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CJN wants higher pay for judges, warns lawyers against misconduct

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, has called for an increased salary for judges to enable them to discharge their constitutional duties creditably.
He spoke in Abuja at the special court session marking the official commencement of the Supreme Court’s 2020/2021 legal year and the inauguration of 72 new Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The CJN, who was represented by the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, also warned against disrespect of court orders.
He said, “The welfare of judicial officers is another critical issue that we can’t afford to sweep under the carpet. The paltry sum of money being collected as monthly salaries is an issue that needs urgent redress.
“The annual budget has been on a steady decline; and that has adversely affected the state of infrastructure in our courts.”
The Chief Justice warned against professional misconduct by lawyers, saying that they could be sanctioned.
He said, “Obedience of lawful court orders has no alternative in any sane society. A threat to this is simply a call for anarchy. I believe strongly that there is no right thinking citizen of this country, who will tread that path of infamy.
“We must respect and duly observe all the tenets of an enduring democracy. Nigeria is not a lawless society and no one, irrespective of his or her status, should turn it into one.
“Most times, some persons who, by sheer stroke of providence, find themselves in position of authority, flagrantly disobey lawful court orders, and even make a boast of it.
“Such acts will henceforth not be condoned. In fact, they will be met with severe consequences. We must extinguish such raging fire before it consumes us. Some people have now found pleasure in invading courtrooms and even assaulting judges.
“The correctional centres are not there for decoration, such literally incorrigible and obstinate elements in our midst must be tutored in those centres to deter the several others eagerly waiting in the queue to embark on such inglorious expedition. The court will not only bark but will bite harder and deeper too.
Justice Muhammad, who described this year as an unusual year, particularly with the disruptive effective of the coronavirus, noted that the Supreme Court did not do badly.
He noted that 908 cases, comprising of motions and appeals were filed in the court during the last legal year, out of which it heard 497 civil cases, 168 criminal case and 35 political, totaling 700 motions.
“In the same vein, the court considered a total number of 208 appeals, being 134 civil, 52 criminal and 22 political. In all, a total number of 189 judgments were given within the legal year under review,” he said.
The CJN urged lawyers to always observe court rules and conduct themselves as true professionals and with dignity.
“Apart from the mode of dressing, which I have occasionally complained about, the conduct of some of them within and outside the courtrooms calls for serious concern.
“Some have turned the court premises to press interview centres where they cast all manner of aspersions on judicial officers, especially when judgments do not favour them.
“Henceforth, severe sanctions will be meted out on them; therefore, they should always show the ability and capacity to counsel clients well.”
News
Edo Gov Okpebholo vows to probe predecessor Obaseki

Edo Gov Okpebholo vows to probe predecessor Obaseki
GOVERNOR Monday Okpebholo, his deputy, Hon Dennis Idahosa, government officials, party leaders, and thousands of their supporters on Friday marched through the streets of Benin City celebrating the affirmation of Okpebholo’s 2024 governorship election victory by the Supreme Court.
Addressing the crowd at the Government House after the victory parade, Governor Okpebholo said it was time to work and promised that in the next two years, Edo people would know that they have a Governor. He also declared that he would set up a Commission of Inquiry to look into former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s records
He noted that the Obaseki-led administration used consultants to run the affairs of the state. He said while going through the records of EdoGIS, he discovered that a consultant was hired and paid N6 billion and another N2 billion for “ordinary software.” According to him, “I directed the training of our own people who are now handling the job. We have sent the consultant away from the State, saving money to develop Edo State.
“Our civil servants are well-trained. We have the best brains in the State, but Godwin Obaseki used consultants instead of utilising the human resources in the State. We are saving money today as a Government because we are using the civil servants to do the jobs consultants were formerly doing.
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“We are just about eight months in office, but by the time we are two years in office, Edo people will know they have a Governor who is ready to work for the interest of the people.
“I will open the books to check the financial dealings and how Obaseki governed Edo State in the last eight years. A university in this state received N47 million under Obaseki’s administration, while he paid a consultant N51 million. This was not good enough. They wanted to continue with this act, but God helped us to push them out.
“Since I came into office, I have not sacked anybody but rather continued with the civil servants I met in the office. The Head of Service during Obaseki’s administration is still working with me. So also a lot of Permanent Secretaries in the civil service. Edo was tired of transactional people but now we will look into their records. We will set up a Commission of Inquiry to look into the books and dealings of the previous administration. We will open an interrogation to check their records. They have finished fighting us, and now I am ready to fight back and ensure that all those that cheated Edo people in the last eight years are all brought to book”. On his part, Idahosa said it was time to be focused and work for Edo people.
Supporters locked out
Meanwhile, thousands of supporters of the APC were locked out of the celebration in the Government House after walking alongside the governor’s convoy from the Benin Airport. When most of the supporters arrived at the gate of the Government House, they were informed by security operatives that only high profile persons would be allowed to enter for refreshments.
Some of them said they left their houses as early as 7 am and waited for several hours till the governor came only to be denied access into the Government House. One of them, Mrs. Ebosele Omogiate said, “I left my house before 7am for the airport and stood under the sun for hours before the arrival of the governor. We engaged on a road show with him to the government house, only for us to be shut out.”
Edo Gov Okpebholo vows to probe predecessor Obaseki
News
Why we reduced visa validity for Nigerians – US Embassy

Why we reduced visa validity for Nigerians – US Embassy
In the wake of concerns that the recent decision of the United States of America USA to reduce the validity of nonimmigrant visas for Nigerians, the US Mission in Nigeria said the action of its home country was not a counter reaction to recent reforms in the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior under Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had since 2023 embarked on far-reaching immigration reforms.
The Service had recently embarked on digital innovations, putting in place a new visa regime and several innovative services, including the e-Visa Application Channel which replaced the Visa-on-Arrival policy, e-CERPAC, Landing and Exit Cards and Temporary Work Permit.
It also installed e-gates at the nation’s major airports and commissioned a Command and Control Centre, with the aim of using the digital solutions to leverage technology to streamline processes, enhance security, and improve the overall experience for travellers and stakeholders.
US president, Donald Trump has few days ago announced a 10 per cent tariff on Nigerian goods exported to the US, a development seen as a knee-jerk reaction to President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Brazil to participate in the BRICS summit after initial threats by Trump.
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Also on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria further announced visa restrictions for Nigerians as it effected single-entry three-month visa validity.
In a tweet on its X handle on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria however dismissed the concerns, saying America’s decision is part of an ongoing global review of the use of its visas by other countries using technical and security benchmarks to safeguard U.S. immigration systems.
The US also added that its decision was not as a result of Nigeria’s refusal to accept Venezuelan deportees from America.
It said; “The US Mission Nigeria wishes to address misconceptions about the recent reduction in visa validity for most nonimmigrant US visas in Nigeria and other countries.
“This reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, introduction of e-visa policies, or affiliations with groups like BRICS.
Why we reduced visa validity for Nigerians – US Embassy
News
Shettima speech at book launch not linked to Fubara suspension – Presidency

Shettima speech at book launch not linked to Fubara suspension – Presidency
The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that Vice President Kashim Shettima’s comments at a recent book launch were aimed at President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, particularly the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement released on Friday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, described the interpretation of Shettima’s remarks as a “gross misrepresentation” and “reckless endangerment of national cohesion.”
The Vice President had made the remarks on Thursday at the public presentation of OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block, authored by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
Nkwocha clarified that Shettima was reflecting on his tenure as Governor of Borno State during the Goodluck Jonathan administration and the reported attempts to remove him amid the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Some news outlets have irresponsibly twisted the Vice President’s account of how the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan floated the idea of removing him from office… during the most intense and critical phase of insurgency in the North East,” Nkwocha said.
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Certain media platforms had interpreted the Vice President’s reflection as a veiled jab at President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State — a move that led to Governor Fubara’s suspension.
However, Nkwocha firmly denied any such link, stating, “President Tinubu did not remove Governor Fubara from office. The constitutional action taken was suspension, and not outright removal.
“It was part of the measures implemented… in response to the grave circumstances surrounding the polity in Rivers State at the time,” he explained.
Nkwocha emphasized that Shettima’s speech was a historical reflection and a tribute to Adoke’s career, not a commentary on current political dynamics. “His remarks were historical references… and constituted nothing more than an intellectual discourse on Nigeria’s constitutional evolution,” he said.
Defending the legality of the President’s actions, Nkwocha said Tinubu’s intervention followed due constitutional process under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution due to security concerns and political instability in Rivers.
“President Tinubu followed the constitutional process with honest precision. The President’s proclamation properly invoked Section 305(2), which was subsequently ratified by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the National Assembly,” he stated.
He called on the media and political commentators to refrain from misinterpreting or politicising Shettima’s remarks, urging for responsible reporting.
“Vice President Shettima stands shoulder to shoulder with President Tinubu in implementing these difficult but indispensable actions to safeguard our democracy,” Nkwocha added.
Shettima speech at book launch not linked to Fubara suspension – Presidency
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