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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
December 15, 1998

Nigeria--Supreme Court Positions Filled

We wish to congratulate Head of State Abubakar for appointing six new Associate Justices to Nigeria's Supreme Court. These appointments brought the court to its full complement of 16 Justices for the first time in its history. This action should promote the rule of law and improve the judicial system.

These appointments, along with 24 new Justices of the Court of Appeals, provide a vital part of the framework necessary for the reinvigoration of the rule of law in Nigeria. Dispensing justice on a national scale at every level of adjudication will, of course, require a long-term application of resources and political will. We encourage the Government of Nigeria to take the next step and lift Decree Two, which provides for arrest without charge and prevents judicial review of "security" cases.

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