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Tag: Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria

  • Breaking: NJC extends Acting CJN’s appointment for three months

    The National Judicial Council said it has extended the appointment of the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad for another three months.

    The NJC, in a statement earlier today, said it took the decision at its 88th Meeting held last Thursday.

    NJC’s spokesman, Soji Oye said, in the statement, that the extension was at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari, who made a request to that effect.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to an online newspaper and daily newspaper report stating that the Council would meet next week to deliberate on the extension of the Acting Appointment of Honourable Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad CFR, as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “Contrary to the above, the Council actually met on Thursday 18th April, 2019 and at the 88th Meeting considered and approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the extension of the appointment of Hon. Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR, as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria for another three (3) months and council has since forwarded its approval to the President.”

  • Muhammad to chair maiden workshop for Supreme Court Justices

    The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad will on Monday and Tuesday chair the maiden workshop for Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of other courts on issues relating to “secured transactions in movable assets.”

    The workshop, being the first of its kind, is being jointly organised by the National Judicial Council (NJI), the National Collateral Registry (NCR) and the Juris Law Office (JLO)

    The head of JLO, Professor Niyi Ayoola-Daniels, explained that the workshop is intended to bring the Justices and judges up to date on the salient provisions of the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act, 2017 (The Act) and Part III of the Central Bank of Nigeria Regulation on Registration of Security Interests in Movable Property by Banks and Other Financial Institution Regulation No. 1 of 2015 (The Regulation).

    Ayoola -Daneil said the workshop is part of efforts by the government to ensure that the nation’s Judiciary is abreast of the provisions of the law to allow for its effective application.

    He said the Act alone and the Regulation will not guarantee “best practices” and ”Rule of Law” in secured transactions in movable assets in Nigeria without effective application by a well knowledgeable and sound Judiciary on the subject matter”

    Read Also: CJN Suspension: Buhari acted constitutionally – Wamakko

    He said the workshop, with the theme: “Leveraging on movable asset for credit delivery In Nigeria: Legal and regulatory framework,” is slated for Abuja between February 11 and 12, 2019.

    Ayoola-Daniels said the workshop aims “to acquaint Justices and judges with appropriate legal and regulatory framework of the secured transactions in Movable Assets Act and its contribution to the national economy.

    He said the Acting CJN will also deliver the keynote address, while the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele is scheduled to give the opening remarks.

    Ayoola-Daniels added: “Also expected to participate at the workshop are Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeal Justices, Chief Judge and Judges of the Federal High Court as well as Judges of the High Courts from many states across the country.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, key government officials, captains of industry, and officials of the World Bank/ International Finance Corporation (IFC).

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), established the National Collateral Registry (NCR) in 2016 in line with the Bank’s mandate on sustainable economic inclusive growth and financial inclusion. The NCR is a financial infrastructure that seeks to deepen credit delivery to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through enhanced acceptability of movable assets such as equipment, machinery, vehicles, crops, livestock, account receivables, inventories, and jewelleries,” he said.

     

     

  •  Constitution Amendment: CCT now on First Line Charge

     Constitution Amendment: CCT now on First Line Charge

    …Judges increased from 3 to 40

     

    The House of Representatives Special Ad-hoc Committee on the review of 1999 constitution has moved to insulate the Code of Conduct Tribunal from political influence and enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.

    To this end, Members of the committee unanimously agreed that Code of Conduct Tribunal should not only become full-fledged ‎court, but be listed among the courts that benefit from the first line charge meant for judiciary.

    The committee also agreed that there should be more than one tribunal to handle breach of code of conduct considering the size of nation and baglog of pending cases. For this reason, the committee is proposing an increase in the number of judges of the Code of Conduct Tribunal from three to at least 40.

    The committee chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff  after a robust debate at the last Monday meeting of the committee, consultants and PLAC Representatives concluded that only cases involving death penalty, enforcement of human rights and interpretation of the constitution would be entertained at the supreme Courts.

    All matters relating to pre-election matters or election matter and any other cases would be terminated at the Appeal Courts, the committee said.

    The committee so far has treated 40 Bills and at the last meeting, considered the Judiciary ‎Reform Bill. The Bill is a consolidated Bill prepared by heads of courts and judicial bodies in Nigeria.

    The Bill was forwarded to the National Assembly on 26th of January 2017 by the then Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice W S N Onnoghen (CFR) and was sponsored by Hon Aminu Shehu Shagari, chairman House committee of judiciary.

    Some of the highlights of the Bill indicated that the judiciary is trying to review the composition of members of Supreme Court from 21 prescribed by the constitution to 16.

    On the other hand, the proposed law seeks to increase the prescribed minimum membership of the court of Appeal from 41 to 100 justices.

    Similarly, another proposal by the judiciary seeks to reduce in a radical manner the type of cases that goes on appeal to Supreme Court to only three.

    The purpose of this, according to a statement from the committee, is to reduce the workload of the Supreme Court and also increase the capacity of the court of Appeal to shoulder additional responsibilities, including entertaining appeals from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

    Members of the committee retained the 20-man composition of the Supreme Court but increase the minimum membership of court of appeal to 100.

    The committee also agreed that cases from the National Industrial court should terminate at the court of Appeal, for this reason, a special division for Industrial matter would be created in line with the existing ones for customary law and Islamic law.

     

  • Saraki congratulates Onnoghen

    Saraki congratulates Onnoghen

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has congratulated the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, for his confirmation by the Senate on Wednesday.

    Saraki, who felicitated with Onnoghen on his Facebbok page, said that the man’s confirmation was a major milestone in Nigeria’s democratic process.

    “Today, we screened and cleared Justice Walter Onnoghen, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “The screening represents a major milestone in the progress of our democratic process.

    “I am pleased to note that all arms of government have played their parts exactly as envisaged in our Constitution.

    “On behalf of my distinguished colleagues, I congratulate Justice Walter Onnoghen for his well-deserved elevation to the highest judicial office in the land.

    “This achievement should underscore the inspiring reality that a Nigerian can grow to any position he merits,” he said.

    The President of the senate, however, urged Onnoghen to deepen the productive relationship between the legislature and the judiciary.

    He pledged that the senate “will collaborate with the two other arms to support critical reforms and other initiatives that will improve the integrity and the impact of the judiciary.

    “On behalf of my colleagues, I wish Justice Walter Onnoghen a most fruitful tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria”.

    The new Chief Justice of Nigeria was appointed in acting capacity by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 10, 2016, following the retirement of Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

    His appointment was also on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

  • Presidency sends Onnoghen name to Senate for confirmation as CJN

    Presidency sends Onnoghen name to Senate for confirmation as CJN

    The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday forwarded the name of the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to the National Assembly for confirmation as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

    The Nation reports that the news of the nomination was made known by the presidency through its twitter handle @NGRPresident on Wednesday.

    It would be recalled that there has been series of agitation from different quarters urging the presidency to forward Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation following the retirement of Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

    Onnoghen was born on December 22, 1950 and has been a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 2005.

    He graduated from the University of Ghana at Legon, Ghana in 1977 and from the Nigerian Law School in Lagos in 1978.

    Before joining the Supreme Court, he was a judge in Cross River State and a justice of the Court of Appeal.

  • Senators, Reps to Buhari: Forward Onnoghen’s name for confirmation as CJN

    Senators, Reps to Buhari: Forward Onnoghen’s name for confirmation as CJN

    The Cross River State National Assembly caucus Tuesday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to forward the name of Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation as substantive CJN.

    The caucus said that the growing sentiment is that Justice Onnoghen’s earned elevation to the rank of CJN is held in abeyance because he is not from a particular ethnic origin preferred by “powerful forces” in the country.

    It said that the feeling in some quarters is also that non transmission of Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation may have been because of his profound and at times radical judicial pronouncements.

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) in the exercise of its powers under Section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), on October 13, 2016 recommended Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen as CJN to the President.

    President Buhari appointed and swore in Justice Onnoghen as Acting CJN on November 13, 2016.

    Leader of the caucus, Senator John Owan Enoh, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja noted that  exactly two months and 15 days, the President has delayed and withheld to forward Justice Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation as CJN as required by Section 231(1) OF THE 1999 Constitution (as amended)

    The Cross River Central lawmaker noted that they decided to speak with one voice and to insist that “Justice be done on the appointment of Hon. Justice S.W. Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria.”

    Senator Enoh lamented that the non-transmittal of the name of Justice Onnoghen as the CJN has cast a pall of uncertainty on the judiciary, leaving in its wake, a huge shadow and question on the capacity of the hallowed temple of justice to deliver justice in the overall interest of the country and its citizens.

    He noted that in approaching the issue, they were minded by the critical role allotted to them as public office holders and representatives of their people to speak in defence of “truth, equity and justice.”

    Enoh said, “You may recall that the National Judicial Council in exercise of its powers under Section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), on October 13, 2016 recommended Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen as Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria to the President, President Muhammadu Buhari .

    “The tenure of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Muhammed had elapsed and the president appointed and swore in Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria on November 10, 2016.

    “Exactly two months, and fifteen days, the presidency has delayed and withheld to forward his name to the senate for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria as required by Section 231 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    “We are worried by this development for obvious reasons. As a hallowed institution, the judiciary is the bastion of our democracy and should be insulated from undue influence, politics and manipulation of political predators.

    “It operates on an established tradition of a settled succession based on merit, and seniority. This established order and convention has imbued it with a measure of stability and positioned it to play the critical role of dispensing justice immune to undue influence of powerful vested interests.

    “Before now, the convention is for the president to forward the name of a candidate so recommended to him by the National Judicial Council in exercise of its powers and responsibility.

    “Pursuant to its mandate, what is required from the presidency in this case is a decisive action of simply transmitting the name of Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the senate for confirmation which unfortunately has not happened.

    “This unfortunate development has enveloped the Supreme Court and Judiciary with an intriguing cobweb of uncertainty and given conspiracy theorists a field day to decode why this obvious travesty has endured up till now..

    “There is a growing sentiment in certain quarters that Justice Onnoghen’s earned elevation to the rank of Chief Justice of Nigeria is held in abeyance precisely because he is either not from a particular ethnic origin preferred by powerful forces or his profound and at times radical judicial pronouncements make him too principled to occupy this exalted office.

    “The president’s inaction in this instance has acted as a cannon fodder for those alluding to a vast conspiracy to deny Justice Onnoghen his earned position.

    “As political leaders, we should collectively resolve to build a just and fair society devoid of ethnic cleavages; a society where hard work and integrity are rewarded and not repudiated.

    “As leaders, we should work towards the inauguration of a just order in which the East meets the North, South and West and together in confidence, united by a common and shared destiny and mutual respect, we confront the future together.

    “We call on the presidency to act in a decisive manner to reassure Nigerians that we are all equal and that if we are able to harness our God given talents, that we can aspire to the highest position in our nation unencumbered by primordial forces. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen is eminently qualified to occupy the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “He earned it through decades of hard work, profound postulations and untainted integrity. He has been part of a stable reward system in the Judiciary in which order of rank is recognized and hard work rewarded.

    “In his years serving in the temple of justice, he has witnessed men and women who served with honour and distinction elevated to the highest judicial office in our clime.

    “Having worked with distinction in the temple of justice, we believe like majority of our constituents, and Nigerians, that he deserves elevation as Chief Justice of Nigeria. His case cannot be different.

    “We therefore call on the president to act in a clear and decisive manner now by transmitting without further delay, the name of Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation as Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria as recommended by the National Judicial Council.

    “This will bring to an end the swirling speculations of vendetta against the revered justice and restore confidence in our judiciary. Any action contrary to this will convey and validate growing sentiments of vendetta.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, in exercising its constitutional powers in this instance, the National Judicial Council was transparent and followed laid down procedures and processes. By appointing Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen as Acting ChiefJustice of Nigeria, the president has foreclosed any insinuation as to incompetence or any disabling factor for him to be made Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “Under these circumstances, the continuous delay of the president to forward the name of Hon. Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation without any lawful and constitutional cause has brought the issue of the independence of the judiciary and security of tenure of judges to doubt and public discourse.

    “It has opened the floodgate of political and social insinuations and entrenched the perception of ethno-regional prejudice and politicization of the judiciary. This is most unfortunate.

    “On our part, we will continue to work for and desire a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria in which all men are exposed to equal opportunities, a nation in which all men irrespective of their religion and ethnic origin are equal and given the opportunity to live to the fullest, their God given talents.

    Let all of us in our different capacities make collective resolve to strengthen the foundation upon which this great nation is built. This we believe is our future and pathway to renewal, greatness and prosperity.”

    Apart from Enoh, others who are demanding immediate transmission of Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation included Senator Rose Okoji Oko, Senator Gershom Bassey, Hon. Essien Ayi, Hon. Bassey Eko Ewah, Hon. Dan Asuquo, Hon. Etta Mbora, Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe,  Hon. Lego ldagbo, Hon Chris Agibe and Hon. Mike Etaba.