NJC receives petition over Gombe acting Chief Judge alleged age falsification
The National Judicial Council (NJC), has received a petition bordering on the alleged falsification of age of the acting Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Muazu Pindiga.
In a petition dated 29th November, 2021, which was made available to our correspondent on Monday, by the petitioner Hussaini Musa, was addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Ibrahim Mohammed.
Also, mentioned in the petition are; Secretary of the council, the Director General, Department of State Services,The Chairman,
Interview Committee set up by NJC.
Justice Mary Odili, All members of the NJC and the President, Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata.
According to Musa, the acting Chief Judge altered his age from 1st January, 1957 to 1st April, 1957, there by influencing his actual retirement age from January to April 2022.
He revealed that Pindiga ought to have given his statutory three months’ notice of retirement on 1 – 9 -2021 (1st September, 2021).
Musa said, “My lord, the records submitted by Hon. Justice Muazu A. Pindiga at the time of his appointment as required by law, through a statutory declaration of age or birth certificate, states his date of birth as 1 – 1 – 1957 (1st January, 1957), therefore, his expected retirement date is 1 – 1 – 2022 (1st January, 2022).
“This information is contained on the National Judicial Council’s Nominal Roll of Judicial Officers in the High Court of Gombe State; his Curriculum Vitae; National Judicial Council’s Data on Judicial Officers which was filled and signed by Justice Muazu A. Pindiga as far back as 30 – 6 – 2004 (30th June, 2004); National Judicial Council’s Survey on Facilities Form which was also filled and signed by Justice Muazu A. Pindiga as far back as 30 – 8 – 2006 (30th August, 2006); and the Compendium of Judicial Officers in Nigeria by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) Abuja on page 444 which was published in 2011. From the foregoing, it is clear that Hon. Justice Muazu A. Pindiga ought to have given his statutory three months’ notice of retirement on 1 – 9 -2021 (1st September, 2021).
“However, in a unscrupulous and desperate bid to stay longer in office, and to defraud the Government of undeserved salaries and allowances and other attendant benefits, Justice Muazu A. Pindiga has declared a different date of birth as 1 – 4 – 1957 (1st April, 1957) in another Statutory Declaration of Age which, though stated on the face of the affidavit to have been sworn in 2013, was only recently submitted by him to the Secretary of the NJC. This new and questionable declaration, was meant to extend his stay in office and retirement date to 1 – 4 – 2022 (1st April, 2022).”
Commenting on the purpose of the petition, Musa decried the abuse of rule of law, while urging the authorities to do the needful.
“My Lord, the crux of this petition is aimed at ensuring that the integrity of the judiciary, rule of law and our constitution is upheld at all times. We therefore urge Your Lordship to use your good office to protect and uphold the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“We believe that decisive steps should be taken against erring judicial officers in accordance with the law where found wanting and complacent.
My Lord, accept the assurances of our esteemed regards as we anticipate your prompt and decisive action,” Musa added.
