CJN: NJC Sends Kekere-ekun’s Name To President Today

 

The National Judicial Council (NJC) will submit Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun's name to President Bola Tinubu today for approval as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This follows her recommendation by the NJC during its 106th meeting, presided over by outgoing CJN Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. NJC Director of Information Soji Oye confirmed that Justice Kekere-Ekun's name will be sent to the President for approval, as the next step after the meeting. With Justice Ariwoola's tenure ending on August 22, 2024, Justice Kekere-Ekun's approval will make her the second female CJN in Nigeria. Additionally, the NJC recommended 27 candidates for appointment as judges of state high courts and one Khadi, whose names will be forwarded to state governors and the President for approval. The recommended candidates include six for Kwara State High Court, one for Kaduna State, four for Benue State, eight for Rivers State, and six for Ondo State. All candidates will be sworn in after approval by the President and their respective state governors.

Chinese Firm Plotting To Strip Nigeria Of Assets, Embarrass Tinubu– Bayo Onanuga

 The Presidency is aware of attempts by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese company, to seize Nigeria's offshore assets through deceit. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that Zhongshan misled the Paris Judicial Court into attaching Nigeria's presidential jets in its judgment against the Ogun government. He emphasized that the presidential jets are protected by diplomatic immunity and cannot be subject to foreign court orders. Onanuga noted that the Federal Government has no contractual obligation with Zhongshan and is working with the Ogun government to resolve the matter amicably. He criticized Zhongshan's tactics as "arm-twisting" and accused the company of trying to defraud Nigeria with the help of bureaucrats. Onanuga assured that the Federal Government will protect Nigeria's national assets from "predators and shylocks" masquerading as investors.

Seized Presidential Jets: Policemen Detained, Brutalised Our Top Officials- Firm

 

The management of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited has alleged that its top officials were unlawfully detained and brutalized by the police during a contractual dispute with the Ogun State Government. The firm claims this led to the seizure of Nigerian assets overseas, including three presidential jets. The jets were seized by a French court due to the termination of a contractual agreement and the state government's failure to honor an arbitral tribunal's award of $74.5m in compensation. Zhongshan alleges that its personnel were physically harmed, threatened, and unlawfully detained by the police, leading to a loss of $1.078bn. The Ogun State Government and police have denied involvement, with the police stating it's "not a police issue." A former Nigerian ambassador has described the seizure as an avoidable diplomatic embarrassment, highlighting the need for careful examination of foreign contracts. One of the seized jets has been released for President Bola Tinubu's use, as a gesture of goodwill by Zhongshan.

Seized Aircraft: FG Working To Resolve Dispute With Chinese Firm - Minister

 Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has assured that the federal government is actively working to resolve a dispute with Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment. The dispute led to a French court ordering the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets over a contract disagreement between the Chinese company and Ogun state government. The court allowed the firm to use Nigeria's jets as collateral for its claim of EUR 74,459,221. Additionally, a US appeal court ruled against Nigeria's claim of sovereign immunity in a commercial venture, paving the way for the enforcement of a $70 million award won by the Chinese company. Tuggar, speaking in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, emphasized the importance of registering international agreements with the federal government to avoid such issues. He attributed the problem to Ogun state's failure to involve the federal government in the agreement, which was made under a previous administration. Tuggar assured that he and the Attorney-General are handling the situation and will provide updates.

Gunmen Abduct Over 20 Nigerian Medical, Dental Students In Benue

 

In a disturbing incident, over 20 medical and dental students, along with a House Officer, have been kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State while en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu. The students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were ambushed around 5:30 p.m. in the Otukpo area. Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway. The abduction has raised concerns about the safety of students and the need for increased security measures to prevent such incidents.

The identities of the 20 medical and dental students, as well as a House Officer, kidnapped by gunmen in Benue State, have been revealed. The list of names was shared by Twitter user SportsDokita (Odogwu) @Sports_Doctor2. The students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were on their way to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed in the Otukpo area. The Benue State police command has confirmed the incident and launched an investigation. The names of the kidnapped students are:

1. Boniface Tizhe

2. Thomas Yahaya

3. Gabriel Jita Iwev

4. Boniface Okon

5. Dondo Fabian

6. John Bitrus Naga

7. Fortune Chima Umeh

8. Godwin Gregory Tumba

9. Monica Ejembi

10. Ogbonna George Chukwuebuka

11. Paul Nyampa Zira

12. Lawrence Victory Adaugo

13. Okopi Peter

14. Enger Benedicta

15. Kwaghaondo Aondona Kingsley

16. Paul Shantong

17. Victoria Cornelius

18. Pius Samson

19. Okan Adara

20. Dr. Luis Mmbamonyeukwu

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of students in the region.

Chinese Company, Zhongshan Releases One Of Confiscated Presidential Jets For Tinubu’s Trip To France In ‘Gesture Of Goodwill’

 

Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited has released one of the three detained Nigerian presidential aircraft in France, citing goodwill ahead of President Bola Tinubu's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The company announced this on Friday, stating it acted to facilitate the diplomatic engagement. Zhongshan Fucheng emphasized its reasonable and fair approach in the legal dispute with Nigeria, which it did not initiate. The released Airbus A330 was seized due to a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, but the company lifted the seizure to enable President Tinubu's trip. However, Zhongshan remains open to discussions with the Nigerian government for a swift and reasonable resolution. The Federal Government had initiated legal actions to contest the seizure of the three aircraft, which were undergoing maintenance when temporarily seized following ex parte orders obtained by Zhongshan to enforce an arbitral award against Ogun State.

Presidential Jets Have Immunity – Justice Minister, Fagbemi

 

Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi has declared that presidential aircraft are sovereign assets used solely for sovereign purposes, making them immune from attachment. This statement follows the seizure of three presidential aircraft in France by the Judicial Court of Paris. Fagbemi emphasized that the federal government is pursuing diplomatic and legal means to address the issue. The Office of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney General are working together to discharge the orders against the aircraft, protected by sovereign immunity. Fagbemi stated that the government is taking further actions to resolve the dispute through legal means, reiterating that the aircraft are sovereign assets immune from attachment. This statement responds to the seizure due to an alleged debt owed by the Nigerian government, clarifying that the orders were obtained by Zhongshan Industrial Investment Company Limited to enforce an arbitral award against the Ogun State government.

US Court Affirms Chinese Firm’s $70m Arbitration Award Against Nigeria

 

A US appeals court has upheld a $70 million arbitration award against Nigeria in favor of Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. The court ruled that the award is enforceable under the New York Convention, despite Nigeria's claims of sovereign immunity.

The dispute began in 2010 when Zhongshan acquired rights to develop a free trade zone in Ogun state through its Nigerian entity, Zhongfu International Investment. However, the project was terminated in 2016, leading Zhongfu to initiate investment treaty arbitration against Nigeria under the China-Nigeria BIT.

The arbitrators ruled that Nigeria breached its obligations under the treaty and awarded Zhongshan $70 million in compensation. Nigeria attempted to appeal the award but was denied by a UK high court judge, who said the country had abused the time frame for appealing arbitral awards.

The US appeals court majority judgment held that the final award is enforceable under the New York Convention, as the dispute involves "persons" with a legal commercial relationship. The court ruled that Nigeria's sovereign immunity was stripped under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) arbitration exception.

This ruling comes after a Paris court in France ordered the seizure of three Nigerian government jets over the dispute, and a UK court of appeal ruled that Nigeria is liable for the $70 million arbitration award. Nigeria has accused the Chinese firm of attempting to use deceptive means to acquire its offshore assets.

10 Things To Know About Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, NJC's Recommended CJN

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun is poised to make history as Nigeria's second female Chief Justice, following Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar's footsteps. With a distinguished legal career spanning decades, she brings vast experience and a commitment to justice. Here are 10 key facts about Justice Kekere-Ekun:

1. Education: She holds an LL.B. from the University of Lagos and an LL.M. from the London School of Economics.

2. Early Career: She began as a legal officer at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and later served as a Senior and Chief Magistrate.

3. High Court: Appointed as a Lagos State High Court judge in 1996, she gained a reputation for fairness and legal acumen.

4. Court of Appeal: Elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2004, she served in various divisions before her Supreme Court promotion.

5. Supreme Court: Appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2013, she became one of the few women to serve on the highest court.

6. Landmark Judgments: She has delivered significant judgments, particularly in election-related cases, impacting Nigeria's legal and political landscape.

7. Reputation: Known for intellectual rigor, commitment to justice, and impartiality, earning respect within the legal community.

8. Historic Appointment: If confirmed, she will become the second female Chief Justice, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.

9. Memberships: She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Federation of Women Lawyers.

10. Family Background: Her father, Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin, was a respected Supreme Court Justice, coming from a prominent legal family.

EFCC Twitter Account vanishes amid cyber warfare threats

 

The official Twitter account of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has mysteriously vanished, leaving its 2.2 million followers bewildered. As of Wednesday, the @officialEFCC handle displayed a "This account doesn't exist" message. EFCC's chief spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the issue, attributing it to a network problem, and stated that the agency's ICT department has been working to restore the account for three days. The disappearance of the account follows threats of cyber warfare from suspected internet fraudsters, who have accused the EFCC of extortion and rights violations. The EFCC has recently intensified its crackdown on online fraud, but its tactics have been criticized by human rights advocates. It is unclear whether the account's disappearance was due to cyber threats or a violation of Twitter's policies. The EFCC's website and other social media accounts remain unaffected as of Thursday morning. #efccnigeria  #highlightseveryonefollowers

President Tinubu Signs 300% Pay Raise For Judicial Officers.

 

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Judicial Office Holders Salaries and Allowances Bill into law, according to Senator Basheer Lado. The new law implements a 300% salary increase for judicial officers, a major development in the country's judicial sector. The bill was approved by the National Assembly in June after considering the President's executive bill aimed at improving salaries, allowances, and benefits for judicial officers and workers. The law introduces revised salaries, allowances, and benefits, and revises the Certain Political, Public, and Judicial Office Holders Act. Senator Lado hailed the signing as a groundbreaking accomplishment, underscoring President Tinubu's dedication to enhancing workers' welfare. The new annual salaries for top judicial officials are: Chief Justice of Nigeria (N64 million), President of the Court of Appeal (N62.4 million), Supreme Court Justices (N61.4 million each), and Chief Judges of Federal High Court, FCT High Court, and National Industrial Court (N7.9 million each).