*Centre defends due process in appointment of IST Chairman Aminu Junaidu*

*…says reforms boosting investor confidence in capital market*

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CSJET) has defended the appointment of Barrister Aminu Junaidu as Chairman of the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST), insisting that due process was followed and rejecting claims that the appointment violated the Investment and Securities Act 2025.

Speaking at a press conference held on Friday in Abuja, Executive Director of the Centre, Pastor David D. Yakubu, said the appointment was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu within his constitutional authority, and that there was no evidence of any breach of established legal or administrative frameworks.

CSJET said much of the public debate surrounding the appointment had been shaped by misinterpretation of governance processes, stressing that executive decisions must be understood within the context of institutional needs and constitutional powers.

“The appointment was duly approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acting within the constitutional powers vested in his office. In a constitutional democracy, such authority is exercised within defined legal and administrative frameworks, not arbitrarily,” Yakubu said.

The Centre also urged caution in interpreting administrative developments as illegality, warning against what it described as “selective readings” of government actions.

“The existence of differing narratives does not automatically translate into illegality. What must guide public judgment is the totality of the process, not isolated fragments of it,” he added.

CSJET further noted that appointments of heads of agencies are processed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, with formal letters issued through established channels.

“For clarity, appointments of Heads of Agencies are processed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and formal letters of appointment are issued accordingly. This is a well-established administrative procedure,” Yakubu said.

The group also defended Junaidu’s qualifications, describing him as a seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in governance and public administration.

“Barrister Aminu Junaidu is a seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in governance and public administration. As a former Attorney-General of Zamfara State, he operated at the highest levels of legal advisory and institutional management,” CSJET stated.

The group added that his experience was relevant to the demands of the tribunal, which operates at the intersection of law and economic regulation.

“The argument that qualification must be narrowly restricted to a specific segment of capital market practice overlooks the broader competencies required for modern institutional leadership—analytical depth, legal expertise, and administrative capacity,” the Centre said.

On performance, CSJET said the tribunal had recorded improvements since Junaidu assumed office following a formal handover on October 26, 2025.

“Since assuming office, Barrister Aminu Junaidu has demonstrated a commitment to restoring order, stability, and efficiency within the Investment and Securities Tribunal,” he said.

The group added that there had been improvements in efficiency, inclusiveness, and case management, which it said had contributed to rising confidence among legal practitioners.

“More lawyers are increasingly bringing new cases before the Tribunal, encouraged by a growing reputation for timely and efficient dispute resolution,” CSJET said.

He also highlighted international engagements as evidence of growing institutional credibility, citing visits by foreign delegations.

“On March 13, 2026, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria paid an official visit to the tribunal to understudy its processes and engage with its leadership,” the group said.

“On March 27, 2026, a delegation from Ethiopia’s capital market institutions visited the tribunal to exchange ideas and learn from its evolving systems. These visits reflect increasing confidence in the tribunal’s direction,” he said.

CSJET said such engagements demonstrated that Nigeria’s capital market institutions were gaining recognition beyond the country’s borders.

“These visits reflect increasing confidence in the tribunal’s direction and the reforms being implemented. They show that Nigeria’s capital market institutions are being recognised beyond our borders,” he stated.

The organisation warned against what it described as narratives that could undermine institutional stability.

“We must be careful not to elevate disagreement into crisis, or to reinterpret administrative developments as constitutional breaches without clear and compelling evidence,” he said.

CSJET further stressed that investor confidence depended on stability and trust in regulatory institutions.

“The capital market thrives on trust, predictability, and stability. It is important that discourse around its institutions remains factual and balanced,” the group added.

The Centre reiterated that the appointment of Junaidu followed due process and was consistent with constitutional provisions.

“The appointment of Barrister Aminu Junaidu followed due process and reflects the lawful exercise of constitutional authority,” he added.

Leadership in Times of Crisis

~by Dare Adelekan.

In moments of national crisis, leadership is not only measured by policy decisions but by presence, empathy, and a visible commitment to the people. Nigeria today finds itself once again grappling with persistent insecurity, particularly in regions such as Benue and Plateau States, where communities continue to suffer devastating attacks.

A Contrast of Political Narratives

It is impossible to ignore the contrast between past and present political narratives. In 2015, during the insurgency under President Goodluck Jonathan, opposition voices—now part of the current administration—were unrelenting in their criticism. His efforts to engage troops at the theatre of war were dismissed in some quarters with derision, and his leadership was publicly questioned.

Today, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the expectations set by that era demand reflection. The standards once used to judge leadership must now be applied with the same level of scrutiny and honesty.

Rising Security Concerns

Reports of continued attacks, including the tragic loss of senior military officers, have heightened public anxiety. Within a short span, the killing of two army generals by insurgents underscores the severity of the security challenges facing the nation. For many Nigerians, these incidents are not just statistics—they are painful reminders of a crisis that remains unresolved.

The Importance of Empathy and Presence

Equally concerning is the perception of distance between leadership and the people in times of grief. For communities in mourning, symbolic gestures—such as visits, condolences, and shared moments of solidarity—carry profound meaning. When these are absent or appear insufficient, it risks deepening the sense of abandonment felt by affected citizens.

The Core Responsibility of Government

The duty of government is clear: the security and welfare of the people must remain paramount. This is not merely a constitutional obligation but a moral one. At a time when Nigerians are looking to their leaders for reassurance and decisive action, there must be a renewed focus on confronting insecurity with urgency, transparency, and compassion.

Beyond Politics

Political ambitions and future elections will always be part of democratic life. However, they must never overshadow the immediate responsibility to protect lives and restore confidence in the state. Leadership, in its truest sense, demands prioritizing the nation’s pain over political calculations.

A Call for Responsible Leadership

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. What is required now is not rhetoric, but resolve—demonstrated through action, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and dignity of every citizen.

Ifako Mini Stadium, Temitope Adewale And His Result-Oriented Youth Development

By Oluwatosin John

At last, the long awaited remodelling of Ifako Mini Stadium is coming to fruition, we say a ‘big kudos’ to Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji, OON, member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The Ifako Mini Stadium is the only sporting facility that serves over one million residents of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government and environs including several youths in neighbouring communities in Ogun State. Since its demolition and approval for renovation, standard sporting activities had been put to halt.

The development and growing impact of the Ifako Mini Stadium is now being widely recognised as a significant step toward advancing grassroots sports and youth empowerment within the community.

Facilitated by Hon. Adewale and constructed by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the modern sporting facility is designed to provide accessible and functional infrastructure for recreational and competitive activities. It will also serve as a hub for youth engagement, talent discovery, and community development.

The initiative, according to residents who would benefit from it, reflects a broader commitment to addressing the challenges faced by young people, particularly the lack of structured recreational spaces and opportunities for personal growth.

The stadium features a beautiful standard football pitch, spectator seating area, floodlighting for evening activities as well as essential amenities such as world class changing rooms, restrooms, and administrative spaces. These features position the complex as a suitable venue for tournaments, training programmes and community events.

For emphasis and the purpose of appreciation, it is noted again that central to the success and visibility of this initiative is Hon. Temitope Adewale, a son of Ifako-Ijaiye whose continued commitment to youth development and community advancement has been instrumental in promoting projects that directly impact the lives of residents in the area.

This lawmaker’s dedication underscores the importance of leadership that prioritizes sustainable development through investments in young people and community infrastructure. His education initiatives have catapulted Ifako-Ijaiye from the bottom to the top.

“The Ifako Mini Stadium represents more than just a place for sports—it is a foundation for opportunity, growth, and the future of our youth,” Mr. Johnson Oredolu, a community representative, said about the facility and he is right.

Before now, sporting activities in the constituency and its neighbourhood had been reduced to streets and school compounds leaving no room for professional experiences and exposures to expert connections. The youth are now excitedly optimistic believing that these challenges will become ‘a thing of the past’.

The Ifako Mini Stadium will surely create opportunities for local coaches, sports organisers, and small businesses to benefit from activities hosted at the venue.

Residents and observers note that the stadium has the potential to serve as a pipeline for discovering and nurturing future professional athletes while also strengthening community ties through regular sporting and social events.

As Lagos State continues to expand its investment in grassroots sports infrastructure, the Ifako Mini Stadium stands out as a model of how targeted initiatives can drive meaningful change at the community level.

With sustained support, effective management, and active community participation, the facility is expected to remain a cornerstone for youth empowerment and sports development in Ifako-Ijaiye for years to come. The long awaited JAHrity Cup, a novel football competition to combine sports and charity will be unveiled soon at the stadium.

The enormous value of this infrastructure will remain unquantifiable as it will attract sports enthusiasts from around the state and beyond to experience classical games at a standard-class facility, thus putting Ifako-Ijaiye in the spotlight as a destination for sports lovers.

With the continued efforts of this worthy legislator, our own Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji, OON, the future of sports in Ifako-Ijaiye can only be more experienced than imagined.