Chief Judge Releases Postings For 23 New Judges
Sequel to the appointment of 23 new judges, the Honorable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has released a new posting of the court’s judges to various divisions across the country. The Chief Judge directed the affected judges to report at their duty stations before the date of resumption from the Christmas vacation, being the 8th day of January, 2023. In a statement signed by the Assistant Director Information of the court, Catherine Oby Christopher, PhD, on Wednesday, the CJ wished his fellow lordships a wonderful vacation in advance. Below is the list of judges and their new postings: 1. ABUJA : 1. HON. JUSTICE J.T. TSOHO — Chief Judge 2. HON. JUSTICE G.K. OLOTU 3. HON. JUSTICE B.F.M. NYAKO 4. HON. JUSTICE R.N. OFILI- AJUMOGOBIA 5. HON. JUSTICE A.R. MOHAMMED 6. HON. JUSTICE I. E. EKWO 7. HON. JUSTICE D.U. OKOROWO 8. HON. JUSTICE JOYCE OBEHI ABDULMALIK 9. HON. JUSTICE JAMES KOLAWALE OMOTOSHO 10. HON. JUSTICE EMEKA NWITE 11. HON. JUSTICE OBIORA ATUEGWU EGWUATU 12. HON. JUSTICE MOBOLAJI OLUBUKOLA OLAJUWON 13. HON. JUSTICE NKEONYE EVELYN MAHA 2. UMUAHIA -ABIA 1. HON. JUSTICE SUNDAY ONU 2. HON. JUSTICE MUSA KAKAKI 3. YENAGOA — BAYELSA 1. HON. JUSTICE ISA HAMMA ADAMA DASHEN 2. HON. JUSTICE SALIM OLASUPO IBRAHIM 4. BENIN -EDO 1. HON. JUSTICE S. M. SHUAIBU 2. HON. JUSTICE CHUKA AUSTINE OBIOZOR 5. BIRNIN KEBBI.- KEBBI 1. HON. JUSTICE EMMANUEL GAKKO 6. KADUNA 1. HON. JUSTICE R.M. AIKAWA 2. HON. JUSTICE HAWAU BUHARI 7. KANO 1. HON. JUSTICE A.M. LIMAN 2. HON. JUSTICE M.N. YUNUSA 3. HON. JUSTICE S.A. AMOBEDA 8. LAGOS 1. HON. JUSTICE J.T. TSOHO – Chief Judge 2. HON. JUSTICE A.O. FAJI 3. HON. JUSTICE A. LEWIS -ALLAGOA 4. HON. JUSTICE C.J. ANEKE 5. HON. JUSTICE YELLIM S. BOGORO 6. HON. JUSTICE DANIEL EMEKA OSIAGOR 7. HON. JUSTICE AKINTAYO ALUKO 8. HON. JUSTICE PETER ODO LIFU 9. HON. JUSTICE ABIMBOLA O. AWOGBORO 10. HON. JUSTICE DIPEOLU DEINDE ISAAC 11. HON. JUSTICE OGUNDARE KEHINDE OLAYIWOLA 12. HON. JUSTICE IBRAHIM AHMAD KALA 13. HON. JUSTICE OGAZI FRIDAY NKEMAKONAM 9. ILORIN -KWARA 1. HON. JUSTICE EVELYN NMASINULO ANYADIKE 2. HON. JUSTICE ARIWOOLA OLUKAYODE JNR. 10. AKURE – ONDO 1. HON. JUSTICE TOYIN BOLAJI ADEGOKE. 2. HON. JUSTICE OWOEYE ALEXANDER OLUSEYI 11. IBADAN -OYO 1. HON. JUSTICE UCHE N. AGOMOH 2. HON. JUSTICE EKERETE UDOFOT AKPA 12. ABEOKUTA -OGUN 1. HON. JUSTICE A.A. OKEKE 2. HON. JUSTICE ADEFUNMILOLA ADEKEMI DEMI – AJAYI 13. ADO -EKITI, EKITI 1. HON. JUSTICE B.O. KUEWUMI 2. HON. JUSTICE B.O. QUADRI 14. ASABA- DELTA 1. HON. JUSTICE F.A. OLUBANJO 2. HON. JUSTICE AGBAJE OLUFUNMILOLA ADETUTU 15. AWKA – ANAMBRA 1. HON. JUSTICE NNAMDI DIMGBA 16. ABAKALIKI – EBONYI 1. HON. JUSTICE HYELADZIRA AJIYA NGANJUWA 2. HON. JUSTICE M.T. SEGUN- BELLO 17. OWERRI -IMO 1. HON. JUSTICE INIEKENIMI NICHOLAS OWEIBO 2. HON. JUSTICE WIGWE-OREH CHITURU JOY 18. WARRI- DELTA HON. JUSTICE I.M. SANI 19. PORT HARCOURT —RIVERS 1. HON. JUSTICE P.I. AJOKU 2. HON. JUSTICE E.A. OBILE 3. HON. JUSTICE PHEOBE MSUEN AYUA 4. HON. JUSTICE STEPHEN DAYLOP PAM 5. HON. JUSTICE ADAMU TURAKI MOHAMMED 6. HON. JUSTICE SA’ADATU IBRAHIM MARK 20. CALABAR — CROSS – RIVER 1. HON. JUSTICE I. L. OJUKWU 2. HON. JUSTICE ROSEMARY O. DUGBO. OGHOGHORIE 21. UYO — AKWA-IBOM 1. HON. JUSTICE M.A. ONYETENU 2. HON. JUSTICE ONAH CHIGOZIE SERGIUS 22. MAKURDI – BENUE 1. HON. JUSTICE M.S. ABUBAKAR 2. HON. JUSTICE EGBE RAPHAEL JOSHUA. 23. ENUGU 1. HON. JUSTICE M.G. UMAR 2. HON. JUSTICE F.O. GIWA- OGUNBANJO 24. MAIDUGURI -BORNO 1. HON. JUSTICE JUDE KANYIOH DAGAT 2. HON. JUSTICE TIJJANI GARBA RINGIM 25. YOLA- ADAMAWA: 1. HON. JUSTICE SALEH KOGO IDRISSA 2. HON. JUSTICE ABDULAZEEZ M. Z. ANKA 26. BAUCHI 1. HON. JUSTICE MUSA SULAIMAN LIMAN 2. HON. JUSTICE AISHATU AUTA IBRAHIM 27. KATSINA 1. HON. JUSTICE AHMAD GAMA MAHMUD 2. HON. JUSTICE HUSSAINI DADAN- GARBA 28. GUSAU-ZAMFARA 1. HON. JUSTICE AMINU BAPPA ALIYU 29. JALINGO – TARABA 1. HON. JUSTICE BALA KHALIFA- MOHAMMED USMAN 30. MINNA -NIGER 1. HON. JUSTICE GARBA AMINU 2. HON. JUSTICE MUHAMMAD DAN- IGE 31. LAFIA -NASARAWA: 1. HON. JUSTICE NEHIZENA IDEMUDIA AFOLABI 2. HON. JUSTICE ANYALEWA ONOJA -ALAPA 32. LOKOJA -KOGI 1. HON. JUSTICE ABDU DOGO 2. HON. JUSTICE ABIODUN JORDAN ADEYEMI 33. JOS-PLATEAU 1. HON. JUSTICE D.V. AGISHI 2. HON. JUSTICE SHARON TANKO ISHAYA 34. OSOGBO- OSUN: 1. HON. JUSTICE N. AYO- EMMANUEL 2. HON. JUSTICE MASHKUR SALISU 35. SOKOTO 1. HON. JUSTICE Z. B. ABUBAKAR 36. GOMBE 1. HON. JUSTICE HILLARY IDE OSHO OSHOMO 2. HON. JUSTICE AMINA ALIYU MOHAMMAD 37. DUTSE – JIGAWA 1. HON. JUSTICE HASSAN DIKKO 38. DAMATURU – YOBE: 1. HON. JUSTICE FADIMA MURTALA AMINU 2. HON. JUSTICE YILWA HAUWA JOSEPH.
22 Justices Nominated For Supreme Court Promotion (Full List)
The Federal Judicial Service Commission has forwarded a list of 22 justices from the Court of Appeal to the National Judicial Council, marking them as potential candidates for elevation to Nigeria’s prestigious Supreme Court. In a move highlighting geographical diversity, the nominations represent various regions across Nigeria, showcasing a comprehensive array of candidates. Among the nominees, six justices originate from the north-central region, while the southeast and south-south regions boast six and two nominees, respectively. Additionally, the southwest region has two nominations, and both the northeast and northwest regions contribute two candidates each. Here’s a breakdown of the nominated justices from the different regions: South East Hon Justice Nwaoma Uwa (Abia State) – Priority Hon Justice Onyekachi Otisi (Abia State) – Reserve Hon Justice Obande Ogbuinya (Ebonyi State) – Priority Hon Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua (Imo State) – Reserve Hon Justice Anthony Ogakwu (Enugu State) – Priority Hon Justice Chioma Nwosu-lheme (Imo State) – Reserve South South Hon Justice Moore Adumein (Bayelsa State) – Priority Hon Justice Biobele Georgewill (Rivers State) – Reserve South West Hon Justice Adewale Abiru (Lagos State) – Priority Hon Justice Olubunmi Oyewole (Osun State) – Reserve North Central Hon Jummai Sankey (Plateau State) – Priority Hon Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Sirajo (Plateau) – Reserve Hon Justice Stephen Adah (Kogi State) – Priority Hon Justice Ridman Maiwada Abdullahi (Nassarawa State) – Reserve Hon Justice Baba Idris (Niger State) – Priority Hon Justice Joseph Ikyegh (Benue State) – Reserve North East Hon Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani (Bauchi State) – Priority Hon Justice Abubakar Talba (Adamawa State) – Reserve North West Hon Justice Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu (Jigawa State) – Priority Hon Justice Bello Aliyu (Zamfara State) – Reserve Hon Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar (Kebbi State) – Priority Hon Justice Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero (Kano State) – Reserve
Nigeria Wins $11bn P&ID Case In UK Court
Nigeria has successfully put a stop to the enforcement of the $11 billion arbitration award in favour of P&ID after an arduous legal battle lasting over five years. The ruling, delivered via email by Robin Knowles, the judge of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, hinged on Nigeria’s claim that the award was procured through fraudulent means. With this ruling, Judge Knowles faces the task of deciding on one of three options: returning the award to the tribunal for reconsideration, setting the award aside, in whole or in part, or declaring the award to be of no effect, in whole or in part. The concerned parties will have the opportunity to present their arguments regarding the next course of action on a date to be arranged. The roots of this legal dispute can be traced back to a private arbitration tribunal’s decision on January 31, 2017, ordering Nigeria to pay $6.6 billion to P&ID, with interest accruing from March 20, 2013, fixed at seven percent, leading to a substantial accumulation that pushed the potential payment to over $11 billion prior to the final verdict. Judge Knowles, in his ruling, emphasized that the awards were obtained through fraudulent means and were contrary to public policy. He stressed the seriousness of the case and the importance of upholding the rule of law in such matters. Nigeria had appealed against the enforcement of the arbitration award, and the UK commercial court granted relief in September 2020, redirecting the case to the high court for a full trial. The legal proceedings, spanning two months from January to March 2023, saw the Nigerian legal team argue that substantial evidence pointed to the contract and arbitration award being the result of “an audacious fraud on Nigeria.” They sought to set aside the award, citing convictions related to corruption and money laundering as evidence of extensive misconduct.
CJN Reads Riot Act To Son, 22 New FHC Judges
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has read the riot act to his son, Olukayode Ariwoola Jnr and 22 others who were sworn in on Wednesday, as new Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. In a speech shortly after swearing in the new judicial officers, Justice Ariwoola reminded the fresh Judges that they have by virtue of the oath they had taken, automatically, assumed new status and responsibilities in life. The CJN stated that even though judicial officers are not spirits or superhuman beings, however, he told them that so much impossible things are yet expected from them by the society. On this note, Justice Ariwoola warned them to be wary of conducts in and out of courts that are capable of dragging their hard-earned reputation into the murky waters of public shame and disgrace. “Appointment to the bench is not an appointment to wealth, vainglory, dishonest disposition or ostentatious lifestyle through corrupt acquaintances. “The searchlight of the National Judicial Council beams brightly on all judicial officers across the country. “The NJC should never, either by omission or commission, be mistaken for a toothless Bulldog. “It can bark fiercely and as well bite deeply and aggressively, too. “Our radar is sophisticated enough to detect every form of corruption and wrongdoing by judicial officers; and we will not waste a moment in taking the necessary action to fish out the bad eggs. “The remoteness of your location of adjudication can never blur our sight on you. “We have put in place the right machinery to capture and document your conduct. “So, be careful and take heed, or else, you may end up regretting ever being appointed a judicial officer” the CJN warned. Justice Ariwoola advised the new Judges to heed to the entire letters and words of the oath they had taken, stressing it must reside in a prime place of their hearts and be generously applied in the discharge of their adjudications. “You must be impartial, fair to all, and apply justice in all your undertakings. “The times that we are in, are quite perilous, so we need judicial officers who are calculative, honest, objective and dispassionate in all ramifications. “Thus, your appointments to the bench at this crucial period of our national history are not by accident but by divine ordination” the CJN stated.
Breaking News: Fire Engulfs Supreme Court Complex
In a shocking development, a section of the Supreme Court complex, located in the heart of the Three Arms Zone in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been engulfed in flames. Reports, although unconfirmed at this time, suggest that the offices of the three Justices of the Court have been affected by the fire. The incident has thrown a shroud of uncertainty over the nation, as the perpetrators and the Justices directly impacted by the attack remain unknown. This unfortunate event has occurred at a particularly sensitive juncture, with all eyes fixed on the Supreme Court due to its pivotal role in handling presidential election petitions. The news has left Nigerians deeply concerned. Further details on this developing situation will be provided shortly as the investigation unfolds. More details shortly…
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.