TheNewsGuru

Tag: Appointment

  • Ex-INEC chair, Attahiru Jega, two former ministers, 40 others bag presidential appointment

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, as Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Jos.

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, said Buhari also approved the appointment and reassignment of Chancellors to 42 federal universities.

    Two former Ministers, Prof Anthony Anwuka and Udoma Udo Udoma, were also appointed chairmen of governing councils.

    While Anwuka is to chair the council of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Udoma will chair the council of Bayero University, Kano.

    Both Udoma and Anwuka served as ministers in the first term of Buhari.

    Other Chairmen of Councils are Prof Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo, University Of Abuja; Malam Adamu Fika, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; Dr. Sonny Kuku, University Of Benin; Chief Ikechi Emenike, University Of Nigeria; Nsukka and Ballama Manu, University Of Maiduguri.

    Adamu also noted that the President approved the re-constitution of Governing Councils of 23 Federal universities and Inter-University Centres (IUCs) following the expiration of their tenures since 8th May, 2021.

  • Court dismisses suit challenging appointment of new A’Court justices of

    Court dismisses suit challenging appointment of new A’Court justices of

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed a suit seeking to challenge the appointment of 18 new justices for the Appeal Court over alleged breach of federal character principles.
    Delivering judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo, dismissed the suit filed by an Igbo socio-cultural group; the Incorporated Trustees of Alaigbo Development Foundation, for lack of locus standi (legal right) to institute the matter.
    Justice Ekwo held that going by Section 283 (1) of Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) Part A in the avirement of the plaintiff, the action of the group ran contrary to the law.
    He said he noted that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants in the suit raised an issue of locus standi of the plaintiff to institute the case and that the plaintiff too had joined issues in the matter.
    According to him, the issue of locus standi of the plaintiff will have to be determined first before going into the substantive matters.
    “Where the court finds out that the plaintiff does not have a locus standi to file the suit, the case ends there,” the judge said, citing previous cases to the effect.
    However, he said where the group had the legal right, “the case succeeds.”
    “The plaintiff must demonstrate that he has the capacity to sue and be sued,” he added.
    Justice Ekwo pointed out that after studying the group’s application, it failed to prove in the copy of certificate of incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission presented before the court that it had the right to file the suit.
    He noted that the group was registered as a foundation to raise funds and engage in charity activities and not to engage in public interest litigation.
    The judge further said that though the group claimed to be a non-governmental organisation (NGO), it ought to have studied what an NGO does before registering as one.
    “People think they can do anything they like provided that they are giving publication.
    “The plaintiff has exceeded the perimeter of their operation,” he ruled, adding that the action of the group was ultravire.
    Ekwo, who advised the group not to mislead itself anymore, urged them to go and mind their business of raising funds for charity purpose they were established to do.
    “Once the court finds out that the plaintiff has no legal right to file an action, the jurisdiction of the court is affected.
    “I, therefore, make an order striking out the suit for lack of locus standi of the plaintiff,” he ruled.
    The group had, in an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/347/21 dated March 15 and filed March 16, urged the court to restrain the defendants from continuing the exercise pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
    The plaintiff sued the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission, President of the Court of Appeal, Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NJC had, on March 19, announced that it recommended 18 candidates to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as justices of the Court of Appeal.
    The Director of Information, NJC, Soji Oye, said the council, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, had at its 94th meeting held on December 17 and 18, 2020, considered the list of candidates presented by its interview committee.
    However, the socio-cultural group had challenged the exercise alleging that the NJC violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution on the grounds that the South East region had been marginalised in the selection.
    The group, through its lawyer, Max Ozoaka, alleged that the Principles of the Federal Character was breached in the way and manner the new Appeal Court justices were nominated and subsequently urged the judge to nullify the exercise.
    But counsel to the NJC (1st defendant), Paul Usoro, SAN, while arguing his preliminary objection, prayed Justice Ekwo to decline jurisdiction in the matter on the grounds that the plaintiff lacked locus standi (legal right) to institute the action.
    Usoro told the court that the plaintiff was an Igbo socio-cultural organisation and that the aims and objectives of the group did not include instituting cases of public interest.
    The senior lawyer further disagreed on the premise that photocopies of certificate of incorporation of the group certified by a court registrar was tendered.
    He averred that only officials of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) were empowered to certify such documents and urged the court to dismiss the case.
    Corroborating Usoro’s argument, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, urged the court to refuse to entertain the matter.
    According to him, Section 20 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) did not permit the group to embark on instituting such an action.
    NAN reports that the plaintiff, in the application, had sought the court order compelling the defendants to replace the three vacancies in the South East slots by three new justices from the zone.
    in the application, they asked the court to determine that “having regard to the oath of office of the defendants to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, whether the defendants can completely ignore, disregard or infringe at will the principles of justice, fairness, equity, due process and federal character in the ongoing exercise of appointment of Justices of the Court of Appeal, particularly with regard to the South East Zone of the Federation.
    “Having regard to the principles of equity and a good conscience and the true intendment and purpose of the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, is the South East Zone of the Federation not entitled in the ongoing exercise of appointment of justices of the Court of Appeal to 3 (three) new slots in the bench of the Court in direct replacement of the vacancies occasioned and existing in the bench of the court arising from the elevation, retirement and death of three justices of the court from that zone.”
    The plaintiff, who averred that if the answers to the above questions are in its favour, urged the court to declare the action of the defendants, particularly the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, in allocating one slot only to the South East Zone in the ongoing exercise as “unjustifiable, unfair, inequitable and contrary to the true intendment of the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
  • Buhari approves appointment of 18 Court of Appeal justices

    Buhari approves appointment of 18 Court of Appeal justices

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of 18 Court of Appeal justices.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the appointed judges were recommended and interviewed by the National Judicial Council to the President at its 94th meeting.

    The newly appointed justices include;
    1. Bature Gafai
    2. Muhammad Sirajo
    3. Abdul-Azeez Waziri
    4. Yusuf Bashir
    5. Usman Musale
    6. Jauro Wakili
    7. Abba Mohammed
    8. Mohammed Danjuma
    9. Danlami Senchi
    10. Mohammed Abubakar
    11. Hassan Sule
    12. Amadi Ikechukwu
    13. Peter Affen
    14. Sybil Gbagi
    15. Olasumbo Goodluck
    16. Banjoko Adeoti Ibironke
    17. Olabode Adegbehingbe
    18. Bola Ademola

  • NJC recommends appointment of 26 Judicial officers, 18 Appeal Court Justices

    NJC recommends appointment of 26 Judicial officers, 18 Appeal Court Justices

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 18 candidates to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal.

    This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of NJC, Soji Oye, on Friday in Abuja.

    The council said the decision to recommend the Judges for the various appointments was taken at the 94th Meeting of NJC held on Dec. 17 to Dec. 18 2020 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

    The Council further okayed the appointment of eight heads of court, even as it constituted a panel to probe allegations that were brought against a serving judge.

    It said the list of candidates presented by its Interview Committee was considered, after which it resolved to recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Governors of Rivers, Nasarawa, Kogi, Jigawa, Ebonyi and Delta States, the 26 successful candidates for appointment as Justices of Court of Appeal and Heads of Court in Nigeria.

    It gave the list of the successful 18 candidates it recommended for elevation to the Court of Appeal bench as Justices Bature Gafai, Muhammad Sirajo, Waziri Abdul-Azeez, Yusuf Bashir, Usman A. Musale, Jauro Wakili and Abba Mohammed, Others are Grand Kadi Mohammed Danjuma, Danlami Senchi, Mohammed Abubakar, Hassan Sule, Amadi Ikechukwu, Peter Affen, Sybil Gbagi and Olasumbo OGoodluck.

    Others are Justices Banjoko Ibironke, Hon. Olabode Adegbehingbe and Hon. Bola Ademola.

    The council also recommended the appointment of Justice Salisu Garba as Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi as Chief Judge of Rivers.It further recommended the appointment of Hon. Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze as President of Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.

     

    “All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after approval by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and their respective State Governors and confirmation by the National Assembly and the respective States Houses of Assembly”, the statement added.

    The NJC said it had also at the meeting, deliberated on the Reports on 24 petitions written against 29 Judges.

    said the reports were presented by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee.

    The Council said it decided to empanel an investigation Committee against one Judge and issued two strong warning letters against 2 Judges of the Federal and State High Courts.

    It also resolved to set up a Medical Board to ascertain the health status of one Judge.

    Others are Justices Aisha Aliyu as Chief Judge of Nassarawa State, Sunday Omeiza Otu as Chief Judge of Kogi, Umar Sadiq as Chief Judge of Jigawa, Ngene Elvis as Chief Judge of Ebonyi , and Theresa T. Diai as Chief Judge of Delta.

    It further recommended the appointment of Justice a Elumeze as President of Customary Court of Appeal, Delta .

    “All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after approval by the President, Buhari, and their respective State Governors and confirmation by the National Assembly and the respective States Houses of Assembly”, the council added.

    More so, the NJC said it had also at the meeting, deliberated on the Reports on 24 petitions written against 29 Judges.

    Council said Justice Olokoba was also put on the watch list of the Council for his failure to deliver judgment within the Constitutional period of 90 days and Hon. Justice Savage was reprimanded for not being in charge of his Court.

    “The remaining petitions were summarily dismissed for obvious and manifest lack of merit, being subjudice, overtaken by events or that such petitions were matters for appeal.

    “The dismissed petitions were against Hon. Justices Rita Pemu, Ita G. Mbaba and Theresa Orji-Abadua all of Owerri Division of the Court of Appeal; Justices O. O. Oguntoyinbo and A. Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Anslem A. Nwaigwe, Chief Judge of Ebonyi , Justices M. A. Abubakar, Binta Rijau of Niger State High Court, Maurice Eneji of Cross River and Kulu Aliyu, Chief Judge, Zamfara

  • Federal High Court shortlists 34 lawyers for appointment as judges

    Federal High Court shortlists 34 lawyers for appointment as judges

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Justice John Tsoho has shortlisted 34 lawyers from five states from which six will be selected for appointment as judges.

    The states are: Niger, 10 applicants: Kano, six applicants; Katsina, six applicants; Yobe, six applicants; and Osun, six applicants.

    Justice Tsoho disclosed this in a March 8, 2021 circular to all of the court’s serving judges, seen by The Nation on Thursday.

    The serving justices were directed to state their objections to the list, if any, within 10 days.

    The letter was titled, RE: appointment of six (6) additional judges for the Federal High Court Bench.

    It reads: “In continuation of the process for the appointment of Judges to the Federal High Court Bench, Your Lordships will find attached shortlisted candidates and their addresses from the five states earlier specified for consideration and if found fit, for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court.

    “Your Lordships are hereby enjoined to indicate your objections, if any, to the appointment of any candidate within 10 (ten) days of this Circular letter. Please treat as urgent.”

    The nominees, their states and addresses are,

    Niger State –

    Chiroma Moses Gamzhi – Director of Public Prosecution Ministry of Justice, Niger State; Bala Khalifa-Mahammed Usman: Acting Director. Civil Litigation, Ministry of Justice, Niger State; Jibo Maryam Daso: Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation), High Court of Justice, Minna, Niger State; Ojimi Rachel Dufia: Director, Legislative Drafting and Legal Services Osun State Ministry of Justice Osogbo, Osun State; Musa Suleiman Liman: Private Practitioner, Summit Chambers, No. 2, Muazu Mohammed Road, Minna, Niger State; Baba Alhaji Saidu: Asst. Director, Fed. Min of Justice, Abuja; Fati Suleman Takuma: Director, Public Relations, High Court of Justice, Minna, Niger State; Garafini Ahmed Abdulrahman: Chief Magistrate III, High Court of Justice, Minna, Niger State; Nasiru Muazu: Director of Probate, High Court of Justice, Minna; Murtala Muhammed Bala Ibrahim: State Senior Magistrate, High Court of Justice, Minna.

    Kano State –

    Mukhtar Garba Dandago: Chief Magistrate 1, High Court of Justice, Kano; Ahmad G. Mohammed: Chief Studies Fellow, National Judicial Institute Abuja; Musa Ahmad: Chief Magistrate, High Court of Justice, Kano; Binta Mansur Mahmoud: Chief Magistrate, High Court of Justice, Kano, Kano; Hanif Sanusi Yusuf: Deputy Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Kano, Kano State; Kyauta Abdullah: Chief Magistrate II, High Court of Justice, Kano.

    Katsina State –

    Aminu Garba: Asst. Director Legal Drafting, Ministry of Justice Katsina, Katsina State; Umar Abdur-Rahman: Director Civil Litigation High Court of Justice, Katsina, Katsina State; Abdulmumeen Nuradeen: Chief Magistrate, High Court of Justice, Katsina: Halima Lawal Bagiwa: Assistant Director Ministry of Justice, Katsina State; Aliyu Amina Mohammad: Principal Registrar, Federal High Court, Abuja; Nasiru Salele: Deputy Chief State Counsel EFCC Kaduna.

    Yobe State –

    Emmanuel Gakko: Chief Registrar, Federal High Court, Abuja; Mohammed Adamu Jajere: Chief Magistrate 1, High Court of Justice, Yobe; Chief State Counsel Federal Capital Territory: Mohammed Garba Bawa; Chief State Counsel Federal Capital Territory Administration, Area 11, Garki, Abuja; Mustapha Wakil: Deputy Chief Registrar Sharia Court of Appeal Yobe; Usman Lukman Nuhu: Assistant Lecturer, Yobe State University and Aisha Ahmed Fika Mohammed: Senior Registrar Court of Appeal, Abuja.

    Osun –

    Ajibade Bolatito Florence (Mrs) Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Akure, Ondo State; Ayilara Olusegun Ayodele, Ph.D: Chief Magistrate, High Court of Justice, Osogbo, Osun State; Olakunle Yusuff Private Practitioner Lahai-Roi Chambers, Suite B05, Tsukunda House, Plot 1446, beside ECOWAS, along Church Gate, CBD, Abuja: Oladigbolu Abidemi – Monday Private Practitioner Legalmind Chambers, 11th Floor, Wing C, Western House, 8/10 Broad Street, Lagos: Justice Fagbenle Emmanuel Olusegun – Former Chief Justice of the High Court, Republic of Gambia, 2015-2017. ¢/O: Kanu G. Agabi (SAN) & Associates, Trinity House, behind Fed. Min of Works, Mabushi Abuja: and Abodunde Hazrat Babalakin-Are – Private Practitioner – 11, Ramotu Oluwakemi Street, Median Estate, Gbagada, Lagos.

  • JUST IN: Reps confirm appointment of Service Chiefs

    JUST IN: Reps confirm appointment of Service Chiefs

    The House of Representatives has confirmed the appointment of the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

    The report of the Committee on Defence was presented by the Chairman, Babajimi Benson, during plenary on Tuesday and considered by the committee of the whole, before it was adopted by the House.

    According to the committee chairman, the nominees were thoroughly screened.

    The service chiefs are also being screened by the Senate Committee on Defense.

    The process had commenced last Wednesday when the new appointees were called upon to share their portfolios as well as their vision if they are confirmed to take on the new roles.

    Their confirmation by the House of Reps today comes shortly after the Senate nominated the immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors, despite criticisms in some quarters.

    President Muhammadu Buhari appointed them on January 26, following the resignation of the former officers.

    Major-General Leo Irabor replaced General Abayomi Olonisakin as Chief of Defence Staff; Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao replaced Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff; Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo replaced Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Chief of Naval Staff; while General Ibrahim Attahiru replaced Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai as Chief of Army Staff.

  • Appointment into Immigration not for rich kids only – CG

    Appointment into Immigration not for rich kids only – CG

    The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, has said that appointment into the Service is neither for sale nor for the children of the rich.

    Babandede said on Saturday in Yola that the appointment was basically for those that are fit and qualified.

    The Immigration Boss was in Adamawa on a two-day official visit, during which he inaugurated a Sick Bay Centre and a Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Gurin and Belel in Fufore and Maiha Local Government Areas respectively.

    He said that when he assumed office in 2016, he ensured that no vacant position was sold to the children of the rich, adding that the poor should be treated equal with the rich without any discrimination.

    He said that recently, 370,000 people applied for the 4,900 available vacant positions from across the country for the 2020/2021 recruitment.

    “ After an intensive screening, we invited 70,000 applicants for examination and 50,000 appeared and sat for the examination.

    “We shortlisted 6,000 candidates for final physical screening and only those that are fit and qualified will be recruited as officers of the Service in the next two weeks.

    “We will make sure we do justice and the appointments will be shared equally among all the 774 local government areas of the country,’’ Babandede said.

    He said that the children of the poor have the right to apply for the job alongside the so-called children of the rich.

    He recalled that in 1985, he got recruited into the Service without knowing anybody or any top government official.

    According to him, we will make sure we restore the lost glory of the Service for the betterment of our future generation.

    In his remark, Alhaji Idi Amin, the Chairman of Maiha Local Government Area, appreciated the Federal Government for establishing the base.

    Amin said that the local government got the support of both the Federal and the state government to organise a meeting with the border communities between Nigeria and Cameroon .

    He said that during the meeting, a significant security issue bordering, especially, on border banditry was discussed and the communities agreed to work together to end criminal activities in their respective communities.

  • Peterside Tasks New Service Chiefs’ To Justify Appointment By Buhari

    Peterside Tasks New Service Chiefs’ To Justify Appointment By Buhari

    The immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of new service chiefs.

     

    This is just as he has tasked them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the president in ensuring that there is synergy in the battle against insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.

     

    According to him, naming new helmsmen to head the various military formations has once again proven that the president listens and acts within the confines of his mandate.

     

    He noted that President Buhari has once again risen to the occasion by appointing new top military personnel to provide added impetus in determined efforts by the federal government to make Nigeria more secure.

     

    Dr. Peterside called on the new service chiefs to do all within their powers to arrest remnants of insecurity in parts of the country, in addition to working with the civil society and collaborating across agencies and institutions.

     

    According to him, “the new service chiefs are coming in at a time when Nigerians are demanding more decisive actions against insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers. They sure have their works cut out; it is obvious that they will be under pressure to perform.

     

    “The president has responded to the yearning of Nigerians by bringing fresh hands on board. We must all support them to succeed. Security is for all of us and we must contribute our quota by assisting them in whatever way we can.

     

    “We must also commend the outgone service chiefs. They gave their best in the fight against crime and criminality. It now behooves on their successors to consolidate on what they meet on the ground and build upon it.”

     

  • Appointment of Service Chiefs: Ohanaeze Nidgbo complains bitterly over Buhari’s ‘snub’ of South East zone

    Appointment of Service Chiefs: Ohanaeze Nidgbo complains bitterly over Buhari’s ‘snub’ of South East zone

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent sack and appointment of new service chiefs.

    The apex South East organisation in a letter by its president, Amb. Prof. George Obiozor on Wednesday said the change in the security architecture will go a long way to address the nation’s lingering security challenges.

    While appreciating the president for the appointment, especially, that of Major General Lucky Irabor who hails from Delta State, the group however berated the president for excluding the South East zone in the appointments.

    See letter below:

     

  • Ex-Dep Senate President, Ekweremadu bags new appointment

    Ex-Dep Senate President, Ekweremadu bags new appointment

    The International Parliamentary Congress, (IPC) has appointed former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, as its Chief Coordinator for Africa.

    The appointment was conveyed to Ekweremadu in a letter dated October 26, 2020, by the Secretary-General of the IPC and member of the Pakistani national parliament, Senator Muhammad Ali Saif, according to a statement by the media adviser to the Enugu West lawmaker, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja.

    “We are proud to inform you that the Honourable President of the IPC has nominated your good self as Chief Coordinator Africa with immediate effect.

    “IPC endeavours to promote parliamentary dialogue and oversight of Climate Change and Food Security; Human Rights; Peace, Security, Conflict Resolution and Interfaith Harmony; Trade, Investment and Development Corporation; Health Research; Standardisation, Quality Control, Human Development; and Observation of Elections across the world.

    “To support IPC in achieving the noble cause, your influence, experience, and goodwill shall help cover the whole of the African region, enabling the IPC to directly partake in projects for the general welfare of African nations and to uphold democracy”, the letter read.

    Meanwhile, Ekweremadu, who is also Nigeria’s sole member of the Malta-based International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, the legislative arm of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, has accepted the appointment.

    The former Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, pledged to work for the realisation of the laudable ideals and objectives of the IPC.

    He said he was optimistic that the world would benefit immensely from the rising influence of parliaments in global affairs.

    “I, therefore, accept the appointment with the utmost sense of humility and appreciation, mindful of the fact that injustice, repression, poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, and weakening of democracy and its values in any part of the world equally holds severe consequences for the rest of the globe, hence we must all come together to work for the good of all,” he added.