By Deborah Onyofufeke, Abuja
A Non Governmental Organization known as ‘Network Against Corruption & Trafficking’ has submitted a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), demanding the immediate retirement of Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam (the Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory).
In a letter dated 30th October, 2023 and addressed to the Chairman National Judicial Council, the group alleged that the Grand Khadi was in breach of Rule 120243 Revised Federal Government Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR) by still being in office, saying he ought to have retired from office just as Hon. Justice Tukur Argungu, the Grand Khadi of Kebbi State who had retired on 6th June, 2023.
The NGO in a letter dated 6th October, 2023 to the NJC pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act claimed it had written demanding the Retirement Notice of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam but was not issued till date.
The petition read in part: “It will certainly be a flagrant violation of the PSR for retiring officers not to issue three months retirement notice and or issued the notice, but refuse to proceed immediately on a mandatory three months leave before the final departure from service.
The Petition further alleged that “the incumbent head of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam who had not left the office may had not issued/submitted the three months retirement notice in violation of Rule 120243 of PSR or had issued same but ‘manoeuvre’ his way to remain in office.”
“It was certain that the Grand Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal of the FCT was already in his retirement leave period when the Bill extending the tenure of Judges was signed into Law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the same could not have been applicable to him.”
“The Petition was received by several offices on the 31st day of October, 2023 including the Hon. Attorney General of Federation, the Senate President, the Hon. Speaker House of Representatives, the Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Right and Legal Matters, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary and the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on the 31st day of October, 2023.
The petitioners have therefore urged the Chairman of the NJC to look into the complaints and carry out a thorough investigation.
