The Supreme Court has seen a reduction in the number of its Justices slated to oversee the cases of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi suit against the election victory of President Bola Tinubu to 10, following the retirement of Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad.
With this development, it means that only the remaining 10 Justices of the apex court will oversee the cases of the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi against the victory of President Bola Tinubu, of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC).
In a statement released by the Director of Information of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande, it was announced that a valedictory court session to mark Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad’s retirement will be held on Friday, October 27, at the main courtroom of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at 10.00 am.
The special court session will be presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who will pay tribute to Justice Musa Dattijo alongside other significant figures in the nation’s justice sector.
Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, who hails from Chanchaga local government area of Niger State, took the oath of office as a Justice of the Supreme Court on July 10, 2012. His journey to the Court of Appeal was marked by hard work, passion for his profession, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to applying the law faithfully to all cases. He was elevated to the Court of Appeal on November 21, 1998, from the Niger State Judiciary, serving diligently in various Divisions.
Following his retirement, the judges expected to hear the pending appeals related to the 2023 general elections include: Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Justices Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Inyang Okoro, Adamu Jauro, Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Lawal Garba, Helen M. Ogunwumiju, I.N. Saulawa, Tijjani Abubakar, and Emmanuel Agim.
