The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday granted the request by the federal government and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to settle an appeal challenging his removal as CJN out of court.

During Thursday’s proceedings, parties told the court that they have intensified efforts to reach an amicable settlement of all issues in dispute.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, had in 2019 removed Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria during the pendency of a charge against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

However, at Thursday’s proceedings in the appeal, lead counsel to the former CJN, Dr Ogwu Onoja, informed a 3-man panel of justices of the Appeal Court that the two parties are already having discussions on a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Onoja informed the court that the parties had an engagement up until Wednesday, September 18 and expressed optimism that the discussion would bear fruitful results.

The senior lawyer subsequently appealed to the appellate court for a one-month adjournment for final settlement of the matter.

Counsel to the federal government, Tijani Gazali corroborated the submission of Onoja and requested that the matter be shifted forward for a possible amicable settlement.

“My Lords, I wish to humbly confirm the information. It is our position to settle the matter out of court,” he said.

In a brief remark, Justice J. O. Oyewole, who presided over Thursday’s proceedings, directed them to file terms of settlement for adoption when eventually agreed upon.

Justice Oyewole held that the terms of settlement must be documented and filed before the adjourned date for the court to adopt as its judgement in the matter.

He subsequently fixed November 4 as the return date for the two parties.

Onnoghen was prosecuted in 2019 by the federal government on false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, found guilty and removed from office.

He was also made to forfeit the undeclared assets to the federal government.

Unlike the August 20 proceedings, Onnoghen was not in court to witness his appeal, in which he is praying the Court to set aside the judgement of the CCT that removed him from office and ordered the forfeiture of his five bank accounts.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed an illegal cosmetics manufacturing facility at Benue Plaza, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State, in a significant enforcement operation targeting counterfeit products.

In a post shared by NAFDAC on X (formerly Twitter), the agency revealed that its officers uncovered large quantities of unregistered chemicals, expired products, and packaging materials intended for the production of fake cosmetics.

Over 1,200 cartons of counterfeit goods were seized from the location. Expired cosmetics were reportedly being revalidated for sale, raising serious concerns about consumer safety.

The agency also confiscated equipment used in the illicit manufacturing process, such as mini-mixing containers, unlabelled chemicals, batch coding materials, and thinners.

These materials were transported to NAFDAC’s office for further investigation. The agency estimates the street value of the confiscated goods at approximately N50 million.

NAFDAC has reiterated its commitment to protecting public health by clamping down on illegal and unregulated products in the Nigerian market. In a statement, the agency urged consumers to exercise caution when purchasing cosmetics, particularly from unverified sources, and to report any suspicious products to NAFDAC for further action.

This operation underscores NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to combat the production and distribution of counterfeit goods, which pose significant risks to public health and safety.

The agency has emphasized that such enforcement actions are part of a broader strategy to ensure that only regulated and certified products reach consumers, safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s cosmetics market.

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In a related development, about 5 months ago NAFDAC sealed several unregistered bakeries and water-packaging companies operating without the agency’s approval in Plateau State.

According to Mr. Shaba Mohammed, Director of NAFDAC’s North Central Zone, the closure followed inspections that revealed substandard Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the water-packaging firms. As a result, these companies were shut down to prevent the circulation of potentially unsafe products.

In addition to this, numerous patent medicine stores were sealed for selling expired and unregistered medical products. The raid, part of NAFDAC’s routine inspections in local government areas such as Dengi, Wase, Yelwa Shendam, and Namu, was aimed at enforcing compliance with safety standards and protecting public health.

Mr. Mohammed emphasized that NAFDAC remains committed to ensuring only certified and safe products are available to Nigerian consumers.

He urged the public to be vigilant, choosing only NAFDAC-registered goods, and to report any suspicious or expired products.

He also reiterated that businesses found violating the agency’s regulations would face appropriate sanctions, while advising aspiring entrepreneurs to seek guidance on product registration to avoid penalties.

The Media team of the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has insisted that he was at the facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Earlier, the team said the ex-governor honoured the invitation after consultation with his legal team and political associates.

Reacting, the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale denied that the former governor was in its custody, adding that Bello remains wanted.

But Bello’s team, in another statement by its Director, Ohiare Michael, said Bello was at the EFCC office alongside his successor, Usman Ododo.

He added that the EFCC did not, however, interrogate him and told him he could leave.

Michael said, “Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.

In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority and stressed that all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.

The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”