Retiring Supreme Court Judge Laments US Travel Ban Based On Alleged Misinterpretation Of Judgement
Retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji has lamented the travel ban imposed on seven member panel of the apex court by the United States of America, USA, based on alleged misinterpretation of a judgment delivered by the justices.
Retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji has lamented the travel ban imposed on seven member panel of the apex court by the United States of America, USA, based on alleged misinterpretation of a judgment delivered by the justices.
The seven justices that made Hope Uzodinma the Supreme-Court Appointed Governor included the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Olukayode Ariwoola, Amiru Sanusi, Amina Adamu Augie, Uwani Musa Abba Aji and
Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
Uzodinma was appointed governor of Imo State, by the Supreme Court, in spite of the fact that he came fourth in the election.
The Yobe born apex court justice spoke on Friday in Abuja during a valedictory session in her honour, noting that, the US travel ban was still subsisting against the justices. She will formally bow of the apex court on Saturday, November 7, 2026, upon attainment of the mandatory retirement of 70 years of age.
Abba Aji however, said that, the ban was part of inconveniences and a small price to pay by judicial officers to preserve the sanctity of justice.
Her words, “My time on the Supreme Court bench was filled with challenges, some of which have served as additional opportunities to stand firm on the side of justice, regardless of the consequences.
“One of such challenging judgments was widely misinterpreted and led to a travel ban to the United States of America being imposed on all members of the panel, a ban which still holds today”.
Abba Aji further recalled that in 2016 while on a programme at Washington DC in the USA, she received a call that her attention was needed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over a false petition against her in Lagos.
According to her, the petition later made her a regular visitor at the EFCC office, answering questions on allegations of corruption she knew nothing about, even as she was exonerated from all the allegations, at the end of the investigations.
The Yobe born apex court justice spoke on Friday in Abuja during a valedictory session in her honour, noting that, the US travel ban was still subsisting against the justices. She will formally bow of the apex court on Saturday, November 7, 2026, upon attainment of the mandatory retirement of 70 years of age.
Abba Aji however, said that, the ban was part of inconveniences and a small price to pay by judicial officers to preserve the sanctity of justice.
Her words, “My time on the Supreme Court bench was filled with challenges, some of which have served as additional opportunities to stand firm on the side of justice, regardless of the consequences.
“One of such challenging judgments was widely misinterpreted and led to a travel ban to the United States of America being imposed on all members of the panel, a ban which still holds today”.
Abba Aji further recalled that in 2016 while on a programme at Washington DC in the USA, she received a call that her attention was needed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over a false petition against her in Lagos.
According to her, the petition later made her a regular visitor at the EFCC office, answering questions on allegations of corruption she knew nothing about, even as she was exonerated from all the allegations, at the end of the investigations.
She then, urged younger generation of judges to hold fast to integrity and let justice be their compass.
She specifically, counseled serving judges to serve with humility and courage and to always remember that the law is not merely a profession but a trust.
Earlier, the CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who presided over the special court session had congratulated Justice Abba Aji for her diligent service to the country’s judiciary and for leaving the Supreme Court bench with unblemished record of service.
Kekere- Ekun noted that, Justice Abba Aji career in the judiciary and the legal profession was so important to the nation, especially women who have followed her example on the Bench.
In his own speech on the occasion, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN commended Justice Abba Aji for her judgment that led to the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, which according to him had, assisted Nigerian government in combating corruption.
She specifically, counseled serving judges to serve with humility and courage and to always remember that the law is not merely a profession but a trust.
Earlier, the CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who presided over the special court session had congratulated Justice Abba Aji for her diligent service to the country’s judiciary and for leaving the Supreme Court bench with unblemished record of service.
Kekere- Ekun noted that, Justice Abba Aji career in the judiciary and the legal profession was so important to the nation, especially women who have followed her example on the Bench.
In his own speech on the occasion, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN commended Justice Abba Aji for her judgment that led to the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, which according to him had, assisted Nigerian government in combating corruption.
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