Former Senate Leader Senator Ali Ndume has explained why he took part in the screening of ambassadorial nominees by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, despite earlier calling on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the list.

Ndume had, ahead of the screening, raised concerns over what he described as the lopsided composition of the nominees, arguing that it violated Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the application of the federal character principle in the composition of the federal government to promote national unity.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the Borno South senator said he was persuaded by his colleagues on the committee not to boycott the screening and confirmation exercise. He added that he also secured assurances from the committee’s leadership that concerns over imbalance in the nominations would be formally conveyed to the President.

“I still maintain that the list is lopsided,” Ndume said. “At the committee level, I raised a constitutional order during our meeting, and we agreed that while the screening would proceed, our report would clearly advise the President that the remaining nominations should be balanced to address the breach of the federal character principle.”

Ndume stressed that states omitted in the current nominations must be accommodated in the final list to be forwarded to the Senate for screening and confirmation. According to him, some states, such as Gombe and Yobe, were not represented, while others only had career ambassadors, whom he described as largely non-political appointees.

“We have 109 diplomatic missions. For non-career ambassadors, each state should have at least one to ensure balance,” he said. “Ideally, each state should have two or three ambassadors, including at least one career ambassador, given that we have 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates worldwide.

Ndume argued that such an arrangement would help address the issue of imbalance and ensure compliance with Section 14(3) of the Constitution, noting that Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations with 194 countries globally.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs concluded the screening of ambassadorial nominees last week.

Ndume had earlier rejected Tinubu’s nomination over lack of federal character.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, “to immediately enforce the judgment compelling and directing him and president Bola Tinubu to widely publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of ₦6 trillion meant to implement the abandoned 13,777 projects and in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019.”

The judgment was delivered on Monday, 10 November, by Justice Gladys Olotu following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021, brought by SERAP.

The court also ordered Fagbemi and the President “to publish and make available to the public the NDDC forensic audit report submitted to the federal government on September 2, 2021.”

In the letter dated 13 December 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The continuing failure and/or refusal to publicly acknowledge the judgment and immediately enforce it makes a mockery of the country’s legal and judicial processes and the rule of law.”

“Section 287(1) of the Nigeria Constitution 1999 [as amended] provides that the decisions of Nigerian courts “shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.’ This constitutional provision admits no exception and leaves no ambiguity,” the group said.

“The ongoing failure and/or refusal to enforce the judgment is a fundamental breach of both the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and a direct assault on the rule of law.”

The letter, read in part: “The continuing failure to immediately obey Justice Olotu’s judgment exposes responsible officials to contempt proceedings, including personal liability.”

“Obeying the judgment would reinforce the primacy of the Nigerian Constitution, and the country’s international obligations and show respect for the rule of law.”

“The Attorney General is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation and as such has the responsibility to uphold the Nigerian Constitution, advise the government to ensure that its actions conform with judicial decisions, obey the rule of law and generally act in the public interest.”

“Despite the clarity and binding nature of the Court’s judgment and the service of the judgment on you and the president, you have failed, neglected, and/or refused to comply with the judgment. Justice Olotu’s judgment is not advisory; it is final, binding, and immediately enforceable against you and President Tinubu.”

“SERAP is concerned that the continuing failure by you and President Tinubu to obey the court judgment is contributing to ongoing corruption and impunity of perpetrators in ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs].”

“The continuing failure and/or refusal by you to enforce legally binding judgment of court and to advise President Tinubu to implement the judgment is also entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”

“It is unacceptable for the Attorney General of the Federation and the government under which you serve to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride. Obeying the court judgment would go a long way in protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s legal and judicial systems.”

“By immediately complying with the judgment, you and President Tinubu will show Nigerians that the administration is willing and able to end many years of brazen impunity for corruption in the country.”

“Immediately implementing the judgment will also restore public trust and confidence in the ability of the Tinubu administration to respect the rule of law and contribute to the efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s wealth and natural resources, including in the NDDC.”

“As the Supreme Court eloquently stated in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, ‘The rule of law presupposes that the state is subject to the law. The government should be the first to obey the law.’”

“The Court also held that a government that disobeys court orders ‘invites anarchy.’”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider pursuing contempt proceedings against you to compel you to uphold the Nigerian Constitution and the rule of law.”

“In her judgment, Justice Olotu held that, ‘The forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as the names of persons indicted therein, clearly fall within the definition of ‘public records’ as contained in Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act.’”

“Justice Olotu also held that, ‘NDDC forensic audit report and the names of persons indicted therein are not exempted under Sections 11-19, as the information relates to the use and management of public funds.’”

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced four men to death by hanging for the kidnapping of a 62-year-old retired ExxonMobil staff member, Idongesit Demas Udom, and the amputation of his hand after collecting a ₦5 million ransom.

The convicts—Chinatu Iwe Abraham, 38, from Isiala Ngwa, Abia State; William ThankGod Sunday, 30; Ubon Monday Ebebe, 30; and Saturday Jonah Udo, 43, all from Idung Nneke in Ukanafun Local Government Area, were found guilty on three counts of conspiracy, kidnapping, and wounding with intent to maim, disfigure or disable.

Justice Gabriel Ette delivered the judgment after a four-hour reading, holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Three other defendants—Kingsley John Akpan, 32; Etimefiok Ime Ezekiel, 37; and Joseph Sunday Etim, 31, were discharged and acquitted due to a lack of sufficient evidence linking them to the crime.

During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses, including the victim, while all seven defendants testified in their defence.

Udom told the court that the events leading to his abduction began on December 20, 2016, following a dispute over an attempt by the second convict, William ThankGod Sunday, to organise a second “cultist carnival” in the village.

The elders opposed the event after a billboard advertised activities such as smoking, drinking and eating competitions, citing concerns about youth corruption.

A meeting at Udom’s residence, where he served as administrator of the Royal Family and President of the Idung Nneke Development Association, resolved that the carnival should not be held. The matter was reported to the Divisional Police Officer in Ukanafun, who deployed officers to stop the event.

The intervention, the court heard, angered the second convict, who allegedly blamed Udom for his loss in a subsequent village youth leadership election and sent threat messages to the village head. Udom testified that he did not take the threats seriously, noting that he had previously helped secure the convict’s release from detention in Abia State.

According to evidence before the court, the second convict later convened a meeting on March 16, 2017, with accomplices and recruited kidnappers from Abia State to abduct Udom after local criminals declined to target him due to his standing in the community. The victim was eventually kidnapped, a ₦5 million ransom was paid, and his hand was amputated.

In sentencing, Justice Ette imposed seven years’ imprisonment on each convict for conspiracy, death by hanging for kidnapping, and three years’ imprisonment for wounding with intent to maim. While pronouncing the death sentence, the judge said, “May the Lord have mercy on your souls.”

The convicts pleaded for leniency during allocutus, but the court upheld the penalties prescribed by law. Security was tight around the court premises during the proceedings.

Udom, now in his 70s, attended the judgment and appeared visibly relieved that justice had been served.