Two Kano State High Court judges, Justice Farouk Lawan Adamu and Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, have contested a Federal High Court judgment that dismissed them as Chairmen of Judicial Commissions of Inquiry set up by Governor Abba Yusuf. These commissions were established to investigate former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration.
Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court had ruled that the judges must resign within 48 hours or face the loss of their remuneration and allowances from the National Judicial Council (NJC). Dissatisfied, the judges, along with the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, have filed a notice of appeal and requested a stay of execution of the judgment.
According to Vanguard News reports, The appellants argued that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction over employment matters related to Kano State Government employees, asserting that such jurisdiction lies with the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. They further contended that the Kano state government has the authority to appoint judicial officers for lawful duties, not prohibited by the Nigerian constitution.
The appeal, suit No. FHC/KN/CS/152/2024, contends that the Federal High Court overstepped its jurisdiction, which is defined by Section 251 of the constitution. They maintain that only the NJC can adjudicate matters concerning the conduct of state judiciary judges.
Moreover, the appellants stated that the Kano State Commission of Inquiries, established under state law and the governor's executive powers, should not be interfered with by the Federal High Court. This appeal follows Ganduje's earlier attempt to prevent Governor Yusuf from probing his administration through a Federal High Court suit. The appellate court is being asked to overturn the lower court's ruling and affirm the state’s right to appoint its judicial officers.