Talking of judges that doexercise judicial impunity and rascality in Nigeria today, the name of Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos State will always make the list as a result of his abuse of judicial power.Finding by this newspaper indicated that Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu is a man with no integrity and also with shocking and remarkably bad judicial decision, often considered a serious error or abuse of power.Two years ago, Justice Dipeolu was accused of gross judicial impunity while handling the forfeiture of assets case of former CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and he was compelled to excuse himself from the case immediately there were media reports that he had been financially induced.Apart from that, Dipeolu is still facing media back lashes over his October 25, 2025 Order that Lotus Bank should take over the assets both movable and unmovable of Unpacked Limited , a firm.ownes by Feyikemi Abiodu and guaranteed by Oluwafeni Badewole.The public outcries over that are that there were many technical errors in the ruling.Over the time, Justice Dipeolu has made several wrongful convictions. In most of his rulings especially in criminal cases, the judge has made judicial decisions that have led to innocent persons being convicted even though they would later get fair hearings at higher courts.Judges are allowed to use their discretion in few cases but for Justice Deinde Dipeolu, it’s an abuse of discretion. Some of his discretions are grossly unfair and unreasonable.Apart from undermining justice, Justice Isaac Dipeolu’s egregious decisions have eroded trust in the Nigeria legal system, and because he isn’t checked by the authorities, his judicial rascality has damaged the country’s judiciary’s reputation. Also, his reputation has been badly harned as a result of his recklessness.To get remedies from the bad decisions of Justice Dipeolu, many victims have had to appeal his judicial decisions at higher courts where most of his decisions had been reviewed and faulted by higher judges.The latest judicial rascality of Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu is the granting of ex parte orders in the Nestoil case where he wrongly appointed a receiver/manager over Neconde’s interest in OML 42.And according to judicial analysts, the judge’s decision was the height of judicial impunity because the Order was one-sided as it was granted without hearing the story of the person or persons against whom the order is made.Analysts who have roundly condemned the inactions of Justice Dipeolu over the Order stated that he erred as he only had the power to grant such Orders in cases of exceptional urgency where the subject matter of the suit will likely be destroyed or dissipated irretrievably if the order was not made immediately.Recall that the suit was brought based on the alleged default by Nestoil in the payment of loans granted by a group of banks to the company. Whereas, Nestoil and its promoters had provided various assets as collateral to secure the repayment of the Nestoil loans.However, the Nestoil lenders appointed First Trustees to hold the collateralon their behalf. The Nestoil lenders also reserved the power, acting through First Trustees, to appoint a receiver/manager to take over Nestoil and the Nestoil loan collateral if Nestoil defaulted in the repayment of the Nestoil loans.Perhaps Justice Isaac Dipeolu has forgotten that under the Law, the Nestoil lenders exercised this power by appointing Mr. Abubakar Sulu-Gambari SAN as receiver/manager pursuant to a deed of appointment dated August 21, 2025.It’s important to inform the public that prior to the recent events, the Nestoil lenders requested that Neconde’s interest in OML 42 should be provided as additional collateral for the repayment of the Nestoil loans. But Neconde had used its interest in OML 42 as a collateral to secure the loans it obtained from another group of banks. Therefore, in law and common sense, the only way Neconde may provide its interest in OML 42 as additional collateral to the Nestoil lenders was if (a)the Neconde lenders permitted Neconde to do so, and (b) the collateral taken by the Nestoil lenders in OML 42 will be inferior to the collateral already held by the Neconde lenders, i.e., the Nestoil lenders will exercise their right only AFTER the Neconde lenders have exercised their right over the collateral in the event of a default. Neconde and the Nestoil lenders signed an agreement on thisbasis. In this instance, this would have created a “second ranking charge” for the Nestoil lenders.It’s also important to state that the Neconde lenders refused to permit Neconde to create a second ranking charge in favour of the Nestoil lenders. So, the Nestoil lenders did not obtain a second ranking charge over Neconde’sinterest in OML 42 or any of Neconde’s assets.These facts are in the documents First Trustees presented to Hon. Justice Dideolu and on the basis of which he made the ex parte orders but, he made the following order against Neconde as order no. 5: “That an order is hereby made granting leave to the Receiver/Manager to take over the 2ndDefendant’s [Neconde] office situate at 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos; any other asset of the 2nd Defendant wherever it may be found within the jurisdiction of this Court; and/or the 2nd Defendant’s interest in OML 42 JV by virtue of the Deed of Appointment dated 21st of August2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”.Meanwhile, the “Receiver/Manager” is the receiver/manager appointed by the Nestiollenders, who have no collateral or other legal right over Neconde or Neconde’s interest in OML 42, and Justice Dipeolu therefore wrongly wiped out the collateral held by the Neconde lenders by placing Neconde under receivership in favour of the Nestoil lenders who do not have any collateral or charge over Neconde or its assets.Legal analysta said that Justice Dipeolu, an experienced judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria was induced by extra judicial considerations for him to exercise that egregious judicial impunity.Expectedly, four of the Neconde lenders have already filed an application to be joined in the matter with a view to setting aside the orders made against Neconde because the order has no basis in fact and in law.However, legal analysts have hailed the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Tsoho over his decision to direct Justice Dipeolu to withdraw from the suit based on the petition presented by the Nestoil Group to the National Judicial Council.According to them, what Justice Tsoho did is the standard practice once a petition against a judicial officer has been presented to the NJC. “In fact, upon becoming aware of the petition, Justice Dipeolu ought to have recused himself from the matter with immediate effect without the necessity of the intervention of the Hon. Chief Judge” analysts said.Analysts also condemned an allegation that Justice Tsoho was given a bribe of $5m to give his directive that Justice Dipeolu should excuse himself from the Nestoil case..They wrote that it’s unfortunate thatJustice Dipeolu’s handlers have chosen to mount a campaign of calumny against Hon. Justice Tsoho just because he gave a directive that would redeem the integrity of the Nigeria judicial system.The wrote: “A judge like Justice Dipeolu, who has consistently recklessly abused his judicial oath of office by making decisions that are induced by extra-judicial considerations ought to be flushed out of the. judiciary. His “fans” should help him to help himself by advising him to resign his office as a judge”

By Agency report 

A recent study has revealed a link between higher maternal stress, excessive screen time in early childhood, and increased behavioral problems in children.The report, titled “The Effect of Income on New Zealand Children’s Behaviour: The Influence of Maternal Stress and Children’s Screen Use”, drew from the Growing Up in New Zealand study and found that pre-school children who spent four or more hours a day on screens were more likely to exhibit behavioral issues, regardless of socio-economic status.
The study also highlighted that lower incomes contributed to heightened maternal stress, which in turn was linked to more behavioral challenges in children. 
Dr. Jaimie Monk, a research fellow at Motu Research, explained to Susie Ferguson on Saturday Morning, that the study examined how income affects children’s behavioral, social, and emotional development, noting the inseparable connection between income and stress.
The researchers focused on the impact of maternal stress within the first 1000 days of a child’s life. Findings showed that during periods of higher income, maternal stress levels decreased. Key factors affecting child development included housing stability and maternal stress, especially related to renting and frequent moves during pregnancy, which added further strain.
Central to the study’s findings was the importance of parent-child interactions. Dr. Monk emphasized that “serve and return interactions” — moments of back-and-forth engagement between parents and children — are critical for healthy brain development during early childhood. Stress negatively impacted these interactions, leading to behaviors like yelling, arguing, and reduced reading time together, while screen use also played a role.
When asked about the impact of screen time, Dr. Monk noted that small amounts of screen use, especially when it allows parents a short break, are not necessarily harmful. However, excessive screen time of four to seven hours per day could crowd out opportunities for healthier developmental activities.
While various factors contribute to the rise in screen time, Dr. Monk acknowledged the complexity of family dynamics, particularly in households facing structural challenges. She cautioned against rigid screen-time limits, recognizing that many families are dealing with multiple stressors.
The study underscores the importance of the first 1000 days of a child’s life, particularly in providing interventions and support for families to reduce stress. According to Dr. Monk, addressing maternal stress through social services could yield significant benefits for children’s behavioral development, especially during their preschool years.

As the new academic term begins this September, parents and guardians across Nigeria are gearing up to send their children back to school.
For parents of special needs pupils and students, this period can come with additional challenges and concerns.

Understanding how to effectively support their children educational experience can make the return to school smoother and more successful.
Below are crucial tips for special needs pupils, students and their parents as they prepare for the school year.

1. Communication with Teachers and School Administration

A solid partnership between parents and educators is critical in ensuring that special needs students have a successful school experience. Parents should schedule meetings with teachers, special education coordinators and school administrators to discuss their child’s individual needs. Providing information about the child’s strengths, challenges, triggers and coping strategies can assist the school in creating a supportive environment.

For students with autism, hearing impairments, learning disabilities or physical challenges, having an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in place is vital. Parents can ensure that schools adhere to these plans, ensuring that their children receive the appropriate accommodation.

2. Equip Students with the Right Tools and Resources

Special needs students often benefit from adaptive learning tools or sensory aids. Parents should ensure that their child’s school is equipped with the necessary resources. This may include speech-to-text technology, noise-canceling headphones, specialized seating or sensory-friendly tools like fidget toys and chewable items for students with autism or other sensory needs.

In Nigeria, where resources might be limited in some schools, parents can advocate for the inclusion of more specialized learning materials or provide tools from home. Ensuring that your child is comfortable and supported will help in easing their transition back into the school environment.

3. Establish A Routine

Consistency is crucial for many children, especially those with special needs. Parents should work towards establishing a daily routine that the child can follow during school days. This includes setting a regular sleep schedule, preparing meals ahead of time and designating time for schoolwork and other activities.

A structured routine not only helps the child feel more secure, but also makes it easier to manage the school day and minimise anxiety. For autistic children, visual schedules can be highly effective, allowing them to anticipate and understand their daily activities.

4. Prepare Emotionally and Mentally

Transitioning back to school can be stressful for special needs students, particularly those who have difficulty with change. Parents can start preparing their child emotionally by discussing school in positive terms, visiting the school beforehand and reminding the child of the things they enjoy about their school experience.

In some cases, providing a social story—a step-by-step guide that outlines what to expect during a typical school day—can help alleviate anxiety. Parents should also encourage emotional expression and check in with their child regularly to see how they feel about returning to school.

5. Engage in Support Networks

Special needs education in Nigeria can be challenging due to limited resources, which makes it essential for parents to tap into community support systems. Joining parent advocacy groups or online communities for parents of children with special needs can provide helpful advice, resources and emotional support.

Such networks can also inform parents of their child’s educational rights, helping them to better advocate for their child’s needs within the school system. Collaborating with other parents in similar situations creates a stronger voice to push for inclusive policies in schools.

6. Consider Transportation and School Safety

For children with mobility issues or sensory processing disorders, school transportation and safety are critical concerns. Parents need to discuss transportation options with school officials to ensure that their child’s needs are met, whether it is through specialized buses or more attentive support staff.

Additionally, understanding the school’s safety measures, including emergency protocols and accessibility, is essential. Ensuring that the school environment is safe, accessible and understanding of the student’s needs contributes to a more positive experience.

7. Focus on Independence and Social Skills

Developing independence is important for all children, especially for those with special needs. Parents should encourage their children to take small steps towards independence, such as managing their school supplies or following simple instructions.

Social skills are equally important. Parents can help their child practice social interactions, such as how to ask for help when needed or how to interact with peers during group activities. Encouraging open communication between the child and school staff about their needs will foster a more inclusive environment.

Conclusion
Returning to school in Nigeria presents unique challenges for special needs students, but with the right preparation, the experience can be enriching and fulfilling. Parents, schools and communities must collaborate to ensure that every child, regardless of their abilities, has access to quality education in a supportive and understanding environment.

Through communication, proper resources and emotional support, special needs students can thrive in the classroom and beyond.