NJC Denies Viral Letter On Transfer Of Judicial Powers To Governors

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has said it has not transferred statutory powers and functions to state governors to appoint and promote judges.

The NJC said this in a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Soji Oye, while reacting to a viral letter dated July 14, 2023, allegedly signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and NJC Chairman, Olukayode Ariwoola.

Naija News reports that the purported letter stated that Justice Umar Abubakar should be appointed the substantive Chief Judge of Kebbi and outlined several key points regarding the order of seniority.

But according to the statement from the NJC, Justice Ariwoola didn’t sign the fake letter, and it never came from the CJN or the council at any time.

The council further stated that the office of the Head of Court/Chief Judge is purely a political appointment to be decided by the governor of a state.

According to the council, it had reported the unfortunate case to the relevant security agencies to investigate and bring to book whoever was behind the letter.

The statement reads: “The fake letter titled ‘Order of Seniority of Judges of the High Court of Kebbi state and recommendation of Justice Umar Abubakar as the substantive chief judge of Kebbi state’, addressed to the chief judge, stating that ‘under section 10 of the existing law of Kebbi state 1996, His Excellency, the governor, has the power to determine seniority of judges and the NJC has no power to override or reverse the decision of His Excellency’.

“It further stated that the office of the head of court/chief judge is purely a political appointment to be decided by the governor of a state.

“For the purpose of clarification and avoidance of doubt, the NJC hereby emphatically disclaimed the letter as there is no iota of truth in it, and no such letter ever emanated from the office of the chief justice of Nigeria or the Council.

“The public is hereby advised to discountenance the letter and its content.”