US travel ban on Supreme Court Justices based on misinterpreted judgment – Retiring Justice Aji clarifies
Supreme Court Justice Abba Aji Reflects on Career and Challenges at Valedictory Session
ABUJA — Justice Abba Aji, a Yobe-born member of Nigeria’s Supreme Court, revealed on Friday that a travel ban imposed by the United States remains in effect for justices involved in a contentious court decision. She made this statement during a valedictory session held in her honor at the Supreme Court.
Justice Aji described the ban as part of the challenges faced by judicial officers, stating that it is a small price to pay to uphold the integrity of justice. “One such challenging judgment was widely misinterpreted and led to a travel ban to the United States being imposed on all members of the panel, a ban which still holds today,” she said.
The justice also recounted an incident from 2016, when she was called upon by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while attending a program in Washington, D.C. She was informed of a petition against her in Lagos, making her a frequent visitor to the EFCC amid allegations of corruption, which she denied. Ultimately, she was exonerated from all accusations, but described the experience as chaotic and emotionally challenging, exacerbated by slander and her inability to publicly defend herself due to the judiciary’s conservative parameters.
In her remarks, Justice Aji urged younger judges to maintain their integrity and allow justice to guide their decisions. She advised them to serve with humility and courage, emphasizing that the law is more than a profession—it is a trust.
Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who presided over the session, praised Justice Aji for her dedicated service to the judiciary and commended her for departing the Supreme Court with an unblemished record. She noted that Justice Aji’s career is significant not only for the nation but also as an inspiration for women aspiring to serve on the Bench.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, also recognized Justice Aji’s contributions, particularly her role in establishing the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). These institutions, he stated, have been instrumental in the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat corruption.
