Court of Appeal President denies sacking 5 Justices

chika ebuzor

December 24, 2015 6:09 AM

This is contrary to a report allegedly published by Sahara Reporters.

The President of the Court of Appeal- Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa has denied sacking five justices of the Court of Appeal.

This is contrary to a report allegedly published by Sahara Reporters.

According to Guardian Newspapers, a statement signed Media Officer of the Appeal Court, Sa’adatu Musa said “The Court of Appeal has noted with dismay, an online report of December 22, by Sahara Reporters credited to the President, Hon. Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa (CFR), alleging that she sacked five Justices of the Benin Division of the Court.”

Adding that “There was never a time any Justice of the Court of Appeal was sacked by the PCA or any other authority, pointing out that the President of the Court of Appeal has no Constitutional powers to sack any Justice of the Court.”

“It is only the National Judicial Council (NJC) that has the constitutional powers after following due process to discipline any erring Justice on proven facts or to recommend his dismissal to the President.”

“The fact that Justices of the Benin Division of the Court did not hear the Delta Governorship Appeal should not be considered a dent on their character, competence or ability to discharge their judicial function.

“The Justices of the Court have the whole of Nigeria as their constituency. They are therefore competent to sit and determine a matter anywhere in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The court of appeals decides appeals from the district courts within the federal judicial system, and in some instances from other designated federal courts and administrative agencies.

Sahara Reporters is an online news agency based in New York City that focuses on promoting citizen journalism.

chika ebuzor