ICC Presidency – consisting of the President and the two Vice-Presidents – plays a key role in providing strategic leadership to the ICC as a whole.
The Presidency coordinates with the other organs and seeks the concurrence of the Prosecutor on matters of mutual concern.
In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC’s governing treaty, the Presidency is responsible for the proper administration of the Court, with the exception of the Office of the Prosecutor.
The Presidency oversees the activities of the Registry and provides input into a broad range of administrative policies affecting the Court’s overall functioning.
Furthermore it conducts judicial review of certain decisions of the Registrar and concludes Court-wide cooperation agreements with States and international organizations.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established on 17 July 1998, by a conference of 160 States which established the first treaty-based permanent international criminal court. The treaty adopted during that conference is known as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The court investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
Towards efficient dispensation of justice, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has inaugurated four special courts solely for the prosecution of sexual offences and corruption cases.
The two courts will adjudicate on special offences (economic and financial crimes), while the two others will try sexual offences.
The sexual offences court is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Oluranti Adebule, said Lagos was collaborating with the British Council under the Rule of Law Anti-Corruption Programme to provide technical support for the anti-corruption fight.
The Governor further stated:
“The state collaborates with such agencies charged with the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences by providing an enabling environment in terms of responding to inquiries and providing information to anti-graft agencies.
I am particularly glad about the designation of two courts to handle sexual related offences as it complements our fight against sexual abuse.
These sexual offences courts will have trained and experienced prosecutors to interact with survivors, provide support and ensure timely prosecution of the cases.
Between 2015 and now, the DSVRT and Mirabel Centre have handled over 400 cases of sexual offences while 376 cases are being prosecuted in the various courts.
With a dedicated court now in place to handle these cases, l am sure that these cases will get the attention they deserve.
We have awarded the contract for the expansion of the operations of the DNA and Forensic Centre and Chemistry Section.
This will automatically place Lagos as one of the leading centres for forensics in Africa.”
Funlola Odunlami, the Solicitor-General of Lagos, lauded the Lagos State Government for being the first state to implement the initiative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
In her words:
“Lagos leads and other states follow, Governor Ambode is very passionate about issues relating to domestic and sexual violence; he led the walk `Say No to Domestic and Sexual Violence’ and he is passionate about the work of the DSVRT.
We have to make sure that in Lagos State perpetrators of sexual crimes no longer exists.
Members of the public can dial #6280*, text ABUSE to 6280 either on MTN or Airtel or call the DSVRT on 0813796004, individuals can dial 112 which is a toll free line.
Laboratories and Forensic Centers were created to audition victims of sexual violence.
Payments and digital financial services company, Paga, has been certified by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council as (PCIDSS) level one compliant.
This implies that the Nigerian payments and digital financial services company’s platform has been put through series of rigorous tests and proven to meet global security standards as defined by the PCI security standard council, which consists of credit card providers such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB.
PCIDSS publishes and mandates security standards for parties, who handle credit card information, confidential bank account information with a focus on improving account security throughout the transaction processes.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the certified company Tayo Oviosu, said:
“We are very pleased with this certification. This is vital for the next evolution of Paga, as it shows our security credibility and further demonstrates our commitment to delivering digital financial services at world class security standards. Nigerians can feel very comfortable saving their confidential card and bank details on Paga.
Then rather than giving those details out on websites or to third party applications customers simply use their Paga account and choose how they want to fund the transaction.
Funke Abimbola-Akindolie has been conferred the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Prince Charles of England at the Buckingham Palace.
The multiple award-winning Nigerian, who is also the founder of the International Women Leader in Life Sciences Network, was honoured because of her numerous contribution to “help diversify the legal profession”.
Profile of Funke Abimbola-Akindolie
Funke Abimbola-Akindolie’s recognition in legal directories
Awards and recognitions
Remi Adeoye has been appointed the police coordinator for African Union Commission. The appointment takes effect from 1st December, 2017.
The police coordinator for African Union Commission is the highest police position in the organogram of the AU Commission. The responsibilities of Remi Adeoye’s new appointment include providing strategic guidance for police components in all AU Peace Support Operations and Special Operations and that include all AU Missions.
“Getting here was not easy. I thank God for His grace, my family for its endurance and all of you for your support. I thank my detractors for keeping me on my toes.
I am grateful to Nigeria Police Force for the confidence it reposed in me and the IGP for his support and encouragement at trying times. I am proud to represent my country on the global stage and I am humbled that the AU Commission found me worthy for this position.
I pledge to always give my best. Going beyond the call of duty has always been my work ethic. I thank my colleagues at the Commission Headquarters and in AU Member States for their cooperation at all times.
I will redouble my effort in service of our continent. The work has just started.”