Supreme Court Justices Placed on US Visa Ban, Retiring Jurist Reveals

Justice Uwani Abba-Aji said at her valedictory session that some Nigerian Supreme Court justices remain subject to a US visa ban imposed after a ruling she described as widely misinterpreted. The ban is understood to be linked to the court’s January 14, 2020 decision that nullified Emeka Ihedioha’s election as Imo State governor and ordered the swearing-in of Hope Uzodimma. The court added results from 388 polling units, totaling 213,295 votes, which the electoral commission, INEC, had disowned, and later rejected Ihedioha’s request for a review. Justice Centus Nweze was the sole panel member to dissent, calling for Ihedioha’s reinstatement.