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Tag: Chief Judge

  • Impeachment: Ondo deputy governor, Aiyedatiwa withdraws lawsuit against Akeredolu, Ondo Assembly

    Impeachment: Ondo deputy governor, Aiyedatiwa withdraws lawsuit against Akeredolu, Ondo Assembly

    Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Ondo State deputy govenor, on Monday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja he was withdrawing the lawsuit he filed to stop his impeachment proceedings by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

    Other defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023 were the Governor of Ondo State;  the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Ondo State; the House of Assembly; the Inspector-General of Police; the Department of State Services.

    Mr Ebun-olu Adegboruwa (SAN), the deputy governor’s lawyer explained to the court that the deputy governor wished to withdraw the suit following the intervention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in the matter.

    According to him, there was no fuether need to address the matter in court, saying that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, had set up a reconciliation committee on October 6, to mediate the dispute between some of the parties to the suit.

    He added that going ahead with court proceedings could frustrate the reconciliation efforts by the APC leadership.

    He also pointed out that the Ondo State House of Assembly wrote a petition to the National Judicial Council on October 3, 2023, against the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.

    He urged the court to wait for the decision of the NJC on the petition before going ahead with the matter.

    However, the representing the Ondo State Governor, Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), and that of the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Mutalib Ojo (SAN), have vehemently opposed Adegboruwa’s withdrawal, asking the court to go ahead with the case.

    In his submission, counsel for the Assembly, Femi Emodamori, said the Ondo Assembly had already withdrawn the petition against the judge.

    Justice Nwite adjourned till October 6 for ruling.

    Recall that the deputy governor of Ondo state Aiyedatiwa had approach the court to stop impeachment proceedings against him.

     

  • I will build on my predecessor’s achievements – Edo CJ, Okungbowa

    I will build on my predecessor’s achievements – Edo CJ, Okungbowa

    Edo state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, says his vision is to make the state judiciary better than he met it and build on his predecessor’s successes.

    Justice Okungbowa made the remark at a ceremonial court session marking the commencement of a new legal year for the Edo State Judiciary.

    While pledging zero tolerance to corruption, he pledged to automate court proceedings and evolve a fully technology-driven judicial process.

    He acknowledged the cordial relationship between the state judiciary and the government and sued for its sustenance within the constitutional limits of the separation of powers.

    He told the gathering that his administration would work towards reducing the workload on judges occasioned by multiple jurisdictions of judges with the attendant strains.

    On manpower development, he assured that the training and retraining of various cadres of judicial staff would be sustained, though the state judiciary was yet to attain financial autonomy.

    The Edo state chief judge implored the state government to undertake massive renovation of dilapidated judicial structures across the state, especially those outside Benin City.

    On the judiciary’s case flow, he said as at August, 3,418 cases were brought forward in the criminal division, while 3615 were disposed of, leaving 3,478 pending.

    At the civil division, 8,900 cases were brought forward out of 8,631 filed while 7,894 got disposed of.

    He said 9,637 were still pending.

    The Magistrates’ courts have 5,977 cases brought forward from 3,450 filed and 3,377 disposed of while 6,455 are pending.

    Smaller claims courts have 44 cases brought forward from 63 filed, and 53 disposed of while 54 are still pending.

    At the Area customary courts, 3,271 cases were brought forward from 8,157 filed, 7,876 disposed of while 3,552 remained pending.

    The district customary courts had 470 cases brought forward from 664 filed and 626 disposed of while 508 are pending.

    The chief judge stated that the state judiciary’s internally generated revenue for the previous legal year was more than N560 million.

    Earlier, the chief judge and other judicial officers worshipped at St Joseph Catholic Church in appreciation to God for His mercy towards the state’s judiciary in the outgone year.

    During the ceremonial court session, Mr. Solomon Asemota, SAN, on behalf of senior benchers, cautioned that the judiciary was now acting as the executive arm of government due to conflicting ideologies.

    The chairman of the Benin branch of the NBA commended the executive’s approval for the appointment of new judges and called for the implementation of judicial financial autonomy.

    He decried the situation where courts in Benin had constant power supply while those outside didn’t.

    He also called for the enhancement of the operations of area court presidents for better dispensation of justice while reiterating the need for Customary Court of Appeal to be re-established.

    The ceremony was preceded by the inspection of a guard of honour by the Chief judge of Edo, mounted by a detachment from the Nigeria Police Force

    Earlier at a thanksgiving service, His Grace, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze, the Archbishop of the Metropolitan Sea of Benin, in a homily, prayed God to bless the new legal year with peace.

    He also prayed that the chief judge’s tenure would bring peace to the judiciary and Edo.

    Archbishop Akubeze appreciated the government for providing a conducive environment for the judiciary to operate while he urged judges to always act in the best interest of the people and be instruments of God’s justice and peace.

    He urged legal practitioners to continue offering probing services to those who could not afford legal fees.

  • Nasarawa State’s chief judge releases 57 awaiting-trial inmates of custodial centres

    Nasarawa State’s chief judge releases 57 awaiting-trial inmates of custodial centres

    The Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Aisha Bashir, said on Wednesday that she has released 57 awaiting-trial inmates from the five Federal Correctional Centres in the state.

    Bashir made the declaration when she spoke with newsmen at the Wamba Custodial Centre in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    She said she released those who regained freedom from the Lafia, Wamba, Nasarawa Medium, Keffi Old and Keffi Modern Custodial Centres during her routine visits.

    Bashir said the exercise aimed at reviewing cases of awaiting trial inmates and to ensure justice.

    She explained that out of the number, 25 inmates were released from the Lafia Custodial Centre; eight from Wamba and nine from Nasarawa.

    She added that nine inmates were released from the Keffi Modern Custodial Centre, while six inmates were released from Keffi Old Custodial Centre.

    “We used the opportunity of the visits to assess the health and well-being of the inmates and discharged those who were being wrongfully detained.

    “These facilities were not set up to punish inmates; they were set up to reform inmates and to make them better persons,’’ she said.

    Bashir urged magistrates in Nasarawa State to shun indiscriminate remand of accused persons in custody so as to reduce congestion at the correctional facilities.

    “Always try to settle the parties; you can only remand when it becomes unavoidable,’’ she admonished.

    The chief judge also warned judicial officers in Nasarawa State against corrupt practices in the interest efficient justice delivery.

    She warned the freed inmates to stay away from crimes, and warned that: “if you are caught again, you will face maximum punishment.’’

    In his remarks at the news briefing, Malam Inusa Adamu, Controller of Corrections, Nasarawa State, commended the chief judge for the visits, which he described as healthy for the facilities.

    Adamu urged the judiciary in Nasarawa State to use more of alternative dispute resolution, especially for minor offences so as to decongest custodial facilities.

    “Most of the custodial centres are already overstretched; some are carrying more than two times their original capacities,’’ he said.

    The controller pledged the commitment of the correctional service to ensure safe and humane custody of inmates.

     

  • Kano State gets first female Chief Judge, Aboki

    Kano State gets first female Chief Judge, Aboki

    Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has sworn in the first female Chief Judge of the state, Justice Dije Audu Aboki, with an appeal for support from the judiciary.

    Yusuf urged the judiciary to support his administration’s demolition and anti-graft policies to enable it recover public assets allegedly acquired illegally by the immediate-past administration in the state.

    He spoke on Monday while swearing in the first female Chief Judge in the state at Africa House, Government House, in Kano.

    The governor explained that his administration’s desire of demolishing illegal structures and recovering public properties were for the development of the state.

    Yusuf wondered why the Abdullahi Ganduje administration could demolish schools, hospitals and other public places only to build shopping complexes for businesses.

    He described the relationship between the judiciary, legislature and executive as not competitive, but complementary, promising to continue to maintain cordial relationships amongst the three arms of government.

    The governnoted that Justice Aboki has paid her dues in the temple of justice and through experience, talent and patriotism is by the grace of God elevated as the Chief Judge of the state.

    “While I congratulate you on this well-deserved appointment, may I also remind my Lord that this task is a daunting one which calls for total dedication and commitment for the peace, progress and stability of Kano state and Nigeria at large.

    “Having spent your public life within this sector, no one can lecture you on what the citizens expect from you as the Head of this very important Arm of Government,” he said.

    Yusuf enjoined Aboki not only to see her this elevation as a call to duty but also as a trust inv3sted in her by God to represent Him in the affairs of men.

    The governor said she was assuming duty when the state was operating financial autonomy of the three arms of government, including the Judiciary.

    He, therefore, charged Justice Aboki to take advantage of all the latitude that this autonomy provides to ensure that judiciary staff are well trained while the day-to-day running of the courts is seamless.

    “You can count on the support of the Executive Arm of Government and the Legislature to work with you in helping you cultivate a cordial working relationship with the staff,” he assured.

    Yusuf also drew the attention of the new chief judge to the challenges with the speedy dispensation of justice particularly as it involves some suspects that are arraigned for violent crimes.

    “It is our view that when such cases are dealt with expeditiously and those found guilty are punished, it will deter others hoping to engage in criminal acts,” said the governor.

    Besides, he advised her to beware of those who want to corrupt, confuse, intimidate or blackmail the judiciary to do their bidding.

    Yusuf however expressed optimism that the present leadership is very capable of withstanding and maintaining the sanctity of the Temple of Justice and the Legal profession in the state.

    Responding, Justice Aboki said she was grateful to God for the opportunity to serve and the privilege to be elevated to the position of Chief Judge of the state.

    She promised to serve with “integrity, honesty and justice” as well as do her best to ensure that the rule of law is adhered to at all times.

    “We will restore the lost glory of judiciary in our state,” pledged the new chief judge.

    Justice Aboki also said she was aware of the challenges in the Judiciary and appealed for support and collaboration from the executive and legislative arms to succeed.

    She also solicited the support of the Justices, other judicial staff and professional bodies to meet the desire objectives of delivering justice.

  • Edo Chief Judge retires from service

    Edo Chief Judge retires from service

    Edo Chief Judge, Justice Joe Acha, on Friday, retired from State Judiciary service at the age of 65 years.

    The newly sworn-in acting Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, described the retiring Chief Judge as an epitome of integrity and a jurist of unquestionable repute.

    Okungbowa was sworn-in earlier as acting Chief Judge on Friday by Gov Godwin Obaseki.

    A valedictory court session was held in honour of retiring Justice Acha at the state High court in Benin.

    Justice Okungbowa said retiring Justice Acha stood out as one who walked his talk, adding that he was a jurist of steel character, unbendable and uncompromising in dispensing Justice to those who deserved it.

    On his part, Prof. Faith Osadolor, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Justice, said retiring Chief Judge earned for himself the virtues of honesty, integrity, uncommon resilience, and cerebral sagacity.

    Rev. Fr Edwin Omorogbe, during Mass at St Paul”s Catholic church, said  Justice Acha was a devoted Catholic and a Papa knight of the Order of St. Sylvester (KSS).

    Rev. Omorogbe, during a sermon, said good people’s sorrow turned to joy no matter what.

    He said there was internal joy “when you do good and no matter where you find yourself, no one can take your joy that you feel and it’s natural”.

    He urged the judiciary to do good and feel the internal joy.

    Acha, however, thanked former governors Adams Oshiomhole and Lucky Igbenedion, the Secretary of Judicial Service Commission, Mr Julius Aikusr, and others for their support.

    Acha was sworn in as acting Chief Judge on May 16, 2021, and was confirmed as Substantive Chief Judge on Oct. 6, 2021.

    He was born on May 19, 1958, and clocked 65 years on Friday.

    Justice Acha hails from Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, and the first chief judge from Etsako East

    He is married to Christiana Acha with children and five grandchildren.

  • Gov. Simon Lalong swears in new Chief Judge

    Gov. Simon Lalong swears in new Chief Judge

    Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday sworn in Justice David Mann as the state substantive Chief Judge.
    Lalong at the ceremony in Jos, charged the new Chief Judge to uphold democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law in the discharge of his duties.

    ”Plateau is pregnant with expectations that democracy, good governance and the rule of law will witness a new vista for good.
    “Going by the antecedents of Justice David Mann, we have no fear that he will lift the judiciary to higher levels and build on what his predecessors have done over the years.

    “While I congratulate you on this well-deserved appointment, may I remind you that this task is calls for total dedication and commitment to peace and stability of Plateau and Nigeria at large,” he said.

    Lalong urged Mann to see his elevation as a call to duty and a trust given to him by God to represent him in the affairs of men.
    The governor advised him to be true to his Oath of Office and discharged his duties with the fear of God and without fear, favour, affection or ill-will.

    According to him, you are coming into office at a time that government is operating autonomy of the three Arms of government.
    “I charged the Chief Judge to take advantage of all the latitude that the autonomy provides to ensure the training of members of staff in the judicial,’’ he said.

    Lalong appealed to Mann to ensure speedy dispensation of justice particularly as it involved suspects that were arraigned for violent crimes including terrorism.

    He charged the judiciary to pay closer attention to ensure that such cases got the desired attention to ensure that those accused were either acquitted or convicted depending on the evidences available.
    “The longer such cases stayed in courts, the colder they become and the tendency to further impact on security and safety of not just witnesses, but of the citizens at large,’’ he said.

    The governor reminded the Chief Judge on political activities which were on top gear ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Lalong said that it was a time when enormous pressure would be mounted on judges by politicians who wanted to achieve their aims at all costs.

    He advised Mann to be aware of those who want to corrupt, confuse, intimidate or blackmail the judiciary to do their bidding in order to win elections.

     

    Mann, in his remarks, appreciated the governor for the appointment and promised to adhere to his oath of office in the discharge his duties.

  • Gov. Nasir El-Rufai swears in acting chief Judge and Grand Kadi

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai swears in acting chief Judge and Grand Kadi

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Friday swore in Justice Muhammad Tukur Muazu Aliyu as the Acting Chief Judge of the state and Alhaji Abdurrahman Umar Abubakar as the Grand Kadi.

    El-Rufai In his remark implored the appointees to be more committed and to fear God in the discharge of their duties.

    He appealed to the relations and friends of the two appointees not to put them under pressure in the course of their assignments.

    According to the governor, there is a need to support them with prayers for adequate service delivery.

    El-Rufai thanked the retiring Chief Judge Muhammad Lawal Bello for his distinguished service to the state.

    In an interview shortly after the ceremony, the Acting Chief Judge, Aliyu, assured the governor that he would ensure that the judiciary was governed according to the provisions of the constitution and the relevant laws.

    “Justice is the issue of the court and we will ensure that justice is given to the people without fear or favour.

    On his part, the new Grand Kadi Abubakar expressed appreciation to the government for finding them worthy of the appointments.

    He said it was also their duty within the law to justify the appointments, adding that they would do their best to deliver on their mandates.

  • Chief Judge releases 33 prisoners in Lagos

    Chief Judge releases 33 prisoners in Lagos

    Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, on Wednesday, freed 33 inmates of three out of thẹ five Custodial Centres of thẹ Nigerian Correctional Services, NCS, in the state.

    Eight of the inmates were released from Ikoyi Custodial Centre, 11 from Maximun and 14 from Medium Custodial centre

    The inmates were pardoned at an open court session presided over by the Chief Judge at the premises of Justice Samuel Ilori Court House, Ogba.

    Justice Alogba noted that the exercise was in line with the efforts by the Federal Government to decongest the prisons as stipulated in Section 6 of the1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, Chapter 40 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2005.

    He said it was also pursuant to powers conferred on him to grant the inmates pardon pursuant to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act.

    Justice Alogba lamented that the prevalence of crimes in the society have been so horrendous for anybody to consider releasing anybody who have not been processed under the law.

    He explained that thẹ criteria used to determine those released were not based on sentiments but “were meticulously followed and scrutinised by the Justice Adenike Coker-led decongestion committee.”

    Members of the committee also include Justices Omobola Okikiolu-Ighile, Yetunde Adesanya, Hakeem Oshodi, Busola Okunuga, Josephine Oyefeso among others.

  • Gov. Obaseki swears in Joe Acha as Edo Chief Judge

    Gov. Obaseki swears in Joe Acha as Edo Chief Judge

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Wednesday in Benin swore in Justice Joe Acha as the new Chief Judge of the state.

    Justice Acha has been acting in that capacity for more than four months.

    Performing the ceremony Obaseki stressed the need for the three arms of government to collaborate with one another to deliver good governance.

    The governor said Justice Acha’s appointment was in recognition of his illustrious and unblemished career at the bar and at the bench.

    “I am certain that Your Lordship will live up to the highest ideals of your illustrious predecessors at the helm of the judicial arm of government in our state.

    “Our state has been blessed over the years with titans of the judicial space and this appointment will surely follow in that long-established tradition.

    “This government has always considered itself to be Judiciary-friendly with the knowledge that our efforts to make Edo great will come to nothing without the solid foundation of law and order and the rule of law.

    “I enjoin Your Lordship to embrace the same institutional reforms that would ensure that our judiciary is fit for purpose and meets with international best practices in all respects.

    “We look forward to collaborating with the Judiciary as led by Your Lordship in pursuing the goal of ensuring the greatest good for the greatest number of people through modernisation, digitisation and efficient management resources.

    “This government stands ready to provide all the support required to ensure that our judicial officers and the entire bureaucracy that supports them, are provided with all necessary modern tools, technology and welfare that would ensure optimal performance.

    “We hope to be handing over the newly-built judges’ quarters and the modular courts being rolled out in all the local government areas across the state.

    “We hope in return that the Judiciary will provide support for the efforts of government particularly in revenue generation and the prevention of lawlessness and impunity manifested in various facets of our public and private lives,’’ the governor said.

    Responding, Justice Acha said that Gov. Obaseki and the Executive were not in any way responsible for the delay in his confirmation as the substantive chief judge of Edo.

    “The unusual delay in bringing today to bear led to so much insinuations, speculations and even assertions that Gov. Obaseki was not disposed to my appointment as the Chief Judge of Edo.

    “Stories were fabricated, created and weaved together to give credence to this claim,’’ he noted.

  • Ondo House of Assembly clears Akintoroye as chief judge

    Ondo House of Assembly clears Akintoroye as chief judge

    The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday in Akure cleared Justice Williams Akintoroye as the Chief Judge of the state.

    The House cleared Akintoroye following the submission of a report of its Selection Committee by the Deputy Speaker, Samuel Aderoboye, who is also vice-chairman of the screening committee.

    Aderoboye said the screening committee observed that the chief judge-designate provided excellent answers to all questions put across to him during screening.

    He also observed that Akintoroye possessed the required experiences, charisma and the much-needed exposure to function effectively as chief judge of the state.

    He added that the chief-judge designate possessed the required academic qualifications and he is physically, mentally, emotionally stable and fit to accomplish the challenges of the position of chief judge.

    He recommended that the chief judge-designate should be invited to appear at the plenary session of the assembly for clearance of his appointments.

    A lawmaker representing Ondo West Constituency 2, Tomide Akinribido, described Justice Akintoroye as someone who always adhered strictly to the rule of law.

    Akinribido said that he had enough confidence in the leadership of Justice Akintoroye to lift the judiciary to greater heights in the state.

    According to him, Justice Akintoroye is an upright judge.

    The Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, urged Justice Akintoroye to use his good office to synergise between the three arms of government in the state.

    Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu swore in Akintoroye as the acting Chief Judge in the state on Aug. 17.