No date for inauguration of New Justices of the Supreme Court – NJC
National Judicial Council, NJC, has clarified that no date has been fixed for the swearing-in of the newly appointed eleven Justices of the Supreme Court. The Council said that the purported news by an Abuja based media organization suggesting Monday, January 16, for the inauguration did not emanate from it. A statement by the NJC’s Director of Information, Barrister Soji Oye clarified that neither the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is the NJC Chairman, nor the Council itself authored or endorsed the purported date. While asking members of the public to disregard the news, the NJC said that the date for the swearing-in of the Justices would be made public at the appropriate time. NJC’s statement read in part, “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to a trending story purportedly informing the public that the newly appointed 11 Supreme Court Justices would be sworn in on Monday 16 January 2023. “The Council by this medium expressly denies the news as it did not emanate from the Council or the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. “The date for the swearing-in of the Justices will be made public at the appropriate time. Members of the public should please disregard the trending news.”
Lagos Guber: Gov Sanwo-Olu wins at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Friday, affirmed the election of Sanwo-Olu as the authentic governor of Lagos in the March 18 general electron. The five-man panel of the Apex Court thereby rubbished the appeal brought before it by the Labour Party(LP) and its governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. The court held that the petition seeking the disqualification of Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy Obafemi Hamza from the poll totally lacked merit. In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, the court held that the allegations of renouncing Nigerian citizenship by the Lagos State Deputy Governor for the United States of America cannot be used to disqualify the respondents. The Apex Court said that since Obafemi Hamza is a Nigerian by birth, his acquisition of American citizen has not taken his right as a Nigerian from him. It also maintained that the Petitioners failed prove with credible evidence that the Deputy Governor indeed renounced his Nigerian citizenship. Consequence to the above, the court upheld that the decision of the Court of Appeal which had on November 15 dismissed the earlier appeal filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Labour Party against the election of Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Recall that the Court of Appeal three-member panel led by Yargata Nimpar, had in a unanimous decision affirmed the judgement of the Lagos State Election Petitions Tribunal that upheld the victory of Sanwo-Olu as the elected governor of Lagos in the March 18 election.
Guber Judgment: Kano, Bauchi, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi Govs in Court as S/Court decides their fate
In wait for their fates on their respective legal battles, at least five sitting state governors have stormed the Supreme Court to witness judgments their appeals. They are Abba Kabir Yusuf for Kano, Bala Mohammed for Bauchi, Caleb Mutfwang for Plateau, and Dauda Lawal for Zamfara and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi. Former Plateau state governor and currently a senator, Simon Lalong is also inside the courtroom for the make or mar verdict. As expected, the governors arrived in the courtroom with a retinue of followers who were, however, turned back immediately after escorting their principals into the courtroom. At the time of this report, the courtroom has been jam-packed by lawyers, journalists, and accredited political party leaders. Meanwhile, the justices are being awaited into the courtroom for judgment delivery. The states where their governors are expected to know their fates on whether to remain in office or be shoveled out are Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Cross River, Abia, Zamfara, Cross River and Ebonyi.
Former President Jonathan Is Bereaved
Madam Obebhatein Jonathan, the sister of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has died at the age of seventy. Her demise occurred on Thursday at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, following a brief illness. The news of her passing was confirmed in a statement issued by Jonathan’s media office, which described the deceased as a retired teacher and businesswoman. Known affectionately as Amissi, she was celebrated for her life of dedication to God and service to humanity. Madam Jonathan was a devout Christian, praised for her virtuous character and her role as a model of integrity within and beyond her community. Her commitment to her faith and her exemplary life had a significant impact on those around her. The statement from the former president’s office also provided details about the funeral arrangements. The burial for Madam Jonathan has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, 2024, with the family expected to announce the full details of the funeral rites in due course. Madam Obebhatein Jonathan is survived by three children, siblings, including His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and her mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan.
New Supreme Court Justices To Be Sworn In
Eleven new justices of the Supreme Court will be sworn in next week. The Senate had in December 2023 confirmed the 11 justices as requested by President Bola Tinubu. The Justices billed for swearing-in are: Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey, OFR – North Central Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah – North Central Hon. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani – North East Hon. Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur – North West Hon. Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar – North West Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa – South East Hon. Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme – South East Hon. Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya – South East Hon. Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein – South south Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru – South West When sworn in, the apex court will have the full complement of 21 justices, as envisaged by the Constitution.
BREAKING: Court Grants Ex-Minister Agunloye N50m Bail
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Apo, on Thursday, granted bail to ex-Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, in the sum of N50 million. Agunloye was arraigned on seven counts bordering on fraudulent award of a contract and official corruption, on Wednesday. The judge had ordered his remand in Kuje Correctional Centre pending hearing and ruling on the bail application. Moving the application, the Counsel for the former minister, Adeola Adedipe, prayed the court to grant bail to his client by way of self-recognisance or in liberal terms. He said Argunloye is not a flight risk and that the notion canvassed by the prosecution was “born out of misconception and communication barrier”. Adedipe also appealed to the court not to order the use of a public servant as surety for his client. The senior lawyer also argued that the apprehensive misconception about bail and the mischief argued by the prosecution has been cured by Section 352( 4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Under this provision, Adeola said, “Once a defendant is admitted to bail, even if he absconds, the trial will continue and he will be convicted where necessary.” However, the prosecution counsel opposed the bail application. Delivering the ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie said the pendulum of the court swings in favour of granting bail to the defendant. He granted N50 million bail to the defendant and ordered him to produce two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be “reputable” and “people of means” resident within the FCT. They must have properties worth N300 million with a Certificate of Occupancy that must be verifiable. They must submit copies of their identity card and photocopies of their international passports to the court. The defendant is to submit his passport to the court and must be present for hearing at all times. The matter has been adjourned to February 12. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating Agunloye over the $6 billion Mambilla Hydropower Contract.
Akwa ibom: Umo Eno remains Gov as S/Court dismisses APC, YPP, NNPP’s petitions
The Supreme Court, Thursday, affirmed the election of Umo Eno as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, in the March 18, governorship election in the state The seven-man panel of the Apex court, lead by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the petition following the withdrawal of three separate appeals brought before it by the petitioners alleging certificate forgery. They failed to convinced the panel that Emo Eno Bassey and Bassey Eno Emo were not the same and as such that the governor allegedly forged his Secondary School Certificate. Consequently, the lead counsel to the respective parties withdrew their separate appeals as the apex court panel of Justices hinted that they have no merit. The Petitioners in the matter are All Progressive Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Akanimo Udofia, Young Progressive Party(YPP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Akpan Albert Bassey as well as that of New Nigeria People’s Party(NNPP)and its governorship candidate, John James Akpan Udoedehe. Their arguments especially forgery allegations did not go down well with the Apex Court Justices who queried the lawyers on whether the West African Examinations Council WAEC gave evidence to establish the criminal allegations. Upon admission that WAEC did not testify in the matter, the lawyers opted and separately withdrew the appeal. This prompted Justice Abba-Aji to dismiss them following no objections from lawyers to the various respondents. The Court did not award cost against any of the lawyers to the appellants having voluntarily withdrew their cases on ground of want of merit. The Court of Appeal in Lagos had in November last year affirmed the election of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in the governorship election held on March 18, 2023. The appellate court in its judgment dismissed three separate appeals, filed against the governor’s election. While affirming the September 28, 2023 judgments of the election petition tribunal, the three-member panel of Justices headed by Festus Obande dismissed the appeal brought by the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Bassey Akpan, and his party against the Independent National Electoral Commission, Eno, and the Peoples Democratic Party. Justice Obande also granted judgments in favour of the governor against the appeals of the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, John Udoedehe, as well as Akanimo Udofia, of the All Progressives Congress. The appellate court declared in the unanimous judgments that all three appeals lacked merit.
CBN Appoints New Executives for Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank
The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced the appointment of new executives for Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank. The decision comes after the dissolution of the board and management teams of these financial institutions. The appointments, effective immediately, were disclosed in a statement signed by the CBN’s acting Director of Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali Hakama. The appointees will now oversee the operations of the respective banks. Union Bank Appointments: Yetunde Oni: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mannir Ubali Ringim: Executive Director Keystone Bank Appointments: Hassan Imam: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Chioma A. Mang: Executive Director Polaris Bank Appointments: Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Chris Onyeka Ofikulu: Executive Director The decision to dissolve the boards and management teams was attributed to non-compliance with Sections 12(c), (f), (g), (h) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020. The CBN emphasized that the actions of these banks posed a threat to financial stability. Despite the changes, the CBN assured depositors that their funds in the affected banks remain secure and unaffected by this decision.
Tinubu constitutes boards, management teams for NAHCON, Christian pilgrims commission
President Bola Tinubu has appointed a management and board for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The development came about three months after the president appointed Jalal Arabi as the chairman of the commission. In a statement on Wednesday, Anjuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said the appointments are to ensure hitch-free and seamless hajj operations in 2024. Members of the commission’s management are Aliu Abdulrazaq, commissioner, policy, personnel, and finance; Anofi Elegushi, commissioner for operations; and Abubakar Yagawal, commissioner for planning and research. NAHCON’s board members are; Muhammad Umaru Ndagi (north-central), Abba Jato Kala (north-east), Muhammad Bin Othman (north-west), Tajudeen Oladejo Abefe (south-west), Aishat Obi Ahmed (south-east), Zainab Musa (south-south), Musa Inuwa Fodio (Jama’atul Nasril Islam), and Adedimeji Mahfouz Adebola (Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs). The president also appointed the board and management team of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC). Members of the board are Aloche Adole (chairman), Stephen Adegbite (secretary), Omowumi Ogunlola (south-west), Clement Nweke (south-east), and Weli Wosu (south-south). Others are Joseph Mamman (north-west), Toma Ragnjiya (north-east), Simon Dolly (north-central), and Raphael Nwankwo, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The president urged the appointees to “consider their appointment as an opportunity to serve the nation”.
NiDCOM & BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION COLLABORATE ON DiASPORA PROGRAMMES
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr Richard Montgomery has emphasized the important role of the Nigerian Diaspora in the United Kingdom and pledged more collaboration with the Nigerians in diaspora Commission . He further stressed the need for enhanced trade and investment between both countries. Speaking during a courtesy call to Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and some Management staff in the Office in Abuja , the British High Commissioner stated further that the UK-Africa Summit scheduled to hold in May in the City of London, is a strategic opportunity to galvanize trade and investments for both countries and the African continent at large. He commended Nidcom for initiating programs such as the Diaspora investment summit and several others. Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed collaboration with the British high commission and reiterated Nigerias commitment to continue to enhance engagement with the Diaspora. She also underscored the imperatives of cultural exchanges, advocating the revival of the Cultural Road Show initially slated for 2020 but deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outlining the Commission’s activities and programmes, Dabiri-Erewa seized the opportunity to emphasize the importance of creating comprehensive sensitization and awareness for Nigerians planning to migrate to the UK, “We can’t stop migration, but as a government, we will create an enabling environment; Nigeria and the UK government should have an MOU , particularly on migration of health workers “ she stated. Dabiri-Erewa expressed optimism ahead of the UK- Africa Investment Summit in London, , and the role of the Nigerians in the UK in playing a catalytic role in bolstering partnerships between the UK, Nigeria, and the African continent.