by Olugbenga Soyele


A former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has said the seven Supreme Court Justices, who delivered the judgement that declared Hope Uzodinma as the Imo State governor, were all recently denied visas to attend a judges’ conference in the US.

He made the claim at the launch of the memoir of retired judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Charles Archibong, titled, “A Stranger In Their Midst’’.

Duke, who noted that the United States Embassy in Nigeria took the action in view of the miscarriage of justice that occurred in the case, also alleged that all the aides, who applied alongside the justices, were all granted US visas.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the apex court in an unanimous judgement of a seven-member panel, read by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the court had held that results in 388 polling units were unlawfully excluded during the collation of the final governorship election result in Imo State.

The names of other justices on the panel are Justice Tanko Muhammad, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Justice Amiru Sanusi, Justice Amina Augie and Justice Uwanimusa Abba Aji.

While delivering a keynote address at the event, Duke said, “Apart from the recent cases, there is another one where number four became number one, the justices that gave that judgment cannot go to the United States today because they have been denied visas.

“They want to go on a retreat. Their aides were given visas but they were not given. How much disgrace can we take as a nation before we say enough is enough?

“I am sure this current set will also be denied visas because it is ridiculous, you did not partake in a process but they found a way to dismiss the case procedurally,” he said.

Also at the event, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) described the National Judicial Council (NJC) as a toothless bulldog.

Agbakoba, pointed out that the fact that the NJC is controlled by the Chief Justice of Nigeria who appoints 50 of its 60 members makes the council inefficient and ineffective.

He said most of the judicial officers in the country live in fear of the executive and its agencies because they are poorly paid and their retirement benefits are nothing to write home about.

The senior lawyer stated, “The conditions of service of the judiciary are terrible. It means they can be controlled. Those who don’t want to just take it easy and keep their heads down are strangers in their midst.

“We should not put our judges in a position where they can be tempted,” Agbakoba said..

On his own part, a former member of the House of Representatives, Abdul Oroh, shared his experience when he served on the House Judiciary Committee.

According to him, the top echelon of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) is responsible for corrupting judges.

‘A Stranger in Their Midst’ is a 228-page autobiography focusing on the judicial career of Mr. Justice Charles Archibong at the Federal High Court in several locations across the country.

Justice Archibong served on the bench of the Federal High Court from 2002 to 2013.

The book details matters that came before Justice Archibong during his time as a Federal Judge. His characteristic approach to adjudication was a decided bent toward the speedy conclusion of proceedings before him.

The cases ranged from the abduction of a sitting state governor, the recall of the Deputy Senate President, a trial of activists of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, to pushing through trial a claim against federal authorities over the publication of an air accident report, oil magnates and communications czars tangling with their creditors.

“Things reach a climax when Justice Archibong collides with senior lawyers engaged on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to conduct a major criminal trial and about the same time the Judge gets caught in the crossfire of feuding political bigwigs fighting for the control of party-political structures. These conflicts will lead to the premature termination of his judicial career,” Duke said.

https://leadership.ng/uzodimma-us-denied-supreme-court-justices-visa-donald-duke/


Nlfpmod

Duke shouldn’t be playing petty politics. I hold his in high esteem.

Very good...

Good way to go. Ariwoola will be treated same way in time to come

Those mo.rons deserve jail terms not just visa denial.

benuejosh:
Duke shouldn’t be playing petty politics. I hold his in high esteem.

…and who are you whose worthless “esteem” Donald Duke needs to give attention to?

We’re talking about the gross perversion of justice that has brought disrepute to the once-hallowed Judiciary and shame to us as a country and you’re here spewing nonsense because of blind party loyalty.

This is exactly why Nigerians must vehemently reject your satanically destructive APC and everything it represents next week lest you reduce our dear country to a Pariah State through gross corruption and utter destruction of government institutions.

The Chief Justice of APC, inJustice AriwoOle is the next in line to be humiliated unless he retraces his steps.
If looters like El-Rufai and Gandollar could preempt the verdict of the Supreme Court by so confidently telling their subjects to retain and spend the old notes, when the case hasn’t been adjudicated upon then it obvious the SC has been paid to do the bidding of treasury looters stashing billions of tax-payers’ money in their homes.

Nigerians are watching you closely, inJustice AriwoOle.

benuejosh:
Duke shouldn’t be playing petty politics. I hold his in high esteem.

How is he playing petty politics
You need to check yourself if you're always uncomfortable with truth

Nice one US. Extend this gesture to all members of any ruling government who do any nonsense of truncating the normal flow of electoral, democratic & constitutional processes. Also encourage other affiliate nations to do likewise.

Those supreme court justices destroyed Imo State to serve APC!

They will NEVER know peace here on earth or hereafter

Kukutenla:

How is he playing petty politics
You need to check yourself if you're always uncomfortable with truth

Don’t mind that pathetic cretin blinded by s:lly party loyalty.

They want to go on a retreat. Their aides were given visas but they were not given.

Embrassing embrassment at its peak.

The Supreme Court has killed and buried every honour and respect that the judiciary once had. I wish other western countries also place a visa ban on them and their family members too

The problem is that this currupt Nigerians are shameless.

benuejosh:
Duke shouldn’t be playing petty politics. I hold his in high esteem.

What is petty politics about statement of fact?

See them celebrating fake news.. cursed tribe

Despite being governor for 8 years,despite his exposure and despite attribution to some level of intellect,so Donald Duke can be this dull?
Only a dullard would believe supreme court justices would be denied visa based on the morality or otherwise of their judgement.
Highly disappointed in this man.

Good
more to follow

ronalmagic10:
See them celebrating fake news.. cursed tribe

You and your family are the cursed ones.

benuejosh:
Duke shouldn’t be playing petty politics. I hold his in high esteem.

this is how evil APC urchins an be, so you are in support of the supreme court judgement on Hope Uzodinma?

Cc Nlfpmod


This to show how political the supreme courts is

APC people are mostly uncomfortable with the truth

Southern Nigerians aka Japagerians and Visa na wa

Good one from US government