Jonathan names acting president of Appeal Court

“The conflict within the judiciary comes to a head as Justice Salami is sacrificed.”

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of the Honourable Justice Dalhatu Adamu as the new President of the Court of Appeal following the advise of the National Judiciary Council (NJC). The NJC also recommended the compulsory retirement of suspended President of the Court, the Honourable Justice Isa Ayo Salami. 

Justice Dalhatu would however occupy the office in an acting capacity, a Sunday night statement from the Presidency said.

A statement signed by the President’s spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati said, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is in receipt of a correspondence dated 18th August, 2011, from the National Judicial Council (NJC), recommending the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, for misconduct in accordance with the provisions of Section 292 (1) (a) (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and Rule 1 (1) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Consequently, President Jonathan, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 238 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, has approved the acting appointment of Hon. Justice Dalhatu Adamu to perform the functions of the office of the President of the Court of Appeal pending when all issues relating to the office of the President of the Court of Appeal are resolved.”

-By Bennie Iferi 

Source: DailyTimes