NIGERIA: US state department on Nigerian court appointments 1998.12.16

(Brings Supreme Court to full complement) (200)

WASHINGTON -- The United States congratulated Nigerian Head of State Abdulsalam Abubakar December 15 for appointing six new associate justices to the country's supreme court, bringing that body to a full complement for the first time in its history.

Following is the State Department's text of Foley's announcement:

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We wish to congratulate Head of State Abubakar for appointing six new Associate Justices to Nigeria's Supreme Court. These appointments have brought the court to its full complement of 16 Justices for the first time in its history. This action should promote the rule of law and improve the judicial system.

These appointments, along with 24 new Justices of the Court of Appeals, provide a vital part of the framework necessary for the reinvigoration of the rule of law in Nigeria. Dispensing justice on a national scale at every level of adjudication will, of course, require a long-term application of resources and political will. We encourage the Government of Nigeria to take the next step and lift Decree Two, which provides for arrest without charge and prevents judicial review of "security" cases.

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Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 12:25:06 +0000 (GMT) From: UN IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@wa.ocha.unon.org> Subject: : NIGERIA: US state department on Nigerian court appointments 1998.12.16