FCT high court judge Okeke reported dead

A prominent judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Jude Okeke, has been reported dead amid coronavirus after a brief sickness.

According to The Nation, late Jude Okeke (64-year-old) died on Tuesday, August 4, at the Abuja National Hospital.

The top judge who hailed from Idemili North local government area of Onitsha, Anambra, was said to have occupied the ninth position in the hierarchy of high court judges in the FCT. 

Reports have it that the judge complained of chest pain a few days ago before his ailment worsened and eventually claimed his life. 

Meanwhile President Buhari had sent the names of the judges to the Senate for confirmation according to a letter which was reportedly read out by the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, at the start of the plenary on Tuesday, July 7.

Also, a bill that sought to grant immunity to the Supreme Court justices, chief judges of the Federal High Court, the 36 states state high courts and that of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had scaled second reading at House of Representatives.

The bill sought to alter section 308 of the 1999 constitution as amended by restricting legal proceedings against heads of courts in the country.

The sponsor of the bill, Iduma Igariwey, said if it becomes law, the bill would protect the integrity and independence of the Supreme Court, the Federal and state high courts.

He said the doctrine of separation of powers would further be strengthened by protecting the judiciary from the excesses of the executive arm.

At the time, the Nigerian constitution in section 308 shielded the president, the vice president, state governors and their deputies, for their period in office, from all forms of civil and criminal prosecution.