News
Tonye Jaja files major rights suit against Abubakar Malami
Tonye Jaja rights suit targets ex AGF Abubakar Malami over alleged unlawful sack, intimidation and constitutional violations in Abuja
Tonye Jaja, a lawyer and former chairman of the governing board of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, on Thursday filed a fundamental rights suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, accusing him and five others of unlawful removal from office and intimidation by security agencies.
Also read: ‘Economic gain’ Bill to legalise cultivation of marijuana passes second reading
In the suit marked FHC ABJ CS 125 2026, Tonye Jaja is seeking N1 trillion in damages, a public apology, and multiple declaratory reliefs against Abubakar Malami, Dayo Apata, former Solicitor General of the Federation, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services.
The action centres on allegations that Abubakar Malami orchestrated Tonye Jaja’s removal as chairman of the governing board of the Nigerian Copyright Commission in breach of his constitutional right to fair hearing.
Court documents state that Tonye Jaja was appointed to the position on 13 May 2019 for a four year tenure.
According to the filings, Tonye Jaja said that while serving in office, he raised formal complaints against the director general of the commission and personally reported the matter to Abubakar Malami, then attorney general and minister of justice.
Tonye Jaja told the court that he met Abubakar Malami in his office and presented details of the complaint, but alleged that events took a dramatic turn while he awaited official action.
The suit claims that Tonye Jaja was removed from office without any query and without being given an opportunity to be heard, a move he described as unlawful and punitive.
His removal was allegedly formalised in a letter dated 15 October 2020, signed by Dayo Apata, informing him that he had been sacked as board chairman.
Beyond the loss of office, Tonye Jaja alleged that Abubakar Malami authorised a N2 million television announcement publicising his removal, a step he said deepened the reputational damage.
The suit further accuses security agencies of being used to intimidate him following his removal.
Tonye Jaja told the court that police officers invited him for questioning and later informed him that they found no wrongdoing, claiming they said they had been instructed to torment him but chose not to do so.
He also alleged that officers of the Department of State Services summoned him on the instructions of Abubakar Malami, but released him after concluding that he was innocent.
Following his removal, Tonye Jaja said he wrote to the president seeking reinstatement, without success.
He added that several institutions and individuals, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Nigerian Bar Association Garki Branch, senior lawyers, and civil service groups, also appealed for his reinstatement, but all efforts failed.
In a further explosive claim, Tonye Jaja alleged that he assisted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in exposing Abubakar Malami and another individual, an action he said triggered retaliation against him.
Based on these claims, Tonye Jaja is asking the court to declare that his removal without a hearing violated his constitutional rights and to order the respondents to jointly and severally pay N1 trillion as compensation.
He is also seeking a public apology in two national newspapers and N5 million as the cost of the suit.
The Federal High Court has not yet fixed a hearing date.
Also read: ‘Ongoing investigation’ NCC board writes Buhari to suspend Director-General (Photo)
Abubakar Malami is currently standing trial alongside his wife and son over separate allegations bordering on money laundering.
News
Panic-stricken Enugu APC begins flag-off of already flagged of roads in Nsukka after PDP’s Chijioke Ugwu’s homecoming
The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that all 25 people aboard its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, died after the aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, which had five crew members and 20 passengers on board, was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the NAF 931 aircraft crash occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026. Search-and-rescue operations were immediately activated following the accident.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the country, while extending condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of those who died.
Aneke assured the bereaved families of the Nigerian Air Force’s full support as they come to terms with the loss.
The Air Force said no survivors had been found and released the names of the five crew members and 20 passengers on board the aircraft.
The crew members were identified as Squadron Leader M.I. Aburime, Flight Captain; Squadron Leader A.P. Man-Ugwueje, Co-pilot; Flight Lieutenant I.S. Bako, Co-pilot; Warrant Officer A. Abubakar, Aircraft Technician; and Corporal H.C. Uguru, Aircraft Technician.
The 20 passengers were Flight Lieutenant T.L. Lazarus; Flight Lieutenant M. Akinloye; Flying Officer I.M. Adeshina; Master Warrant Officer F. Onwuka; Master Warrant Officer B.A. Matini; Warrant Officer F.S. Nuhu; Flight Sergeant R.B. James; Flight Sergeant A.I. Mohammed; Sergeant A.E. Ani; Sergeant S.I. Izibenikien; Sergeant C. Alafuka; Sergeant A.N. Mbadugha; Lance Corporal F.C. Ugwuba; Lance Corporal G.E. Eledan; Mrs Ezeh Nneka; Godstmine Tarabina; Joy Micheal; Sunday Micheal; Ukeme David; and Gideon Omotola.
The latest figure released by the Air Force differs from the initial information provided after the crash. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had initially said 32 people, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members, were aboard the aircraft. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently clarified that the manifest contained 25 people, made up of five crew members and 20 passengers.
The aircraft crashed in a swampy area around Igbokoda, close to a naval base, after air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am while it was travelling from Benin to Lagos. The wreckage was later located and rescue teams were deployed to the area.
The cause of the crash has not been established. The Chief of the Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
President Bola Tinubu had also directed the Nigerian Air Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash and declared three days of national mourning for the personnel who died. He ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country in honour of the victims.
The Air Force said it would continue to provide timely and verified information as the investigation progresses. It also urged members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers who wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
-
Politics3 years ago
13 Ondo Assembly Members Disown Endorsement of Aiyedatiwa
-
Politics3 years ago
APC Group, Ondo Govt, Quarrel Over Money for Endorsement
-
Trending News5 years agoStop unsavoury, inciting statements – DSS warns
-
Others5 years agoAdron Homes Celebrates 10 Years Of Housing Excellence
-
Humanity5 years agoPresident Buhari Commiserates With Ambassador Maureen Tamuno Over The Loss Of Her Father
-
Others7 years agoEX- CUSTOMS BOSS, IBRAHIM MERA’S DWINDLING FAME
-
Business2 years agoBigi Carbonated Soft Drinks Treats 40 Consumers to an Epic Easter Movie Hangout
-
Business2 years agoWema Bank Shines at Global SME Finance Forum Conference Awards 2024 …Awarded: • SME Financier of the Year (Africa) • Platinum Award for Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs (Africa)