Mba Nkem, the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Awka, Anambra State, has responded to allegations of misconduct in the court’s bail process.

The accusations, which came to light after concerns were raised by multiple defendants and their legal representatives, claim that Nkem has been requiring defendants granted bail to provide 20 to 30 litres of diesel before perfecting their bail conditions.

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, confronted Nkem about these allegations. In her response, which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, Nkem provided a detailed explanation of the bail verification process and denied any personal benefit from the diesel collection.

Nkem clarified that the court orders direct sureties to deposit refundable bank drafts in her name. These drafts are then placed in interest-yielding accounts at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) for the duration of the trial. “The bank drafts or any of the bail bonds are not for the Deputy Chief Registrar’s personal aggrandizement,” she stated emphatically.

Due to her busy schedule, Nkem explained that she assigns senior bailiffs to verify the bail conditions and report back to her. “Attached herewith for your perusal are some of the affidavits of verification as submitted to me by the sheriffs,” she added, providing evidence of this procedure.

Addressing the diesel issue, Nkem revealed ongoing challenges with the court’s power supply. “The court’s electricity supply has been erratic, and at one point, robbers stole the cables. For nine months, the court had no power,” she explained. She further noted that the quarterly subvention from court revenue barely covers their diesel needs.

Nkem disclosed that during court sessions, lawyers had suggested contributing 20 to 30 litres of diesel per case to expedite the typing of bail verification processes. However, she emphasized, “Those who cannot provide diesel due to pro-bono cases or other reasons are still accommodated when leftover diesel is available.”

To maintain transparency, Nkem stressed that the diesel was never monetized and was delivered directly to the generator. She also mentioned her open-door policy, stating, “I always invite my secretary into meetings with counsel or litigants to ensure trust and transparency.”

In her response, Nkem provided copies of bank drafts and court orders for further investigation. She stated, “I humbly wish to narrate to you the process and procedures adopted by the Court in the exercise of Execution of the Order of Court, whereby the Court makes an Order directing the Deputy Chief Registrar to verify the Bail conditions as granted and thereafter report the compliance or otherwise to his lordship accordingly.”

Nkem concluded her statement by expressing her openness to correction if found wanting in her duties.

This case has brought to light potential issues within the Nigerian judicial system, particularly regarding resource allocation and transparency in court procedures. The NBA and relevant authorities are expected to review the provided documentation and conduct further investigations into the matter.

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________