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Tinubu’s Charge To New CJN – Full Speech
On swearing in the ne Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu charged her thus, ‘Be faithful and loyal to the constitution’.
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Full Speech
1. I warmly welcome you all to this momentous ceremony to witness a sacred and significant event in the life of our nation: the swearing-in of a distinguished jurist, the Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, CFR, as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
2. She comes in following the retirement of another illustrious jurist, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, who bowed out gracefully after long years of service to our country. Our country owes Honourable Justice Ariwoola a debt of gratitude for his outstanding contributions to the administration of justice.
3. Nigeria’s acting Chief Justice, Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, comes to this position with an admirable family and professional pedigree. Over the years, she established a respectable and incorruptible reputation within the bar and the bench, which has served the course of justice.
4. Her meteoric rise from the Magistracy to Justice of the Supreme Court is a testament to her exceptional talent, hard work, unblemished record, strong work ethic, and dedication to her calling as a priest in the temple of justice. Her sterling contributions to the growth of the Nigerian judiciary and our legal system have been remarkable. We are inspired by her unwavering commitment to higher ideals of upholding the principles of justice and fairness.
5. Justice Kekere-Ekun is a brilliant lawyer who was called to the bar in 1981. She is now a trailblazer, becoming the second woman to hold this esteemed position after Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, GCON, who served as the CJN from 16 July 2012 to 20 November 2014. Justice Kekere-Ekun’s ascension to this position is a beacon of hope for young women who aspire to break the glass ceiling and make a meaningful impact on our society.
6. The Nigerian Supreme Court has come a long way since it was empowered by the 1963 Republican Constitution to take over from the then Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the highest court in our judicial hierarchy.
7. Since then, it has played a critical role in the evolution of our country, resolving complex legal conflicts, even under the military and shaping public policies that impact all segments of Nigerian society.
8. Late Justice Thurgood Marshall, the American civil rights lawyer and first African American justice of the US Supreme Court, once said: “The Constitution is not a static document, but rather a living instrument that must be adapted to the changing needs of society.”
9. Following this entrenched tradition of the apex court, our Supreme Court, under our constitutional democracy, also recently interpreted the 1999 Constitution regarding the financial autonomy of the 774 local councils. To quote Marshall again: “It is, emphatically, the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.”
10. We expect the apex court to continue to play a critical role in the evolution of our constitutional democracy and shape public policies that impact all segments of Nigerian society.
11. I want to assure you that my administration will continue to provide appropriate support to improve the welfare and capacity of the judiciary, ease the administration of justice, and promote the rule of law in Nigeria. This consideration informed the expedited passage by the National Assembly and my consent to the Judicial Office Holders Act, 2024, which approved a 300% increase in the remuneration of judicial officers. This came on the heels of the appointment of 11 Justices of the Supreme Court in December 2023, which enabled the Supreme Court to attain its full complement of 21 Justices for the first time in decades.
12. Let me also reassure you that the judiciary under this administration will continue to receive prompt and adequate attention in recognising its status as a driver of social order, rule of law, peace, security, and economic development.
13. Undoubtedly, the position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria comes with enormous responsibilities. As the head of all judicial institutions in the country, it is a position of considerable influence that demands temperance and sobriety. The occupant of the office must exude the highest level of integrity in the discharge of duties. This is more so because of the finality of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
14. I therefore urge your lordship to be faithful and loyal to the Constitution when discharging your duties as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. I also encourage you to defend the judiciary’s independence, always promote the course of justice, strengthen mechanisms for integrity, discipline, and transparency in the judicial sector, and pursue other reforms or initiatives to sustain public confidence in the judiciary.
15. Thank you for joining us today as we mark this historic occasion. May this moment inspire us all to strive for excellence in pursuing a prosperous nation where justice will always reign.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
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PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, has called on Nigerians to avoid publicly criticizing their leaders, instead urging citizens to place their trust in God to address leadership concerns as He deems fit.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organized by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, the Sultan emphasized faith and patience in navigating the country’s challenges.
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Acknowledging Nigeria’s current economic and social hardships, the Sultan encouraged continuous prayer, not only for the nation but for its leaders as well.
“Even though many feel times are particularly hard, we believe relief will come. Let’s increase our prayers for our leaders, trusting God to address them in His way,” he said, expressing hope that divine intervention could bring stability and prosperity.
The Sultan reminded political leaders of their ultimate accountability to God, cautioning that they will stand alone on the Day of Resurrection, with only their deeds to support them.
“On that day, every leader will stand alone. Governors, advisers—none will have support except their own deeds. Let us act with a deep sense of responsibility and fear of God,” he stated.
Addressing religious leaders, he warned against misleading their followers for personal gain, underscoring the trust many place in their religious guidance.
“Only God can save any human being,” he said, encouraging Nigerians to remain faithful and discerning in their spiritual beliefs. “Focus on worshiping Allah and leave the rest to Him. Don’t follow those who might lead you astray.”
With leaders from various religious communities, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in attendance, the Sultan called for unity, resilience, and communal effort to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and insecurity in the northern region.
He praised the North’s history of unity and resilience, warning against divisive narratives that threaten communal harmony. “When we are united, we can face any challenge and build a prosperous community,” he asserted.
The Sultan’s remarks come amid ongoing social and environmental issues in the region, including a recent surge in climate-related challenges that have exacerbated poverty and security threats.
In light of these issues, he called on both Muslims and Christians to intensify their prayers, saying, “Our country faces many challenges, and we must turn to God in prayer. Let us intensify prayers in our mosques and churches.”
In a decisive move, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors detained by police during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
The directive, announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on Monday, underscores the government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice.
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Idris confirmed that President Tinubu’s directive prioritizes the welfare of detained minors, instructing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate their safe reunification with their families.
A committee led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will be established to oversee the welfare of the released minors and ensure compliance with the president’s orders.
Additionally, President Tinubu has directed a formal investigation into the actions of law enforcement agencies involved in the arrests.
The president emphasized that any misconduct uncovered during the investigation will result in disciplinary action, affirming his administration’s dedication to accountability within law enforcement.
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