Ilorin Based Lawyer Faults Appointment of 5 Kwara State High Court Judges
-Writes CJN For Suspension
-Berates Nepotism, Favouritism by KSJSC
A Kwara based legal luminary, Muritala Sambo has forwarded a petition to the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, challenging the National Judicial Council over appointment of five new High Court Judges in Kwara State.
Barrister Sambo, in a petition addressed to Chief Justice of Nigeria called for the immediate NJC to suspend the appointments,
“As a legal practitioner, I considered it part of my obligations to ensure and insist that the Constitution and the laws are not violated and are complied with most especially in the temple of justice and to ensure the Shrine of Justice is not turned into abattoir of injustice. My Lord, I presumed that Your Lordship and Honourable Members of the Council are aware that the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission (KWSJC) is in the process of appointing Five Judges for Kwara State high court.
Neither the law nor morality and good conscience would support or vindicate the unprecedented un-procedural procedure being adopted for the process of appointment of new High Court Judges by the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission under the Leadership of Hon. Justice Sulaiman Duroshinlohun Kawu C.J.,” he added.
He further berated the poor condition facilities in the judicial system as two judges are forced to share one court room, charging the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission to address the issue of facility deficit which, for long has been ridiculing the system.
‘Before any appointment of judicial officer or officers can be made, facilities such as Court Room, Library, official quarters and vehicle must be on ground. None of this is available in Kwara State, In fact the state of infrastructural facilities of the Kwara State High Court is so deficient and bad to the extent that two or more High Court Judges share a court room and seat in turns a situation which lawyers derisively referred to as “Morning and afternoon sessions”.
The petitioner, faulted the selection processes as he alleged that the committee billed for the appointment of the judicial officers did not meet quorum, raising concern over the level of favouritism and nepotism which shrouded the appointment.
“A Hitherto the approval for appointment of new judges, Alhaji Adama Sadik (Ebodaniyan) had, for more than a year become indisposed due to old age related health challenges which has made him unable to attend any function including the meetings of the KSJSC thereby reducing the number of legal and functional members of the Commission to three only to wit. The Chief Judge, the Grand Khadi and Alahji Sambo Haliru Lafiagi.
This because the presence of the Retired Grand Khadi Idrees Harron (as a legal practitioner member) was and remains illegal and unconstitutional.
The facts states above was the situation as at Friday 25th October, 2019 when the KSJSC under the Chairmanship of the Chief Judge sat where the Chief Judge presented to the members of the Commission TEN names of applicants shortlisted by the Chief Judge for consideration and approval. The very crucial meeting meant for very crucial decision on appointment of five new High Court judges composed of the Chief Judge, the Grand Khadi, Alhaji Sambo Haliru Lafiaji (non-legal practitioner) and Retired Hon. Grand Khadi Idrees Harron (a non-legal practitioner but seated as a legal practitioner)
This therefore means that in law only THREE members of the Commission sat on this very crucial assignment. However, by its own rules, the quorum of the Commission for the appointment of Judge or judges is FIVE members. Interestingly, at the meeting of 25th October, 2019, without “wasting any time” the TEN shortlisted candidates were approved.
Interestingly, the shortlisted names includes Barr. Hussain Toyin Kawu, a DCR with the Court of Appeal who is a full blood brother of the Chief Judge. The said Hussain Toyin Kawu has been
