The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Legal

  • Alleged N66.5m oil fraud: Court remands Adeleke Fayose

    Alleged N66.5m oil fraud: Court remands Adeleke Fayose

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday remanded an oil marketer, Adeleke Fayose, for alleged N66.5 million oil fraud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fayose was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his company, Brooks and Knight International Ltd.

    They are standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Justice Mojisola Dada ordered that he should be kept at Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending hearing and determination of his bail application.

    She adjourned the case until Dec.19 for hearing of the bail application.

    Defence counsel, Mrs Chineye Udeh, had informed the court of an application for bail of the defendant.

    Also, EFCC counsel, Mr Samuel Daji, requested for a trial date.

    EFCC alleges that the defendant obtained the sum of N66,5 million, property of GOSL Nig. Ltd. under false pretences.

    It alleges that the defendant committed the offences on Aug. 9, 2018 and Aug.10, 2018 in Lagos.

    EFCC also claims that the defendant stole the money from GOSL Nigeria Ltd.

    According to the commission, the alleged offences contravene Sections 278, 285 (1)(8) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.

    (NAN)

  • Court issues arrest warrant against Diezani Alison-Madueke

    Court issues arrest warrant against Diezani Alison-Madueke

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, issued an arrest warrant against the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, believed to be residing in the UK.

    Justice Bolaji Olajuwon granted the request, after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farouk Abdullah, made an oral application.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had fixed Nov. 3, 2021 for the EFCC to give a report on its effort at extraditing Alison-Madueke to the country to stand her trial, and for possible mention of the case.

    But on the adjourned date, the case was stalled as neither Abdullah nor Alison-Madueke was in sight.

    Justice Olajuwon then fixed today, Jan. 24, for the matter and adjourned for report or or for possible mention of the matter.

    It was reported that though Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was initially the presiding judge in the matter, the case was reassigned to Justice Olajuwon, following the transfer of Ojukwu to the Calabar division of the court.

    It would be recalled that Ojukwu had, on Oct. 28, 2020, rejected the EFCC’s prayer to issue a warrant of arrest against Alison-Madueke, citing the commission’s failure to enforce the earlier criminal summons, which the court issued on the former minister since July 24, 2020, saying court orders are not made in vain.

    The commission had, in requesting for the criminal summons in July 2020, claimed that it was required to facilitate the ex-minister’s extradition to Nigeria.

    Faced with the failure of the ex-minister to honour the summons, the EFCC, through its lawyer, Abdullah, urged Justice Ojukwu to issue a warrant of arrest against her, saying that the extradition process failed as a result of the absence of the warrant of arrest.

    The judge, who turned down the request, directed the lawyer to file an affidavit to that effect supported by evidence from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and adjourned for report and possible arraignment of the defendant (Alison-Madueke).

    However, when the matter was called on Monday, Abdullah was in court.

    He told the court that all efforts by the agency to get the ex-minister extradited when the matter was before Ojukwu were unsuccessful.

    Abdullah, who made an oral application for an arrest warrant, said the application was part of the requirements by the office of the AGF for the extradition.

    He said that the arrest warrant was needed to further give the International Police (INTERPOL) the impetus to bring the defendant to Nigeria to answer to charges against her.

    Justice Olajuwon then granted the application and adjourned the matter sine die pending when the defendant (Alison-Madueke) is arrested and produced in court.

    According to reports Abdullah had, in an application, urged the court “to issue an arrest warrant against Alison-Madueke, who is believed to be in the UK to enable all law enforcement agencies and the INTERPOL to arrest her anywhere she is sighted and be brought before the court to answer to the allegation made against her before the court.”

    He said since the summon had not been able to achieve the desired result, the need for a warrant of arrest cannot be over-emphasised.

    It was reported that the court had, on July 24, 2020, ordered the former minister to appear before it and answer to the money laundering charge filed against her by the EFCC.

    The court gave the ruling in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018 brought by Abdullah.

    The EFCC had accused the former minister of fleeing the country for the UK in order to escape justice, among others.

    The lawyer, in a document filed along with the motion ex-parte, said it sought to question Alison-Madueke, without success, in relation to many allegations against her, including “her role as the Minister of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by NNPC.

    He said it also wanted Alison-Madueke to respond to questions about “her role in the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited.”

    Abdallah said the agency was investigating Alison-Madueke‘s business relationships with Mr Donald Amamgbo, Mr Afam Nwokedi, Chief lkpea Leemon, Miss Olatimbo Bukola Ayinde, Mr Benedict Peters, Christopher Aire, Harcourt Adukeh, Julian Osula, Dauda Lawal, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Mr Leno Laithan, Sahara Energy Group and Midwestern Oil Limited, among others.

    He added that Alison-Madueke was also required to clear air on “her role in financing the 2015 general elections, particularly the money that were warehoused at Fidelity Bank Plc in 2015 prior to the elections.”

    He said it equally wanted the ex-minister to speak on several items, documents and Jeweleries recovered from her house at No: 10, Chiluba Close, off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja, and some identified property that were linked to her In Nigeria, UK, U.S., United Arab Emirate and South Africa.

    It would be recalled that the EFCC Chairman, Abdultasheed Bawa in the April 2021 edition of the agency’s in-house magazine, disclosed that the anti-corruption commission recovered 153 million dollars from Alison-Madueke.

    Bawa said the agency also recovered the final forfeiture of over 80 property in Nigeria valued at about $80 million from the former minister, who has been living in the UK since leaving office some years ago.

    The EFCC boss said he would want the former minister to face trial in Nigeria.

    Besides, as part of the ongoing investigations of the former Petroleum Minister, the EFCC. on Dec. 15, 2021, said it arrested a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, allegedly over an additional $72.87 million still in the coffers of the bank.

    Okonkwo and Charles Onyedibe were quizzed by operatives over the latest discovery.

    Okonkwo, who is the chairman of First Bank Holding, alongside others, had earlier been grilled over $153 million and another $115 million by the commission.

    While all the 153 million dollars were recovered by the EFCC, the cases involving $115 million, as it relates with the Independent National Electoral Commission bribery matter, are in various courts. the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, had disclosed in a statement.

    (NAN)

  • Obajana: Kogi Govt institutes legal action against Dangote

    Obajana: Kogi Govt institutes legal action against Dangote

    The Kogi State Government has dragged Dangote Industries Limited to a Kogi State High Court, sitting in Lokoja over the controversial ownership of Obajana Cement Company, now Dangote Cement Plc.

    In the originating summons, the state government wants the court to determine whether upon careful examination and consideration of the agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002, and February 14, 2003, respectively, it is not apparent that consideration (an essential ingredient of a valid contract) is lacking?

    The government is also asking the court to determine whether in view of the clear lack of consideration (an essential ingredient of a valid contract), the agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, respectively, are not null and void?

    In the event that the above questions are answered in the affirmative, the state government prayed the court to declare that the agreements made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, respectively, “lack consideration, which is an essential ingredient of a valid contract”.

    The government is also asking the court to declare that the clear lack of consideration in the agreement made between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003, respectively, render both agreements null and void.

    The state government is also seeking the following reliefs: “A declaration that Dangote Industries Limited cannot take any benefit, interest or rights from the incompetent agreements entered into on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 respectively, having failed to furnish any consideration to the Kogi State Government.

    “An order nullifying the agreements entered into on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 respectively, for lack of consideration.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining Dangote Industries Limited, any of its agents or assigns from further utilizing and or taking any benefit(s) from the agreement dated July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited.”

    In an affidavit in support of the originating summons deposed to by the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, she said that Obajana Cement Company was solely registered in 1992 by the Kogi State Government.

    According to her, the sole purpose of establishing Obajana Cement Company was to mine the huge lime stone deposit in Obajana and consequently produce cement for the economic benefit of the people of Kogi State.

    She confirmed that the Kogi State Government and Dangote Industries Limited entered into two agreements on July 30, 2002 and February 14, 2003 for the purpose of producing cement for the economic benefit of the people of Kogi State.

    However, she noted that no benefit by way of consideration passed from Dangote Industries Limited to the Kogi State Government.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

    (Sun)

  • FG sues Facebook over violation of advert law, seeks 30bn penalty

    FG sues Facebook over violation of advert law, seeks 30bn penalty

    The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria(ARCON) said it has lodged a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

    According to a statement on Tuesday by the apex regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem, ARCON is seeking a declaration among others that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring the same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.

    ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government.

    ARCON is seeking N30bn in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on it’s platforms.

    The statement read in part, “ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.”

    According to ARCON, the Council is not regulating the online media space. Rather, it’s focus is on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.

    (Sun)

  • High Court introduces E-affidavit initiative in Bayelsa

    High Court introduces E-affidavit initiative in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa High Court has introduced the E-Affidavit Initiative aimed at efficient and effective administration of justice and to block associated revenue leakages.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Julius Nyananyo, Head of Media and Information at Bayelsa Judiciary Headquarters, on behalf of the Chief Registrar on Wednesday.

    He said that the new procedure took effect from Monday.

    ”Payment procedure for affidavits will henceforth be done through the online payment portal. This process is designed to weed out miscreants and maintain integrity and standardisation of court affidavits.

    “The E-affidavit system or process is user-friendly, timely and the applicant’s data is secure and easily accessible. Applicants who desire to swear affidavits are required to log on to the website, create accounts and apply by submitting the required information,” he said.

    Nyananyo said that upon successful submission of details for the affidavit including passport photographs and online payment, approval would be given, while the applicant could print out the affidavit.

    He, therefore, advised members of the public who require further details to contact the E-affidavit desk. (NAN)

  • 2023: Supreme Court strikes out suit on zoning of PDP Presidential ticket

    2023: Supreme Court strikes out suit on zoning of PDP Presidential ticket

    The Supreme Court has struck out the suit challenging the outcome of the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2023 election.

    A presidential aspirant of PDP and former Deputy Abia Speaker Cosmos Ndukwe, who lodged the appeal had specifically challenged the refusal of the party to adhere to its zoning policy in the nomination of its presidential candidate for next year’s election.

    He had urged the apex court to ompel the PDP to uphold its zoning policy as enshrined in the party’s construction by nominating a southern candidate.

    However, in a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the court, in a judgment on Friday, held unanimously that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit.

    Justice Adamu Jauro, who read the lead judgment agreed with the lawyer to the PDP, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) that the issue of nomination of candidate for election was internal to the political party.

    The apex court equally held that issues raised in the suit were not justiciable on the grounds that the nomination of candidates for election is an internal affairs of any political party.

    Specifically, the Presidential aspirant sought for order of the court to compel PDP to zone the nomination of its presidential candidate to the South East geo-political zone of the country.

    However, Justice Jauro held that the suit was not justiciable on the ground that the nomination of candidates for elections is an internal affairs of political parties.

    The Supreme Court invoked its powers under section 22 to give final resolution of all issues raised in the suit to prevent them from becoming statute barred.

    Justice Jauro held that the Court of Appeal was right in holding that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in the matter.

    (Sun)

  • CJN Ariwoola calls for constitutional amendment

    CJN Ariwoola calls for constitutional amendment

    The new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has called for constitutional amendment to stop some cases at the court of appeal.

    Appearing before the senate on Wednesday for a screening exercise, Ariwoola told the senate that the workload on the supreme court is too much when compared to the number of justices on the bench.

    The number of supreme court justices has dropped to 13 as against the maximum requirement of 21.

    “More justices need to be appointed as out of 21 needed in the supreme court, only 13 are left and for expeditious consideration of cases, some of the cases should be allowed to stop at the court of appeal through constitution amendment to that effect,” he said.

    “The national assembly should please help in this regard by carrying out required constitution amendments.”

    Already, some cases that do not get to the apex court include matters from the national industrial court and court of appeal decisions from senatorial, house of representatives or house of assembly election petitions.

    In April 2021, a bill seeking to reduce the category of appeals that get to the supreme court suffered a setback in the house of representatives.

    The bill, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) Bill, 2020”, seeks to make all appeals filed at the supreme court go through leave, “that is, the court is to determine by way of application whether a particular case deserves its attention”.

    Leading the debate during the plenary session, Onofiok Luke, lawmaker from Akwa Ibom and sponsor of the bill, said the supreme court is overburdened by a large number of cases.

    Luke, who is the chairman of the house committee on judiciary, said the constitution grants unlimited jurisdiction to the supreme court to handle all cases, adding that this gives “litigants the unfettered right in most cases to approach the court on any issue”.

    “Some litigants and lawyers have exploited this loophole and filed all manner of undeserving and unmerited cases and interlocutory applications before the court,” he said.

    “It is in this vein that this constitutional alteration is proposed to limit appeals to the supreme court.”

    The bill was, however, rejected by majority of the lawmakers after it was put to a voice vote by Idris Wase, deputy speaker of the house.

    (Daily Trust)

  • C’River court adjourns APC guber candidacy hearing

    C’River court adjourns APC guber candidacy hearing

    A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has adjourned hearing in the 2023 governorship candidacy of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Cross River to today.

    The matter is between Senator John Enoh, who is challenging the party’s candidate for the 2023 governorship elections and Senator Bassey Otu.

    Joined as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and APC.

    At the hearing, yesterday, counsel to Enoh, Mr. Awa Kalu, SAN, argued that Otu be disqualified.

    He argued that Otu was not properly screened and should not have participated in the primaries that produced him as candidate.

    Meanwhile, counsel to Otu, Mr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said his client was properly screened and has the academic qualification to contest for the governorship position in the state.

    He faulted the plaintiff from bringing a witness to testify against Otu’s academic qualification.

    (Vanguard)

  • NBA: Maikyau takes over leadership of body from Akpata

    The new president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, has been sworn in as the 31st president of the association.

    Maikyau won the election held earlier in July with 38,000 votes, following an election conducted by legal practitioners online

    Maikyau was sworn in at the close of activities for the 62nd Annual General Conference of the association held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday.

    He was sworn before a large number of lawyers by his predecessor, Mr Olumide Akpata.

    The new president commended the former administration for the giant strides it recorded at the NBA in the last two years.

    He made a commitment to not only sustain the laudable achievements and projects of the Akpata administration but to also build on it.

    Maikyau also thanked his colleagues at YC Maikyau & Co., his campaign team, as well as friends and associates who supported his candidacy.

    In his inaugural speech, Maikyau pledged to make service to the cause of justice as the pillar of his administration.

    He also urged the Federal Government to show commitment to the protection of lives and properties in the country.

    The new NBA President expressed displeasure against the spate of banditry, kidnapping, killings and cattle rustling bedeviling the country.

    According to him, “The Nigerian state is passing through a perilous time. There is the insecurity challenge and the situation appears so overwhelming.

    “Many Nigerians live below poverty line.

    “There has been no time that Nigerians have looked towards the bar than now.

    “Nigerians have been so terrorised, pauperised and traumatised, what is left of this country is the voice of the legal profession.

    “This voice of the legal profession must speak against the terror in the land and this is the charge that my administration will spearhead,” he said.

    He added that Nigerians were eagerly awaiting the manifestation of members of the bar to salvage the nation.

    Maikyau, therefore, urged members of the legal profession to provide leadership to the country.

    “The prosperity of lawyers can not be undermined in the society, the bar must earn the confidence and trust of the people,” he charged.

    In his address during the handover ceremony, Akpata gave assurance that the NBA would continue to protect the cause of the society and make Nigeria a better place through its section – the Nigerian Bar Association Special Public Interest and Development Law, under the leadership of Dr. Monday Ubani.

    The former President noted that many things were holding the country back as nation, stressing that the NBA was the only association that was reflective of the country.

    “The NBA need to show this country how things should be done and rise above selfish interest. We must show our leaders how things should be run in the country.

    “In the NBA, we exist for our members but we must also speak for the lesser members of the society.”

    Akpata urged the association to rise in defence of the Judiciary, stating that where judges were not able to speak for themselves because of the position they occupy, the NBA should be prepared to stand up for the judiciary.

    The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, who was represented by Justice S. Saidu, said she looked forward to a healthy working relationship between the court and the bar.

    She advised the new President of the NBA, Maikyau, to use his office to restore the good image of the judiciary and the country.

    (Daily Trust)

  • Kenyan lawyers sue UK, Unilever, others over colonial injustices, seek compensations

    Kenyan lawyers sue UK, Unilever, others over colonial injustices, seek compensations

    A team of Kenyan lawyers has filed a case against the British government at the European Court of Human Rights, seeking compensation for historical injustices committed during the colonial period.

    Lawyer Joel Kimutai Bosek, based in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, said they are seeking compensation for land theft, torture, and forceful eviction.

    “Up to 200,000 acres of our land was grabbed by the Britons, who evicted our forefathers,” he said. “We hope the court will help us get justice.”

    According to Mr Bosek, he is working with three other Kenyan lawyers and three Britons.

    “The British were the pioneer land-grabbers in Kenya,” he said. “They displaced hundreds of families in Bomet and Kericho counties in the Rift Valley.”

    Mr Bosek said they seek compensation for over 120,000 families and would leave the matter with the court to decide the amount.

    “In my estimation, this compensation for the land, in particular, may be over two trillion shillings (16.68 billion U.S. dollars) if you go by the current land market of 10 million shillings (83,405 dollars) in the area, but that is for the court to decide,” he said.

    The suit also listed Unilever, Williamson and Finlay as co-defendants, the firms grow tea in Kenya and export it to Britain.

    “We are doing it for posterity. We are a brave generation. We don’t want to be blamed by future generations, and we can’t sit on it because our parents didn’t do it,” he said.

    Kenya is one of the top exporters of tea, which is mainly grown in the Rift Valley and central regions.

    (Xinhua/NAN)

  • Traditional attire: Court declines hearing lawyer, Omihrhobo’s case

    Traditional attire: Court declines hearing lawyer, Omihrhobo’s case

    Justice Tijani Ringim of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday refused to hear two cases of a human right lawyer, Malcolm Omihrhobo, who adorned himself in a lawyer’s gown with ‘native doctor’ attire to court.

    The lawyer also appeared bare footed with cowries tied on his two legs. His wig had two long feathers, with cowries in his two hands and tied a red wrapper, while he wore his lawyer’s gown on it.

    The human right lawyer, who appeared before Justice Ringim, was greeted with resistance by some lawyers who disagreed with his appearance before the court in such dressing; arguing that he could not be heard as he was not properly dressed as a lawyer before the court.

    Omihrhobo, who had on Thursday caused a stir at the Supreme Court in Abuja for appearing in court the same way, said it would be a violation of his right if he was not heard; noting that the rules could not be above the nation’s constitution.

    He said, “My Lord, the rules cannot supersede the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Upon his argument, Justice Ringim, however directed Omihirhobo to address the court on why he should be heard the way he was dressed on the next adjourned date in a suit delineated to FHC/L/CS/929/2022; (Chief Malcolm Omihrhobo) sued the Federal Government of Nigeria and others.

    The same thing happened in his second suit marked FHC/L/CS/1392/2021 against the Nigeria Army and two others before the same court.

    The court ordered that the address must not be more than five pages with the authorities, and must be filed before the adjourned date.

    When his case was called, he announced his appearance as the applicant and some lawyers, Abdullah Dania, Mohammed Adamu and one Festus Afeyodion, told court that he should not be heard as he was not properly robbed.

    Dania said, “I am a lawyer; my Lord you can imagine the way my learned friend appears before the court as a professional. The rules that govern us as lawyers do not allow improper dressing.”

    The judge said, “You cannot address the court like this as a professional. I will adjourn your matter and you come and address the court if the rules allow you to appear in court like this.”

    Consequently, the judge adjourned to October 10, 2022.

    (Punch)

  • CJN’s Resignation: Justice Kayode Ariwoola to step in as new CJN, as NJC gets set to recommend him to President Buhari 

    CJN’s Resignation: Justice Kayode Ariwoola to step in as new CJN, as NJC gets set to recommend him to President Buhari 

    CJN’s Resignation: Justice Kayode Ariwoola to step in as new CJN, as NJC gets set to recommend him to President Buhari 

    Barring any last minute change, the National Judicial Council (NJC) is set to recommend Justice Kayode Ariwoola to President Muhammadu Buhari as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) following the resignation of the incumbent, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

    NJC is a creation of section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with powers to hire and fire erring judicial officers in the country.

    Reliable sources at the NJC told Vanguard on Monday that the mantle of leadership has fallen on Justice Ariwoola in line with the age-long tradition in the bench.

    The tradition, it was learnt, is that where an incumbent head of court vacates office either by reason of death, retirement, resignation or sack, the next most senior judicial officer in the court takes over.

    Justice Ariwoola is the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court after the incumbent, Justice Tanko who just resigned his office.

    Justice Tanko is the second Chief Justice of Nigeria to have resigned his appointment in the last four years.

    Justice Tanko took over from Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen who also bowed out of the bench before he clocked the mandatory retirement age of 70 years under controversial circumstances. He was born in December 1953.

    But for his resignation, he was supposed to steer the ship of the apex court till December 2023.

    He was supposed to be the judicial officer that would have sworn in the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023.

    His likely successor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola who may likely succeed him if nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari and confirmed by the Senate, was born on 22 August 1958.

    He was formerly a Justice of the Nigerian courts of appeal and on November 22, 2011, he was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as Justice, sworn in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    (Vanguard)