President Bola Tinubu is considering appointing retired Supreme Court Justice Abdu Aboki as the new chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), according to authoritative sources in the presidency.

Justice Aboki, 71, retired from the Supreme Court bench in August 2022 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 for judicial officers. If appointed as ICPC chairman, he will replace the incumbent Bolaji Owasanoye whose five-year tenure ends in February 2024.

The appointment of Justice Aboki will return the tradition of having retired appellate court judges lead the anti-corruption agency. The first two ICPC chairmen, Mustapha Akanbi and Emmanuel Ayoola, were retired Justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court respectively before being appointed.

Some observers have raised concerns about Justice Aboki’s advanced age for the role, given the dynamic and evolving nature of corruption. However, his over 30 years of experience across various levels of the judiciary could prove invaluable in prosecuting complex corruption cases.

Justice Aboki meets the statutory requirements for the position, having served as a High Court judge since 1987 before elevation to higher courts. Section 4 of the ICPC Act mandates that the chairman must be qualified to serve as a superior court judge.

The respected jurist started his career as a state counsel at the Kano State Ministry of Justice after being called to bar in 1977. He later served as Solicitor General, Director of Public Prosecutions and Chief Registrar of the state high court before becoming a judge.

At the Supreme Court valedictory session marking his retirement, Justice Aboki advocated for judiciary funding transparency and appointments based solely on merit. He received accolades from the Chief Justice of Nigeria for his integrity, dignity and legal mastery.

The appointment of Justice Aboki as ICPC Chairman, though qualified, may reinforce public perception that President Tinubu is not fully committed to tackling corruption. However, the presidency believes Justice Aboki’s experience and pedigree makes him the right candidate for the role.

______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209. _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Your Copy Now” — Basil Momodu, Esq. Unveils Second Edition Of His Book, "Civil Procedure In Nigeria"

According to the learned author, Basil Momodu Esq. "Law review is a continuum. We will continue to track changes in the law to enrich future editions." Recommended Booksellers: Lagos: 08033855230, Abuja: 08035991379, and others. ______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ________________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com