NJC recommends retirement of two judges over ‘age falsification’

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the compulsory retirement of Abdulkareem Abdulrasaq, a judge of Osun state high court, and Shu’aibu Talba, grand kadi of Yobe state, for alleged age falsification.

In a statement on Sunday, Soji Oye, NJC director of information, said the council took the decision at its 93rd meeting held virtually on December 16.

Oye said Abdulrasaq was recommended for retirement for altering his date of birth from September 3, 1955 to September 3, 1957.

He said Talba was recommended for retirement after investigations showed that he falsified his age on two occasions — from February 1, 1955 to August 27, 1955, and later to December 30, 1959.

He said the council asked the state governors of Osun and Yobe to deduct the salaries and gratuities of the judges from the time they were supposed to retire and remit same to the NJC.

“The council has in the exercise of its constitutional disciplinary powers suspended Hon. Grand Kadi Talba and Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq from office pending the approval of the recommendation of their compulsory retirements by their respective governors,” he said.

“Grand Kadi Shu’aibu Talba was recommended for compulsory retirement following an investigation into 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.

“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.

“Council considered a petition by Chief Yomi Alliyu, SAN, and found merit in his allegation against Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq that His Lordship falsified his date of birth from September 3, 1955 to September 3, 1957.

“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 Government to deduct from His Lordship gratuity, salaries received by him from September 3, 2020, and remit same to the National Judicial Council.”

Oye also said the council considered the reports of its preliminary complaints assessment committees and adopted the recommendations to dismiss 18 petitions against 14 judicial officers.

Some of the judges cleared of wrongdoing are Simon Amobeda, Taiwo Taiwo, Nnamdi Dimgba and Dugbo Oghoghorie — all justices of the federal high court.