In a move aimed at enhancing the quick delivery of justice in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Chief Judge (CJ) of the Territory, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, has called for nomination of suitably qualified persons to be appointed as judges of the High Court of the FCT.
This is contained in a letter, dated January 18, 2024, signed by the Chief Judge, with reference number FCT/JD/CJ.2/Vol.II/62, addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Justices of the Supreme Court, President, Court of Appeal; Justices of the Court of Appeal, among others.
The call for nomination of suitable candidates, according to Justice Baba Yusuf, followed the approval granted for the commencement of exercise for the consideration of candidates to the Bench of FCTHigh Court by the CJN, who doubles as the Chairman, National Judicial Council (NJC).
The FCT CJ, who is also the Chairman, Judicial Service Committee of the Territory, stated that eligible candidates from 12 states: Bauchi; Bayelsa; Enugu; Imo; Kogi; Kwara; Lagos; Oyo; Plateau; Rivers; Taraba and Zamfara would be considered in this phase of appointment.
According to the letter, the recommendation of qualified candidates, to which their curriculum vitae must be attached, should reach the Chambers of the FCT Chief Judge by February 19.
“I wish to inform Your Lordships, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association that the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council has given approval for the commencement of the exercise for the consideration of candidates to the Bench of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
“In line with the National Judicial Council Guidelines and Procedural Rules for appointment of Judicial Officers to Superior Courts, I hereby invite Your Lordships, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association to kindly nominate suitably qualified persons from the aforementioned states for appointment to the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
“Your recommendation to which the curriculum vitae of the candidate should be annexed should reach my Chambers latest by 19th February 2024,” the FCT CJ stated in the letter titled, “Notification of appointment of twelve additional judges for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”.
There are currently 57 judges on the Bench of the High Court of the FCT, variously manning 12 division located at Maitama (headquarters); Apo; Jabi; Lugbe; Wuse Zone 2; Gudu; Bwari and Garki.
Other divisions of the court are sighted at Kwali; Kubwa; Zuba and Life Camp; Gwagwalada; Kuje; Jikwoyi and Nyanya.
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