Home | News | Lawyers urge Jonathan to remove acting Appeal Court president

Date: 04-06-2012 4:03 pm (12 years ago) | Author: Olufowose Temitope
- at 4-06-2012 04:03 PM (12 years ago)
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A rights group, Lawyers Unite Against Corruption (LUC), has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mahmud Dalhatu, to vacate the office.

LUC Convener, Mr. Ikechukwu Ikeji, told reporters in Lagos that there is no justification for Justice Dalhatu to be reappointed acting PCA since the National Judicial Council (NJC) has reinstated substantive Appeal Court President, Justice Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

Ikeji said: “Section 238 (5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, is very clear in providing that the President cannot reappoint a person as acting President of the Court of Appeal except on the recommendation of the of the NJC. 

“The NJC did not recommend the reappointment of Justice Dalhatu. It clearly reinstated Justice Salami. This is strictly within its powers to so do, under the provisions of the Third Schedule, Part 1 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The President’s power, with regard to the Office of the President of the Court of Appeal stops at appointment and removal, not suspension or discipline.”

He noted that the present federal structure is defective and encourages lack of patriotism and corruption.

Ikeji said: “…No one feels strong allegiance to the centre, which in turn wields too much power, contrary to tenets of federalism. The centre needs unbundling.”

He called for the convocation of a sovereign national conference to strengthen the country.

The activist said what Nigeria needs now is constitutional restructuring and not a constitutional amendment.

Ikeji said: “You cannot build a house on faulty foundation and expect it to stand for long.”

Posted: at 4-06-2012 04:03 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

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