NJC recommends compulsory retirement of two judges
The National Judicial Council has recommended the compulsory retirement of two judicial officers, the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Shu’aibu Talba, and Justice Abdulkareem Abdulrazaq of Osun State High Court, for alleged age falsification.
The NJC’s Director, Information, Mr Soji Oye, said in a statement on Sunday that the council took its decision at its 93rd meeting, held virtually on December 16, 2020.
Oye added that the council “has” in the exercise of its constitutional disciplinary powers “suspended Hon. Grand Kadi Talba and Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrazaq from office pending the approval of the recommendation of their compulsory retirements by their respective governors”.
He also stated that the council requested the governors of their respective states to deduct from their gratuities, the cumulative salaries they had received from when they ought to have retired till date.
The statement noted that, “Grand Kadi Shu’aibu Talba was recommended for compulsory retirement following an investigation in a petition against him written by one Malam Zakar Adamu, Chairman, Movement for Justice in Nigeria, alleging that His Lordship falsified his age on two occasions, i.e from February 1, 1955 to August 27, 1955 and later to December 30, 1959”.
It added, “Findings revealed that he was supposed to have retired on February 1, 2020 by virtue of his declared date of birth of February 1, 1955.
“Council, after deliberation, decided to recommend His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.
Furthermore, council requested the Government of Yobe State to deduct all salaries received by His Lordship from February 1, 2020 till date from his gratuity, and remit same to the National Judicial Council that pays salaries of all judicial officers in the federation”.
For Justice Abdulrazaq, Oye stated that the council “considered a petition by Chief Yemi Aliyu, SAN, and found merit in his allegation against Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrazaq that His Lordship falsified his date of birth from September 3, 1955 to September 3, 1957”.
The statement also stated, “Council, therefore, recommended His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State with effect from September 3, 2020. It also requested the Osun State Governor to deduct from His Lordship’s gratuity, salaries received by him from September 3, 2020, and remit same to the National Judicial Council.
