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Thirty-Nine Judges Sworn-In by CJN for 2023 election petitions

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At least thirty-nine judges have been sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria on Thursday to man the election petition tribunals currently sitting across the federation.

During the ceremony which took place at the Supreme Court, the CJN said the judges were found worthy to be appointed as additional members of tribunals that have been saddled with an “avalanche of petitions” trailing the 2023 general election.

Administering the oath on the newly appointed election petition tribunal judges, the CJN, instructed them to live above board and to submit to the sanctity of the rule of law in the discharge of their judicial functions, noting that the country needs peace “at this crucial phase”, he admonished them not to allow sentiment and public opinion to betray their sense of judgment.

His statement reads: “You have just taken an oath that has not only imposed a course of upright moral undertaking on you but equally looped you with destiny.”

“This is an enormous national assignment that will literally put the contents of your conscience to the test.”

“No amount of homily can convey the enormity of this task. But suffice it to say that you are already initiating an interaction with history. Whatever action or inaction you exhibit today will serve as your testament In the annals of the Nigerian judiciary.

“As judicial Officers, you may have, one way or the other, trodden this somewhat dreaded terrain, but you must, against all odds, rise above the murky waters of failure and infamy.

“The onus is on you to keep aloft the banner of honesty and integrity that the judiciary has painstakingly hoisted over the years. Your appointment to serve in these tribunals is well conceived, thus, you should do everything within your ability to justify this confidence.

“There is no doubt that you will be exposed to different forms of temptations and even blackmails but you should know that all are aimed at testing your strength of character, honesty and integrity.

“My candid advice is that, in whatever circumstance, you should always be mindful of this oath you have just taken because it now stands as an uncompromising witness between you and your creator.

“It behoves you to willingly submit yourselves to the sanctity of the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution in the discharge of your judicial functions. It is the general belief that elections held when the rule of law is too fragile, seldom lead to lasting democratic governance.

“You are enjoined to always strike a balance between justice and the rule of law as you embark on this critical national assignment.”

“As you all know, the rule of law delayed is lasting peace denied because justice is a handmaiden of true peace.”

“We need this in Nigeria more than ever before. The trumpet must first sound from the temple of justice; hence we put you forward as champions of this noble cause.”

“By the virtue of this oath, you are now armed with the power to adjudicate on electoral disputes and take decisions in accordance with your convictions, which must be deeply rooted in law and not sentiments or public opinion.”

“I pray the Almighty God will grant you the courage and wisdom to carry out this responsibility without faltering or failing.”

It would be recalled that the CJN had earlier sworn in 307 judicial officers to preside over petitions from the 2023 general election.

The addition of the 39 judges has increased the number of the various tribunal members currently hearing petitions that arose from the conduct of the 2023 general elections to 346.

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Just in: Tuggar resigns as Foreign Minister

Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to pursue the Bauchi State governorship in the 2027 elections.

The Ministry confirmed the resignation on Monday through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

Tuggar submitted his resignation letter to the President in preparation to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

Tuggar’s resignation comes following a presidential directive issued earlier in March.

The order, communicated through the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, required all political appointees seeking elective positions to resign by March 31, 2026.

The directive applies to ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, and heads of federal agencies.

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Lagos High Court Embraces Full Digital Transformation with Mandatory E-Filing

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The Federal High Court Lagos Division is set to fully transition to a digital era, as it mandates electronic filing for all new cases starting from April 27, 2026.

In a major push towards modernizing justice delivery, the court announced that manual filing of new cases will cease on April 24, 2026. From April 27 onwards, legal practitioners will be required to file all fresh matters exclusively through the court’s new e-filing platform.

Existing cases filed before the transition date will continue to be processed under the traditional manual system until final judgment is delivered, ensuring no disruption to ongoing litigation.

According to a statement from the court, any understatement of claims or misrepresentation of documents submitted via the platform will attract a penalty of ₦10,000 per filing, in addition to the payment of any outstanding fees.

To gain access to the e-filing system, lawyers must first obtain a Legal Mail account. Law firms are also required to upload their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration documents when creating their digital profiles.

Oath-related documents will be handled through the dedicated e-Affidavit portal. However, deponents will still be required to physically appear before a Commissioner for Oaths to complete the process.

This initiative forms part of the Federal High Court’s broader digital transformation drive aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the justice system.

Legal practitioners are advised to familiarize themselves with the platform ahead of the deadline to avoid any hitches in filing new matters.

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President Tinubu at 74, Donates Salaries to Armed Forces Welfare Fund

As a personal commitment, the President has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the establishment of a dedicated support fund for members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, those wounded in the line of duty, and the families of fallen heroes.

The President announced the initiative on Sunday, using the commemoration of his 74th birthday, to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of the nation’s military personnel.

In a statement , Bayo Onanuga the Special Adviser to the President Information and Strategy, said that President Tinubu has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a special account for the fund, which will provide targeted support to injured service members, as well as to widows, widowers, and children of those who lost their lives in service to the country.

As a personal commitment, the President has pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.

The President called on State Governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, his friends, and well-wishers to support the initiative, noting that details of the fund will be made available in due course.

President Tinubu emphasised that the initiative is rooted in a solemn national obligation to care for those who stand in harm’s way and the families who carry the burden of their sacrifice, irrespective of insurance programmes available to members of the armed forces.

President Tinubu also stated that supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families is not an act of charity, but a duty that all must fulfil.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of military personnel and ensuring that their service to the nation is matched with dignity, care, and sustained support.”

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