TheNewsGuru

Tag: CJN

  • Magu writes CJN, wants Justice Nyako to stay off EFCC cases

    Magu writes CJN, wants Justice Nyako to stay off EFCC cases

    The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, asking him to order Federal High Court judge, Justice Binta Nyako, to stay off all EFCC cases henceforth.

    The EFCC said in a statement by its acting Spokesman, Mr. Tony Orilade, that the judge, who is the wife of former Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, could not be trusted with EFCC cases since the anti-graft agency is currently prosecuting her husband.

    Recall that EFCC Prosecuting Counsel, Onjefu Obe, had told the court on November 21, 2018 during the trial of four alleged oil thieves that the concern of the commission to reassign all EFCC cases before Justice Nyako, borders on likely bias on part of the trial judge.

    The defendants: Umar Audu Bida, Truth Igogori, Ifenyinwa Nwankwesiri and Ogechukwu Obaji were accused of oil fraud to the tune of $1m.

    The EFCC had in 2017 arraigned the defendants before Justice Nyako on nine charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretences to the tune of $1m.

    They allegedly defrauded Donald Latella of North Park LLC of the said sum in a business deal involving the supply of about two million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil.

    The offence contravenes Section 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

    They were arraigned alongside four companies: Universal Contractors, Lambda Energy Services Limited, Double Wonder Concept Limited, and ICS Energy Services Limited.

    They had pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

    According to Obe, he had come to court fully prepared with the prosecution witnesses to proceed with the case. But very, unfortunately, the case (FHC/ABJ/C12/ 266/16), was not listed in the court’s schedule for today as it is yet to be reassigned to another court.”

    Counsel for the second defendant, Solomon Agada, also lamented that his client usually travels from Lagos to Abuja for the case. He, therefore, urged the court to intervene and called for the speedy reassignment of the case in order for the case to proceed.

    Both counsel, however, agreed to await the reassignment of the case and thereafter mutually agree on the next possible adjournment.

  • CJN warns lawyers against unnecessary adjournments, says S’Court full with cases till 2021

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, has warned lawyers against unnecessary adjournment of court cases insisting that the Supreme Court was already full of pending cases till 2021.
    The warning is aimed at ensuring the speedy resolution of cases at the Supreme Court, the official said.
    According to the directive, lawyers and others involved in the resolution of pending cases must ensure that hearing dates are strictly adhered to and unnecessary adjournments avoided.
    Onnoghen’s instruction followed his disclosure that cases currently pending at the apex court may take till 2021 to be resolved, due to enormity of matters still before the court.
    He made the disclosure through a statement signed by his special assistant on media, Awassam Bassey, on Monday.
    “It is pertinent to state that the Supreme Court diary is full with appeals set down for hearing up to the year 2021.
    “The situation therefore leaves no room for unnecessary adjournments arising from lack of diligent prosecution, poor preparations or non-appearance by Counsel.
    “Accordingly, the Hon. CJN says this means that any matter that is assigned a date must be heard and determined one way or the other on that date.
    ”For appeals that may be discovered to have defects, counsel is advised to take necessary steps to amend such defects before the due hearing date”, he said, adding that ”everyone must come to the court fully prepared for the business of the day.”
    The statement adds that the NJC has begun publication of pending cases within the court, three months ahead of the hearing dates, as against the weekly publication of cases earlier practiced.
    The change is to enable parties prepare accordingly to avoid unnecessary delay of cases.
    “On the directives of His Lordship, the Hon. CJN, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has commenced publishing its cause list for up to three months per time on its website, www.supremecourt.gov.ng.
    “This is a departure from the former practice where the Court only published weekly Cause List and the Rulings on Applications from Chamber Sitting on the said website.
    “The policy, according to the CJN, is deliberately targeted at the speedy dispensation of Justice and its publication is to encourage counsel to take advantage of the initiative and prepare adequately ahead of hearings, to avoid any delays.
    “On a related note, the CJN advises counsel to obtain their official legal email addresses if they have not done so yet as communication with and service of processes at the Supreme Court remain only via the legal E-mail. Counsel can get the legal mail at legalmail.nigerianbar.ng; while they can send appeal/motion details to scn/lit.reg.@courts.gov.ng.”
     

  • Chief Justice okays probe, trial of Supreme Court Justices

    Chief Justice okays probe, trial of Supreme Court Justices

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Wednesday, gave security agencies in the country the nod to investigate allegation that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State procures judgments from the Supreme Court.

    The CJN who is currently attending a conference in Canada, said his attention was drawn to reports concerning allegation by one Joe Igbokwe, to the effect that Wike buys Justice from the apex court after killings in his home state.

    Justice Onnoghen decried that such denigrating allegation was capable of degrading the judiciary as an institution, even as he urged security and relevant anti-corruption agencies in the country to commence investigations with a view to identifying the said Justices of the Supreme Court.

    However, the CJN maintained that security agencies were duty bound to take necessary steps against Igbokwe if his allegation is found to be false, so as to protect the institution of the state.

    A statement that was signed by media aide to the CJN, Mr. Awassam Bassey, read:

    “The attention of the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), His Lordship, Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, has been drawn to media reports about allegations by a certain Joe Igbokwe, to the effect that Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, buys justice from the Supreme Court after killings in his home state of Rivers.

    “The comment, which states inter alia: ‘Wike will not have the audacity and temerity to kill again and run to the Supreme Court to buy justice’, is reportedly contained in a social media platform which has made its way into online and traditional Nigerian media.

    “The implication of this statement is, first and foremost, that Mr. Igbokwe has evidence to show that Mr. Nyesom Wike is a killer, and secondly that upon such killings, the Governor runs to the Supreme Court to buy justice.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, no appeal has ever been filed at the Supreme Court wherein Mr Wike was accused of murder.

    “Nevertheless, the Hon. Chief Justice calls on relevant security agencies, including those involved in fighting corruption, to begin investigations into the said comments with a view to identifying the said Justices of the Supreme Court.

    “If, however, it is found that the allegations are false, the agencies have a duty to take necessary steps, in accordance with the law, to protect the institutions of state.

    “Where institutions of state are unjustifiably maligned at will, they may be rendered ineffective and the peace, security and democratic governance of the nation might be endangered or compromised.

    “The killing of any human being is an offence that is punishable by death and should never be taken lightly.

    “The Hon. CJN continues to encourage the general public to use only lawful means in the pursuit of remedies for their grievances.

    “The Hon. CJN, once again, assures Nigerians that the Judiciary of this great nation remains committed to the discharge of its responsibilities, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,without fear or favour; affection or ill-will”.

  • Former CJN, Katsina-Alu dies at 76

    Former CJN, Katsina-Alu dies at 76

    A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, is dead, the incumbent CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, confirmed it on Wednesday.

    Katsina-Alu, was born on August 28, 1941. He was aged 76

    The deceased who hailed from Ushongo in Benue State, was the CJN from December 30, 2009 to August 28, 2011.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on Media, Mr. Awassam Bassey, in a statement said the death of the former CJN was confirmed while Justice Onnoghen was in Canada.

    The statement read, “A few of our colleagues have called this morning (from about 3:30am Montreal Canadian time) to seek confirmation of the death of former Chief Justice Katsina-Alu.

    “I can confirm that the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Hadizatu Mustapha, sent me a WhatsApp message to that effect about an hour ago confirming the death of the former CJN.

    “I have just called the Chief Registrar to confirm that this is indeed the situation. That the Personal Assistant of the former CJN called her at 3.00pm Nigerian time to inform her of the demise.

    “However, it’s 3:30am here in Montreal, Canada, where His Lordship the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, and other Justices of the Supreme Court and Chief Judges of some states, are attending a conference organised by the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law, and I haven’t yet contacted the Hon. CJN for his reaction.

    “I hope to do that as soon as he wakes up and get his reaction.”

    Details of the death of the former CJN were not contained in the statement.

     

  • JUST IN: Wife of former CJN, Mahmood Muhammed dies in fatal accident

    JUST IN: Wife of former CJN, Mahmood Muhammed dies in fatal accident

    The two wives of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmood Muhammad were involved in a ghastly motor accident on Tuesday (today) few kilometres from Kaduna to Abuja.

    However, the first wife, Hajiya Hadiza Mahmood and the driver Alhaji Abdurra’uf died on the spot.

    The second Wife Hajiya Hawwa Mahmood and her sister Hajiya Lami Atiku are in the hospital with severe injuries.

    Details later…

     

  • Stop leaking court judgments, CJN warns judiciary workers

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen has warned court staff to desist from leaking rulings and judgments yet to be delivered to parties.

    Justice Onnoghen urged court support staff to always be guided by the code of conduct for court employees and abstain from unethical conduct in order to retain public confidence in the system.

    He said: “In our quest to birth the Judiciary we all desire, I must not fail to emphasise that in the daily discharge of your duties, the code of conduct for court employees must be your guide and standard.

    “It is trite to note that it promotes the tenet of transparency, integrity and hard work among staff.

    “In this light, you must shun all vices that easily beset you. Vices such as lateness to work, leaking of rulings and judgments as well as absenteeism from work without permission from superior authority must be avoided,” he said.

    Justice Onnoghen spoke in Abuja yesterday at the opening session of the national workshop for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) staff of courts, put together by the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

    The workshop has as its theme: “Information technology as a catalyst for effective justice administration.”

    Represented by Justice John Okoro (of the Supreme Court), the CJN noted that the nation’s judiciary could no longer afford to operate without ICT deployment.

    He said the gradual integration of ICT into court’s operations has help in improving the pace of justice dispensation in the country.

    The CJN added: “The part to effective and efficient justice delivery in Nigeria lies in our ability to continuously improve our justice sector with the use of ICT tools.

    “Thus, judicial administration around the world have imbibed the use of on-line legislation and case law, electronic filing system and the electronic service of court processes,” he said.

    Justice Onnoghen noted that, in view of the importance of ICT to court’s operations today, the nation’s judiciary has developed and deployed the Nigerian Case Management System (NCMS).

    He said the system allows the filing and service of court processes electronically as well as electronic archiving of probate records.

    The CJN assured that the judiciary, under his watch, was committed to achieving lasting structural and ethical reforms that would reposition it to adequately meet the aspirations of court’s users for reliable, effective and efficient administration of justice, using ICT.

    Justice Onnoghen, who recalled his recent directive that the Supreme Court will only serve processes by electronic means (e-main) in all matters, said from July 16, “all filings must bear counsel’s e-mail address.

    “I implore all judges and lawyers to join this trend in this quest for excellence by subscribing to and acquiring the legal e-mail, as the manual form of communication within the Nigerian courts is gradually phasing out,” the CJN said.

    NJI Administrator, Justice Roseline Bozimo said the workshop was intended to facilitate capacity building and further skill acquisition for participants in the area of ICT.

    Justice Bozimo noted that the workshop, to end on Friday, will feature presentations in area like Cloud computing, Internet of things (IOT) and the court’s Innovative tools or Dangerous fad, Office 365, Exchange online essential and Cyber security; Emerging threats and Mitigation strategies.

     

  • Why I opposed formation of Judges Association in Nigeria – CJN

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen on Wednesday explained while Nigerian judges cannot form an association.

    The CJN explained their (judges) mandate is adjudication, not advocacy.

    Onnoghen said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of Apex Quarterly Magazine, a maiden in-house publication of the Nigerian judiciary.

    He recalled that during the 2017 All Nigeria Judges Conference, a judge from one of the Jurisdictions advocated for the formation of an Association of Nigerian Judges to speak for Judiciary when under attack.

    “This is like what the Nigeria Bar Association does for lawyers, since sitting judicial officers cannot grant media interviews.

    “The judge’s position was that periodic press statements issued after the meetings of the National Judicial Council are too few and far between to make any impact.

    “My obvious response, however, was an emphatic `No’, because the mandate of a judicial officer is adjudication and not advocacy,’’ Mr Onnoghen said.

    He, however, expressed optimism that the publication being unveiled, would like all literature, chronicle events of the judiciary for posterity.

    The CJN said the publication was a milestone achieved in the quest to improve public perception of the judiciary by the Nigerians.

    “At assumption of office, I unveiled a reform agenda that would consolidate on the achievements of my predecessors to make the Nigerian judiciary one of the best in the world.

    “One of the reform items was directed at improving the public perception of the judiciary.

    “I consider the poor public perception of our arm of government a grave concern that requires special effort to correct by telling the world the true state of things in the judiciary.

    “The Apex Quarterly Magazine is one, but certainly not the only step, taken to show the world what we do in the Judiciary,’’ he said.

    The CJN also noted that as part of efforts to cautiously open the Judiciary to the public, he had directed that all judgments and decisions of the court be uploaded on the website within seven days of delivery.

    In a goodwill message, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, President, Court of Appeal; Justice Abdul Kafarati, Acting Chief Judge, Federal High Court; and Justice Babatunde Adejumo, President, National Industrial Court all applauded the initiative.

    Other top functionaries in the judiciary also lauded the initiative and expressed confidence that it would give the public an insight to the workings of the judiciary.

    The maiden edition of the magazine has 64 pages and is divided into sections covering different areas of the judiciary.

     

  • CJN unveils 13 reforms to curb corruption, delayed proceedings, others in Judiciary

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen on Tuesday unveils thirteen (13) reforms aimed at purging the Judiciary to serve the people better.

    Unfolding 13 reforms designed to sanitise the judiciary and rid it of corruption, the CJN said he must henceforth approve all overseas’ trips by judges.

    The CJN, who spoke at the “Dialogue of organs of government on campaign against corruption and reform of the justice sector at the Presidential Villa in, Abuja, said all travels outside Nigeria by judges will now be with his permission after an application would have been made.

    The forum was organised by the Prof Itse Sagay-led Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).

    Onnoghen also directed the court at any level to award punitive cost for frivolous litigation or delays caused by counsel.

    In the reforms, judges are now all to go to work and sit in their courts from Monday to Friday from 9am to at least 4pm.

    He listed the reforms in an address read by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa.

    Onnoghen said: “In the recent past, the judiciary has been accused of corruption along with the allegation that when complaints of corrupt practices and unprofessional conducts are brought before the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Council shields or delays investigating the allegations so levelled against judicial officers.

    “Without considering the merit or otherwise of the criticisms, it goes without saying that the judiciary, like every other human institution, needs a rejigging every now and then to improve the functionality of the institution towards a speedy delivery of justice.

    “I have recently authorised the issuance of a set of reforms which ultimate objective is the speedy and transparent delivery of justice.

    “The delay in our justice delivery system is of great concern to me. This unacceptable situation inevitably dictates the need for a thorough and comprehensive reform of our justice sector to ensure access to justice at affordable costs and within a reasonable time

    “Such a reform agenda must of necessity require the cooperation of the three arms of government, namely; the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary, as well as other relevant stakeholders

    “The reforms I have introduced cover a wide range of issues; from establishing new modalities for appointment of judicial officers, to tightening judicial discipline regulations, and fashioning out a speedy way to clear backlog of cases, among others.

    “Clearly, any unnecessary delay of justice is equally an act of corruption. Therefore, to enhance speedy dispensation of justice, we are ensuring that the Rules of Court Procedure must contain a provision for the award of punitive cost by the court for frivolous litigation or delays caused by counsel.

    “In the same vein, I am reviving and strengthening the Inspectorate Division to go round the country and ensure that, in line with Public Service Rules, all judicial officers go to work and sit in their courts from Monday to Friday from 9am to at least 4pm.

    “And, in line with the NJC’s Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, I have directed that travels outside Nigeria should be with the permission of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, after an application would have been made.

    “For enhanced performance, all Judges of Lower Courts in the country have been directed to submit Returns of Cases quarterly to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) for assessment as it is done by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in respect of serving Judicial Officers of Superior Courts of Record.

    “The area of appointment, all judges of lower courts and other public officers such as chief registrars and secretaries, among others, are henceforth required to write examinations and be interviewed, in addition to submission of copies of their judgments to the NJC when they are to be considered for judicial appointment.

    “For members of the Bar who seek judicial appointments, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will, in addition to the requirements in the NJC Guidelines on Appointment of Judicial Officers, assist the NJC with a separate assessment report on all NBA candidates being considered for judicial appointment.

    “In the area of discipline, members appointed to serve in any fact-finding committee will henceforth be expected to complete their investigation and report their reports within 21 days.

    “And, considering the increasing number of petitions written against judicial officers, we will constitute more committees to investigate the allegations therein.

    “We have a lot more in our agenda to strengthen and reposition the judiciary, but suffice it to say that fighting corruption is not the responsibility of any particular arm of government but that of every citizen of Nigeria.

    “Corruption or any other form of injustice, for that matter, thrives in a culture of impunity. To carry out a successful campaign against corruption, we have to fight the culture of impunity which is an attitudinal phenomenon. If we allow the rule of law to reign, then there will be a dramatic reduction in corruption and injustice.

    “Corruption starts with a decision by an individual or a group of individuals to do the wrong thing. It is as simple as that. Corruption is never an accidental act. The person who commits a corrupt act has an option to do the right thing.

    “As a democracy, Nigeria is guided by the Rule of Law where the Constitution is the ground norm. It is pertinent to mention that there is no ambiguity concerning the role of the judiciary in our Constitution. It is an arbiter between parties. The core issue in the mind of an arbiter is for justice to be done and seen to be done.

    “Corruption in the judicial arm of government happens if an arbiter, in this case a magistrate, a judge, a justice or a panel, having heard from all parties and having determined where justice lies, decides to do the wrong thing by giving judgment to favour a particular individual or party over another.

    “On the part of the judiciary, the NJC under my watch has constituted the Corruption and Financial Crimes Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) under the chairmanship of Hon. Mr. Justice Suleiman Galadima, CFR, JSC (rtd), to serve as a check on the excesses of some bad eggs in the Judiciary. I am confident that in due course of time; our efforts to rid the Judiciary of questionable persons shall yield results.

    “To match words with action, we did not just set up COTRIMCO but we have devoted a 20 per cent of our already lean budget in the Judiciary to the committee to ensure their mandate is effectively executed.

    “I have also issued a directive to all heads of courts to designate some courts in their jurisdictions as Special Courts to handle corruption cases. This is a step in the right direction as lingering corruption cases will be expeditiously dispensed with.”

    He reminded Nigerians that their collective efforts would be required to tackle the monster called corruption.

    Onnoghen said: “Every individual must resolve to do the right thing, at the right time and without compulsion if we are determined to fight the scourge of corruption to a successful finish.

    “Whatever solutions the experts will proffer at the end of this dialogue, let me add this, establishing a reward system in all strata of our society to encourage the good in us, will go a long way to encourage the values of honesty, hard work and integrity.

    “More importantly, we must, as a nation, humble ourselves in prayer, turn from our evil ways and find our way back to God.”

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, Chukwuka Utazi, said: “There is too much lip service to the fight against corruption. We need to do more to strengthen our anti-corruption agencies to discharge their duties to all whether you are in the ruling or opposition party.”

    On his part, Justice A.D. Yahaya of the Court of Appeal said: “If PACAC was not there, Nigeria would have been at the worst end in corruption.

    “We keep talking about corruption. It is so endemic and it is alarming. The problem is the indiscipline with us. I am sorry for this country; I do not see any light at the end of the tunnel unless we face the campaign against corruption, the way it should be faced.”

    The Reforms

    • Establishing new modalities for appointment of judicial officers
    • Tightening judicial discipline regulations
    • Fashioning out a speedy way to clear backlog of cases
    • Speedy and transparent delivery of justice.
    • Rules of Court Procedure now to contain provision for the award of punitive cost by the Court for frivolous litigation or delays
    • Reviving and strengthening the Inspectorate Division to ensure judicial officers go to work and sit in their courts from Monday to Friday from 9am to at least 4pm.
    • President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to assist the NJC with a separate assessment report on all NBA candidates being considered for judicial appointment.
    • All Judges of Lower Courts and other public officers such as Chief Registrars and Secretaries, among others, are henceforth required to write examinations before being appointed
    • To constitute more committees to investigate allegations against judges
    • All Heads of Courts to designate some courts in their jurisdictions as Special Courts to handle corruption cases
    • 20% of Judiciary Budget to be devoted to Corruption and Financial Crimes Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO)
    • All travels outside Nigeria by judges will now be with the permission of the CJN after an application would have been made.
    • All Judges of Lower Courts in the country have been directed to submit Returns of Cases quarterly to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC)

     

  • Ex-CJN Dahiru Musdapher buried amidst tears in Jigawa

    The remains of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, late Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who passed away on Tuesday at a hospital in London following a protracted illness has been buried in Babura, Jigawa state.

    The funeral prayers for the late CJN was led by the Chief Imam of Kano Prof. Sani Zaharadeen at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s palace from where the remains was taken to Jigawa state.

    President Muhammadu Buhari described the death of late Justice Dahiru Mustapha as a loss to the country considering his contribution to the judiciary and the nation at large.

    President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu Kazaure, who led the federal government delegation comprising of Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmad Idris and Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu prayed for God to grant him eternal rest.

    Also, Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje described the death of the erudite Jurist as a big loss and has created a vacuum in the judicial service of Nigeria from where the younger generation would have tapped knowledge.

    He was at the funeral prayers at the Emir’s palace before proceeding to Babura with his Jigawa state counterpart, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar.

    Other diginitaries at the funeral were Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammad Nuhu, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Ajiyan Kazaure Nu’uman Barau Dambatta, Magajin Rafin Ringim Alhaji Mustapha Bako.

    The former CJN died in London on Monday after a brief illness. He was 75.

  • 2019: INEC seeks CJN’s intervention over conflicting court judgments

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen, to help address the spate of conflicting judgments on electoral cases in the country.

    The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, according to the commission’s online newspaper, inecnews.com, made the call when he led members of the commission on a courtesy visit to the CJN on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Mr. Yakubu expressed worry over the recurring decimal among courts of coordinate jurisdiction on the same subject-matter, especially in cases related to pre-election, post-election and leadership crises in political parties.

    The INEC Chairman said that apart from the enormous cost implications of the conflicting judgements on the country, it had also created a negative public perception.

    Mr. Yakubu said that it had become imperative to draw the CJN’s attention to the commission’s areas of concern, with the 2019 General Elections barely a year, for which the Timetable and Schedule of Activities had been released.

    “For instance, in a recent leadership crisis in one political party, the commission was served with six conflicting judgments and orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction within a short period of three months (May – July 2016).

    “Similarly, the commission was confronted by conflicting pronouncements by the lower courts on matters already decided by the superior courts, including the Supreme Court.

    “This is making the work of the commission very difficult and creating unnecessary negative public perception of INEC and, I must say, the Judiciary as well.”

    He disclosed that in the course of discharging INEC responsibilities, “no public institution in Nigeria is subjected to more litigations than INEC.

    “Over the last two years (2016 and 2017), the commission has been involved in 454 court cases.

    “This is in addition to 680 cases determined by the Election Petition Tribunals, arising from the outcomes of the 2015 General Elections, making a total of 1,134 cases, so far.”

    Yakubu expressed satisfaction with what he described as a “productive working relationship” between and the Judiciary and INEC.

    He recalled that in 2011, the commission was inundated with numerous and sometimes conflicting ex parte orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

    He added that it was the CJN’s intervention following an appeal from the commission that averted a major threat to the electoral process.

    He said that the intervention stemmed the frequent use of such orders in election litigation in Nigeria.

    “We hope that by addressing these issues, the judiciary would further assist the commission and, indeed, the country in growing our democracy.”

    The chairman explained that as a demonstration of its commitment to the rule of law, the commission obeyed all court orders and carried out all consequential actions since the 2015 General Elections.

    He said INEC also conducted all the 80 court-ordered re-run elections and had issued Certificates of Return to 23 petitioners declared winners by the Appeal Tribunals.

    He assured the CJN that the commission “shall continue to obey court orders, while taking full cognizance of judicial hierarchy at all times.”

    Mr. Yakubu presented the commission’s compilation of some of the issues critical to election litigation in Nigeria and its recommendations to the CJN.

    Mr. Onnoghen, in his response, agreed that both the judiciary and INEC were the foundation of democracy in Nigeria.

    He said conflicting court orders were bound to arise as a result of the multiple court cases filed by politicians at different courts.

    He said that the multiple court cases were bound to have different facts and different interpretations by the different presiding judges.

    “The beauty of the system is that it has a way of correcting itself.

    “That is why you have the appellate system to take care of errors and mistakes committed in the course of court proceedings and in respect of substantive law,” he said.

    The CJN said the judiciary was aware of the enormous responsibility before it, assuring that it would remain committed toward deepening democracy and improving the system.