Buhari approves retirement, dismissal of justices

Following recommendations from the National Judicial Council (NJC), President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the compulsory retirement of Justice A. F. A Ademola of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court and the dismissal from office of Justice O.O. Tokode of the Benin Division of the Federal High Court.

The President, in statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, yesterday, explained that the disciplinary actions on the two Justices were in pursuance of Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Justice O.O. Tokode is also to refund all salaries and allowances earned illegally from December 2, 2015 when he was sworn-in as a Judge of the Federal High Court to date.

The President urged judicial officers to be alive to their responsibilities and eschew corruption in the discharge of their duties, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the President has commenced the process of ensuring that persons, Judges and Justices recommended by the NJC for appointment into various Courts of Record in the instant are fit and proper and are not under any disability to function as judicial officers.
 
The President’s position, his aide said, was in furtherance of the executive powers vested in him under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows him, as the appointing authority, to exercise same reasonably, taking all relevant factors into consideration.