BUHARI FIRES JUSTICES ADEMOLA, TOKEDE

Says only fit judges will preside over courts

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday approved the compulsory retirement of Justice A.F.A Ademola of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court and the dismissal from office of Justice O.O Tokode of the Benin Division of the Federal High Court. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said this followed recommendations from the National Judicial Council (NJC). He said the disciplinary actions on the two justices were in pursuance of Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

According to Shehu, Justice O.O. Tokode is also to refund all salaries and allowances earned illegally from December 2, 2015 when he was sworn-in as a judge of the Federal High Court to date. He said the president urged judicial officers to be alive to their responsibilities and eschew corruption in the discharge of their duties.

Shehu said President Buhari had commenced the process of ensuring that persons, judges and justices recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment into various courts of record in the instance are fit and proper, and not under any disability to function as judicial officers. He said Buhari’s position was in furtherance of the executive powers vested in him under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution which allows him as the appointing authority to exercise same reasonably, taking all relevant factors into consideration.

According to Shehu, Nigerians are assured that President Buhari will issue his approval or otherwise as soon as the process of the background verification is completed.