The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the compulsory retirement of two judges; Shu’aibu Talba, the Grand Kadi of Yobe, and Abdulkareem Abdulrasaq, a judge of the Osun High Court for alleged age falsification.

Soji Oye, the spokesman for NJC in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja said the body took the decision at the 93rd meeting of the NJC which held virtually on December 16.

He said the council also recommended the appointment of 69 other judicial officers to enhance justice delivery in the country.

The council noted that Mr. Talba was recommended for compulsory retirement following an investigation into a petition against him by Zakar Adamu, Chairman, Movement for Justice in Nigeria, Mr. Oye said.

“Talba falsified his age on two occasions, i.e. from February 1, 1955 to Aug. 27, 1955 and later to December 30, 1959.

“Findings revealed that he was supposed to have retired on February 1, 2020 by virtue of his declared date of birth of February 1, 1955.

“Council, after deliberation, decided to recommend His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe,’’ he said.

The NJC also requested the government of Yobe State to deduct all salaries received by Mr. Talba from February 1, 2020 till date, from his gratuity, and remit same to the NJC that pays salaries of all judicial officers in the federation.

Regarding Mr. Abdulrasaq, the NJC said following investigations into a petition against him by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Yomi Alliyu, it was discovered that he falsified his date of birth from September 3, 1955 to September 3, 1957. 

“The council, therefore, recommended His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun with effect from September 3, 2020.

“It also requested the Osun Government to deduct from His Lordship’s gratuity; salaries received by him from September 3, 2020 and remit same to the NJC”.

Meanwhile, the body, in exercising its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution has suspended both Mr. Talba and Mr. Abdulrasaq from office pending the approval of the recommendation for their compulsory retirements by their respective governors.

The NJC also dismissed 18 petitions against 14 judicial officers for lacking in merit.

The officers are: Justices Simon A. Amobeda, Taiwo O. Taiwo, Nnamdi Dimgba and R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court.

Also dismissed were petitions against Justices T. O. Uloho and Michael N. Obi of the Delta State High Court, while that of the Lagos State High Court was Justice G. M. Onyeabo.

Others are Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra, the Chief Judge, Justice A. U. Kingsley-Chuku and Justice J. N. Ukpugwnum of Rivers.

Others are Justice F. B. Andetur, the Chief Judge of Taraba  High Court, Justice Comfort C. Ani of Enugu State High Court, Justice M. A. Pindiga of Gombe State High Court and Justice M. M. Umar of Kebbi High Court.

(NAN)