Tag: CJN

  • CJN didn’t order Nnamdi Kanu’s release – NJC

    CJN didn’t order Nnamdi Kanu’s release – NJC

    ABUJA– The National Judicial Council, NJC, has debunked the report that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, ordered the immediate release and repatriation of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, back to Kenya.

    The council, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, described the report as the figment of imagination of the writer, stressing that the CJN has nothing to do with Kanu’s case.

    “The Council wishes to state that the media report is false and figment of imagination of the writer, as there are no Court proceedings, decision or judgment where such statements ascribed to His Lordship was made.

    “The Council categorically emphasizes that the Hon CJN neither preside over any Case of Kanu at the Apex Court, where jurisdiction issue was argued nor makes any such pronouncement.

    “His Lordship, the Hon CJN never wrote any formal letter to the Kenya Government or Kenya High Commission apologising on the issue of arrest of Nnamdi Kanu and trial.

    “The Council urges members of the public to disregard the fake story,” the statement, which was signed by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, read.

    Meanwhile, Kanu, who is answering to a seven-count treasonable felony charge the federal government initiated against him, is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.

    He is billed to take a fresh plea before a new judge, Justice James Omotosho, who was handed the case file after the previous trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, recused herself following Kanu’s allegation that she was biased.

    Counsel to the embattled IPOB leader, Alloy Ejimakor, earlier applauded the CJN for a swift intervention he said led to the reassignment of his client’s case to a new judge, despite initial refusal of the Chief Judge of the High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to do so.

    Kanu was first arrested in Lagos on October 14, 2015, upon his return to the country from the United Kingdom, UK.

    On April 25, 2017, Justice Nyako granted him bail on health grounds after he had spent about 18 months in detention.

    Upon the perfection of the bail conditions, he was on April 28, 2017, released from the Kuje prison.

    However, midway into the trial, the IPOB leader escaped from the country after soldiers invaded his country home at Afara Ukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, an operation that led to the death of some of his followers.

    Kanu was later re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and extraordinarily renditioned back to the country by security agents on June 27, 2021.

    Following the development, the trial court, on June 29, 2021, remanded him in custody of DSS, where he remained till date.

    The trial court had on April 8, 2022, struck out eight out of the initial 15-count charge that FG preferred against the defendant. It held that the discarded allegations lacked substance.

    Likewise, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on October 13, 2022, ordered Kanu’s immediate release from detention even as it quashed the charge against him.

    However, dissatisfied with the decision, the Federal Government took the matter before the Supreme Court, even as it persuaded the appellate court to suspend the execution of the judgement, pending the determination of its appeal.

    While deciding the appeal, the Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, vacated the judgement of the appellate court and gave the Federal Government the nod to try the IPOB leader on the subsisting seven-count charge.

     

     

  • CJN urges judges to lead fight against financial crimes

    CJN urges judges to lead fight against financial crimes

    ABUJA-The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on judges to remain at the forefront of the fight against financial crime, and ensure that the nation’s legal system does not inadvertently become a conduit for illicit financial flows.

    The CJN spoke at a sensitisation programme on Anti-MoneyLaundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism, and Countering Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment for the Judiciary, in Abuja, yesterday.

    She called on the judiciary, lawyers, law enforcement and anti-graft agencies to work together to ensure that Nigeria was removed from the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, list of Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring otherwise known as ‘Grey List.’

    According to her, “The success of any AML/CFT regime hinges on synergy among key

    stakeholders. The judiciary, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, law enforcement agencies, anti-graft institutions, and financial regulators must work in concert to ensure a holistic and coordinated response to financial crimes.”

    She noted that Nigeria’s continued presence on the Grey List has imposed significant economic constraints, affecting investor confidence, financial transactions, and the broader economic outlook and that the anticipated delisting from this category was, therefore, not merely a symbolic achievement but a tangible milestone with far-reaching economic and reputational benefits.

    “It will signal our commitment to financial transparency and integrity while restoring Nigeria’s standing in the global financial community.”

    She expresses satisfaction that the workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including key regulatory stakeholders, reflecting “our collective commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s AML/CFT framework.”

    Administrator of National Judicial Institute, NIJ, Justice Salisu Abdullahi said the sensitisation programme for judges was aimed at strengthening the Federal Government’s resolve to make sure Nigeria was removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s list of Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring.

    He said the workshop was in line with the NJI’s mandate of promoting efficiency, uniformity and improvement in the quality of judicial services through the provision of continuing education for all categories of judicial officers.

    Earlier, the deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Gill Lever had pledged the United Kingdom’s readiness to support Nigeria to fight money laundering.

    According to her, Nigeria loses over $16billion yearly to money laundering.

    He called on the UN system to recognize the need for innovative financing mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of leveraging private sector capital to achieve long-term climate goals.

    Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, Mr. Simon Steill earlier commended Nigeria’s leadership role in the global climate process and underscored the importance of the country’s contribution to the global response to the climate crisis. He promised the UN’s support for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in tackling climate change.

    Steill said: “We are here to support you. The UNFCCC, along with the broader UN system, is committed to assisting Nigeria as it works to develop a credible climate plan that scales up finance and addresses both the climate crisis and economic growth.

    “Your commitment to developing the next generation of climate plans, particularly the Nationally Determined Contribution, NDC, is crucial in shaping the global climate agenda.”

    Steill highlighted the significance of the NDC, which would serve as not just a climate action document but also an investment and economic development plan.