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Judiciary

Senate Confirms Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as Substantive CJN

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On Wednesday, September 25, the Nigerian Senate officially confirmed Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Her appointment follows a period of service in an acting capacity, and with her confirmation, Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the first female Chief Justice in Nigeria’s history.

During her Senate screening, Justice Kekere-Ekun laid out her vision for reforming the judiciary and addressing some of the sector’s longstanding issues. One of her key proposals is the termination of pre-election cases at the Court of Appeal, rather than allowing them to progress to the Supreme Court. This, she explained, would not only expedite the resolution of electoral disputes but also reduce the overwhelming caseload on the Supreme Court, allowing it to focus on other pressing matters of national importance.

Justice Kekere-Ekun also emphasized the need for a more stringent process in the appointment of judges, highlighting the necessity of appointing individuals of unquestionable integrity and competence. According to her, the current process, while functional, requires improvements to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are elevated to the bench. She noted that judicial officers must be beyond reproach, as the judiciary serves as the last hope for justice in society.

Judiciary

Recent Trial of Minors: Ozekhome Faults NPF, Thumbs Up FG

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Prominent Human Rights Lawyer, Professor Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has lauded the Federal Government’s decision to halt the trial of minors charged with treason over their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protest.

Ozekhome criticized the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), for escalating the matter by charging the minors with treason merely for waving foreign flags, arguing that such actions fall far short of treason under Nigerian law.

In his statement, Ozekhome contended that the trial should have been held in Family Courts under the Child Rights Act, not at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as minors are legally protected under Nigeria’s child laws.

He emphasized that trying minors in regular courts could criminalize free expression, which is constitutionally guaranteed.

“It is far-fetched to charge minors with treason for merely waving a foreign flag.

“There must be an overt act capable of showing intent to overthrow the government,” he said, noting that neither intent nor action was present in this case.

Ozekhome further highlighted that the Penal Code, which applies in the North, and the Criminal Code in the South define treason as acts aimed at destabilizing the state, not minor protests.

He argued that the children should have been tried in either Kaduna or Kano under local laws, describing the trial in Abuja as “far-fetched and legally flawed.”

Praising the government’s move to discontinue the trial, Ozekhome emphasized the importance of protecting minors’ rights within Nigeria’s legal framework, while holding the NPF accountable for procedural missteps.

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Judiciary

Over 500 Litigants Trapped as FCT Court Delays Case Reassignment

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Frustration is mounting among lawyers and litigants as more than 500 cases in the Federal Capital Territory remain stalled due to delays in assignment by the FCT High Court’s Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba.

Since the court resumed on September 16, after a judicial break from July to September, hundreds of cases—many originating from vacation courts—are yet to be reassigned, leaving litigants in a state of uncertainty.

According to legal sources, the inaction has triggered financial and personal setbacks for some, casting doubt on the efficiency of the court’s administrative processes.

“This delay cripples the administration of justice,” stated one lawyer, who chose to remain anonymous.

“These cases have been sitting idle in the Chief Judge’s office for nearly two months now. It’s difficult to understand why they haven’t been reallocated,” the anonymous lawyer said.

With calls for immediate intervention, members of the legal community urge Justice Baba to expedite the process, emphasizing that justice delayed is justice denied.

The backlog highlights an urgent need for administrative reform to ensure that citizens receive timely access to justice.

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Judiciary

SERAP to Tinubu: Order Attorney General, Justice Minister to Release Detained Protesters

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently direct the Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Justice Ministry to secure the release of all detained #EndBadGovernance protesters, including 32 malnourished minors.

In a recent letter, SERAP emphasized that the protesters, particularly the children, are detained solely for their peaceful advocacy against economic hardship and government inefficiencies.

“These children should be in school, not languishing in detention,” SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare stated, highlighting the severe impact on their education, health, and basic human rights.

The group urged immediate medical care for the protesters, many of whom have reportedly suffered due to inadequate detention conditions.

SERAP also demanded an investigation into alleged abuses in custody, warning that if no action is taken within 48 days, they will pursue legal avenues to ensure accountability.

SERAP stressed that the government’s detention of these minors infringes on Nigeria’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Mandela Rules, which mandate humane treatment for detainees.

They warned that this crackdown on peaceful protest could stifle Nigerians’ freedom to voice grievances, potentially having a chilling effect on democratic engagement across the country.

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