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Lawyers Nomination For Supreme Court Sparks Controversy

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To qualify for appointment to the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the fellow must be a legal practitioner of not less than 15 years. The same applies to whoever is to be appointed as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Section 231 subsection (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended distinctly states: “A person shall not be qualified to hold the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria or of a Justice of the Supreme Court, unless he is qualified to practise as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen years.”
The above provision opened up the window for any legal practitioner who has practised for not less than 15 years to be appointed as a Justice of the apex court. And that is exactly what the proponents of the argument for the appointment of members of the Bar straight into the Supreme Court capitalised on, in supporting their position.
Just recently, their crusade got the ears of the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen who wrote to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), requesting that it nominates eligible  members of the Bar for consideration into the apex court bench. He also gave them a short notice within which to comply with the notice.
The NBA in response, quickly forwarded names of nine eligible candidates to the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairman Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Justice Onnoghen, for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.
According to the NBA, the short-listing followed a rigorous selection process done by a  committee chaired by the president of the NBA, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), with eight other eminent lawyers as members.
Among the candidates nominated were former President of the NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe (SAN), Yunus Ustas Usman (SAN), Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN), Miannaya Aja Essien (SAN), Awa Uma Kalu (SAN), Professor Awalu Hamish Yadudu, Tajudeen Oladoja and Ayuba Giwa.
The above-mentioned applicants were short-listed from a total of 89 expressions of interest that were scrutinised.But this action has already open up the hornets nest. A group of lawyers led by the octogenarian activist, Pa Tunji Gomez have in protest written to the acting CJN, expressing  their disapproval of the nominations and asking for its cancellation for not following due process.

In the letter, dated February 15 and addressed to the acting CJN, the lawyer said members of the Lagos NBA present at their meeting held on February 13, ‘overwhelmingly opposed the said nomination of lawyers for appointment as Supreme Court Justices.’

According to him, their grouse is that ‘due process’ was not followed in the nomination. They also complained that the procedure used was arbitrary and contrary to established procedure in appointing judges.

“The members present disapprove of the undue haste with which the nomination and recommendation was done. The period of three days given to interested lawyers to indicate their interest in the Supreme Court posts is to say the least, a farce and an unusual and unwarranted haste which to them, portray a predetermined agenda, because the procedure of appointing a High Court judge takes weeks, with full consultation of judges and the Bar for their input in the exercise. How is it then that the nomination of lawyers to the Supreme Court, the apex court in the land was limited to three days,” he queried.

He also argued that the appointment raised vital fundamentally issues affecting the profession and the judiciary. He asked whether such action would not indirectly declare justices of the appeal court as unfit or unknowledgeable enough to be elevated to the apex court?

“This is an unfair, demeaning and unjustifiable treatment of appeal court justices, some of whom have spent decades in the judiciary from high court to the appeal court only to be told that a lawyer who has not held any judicial post is preferable. This is unfair, disheartening and a slur on the efficiency of the court of appeal,” he stated, adding that it might affect their dedication, morale and commitment as there is no guarantee of their promotion to the Supreme Court since lawyers can be appointed from the Bar.

The Bar leader argued that there have only been two of such appointments since independence and that it happened under the military rule as exceptions. To now make it a rule that lawyers should be appointed straight to the Supreme Court, he said, is dangerous to the profession and the judiciary.

“It will create the wrong impression which is inimical to the interest of the profession that any SAN is better than a High Court judge and more knowledgeable, as a judge of the High Court cannot be automatically appointed to the Supreme Court, whereas a SAN can be so appointed if this nomination is allowed to become the order of the day,” he stressed.

Notwithstanding his position and that of his group, some eminent Nigerian lawyers have continued to praise the nomination, saying such is a welcomed development.

The senior lawyers whose views were sought by The Guardian said the development would improve scholarship, legal reasoning and judgments at the apex court and ultimately Nigerian judiciary, adding that the blend of regular Justices with those from the Bar would enrich adjudication at the apex level.

Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), said there’s nothing wrong in the appointment, adding that in Britain, only those who are Queen’s Counsel (QC), an equivalent of SAN are appointed into the high courts.
“Personally, I do not see anything wrong with appointing a practising lawyer into the Supreme Court of this country; there is nothing wrong with it at all. The practice in England is that only Queens Counsel that are appointed as even judges. It is in this country that members of the lower bench like magistrates and so on become judges.
“The reason a seasoned practising lawyer is a better judge is because he has seen it all. He has interacted with the clients and the courts and he knows the courts than a lawyer who left the law school and is appointment a junior magistrate and rises from that position up to the Supreme Court.

“There is no time that such a fellow has interacted with clients as a litigation lawyer. It is the experience and weight of the submissions of a lawyer that makes a judge to write a beautiful judgment. Therefore, if you appoint sound lawyers into the bench, they will always turn out better judges. I have always advocated that we should copy what they are doing in England. Now that they have listened, it’s all well and good,” he stated.

Constitutional lawyer, Sebastine Hon (SAN) said its a good development. “The constitution has provided the minimum qualification for appointment into the Supreme Court bench. Once anybody attains 15 years in active legal practice, together with other requirements, he qualifies. The new hierarchy of the Supreme Court is trying to comply with the provisions of the constitution.
“The appointments will definitely bring a fine blend between establishment justices and the private practitioners who are coming from outside. It will better the cause of justice in my own estimation,” he said.

Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) said it is the right step in the right direction. According to him, the judiciary has not had it so in a long while after the exit of late Justice Teslim Elias and Augustine Nnamani who were appointed straight from the Bar. “I believe that if their nomination is confirmed and they are appointed into the Supreme Court bench, they will do wonders like the Elias and Nnamani’s of this world. I welcome it wholeheartedly,” he declared.

Similarly, Ilorin based lawyer, Yusuf Ali (SAN) described it as a welcomed development. “It is always good to inject new ideas and perspectives to issues. We are applauding it because it is good for the judiciary and our country in general. Their presence will enrich the apex court, “ he said, adding that because those nominated are men of upright character, they would recuse themselves whenever there are clash of interests without being told.

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Independence Anniversary:  Nigeria Is A Failed Grandfather – Monarch 

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A first class traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, has described Nigeria at 65 as a grandfather who cannot provide leadership to other African Countries.

The monarch  stated this in an interview at his palace in Ikuru Town, yesterday.

According to him, Nigeria would have been a  developed country to set the pace in the whole of Africa, considering its numerous resources.

“Nigeria is a grandfather but not behaving as a grandfather. Our country, Nigeria, before and from the era of Independence was in the state of becoming a great country, but unfortunately is not becoming anything.

“We should be far ahead with what we have in the country. God blessed us, we have almost what it takes in terms of mineral resources, manpower amongst others that can drive speedy development in the country.

“If we’re able to harness all the things we have, even America by now would have respected us”, he  said.

While blaming the past leaders of the country, the monarch called on the current leadership of the country to redouble efforts in order to narrow the differences in terms of development, exchange rate between naira and foreign currencies.

King Ikuru, who is also the Chairman of Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, however, lauded the efforts of the founding fathers, past leaders of the country for the achievements so  far.

He also expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great, calling on the opinion leaders to shun tribalism and political intolerance in the country.

 

“If Nigeria should experience rapid development in all sectors, it means we must shun tribalism and political intolerance, the interest of our country must be our priority.

“We need to fight corruption vigorously, and leaders must show good example of discipline and integrity”, he said.

The monarch used the opportunity to wish Nigeria happy independence anniversary.

By: Enoch Epelle 

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FG begins payment of N32,000 pension increment to retirees – PTAD

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The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has announced the start of implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.

In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD said the increase package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.

Recall that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.

The approval follows a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.

The measures include a N32,000 pension increment, percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies, pension harmonisation for all DBS pensioners, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.

In a statement yesterday, PTAD said the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.

The statement read, “Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.

“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.

“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The directorate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation.

It also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their “timely interventions” and support.

The statement also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.

“We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.

The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.

Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.

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Nigeria At 65: NOA urges citizens to foster unity, progress

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The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigeria. citizens to remain united, peaceful to enhance development of the  nation  as it celebrates 65th independence anniversary.

Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom,  gave the charge in Uyo yesterday while addressing newsmen and stakeholders to mark the anniversary.

Mkpoutom said it was essential to recognise that the strength of Nigeria lay  in its diversity

“With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, the nation embodies a unique blend of heritage.

“This diversity should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels the country toward progress.

“As Akwa Ibom embarks on another year,  it is crucial for all citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.

“Embrace dialogue, understanding and collaborate with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in its efforts to addressing pressing challenges like poverty, security, education, and healthcare, thereby paving  way for a brighter future for all.”

The state director, however, appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to renew their commitment to a more prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation.

“Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen,” he said.

He urged everyone to contribute positively to the development of a better society.

Mkpoutom urged the people and all citizens to honour the labours of heroes past, as they celebrated the present, while working diligently toward a future filled with hope and opportunities for generations to come.

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