Appeal Court Postpones IPOB Hearing to October 31

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has moved the hearing for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) appeal to October 31. This appeal challenges the group’s proscription as a terrorist organization by the Federal Government. The three-judge panel postponed the session to allow both sides time to submit and exchange all necessary documents. IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently detained, has applied to join the appeal as an interested party. The appeal targets the 2017 ruling by the late Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati of the Federal High Court, which banned IPOB’s activities across Nigeria. The proscription followed an ex-parte motion filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on behalf of the Federal Government. In its appeal, IPOB argued that the court’s ruling was unjust and based on incorrect information. The group insisted that it operates within the law and that its actions are in line with its constitutional rights to self-determination. It claims that its protests have been peaceful, involving non-violent demonstrations such as marches with placards. IPOB also highlighted the lack of evidence showing it has engaged in any form of violence. The group further criticized the original ruling, alleging that the AGF failed to provide accurate information during the 2017 court session, which led to a biased judgment. IPOB’s appeal called for the appellate court to dismiss the proscription order, arguing that the high court misinterpreted its activities and failed to acknowledge its peaceful nature. The court instructed all parties involved to ensure that all legal processes are filed and exchanged before the scheduled hearing date.

Tinubu Asks Senate To Confirm Kekere-Ekun As Substantive CJN

President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Nigerian Senate to confirm Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This request was communicated through a letter, which was read aloud by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio during a session on Tuesday. Justice Kekere-Ekun has been serving as the Acting Chief Justice since August, following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. President Tinubu had earlier sworn her into the acting role. In his letter, the President referenced Section 231(1) of the Nigerian Constitution. Tinubu stated, “Pursuant to 231(1) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended which gives the power to the president powers to appoint the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and subject to confirmation of the Nigerian senate,” the number one citizen said. “I have the honour to forward the nomination of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun CON for confirmation as CJN. “While it is my hope that this request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the senate, please, accept distinguished senate president the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards.” Following the presentation, Senate President Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration, with deliberations set to take place on Wednesday.

We’ll Not Be Moved By Public Opinion – CJN

We'll Not Be Moved By Public Opinion - CJN

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has reasserted the judiciary’s unwavering dedication to impartiality amidst public influence. During the inauguration of the 2023/2024 legal year and the induction of 58 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the CJN stressed the values of diligence, integrity, and respect among judicial officers. Ariwoola emphasized the imperative for humility in discharging duties, urging fair treatment of litigants, witnesses, and bar members.  He assured that the judiciary will remain unswayed by external pressures, underscoring that public sentiment should never overshadow the law in decision-making processes. “The law stands firm, irrespective of individual interests. As interpreters of the law, we must detach emotion from logic and facts from assumptions,” stated the CJN. He cautioned against succumbing to the clamor of the masses, advocating for decisions guided solely by legal principles rather than sentiment. Emphasizing the significance of judicious conduct, Ariwoola highlighted that needless remarks could undermine not only others but the judiciary itself. Pledging to safeguard the rule of law and the judiciary’s autonomy, the CJN reiterated his commitment to preserving public trust and confidence in the legal system.

Strive To Maintain Public Trust, CJN Tasks Judges 

We'll Not Be Moved By Public Opinion - CJN

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has tasked judicial officers in Nigeria to work assiduously towards sustaining public confidence and trust reposed on the judiciary. Ariwoola posited that as indispensable pillars of democracy, judicial officers must distance themselves from all forms of indiscretions and ventures capable of bringing the judiciary to disrepute.  The CJN gave the charge at the opening ceremony of the 2023, All Nigerian Judges’ Conference in Abuja.  “My Lords, the importance of the foregoing cannot be overemphasized since what we do now will invariably determine the legacy we leave behind.  Justice Ariwoola described the conference as a “convergence of the most brilliant minds and mainstays of hope and order in the society” adding that the conference primarily serves the dual purpose of stocktaking and visioneering.  The CJN expressed dismay over the way decisions of the Court are treated with orders of the Court being flagrantly disobeyed.  “While there is no justification for this, it is impossible to divorce this unsettling development from the perceived image of the Judiciary as a mere appendage of the other arms of government, expected to do their bidding at all times and incapable of making decisions devoid of predilection.  He exuded confidence that the Conference, which is the first since the commencement of the new administration, will come with an improved disposition towards the welfare of the Judiciary especially as it pertains to the protracted issue of its independence as well as a strong desire to foster healthy and productive relationships among all three arms.  “It is my hope that the Conference will help drive robust discussions between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary on fostering mutual respect for one another and also on strengthening synergies devoid of any subterfuge.  “It will equally afford us the opportunity to unravel the issues already identified, the bulk of which holds grave repercussions for Nigeria’s polity.  “It is also my firm belief that this interface will reaffirm across the board, our commitment to upholding the tenets of Democracy and the Rule of Law therefore bolstering the trust and confidence of the citizenry in the operationality of the government” Justice Ariwoola stated.  In his welcome address, the Administrator, National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Salisu Abdullahi, said the Conference provides a platform to give judges the  acclaim for their unrelenting devotion to prospering the ends of justice, and for their conspicuous role in nation building.  Secondly, he said the Conference affords Judges the opportunity to critically appraise happenings and developments in the course of the year, especially those that greatly impacted the performance of their functions and which holds great implications for the Judiciary by extension.  “In the same vein, while it is a cardinal rule of natural justice that no one should be a judge in his own cause, this Conference offers an apposite exception to this since it allows judicial officers to evaluate and critique themselves, Abdullahi said.  The goal of such evaluation, he said, is to enable advancement and growth within the Judiciary through the conclusions that will be reached and strategies that will be devised from robust discussions led at the Conference.  He stated that the theme of the Conference; “STRENGTHENING JUDICIAL COMMITMENTS TO THE RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRACY”, will afford Judges the opportunity to recharge, recalibrate and re-strategize. 

CJN Decries Depletion Of Supreme Court Justices

CJN Decries Depletion Of Supreme Court Justices

The Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Friday, argued that the Supreme Court is now having the lowest number of Justices in its history. According to him, the Apex Court is having only 10 Justices on its bench to tackle the heavy workload of pending cases. Meanwhile, the retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Muhammad Musa Datijo, said without mincing words, that the number of Supreme Court Justices, which has hit an all-time-low of 10, has remained so due to deliberate action. Justice Ariwoola spoke on the occasion of retirement of Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed who today attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years. The CJN however assured that efforts are on top gear to elevate a sizeable Justices to the bench of the Court. “With Justices Musa Dattijo leaving us today after the retirement of Hon. Justice Adamu Amina Augie a few weeks ago, we are now left with just 10 Justices on the Supreme Court Bench; being the lowest we have ever had in contemporary history of the Court.  “However, I can confidently assure all the litigant public that efforts are in top gear to get on board a sizeable number of Justices to boost our rank and complement the tremendous effort we have been investing in the business of the Court.  The CJN paid glowing tributes to the retired Justice saying “I am so emotionally overwhelmed, and at the same time, profusely exhilarated to personally witness this uncommon valedictory session.  “This is not because I have never witnessed or presided over valedictory sessions before; but for the fact that we are honouring a quintessential Judicial icon with dazzling qualities and alluring stature who could, in one breath, be classified as a model of excellence that transcends the legal profession.  “My Lord Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad in whose honour we assemble here today, is an epitome of jurisprudential finesse; an insuperable lion with an irrepressible voice in the temple of justice.  “We are here to identify with an accomplished jurisprudential iconoclast that has offered the best of his intellect to the advancement of the legal profession through his several years of unblemished and incontrovertible adjudications at different levels of Courts in Nigeria.  “His Lordship has, by all standards, made an incisive inroad into the revered history books of the Nigerian judiciary as that gallant and eminent Justice at the Supreme Court bench who inviolably held sway in the discharge of his judicial functions.  “As second-in-command in the hierarchy of the Supreme Court, my Lord, Justice Dattijo, skilfully aided and supported me virtually in every sphere of administration. He is a specimen of hard work, industry, discipline and high moral rectitude.  “He willingly offered every support and encouragement that any leader would always wish to enjoy from a deputy to effectively meander the often stormy coast of court administration. “So, by this event heralding his 70th birthday anniversary, the time has come to cease from functioning as a Judicial Officer. Immediately after this Court session, a new page will ultimately open in the life of my Lord, which His Lordship and an entirely different set of people, that destiny had already assembled along the path of the second phase of his life, will begin to write on. “He is, indeed, a jewel of inestimable worth and an icon worthy of celebration and adulation.  “His Lordship is one judicial officer that could be blunt, even to a fault; and is never known to be afraid to say things the way they are; and also never shies away from calling a spade by its name, irrespective of whose ox is gored.  “Through his mien and conduct, His Lordship has succeeded in erecting an edifice of hope and optimism in the minds of his teeming admirers; and even generations yet unborn who will be privileged to access and behold his great works in the judicial landscape that have already been well-documented and displayed conspicuously in the shelves of various libraries across the world.  “My Lord, before I end my speech, I will urge you to passionately cherish and relish every moment of your life because, ordinarily, this ceremony we are all witnessing today will never take place again in your life time. From the depth of our hearts, we say happy 70th birthday to you and sincerely wish you good luck and God’s grace in all you do”, the CJN said. However, Justice Datijo in his speech at a valedictory court session to mark his retirement from the apex court bench, having attained the statutory retirement age of 70 years, on October 27, 2023, said, “It is evident that the decision not to fill the vacancies in the court is deliberate. “It is all about the absolute powers vested in the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and theresponsible exercise of same” Justice Datijo said. The retired Jurist was reacting to the reduction in the number of Justices on the bench of the Supreme Court, which is now 10, following his retirement. “That this avoidable depletion has affected and will further affect the court and litigants is stating the obvious” Justice Datijo said.

CJN To Inaugurate 23 Federal High Court Judges Oct 4 

CJN Decries Depletion Of Supreme Court Justices

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will on Wednesday October 4, 2023, swear-in the newly appointed 23 Judges of the Federal High Court. A statement by the Court’s Director of Press and Information on Sunday, Dr Festus Akande said that the Judges are to be inaugurated at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at 11am. The new Judges are: Dipeolu Deinde Isaac from Ogun State; Ogundare Kehinde Olayiwola from Ekiti State; Agbaje Olufunmilola Adetutu from Lagos State; Musa Kakaki from Kaduna State; Abdullahi Muhammad Dan-Ige from Sokoto State; and Sharon Tanko Ishaya from Kebbi State. Others are Salim Olasupo Ibrahim from Ogun State; Yilwa Hauwa Joseph from Gombe State; Wigwe-Oreh Chituru Joy from Rivers State; Owoeye Alexander Oluseyi from Kogi State; Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa from Benue State; Amina Aliyu Mohammad from Katsina State; Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi from Kwara State; Hauwa Buhari from Federal Capital Territory; and Aishatu Auta Ibrahim from Borno State. The rest are Hussaini Dadan-Garba from Bauchi State; Ibrahim Ahmad Kala from Gombe State; Mashkur Salisu from Zamfara State; Onah Chigozie Sergius from Enugu State; Egbe Raphael Joshua from Bayelsa State; Ariwoola Olukayode Jnr. from Oyo State; Ekerete Udofot Akpan from Akwa Ibom State; and Ogazi Friday Nkemakonam from Ebonyi State.   Also, a valedictory Court session will be held on Tuesday 10th October, 2023, in honour of the late Justice Chima Centus Nweze at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court at 10am. As is customary, the Chief Justice of Nigeria will preside over the session which will, among other things, feature the presentation of tributes by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and President of the Nigerian Bar Association, in honour of the departed Jurist.  It will be recalled that Justice Nweze died on Saturday, 29th July, 2023 in Abuja after a brief illness at the age of 64 years.  He was sworn-in as Justice of Supreme Court on 29th October, 2014. He was born in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State on 25th September, 1958.  He attended St. John Cross Seminary, Nsukka from 1972 to 1977, emerging with a Distinction in the West African School Certificate Examination.  He gained admission into University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1979 where he graduated with a Degree in Law in 1983. In the same year, he represented the Law Faculty and, indeed, all Nigerian Law Faculties, at the Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington DC, as the Chief Oraclist.  Justice Nweze did his NYSC between 1984 and 1985 in Bauchi, after being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. He equally had his Doctorate Degree in Law from the same University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.