President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking legislative approval to amend the Federal High Court Act and the Court of Appeal Act, proposing a significant expansion in the number of judges and wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays and modernising judicial processes. In separate letters read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President requested an increase in the number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 90, and an expansion of justices of the…
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“Justice now purchasable in Nigeria” – Sultan of Sokoto
Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had raised a crucial alarm about the current state of Nigeria’s justice system. In a compelling and thought-provoking speech at the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual Conference in Enugu, he said: “Today in Nigeria, justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity. The poor are becoming victims of miscarriage of justice, while the rich commit crimes and walk the streets scot-free”. His words have quickly spread, striking a chord with many Nigerians who feel that the judicial system is skewed in…
Read More‘Without financial autonomy, Judicial independence is at risk’ – CJN warns
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has stressed that the Judiciary’s legitimacy and effectiveness depend not only on legal interpretation but also on public trust and responsible financial management. Speaking at the opening of a national workshop on judicial financial management in Abuja – organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) – the CJN emphasized that true judicial excellence is reflected in both the quality of judgments and the transparency of court governance. “It is crucial that we address the systemic challenges that hinder financial efficiency in…
Read MoreJudiciary, Media key pillars of democracy – CJN
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has described the Judiciary and the Media as critical pillars of democracy, highlighting their complementary roles in upholding justice and accountability in society. Justice Kekere-Ekun, represented by the Secretary of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), AbdulAziz Olumo, made this assertion at the 2024 National Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, (NAJUC), in Abuja. According to her, the Judiciary serves as the “guardian of justice, equity, and the rule of law,” while the Media acts as “the conscience of society, disseminating…
Read More“Stop Wike, Govs. from inducing judges with cars, houses” – SERAP urges Tinubu
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to stop the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Nigerias 36 State governors from usurping the authority and responsibilities of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Heads of courts through the giving of cars and houses to judges. According to SERAP, in a letter issued yesterday, dated Nov. 9, 2024, and signed and released by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, these actions likely indicate that the Judiciary is becoming submissive to the Executive arm of…
Read MoreRivers: Gov. Fubara, accuses lawyers, judges of serving paymasters in justice delivery
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has accused lawyers and judges of distorting the law to appease paymasters. Speaking at the 2024/2025 Legal Year opening and re-dedication service in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, Fubara stressed that judges must defend truth, not special interests. Some of you claim expertise, yet distort the law to appease paymasters, Fubara said. State governance issues fall within the state high courts jurisdiction, regardless of INEC or police involvement. Doing right earns divine judgment. It doesnt matter whether you joined INEC or the police. It is a…
Read More??New FCT Judges: To whom much is given…
By Dr. Jumai Ahmad The attainment of justice represents one of the enduring promises of Constitutional democracy. And the right to a fair trial is perhaps the most fundamental tenet of Constitutional democracy and has been recognized as a universal human right. This promise was again given when the ranks of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was swelled by the recent appointment of 12 new judges by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. Among the 12 judges to be sworn-in on Wednesday, July 10,…
Read More‘Judiciary now last hope of rich people’ – AGF Fagbemi
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has said Judiciary now for politicians and other influential people in the country. Fagbemi made the assertion on Thursday, during the groundbreaking N37 billion construction of the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court Complex at Daki-Biyu, by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Recall that the FCT Minister had at the ceremony said that President Bola Tinubu, approved N30 billion of the N37 billion in the 2024 Budget, for the structure which he promised…
Read MoreSanusi/ Bayero: ‘Judicial orders in Kano an embarrassment to Judiciary’ – Falana
Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has described the recent judicial orders in Kano State as an embarrassment to the Judiciary. In an interview on a television programme yesterday, the legal luminary highlighted that the existence of conflicting judicial orders creates significant issues. Specifically, he mentioned that the state High Court issued an order in favor of Sanusi that such conflict would be resolved by the Court of Appeal to mitigate any confusion.He argued that this procedural step should typically prevent any further pronouncements from the Federal High Court judge,…
Read MoreIndefinite nationwide strike: Judicial workers mobilise for total shutdown of all courts
Judiciary workers, under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, (JUSUN), have begun mobilisation of their members ahead of the nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress, (TUC). This was contained in a press statement issued on Saturday by JUSUN General Secretary, Comrade M. J. Akwashiki. The statement reads: Following a declaration of industrial action by NLC and TUC, beginning from Monday 3rd June 2024 due to the inability of government to conclude the negotiation of the new National Minimum Wage…
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