Appointment
Corruption: Retiring Judge proffers merit in appointment of Judicial officers
By Friday Idachaba
Retiring Kogi High Court Judge, Justice Olutimehin Samuel Obayomi has called for a return to the age long tradition of using merit, competences and good character as basis for appointments into the Judiciary.
Justice Obayomi made the call at a valedictory Court Session in his honour at retirement as Judge of Kogi State High Court in Lokoja.
He said that the quality of any Bench is a function of the quality of those appointed to operate it adding that it appeared that there have been a great departure from the recruitment processes in the past compared to what is currently happening.
He said that at every opportunity, stakeholders in the justice sector had decried the mode of appointment of persons to the Courts of Records.
“I wish to admonish that appointment to the higher Bench should be based on sound learning, good and unquestionable character and not as a political, ethnic or religious patronage.
“We should return to the age long tradition of using competence and good character among others as basis for appointments.
“The present trend of classifying some candidates as “anointed” or “preferred” is primitive in the 21st century. The yardstick that should make a candidate preferred or anointed should be his or her worth in all ramifications.
“I must say in all honesty that because a person is a Chief Magistrate/Magistrate/Legal Officer should not be the only reason for his or her appointment.
“Such a person must merit it. The appointment process must be transparent, open and competitive. As the Solicitor-General, I competed with others both at the private, public Bar and Magistracy”. he said.
Justice Obayomi also appealed State Executive governors to make implementation of financial autonomy for the Judiciary, a project that must not fail even as it is a constitutional requirement.
He urged the state governors not to entertain any fears in granting financial autonomy to the Judiciary as provided for in the Constitution as it would reduce the frequency of financial requests and demands on the government.
The state Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Majebi in his speech, said a judge was nothing in the absence of an independence of mind and judgement described Justice Obayomi as a firm but polite, penetrating but courteous and unfailing judge.
Majebi said the retiring judge over the years, exhibited great attributes including integrity, forthrightness, intelligence, hard work, intuition, humility, honesty of purpose, and dedication to duty and the work of God.
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Kogi represented by Ibrahim Alhassan Esq. of Lokoja branch reiterated the the call for establishment of a division of Court of Appeal in Kogi.
Alhassan averred the 75 per cent of cases being handled by the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court were from Kogi and appealed to Kogi State government to help keep it’s side the bargain in providing for the accommodation and office complex for the court.
There were goodwill messages from Governor Yahaya Bello who was represented by the SSG, dr Folashade Arike Ayoade, Body of Senior Advocates, his brother Judges among others.
Platinum retired from service today in line with the compelling provision of section 291 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which makes it mandatory for every Judicial Officer at the High Court or Court of coordinate jurisdiction to retire on attaining the age of sixty five (65) years. (Ends)
The Senate has endorsed the nomination of Omolola Oloworaran as the substantive Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
President Bola Tinubu had nominated Oloworaran for the position and sought Senate approval through a formal request.
Her confirmation followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, presented during Thursday’s plenary session.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Cyril Fasuyi (APC, Ekiti North), stated that Oloworaran met all legal and professional requirements as outlined in the Pension Reform Act 2014. He emphasized that she fulfilled the criteria stipulated under sections 19(2), (5), (6), and 26 of the Act, qualifying her for the role.
“The nominee has demonstrated competence and meets the legal prerequisites for this position. The committee finds her to be a fit and proper person for appointment as Director-General of PENCOM,” Senator Fasuyi said.
During the session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin put the committee’s recommendation to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from the senators.
Oloworaran’s confirmation ensures continued leadership at PENCOM, an agency critical to Nigeria’s pension administration and reform initiatives.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as Chief of Staff, with the appointment taking immediate effect.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Fred Itua, made the disclosure through a press Statement on Thursday.
According to the statement the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, who made the announcement described Audu’s new role as integral to advancing Governor Okpebholo’s reform agenda for the state.
The statement reads: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect.”
Hon. Audu, born on August 18, 1969, brings a rich background in governance and administration to his new role. A graduate of Auchi Polytechnic with an HND (1994), he went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University (2011) and an M.Sc. in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja (2024).
Audu’s political experience spans nearly two decades. He served as Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010, represented Etsako West Constituency 1 in the Edo State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2023, and was the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2020 Edo State elections.
This strategic appointment is expected to bolster the governor’s administrative team and support his vision of transformative governance in Edo State.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), on Wednesday, President Tinubu expressed his enthusiasm about strengthening Nigeria-U.S. relations amidst the complex global challenges and opportunities.
Trump, who claimed victory on Wednesday, pledged to “heal” the country as he was on the brink of defeating Kamala Harris in a remarkable White House comeback.
President Tinubu praised Trump’s victory, emphasizing that it reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He also commended the American people’s commitment to democracy.
Looking ahead, President Tinubu expressed confidence that Trump’s experience as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021 would foster beneficial and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between the U.S. and Africa. He expressed hope that this new era under President Trump would promote peace, economic cooperation, and address global challenges.
Acknowledging the significant influence of the United States in shaping global events, President Tinubu believes that Trump’s leadership will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.
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