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Thirty-Nine Judges Sworn-In by CJN for 2023 election petitions
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.
News
VP Shettima Representing Nigeria At G20 Leaders’ Summit
President Tinubu would have been there in person for participation but shelved the plan owing to the recent abduction incidents in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger State.
Vice President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja today to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Summit, scheduled to take place from Saturday, November 22nd, to Sunday, November 23rd, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, brings together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including the European Union, the African Union, financial institutions, among others.
President Tinubu would have been there in person for participation but shelved the plan owing to the recent abduction incidents in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger State.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of TheVice President), disclosed that President Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African leader who also serves as the current President of the G20 group had invited his Nigerian counterpart to participate in this year’s edition.
The Vice President will return to Nigeria at the end of the engagements.
News
Governor Soludo consoles Awolowo’s family over Segun’s death
In July 2021, Mr. Awolowo was unanimously elected President of the National Trade Promotion Organisations for ECOWAS member states, proving that his untiring passion for advancing Nigeria’s position in global markets will be sorely missed.
The Governor of Anambra State Government, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has conveyed his sincere condolences to the Awolowo family, friends, and associates of Mr. Segun Awolowo Jnr, who died the previous day at the age of 62.
In his condolence message, Governor Soludo extolled Mr. Segun Awolowo as a renowned lawyer, national patriot and prominent figure within the investment and export sector of Nigeria and Africa, who stood for excellence and dedication in public service.
As a grandson of the sage and illustrious Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he embodied the principles of integrity, service, and leadership that his grandfather championed throughout his life.
He was not only a proud scion of the Awolowo dynasty but also a vital contributor to Nigeria’s economic landscape, working tirelessly to elevate the standards of trade and investment across the continent.
The Governor noted that throughout his distinguished career, Segun Awolowo Jnr, who served diligently as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021, championed initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.
His commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation inspired countless individuals and businesses, reinforcing the role of the private sector in driving national progress.
In July 2021, Mr. Awolowo was unanimously elected President of the National Trade Promotion Organisations for ECOWAS member states, proving that his untiring passion for advancing Nigeria’s position in global markets will be sorely missed.
Thus his passing is a significant loss, not only for his family but for our nation and Africa at large.
Therefore, Governor Soludo condoles with the Awolowo family, Ogun State government, friends and associates of Mr. Segun Awolowo Jnr on his painful death.
Terrorists have attacked St Mary’s School, a Catholic-owned institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, and abducted an unconfirmed number of students and staff.
The attack took place in the early hours of Friday.
Local officials said the school was compiling its records and could not yet determine the number of people taken.
A source in one of the Catholic churches in Niger State confirmed the incident, stating that the church would issue an official statement after completing its investigation.
The Head of Department for Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Rofia, also confirmed the attack.
He said the gunmen invaded the school between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. and that authorities were still assessing the scale of the abductions.
Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun said he was aware of the enquiry and would provide details when available. “I know what you are calling. I will get the details and get back to you,” he said.
When pressed to confirm the incident, he added, “I need to get the details before. I will get back to you. Just give me time.
”Papiri is about 70 kilometers from Babana axis, where Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel, announced its presence in July.
The abduction happened less than a week after a similar abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.Papiri town is one of the 10 political wards in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
A source in Rofia, a town 30 kilometres away from where the incident happened, also confirmed the incident.
The source whose name has been withheld for security reasons said residents of the town estimated that the terrorists came with 60 motorcycles and a van.
“They packed the students and their teachers in the van and went away with them,” he said.
Bello Gidi, the spokesperson for Agwara Local Government Chairperson Ilyasu Zakari, confirmed the attack, stating that efforts are ongoing to gather “factual details of the incident.
”The raid occurred days after 25 students were kidnapped in Maga, Kebbi State, adding to rising concern over attacks on schools in the region.
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Governor Soludo consoles Awolowo’s family over Segun’s death
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