Judiciary
LP describes Supreme Court judgment as a death knell on justice, Truth in Nigeria

***Says it is another sad day for democracy in Nigeria
The leadership of Labour Party has described the verdict of the Supreme court affirming the victory of President Bola Tinubu and dismissing the petition of the party’s Candidate Peter Obi in the The February 25th , 2023 Presidential election as a trampling on justice and Truth
The National Chairman of the party,
Barrister Julius Abure said with the verdict the struggles by our founding fathers to build a nation where where justice and truth shall reign and enthroned democracy have been destroyed
.
He said the party watched as the sacred fabric of justice and good conscience was shredded at the Suprme Court as it delivered its verdict in the case between their party’s Presidential candidate and the APC Presidential candidate.
“We are indeed very shocked and surprised that even the apex Court will toe the line of an earlier judgement in spite of all the flaws associated with the judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Appeal Tribunal.
“Having conclusively exercised our fundamental rights as gifted to us by the laws of the land, we have no other choice but to move on. We may be disappointed and dismayed by the outcome of the exercise but we have chosen to trudge on and to remain optimistic of what the future holds for the nation.
“We weep for our Institutions that cannot rise to the occasion and courageously defend democracy and the voices of our people.
“However, there are great lessons to be learnt. What transpired in Nigeria since the February 25 presidential election is a clear testament that our institutions are not working and that we may be sliding towards dictatorship.
“It is very clear that the executive has hijacked both the judiciary and the legislature. This is so unfortunate for our democracy and it is even more for the people of Nigeria.
“All what our forbearers taught us has been destroyed within a short space of time because of the Unbridled ambition of a few. The founding fathers fought with their lives to achieve independence for the country.
“People lost their lives for the struggle to keep our democracy and all these years people have been struggling to achieve electoral and constitutional reforms. Regrettably, all of these efforts and struggles have been destroyed today
“It is also pertinent to put on record that we have it on very good authority that the government may have marked some Labour Party’s key leaders, my self especially and our Leader and Presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi in particular for vilification, in order to suppress the party, suffocate our team, and our goal of a new Nigeria.
“The planned persecution, intimidation, suppression and harassment of our leaders using security agencies and all other government institutions will be definitely defended.
He called on all the members of the party and the Obidient family to be vigilant and brace up for the challenges ahead as the struggle for a New Nigeria will certainly be tortuous and hard.
“We are also calling on the International community to rise to the occasion to defend democracy in Nigeria. Your voices were loud and clear in condemnation of the outcome of the presidential election. “As we approach the next stage of our democratic journey, we call on you to stand by the millions of Nigerians who are already pushed beyond their limits into unnecessary hardship and penury.
“Finally, we urge Nigerians not to lose hope in our Country. Though we are paying a huge price to achieve a Nigeria of our desire. We are hopeful that we will get to our destination someday because where there is a will, certainly, there will be a way. A new Nigeria is still possible.”
Judiciary
Kogi Guber: Tribunal upholds Ododo’s victory, dismisses Ajaka’s Petition

Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the victory of Governor Usman Ododo at the State Gubernatorial election held on November 12, 2023, as it dismisses SDP, Murtala Ajaka’s Petition
Kogi held its off-cycle election on November 11, 2023, amid allegations of rigging and vote-buying.
Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the Kogi State, lost at the state Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday
The Tribunal had last week fixed May 27 to deliver judgment on the petition filed by the SDP and its governorship candidate, Ajaka, against the victory of Governor Usman Ododo.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election amidst allegations of rigging and vote-buying.
However, in the judgment delivered on Monday, the tribunal ruled against Ajaka.
The parties had adopted their final written addresses in the course of the proceedings.
In the petition, INEC, Ododo and the APC were listed as the 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.
When the case was called on Friday, April 26, INEC, Ododo and APC’s lawyers opposed the move by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) to lead the witness, Edidiong Udoh, a digital forensic expert, in evidence.
Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN); Alex Iziyon (SAN) and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), who appeared for INEC, Ododo and APC respectively argued that the petitioners did not list the name of the witness in their proof of evidence and that the witness statement on oath was not front-loaded alongside the petition.
They also contended that the petitioners served the reports of the witness’ analysis on them 20 minutes before the commencement of the proceedings.
But Okutepa insisted that the forensic expert was listed on Page 56 of the petition as item 10, adding that his statement was also front-loaded.
Judiciary
Obi tackles Judiciary over dwindling fortunes

***Says the rule of law is an intangible asset of any society
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has decried the level of decline in Nigeria’s Judiciary has witnessed in recent times.
Though the LP standard bearer acknowledged that there still exists few good judges and justices in the country but generally speaking, the situation is worrisome and a threat to the future of the nation.
Obi spoke while delivering a Keynote speech titled “The Role of the Judiciary in Shaping Nigeria’s Future” at the 5th Memorial of Justice Anthony Nnaemeka Aniagolu, at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu.
Obi said there is a lot to learn from the integrity of the late Justice of the Supreme Court and his class of Justices.
“It was truly an honor to pay tribute to one of Nigeria’s most esteemed jurists, the late Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Anthony Nnaemeka Aniagolu.
“His illustrious career, particularly as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 1978 to 1987, brought immense honor to our judiciary through his unwavering integrity and steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice in our nation.
“As we commemorate the legacy of Justice Aniagolu and other revered Nigerian judges, we must draw inspiration from their exemplary service. We must strive to emulate their dedication to integrity, fairness, respect for the rule of law, transparency, humility, and the dispensation of justice.
“While the judiciary today still boasts of a few outstanding judges, there is an undeniable decline in our judicial system. This decline poses a significant threat to the future of Nigeria. Justice is increasingly commodified, and delivered in favor of the highest bidder.
“When the rule of law is compromised, the most vulnerable members of society are disproportionately affected, and the fabric of our society begins to fray. The integrity of our institutions, the protection of human rights, and the stability of our nation are all jeopardized.
“The rule of law is the highest intangible and most valuable asset of any society, and we must work tirelessly to protect and preserve it. We must prioritize the pursuit of justice above all else.
“Only then can we ensure that the rule of law remains a beacon of hope and a safeguard against tyranny, oppression, and injustice. The future of our nation depends on it
“In my address to the audience, I emphasized the urgent need to revitalize our judicial system by safeguarding its independence and promoting the values of character, competence, capability, compassion, and integrity among our jurists, as well as within our political leadership. By so doing, we can ensure that justice and fairness prevail as we endeavor to build a better Nigeria for all.
Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu is a private institution owned and managed by the Catholic Church.
Judiciary
Bill to review emoluments of judicial officers passes second reading at Senate

An executive Bill which is seeking for the review the Salaries, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial office holders across the country scaled Second Reading on the floor of the Senate on Thursday.
Our correspondent reports that the Bill was presented to both chambers of the Parliament by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and it had since passed Second Reading in the House of Representatives.
Presenting the Lead Debate, Senator representing Kwara South and Deputy Senate Leader,
Oyelola Ashiru disclosed that Bill, when passed into law “seeks to prescribe salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for Judicial Officers in order to nip in the bud, the prolonged stagnation in their “remuneration so as to reflect the contemporary socio-economic realities of our time.
” Similarly, the Bill intends to unify the salary structure as well as allowances and fringe benefits of Judicial Officers Holders both in the Federal and at the State levels. This proposed legal framework, undoubtedly, will bring about significant improvement in the welfare, capacity and independence of the Judiciary, which have been contentious issues of public discourse over the years. ”
The Deputy Senate Leader further maintained that “the purport and intent of this Bill are in conformity with the current administration’s resolve to strengthen the country’s Judiciary and the criminal justice system, with a view to ensuring its independence in the performance of its constitutional role, as the arbiter of the temple of justice.”
He implored his colleagues ” to support the ‘expeditious passage of this Bill in view of its importance to the socio-economic and political development of this country. ”
By the provisions of the bill, judges are to get over 800 per cent pay rise, as the Chief Justice of Nigeria is to earn N64.6m annual basic salary and allowances, far higher than what obtains currently.
Other justices of the Supreme Court are to earn annual basic salaries and regular allowances of over N60m annually.
The new salary structure is expected to come into effect from 1 January, 2024.
Contributing to the debate, Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole said “the prevailing economic conditions demand that we review wages, taken into account the rate of inflation.”
Senator Oshiomhole said that there should be a clause in the Bill that will adjust the wages of the judicial officers based on the level of inflation yearly.
He said: ” At the time we passed the budget last year at N750 per dollar, the overall cost of living compared to what it is today is different. The issue of salary administration needs not be brought to Parliament for debate.
“We need to fix a clause that says, provided that every year, within that law, there should be a provision of appropriate organs to review and take into account the rate of inflation and adjust the wages of both Chief Judge of the Federation and all the judges that are covered by this act.”
Senator Abba Moro also spoke in support of the Bill as he noted that given the rate of present inflation, judicial officers must not be allowed to fall into temptation.
In his own submission, Senator representing Kano North and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin described the Bill as laudable.
“They can’t agitate like other workers..They have been crying in silence. If we take the judiciary seriously, we must also take their remuneration seriously.”
After scaling second reading, President of the Senate referred the Bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back in four weeks.
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