Nigerian courts recorded a mix of landmark rulings and high-profile convictions in 2025.
While some judgements settled long-standing disputes, several cases remain unresolved or pending in the judiciary.
This report highlights key court decisions that dominated national headlines over the year.
LAKURAWA GROUP PROSCRIBED AS TERRORISTS
In January, the federal high court, Abuja, officially declared the Lakurawa sect a terrorist organisation.
The group had terrorised communities in north-west Nigeria through violent attacks in late 2024.
A notable assault occurred in November 2024 when gunmen killed at least 15 villagers in Mera, Augie LGA, Kebbi state.
The court also banned similar militant groups operating across north-west and north-central Nigeria.
RIVERS STATE POLITICAL RULING
In February, the supreme court annulled the October 5, 2024, LG election in Rivers state.
The court stated that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission did not meet the legal requirements under section 150(3) of the Electoral Act.
It confirmed a federal high court ruling preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria and the accountant-general from releasing statutory allocations to the state.
The apex court instructed the Martins Amaewhule-led assembly faction and other members to resume official duties.
The decision was seen as a win for Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and a setback for Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers.
Tensions over state control led President Bola Tinubu to declare emergency rule in March.
SUNDAY JACKSON PARDONED AFTER DEATH SENTENCE
In February 2021, an Adamawa high court sentenced farmer Sunday Jackson to death for killing an intruder on his farm despite claiming self-defence.
The attack occurred on January 27, 2015, when a herder threatened Jackson with a knife while searching for his missing cattle.
Jackson reportedly overpowered and stabbed the attacker three times in the throat.
The court held Jackson could have escaped instead of using lethal force.
Subsequent appeals in 2022 and 2025 upheld the original sentence, sparking public outrage.
Growing pressure led Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to pardon Jackson during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
LECTURER CONVICTED FOR ELECTION FRAUD
In April, the court of appeal in Calabar upheld the conviction of Peter Ogban, a soil science professor at the University of Calabar.
Ogban, returning officer in the 2019 Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial election, was found guilty of manipulating results to favour APC candidate Godswill Akpabio.
He was sentenced in March 2021 to three years in prison and fined N100,000.
STATES FAIL TO RECOVER N1.8TRN LOOTED FUNDS
In May, the supreme court rejected a case filed by 36 state governments and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The panel said it had no jurisdiction over the dispute, which should be handled by a federal high court.
The suit challenged the federal government’s handling of recovered looted funds amounting to N1.836 trillion, 167 properties, 450 cars, 300 trucks, and 20 million barrels of crude oil.
FIRS AUTHORITY ON VAT UPHELD
In July, the federal high court, Lagos, confirmed the Federal Inland Revenue Service can collect VAT on transport and food services via platforms like Bolt.
The judgement followed a challenge from operators who had contested the imposition in 2022.
PAT UTOMI’S SHADOW GOVERNMENT BLOCKED
In October, the federal high court, Abuja, restrained professor of political economy Pat Utomi and associates from creating a shadow government.
Judge James Omotosho ruled the concept unconstitutional and inconsistent with Nigeria’s presidential system.
NNAMDI KANU SENTENCED
In November, Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, was convicted of terrorism by the federal high court, Abuja, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Judge Omotosho handed additional terms of 20 years and five years on separate counts.
The ruling concluded his trial, which began after his 2021 extradition from Kenya.
OSUN LGA FUNDS RULING
In December, the supreme court dismissed a suit by the Osun AG on withheld local government allocations.
The court ruled that only elected LGA chairpersons can sue over LG funds, calling federal withholding “a grave breach” of the constitution.
RIVERS EMERGENCY RULE UPHELD
On December 15, the supreme court affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s power to declare emergency rule in Rivers state.
The apex court confirmed his authority to suspend elected officials temporarily during the emergency to maintain law and order.
The case followed a challenge from Adamawa state and 10 other PDP-led states.
