Nigeria high court overturns ruling disqualifying VP from presidential race News
Nigeria high court overturns ruling disqualifying VP from presidential race

[JURIST] The Supreme Court of Nigeria [official website] ruled unanimously Monday that Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar [official website; JURIST news archive] should not have been barred from running in the country's April 21 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) [official website]. Specifically, the court held that the Nigerian Court of Appeal [official website] incorrectly ruled [JURIST report] earlier this month that the INEC had the right to disqualify presidential candidates for fraud. INEC removed Abubakar's name from the ballot because he was indicted on corruption charges [JURIST report] in March, along with his political rival Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo [BBC profile], for diverting money to private interests. Abubakar then filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] against the INEC challenging its decision to bar his candidacy. Electoral officials could not immediately confirm to AP Monday whether Saturday's presidential ballots would contain Abubakar's name.

Last Saturday's elections for governors and state officials in Nigeria [JURIST news archive] were marred by violence and accusations of fraud [JURIST report], which has worried observers in advance of this coming Saturday's presidential election [BBC report]. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.