The National Judicial Council (NJC) rejected a letter that appeared to be from it and in which it relinquished its statutory authority and functions regarding the appointment and promotion of judges to State Governors.
The Director of Information at NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, revealed this in a statement on Sunday and claimed that the phony letter included absolutely no reality at all.
The letter issued to the Chief Judge of Kebbi State and reportedly signed by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), according to the NJC, did not come from the Council or the CJN, who serves as the Council’s Chairman.
The NJC’s letter In part read:
“The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to a fake letter dated 14th July 2023, purported to have emanated from the Council, and signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
“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 National Judicial Council has no power to override or reverse the decision of His Excellency”.
“It further stated that “the office of the Head of Court or 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 National Judicial Council hereby emphatically disclaimed the letter.
‘The public is hereby advised to discountenance the letter and its content.
“Meanwhile, the Council has reported the unfortunate case to the relevant security agencies with a view to investigate and bring to book whoever is behind this dastardly act”, it said. (NAN)