Supreme Court Justices Reduced to 10 as Musa Dattijo Retires October 27

The Supreme Court of Nigeria will see its number of justices reduced to 10 following the retirement of Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad on October 27, 2023. Justice Dattijo’s retirement notice, sent to the Court’s management, specifies that a special valedictory court session will be held in his honor on the retirement date. The Court’s Director of Press and Information, Dr. Akande Festus, announced in a statement on Sunday that the valedictory session is scheduled to take place at the Main Courtroom of the Court at 10 am. Born on October 27, 1953, in Minna, Justice Musa Dattijo, hailing from Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, attended Native Primary School, Minna, earning his First School Leaving Certificate between 1960 and 1966. He later attended Sheikh Sabbah College (now Sardauna Memorial Secondary School) in Kaduna from 1967 to 1971. This led to his admission to the Faculty of Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a degree in Law in 1977. Justice Dattijo was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 2, 1977, but he didn’t stop there. In 1982, he sought further education and earned an LLM Degree from Warwick University in 1983. His exemplary career led to his elevation to the Court of Appeal on November 21, 1998, having served diligently in various Divisions. He was sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court on July 10, 2012, marking another significant milestone in his career. The retirement of Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad reduces the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s justices to 10, as noted in the statement. Top of Form

Supreme Court Justice, Chima Centus Nweze dies @64

Supreme Court Justice Chima Centus Nweze has passed on. He died on Sunday at the age of 64. Festus Akande, the Director of Information at the Supreme Court, confirmed the news to NIGERIAN ANCHOR, whilst adding that and an official press statement will be released soon. Justice Nweze gained prominence for his dissenting judgment in 2020, which declared Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner of the 2019 Governorship election in Imo State. This decision triggered extensive debates and divided opinions among legal experts and the public. In another significant moment of his judicial career, Justice Nweze, in a three-against-two split decision, declared Ahmad Lawan, then Senate President, as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North Senatorial District during the 25 February general election. These rulings underscored the profound impact of his decisions on the political landscape. Born on September 25, 1958, in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Justice Chima Centus Nweze had a long and distinguished career within the Nigerian legal system. In 2014, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration approved his appointment to the Supreme Court upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC). Justice Nweze’s demise leaves a significant void in the legal community. He was renowned for his thoughtful and meticulous approach to cases, earning respect among peers and legal scholars alike. As the nation mourns the loss of this accomplished jurist, his legacy of upholding justice and the rule of law will undoubtedly endure in Nigeria’s legal history.