Ishaku succumbs to NJC’s recommendation, appoints Acting CJ

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has finally succumbed to the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) recommendation for the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Philibus F. B. Andetur, to be sent on compulsory retirement with immediate effect.

This was observed, yesterday, when he appointed an Acting Chief judge, Joel Agya, as replacement. NJC had recommended that Justice Andetur proceed on compulsory retirement, following his indictment in a petition written against him by Senator Muhammed Dagash.

In the petition, Dagash accused the former Chief Judge of suppressing justice by failing to deliver judgement in Suit No: TRSJ/134/17, involving Mallam Kassim Ahmad Vs Shittu Wurmo and Shuwari Farms Limited.

In a statement containing the recommendation, which was earlier issued by the Director of Information, Soji Oye, the NJC said the council took the decision at its 101 meeting, held on March 16.

The statement noted that though the Constitution provides that courts’ decision must be delivered within three months after adoption of final addresses, Justice Andetur was said to have failed to deliver the judgement 30 months after adoption of final addresses by lawyers to parties.

Swearing in the Acting Chief Judge at the Executive Chamber of the Government House, Ishaku charged Agya, on the need to dispense justice accordingly irrespective of who is involved.

The governor said the state government, under his administration, would continue to extend the much-desired olive branch to the judicial arm of government.

Responding, the newly appointed Acting Chief Judge, promised not to leave any stone unturned, while discharging his assigned constitutional responsibilities.