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Sanitise judiciary, SANs, rights activists urge incoming CJN
Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and other justice sector stakeholders have urged the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to prioritise the sanitisation of the Judiciary.
A former Deputy Director of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (SAN), Prof. Samuel Erugo (SAN), and other senior lawyers noted that the Judiciary currently suffers from low public confidence.
They said this anomaly requires urgent attention to restore integrity to the system.
The senior lawyers spoke yesterday in Abuja at a roundtable discussion on how to address key issues undermining Judiciary’s institutional integrity, effectiveness and service delivery.
The event was organised by the Tap iNitaitive For Citizens Development and the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI), Nigeria.
The speakers urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to reform judicial appointment process to eradicate nepotism and favouritism, which they claimed has been rampant.
They also touched on the need for the incoming CJN to address challenges relating to abuse of ex-parte orders, conflicting judgments by courts of coordinate jurisdiction and related problems.
Ojukwu, Erugo and the others stressed the need to reform the process of dealing with election petitions and political cases and work on how to enhance discipline and accountability in the system.
Ojukwu advised the incoming CJN to always be guided by the principles of equity, fairness, and justice.
He called for a process that would reduce the influence of the Judiciary in the resolution of election disputes so that political leaders would be the true choices of the electorate, and not the court.
Erugo suggested that the Supreme Court should be reformed in a way that it can review its own judgments, especially when there is a public outcry.
Also, the Executive Director of Tap Initiative, Martin Obono, noted that the National Judicial Council (NJC), which supervises the appointment of judicial officers, attracted public criticism recently over allegations that the outgoing CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, influenced the appointment of some family members.
Obono claimed that the NJC ignored its guidelines in recent appointments, adding: “There have been reports of insider subversion of the applicable rules governing judicial appointments, such as the reported appointment, in one instance, of a candidate who scored zero in the NJC interview.”
He asked the incoming CJN “to commit explicitly to a policy of restoring integrity and merit to judicial appointments”.
The lawyer noted that achieving this would entail the introduction of transparent processes of selection, advertisement of judicial vacancies, as well as the nomination of candidates, interview, short listing and selection.
Another contributor, Folarin Aluko, said: “There should be a clear practice direction on management of territorial jurisdiction overlaps.
“It is suggested for this purpose that the structure and scope of such overlaps be agreed at the All Nigerian Conference of Judges and the Practice Directions should be uniform across all the court systems in the country.”
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SEE Black Market Exchange Rate for Dollar (USD) to Naira (NGN)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today on the Black Market (Aboki Dollar Rate)
As of Saturday, November 9, 2024, the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Nigerian naira in the Lagos parallel market (often referred to as the black market) shows that the buying rate for a dollar is N1740, while the selling rate stands at N1745, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
It’s important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize the parallel market for foreign exchange transactions. In line with this, the CBN has advised individuals and businesses looking to exchange foreign currencies to approach authorized banks and financial institutions for their Forex needs.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Exchange Rates Today:
Buying Rate: N1740
Selling Rate: N1745
Official Dollar to Naira Exchange Rates (CBN Rates) Today:
Buying Rate: N1664
Selling Rate: N1665
Please keep in mind that the exchange rates listed here are subject to fluctuation and may differ from those in actual transactions, as rates can vary depending on the location and the specific forex market you engage with. Always ensure that you check the current rates with authorized sources before making any exchange
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Actor Charles Okocha reveals why he kept his fiancee from limelight
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nollywood actor Charles Okocha has shared his thoughts on the right time to settle down, revealing that after years of being a “baby daddy,” he believes now is the time to commit. He spoke candidly about his decision to marry, noting that it was a natural step for him at this stage in his life.
In an interview, Okocha revealed that he has been secretly dating his bride-to-be since 2017, explaining, “I am getting married because it’s only right for me to be married. We have been dating since 2017, quietly, with no social media show of affection. She lives in America and is a nurse. So, it is true.”
Regarding his children’s reaction to the news, he added, “My kids are very comfortable and happy with the news.”
Okocha, a father of two from previous relationships, made the announcement of his upcoming marriage on Instagram on November 5, 2024. Sharing adorable photos with his fiancée, Okocha introduced the wedding hashtag #MICHARLES2024, confirming that the ceremony will take place this year.
Some fans were surprised by the news, considering his earlier reservations about marriage, which he expressed in a previous interview. “The truth is, I have never been married in my life, and I am a happy man. You and I know what is going on these days; you see a couple married for a few years, and next, they are divorced. These are people you’ve looked up to, and now they’re divorced; how, then, do you want me to get into this marriage thing?”
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Ex- President, Obasanjo opens up on belonging to a party
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that he does not affiliate with any political party, identifying himself instead as a “no-party statesman.”
His declaration comes amidst the challenges Nigeria is currently facing, which he acknowledged during a recent event. However, Obasanjo also expressed a message of hope and resilience for the Nigerian people.
The statement was made on Saturday during a special thanksgiving service held at the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity in Abuja. The occasion was to celebrate the 80th birthday of Onyema Ugochukwu, a distinguished journalist and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
During the service, Obasanjo praised Ugochukwu for his loyalty and support during Obasanjo’s 1999 presidential campaign. He highlighted that despite the competitive race within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), where both he and Chief Alex Ekwueme vied for the same position, Ugochukwu stood by him. This act of loyalty, according to Obasanjo, was significant in the building of strong political relationships at the time.
In his speech, the former president encouraged Ugochukwu to continue to walk in faith and remain devoted to serving humanity in all his endeavors. “You must never allow your faith to wane,” Obasanjo said, referring to a passage from 1 Corinthians 13. He urged the celebrant to maintain hope and optimism even in the face of Nigeria’s current difficulties, which he acknowledged as being particularly daunting.
Obasanjo emphasized the power of love, encouraging Ugochukwu to carry love in all aspects of his life. “Let your love for your family, friends, and even those who may be your adversaries, guide you,” he added. “Extend that love to your community, your state, your country, and ultimately, to all of humanity. Above all, maintain your love for God.”
Reflecting on his own political journey, Obasanjo recalled the early days of his campaign and the dynamics that led to his eventual success in the 1999 election. “I first became acquainted with you through your reputation, and we came together during the campaign. At that time, I was contesting against Alex Ekwueme in the PDP, and you supported me loyally throughout the process,” he shared.
In this heartfelt address, Obasanjo urged not only Ugochukwu but all Nigerians to remain hopeful, resilient, and committed to serving their communities with love, despite the challenges facing the nation.
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