Jonathan Nominates Bello For Last Minute Appointment

President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated Justice Ishaq Bello for screening and confirmation of appointment as Chief Judge, high court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Jonathan forwarded the nomination to the senate on May 26, Tuesday, Daily Trust reports.

According to Jonathan, in a letter dated May 21, 2015, addressed to Senate President, David Mark, his request was in line with Section 249 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the composition of a Federal High Court.

The letter read by Mark during plenary, noted: “The Constitution provides that the Federal High Court shall consist of a Chief Judge and such number of Judges as may be prescribed by Act of the National Assembly.

 “In this connection, I attached herewith, a copy of the letter CJN/PFRN/A.1/11/527 of May 20, 2015 from the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council.

 “I have accepted the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and in accordance with Section 250(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which states that the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

“I hereby present the nomination of Honourable Justice Ishaq Usman Bello for confirmation by the Senate.”

Following the voluntary retirement of Justice Ibrahim M. Bukar from service on March 31 as the Chief Judge of the high court, FTC, Bello has been occupying the position in acting capacity.

Since Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner of the 2015 presidential elections, Jonathan has gone on a sacking and appointment spree, leaving some top government officials without jobs. This action of his has been condemned in some quarters and many are of the opinion that it was done in bad light.

Some of those who have been sacked include, the executive secretary/chief executive of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Saratu Altine Umar, executive secretary of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Mrs Sharon Adefunke Kasali, and others.