Vacancy in the office of Gombe CJ

Permit me to air my views on the illegality going on in Gombe State in your widely read newspaper.

The news has been on for a while now an attempt by Governor Inuwa Yahaya to foist a fait accompli on Gombe Chief Justice Office. When the position became vacant, the most qualified, Justice Beatrice Iliya was pushed aside because she’s a woman and hails from the minority part of the state.

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The NJC has been called upon to intervene and that has led to the rejection of the 4th tenure in acting capacity of Justice Muazu Pindiga as Chief Judge of Gombe State which has elapsed on 4th December, 2020.

The NJC has refused to conduct his interview as a nominee of the Gombe State JSC on the 23rd Nov, 2020. There is also no recommendation from the NJC for the extension/renewal of his acting capacity in the office of the Chief Judge as the CJN, Justice Tanko Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the NJC is currently out of the country.

Therefore, the office of the Chief Judge of Gombe State is officially vacant. Thus, it follows by the Constitution that the next most senior judge, Justice J.A Awak ought to be swore-in as acting Chief Judge pending the substantive appointment into the office of the CJ. The Governor of Gombe, Inuwa Yahaya should be prevailed upon by well-meaning Nigerians to do the needful, so as not to create unnecessary vacuum in the office of the Gombe Chief Justice as nature abhors a vacuum.

Justice Beatrice Iliya should not be denied this position that she’s eminently qualified for on account of her tribe and religion. What’s good for the goose is also good for the gander.

Victor Dan can be reached via: [email protected]