Kebbi gov swears in new acting CJ

Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi state, on Friday, swore in Suleiman Ambursa as acting chief judge of the state.

This followed the refusal of the state house of assembly to confirm the appointment of Asabe Karatu, former acting chief judge of the state.

Karatu had alleged that she was not confirmed on her account of being a Christian, an allegation that the governor denied.

“It baffled me when I read a story that I did not forward Karatu’s name for confirmation because of her religion,” he said.

“If you could recall, I re-submitted the name of Karatu for the second time on June 2, 2018 to the house for confirmation as chief judge.

“I was informed that on August 1, 2018, the house refused to confirm her appointment over alleged alteration of her date of birth and primary school certificate.”

He said he lobbied the lawmakers to ensure Karatu was confirmed but all effort proved unsuccessful.

He also disclosed how he wrote to the National Judicial Council (NJC) on his efforts to ensure Karatu was confirmed by the house without fruitful outcome, saying that the refusal to confirm her was not based on her faith.

The governor, however, urged Ambursa to ensure things are done properly  in the judiciary.

“Our state is at the crossroads now, you must right the wrongs,” he said.

Earlier, Abdulmumeen Kamba, the speaker, explained that the house, not the governor has the power to confirm the appointment of a chief judge.

“The purported letter mentioned in the story on social media said to be from the house addressed to the governor was never written by any member,” he said.

“It is worthy to note that the former chief judge of the state before Karatu was of Christian faith. Kebbi state is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state and every faith or ethnicity is treated equally.”

Kamba had accused Karatu of forgery while responding to her allegation that she was not confirmed on account of her faith.