The National Judicial Council (NJC), has formally registered its appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his unequivocal position on the financial autonomy for the States Judiciary.This is even as it called on the various State Executives to, as a matter of urgency, commence its immediate implementation, saying that this is not only in line with the Constitutional dictates, but presently the Judicial position.
Rising from an emergency meeting today, July 10, in Abuja, the Council recommended the appointment of Hon. Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria even as it also approved the recommendation of its Interview Committee that screened the two candidates presented by the Federal Judicial Service Commission to it for appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Subsequently, the Council recommended to the Governors of Sokoto, Lagos, Anambra, Ebonyi, Niger, Taraba, Kano, and Jigawa States, eight successful candidates for appointment as Chief Judges and Grand Kadis for the States.
They are Hon. Mr. Justice Muhammad S. Sifawa as Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Hon. Mr. Justice Kazeem O. Alogba as Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Mr. Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu as Chief Judge of Anambra State and Hon. Mr. Justice Nwaigwe A. Anselm as Chief Judge of Ebonyi State.
Others are Hon. Mr. Justice Aliyu M. Mayaki as Chief Judge of Niger State, Hon. Mr. Justice Filibus B. Andetur as Chief Judge of Taraba State; Hon. Kadi Tijjani Yusuf Yakasai as Grand Kadi of Sharia Court of Appeal in Kano and Hon. Kadi Isa Jibrin Gantsa as Grand Kadi of Sharia Court of Appeal in Jigawa State.
A statement by the NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye, said that the newly appointed Heads of Court will be sworn-in after the approval of the President and their respective State Governors and confirmation by the Senate and State Houses of Assembly as the case may be.
The statement said that the Council also considered notification of retirements of Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judges of Gombe, Edo, Niger, Ebonyi, Acting Chief Judge of Kebbi States as well as those of nine other Judicial Officers from the Federal High Court, High Courts of Gombe, Delta, Edo, Imo, Benue and Katsina States.
