US bans Nigeria’s Supreme Court Justices who made “a candidate who came fourth the winner of an election”
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
America has delivered on its promise to sanction corrupters of Nigeria’s electoral system with disclosure of visa bans on the Supreme Court Justices who appointed Hope Uzodinma as Imo Governor in 2020 after he came fourth in the vote.
Former Cross River Governor Donald Duke announced on Wednesday the United States has sanctioned some Judges in Nigeria during the launch in Lagos of the memoir of retired Justice Charles Archibong.
Archibong was on the Federal High Court from 2002 to 2013.
Duke told the gathering the US slammed visa bans on Judges who delivered a verdict that made “a candidate who came fourth the winner of an election.”
He said their applications to attend a Judges’ Conference in the US were rejected but their aides were given visas, according to reporting by Daily Post.
Olisa Agbakoka SAN, disclosed the National Judicial Council (NJC) is controlled by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) who appoints 50 of its 60 members.
He said the condition of service of the judiciary is terrible, which could make officials vulnerable to corruption.
“We should not put our judges in a position where they can be tempted,” Agbakoba warned.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Abdul Oroh, who served on the House Judiciary Committee, said some SANs corrupt Judges.
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Supreme Court declares Uzodinma Imo Governor
The disclosure by Duke refers to declaration by the Supreme Court of Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2019 governorship ballot in Imo even though came fourth in the result.
The judgment, which removed Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Governor, was delivered on 14 January 2020 by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun who headed the Supreme Court panel.
Other members of the panel included Justices Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Olukayode Ariwoola, Amiru Sanusi, Amina Adamu Augie, and Uwani Musa Abba Aji.
The ruling created tension among supporters of Uzodinma and Ihedioha. At some point, Ihedioha stayed away from the state, citing disturbing security reports.
Three weeks ago, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced visa restrictions on some unnamed Nigerian citizens, reiterating the commitment of Washington to advancing democracy.
“Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process in a recent Nigerian election,” Blinken said.
Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, the individuals and certain family members are ineligible for visas to America.