NJC moves to forestall conflicting rulings, issues guidelines on election matters

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has issued Policy Directions on Political and Election Related Cases to heads of courts in the country.

The directions, which were endorsed by the NJC at the end of its 98th meeting which held on May 10 and 11, are to reduce incidents of multiplicity of litigations, conflicting orders and forum shopping in the electioneering season.

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The meeting, which was presided by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, decided that once a matter had been ruled upon, no other court or panel of coordinate jurisdiction can entertain such matter.

The meeting also resolved that the rules shall require sufficient notice and publicity of actions that potentially impact other cases.

According to the statement by the Director of Information of the NJC, Soji Oye, “all heads of courts are to assign cases or constitute with a view to forestalling the incidences of conflicting judgments and rulings.”

The NJC also recommended 49 succesful candidates among the list of candidates for appointment as judicial officers and heads of courts.

The council said it received six notifications for retirement and one notice of death from federal and state high courts.