The National Judicial Council has recommended the compulsory retirement of two judicial officers for age falsification.
The NJC’s Director, Information, Mr Soji Oye, in a statement made available to the media on Sunday, gave the nanes of the affected judges Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Shu’aibu Talba, and Justice Abdulkareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq of Osun State High Court.
According to the statement, the council took its decision at its 93rd meeting held virtually on December 16, 2020.
The statement reads in part, “Hon. Grand Kadi Shu’aibu Talba was recommended for compulsory retirement following an investigation into a petition against him written by one Malam Zakar Adamu, Chairman, Movement for Justice in Nigeria, alleging that His Lordship falsified his age on two occasions, i.e. from 1st February, 1955 to 27th August, 1955 and later to 30th December, 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.
“Furthermore, Council 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.
“Council also considered a petition by Chief Yomi Alliyu, SAN, and found merit in his allegation against Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq that His Lordship falsified his date of birth from 3rd September, 1955 to 3rd September, 1957.
“Council, 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.”
“Meanwhile, in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the National Judicial Council has suspended Hon. Grand Kadi Talba and Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq from office pending the approval of the recommendation of their compulsory retirements by their respective Governors.”
The statement added that the NJC considered the reports of its two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees and adopted the recommendations to dismiss 18 petitions against 14 judicial officers.
They include four judges of the Federal High Court, Justices Simon A. Amobeda, Taiwo O. Taiwo, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, and Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie.
They also include Justices T. O. Uloho and Michael N. Obi of the Delta State High Court, and Justice G. M. Onyeabo of Lagos State High Court.
Among others against whom petitions were dismissed are, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra, as well as Justice A. U. Kingsley-Chuku, Justice J. N. Ukpugwnum.
The rest are the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice F. B. Andetur, Chief Judge, Justice Comfort Ani of the Enugu State High Court, Justice M. A. Pindiga of the Gombe State High Court, and Justice M. M. Umar of the Kebbi State High Court.
