The Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu, has sacked the acting
Chief Judge of state, Elizabeth Asabe Karatu, for petitioning the
National Judicial Council, NJC, over the governor’s refusal to
confirm her as substantive chief judge, DAILY NIGERIAN report.
In a ceremony held Friday at the Government House, the governor
swore-in Justice Sulaiman Ambursa as Mr Karatu’s replacement.
Mrs Karatu recently wrote a petition to the NJC alleging that
she was denied her rights to confirmation because she is a
Christian.
In the petition exclusively obtained by DAILY NIGERIAN, the
acting chief judge said politics of religion and her firm belief in
justice and fairness are some of the reasons the state governor
denied her rights despite the recommendation of NJC.
In the petition, Mrs Karatu also cautioned the NJC against
appointment of Mr Ambursa to replace her in view of his alleged
corruption.
On January 17, 2019, the Kebbi State House of Assembly also
confirmed Mrs Karatu as substantive chief judge of the state, but
the governor refused to act on the Assembly’s confirmation.
In a letter to the governor, referenced KBHA/LEG/001/XI and
entitled RE: APPOINTMENT AND REQUEST FOR CONFIRMATION OF JUSTICE
ELIZABETH ASABE KARATU AS CHIEF JUDGE OF KEBBI STATE, the speaker
of the state House of Assembly Abdulmumini Kamba conveyed the
Assembly’s approval.
“Reference to your submission dated, 6th November, 2018, I am
glad to inform you that at an Executive Session held on Thursday,
17th January, 2019, the Hon. House resolved and confirmed Justice
Elizabeth Asabe Karatu as the Chief Judge of Kebbi State,” the
three-paragraph letter read in part.
Mrs Karatu, who is due to retire on July 5, 2019, was also
denied right to swear-in the governor on May 29, 2019.