A fresh controversy has emerged in Nigeria’s judiciary after a retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, revealed that the United States government imposed visa restrictions on members of a Supreme Court panel over a controversial judgment.
Justice Abba-Aji made the revelation on Friday, November 6, 2026, during a valedictory court session organised in her honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja ahead of her retirement.
According to the retiring jurist, the US travel restrictions followed a judgment delivered by the panel, which she said was widely misinterpreted.
She disclosed that the restrictions were still in force.
In her remarks, Abba-Aji said:
“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.”
Although she did not identify the particular judgment, a report by Vanguard linked the development to the Supreme Court’s controversial January 14, 2020 ruling on the Imo State governorship election dispute.
What Happened in the 2020 Imo Governorship Election Case?
On January 14, 2020, the Supreme Court, in a seven-member panel, overturned the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Imo State governor and declared Senator Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the 2019 governorship election.
Uzodimma had initially been placed fourth in the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In its judgment, the apex court ordered the withdrawal of Ihedioha’s Certificate of Return and directed INEC to issue a fresh certificate to Uzodimma.
The decision generated widespread public debate and controversy across the country.
Justice Centus Nweze, who was not part of the seven-member panel that delivered the original judgment, subsequently expressed strong disagreement with the decision in a review proceeding.
Seven Supreme Court Justices Reportedly Affected
The seven-member panel involved in the January 2020 judgment included:
- Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria.
- Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the current Chief Justice of Nigeria.
- Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji.
- Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta.
- Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
- Justice Amiru Sanusi.
- Justice Amina Adamu Augie.
However, Abba-Aji did not individually name the affected justices during her valedictory remarks. The connection between the visa restrictions and the 2020 Imo judgment was reported by Vanguard and should be distinguished from her direct statement.
Donald Duke Had Earlier Raised Similar Allegations
The issue of US visa restrictions against the Supreme Court justices had previously surfaced in February 2023.
Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, alleged that the seven justices involved in the Imo governorship judgment were denied US visas when they sought to attend a judicial conference in the country.
He reportedly claimed that some aides who applied alongside the judicial officers received visas, while the justices were denied.
Abba-Aji’s latest revelation has brought renewed attention to those earlier allegations.
Retiring Justice Recalls EFCC Experience
During her valedictory remarks, Abba-Aji also recalled an experience involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
She disclosed that in 2016, while attending a programme in Washington DC, she received a telephone call directing her to report to the commission over a petition against her in Lagos State.
According to her, she subsequently became a regular visitor to the EFCC, where she answered questions concerning allegations she maintained she knew nothing about.
She said the commission eventually cleared her of the allegations following its investigation.
Why Is Justice Abba-Aji Retiring?
Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji is retiring from the Supreme Court after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
Her retirement takes effect on November 7, 2026.
At the valedictory session, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, praised her contributions to the judiciary and her years of service.
Major Takeaways
- A retiring Supreme Court Justice has disclosed that some Nigerian Supreme Court justices remain under US travel restrictions.
- The revelation was made on November 6, 2026.
- Justice Abba-Aji linked the restrictions to a judgment she said was widely misinterpreted.
- Vanguard linked the controversy to the January 14, 2020 Imo governorship judgment involving Hope Uzodimma and Emeka Ihedioha.
- Former Governor Donald Duke had made similar allegations in 2023.
- Abba-Aji did not disclose the specific judgment or individually identify the affected justices.
- No US government confirmation of the specific restrictions was established in the reports reviewed.
The revelation has renewed debate about the relationship between international diplomatic restrictions, judicial independence and controversial court decisions in Nigeria.