NJC recommends immediate compulsory retirement of Taraba Chief Judge

The National Judicial Council, NJC, on Friday in Abuja recommended the compulsory retirement of the Chief Judge of Taraba State High Court, Justice Philibus F. Andetur with immediate effect.

This is contained in a statement issued by Soji Oye, NJC's Director of Information on Friday.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, presided over the NJC'S meeting, also directed Mr Andetur to hand over to the next most senior Judge in the State.

Justice Andetur was recommended for compulsory retirement following his indictment in a petition written against him by Senator Muhammed Dagash.

Mr Dagash had in the petition accused the embattled Chief Judge of suppressing judgment by failing to deliver judgment in Suit No: TRSJ/134/17 involving Kassim Yahaya Ahmad Vs Shittu Wurmo & Shuwari Farms Limited.

Though the law stipulates three months to deliver judgment after the adoption of final addresses, Mr Andetur was said to have suppressed the judgment delivery for 30 months after adoption of final addresses by the parties.

The NJC after deliberation found that the Chief Judge breached the provisions of S.294 (1) of the 1999  Constitution and therefore recommended him for compulsory retirement with immediate effect to Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State.

In the interim, the Council in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the Constitution has suspended Justice Andetur from office pending his compulsory retirement.