Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has backed ongoing calls for the amendment of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET Fund) to accommodate the Nigerian Law School in its interventions.

Wike announced the support at the inauguration of the construction of 10-unit housing staff quarters for the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja, on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister also handed over seven operation vehicles to the school to improve its operation.

The minister said that the amendment of the TET Fund Act to accommodate the Nigerian Law School was long overdue, considering its contribution to the development of the legal profession.

“This is a professional training school. So, we will give all the necessary support that the Fund be amended for the law school to benefit from its special intervention funds.

“If that happens, I am sure the difference will be clear. The school will have the money it requires to provide critical infrastructure,” he said.

Wile also called for increased budgetary provisions for the Nigerian Law School to enable the school to carry out infrastructural development for quality service delivery.

He explained that the provision of staff quarters and operational vehicles to the law school in Bwari was directed by President Bola Tinubu.

He added that the institution also belongs to the Federal Government, and as such, there was nothing wrong in providing the needed infrastructure to uplift the school.

The minister also promised to build 200-bed male and female hostels for the Nigerian Laws School, Bwari.

According to him, the current hostels are not fit for the training of professional lawyers for the Nigerian legal profession

He said that the funds for the construction of the hostels would be captured in the FCTA’s 2025 budget.

He called on those who might not be happy with the support being given to the judiciary and legal education to wait for their turn.

He said: “If anybody is angry with us, let him wait for his turn. When you become the Minister of FCT, do it for your own profession.

“I am not going to be intimidated by anybody.

“Now that we are in this position, we must contribute to our constituency so that tomorrow, we will be able to say, while we were there, this was our own contribution as far as our constituency, the legal profession is concerned.”

He thanked Tinubu for giving him all the support he needs to succeed as the minister of the FCT.

Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, equally frowned at the non-inclusion of the Nigerian Law School as a benefiting institution.

“If you look at the laws setting up TET Fund, the Nigerian Law School is not included, and I think the time has come to amend the Act to include the Nigerian Law School.

“This will enable the school benefit for the TET Fund intervention funds,” he said.

Fagbemi thanked Wike, whom he described as “Mr Project” for all the support to the judiciary and the legal profession.

“Whether or not you like him, you cannot dispute the fact that he is a performer, and one person you will always know where he stands, no matter what, even if you don’t agree with him.

“Another thing is, he does not embark on any project he has no money to complete,” he said.

He appealed to other public office holders to extend a similar gesture to the Nigerian Law School to enable the school to maintain high standards in the training of legal professionals.

On his part, the Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isah Chiroma, recalled that he had appealed to Wike for infrastructural support when he assumed office in August 2023.

“This project, is therefore, a promise made and a promise kept. The housing and operational vehicles will go a long way in assisting the school to achieve its mandate,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, said that staff quarters would consist of a fully furnished four-bedroom bungalow, and expected to be completed in nine months.

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, emphasised the critical role of skills acquisition and education in the rehabilitation of women in detention.

Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, stated this at “the Women in Detention Workshop”, organised by Prison Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised to mark PRAWA’s 30th anniversary.

Ahmad, who stressed the need for addressing the needs and rehabilitation of women in detention, said that such women must be equipped with adequate skills for self-reliance.

“This gathering reflects our shared resolve to ensure that even within the four walls of correctional facilities, women are afforded the dignity, support and opportunities necessary to rebuild their lives.

“Education, both formal and informal, is central to the transformative power of rehabilitation. It is not merely a tool for personal development but a lifeline that can open doors for reintegration and independence.

“For women in detention, education is a pathway to self-discovery, self-reliance and the restoration of hope. Beyond education, skills acquisition is a critical component of rehabilitation.

“Many women in detention face economic hardship and social exclusion which often perpetuate cycles of criminality,” she said.

Ahmad said that by equipping them with skills relevant to their communities and marketable in today’s economy, such women would be empowered to return to society as productive and self-reliant individuals.

Ahmad further said: “Rehabilitation and reintegration are not acts of charity; they are investments in humanity.

“By prioritising the education, skill acquisition and special needs of women in detention, we create a society that values second chance and upholds the dignity of every individual,’’ the minister said.

Earlier, the Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr Uju Agomoh, said the organisation, a CSO, was established in 1994 to promote security, justice and development in Africa.

She also said that the event was designed to tackle the broader issues of prison conditions as well as human rights violations and rehabilitation.

“One key initiative is training health workers and legal professionals on how to document and address torture cases, focusing on the internationally-recognised `Istanbul Protocol’.

“In addition, PRAWA is working closely with Nigerian universities, including University of Lagos, University of Abuja and several others.

“This is to introduce paralegal training programmes that will empower students to assist in legal and human rights efforts within the criminal justice system,” Agomoh said.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.

Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.

He said the illicit drugs were seized  in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.

He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.

Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.

“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.

“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.

He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.

He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.

This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.

“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.

Ojo said the seizures had  disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.

He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.

Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.

Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.

Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.