Why Buhari did not approve Gakko’s nomination as a judge

More details on why President Muhammadu Buhari declined to approve the appointment of the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Mr. Emmanuel Gakko as a judge of the Federal High Court have emerged.

Sometime in mid June 2018, a press release issued by the National Judicial Council (NJC), indicated that nine persons were approved for appointment by the president as judges of the Federal High Court. However, the president did not approve Gakko’s nomination as a Federal Judge for the slot of Yobe State.

Meanwhile, anonymous sources close to the presidency have confirmed that Gakko could not pass the screening exercise conducted by the State Security Services, (SSS).

According to the sources, Gakko failed the service’s integrity, following his inability to pass through the screening process adding that the president was left with no other option but to drop his name.

‘’You all know the stance of this government when it comes to issues of corruption. The president wants to leave behind a judiciary where Nigerians can beat their chest and say; indeed the justice system is favorable to everyone.

‘’He cannot do this alone. So, the first move is to ensure that only credible persons, people of unquestionable character are appointed to the bench’’, the source disclosed.

In a document titled, “Re: Appointment of Justices of the Court of Appeal, Judges of the Federal High Court and Judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja dated June 12, 2018 and addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) which was obtained by our correspondent, President Buhari declined approval for five nominees who were to be appointed to the Appeal Court, the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court where Gakko’s name came second on the list of “Justice and Judges not Cleared.”

Consequently, Buhari advised the CJN: “You are requested to, in line with your procedures, forward names of suitability replacements that are fit for appointment to these positions for my consideration and approval.”

In the meantime, sources at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory have said that Gakko is desperately exploring other means to become a judge at all cost or go to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), as the secretary after Mr. Bassey Eleng Bassey retires by next year.

The source further disclosed that Gakko is lobbying a former Court of Appeal president to pave way for him.

He confirmed that Gakko also applied for the Federal Capital Territory High Court bench, but was rejected since he earlier failed to scale through the screening exercise conducted by the DSS.

It might interest you to know that Gakko is overdue to vacate the seat as the Chief Registrar. Investigations revealed that those next in line are already complaining that what is duly meant for them should not be denied.

Recall that Gakko served under the administration of Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta. When Auta left office in 2017, he continued under Justice Abdul Kafarati.

In the meantime, the Young Advocate Against Corruption, (YAAC) has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammad Tanko, the National Judicial Council,(NJC), FJSC and the Presidency to urgently look into the cases of some Judges and Registrars that were not cleared by the President but still holding sensitive public offices.

In a made available to newsmen, the Director General of the group, Danjuma Lamido, said that it was inappropriate for those who were not cleared to still hold unto public offices.

The group listed the Judges and Registrars to include: Hon. Justice D. Z Senchi – Court of Appeal; Emmanuel Gakko – Judge of the Federal High Court; Hauwa Shehu Aliyu – Judge of the High Court, FCT; Khadija Mounir Gwarzo – Judge of the High Court, FCT and Terere Vivianne Nnamani – Judge of the High Court, FCT.

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“Of major concern to us is the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Gakko who is aiming to become a Judge despite not qualified to hold the office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Lamido said.

The group further issued a 7-day ultimatum for Gakko to tender his resignation letter.

“Failure for the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Gakko to resign within 7 days, we shall lead ‘a million man march’ against him until he steps down from the position he is currently holding’’, Lamido said.