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SANs disagree over prosecution of indicted retired judges
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Some senior lawyers in the country have disagreed over the prosecution of judges who were recently recommended for compulsory retirement for falsifying their ages.
The National Judicial Council, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in a statement on 15 November, disclosed that two heads of the court had been recommended for compulsory retirement over age falsification.
The Chief Judge of the Imo State High Court, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, was recommended for compulsory retirement.
Similarly, the NJC also directed the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, who had three different dates of birth—10 December, 28 January, and July, all in 1959, with the actual date of birth being 1952—to go on compulsory retirement.
Some Nigerians have been calling for the prosecution of the indicted judges to serve as a deterrent to others.
However, some Senior Advocates of Nigeria disagreed with the call, noting that prosecuting the affected judges might be too severe.
This was as some other senior lawyers said the prosecution would serve as a deterrent to others.
A former chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, stated that the decision of the NJC to retire the judges compulsorily was sufficient.
He said, “I think that punishment is enough. You know the disgrace and the shame of being exposed for falsifying age and then being retired compulsorily? Some punishments are even worse than prison because these are people of great importance in their various circles and societies. I think that punishment is enough, but as I said, I think we should give the new CJN a chance. I am going to personally do that.”
Sharing a similar view, another senior lawyer, Lekan Ojo, SAN, said the nature of the offence committed by the indicted judges would determine if they deserved to be prosecuted or not.
According to him, if the falsification is via an affidavit, it could constitute a crime, but if it was just through merely filling a form, it can’t be criminalised.
“In my view, after asking them to go on compulsory retirement and refund the excess money they might have collected, those two things are appropriate,” he stated.
However, another legal luminary, Chief Mike Ahamba, disagreed with Sagay and Ojo, saying, “I cannot question the decision of the NJC since they made the decision based on the facts before them.”
Another senior lawyer, Kunle Adegoke also echoed a similar position, commending the NJC for wielding the wisdom stick.
He said, “The punishment is not enough. The temple of justice is a place where integrity is prioritised, and I believe that to deter others from repeating the same, the punishment should be stiff.
“The NJC putting them on compulsory retirement is good, but they will still be entitled to pension. So I think prosecuting for such an offence will scare others from repeating the same.”
Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has said President Bola Tinubu will soon announce salary increment for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
In a statement by his media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister said the move is part of the Federal Government’s sustained commitment to improving troop welfare and rewarding their sacrifices to the nation.
He recalled previous welfare benchmarks, noting that military pay was successfully raised from N49,000 to N100,000 during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff.
General Musa stressed that active steps are currently underway to secure an even better package for the troops.
“I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving N100,000. When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving N49,000.
About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to N100,000, and that was achieved. We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again,” Musa stated.
News
After 12years abandonment: Tinubu begins work on Nnamdi Azikiwe road linking GEJ road in FCT(Video)
This Road with two Interchange (Bridge) linking Nnamdi Azikiwe Road (to Area 1 and Apo), Goodluck Jonathan Road (to Galadimawa) was awarded in December 2014.
12 years after, the government of President Tinubu has commenced work on the road project and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was at the site today to see things for himself.
The Federal Government has demanded urgent action from South Africa to end recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals, disclosing that 98 Nigerians have been killed in mob and hate-related incidents in the country since 2022.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the demand in Abuja on Monday while receiving South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.
Lamola was sent to Nigeria as a special envoy by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa amid growing diplomatic tension over repeated attacks on foreign nationals.
The envoy delivered a message from Ramaphosa to President Bola Tinubu before holding talks with senior Nigerian officials led by Enikanolaiye.Executive Branch
Enikanolaiye said Tinubu directed the meeting to allow both countries to frankly discuss what he described as persistent “Afrophobic attacks” against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.
“We have seen a pattern that has become a concern to the Nigerian government,” he said.
The minister cited outbreaks of anti-migrant violence dating back to 1995 and said official records showed that 98 Nigerians had been killed in mob attacks and hate-related violence in South Africa since 2022.
He warned that the continued attacks could damage the long-standing strategic relationship between Africa’s two largest economies.
Enikanolaiye urged Pretoria to take immediate and concrete measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals legally residing in the country.Politics
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had evacuated more than 1,500 Nigerians from South Africa following previous attacks.
He described receiving some of the evacuees as an emotional experience, noting that many returned home without their possessions.
“I shed tears when I received the first batch of evacuees. I saw children, women and the elderly returning home with almost nothing after their properties had been looted and destroyed. That is not the Africa we want,” he said.
Enikanolaiye said several victims were lawful residents and raised concerns over the alleged failure of South African security personnel to intervene during some attacks.
He argued that such incidents raised questions about state responsibility and the safety of foreigners living in South Africa.
The minister stressed that Nigeria would not defend citizens involved in drug trafficking or other criminal activities.
He, however, insisted that suspects must be arrested and prosecuted through the legal system rather than subjected to mob violence.
“Nigeria will not support drug traffickers or any criminal activity, but those accused of crimes must be treated in accordance with the rule of law, South Africa’s Constitution and international human rights standards,” Enikanolaiye said.
He maintained that criminal allegations should not be used to justify attacks on Nigerians and other migrants.
Enikanolaiye reminded the South African delegation of Nigeria’s role in the struggle against apartheid and the subsequent cooperation between both countries.
He recalled their collaboration in transforming the Organisation of African Unity into the African Union and promoting the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.
Despite the current tension, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining cordial relations with South Africa.
He expressed hope that continued dialogue would rebuild confidence, strengthen bilateral relations and protect the principle of African solidarity.
Responding, Lamola said his visit was aimed at reaffirming the historic friendship between Nigeria and South Africa while addressing concerns over violence against foreign nationals.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution to the struggle against apartheid, saying South Africans remained grateful for the sacrifices made.
“We remain deeply indebted to the people of Nigeria for their sacrifice,” Lamola said.
He added that Ramaphosa and the South African government remained opposed to xenophobia, racism, discrimination, homophobia and other forms of intolerance.
The envoy, however, maintained that South Africa had a sovereign responsibility to enforce its immigration laws and combat irregular migration and criminal activities.
He identified drug trafficking, internet fraud and other offences as challenges the government was determined to address.
Lamola described migration as a continental challenge requiring cooperation among African countries under the African Union’s framework on orderly and regular migration.
“We believe that Nigeria and South Africa have a shared responsibility to respond to these challenges within the African continent,” he said.
He added that further details of Ramaphosa’s message to Tinubu would be discussed during a closed-door session.
Further plans underway to increase salaries of military personnel -Defence Minister, Musa
After 12years abandonment: Tinubu begins work on Nnamdi Azikiwe road linking GEJ road in FCT(Video)
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