Senate Confirms Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Ude, SAN, as Minister After Screening on Diplomacy and Justice Reform
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Ude, SAN, from Enugu State, as a Minister of the Federal Republic, following his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During the screening session, lawmakers raised critical constitutional and governance issues:
Senator Abdul Ningi sought Ude’s perspective on Nigeria’s handling of the ongoing Trump threat, to which Ude responded that the matter was being managed at the diplomatic level, stressing that it was “more a matter of diplomacy than law.”
Senator Adamu Aliero revisited the long-standing debate on whether the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice should be separated. Ude replied that the effectiveness of the office depends on the integrity and independence of the officeholder, rather than on whether the roles are fused or separated.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Ude for his clarity and composure during the proceedings. His nomination was subsequently approved by a unanimous voice vote.
Ude’s appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. Born in 1978, Ude previously served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State, where he earned recognition for his contributions to legal reform and governance.
