Gombe FIDA hails NJC for turning down Gov Yahaya’s nominees
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), on Thursday, commended the National Judicial Council (NJC) for it refusal to confirm either of Justices Muazu Pindiga and Ahmed Awak, saying Justice Beatrice Illiya, the most senior was unduly excluded from the list.
The Association in a statement signed by the state secretary, Mwalin Naomi Abdu and the chairperson, Elizabeth Jalo-Okotie, urged governor Inuwa Yahaya, to disregard advice which promotes discrimination.
The statement partly stated, “We would like to strongly commend the National Judicial Council for living up to its responsibility and office by not rubber-stamping this unjust action sought to be taken by the Governor of Gombe State against Justice Beatrice Iliya who has served the Gombe State Judiciary selflessly for over 20 years as a Judge.
“We received the news that the National Judicial Council has rejected the nominations sent by the State Judicial Service Commission twice which excluded the name of Justice Beatrice Iliya from the list of nominees for no justifiable reason.
“We pray that they will not relent in upholding truth and justice until the right thing is done by the State to preserve our democracy and fundamental right against discrimination on basis of gender or religion.
“We urge the Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya to shun any advice or actions that promotes discrimination and rather uphold the letter and the spirit of our Constitution and his oath of office to do justice to all for the benefit and in the interest of the good people of Gombe State.
FIDA stated that the governor’s action has further confirmed fears in some quarters that Illiya was deliberately prevented from emerging as substantive chief judge of the state.
“Justice M. A Pindiga, acting tenure has been renewed for four times now. Interestingly, the provision of S. 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which, though was clearly applied out of context, was cited by the Governor as the basis for his refusal to extend the acting capacity of Justice Beatrice Iliya, was not given the same interpretation when it came to renewing and extending the acting capacity of the current Acting Chief Judge.
“It is our stand that S. 271(4) of the Constitution was meant to prevent the present situation occurring in the Gombe State where after one year following the retirement of the former Chief Judge, there is yet to be appointed a substantive Chief Judge for the State and not meant to perpetrate injustice against female judges.
“It is no longer news that indeed on two different occasions, the Gombe State Judicial Service Commission has sent a list of nominees excluding the name of Justice Beatrice Iliya to the National Judicial Council for recommendation to the Governor on the appointment of the substantive Chief Judge.
“This clearly confirms our earlier agitations that the Governor intends to edge out Justice Beatrice Iliya from being appointed as the substantive Chief Judge,” the Association added.
