Only Fit, Proper Judges Will Preside Over Courts – Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said only judges who are
physically and mentally fit will be allowed to preside over courts
in Nigeria.

The President in a statement signed by his Senior Special
Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said verification
process has commenced to ensure that judges recommended by the
National Judicial Council only are those appointed into various
courts across the country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced the process of
ensuring that persons, Judges and Justices recommended by the
National Judicial Council (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 statement read in
part.

Garba Shehu said President Buhari’s position is 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.

He said Nigerians are assured that Buhari will issue his
approval or otherwise as soon as the process of the background
verification is completed.

President Buhari earlier on Friday approved the compulsory
retirement of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Abuja Division of the
Federal High Court.

He also approved the dismissal of Justice O.O Tokode of the
Benin Division of the Federal High Court from office.

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

President Buhari further asked judicial officers to be alive to
their responsibilities and eschew corruption in the discharge of
their duties.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said only judges who are
physically and mentally fit will be allowed to preside over courts
in Nigeria.

The President in a statement signed by his Senior Special
Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said verification
process has commenced to ensure that judges recommended by the
National Judicial Council only are those appointed into various
courts across the country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced the process of
ensuring that persons, Judges and Justices recommended by the
National Judicial Council (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 statement read in
part.

Garba Shehu said President Buhari’s position is 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.

He said Nigerians are assured that Buhari will issue his
approval or otherwise as soon as the process of the background
verification is completed.

President Buhari earlier on Friday approved the compulsory
retirement of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Abuja Division of the
Federal High Court.

He also approved the dismissal of Justice O.O Tokode of the
Benin Division of the Federal High Court from office.

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

President Buhari further asked judicial officers to be alive to
their responsibilities and eschew corruption in the discharge of
their duties.