From Paul Orude, Bauchi
A Legal Practitioner, Barrister Muhammad Alkassim, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Bauchi State Judicial Commission Service to disclosed information on recent nomination of candidates for appointment as Judges of the High Court and Kadis of Sharia Court of Appeal.
Alkassim made the request in a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, made available to journalists in Bauchi, on Tuesday.
“Sir, it could be recalled that on the 23rd day of November,2023 the Judicial Service Commission, Bauchi State held it meeting sequel to the publication dated 19th October,2023 calling for the nominations of five Judges of High Court, Bauchi and five Kadis of Sharia Court of Appeal,” the letter, dated November 28, read in part, stated.
The letter was copied to relevant organizations, including the Grand Kadi Sharia Court, Attorney General of the State, all members JSC, in the State, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Bauchi State, the commissioner of Police and the Director States Services, Bauchi State Command.
The legal practitioner said he requested the information in pursuance to Sections 1 and 2 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
In the letter, Barrister Alkassim is specifically requesting the Commission to disclose the name and list of all applicants/candidates nominees both as Judges of High Court and Kadis of the Sharia court of Appeal.
He also requested for the guidelines/procedure followed in making the list of candidates selected by the Commission as well as the remarks of all the applicant/candidates.
“Sir, you are hereby directed by law to furnish me with all the requested information within seven (7) days of the receipt of this request,” he wrote.
“This request is very important to me as a lawyer and citizen of Nigeria.”