From Paul Orude, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has been called upon to set up an independent Judicial Investigation Committee to probe the recent nominations of Judges of High Court Judges and Khadis for Shariah Court of Appeal by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in the state.
The advice was contained in an open letter addressed to the governor by a legal practitioner, Barrister Muhammad Alkassim, made available to journalists in Bauchi, on Monday.
The letter was copied to the Chairman of the JSC, the Grand Khadi Sharia Court of Appeal, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, the commissioner of Police, and the Director State Security Service .
“It could be recalled that on the 23rd day of November,2023 the Judicial Service Commission, Bauchi State held its meeting sequel to the publication dated 19th October,2023 and called for the nominations of five Judges of High Court and five Kadis of Sharia Court of Appeal,” the letter, which read in part, disclosed.
“The recent release of names of the nominees by the JSC,Bauchi on the 24th November,2023 in a letter with ref no: BAS/JSC/S/ADM/91 drew the attention of the general public, elites, civil societies, lawyers and well-wishers of Bauchi State over what they termed as injustice.”
He called the attention of the governor to allegation that the state judicial system was corrupt and at the verge of crossing the red line of justice.
“It is worthy to note that, misplacement of priority among some heads of Courts in the State has affected the performance of junior and senior staff including judges and Khadis of the State,” he stated.
“Our courts buildings are not something to write home compare to Jigawa as a case of reference.
“The welfare of the judiciary is cardinal in the fight against corruption.”
The legal practitioner expressed confidence in the State Attorney General “who has reached to the zenith in the legal profession with a highly decorative prestigious rank in the professional ladder.
“It is my belief, good use of the State Attorney’s office will help in the administration of Justice in State. I urge H.E to make good uses of the State Attorneys
“I write with passionate voice to draw your attention on the need to seek legal advice from the Office State Attorney’s and other stakeholders in the administration of Justice in Bauchi State,” the lawyer wrote.
“The office of the Attorney General of the State is constitutional one.
“The Attorney General of the state is being regarded as the Chief Law officer the state pursuance to section 195(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic.
“The recent outcry of the general public in the affairs of the State judiciary spurred me of my constitutional responsibilities in the administration of justice in our dear state, Bauchi.
“The judiciary as an integral component of any successful Government is titanic and cannot be seen to disappear in an ocean of bad practice, corruption and injustice”
Barrister Alkassim also called on the governor to initiate judicial and law reforms in view of the problems bedevilliing the judiciary in the state.
“Let me make a special plea for the completion of the abandoned project of the Magistrate Court Complex situate at the Bauchi State High Court Complex,” he said.
“The described project has been abandoned for more than five years. if others have not done it, why not you.”