NJC Debunks Fake Letter Regarding Transfer Of Judicial Powers To Governors

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has officially labelled a viral letter, which asserts the transfer of its statutory powers and responsibilities concerning the appointment and promotion of judges to state governors, as fake.

Soji Oye, in a statement by the Director of Information at NJC, confirmed that they have reported the “unfortunate incident” to the appropriate security agencies, and ensure that those responsible for the letter are identified and held accountable.

“The fake letter titled ‘Order of Seniority of Judges of the High Court of Kebbi state and recommendation of Justice Umar Abubakar as the substantive chief judge of Kebbi state’, addressed to the chief judge, stating that ‘under section 10 of the existing law of Kebbi state 1996, His Excellency, the governor, has the power to determine seniority of judges and the NJC has no power to override or reverse the decision of His Excellency’.

“It further stated that the office of the head of court/chief judge is purely a political appointment to be decided by the governor of a state.

“For the purpose of clarification and avoidance of doubt, the NJC hereby emphatically disclaimed the letter as there is no iota of truth in it, and no such letter ever emanated from the office of the chief justice of Nigeria or the Council.

“The public is hereby advised to discountenance the letter and its content.”