Controversies Trail Appointment Of 40 FCT Magistrates Without List In Public Space

The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon.
Justice Ishaq Usman Bello has reportedly sworn-in 40 persons as
Magistrates which is conspicuously said not to be in line with due
process.

BACKGROUND FACTS

Nairalaw(TNL), gathered that the 40 persons were
appointed as Magistrates without a public notice to that effect,
thereby, making the entire process esoteric.

In addition, it was also gathered that they were sworn-in on
Monday, 21st day of December, 2020 at the Multidoor Dispute
Resolution Centre, Gudu.

As at the time of filing this report, there is no public notice
regarding the appointment of these persons and their names are yet
to be made public.

THENIGERIALAWYER’S REQUEST & RESPONSE OF FCT JUDICIARY
STAFF

Nairalaw in an effort to get the names of the appointed
Magistrates, reached out to the SA to the FCT Chief Judge, Enenche
Eleojo KSM, who stated that he was not in possession of the list
and provided the contact number Office of the Secretary, FCT
Judiciary Services Committee, Mr. Yusuf.

Meanwhile, in a telephone conversation with Mr. Yusuf, when he
was asked to make the list available, he noted that “there are some
documentations still ongoing regarding their appointments”.

He however added that “hopefully by next week”, it should be out
after every appointed Magistrate has been handed a letter of
appointment.

Also, reacting to why appointment letter may not have preceded
their swearing-in, he said “they have been sworn in and after
swearing-in, there is need for their documentation”, adding that
one “can’t document them without being sworn in”.

Additionally, he noted that they would have been documented if
not for the holiday but added that hopefully by next week, “their
postings for attachment” will be done and thus, the authorization
to release the list can be given.

NBA LACKS KNOWLEDGE OF THE APPOINTMENT

Findings by Nairalaw revealed that the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) Branches in FCT, Abuja were not put on notice
regarding the appointment nor were their inputs sought in attesting
to the fitness and competency of the candidates.

NBA Abuja (Unity Bar), Gwagalada Branches all confirmed that
they have no knowledge of the said appointment.

The Chairman of NBA Abuja (Unity Bar), Bulus Atsen, said he had
no information about the appointment but he got to know about the
swearing-in on the very day the event was ongoing at Multidoor
Dispute Resolution Centre.

The Gwagalada Branch Chair, Isah Abubakar
Aliyu, stated that although, he has not been to the office but
if at all there is a notice to that effect, he would have been
aware. But as at the time of this report, none has been given.

However, efforts made to speak with the Bwari Branch Chairman
was unsuccessful.

A lawyer who does not want his name to appear on media noted,
that the appointment is suspected to be laced with an element of
nepotism since up till now the names of the newly sworn-in
magistrates are yet to be brought to the public domain.

One of the members of the Excos, in FCT, stated:

“The appointment cannot be said to have fulfilled due process
and in compliance with the relevant procedures. “This appointment
might not have fulfilled due process and in compliance with the
relevant procedures. This is because NBA is a relevant institution
in the appointment of Magistrates and that the Branch had no input
whatsoever in the process of appointment only speaks to the foul
play which may have beclouded the entire process.”

A concerned Lawyer who prefer to remain anonymous, expressed his
concerns as follows:

“Very unfortunate to hear that over 40 persons were sworn in as
Magistrates in different occasions within 2 weeks in FCT without
public notice, their names were not even made public for members of
the Bar to make input and raise some questions if any. Even their
names were hidden from the members of the press until after their
swearing-in. I weep for Nigerian Judiciary.”

This, it is believed, a bid to also conceal the attendant public
opprobrium likely to greet the appointment, if made public, TNL
learned.

THENIGERIALAWYER CONFIRMS

A
search conducted by TheNigerialawyer, on social media shows a 
photo of Maryam Alhaji Muazu, who was one of the 40 lawyers that
were sworn in.

Maryam Alhaji Muazu, whose photo was circulated on social
media, was being congratulated by her friends and colleagues for
the new appointment.

EARLIER CONTROVERSY ON FCT JUDGES APPOINTMENT VIS-A-VIS
MAGISTRATES’ APPOINTMENT

Nairalaw recalls that controversies had earlier greeted
the recent appointment of some FCT High Court Judges, following a
petition written by Open Bar Initiative, alleging that incompetent
persons were appointed as Judicial Officers.

It may not be far from the truth that the hitherto appointment
not being made public is to boycott the criticism that had earlier
beset the appointment of the FCT High Court Judges.

Meanwhile, the retirement of the FCT, CJ will be on the 5th day
of January 2021.

The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon.
Justice Ishaq Usman Bello has reportedly sworn-in 40 persons as
Magistrates which is conspicuously said not to be in line with due
process.

BACKGROUND FACTS

Nairalaw(TNL), gathered that the 40 persons were
appointed as Magistrates without a public notice to that effect,
thereby, making the entire process esoteric.

In addition, it was also gathered that they were sworn-in on
Monday, 21st day of December, 2020 at the Multidoor Dispute
Resolution Centre, Gudu.

As at the time of filing this report, there is no public notice
regarding the appointment of these persons and their names are yet
to be made public.

THENIGERIALAWYER’S REQUEST & RESPONSE OF FCT JUDICIARY
STAFF

Nairalaw in an effort to get the names of the appointed
Magistrates, reached out to the SA to the FCT Chief Judge, Enenche
Eleojo KSM, who stated that he was not in possession of the list
and provided the contact number Office of the Secretary, FCT
Judiciary Services Committee, Mr. Yusuf.

Meanwhile, in a telephone conversation with Mr. Yusuf, when he
was asked to make the list available, he noted that “there are some
documentations still ongoing regarding their appointments”.

He however added that “hopefully by next week”, it should be out
after every appointed Magistrate has been handed a letter of
appointment.

Also, reacting to why appointment letter may not have preceded
their swearing-in, he said “they have been sworn in and after
swearing-in, there is need for their documentation”, adding that
one “can’t document them without being sworn in”.

Additionally, he noted that they would have been documented if
not for the holiday but added that hopefully by next week, “their
postings for attachment” will be done and thus, the authorization
to release the list can be given.

NBA LACKS KNOWLEDGE OF THE APPOINTMENT

Findings by Nairalaw revealed that the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) Branches in FCT, Abuja were not put on notice
regarding the appointment nor were their inputs sought in attesting
to the fitness and competency of the candidates.

NBA Abuja (Unity Bar), Gwagalada Branches all confirmed that
they have no knowledge of the said appointment.

The Chairman of NBA Abuja (Unity Bar), Bulus Atsen, said he had
no information about the appointment but he got to know about the
swearing-in on the very day the event was ongoing at Multidoor
Dispute Resolution Centre.

The Gwagalada Branch Chair, Isah Abubakar
Aliyu, stated that although, he has not been to the office but
if at all there is a notice to that effect, he would have been
aware. But as at the time of this report, none has been given.

However, efforts made to speak with the Bwari Branch Chairman
was unsuccessful.

A lawyer who does not want his name to appear on media noted,
that the appointment is suspected to be laced with an element of
nepotism since up till now the names of the newly sworn-in
magistrates are yet to be brought to the public domain.

One of the members of the Excos, in FCT, stated:

“The appointment cannot be said to have fulfilled due process
and in compliance with the relevant procedures. “This appointment
might not have fulfilled due process and in compliance with the
relevant procedures. This is because NBA is a relevant institution
in the appointment of Magistrates and that the Branch had no input
whatsoever in the process of appointment only speaks to the foul
play which may have beclouded the entire process.”

A concerned Lawyer who prefer to remain anonymous, expressed his
concerns as follows:

“Very unfortunate to hear that over 40 persons were sworn in as
Magistrates in different occasions within 2 weeks in FCT without
public notice, their names were not even made public for members of
the Bar to make input and raise some questions if any. Even their
names were hidden from the members of the press until after their
swearing-in. I weep for Nigerian Judiciary.”

This, it is believed, a bid to also conceal the attendant public
opprobrium likely to greet the appointment, if made public, TNL
learned.

THENIGERIALAWYER CONFIRMS

A
search conducted by TheNigerialawyer, on social media shows a 
photo of Maryam Alhaji Muazu, who was one of the 40 lawyers that
were sworn in.

Maryam Alhaji Muazu, whose photo was circulated on social
media, was being congratulated by her friends and colleagues for
the new appointment.

EARLIER CONTROVERSY ON FCT JUDGES APPOINTMENT VIS-A-VIS
MAGISTRATES’ APPOINTMENT

Nairalaw recalls that controversies had earlier greeted
the recent appointment of some FCT High Court Judges, following a
petition written by Open Bar Initiative, alleging that incompetent
persons were appointed as Judicial Officers.

It may not be far from the truth that the hitherto appointment
not being made public is to boycott the criticism that had earlier
beset the appointment of the FCT High Court Judges.

Meanwhile, the retirement of the FCT, CJ will be on the 5th day
of January 2021.