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Why Nigeria’s New Chief Justice, Kekere-Ekun Was Barred From Entering US
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Nigeria’s newly appointed 23rd Chief Justice (subject to Senate confirmation), who delivered the Supreme Court judgment on the contested Imo governorship election on January 14, 2020, was once denied a United States’ visa.
According to a document obtained by Daily Independent in 2023, the justice was one of those who had nullified Emeka Ihedioha’s victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner.
A seven-man Supreme Court panel, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Ibrahim Muhammad Tanko, issued the ruling.
The court also instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the certificate of return given to Ihedioha and instead issue it to Uzodimma, who was subsequently sworn in as Imo State’s sixth governor on January 15, 2020.
In a letter signed by Jay M. Sorensen, the American Consular Officer in Abuja, U.S. authorities stated that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s visa was denied due to “sanctioned activities.”
Former Cross River Governor, Donald Duke, had earlier mentioned on Wednesday that U.S. authorities had rejected visa applications from several judges intending to attend a Judges Conference in the United States.
Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to Justice Kekere-Ekun, formally inaugurating her as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria, subject to Senate confirmation.
The ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja on Friday at around 11:40 am, where Kekere-Ekun signed the oath register, marking the beginning of her tenure.
Kekere-Ekun would operate in acting capacity until confirmation by the Senate.
The National Judicial Council at its 106th Meeting presided over by Ariwoola, last week, recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
On Monday, the President travelled to France for a short working trip, according to his team’s description of the visit as a ‘brief work stay’.”
But the President returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Friday, August 23, 2024, following a brief work stay in France.
He arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at approximately 2:25am.
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Reps Quiz Federal Polytechnics Damaturu, Mubi, Monguno Over Infractions
By Gloria Ikibah
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Obasanjo narrates how he escaped becoming drug addict
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he almost became a drug addict.
He spoke in Abeokuta over the weekend at the second edition of ‘Fly Above The High’ anti-drug campaign conference organised by the Recovery Advocacy Network.
Obasanjo stated that smoking during his youthful age led to chronic coughing and almost became an addiction.
The former President, while lamenting the increase in drug abuse among Nigerians and other West Africans, urged Nigerian students and young people to refrain from abusing psychoactive drugs, saying that they ruin life rather than enhance it.
“If I had persisted, I could have become addicted. Once you get involved, it is difficult to get out.
“There’s nothing drug can do for you except destruction.
“We found out that West Africa has equally been a centre for drug consumption in a very bad way. That was more than 10 years ago, so the situation has since gone worse. And whatever applies to West Africa applies to all other parts of Africa,” Obasanjo said.
He cautioned against stigmatization and urged individuals who are already addicted to psychoactive drugs to get help.
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We saved $20bn after Petrol Subsidy Removal and FX Rate Reforms, Says Finance Minister
Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, says Nigeria has saved $20 billion from petrol subsidy removal and market-based pricing of the foreign exchange rate.
Edun spoke at a ceremony recently held to mark the first 100 days in office of Esther Walso-Jack, head of civil service of the federation, in Abuja.
“An amount of five per cent of GDP is what those two subsidies were costing when there was a subsidy on PMS; when there was petroleum product generally for a long time and when there was a subsidy of foreign exchange. Between them, they were costing five percent of GDP,” he said.
“If you say GDP was on average, let’s say $400 billion. We all know what five percent of that is – $20 billion of funds that could be going into infrastructure, health, social services, education.”
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