NEWS
CORRECTED – More reactions trail Kekere-Ekun’s nomination as CJN

Some Lagos-based lawyers have hailed the recommendation of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun by the National Judicial Council (NJC) as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).Report says that NJC had, during its recent 106th meeting, recommended Kekere-Ekun for appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
A Human Rights Activist, Mr Malachy Ugwummadu, in an interview on Monday, said that Kekere-Ekun was a thorough judge with a listening ear, a comportment with patience and grace of a judge. Ugwummadu, a former National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), said Kekere-Ekun was an extremely patient, calm, comported judge but with a very sharp sense and knowledge of the law.According to him, the nominated judge approaches the dispensation of justice with a magisterial sagacity and accuracy that makes one see that a judge is in control of his court.He added that it is one of the most exciting promising news in the legal year that had just ended.Ugwummadu said: “This is one of the most exciting promising news in the legal year that has just ended because for those of us who are in practice, it elicits some excitement that this is coming to reality.“I have personally appeared before Justice Kekere-Ekun, as a Lagos High Court trial Judge on many occasions, before her promotion to the Supreme Court.“There are very many aspects of his lordship that stands out as the inimitable virtues of a judge.“Kekere-Ekun is not in the business of jumping into the arena, she can give the hint when necessary but she is a thorough judge with a listening ear, a comportment with patience and grace of a judge.”The human rights lawyer further said that he was confident that the judiciary would witness some measurable and remarkable improvements under her leadership.“Now that the prospect of her becoming the next Chief Justice of Nigeria is getting clearer, it can only bring joy to people like us who have practiced and appeared before my lord.“I can conveniently say that watching her trajectory in that sector, most importantly in the cases she conducted in which I was involved and other cases she adjudicated on, I see a consummate jurist of high repute.“I wish that the process will be completed seamlessly and it is my prayer that the country will benefit from her ascendancy into the office,” he said.Ugwummadu also said he was aware there could be structural, systemic, infrastructural challenges and the menace of corruption hovering around the judicial sector.However, the lawyer said he believed Kekere-Ekun would be able to bring her moral authority and energy, in particular, knowledge of the law to bare on the administration of the justice delivery sector.He added that the very recent assent of the president on the payment structure, the 300 per cent increase in the salaries of judicial officers was another coincidence that would impact on Kekere-Ekun’s head ship of the judiciary.Also, Mr Ige Asemudara, said the nomination of Kekere-Ekun was a right thing to do as she was the most senior judge and very competent.Asemudara, the Founder of Mission Against Injustice in Nigeria, also said that the nominated judge had no bad record as she was unblemished.The lawyer said he wished the nominated judge well but there were things to be done most importantly, the docket of Supreme Court which was filled with backlog of cases.He said: ” I expect my lord to swing to action once she takes the mantle of leadership and ensure that the backlog of cases are cleared.“Secondly, there is a need to rejig the regulatory framework for the legal profession as well as the disciplining of judges.“These are the issues I will love my lord to look into.” I wish my lord the very best on the seat.”Mr Victor Okpara, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the nomination of Kekere-Ekun was a round peg in a round hole.Okpara said the judicial wig fitted well as her records spoke for her.“From Magistracy to the highest bench with an unblemished record is no mean fit.“Happy new year to the judiciary,” the learned silk said.Another Lagos-based Lawyer, Dr. Yemi Omodele said the recommendation of Kekere-Ekun as the CJN was a well deserved recommendation.According to Modele, Kekere-Ekun is a hard working judge.“I urge federal government to swiftly confirm the recommendation.“There will be some intellectual, radical and judicial changes in the judiciary of Nigeria during the tenor of the new CJN,” he said. Report says that if President Tinubu approves the recommendation by the NJC, Justice Kekere–Ekun will become the second female CJN in Nigeria.Maryam Mukhtar was the first female CJN, serving from July 2012 to November 2014. (NAN)JUDICIARY
Teenager Gets 10 Strokes Of Cane For Stealing Electric Cables

A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday ordered that a teenager, be given 10 strokes of the cane for breaking into a house and stealing electrical cables worth N450, 000.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, gave the sentence following a guilty plea by the 18-year-old now convict who resides at Kinkinau Kaduna.
Emmanuel said that the light punishment was because the convict saved the court from a prolonged trial, adding that he hoped that it would serve as a deterrent to others.
He also ordered that the recovered electrical cables be returned to the complainant, Sadiq Yusuf.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the convict committed the offence on May 17 at Ungwan sarki Kaduna.
He said the convict and one Mohammed Sani, now attack large, broke into the complainant’s house and stole the electrical cables worth N450, 000.
Leo said the convict was arrested when a neighbour to the complainant saw him coming out of the house with the stolen items.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN)
CRIME
Woman In Court For Allegedly Stabbing Boyfriend With Knife

A 23-year-old woman, Abigail Victor, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Kaduna Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend with a knife.
Victor, a resident of Ungwan Sunday, Kaduna, was facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and causing injury.
The Prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 17 at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.
Leo said the defendant conspired with two others at large to beat her boyfriend, Dominic James, and also stab him with a knife in his shoulder.
He said the defendant, who had a misunderstanding with the complainant, accused him of cheating on her.
“In the process, she called two of her friends who came to the complainant’s house, beat him up and stabbed him.
“It took the intervention of neighbours who came to the aid of the complainant and rushed him to a hospital.
“The offences contravene Sections 58 and 284 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
“Section 58 attracts a one-year prison term if found guilty, while Section 284 attracts a prison term of not less than five years if found guilty,” he said.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.
He said the surety must be a blood relation to the defendant and must present a three year tax clearance to the Kaduna State Government.
Emmanuel adjourned the case until June 17 for hearing. (NAN)
Metro
First Lady Urges Nigerians to Embrace Cultural Diversity, Promote Unity

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to embrace their cultural diversity and promote unity and respect within the diverse nation.
The first lady made the call in her message on Wednesday in commemoration of the 2025 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
“The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, highlights the profound strength that lies our differences and the shared humanity that connects us all.
”There is indeed strength and unity in diversity.
“Nigeria for example is blessed with over 250 ethnic groups, each speaking a different language, but it is through our dialogue, our interactions, and our mutual respect that we find true identity and unity.
“On this day, I encourage every Nigerian to celebrate our cultural richness, to listen with empathy, and to lead with understanding.
“Let us embrace this journey together and shape a brighter future for Nigeria and the world,” Mrs Tinubu said.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated every year on May 21, to raise awareness on the role of Culture in sustainable socio-economic growth and development. (NAN)