The Adamawa House of Assembly on Monday turned down the nomination of Justice Ishaya Banu, as the substantive Chief Judge of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House rejected the nomination at plenary after a heated debate.
Banu’s nomination was rejected after the Speaker, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, put the matter to voice vote.
Lawmakers who supported the judge had urged the assembly to respect the recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC), adding that Banu remains the most senior judge in the state judiciary.
Their arguments did not however sway the majority of the members, who cited Banu’s health conditions and records of service as counting against him.
One of the members Alhaji Ishaq Bala (PDP-Yola North), said: “We cannot compromise seniority with productivity.”
NAN reports that Nigeria’s Constitution provides that the Chief Judge of a state shall be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the NJC but subject to the approval of state assembly.
Meanwhile, the House has approved the appointment of Alhaji Mahmoud Mohammed as the new Grand Khadi of the State Shariah Court of Appeal. (NAN)
