By Esther Akaa
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi as Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
His appointment was made known on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Special Assistant (Press) to President of the Senate, Ezrel Tabiowo, who said the confirmation of Justice Abdullahi’s nomination followed the consideration of a report by the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
The statement noted that the Chairmanship of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), in his presentation, said “Abdullahi while appearing before the Committee for screening, demonstrated sufficient knowledge and full grasp of the law in response to questions put to him on the Independence of the Judiciary; Automation of Court Proceedings; Reform in the Justice Sector; Rule of Law and Compliance with the Provisions of the Constitution, among other legal/jurisprudential issues. “
Senator Bamidele noted that the appointment of the nominee satisfied the requirements of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); and the Senate Standing Orders, 2015, as amended.
“Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi has a wide range of experience, comportment, exposure and possesses the requisite leadership qualities of a Judicial Officer to effectively superintend over a court of such magnitude and complexity, and can exercise restraint and uphold the dignity of the High Court of the FCT, Abuja and the litigants in the discharge of his official functions.
“There was no petition or adverse report against the nomination of the nominee as the Chief Judge of the High Court of the FCT,” the statement stated.
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, had recently requested the Senate to confirm the nominee as substantive Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, the request was pursuant to Section 256 subsection 1 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Justice Abdullahi, was the Acting Chief Judge of the FCT High Court before his appointment on 6th January, 2021 as FCT High Court’s Chief Judge.
