Tag: JUDICIARY

Judiciary: “Go to court’ has become a shield for injustice” – Jonathan

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Jonathan on judiciary

…Warns against compromised justice, strongman politics Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ignited widespread debate across Nigeria’s political and social landscapes with a pointed remark on Nigeria’s judicial system. Delivered during the ‘2026 Law Week’ of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Yenagoa Branch in Bayelsa State, his home state, the statement blends a purported East African proverb with sharp criticism of contemporary governance and judicial trust.  Speaking at an event where he served as chairman and alongside Kenyan Pan-Africanist Prof. Patrick Lumumba (whom he referenced for confirmation of the saying), Jonathan…

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2027: “Nigeria risks crisis if election winners are decided in court” – Jonathan

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Jonathan on 2027

Former President Goodluck Jonathan had warned that Nigeria’s democracy could face a deeper legitimacy crisis if the judiciary continues to determine electoral winners instead of the ballot. According to him, politicians now head to court because they believe judges can overturn the will of the people. Jonathan spoke on Wednesday, at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ‘Abuja Law Week 2026’, which was held at the NBA House, Abuja, with the theme: ‘Safeguarding Nigeria’s Democratic Process’. The former President, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, said…

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Tinubu seeks Senate approval to expand Federal High Court, reform A’Court operations

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Tinubu seeks to expand

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 

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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…

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‘Without financial autonomy, Judicial independence is at risk’ – CJN warns

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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…

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Judiciary, Media key pillars of democracy – CJN

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CJN on Judiciary, Media

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…

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“Stop Wike, Govs. from inducing judges with cars, houses” – SERAP urges Tinubu

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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…

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Rivers: Gov. Fubara, accuses lawyers, judges of serving paymasters in justice delivery

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Gov Fubara accuses

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…

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??New FCT Judges: To whom much is given…

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IMG 20240708 WA0033

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,…

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‘Judiciary now last hope of rich people’ – AGF Fagbemi

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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…

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