Han Jong-Hee, co-chief executive officer (CEO) of Samsung Electronics, has died at the age of 63 due to cardiac arrest.

According to CNN, the company confirmed his passing on Tuesday.

The report states that “Jong-Hee” had been leading Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses since 2022 and was appointed as vice chairman and CEO that same year.

A company spokesperson stated that “Jun Young-Hyun”, his co-CEO, who was appointed last week, will now assume the role of Samsung’s sole CEO.

Samsung Pays Tribute

In an internal message obtained by CNN, Samsung honored “Jong-Hee”, recognizing his 37 years of service and his leadership in establishing Samsung’s TV business as a global leader.

The company also credited him with contributing to growth in its electronics and appliances businesses despite a challenging business landscape.

“Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the message stated.

A Career in Innovation

“Jong-Hee” joined Samsung in 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University.

Before leading Samsung’s electronics and devices division, he was responsible for its display operations.

A company biography published last week described him as a key figure in the development of Samsung’s LED TVs, emphasizing his role in maintaining the company’s technology leadership.

Challenges for Samsung

The report highlighted that Samsung has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly in its logic semiconductor business, which has struggled to compete with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in advanced chip production and client acquisition.

Obiora Egwuatu, a judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has withdrawn from the case filed by “Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan”, senator representing Kogi Central

Egwuatu, on Tuesday, stated that his decision was based on an allegation of bias against him by “Senate President Godswill Akpabio”.

The suit was initiated by “Akpoti-Uduaghan” to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions from carrying out disciplinary proceedings against her.

On March 4, the judge had issued an order restraining the Senate from initiating disciplinary actions against “Akpoti-Uduaghan”, following an ex parte application submitted by her legal representatives.

Case to Be Reassigned

After hearing from the legal teams of the involved parties, “Egwuatu” announced his withdrawal from the case.

He directed that the case file be forwarded to “John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court”, for reassignment.

The defendants in the case include:

• The Clerk of the National Assembly

• The Senate

• The Senate President

• The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics

Previously, the judge ruled that the defendants had 72 hours to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them.

However, 48 hours later, the Senate suspended “Akpoti-Uduaghan” for six months after adopting the committee’s report.

Additionally, the Senate ordered that:

• Her office be locked

• She must return all Senate properties in her possession to “The Clerk of the National Assembly” for the duration of her suspension.

On March 19, “Egwuatu” overturned his March 4 order, which had earlier prevented the Senate from suspending “Akpoti-Uduaghan”.

The Senate is expected to pass the tax reform bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly today (Tuesday).

This information was confirmed by two prominent senators who spoke on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to comment on the matter.

“This should have been done last week had the Rivers State of emergency issue not come up,” one of the sources stated. “But certainly, the four bills will be approved tomorrow.”

Attempts to reach Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages.

This move by the Senate follows the approval of the four tax reform bills by the House of Representatives two weeks ago.

The bills include:

• The Nigerian Tax Bill

• The Tax Administration Bill

• The Revenue Tax Board Bill

• The Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill

• Key Amendments and Stakeholder Participation

After a clause-by-clause review in the Committee of the Whole, some key amendments include:

• Maintaining the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate at 7.5% instead of a proposed increase.

• Extending income tax exemptions to specific agricultural businesses and military officers.

Two weeks ago, the Senate conducted a two-day public hearing on the tax reform bills, bringing together key stakeholders from the economic and financial sectors.

Among those in attendance were:

• Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

• Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

• Mele Kyari, Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

• Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of Customs.
• Members of the Federal Executive Council and heads of relevant agencies.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the same bills. Once the Senate gives its approval, the bills will be sent to President Tinubu for signing into law.