Buhari Nominates Kafarati as Chief Judge of Federal High Court

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday requested the Senate to confirm Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati as substantive Chief Judge of the Federal High Court nine months after acting in that capacity.

The request was contained in a letter written by Buhari to the Senate and read on the floor of the Senate after the emergency session of the National Assembly by Senate President Bukola Saraki

The letter read in part: “In accordance with the provisions of Section 250 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, I write to request for the confirmation of the Senate, the appointment of Justice Adamu Abdul Kafarati as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

“It is my hope that the distinguished Senate will consider and confirm the nominee in its usual expeditious manner.

“Please accept, Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the letter read

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, took a proactive step to prevent judicial disorder on September 16, 2017, and sworn in Justice Abdul Kafarati as acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Justice Kafarati was then the most senior judge of the court when Justice Ibrahim Auta retired on September 16, 2017, after attaining mandatory retirement age

The Senate had also on March 8, 2018, urged President Buhari to forward nomination of Justice Kafarati to the upper legislative chamber for approval as substantive Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to avoid constitutional crisis.