Omo-Agege Heads To Supreme Court As Appeal Court Upholds Oborevwori’s Election
Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Delta State, has announced his intention to appeal to the Supreme Court following the recent ruling by the Appeal Court. Recall that an appeal court sitting in Lagos affirmed the election victory of Sheriff Oborevwori. Describing the verdict as a delay in “redemption for Deltans,” Omo-Agege emphasized his commitment to pursuing justice for the people of Delta State. In a statement released by his media adviser, Sunny Areh, Omo-Agege acknowledged the judiciary while expressing disagreement with the interpretation of evolving electoral laws aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s democracy. Asserting that justice remains unfulfilled for his supporters, Omo-Agege reiterated his dedication to defending their trust by pursuing the case further. He highlighted the significance of the issues at stake for the future and well-being of the state, pledging to uphold what he believes is right. Encouraging his supporters to remain calm and abide by the law, Omo-Agege conveyed his confidence in the Supreme Court’s justices to scrutinize overlooked aspects and ensure justice prevails. He emphasized his unwavering commitment to fighting for what he believes is just and in the best interest of the people. The APC candidate affirmed his faith in the judiciary and its capacity to deliver the anticipated redemption at the final stage of the legal process.
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
Appoint Only Qualified Judges To Supreme, Appeal Court Benches, Tinubu Charges NJC
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to rely on qualified, experienced and diligent private legal practitioners in both the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court appointments. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the All-Nigerian Judges Conference of the Superior Courts, held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), in Abuja, the president held that the move will strengthen the nation’s judiciary. Tinubu expressed that the judiciary had over the years, performed excellently to creditably retain the status of the last hope of the common man, adding that his administration was determined to improve the welfare of judicial officers in the country. Tinubu was represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. He said: “While the Nigerian judiciary is not immune from certain challenges, it has, however, surmounted these limitations to creditably retain the status of both the last hope of the common man and the bastion of rule of law and democracy. “The Nigerian judiciary has indeed evolved from the colonial days, through the rich history of contemporary worthy status today. While there may be misgivings here and there, we cannot begin to imagine what our country would have been subjected to if there was no judiciary. “Through a gamut of landmark judgments, the judiciary has continued to maintain the cause of the rule of law in Nigeria and strengthens our democratic processes and institutions. “I wish to observe that in the cause of demonstrating this commitment to the advancement of the rule of law and democracy, especially in political and electoral cases, the judiciary has come under myopic criticism and attacks. Concluding, he reiterated his confidence in the accomplishment of the judiciary in the cause of nation-building, both locally and on the global scene.
Supreme Court Dismisses Obi’s Appeal Against Tinubu
The Supreme Court of the nation has dismissed the appeal brought forth by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the general election, challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu. Obi had alleged various issues, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s alleged double nomination, which he argued rendered Shettima unqualified to serve as Tinubu’s running mate. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the matter of double nomination had already been addressed in a prior judgment and could not be revisited. The court stated, “This appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.” The appeal by Obi consisted of seven issues, but the head of the seven-member panel of judges, Inyang Okoro, noted that issues 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 had already been addressed in a previous ruling related to Atiku Abubakar’s appeal. Atiku Abubakar was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and his appeal had also been dismissed by the court. As a result, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the tribunal, affirming the election of President Bola Tinubu.
Supreme Court Dismisses Atiku’s Appeal Against Tinubu
*Says Appeal Lacks Merit, Affirms Tinubu’s Victory The Supreme Court, on Thursday dismissed the appeal by former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, seeking to nullify the February 25, presidential election of President Bola Tinubu. In the notice of appeal, Atiku had urged the apex court to dismiss and set aside the September 6, judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which affirmed the victory President Tinubu. Determining the first issue for determination, held that failure to transmit election results electronically did not affect the outcome of the election and could not warrant the nullification of presidential election. It held that Atiku did not produce alternative results of the presidential election that showed he won majority number of votes cast to rebuff the one declared by INEC. All the 7 issues distilled for determination were resolved in favour of Tinubu, stating that the appeal lacked merit.
Supreme Court Dismisses Atiku’s Plea To File Fresh Evidence Against Tinubu
The Supreme Court, on Thursday threw out the motion by former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, seeking leave of court to file fresh evidence in his appeal against the victory of President Bola Tinubu, in the February 25, presidential election. The Petitioner pleaded the apex court to grant him leave to bring in additional evidence by way of depositions on oath from the Chicago State University for use in his appeal to wit: the certified discovery deposition made by Caleb Westberg on behalf of Chicago State University on October 3, 2023, disclaiming the certificate presented by the 2nd respondent, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission. The motion dated 5th October but filed on the 6th, contained a 32-page deposition released to the former Vice President on the orders of Judge Nancy Maldonado of the District Court of Illinois, Eastern Division, Illinois, United States of America. Ruling on the motion, Justice John Inyang Okoro, held that a clinical look at the issues formulated by all the parties, it is clear that the argument is whether this court as presently constituted has the power to grant the motion. According to the panel, out of the 7 issues distilled by Atiku for determination, none related or covered forgery, which the appellant is seeking to bring in. It maintained that the Constitution does not permit that, and this court has no jurisdiction to grant the filing of fresh evidence that was not pleaded at the PEPC. It noted that Atiku did not even deem it fit to file for an amendment of his pleadings and for extension of time, since the 180 days allowed by the Constitution had elapsed since September 17, 2023.
Supreme Court Dismisses APM’s Appeal Against Tinubu
The Supreme Court, Monday, dismissed an appeal by the Allied People’s Movement (APM)seeking to disqualify President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress. APM had asked the Supreme Court to hold that the Court of Appeal misconceived the material facts before it, when it struck out its undefended petition against Tinubu’s victory. It prayed the court to hold that the withdrawal of Kabiru Masari from the race by operation of law amounted to automatic withdrawal and invalidation of the candidate of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress in the February 25, presidential election. In its brief of arguments, APM, through its counsel Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), that the Court of Appeal wrongly and peremptorily struck out the petition. It therefore prayed the apex court to set aside the decision of the lower court. APM also said the striking out of Kabiru Masari’s name from its petition and consequent dismissal of the petition on 6th September 2023, was in error, as Masari was a necessary party to the dispute. The Court of Appeal had dismissed APM’s petition based on pre hearing motions filed by INEC, APC and Shettima but only INEC tendered a document during the hearing while APC, Tinubu and Shettima and INEC did not call any witness. According to APM, “the grounds upon which it’s petition was predicated is that the 3rd respondent (Tinubu) was at the time of the election (February 25 2023) not qualified to contest the election in line with Section 134(1)(a) of the electoral Act, 2022. The party said it clearly stated in its paragraph 16 and 17 of the petition that it was against 3rd and 4th respondents (Tinubu and Shettima) respectively and grounded on the provisions of Section 131 and 142 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 35 of the Electoral Act,2022. The APM lawyer said the Court of Appeal misconceived the material facts and case of the appellant and wrongly progressed to determine issues not contemplated by the appellant’s petition and erroneously dismissed the petition. Hearing the appeal on Monday, effort by Machukwu Ume, to move the appeal was rejected by the panel, as doing so would amount to wasting of the precious time of the court. The presiding Justice, Inyang Okoro had insisted that the appeal be withdrawn since the issue had been decided. “We have read your appeal and issues raised. “You are not asking us to make your candidate the President if the your appeal succeeds. “You just want to state the law and go home, without benefit. We have other appeals that are substantial and withdrawing this appeal will help reduce the workload on us. “We have read the appeal and are unanimous that it’s a none issue, having been pronounced upon by this court” Justice Inyang Okoro said. Left with no option, the APM counsel hesitantly accepted withdrawal of the appeal. All the Respondents did not oppose the withdrawal and did not ask for cost. Accordingly, the panel dismissed the APM appeal, same having been withdrawn.
APM Withdraws Appeal Challenging Tinubu’s Victory At Supreme Court
The Allied Peoples Movement, (APM) Monday, withdrawn the appeal instituted at the Supreme Court to nullify President Bola Tinubu’s election victory. In the appeal, the party is contesting that Tinubu’s running mate and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was nominated twice for different positions by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in relation to the 2023 general elections. APM had in its 10-ground of appeal, maintained its position that Tinubu was not eligible to participate in the presidential poll that held on February 25. However, at the hearing, Counsel to the party Mr. Chukwuma Machukwu Ume, SAN, withdrew the matter shortly after it was called up for hearing. A seven-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, berated the party for filing an appeal the appeal for trying to over labour the court. According to the panel, APM appeal is a total waste of time and amount to an academic exercise since the party only wanted the apex court to “state the law.” “If we are idle, then maybe we will state the law. If there is nothing for you to gain from an appeal, you don’t just come to court for interpretation. “If for instance that you win a case, there must be something to be gained from the victory. We have read your appeal, there is absolutely nothing in it. You are not asking for your candidate to declared winner or anything of such, all you want is for the President to be removed. “If we remove the President, then what next? There are two other appeals here that are asking for something substantial,” Justice Okoro held. Also reacting to the appeal, Justice Emmanuel Agim, noted that issues the APM raised in its appeal, was previously decided by the Supreme Court. “We are not bound to hear every appeal. What you are asking us is to overrule ourselves. Did you not read our decision on the issue of double nomination.” Consequently, Ume, SAN, withdrew the appeal and it was accordingly struck out.
Supreme Court Reserves Judgment On Atiku, Obi’s Petition Against Tinubu
The Supreme Court, will on a later date, give judgment on the appeal by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The petitioners are seeking to dismiss and set aside the September 6, judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which affirmed the election of Bola Tinubu as President. A 7-man panel of Justices led by John Okoro Inyang, after hearing the appeal, said the date for judgment would be communicated to parties. Other Justices on the panel are: Uwani Abaji, Lawal Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijani Abubakar, and Emma Agim. At Monday’s sitting, Chief Chris Uche SAN, appeared for the Atiku, Levi Uzoukwu SAN for Obi and Abubakar Mahmoud SAN announced appearance for the Independent National Electoral Commission (1st Respondent). Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, represented the 2nd Respondent, President Bola Tinubu, while Chief Akin Olujimi SAN, announced legal representation for the All Progressives Congress (3rd Respondent). In a Notice of Appeal predicated on 35 grounds, Atiku told the apex court that the tribunal in the judgment delivered by Justice Haruna Tsammani erred on the side of law and miscarriage of justice in its findings and conclusion in the petition. He maintained that the Tribunal erred in law when it failed to nullify the presidential election held on February 25, 2023, on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, when by the evidence before the tribunal, INEC conducted the election based on grave and gross misrepresentation contrary to the principles of the Electoral Act 2022, based on the “doctrine of legitimate expectation”. Obi on his part, wants the Apex Court to set aside the whole findings and conclusions of the Tribunal on the grounds that they did not represent the true picture of the grounds of his petition. Reacting, counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents respectively, urged the court to dismiss the appeal for want of merit and for being frivolous. Specifically, Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun SAN described Atiku’s appeal as abusive in nature and ask it to dismiss it. Tinubu urged the apex court to act in like manner of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), by not only dismissing the appeal for lacking in merit and bona fide, but affirm his victory. Counsel to the INEC and APC also asked the panel to dismiss the appeal for want of merit.
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