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Tag: CJN

  • List: CJN swears-in 18 Appeal Court Judges

    List: CJN swears-in 18 Appeal Court Judges

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad on Monday swore in 18 judges to the Court of Appeal.

    Addressing the newly sworn-judges, Justice Tanko asked the judges to conduct their affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath of office administered on them.

    He reminded them that all eyes were on them and that they should avoid temptations, as their integrity was key.

    According to the CJN, there is nothing that is done in secret that will not see the light of day.

    He said the judges must give a good conduct of themselves, be fair and just, to justify their elevation to the position of Court of Appeal judges.

    The new justices of the Court of Appeal are:

    1. Mohammed Danjuma (Niger State)
    2. Muhammad Sirajo (Plateau)
    3. Abdul-Azeez Waziri (Adamawa)
    4. Yusuf Bashir (Taraba)
    5. Usman Musale (Yobe)
    6. Ibrahim Jauro (Yobe)
    7. Abba Mohammed (Kano State)
    8. Bature Gafai (Katsina)

    9. Danlami Senchi (Kebbi)
    10. Mohammed Abubakar (Sokoto)
    11. Hassan Sule (Zamfara)
    12. Kenneth Amadi (Imo)
    13. Peter Affen (Bayelsa)
    14. Sybil Gbagi (Delta)
    15. Olasunbo Goodluck (Lagos)
    16. Adebukola Banjoko (Ogun)
    17. Olabode Adegbehingbe (Ondo)
    18. Bola Ademola (Ondo)

  • Financial autonomy: Why I can’t fault your action, CJN backs striking judicial workers

    Financial autonomy: Why I can’t fault your action, CJN backs striking judicial workers

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad has noted the decision by court workers nationwide embark on strike to press for financial autonomy for the Judiciary was justified.

    “I can’t fault your reasons for embarking on this protest because the union wants its rights restored in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

    “I commend you for following due process so far to protest against the injustice,’’ the CJN was quoted as saying after a meeting on Wednesday with leaders of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in his office in Abuja.

    The Media Aide to the CJN, Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, said in a statement on Thursday, that Justice Muhammad spoke after hearing from some leaders of JUSUN who explained why they would sustain the strike until state governments take concrete steps on the issue.

    Part of the statement reads: “The national officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) met with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad on Wednesday ostensibly to give him a feedback on his recent demand on the union to call-off the ongoing strike.

    “The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hadjia Hadiza Uwani Mustapha also attended the meeting held in the CJN chambers at the Supreme Court.

    “The CJN had, at an earlier meeting with JUSUN leaders on April 6, asked the union to call-off the strike in view of its adverse effect on the justice system in the country.

    “But at the meeting of Wednesday, the JUSUN officials, led by its Deputy National President, Emmanuel Abioye and Jimoh Musa Alonge (Treasurer) explained why the union found it difficult to heed the CJN’s demand to call off the strike.

    “Abiyoye told the CJN that the state governors must begin to demonstrate some level of seriousness by putting in place some measures precedent to the implementation of financial autonomy for judiciary in their respective states.

    “Abioye said: ‘Though there’s financial autonomy for the judiciary already in some states while some are assuring that they would comply, but others have to take steps in readiness for compliance.’

    “According to Abioye, the union expects each state to start implementing its self-accounting law to deal with the Internally Generated Revenue in line with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and that states without such law should put it in place.

    “Abioye said it is his union’s position that there must be some level of seriousness from all quarters and as such, the amount standing to the credit of the judiciary from the monthly federal allocation should be deducted directly from the source by the Accountant General of the Federation and remit same to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for onward transmission to heads of courts.

    “However, the CJN said it has become difficult to fault the idea of the strike since the rights of the union and its members which are clearly defined in the Constitution are being denied especially at state level.

    ‘I can’t fault your reasons for embarking on this protest because the union wants its rights restored in line with the provisions of the Constitution. I commend you for following due process so far to protest against the injustice,’ the CJN said.”

  • Why Buhari sacked me – Onnoghen

    Why Buhari sacked me – Onnoghen

    Walter Onnoghen has finally opened up on why President Muhammadu Buhari sacked him as Chief Justice of Nigeria unceremoniously in 2019.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Onnoghen was speaking at a book launch in Abuja when he said he was removed from office due to rumours that he had a meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, preparatory to the 2019 general elections.

    The former Chief Justice said the rumour was thick and that it spread fast, but he decided not to react to it, because he never held any meeting with anybody, including Atiku prior to the 2019 general elections.

    Onnoghen expressed surprise that though the Federal Government had all the machinery to investigate the allegation, it never did, but opted to unlawfully come after him and his office.

    Onnoghen said the situation got to the peak when all of a sudden, his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal was arranged, even when he had not been invited or accused of any wrongdoing.

    He also lamented that democracy was dead in Nigeria without courageous judges.

    “Prior to my suspension, I was confronted with no allegation. There were rumours that I met with Atiku in Dubai. As I am talking here today, I have never met Atiku one on one in my life. As if that was not enough, I was also accused of setting free, high-profile criminals, whereas I ceased to be a High Court Judge as far back as 1978.

    “In the Supreme Court, I did not sit alone. We sit in panels. In all these rumours and outright accusations, I was not given the opportunity to defend myself.

    “Let me make it clear that the office of the CJN was not for Onnoghen but for all Nigerians who had sworn to guide and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “To say the least, the period of my ordeal was the darkest era in the history of the Nigerian judiciary

    “As I have severally, Judicial officers must be courageous. And I want to beg all serving judicial officers not to be discouraged by what happened to me in the hand of the Executive arm of the government.

    “Emerging Nigerian judges should not go the direction of injustice because, without courageous judges and justices, Nigeria is doomed.

    “Here, let me sound this note of warning that the appointment of judicial officers must never be allowed to be politicized, otherwise, democracy and democratic governance will be dead.

    “During my tenure, the problem of Nigeria was not the Nigerian judiciary, but those who had no regard for the rule of law. We must therefore be committed to the rule of law and dispense justice without fear or favour.

    “Truth stands, crush it, it will stand because it is truth,” Onnoghen said.

  • BREAKING: Chief Justice of Nigeria tests positive for COVID-19, flown to Dubai for treatment

    BREAKING: Chief Justice of Nigeria tests positive for COVID-19, flown to Dubai for treatment

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad has tested positive for COVID-19.

    According reports, the CJN is presently in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, receiving treatment.

    A member of the Supreme Court, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa disclosed this at the unveiling of the national headquarters of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Recall Justice Muhammad was absent at the swearing in ceremony of 72 senior advocates of Nigeria, SAN, he was represented by the justice of the supreme court, Bode Rhodes-Vivour.

    His duty was performed by the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour who administered oaths to the new SANs.

  • Severe sanctions awaits lawyers who engage in unprofessional conduct – CJN

    Severe sanctions awaits lawyers who engage in unprofessional conduct – CJN

    Justice Tanko Mohammad, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), said on Monday that lawyers who engaged in unprofessional conduct during court proceedings would be sanctioned.

    Mohammad was represented by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, while marking the 2020/2021 legal year and swearing-in the 72 newly conferred 72 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

    He appealed to lawyers, particularly the young ones to always observe all court rules and not mislead their clients for pecuniary gains.

    “Apart from the mode of dressing which I have occasionally complained about, the conduct of some of them within and outside the courtrooms call for serious concern. ” Some have turned the court premises to press interview centres where they cast all manner of aspersions on judicial officers, especially when judgments do not favour them.

    “Henceforth, severe sanctions will be meted out on them, therefore, they should always show the ability and capacity to counsel clients well.” He said that obedience of lawful court orders has no alternative in any society.

    “We must respect and observe all the tenets of an enduring democracy. Nigeria is not a lawless society and no one, irrespective of his or her status, should turn it to one. ”

    Most times, some persons, who by sheer stroke of providence find themselves in positions of authority, flagrantly disobey lawful court orders, and even boast about it. “Such acts will henceforth no be condoned. In fact, they will be met with severe consequences and we must therefore extinguish such raging fire before it consumes us all”.

    According to him, ‘the Correctional Centres are not there for decoration, such literally incorrigible and obstinate elements in our mist must be tutored in those centres to deter the several others eagerly waiting in the to embark on such inglorious expedition. ”

    The court will not only bark but will bite harder and deeper too,” he warned. The CJN also added that the apex court in the 2019/2020 legal year had a total of 908 cases, comprising of motions and appeals.

    “Out of the number, we heard 497 civil, 168 criminal and 35 political matters, thus amounting to a total of 700 motions. ”

    The court also considered a total number of 208 appeals, being 134 civil, 52 criminal and 22 political appeals and also, a total of 189 judgments were given within the legal year under review”.

    He also noted the apex court disposed of 52 corruption and financial crime cases, the court of appeal, 121 cases, Federal High Court, 19, FCT High Court 10 cases and all state High Courts, 188 cases.

    All the speakers present called for collective efforts for an improved and respectable judicial system.

    The speakers included Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice represented by the Solicitor General, Dayo Akpata, SAN, and Prof. B. O Nwabueze, SAN, who represented the body of SANs. Others are Olumide Akpata, President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Obafemi Adewale who spoke on behalf of the New Senior Advocates of Nigeria

  • BREAKING: CJN swears in eight Supreme Court judges

    BREAKING: CJN swears in eight Supreme Court judges

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has sworn in eight new Justices of the Supreme Court, pushing the number of Justices of the court from 12 to record 20.

    The CJN presided as the eight of them, in turn, took their oath of office and oath of allegiance to the Nigerian Constitution.

    After their swearing, they climbed to the bench where their 12 seniors were already seated, to their positions.

    The newly inaugurated Justices of the apex court who were recently elevated from the Court of Appeal bench, included Justices Lawal Garba (North West), Helen Ogunwumiju (South West), Abdu Aboki (North West), and M. M. Saulawa (North West).

    Others are Justice Adamu Jauro (North East), Samuel Oseji (South South), Tijani Abubakar (North East) and Emmanuel Agim (South South).

  • Primary: PDP drags judge to CJN over judgement on Obaseki

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a petition against Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court.

    The petition, which was dated June 23, was addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad and signed by Dakzel Longii Shamnas.

    The petition was a fallout of an alleged order given by Justice Obile on Monday barring Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki from participating in the PDP’s governorship election primary slated for June 25.

    The suit was filed against Obaseki by Mr Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, one of the PDP aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket. The leadership of the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also joined as co-defendants.

    The petitioner stated that Justice Obile did not approach the matter with circumspection, stressing that he ought not to have entertained the matter in the first place.

    “In respect of the said suit, we note that Hon. Justice E. A. Obile did not approach the matter with circumspection. His Lordship thereby played into the hands of unscrupulous politicians.

    “Your Lordship may wish to take judicial notice of the fact following apparently intractable intra-party squabble in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Godwin Obaseki recently defected to the PDP to pursue his political ambition of re-election as the governor of Edo State for a second term of office.

    “The primary election of the PDP for the forthcoming governorship election has been scheduled to hold on the 25″‘ day of June 2020 in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.

    “The subject matter of the suit is the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), therefore the PDP is the principal defendant as it would be most affected by any order to be made by the court.

    “The headquarters of the PDP is in Abuja. The screening of candidates for the gubernatorial election which the Plaintiff is complaining of in the suit took place in Abuja.

    “The headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in Abuja. On the other hand, the primary election is to take place in Benin City; and the 8th Defendant (Governor Godwin Obaseku) sought to be restrained from contesting the primary election is also based in Benin City.

    “Thus there is no nexus between the facts of this matter and Port Harcourt. These facts ought to have been taken into consideration by Hon. Justice E.A. Obile in Iine with the dictates of the extant practice and procedure of the Federal High Court in volatile pre-election matters such as the instant case.

    “The Plaintiff lives in Benin City. His address in the affidavits in support of his motions for substituted service and interim injunction is 14 Adesogbe Road, Benin City, Edo State.

    “But he went to Port Harcourt to file the suit when there is a Federal Hugh Court in Benin City. This should have made Hon. Justice E.A. Obile to be cautious.

    “Hon. Justice E. A. Obile while going through originating processes before assuming jurisdiction should have recognized that the Port Harcourt Division of Federal High Court was chosen to make it impossible for the Defendants to appear before the court and to have tall hearing in the matter.

    “This is reinforced by the applications for abridgment of time and substituted service as well as the time-bound nature of the primary election.

    “The intention to deny the Defendants fair hearing is also borne out of the fact that the Plaintiff applied for and was granted substituted service of the processes of the court as well as abridgment of time.

    “The orders were made on the 22“ day of June 2020, the primary election is coming up on the 25th day of June, 2020 and the 30 days for the Defendants to respond to suit was abridged to two days, thus the matter is coming up on the 24th day of June, 2020, while the primary election is holding on the 25th day of June 2020 leaving only one day for parties to take further legal steps. The orders were made by a Judge of the Federal High Court who should be cognizant of its implications.”

    The party sought immediate disciplinary measure against Justice Obile for invidiously assuming jurisdiction and “taking sides” in the political conflict in Edo State with a view to disrupting the political process.

  • Covid-19: Buhari writes CJN demands release of more prisoners

    Covid-19: Buhari writes CJN demands release of more prisoners

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called for urgent measures towards the speedy trial of cases and decongestion of custodial centres in the country in view of Covid-19 pandemic.

    In a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, Mr Buhari drew raised the recent call by the United Nations on all countries “to consciously reduce the population of prison inmates since physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible.”

    According to President Buhari, “From available records, the inmates population at various custodial centres across the country presently stands at about 74,127 out of which 52,226 are Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs).

    “Most of these custodial centres are presently housing inmates beyond their capacities and the overcrowded facilities pose a potent threat to the health of the inmates and the public in general in view of the present circumstances, hence the need for urgent steps to bring the situation under control.”

    In view of the above scenario, the president said “it has become imperative for Your Lordship to request State Chief Judges to embark on immediate visit to all custodial/correctional centres within their respective States to identify and release deserving inmates where that has not been done already.”

    He noted that during such visits, “the Chief Judges are enjoined to consider conditional or unconditional release of ATPs who have spent 6 years or more in custody. ATPs who have no confirmed criminal cases against them, aged inmates and terminally ill may be discharged.

    “It is expected that particular attention should be on the aged, those with health issues, low risk offenders, those with no sufficient legal basis to remain in custody, inmates convicted for minor offences with or without option of fines and inmates who have less than 3 years term left to serve having served a substantial term of their service for offences that attract 5 years and above.

    “Payment of fines may be made in favour of inmates convicted of lesser offences with option of fine, who are in custody because of their inability to pay such fines.”

    President Buhari said a report on the proposed visits is expected to be forwarded to the Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reform and Decongestion Secretariat, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja for compilation and onward transmission to his office.

    He also suggested to the Chief Justice of Nigeria to “at this stage, consider taking immediate steps as appropriate to ensure the setting up or designation of Special Courts in all States, including the FCT, to try cases of armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and other serious offences, in order to facilitate speedy trials.”

    In addition, President Buhari said “there is the need to ensure that the Chief Judges of States and FCT High Courts direct lower courts to comply with requirements of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law in issuing remand warrants in criminal cases especially in cases which are not within their jurisdiction.”

    According to him, “this will regulate the volume of entry of Awaiting Trial Inmates into custodial centres.”

    Femi Adesina

    Special Adviser to the President

    (Media & Publicity)

    April 21, 2020

  • Covid-19: CJN orders closure of all courts

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Mohammed has ordered the suspension of all court sittings except in matters that are urgent, for 14 days because of COVID-19.

    This announcement was made in a communique issued by the CJN on Monday.

    In an earlier directive last week, the CJN had ordered that anyone who refuses to undergo temperature screening at every court entrance should be asked to go back.

    The notice, pasted at the court entrances, said all staff and court visitors (including lawyers, litigants, press, orderlies) were asked to comply with the directive.

    “Anyone who refuses will be sent back. Prevention is better than cure,” the circular, seen by a PREMIUM TIMES reporter, who was also screened before entry, stated.

    A doctor from the medical team in charge of the screening said anyone whose body temperature exceeds normal ”would be moved aside and interrogated about his or her health and travel history”.

    Sanitisers were also mounted in front of each courtroom.

    Nigeria recorded its first death from the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak on Monday after the country confirmed five new cases.

    Nigeria has a total of 36 confirmed cases including one death.

    Read the full CJN statement below;

    RE: PREVENTIVE MEASURES ON THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS (COVID – 19) AND THE PROTECTION OF JUSTICES, JUDGES AND STAFF OF COURTS

    Further to my earlier Circular Ref. No. NJC/CIR/HOC/II/629dated 20th March, 2020, on the above subject matter. In view of the reality of the COVID-19 in the country and in order to take further preventive steps, all Heads of Courts are, from tomorrow, the 24th day of March, 2020, directed to suspend Court sittings for an initial period of two weeks at the first instance, except in matters that are urgent, essential or time-bound according to our extant laws.

    Your Lordships are hereby directed to bring the content of this Circular to the notice of all Stakeholders in justice administration, please.

    Hon. Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR

    Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman,

    National Judicial Council.

  • CJN Tanko Muhammad heads seven-man panel of justices to review Bayelsa, Imo verdicts today

    Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad will chair the seven-member panel of justices to review Bayelsa and Imo governorship election verdicts, that have triggered huge controversies and misgivings about the inconsistency of the apex court.

    The panel will sit on Tuesday.

    Other members of the panel are Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta , Justice OluKayode Ariwoola, Justice Amiru Sanusi, Justice Amina Adamu Augie, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

    Ousted governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) want the court to reverse itself in awarding victory to Hope Uzondinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC).