Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal News Blogs -> JURIST - The Paper Chase

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Legal News

: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Nigeria court rules VP may take executive powers in president's absence

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

ADVERTISEMENTS

[JURIST] A judge for Nigeria's Federal High Court on Wednesday ordered Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to assume executive powers due to the prolonged absence of President Umaru Yar'Adua, who has been in Saudi Arabia receiving treatment for a heart condition since November. The court ruled that Nigeria's 1999 Constitution, which allows the president's executive power to be carried out through the vice president, made it proper for Jonathan to assume executive powers. The court refused to order Jonathan sworn in as acting president, finding that the constitution would not allow Jonathan to assume the role unless Yar'Adua formally transferred presidential powers to him. On Tuesday, Yar'Adua conducted an interview with the BBC, promising to return to power and putting to rest rumors that he was critically ill or dead. Yar-Adua's absence has sparked protests and calls for him to step down. In 2008, the Nigerian Supreme Court upheld the results of disputed 2007 election that brought Yar'Adua to power, despite opposition groups' allegations of fraud. Yar'Adua had promised to step down if the court invalidated the election. A tribunal formed before the 2007 election to deal with allegations of fraud ruled that the opposition groups lacked enough evidence of fraud to have the results overturned.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on January 14, 2010 (boomark / email).