The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to immediately stop using the title “Barrister” before their names in all official dealings with the Supreme Court.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, was issued as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism and standardise official documentation at the nation’s apex court.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said the practice was inconsistent with the professional standards expected in the Supreme Court.

The directive applies to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and all lawyers conducting official business with the apex court.

The decision was conveyed in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.

According to the circular, the Chief Justice held that the continued use of “Barrister” as a prefix does not align with the level of professionalism the Supreme Court seeks to uphold in its official processes.

“Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect,” the memo stated.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has announced plans by the Federal government to phase out subsidy payments in the power sector from 2027.

Tegbe made the announcement during a media parley with newsmen in Abuja on Friday, July 31.

According to the Minister, the subsidy will be gradually removed, but noted that Nigerians will not be deprived of any benefits.

He also ruled out any plans to increase electricity tariffs in the immediate term.

Nigeria’s power sector has long been weighed down by a gap between what distribution companies collect from consumers and what it actually costs to generate and transmit electricity, a shortfall the government has covered through subsidies over the years

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed that it will not reverse its ban on small-volume alcoholic drinks in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, the agency’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr Festus Ukadike, said enforcement of the ban is already underway, targeting manufacturers and distributors of sachet alcoholic beverages. Ukadike said the next phase of the enforcement would involve removing the remaining affected products from the market.

He added that the ban would not disrupt legitimate businesses, noting that companies can continue producing alcoholic beverages in bottles of 200ml or more. According to him, arrests and seizures have already been recorded across the South-East, including in Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra states.

Ukadike said protecting children from early exposure to alcohol was a major reason behind the policy. “If our children are no longer exposed to sachet alcohol, they will live healthier lives, curb antisocial behaviours and promote the country’s fight against cancer and other terminal diseases,” he said.

He also urged consumers to moderate their alcohol consumption, saying the absence of sachet alcohol should not be viewed as a major setback. Addressing concerns about affordability, Ukadike maintained that public health considerations take precedence over commercial interests.

He added that within the next 12 months, Nigeria is expected to have a regulatory framework under which no alcoholic drink will be sold in packaging smaller than 200ml. Some consumers expressed mixed reactions to the ban. Charles Otubo said the restriction should apply only in motor parks to help reduce road accidents caused by drunk driving.

Another consumer, identified simply as Godwin, said he had seen schoolchildren buying sachet alcoholic drinks, putting them in their school bags and taking them to school. He suggested that alcoholic drinks should instead be sold only at designated liquor stores.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM