Proposed removal of CJ: NBA beckons Kogi Gov to halt action



The Kogi State branch of  Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the state governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello not to act on the April 2, 2019 resolution of the State House of Assembly calling for removal of the state Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah from office.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged meeting of the four branches of the NBA – Lokoja, Idah, Kabba and Okene, comprising all the executive and elders of the association in Lokoja on Thursday.

The communiqué, signed by Dr Michael Obamero and Mohammed Usman, chairman and secretary respectively said the call was against the backdrop of a subsisting order of the High Court of Justice, Koton-Karfe directing the maintenance of status quo in the matter.

The NBA said it noted with dismay the very unfortunate state of affairs of the Justice sector in the state.

It therefore, called on all the feuding parties to sheath their swords and allow the process of peacemaking to take effect.
The further read:  “As important stakeholders in the administration of justice in the state, the Bar feels constrained to analyse all the issues involved and with the sole aim of trying to bring truce to the prevailing rancorous situation.

“That the bar has noted the resolutions of the Kogi State House of Assembly passed on the 2nd day of April, 2019 on the ongoing crisis.

“That his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State should remove/suspend or cause the Honourable Chief Judge of Kogi State to step aside from office pending investigation of certain allegation against the judiciary”, the communiqué read.

It said in view of the subsisting order of the High Court, Koton-Karfe for maintenance of status quo in the matter, governor Bello should not act on the House recommendations to allow for peaceful reconciliation.

The NBA however, commended the State House of Assembly for recommending the immediate payment of the nine months salary arrears owed Judicial staff and appealed to the government to commence payment immediately.

The legal practitioners also called on the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Kogi State chapter to call off the four months old strike action to allow for amicable settlement of the impasse.  

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