NJC Recommends Compulsory Retirement of a Chief Judge; Appoints Six Heads Of Court And Five High Court Judges
The National Judicial Council at its 101st Meeting on the 16 March, 2023 has recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice F. B. Andetur, the Chief Judge of Taraba State High Court with immediate effect.
Hon. Justice Andetur was recommended for compulsory retirement following the findings of an Investigation Committee to a petition written against him by Senator Muhammed Sanusi Dagash, that His Lordship suppressed judgement by failing to deliver judgement in Suit No: TRSJ/134/17: Mallam Kassim Yahaya Ahmad Vs Shittu Wurmo & Shuwari Farms Limited 30 months after adoption of final addresses by the parties.
Council after deliberation found that the Hon. Chief Judge breached the provisions of S.294(1) of the Constitution and therefore recommended him for compulsory retirement with immediate effect to Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State.
In the interim, the Council in exercise of its disciplinary powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, is suspending Hon. Justice Andetur from office pending his compulsory retirement. He is to hand over to the next most senior Judge in the State.
Similarly, Council considered the list of candidates presented by its Interview Committee and at the end of deliberation, recommended the appointment of six Heads of Court and five Judges of Plateau State High Court as follows:
1. CHIEF JUDGE, BENUE STATE
i) Hon. Justice Ikpambese Maurice Ahemba
2. CHIEF JUDGE, ADAMAWA STATE
i) Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman
3. CHIEF JUDGE, KWARA STATE
i) Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara
4. CHIEF JUDGE, OYO STATE
i) Hon. Justice Iyabo Subulade Yerima
5. GRAND KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, ADAMAWA STATE
i) Hon. Kadi Ibrahim Wakili Sudi
6. PRESIDENT, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, ADAMAWA STATE
i) Hon. Justice Audu James Balami
7. FIVE (5) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, PLATEAU STATE
i) Charles Donglong
ii) Ashahabu Suleiman Wase
iii) Shikamma Kassam Sheltu
iv) Mary Abah Izam
vi) Nanle Titus Komak
The notification of retirements of eight Judicial Officers of the Federal and State Courts and notification of death of a Court of Appeal Justice were also received and noted by Council.
