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Tag: CJN

  • Stop discussing pending court cases, CJN warns media practitioners

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen, has warned media practitioners to stop entertaining discussions of any sorts on matters pending before competent law courts in the country.

    The CJN said this in his 2018 New Year message to journalists on Wednesday.

    The statement signed and released by his Special Assistant on media, Awassam Bassey cited judicial expressions forbidding the practice of discussing pending cases in the media.

    According to the statement, Mr. Onnoghen said lawyers have often taken advantage of such public discussions to channel the minds of the people towards certain outcomes for court cases.

    “The attention of the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, has been drawn to the emerging and continued practice of discussions of matters that are subjudice in the print and electronic media, such as the issues concerning the Anambra State Central Senatorial District dispute.

    “The Hon. CJN wishes to remind the general public that it is Contempt of Court for anyone to discuss any matter pending in any Court of Law in the country. The punishment for Contempt may include a term of imprisonment,” the statement said.

    Citing previous decisions of courts, the statement said the courts of law had prohibited the discussion of pending criminal cases. It added that the declarations still stand.

    “In respect of criminal proceedings, it is forbidden for parties, their counsel or newspaper commentators to freely offer opinions in respect of matters pending in court, including any situation where a conviction has been entered but the convict’s appeal is pending at the appellate court.”

    ‘We must not allow “trial by newspaper” or “trial by television or trial by any medium other than the courts of law.’

    “I think that anything in the nature of prejudgment of a case or of specific issues in it is objectionable not only because of its possible effect on that particular case but also because of its side effects which may be far reaching.

    “Responsible ‘mass media’ will do their best to be fair, but there will also be ill-informed, slapdash or prejudiced attempts to influence the public.

    “If people are led to think that it is easy to find the truth, disrespect for the processes of the law could follow and, if mass media are allowed to judge, unpopular people and unpopular causes will fare very badly.

    “Most cases of prejudging of issues fall within the existing authorities on contempt. I do not think that the freedom of the press would suffer, and I think that the law would be clearer and easier to apply in practice if it is made a general rule that it is not permissible to prejudge issues in pending cases.”

    The statement further said the abusive tone adopted by other lawyers for judges and opponents of cases makes it necessary to stop the practice.

    “To make matters worse, in such discourse, the language being used in describing the judgments of the Courts is not only ungentlemanly, degrading and contemptuous, but amounts to uncharitable insults which should not be encouraged in any decent democracy.

    “It is in the light of the above that the Hon. CJN continues to encourage parties and the general public to use only lawful means in the pursuit of remedies for their real and imagined grievances.

    “The Hon. CJN reiterates his appeal to litigants, advocates and the public to refrain from making unsubstantiated and malicious allegations and complaints against Judicial Officers, and reminds Judges to consider invoking their inherent power of contempt where there are clear violations or infractions in respect of matters that are subjudice”, the statement added.

    According to the statement, the CJN assured Nigerians of the commitment of the judiciary 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”.

  • 2019: Be careful, politicians desperate to destroy our integrity, CJN warns judges

    As the 2018 pre election year approaches, the Chief Justice of Nigeria( CJN ), Walter Onnoghen has warned judges to be careful of desperate politicians who will stop at nothing to destroy their (the judges) hard earned reputation and integrity just to get to public office.

    Onnoghen noted that as the nation moves closer to its electioneering season, politicians have become desperate and would do to anything to attain power.

    He said: “Let me remind us that our salvation remains in our hands; so in the approaching frenzied political activities leading to the 2019 general elections, let us continue to watch the company we keep, the people we open our doors to lest we unwittingly open ourselves to ridicule and embarrassment as the politicians will do anything not necessarily legal, to have their way including destroying our hard earned reputation and integrity.

    “I therefore say to all of us, be strong, courageous, fair but firm. Stick to the constitutional provisions, the law and doctrine of precedents (stare – decisis) and you cannot go wrong.

    “Even when you are wrongly accused, as we very much are, be patient and remain assured that ‘truth crushed to the earth shall rise again the eternal years of God are hers.

    Onnoghen spoke in Abuja Thursday during the opening session of the Annual Justices of the Court of Appeal Conference.

    The CJN, who was silent on their names, said 14 new Justices have formally been appointed for the Court of Appeal.

    Onnoghen preached against corruption on the bench and urged judge to respect the decisions of the higher courts.

    He said: “As you may be aware, the National Judicial Council at it’s just concluded meeting, approved the elevation of 14 Judges to the Court of Appeal to fill in vacancies that had existed hitherto in the Court.

    “This will certainly help to reduce the work load for the Justices of the court, as well as help in your preparations as we approach election year in our country.

    “Your level of preparation, coupled with the determination of Mr. President, Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR to bequeath to Nigeria a legacy of credible election process, will guarantee the peace and stability we all desire.

    “The fight against corruption must be holistic. Consequently, we must address those issues that tend to distract the Judicial Officer, as well as removing from our midst, undesirable persons of questionable character.

    “It is my firm believes that if we identify and remove them at the lower courts, the appellate courts would have men of integrity, which in turn elicits confidence in the litigants who come before you.

    “I urge you to change your attitude towards your obligation to stare decisis. The benefits are far-reaching and far out-weigh the few and feeble disadvantages.

    “On Judicial precedents as it relates to election and pre-election matters, I want to remind us that the Supreme Court has decided in a number of cases that the principles of Judicial review such as Mandamus, Certiorari, Prohibition etc do not apply because election and election related matters, such as pre-election causes are suis generis.

    “There is an emerging trend whereby a party in a pre-election or election matter, after exhausting his remedies sometimes up to the Supreme Court still pursues a parallel cause of action under the guise of judicial review hoping that one of such parallel actions may succeed, thereby making the court to contradict itself resulting in great embarrassment to the system.

    “Much injustice is thereby created particularly in matters that may not get to the Supreme Court for correction.

    “Where, however, the matter gets to the Supreme Court and the right thing is done, much injustice would have been occasioned by not following the principles of stare decisis.

    “I am saying these because soon the tempo of political activities will pick up and some lawyers will stop at nothing in their effort to outsmart the Bench; so be very very careful and as I have always said, be on top of your game by mastering the principles of laws and facts relevant to the case or issues involved in the dispute so as not to allow legal practitioners to mislead you to the embarrassment of the Judiciary.

    “Always be consistent by following the principles of stare decisis and the law. If you stick to this simple piece of advice, you will not go wrong in your determinations/decisions,” Onnoghen said.

    The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, who also confirmed the appointment of new Justices for her court, said those appointed were solely on merit.

    She said: “I would also like to seize this opportunity to straighten the fact on the ongoing process of elevation of Judges to the Court of Appeal.

    “It is strictly based on merit with particular preference for Judges who have distinguished themselves by the quality of their judgements in the lower courts and to fill in vacancies created by the death, retirement or elevation to the Supreme Court of our former justices.”

    Bulkachuwa, who spoke about the many innovations to be introduced into the court’s operations in the New Year, urged Justices of the court to shun corruption.

    She said: “Sometimes back, the Judiciary came under heavy attacks on allegation of corrupt practices.

    “As judicial officers, it is not enough to simply talk about corrupt practices but one must believe in the fight against corruption and we must work at it together.

    “I therefore, urge us all to eschew corruption and uphold best practices that will rekindle and bring back trust to the judicial arm of government.

    “Let’s not ask how corruption can be tackled; our main focus should be on what we can do as individuals, or collectively as a body to address this plague,” Bulkachuwa said.

  • COTRIMCO chair: Salami writes CJN, rejects appointment to monitor graft cases

    Former President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) Justice Ayo Salami (retd) has rejected his appointment as the Chairman of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) based on principle and conscience.

    He is believed to have been convinced that the committee may not work as “efficiently expected” because of the businesses of some members.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen had on September 27 named Justice Salami as the chair of COTRIMCO which was set up by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The appointment was based on the decision of the NJC at its 82nd meeting in Abuja.

    Justice Salami is said to be uncomfortable with the composition of the 15-man committee.

    The panel is said to include some members who had been implicated in some conflicting challenges between the bench and the bar.

    Although, Salami was out of the country when he was appointed, he sought audience with the CJN upon his return.

    It was learnt that after discussing his reservations with the CJN, he wrote to reject the appointment.

    A Supreme Court sources confirmed that Justice Salami had “thrown in the towel”.

    The source, who spoke in confidence, said the CJN might have to brief members of the NJC to search for another credible chairman.

    Justice Salami is said to have consulted widely with leaders on the Bench and in the Bar before resolving with his family to reject the offer.

    A source said: “I think Salami felt that a few members of the committee had been entrenched in the intrigues in the nation’s Judiciary.

    “He believes that as the chairman of the committee, he will not have the authority to keep those members in check.

    “So, instead of creating unnecessary problem for himself without any place to run to, he opted to stay away from the committee.

    “In fact, while he was still being asked by colleagues to give the appointment a chance, there was controversy over the reinstatement of a former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina. Salami just said he won’t accept this offer.

    “He, however, took time to meet with the CJN personally to thank him for the honour and why he cannot accept the job. He made it known that he had no grudges against the CJN.”

    But another source said: “None of the 15 members of the committee has been indicted in any way. The CJN was meticulous in composing the committee. Even where there were imputations, some members of the committee came out clearly to clarify a few things.

    “Being a committee of the NJC, there is no way the CJN will allow any member of the committee to either undermine Justice Salami or the mandate of the panel.

    “If His Lordship, Justice Salami, has chosen to reject the appointment, the CJN will certainly look for a meritorious legal giant like him.”

  • EFCC lauds CJN’s move to prioritise corruption cases in courts

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commended recent move by the judiciary to prioritise corruption and financial crime cases brought before it.

    The commendation was contained in a statement issued by spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Uwujaren quoted the commission’s Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, as saying the development was right step in the right direction.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, announced the initiative at the opening of the 2017/2018 Legal Year in Abuja on Monday.

    Onnoghen directed all heads of courts to compile and farward comprehensive lists of corruption and financial crime cases before them to National Judicial Council (NJC).

    He said where such cases came on appeal to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, special dates should be fixed for them every week.

    “In order for the NJC to monitor and effectively enforce the foregoing policy, anti-corruption cases trial monitoring committee will be constituted at the next council meeting.

    “This committee would be saddled with, among other things, the responsibility of ensuring that both trial and appellate courts handling corruption and financial crime cases key into and abide by our renewed efforts at ridding our country of the cankerworm,” the CJN had said.

    He also directed heads of courts to clamp down on both prosecution and defence counsel who indulged in delay tactics to stall criminal trials.

    The EFCC boss lauded the initiative, which he said would curtail “unnecessary delays in prosecution of corruption cases.”

    Uwujaren stated that Magu had expressed optimism that the innovation would strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.

    He quoted the EFCC boss as saying “the spate of frivolous and unwarranted adjournments at instances of defence for the purpose of stalling proceedings is over.

    “With special courts, cases stand great chance of being disposed of quickly.

    “We had clamoured for the creation of special or dedicated courts for over six years.

    “So, the action of the CJN is commendable.

     

  • Your SAN ranks will be withdrawn if abused, Onnoghen warns Keyamo, Oke, 27 others

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen (SAN), on Monday, while swearing in 29 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) warned them to respect the profession or have the title withdrawn.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the new SANs sworn in at the Special Court of the Supreme Court in Abuja included a Lagos based lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo and the Alliance for Democracy’s candidate in the last governorship election in Ondo State, and a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olusola Oke.

    The inauguration of the new SANs is part of the proceedings of a special court session marking the commencement of the new 2017/2018 legal year of the Supreme Court.

    The event was presided over by the CJN, who warned the new SANs not to abuse their new position or else it would be withdrawn.

    He said, “I must remind you that being a privilege, it can, and shall be withdrawn if abused.

    “The privilege you are conferred with today is not intended as a weapon of intimidation or licence for rudeness and arrogance.

    “It is an appointment that places both moral and professional duties on you, for which you have been found worthy to bear and discharge.

    “As members of the Inner Bar, you now occupy positions of trust and great responsibility.

    “Expectedly, you must imbibe every virtue of excellence, integrity, and diligence at all times. You must also remember your duties to the Courts as custodians of justice.”

    Also a brother to the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Akinlolu Osinbajo, who is a former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Ogun State; a former Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Prof. Adebambo Adewepo, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, were also among the new SANs.

    They also included Chibuike Nwokeukwu, Johnnie Egwuonwu, Bert Igwilo, Sylvester Enema, Ikenna Egbuna and Wilcox Aberton.

    Others included, Michael Alliyu, Francis Egele, Nasser Dangiri, Emeka Okpoko, Sani Garun-Gabbas, Abdul Ibrahim, John Odubela, Gboyega Oyewole and Joshua Musa.

    They also included, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ekemejero Ohwovorile,Oyetola Oshobi, Sulaiman Usman, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Chiesonu Okpoko and Kamaldeen Ajibade.

    The rest are Professors Enefiok Essien, and Sadiq Shikyl.

  • Keep to the rules at all times – CJN tells judicial officers

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen has advised judicial officers to strictly abide by their oath of office, the provisions of the country’s constitution and laws for improved justice delivery.

    “The applications of these guiding rules can help guarantee the rule of law in the country,’’ he said.

    Onnoghen made the remarks after swearing in Justice Abdu Kafarati as the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court on Saturday in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Kafarati was sworn in to replace Justice Ibrahim Auta, who retired from the service on Sept.16 on attaining the compulsory retirement age of 65.

    The CJN said the duties of the judges required them to stay above board, adding that the oath of office had compelled them to do justice to all.

    “But it is also important to remind you that in performing that role, you must be bold and fearless not minding whose ox is gored.

    “The public still holds it perception about the judiciary, but ensure that your decisions and actions would assist in deepening the country’s unity.

    “I want to also urge all the judges to support the acting chief judge to succeed in his new office,’’ he said.

    On the out gone Chief Judge, Onnoghen expressed delight on his contribution to the country’s jurisprudence.

    The CJN said Justice Auta would forever be remembered for his impeccability, incorruptibility and sound judgments that had helped in strengthening law practice.

    “No judicial officer is immune or speared from criticisms. You had your fair share and you have left us today. We thank you for weathering those storms,’’ he said.

    Justice Kafarati, born in 1954 in Kwami, Gombe State got called into the Nigerian Bar between Oct.1975 and June 1978. Before his latest appointment, he was a judge at the Abuja Division of the court.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Justice Kafarati’s position can only become substantive if nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari and confirmed by the National Assembly.

     

     

    NAN

  • We are not investigating CJN, Walter Onnoghen – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday debunked claims that it was investigating the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen as earlier reported exclusively by The Punch.

    Aside from Onnoghen, the report, also listed other heavy political weights like, former first lady, Patience Jonathan; former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; serving Governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi); and the Minister for Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi a Judge of the Federal High Court, Audu Kafarati, among others.

    Clearing the air on the alleged probe, the anti-graft body in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, said, though, there were petitions filed against Mr. Onnoghen at the time he was under consideration for his current position, the agency found no valid claim in the allegations and, as such, he was not under investigation.

    “The Commission wishes to state categorically that it is currently not investigating Justices Onnoghen and Kafarati,” stated Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson for the EFCC.

    “While Onnoghen was being considered for his present position, the Commission received some petitions which were investigated and found to be without merit and discarded.”

    Uwujaren said the report could create disaffection between the EFCC and the judiciary.

    He, however, did not deny the commission was investigating other politically exposed persons, like Messrs. Fayemi, Fayose, Yahaya Bello, Godswill Akpabio and Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, among others.

    The newspaper had reported that its story was sourced from a document sent, containing list of high profile suspected corruption cases, to the Attorney -General of the Federation by the EFCC.

    “It is important to state that this report did not emanate from the EFCC and the allusion to “an EFCC source” is diversionary and mischievous.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, cases under investigation communicated to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation by the Commission are classified information and it is troubling how such would be leaked to the media.

    “Indeed, much damage has been done to the Commission’s investigation activities by this leak especially as some of the cases mentioned are still at preliminary stages of investigation.,” said Mr. Uwujaren.

  • Jonathan, Okojo-Iweala, CJN, Fayemi, Fayose, others under EFCC’s probe

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has listed Former President, Goodluck Jonathan;the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen; Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State; his predecessor and the current Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, among high-profile personalities currently under its investigation.

    “The names are contained in the list of high-profile cases involving over 100 politically-exposed persons and top-ranking public officers still being investigated by the EFCC as of August 2017″ The PUNCH said it reliably learnt on Monday.”

    The list was recently sent by the anti-graft agency to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), based on request.

    “The list was actually sent in August to the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and copied the AGF,” another EFCC source said on Tuesday.

    The list, sighted earlier on Monday, listed 106 cases under investigation and several others pending in court but either stalled or moving slowly.

    It did not disclose the details of the cases under investigation.

    It however stated the date each of the over 100 cases was “referred”, the challenges being encountered in the investigation and the source of information leading to the commencement of the probe.

    Sources of such information for the cases were listed against each of the cases.

    They include intelligence, whistle-blowers and petitions from government agencies and private citizens.

    Among other notable names on the list are the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and his predecessor, Captain Idris Wada.

    Other former governors on the list include Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who is currently the Senate’s Minority Leader; Jonah Jang of Plateau State, currently serving as Senator representing Plateau North; Ali Modu Sherriff of Borno State, who recently had a controversial stint as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party; and Chief Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State.

    Also listed are the names of Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan; and some ministers who served under the Jonathan administration.

    Apart from Okonjo-Iweala, former ministers on the list include the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN); a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed; ex-Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, who is currently the Senator representing Anambra North; and a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe.

    Alison-Madueke’s husband’s name, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke (retd.), was also listed.

    Also sighted on the list are the names of two men who simultaneously served as media aides to Jonathan – ex-Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, and a former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

    Other prominent high-profile persons on the list are a former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Dikko; a former acting Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus; Col. Bello Fadile (retd.), who served under the immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; the incoming Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdu Kafarati; and Justice Mohammed Tsamiya, who was recently retired compulsorily by the National Judicial Council.

    The EFCC stated in the document that it was investigating the CJN based on intelligence referred to it on October 12, 2016. The document indicated that the commission was investigating Okonjo-Iweala based on a petition referred to it on January 28, 2016.

  • Nigerians don’t have effective access to justice – Saraki, CJN, others

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) and Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Taiwo Abidogun, on Thursday lamented the inability of the nation’s court system to ensure prompt justice delivery.

    They urged that efforts should be directed at ensuring that the judicial system functions for the benefit of all.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Saraki, Onnoghen, Malami and Abidogun spoke at the National Summit on Justice in Abuja.

    Saraki, who was represented by Senator David Umoru, said Nigerians were in agreement that the justice administration system urgently requires serious reforms to enable it cope with current day challenges.

    He said: “Criminals have become smarter with technology. There is an upsurge in terrorism and crimes, hitherto unimagined like the senseless and brutal kidnapping of Nigerians. This was a crime never envisaged in the past.

    “It is my clear belief that in order to restore confidence amongst Nigerians in our justice system, judicial reforms need to be institutionalised. It must be constantly reviewed to reflect the constant dynamics of the society.

    “It should not be treated like a one off project or a talk show, but a workable template must be adhered to.

    “The success of an effective judicial system is measured not only by the number of cases that it manages to dispose of, but also, and more importantly, by the amount of litigation which is avoided because the rights and obligations of parties are ascertainable in advance.

    “Ensuring effective access to justice is one of the most important issues facing our justice system today.”

    Onnoghen, who was also represented by Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court, said the perennial delay in the judicial process could be effectively eliminated where rules of procedure in courts are well streamlined.

    He noted that although it may be difficult to achieve uniformity of court procedure nationwide because of existing differences in religion, culture and legal procedures, efforts should be directed at ensuring a system that guarantees fair play and equity.

    He said: “The common man should see the justice system as impartial. There should be improved justice dispensation, elimination of delays and reduction in cost of litigation.

    “It is hoped that the policy will achieve this goal of building consensus among justice sector institutions and practitioners for the purpose of addressing collectively, the major challenges facing the justice delivery system in the country.”

     

  • Take hard decisions, heaven will not fall, CJN tells judges

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Friday, urged 19 newly appointed judges of the National Industrial Court to operate within the ambit of the laws.

    Onnoghen gave the advise after administering the oath of office and oath of allegiance on the new judges in Abuja.

    “When you need to take hard decisions, take it; heavens will not fall. Heaven has never fallen because of anybody’s judgment.

    “We can only checkmate impunity through adherence to the law.

    “You must be guided by the oaths of allegiance to the Nigerian Constitution and the office.

    “I want to advise judicial officers, particularly those of you that have just been sworn in, to always be guided by the Constitution, the laws and your conscience.

    “I assure you that as judicial officers if you remain true to the oaths of your office, you have no problem.

    “Anything you need to function in that office is contained in the oath of office,” he said.

    The sworn in judges included Targema John Iorngee (Benue); Namtari Mahmood Abba (Adamawa); Nweneka Ikechi (Rivers); Kado Sanusi (Katsina) and Adeniyi Oluyinka (Ogun).

    Others are Abiola Adewemimo (Osun); Opeloye Ogunbowale A. (Lagos) Essien Jeremiah (Akwa-Ibom) Elizabeth Oji (Ebonyi) Arowosegbe Ojo (Ondo); Ogbuanya Chukwudi (Enugu) and Bashir Zaynab Mohammed (Niger).

    The rest are Galadima Suleiman (Nasarawa); Bassi Ahmed (Borno); Danjidda Hamisu (Kano) Hamman Polycarp (Taraba) Damulak Dashe (Plateau); Alkali Attahiru (Sokoto) and Mustapha Tijjani (Jigawa).

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the number of the judges of the NIC has now risen from 20 to 39.

     

     

    NAN