Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court Convicts Senior NSCDC Officer for Job Racketeering Offence
Judgement marks rare conviction in federal recruitment fraud; NSCDC yet to comment on officer’s status after verdict
Judgement marks rare conviction in federal recruitment fraud; NSCDC yet to comment on officer’s status after verdict
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday convicted a senior officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over involvement in job racketeering. The judgement, delivered on 25 June, found the officer guilty of unlawfully collecting money from job seekers under the pretense of securing them employment within the paramilitary agency.
The court proceedings revealed that the convicted officer abused his position by soliciting bribes from multiple individuals, promising them NSCDC recruitment slots that did not exist. After hearing evidence and submissions from both prosecution and defence, the presiding judge delivered a guilty verdict, ruling that the actions constituted criminal breach of trust and fraud under Nigerian law.
Job racketeering has remained a persistent problem within Nigeria’s public sector, with several government institutions facing allegations of illegal recruitment and extortion. The conviction is seen as a significant step in addressing impunity for such offences among high-ranking officials and may serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar practices.
As at press time, NSCDC authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the status of the convicted officer or possible disciplinary measures. Attempts to reach agency spokespersons were unsuccessful. The court is expected to pass sentence in coming days, setting precedent for future cases involving civil service recruitment scandals.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Army Chief Shaibu Pledges Stronger Role for Veterans in Tackling Nigeria’s Security Threats
COAS receives Royal College of Defence Studies Alumni in Abuja, commends retired officers’ impact on military strategy
COAS receives Royal College of Defence Studies Alumni in Abuja, commends retired officers’ impact on military strategy
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has announced that the Nigerian Army will deepen its engagement with military veterans and defence professionals to address the country’s complex security challenges. The declaration came on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) Alumni Association of Nigeria at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Shaibu, who received the RCDS delegation led by Major General O.O. Oshinowo (Rtd), said the Army would continue to draw on the “wealth of experience, institutional knowledge and strategic perspectives” of retired officers. He expressed appreciation for the association’s sustained interest in national security matters and acknowledged the critical role played by veterans in shaping military strategy and national defence over the years.
The move comes as Nigeria faces persistent security threats across several regions, ranging from insurgency in the North-East to banditry and kidnapping in other parts of the country. According to Shaibu, leveraging veterans’ expertise is part of a broader effort to strengthen collaboration with strategic stakeholders and international partners for sustainable solutions. “Our commitment remains unwavering towards building robust partnerships that can support lasting peace and security,” he said.
Major General Oshinowo (Rtd), President of the RCDS Alumni Association, assured Shaibu of ongoing support from retired senior officers. He noted that their collective experience could help inform current operational strategies and policy decisions within the military establishment.
The Nigerian Army is expected to roll out new initiatives aimed at integrating veterans into advisory roles and strategic planning processes. Observers say this approach could help bridge generational gaps within the force while boosting morale among serving personnel. The Army has also reaffirmed its resolve to enhance capacity building programmes with input from both local and international defence experts.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Cape Town to Host First African Qualifier as World Schools Chess Championship Expands Continental Reach
Nigeria Chess Federation urges schools to register for July event; winner to join Asia, Americas, Europe at global final
Nigeria Chess Federation urges schools to register for July event; winner to join Asia, Americas, Europe at global final
The Nigeria Chess Federation has called on school teams nationwide to prepare for the first-ever African qualifier of the World Schools Team Chess Championship, set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa from 6th to 11th July. The move follows FIDE’s decision to expand the championship’s format to include separate continental stages ahead of the grand final in December.
According to organisers, school teams across Africa must register through their national chess federations for a chance to compete in the Cape Town event. The winner will represent Africa at the December grand final, joining continental champions from Asia, the Americas, and Europe. This marks a significant shift from previous editions, which did not feature a distinct African qualifying stage.
The 2026 cycle began in April with the Asian Continental Stage held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where 26 teams from 19 countries participated. Wisdom School of Tashkent emerged victorious and secured a slot at the grand final. Kurchatov School of Moscow and Velammal MHS School of Chennai placed second and third respectively. The Americas qualifier is scheduled for August in San José, Costa Rica, while a European tournament will be held before December’s global showdown.
Chess stakeholders say the new format is expected to deepen school-level competition across Nigeria and increase opportunities for young players to compete internationally. Officials at the Nigeria Chess Federation have welcomed FIDE’s decision and are urging interested schools to complete registration promptly through official channels.
With Africa now included in the path to global chess honours, attention will turn to Cape Town next month as Nigerian school teams aim for a historic qualification spot. Further details on fixtures and team lists are expected from organisers ahead of the July kick-off.
Source: https://guardian.ng/sport/school-chess-goes-continental-as-wstc-adds-an-african-qualifier/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Supreme Court Disowns NBA Report on Notaries’ Tamper-Proof Seals in Abuja
Judiciary distances self from Nigerian Bar Association publication; says it issued no directive on new notarial seals
Judiciary distances self from Nigerian Bar Association publication; says it issued no directive on new notarial seals
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has publicly distanced itself from a recent publication by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) regarding the introduction of tamper-proof seals for notaries public. The clarification was made in Abuja on Thursday, 25 June, following widespread circulation of the NBA’s report which suggested judicial endorsement of the new seal protocol.
According to the statement released by the Supreme Court, the judiciary did not authorise or participate in any directive concerning tamper-proof notarial seals as reported by the NBA. The apex court noted that it became necessary to correct public perception after receiving multiple inquiries from legal practitioners and stakeholders across various states.
The controversy arose after the NBA circulated information claiming an official collaboration with the Supreme Court to implement new security measures for notaries public, a move that caused confusion within legal circles. Many lawyers and notaries raised concerns about possible changes to certification processes and implications for existing documents.
In its official response, the Supreme Court said: “The Supreme Court did not issue any directive regarding tamper-proof seals for notaries public. Any such publication should be disregarded.” No further comment was immediately available from NBA officials as at press time.
With this development, legal practitioners have been urged to continue using established procedures until any legitimate directives are issued by authorised judicial bodies. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about information dissemination within Nigeria’s legal profession and underscores the need for clear communication between regulatory bodies and practitioners.
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