Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory has called for nomination of suitably qualified persons to be appointed as judges of the High Court of the FCT.
This was detailed 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 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.
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 FCT High Court by the CJN, who doubles as the Chairman, National Judicial Council (NJC).
“I wish to inform Your Lordships, the Honorable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association that the Honorable 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 Honorable 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 only 57 judges presently on the Bench of the High Court of the FCT, variously stationed at the 12 division located at Maitama (headquarters); Apo; Jabi; Lugbe; Wuse Zone 2; Gudu; Bwari and Garki.
