A Federal High Court in Abuja has faulted the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to forward the names of 11 lawyers nominated for appointment as judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Wednesday, he held that President Buhari acted in contravention of the provision of Section 256 subsection 2 of the Constitution when he forwarded the recommended names sent to him by the National Judicial Council, NJC, to the Senate.
Justice Ekwo said the only instance where the President can forward NJC’s recommendation to the Senate, in respect of a High Court judge’s appointment, is when it relates to the appointment of a head of court.
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The judge, however, held that the fact that President Buhari contravened the provision of the Constitution should not affect the swearing-in of the judges.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
