For falsifying their dates of birth, the National Judicial Council, (NJC) has sacked the duo of the Grand Kadi, of Yobe state, Shu’aibu A. Talba, and Justice Abdulkareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq of Osun State High Court.
The two judicial officers, according to a statement from the Director of Information at the NJC, Soji Oye, .were sacked after the NJC investigated and found merit in the two petitions against the two.
Following the development, the NJC in exercising its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, has suspended both Talba and Abdulrasaq from office pending the approval of the recommendation of their compulsory retirements by their respective state governors.
The Council came to the decision at a virtual meeting of December 16 where the appointment of 69 new judges was recommended and 18 petitions brought against 14 judicial officers were dismissed
NJC said it found merit in a petition that was filed against Grand Kadi Talba by the Chairman of Movement for Justice in Nigeria. Zakar Adamu in which he alleged that Talba falsified his age on two occasions, from February 1, 1955, to August 27, 1955, and later to December 30, 1959.
“Findings revealed that he was supposed to have retired on 1st February 2020 by virtue of his declared date of birth of 1st February 1955.
“Council, after deliberation, decided to recommend His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.
Consequently, the Council has requested the Government of Yobe State to deduct all salaries received by His Lordship from 1st February 2020 till date, from his gratuity, and remit same to the National Judicial Council that pays salaries of all Judicial Officers in the Federation.
In the case involving Justice Abdulrasaq, the NJC also recommended his compulsory retirement with immediate effect after it considered a petition by Yomi Alliyu, an SAN.
The Council said Justice Abdulrasaq falsified his date of birth from September 3, 1955, to September 3, 1957, and therefore, recommended “His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State with effect from 3rd September 2020”.
“It also requested the Osun State Government to deduct from His Lordship gratuity, salaries received by him from 3rd September 2020, and remit same to the National Judicial Council.
At the meeting, the Council also considered the reports of two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees and agreed with the recommendations to dismiss 18 petitions against 14 judicial officers.
Those at the Federal High Court are Justice Simon A. Amobeda, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba
and Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie
Those at the Delta State High Court are Justice T. O. Uloho, Justice Michael N. Obi, and Justice Onyeabo of the Lagos State High Court.
At the Rivers, State High Court are Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra, Chief Judge, Rivers State, Justice A. U. Kingsley-Chuku
and Justice J. N. Ukpugwnum
From Taraba State High Court are, Justice F. B. Andetur, and Chief Judge, Taraba State while from Enugu State High Court
is Justice Comfort C. Ani.
The petition against Justice M.A Pindiga of Gombe State High Court was also dismissed and also the one against Justice M.M Umar of Kebbi State High Court.
Meanwhile, the Council said it considered the Report of the Interview Committee and recommended the appointment of 69 Judicial Officers as Heads of Court, Judges of High Court of States, Kadis of States/FCT Sharia Courts of Appeal and Judges of the Customary Courts of Appeal.
The Council also approved the Report of its Committee on Appointments, Promotion and Discipline which recommended the promotion of 70 Members of Staff of the National Judicial Council while notifications of the retirement of 12 Judicial Officers and notifications of death of three Judges of Federal and State Courts were also received and noted by Council.
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