NJC denies alleged letter relinquishing powers to State Govs

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has formally distanced itself from a forged letter that falsely conveys the surrender of its legal authorities and responsibilities concerning the appointment and promotion of judges to State Governors. The legal body’s spokesperson stated that the missive, ostensibly directed to the Chief Judge of Kebbi State and purportedly signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, did not originate from the NJC or the CJN, who also serves as the NJC’s Chairman. In an official statement released on Sunday, Mr. Soji Oye, the NJC’s Director of Information, unequivocally declared that there is absolutely no basis in reality for the fabricated letter. The NJC’s statement elucidated, “The National Judicial Council has been made aware of a falsified letter dated July 14, 2023, fraudulently attributed to the Council and bearing the signature of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairperson of the National Judicial Council, Honorable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON.” The fraudulent communication, titled “Judicial Seniority Order of Kebbi State High Court Judges and the Endorsement of Justice Umar Abubakar as the Substantive Chief Judge of Kebbi State,” contends that, “In accordance with Section 10 of the prevailing 1996 Kebbi State law, the Governor possesses the authority to establish the seniority of judges, and the National Judicial Council lacks any capacity to counteract or reverse the Governor’s decision.” The letter further alleges, “The position of the Court’s Lead or Chief Judge is essentially a political appointment, subject to determination by the respective state’s Governor. “To eliminate any misconceptions and uncertainties, the NJC explicitly denies any association with the counterfeit letter and underscores that no such communication originated from the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria or the NJC. “The general public is hereby advised to disregard the forged letter and its contents,” the NJC said. Simultaneously, the NJC said it has reported this unfortunate occurrence to relevant law enforcement agencies, aiming to investigate and apprehend the individual(s) responsible for this reprehensible act.

NJC recommends Ariwoola Jnr, 22 others as FHC Judges

The National Judicial Council (NJC) on Friday, recommended Olukayode Ariwoola Jr., son of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola for appointment as a Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. Ariwoola junior was recommended for the Federal High Court bench along with 22 others who passed the screening and interview of the Council. Apart from the 23 nominees for the Federal High Court, NJC also sought the appointment of one Kadi for Kaduna State and four other Kadis for Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal. The recommendation for the appointments was made at the 103rd meeting of the Council presided over by the CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and held in Abuja. Those recommended as Federal High Court Judges are Ekerete Udofot Akpan, Hussaini Dadan-Garba, Egbe Raphael Joshua, Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa, Aishatu Auta Ibrahim, Ogazi Friday Nkemakonam, Ogundare Kehinde Olayiwola, Onah Chigozie Sergius, Hauwa Buhari, Ibrahim Ahmad Kala and Hauwa Joeph Yilwa. Others are Amina Aliyu Mohammed, Sharon Tanko Ishaya, Chituru Joy Wigwe-Oreh, Musa Kakaki, Owoeye Alexander Oluseyi, Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi, Agbaje Olufunmilola Adetutu and Salim Olasupo Ibrahim. The rest are Dipeolu Deinde Isaac, Ariwoola Olukayode Jnr, Abdullahi Muhammad Dan-Ige and Mashkur Salisu. A statement by the Director of Information of the Council, Mr Soji Oye released on Friday indicated that Hon. Kadi Muhammad Aminu Danjuma is to be appointed as Grand Kadi for Kaduna State. Besides, four others are to be appointed as Kadis for Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal and are Muhammad Adam Kadem, Salisu Muhammad Isa, Isa Idris Sa’id and Aliyu Muhammad Kani. The statement said that all recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC’S recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors and confirmation by their State Houses of Assembly as the case may be.