Rabiu Omaku
Following the cacophony over the appointment of Deputy Chief Registrar in the Customary court, a situation that is surrounded by side talks amongst staff of the Ministry of Justice, which comprises of High court of Justice heralded by the Chief Judge, Magistrate courts, Customary and Sharia court of appeal.
The former Solicitor General, Anthony Akika gave the advice during the send-forth of two eminent personalities, Hon.Justice Ishaku Usman and retired Director, Public Prosecution,Mr. Mamaki Joseph Agum retired from Service.
The former Permanent Secretary called the staff of the Ministries to exhibit proper conduct at all times by doing the right thing.
“We must do the right by ensuring that we followed the laid down precedent in times of promotion, In essence, juniors Should not be promoted to a higher position than his or her senior”.
The Akika’s comment may not be unconnected to the recent complaint written by Barrister Bala Rabo Ayaga as ethical misconduct in the Judiciary.
Justice Simon Aboki in his speech appreciated the two celebrants for putting in their best for the System to grow, he further commended the state Commissioner of Justice, Abdulkarim Kana for turning around the Justice sector.
The former Commissioner of Justice, Justice Yusuf Usman eulogizes the two retirees for exhibiting maturity while in service.
“We are progressing as a state and for this reason, I will call on the Attorney General to apply for Senior Advocate of Nigeria because he has all it takes to be SAN”.
The Commissioner of Justice in return lauded Justice Simon Aboki for his perseverance and doggedness as the first Solicitor General of the state after state creation in 1996.
“I respect Justice Simon Aboki as a personality with integrity and sincerity
Kana described Aboki as a Laboratory of knowledge; He further applauded the retired Solicitor General and DPP, which he said the exit of the two is a colossal loss to the system
It could be recalled that the appointment of a junior staff over her senior, Bala Rabo Ayaga continued to raise dust on why would a junior staff (DCR)Legal be promoted ahead of her senior colleague whose last promotion was in 2012 while her promotion was in 2015.
Bala Rabo Ayaga was the former Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in a three pages complaint address to the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Aisha Bashir pleaded with her to look into his plight by setting the record straight.
Hon. Bala Rabo Agaya who is challenging his demotion over his junior by the immediate Chief Judge retired Justice Suleiman Umar Dikko, and implemented by the Acting C. J Ayaga in complaint letter copy to the concerned authorities described the promotion of his junior colleague as a flagrant abuse of laid down precedent.
According to the complainant, “A complaint Against Injustice and Lack of Due Process in the Appointment of the Chief Registrar of The Customary Court of Appeal And The Secretary Judicial Service Commission, addressed to the JSC”. The letter was addressed to the Honorable Speaker NSHA
The Chairman House Committee on Public Complain and Petition,
Chairman Ethics and Judicial committee
The chairman Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN)
The chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Lafia and Keffi chapter.
In a four-line prayer appealed to the Acting C.J to reconsider his predicament,Bala Rabo Ayaga in four paragraph prayed that the office of the Acting Chief Judge and the Judicial Service Commission reconsider his plight by rescinding to the decision of the immediate past Chief Judge,Suleiman Umar Dikko to elevate his Juniors ahead of him.
Ayaga urged the Acting C.J and the concerned authorities to consider his commitment to serving the state who ought to move to the next ladder of the Court which is either Chief Registrar or the seat of the Secretary of JSC.
Pleading with the ChiefJudge who serves as the Chairman of JSC to investigate the matter and come out with proper results by looking at the list of the nominal roll of staff of Nasarawa State Judiciary.
The complainant urged the C.J to consider merit and due process as per the laid down precedent in the interest of justice and fairness in the promotion of persons into key offices.
The Commissioner of Justice, Abdulkarim Kana when contacted over the letter, attested that he was in receiving of the complaint letter of Deputy Chief Registrar of Customary Court of Appeal.
“We have a meeting of JSC and I Know is going to form part of the meeting, we will get back to you people at the end of our meeting”.
The Acting Chief Judge, Justice Aiaha Bashir pleaded with the press to give them time to sort the issue out during JSC meeting.
Other feelers at the new High Court complex said the promotion of junior staff of the various courts above their superior officers continued to generates heat especially the hiring of the retired Public Relations Officer of High Court, Enock Maku by the Acting Chief Judge.
Justice Aisha said Maku was on a contract appointment with an agreement by the Head of Service, Nicholas Abari Aboki, But tongues continued to wag and asking ardent questions on why not employ a new PRO or appoint a staff with a vast knowledge of Public Relations while considering the quantum of graduates and under graduates of Mass Communication roaming the street in search of greener pasture.
On the issue of Hon.Bala Rabo Ayaga,a staff of Ministry of Justice who pleaded anonymity said Ayaga was sideline due to his Health challenges, competent source said he lacks the capability and capacity to run the office of Chief Registrar with his dwindling health challenges.
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