A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has faulted the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to nominate 11 lawyers for appointment as judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
This was the ruling of Justice Inyang Ekwo on Wednesday, who stated that the President acted in violation of the constitution.
According to the Judge, President Buhari’s decision to forward the recommended names sent to him by the National Judicial Council (NJC), to the Senate contravened the provision of Section 256(2) of the Constitution.
Justice Ekwo pointed out that the only instance where the President can forward NJC’s recommendation to the Senate, in respect of a High Court judge’s appointment, is when it relates to the appointment of a head of court, like the Chief Judge.
He, however, stated that this was not applicable to the swearing-in of judges.
