It has emerged that the recent compulsory retirement of the Ilorin-born Federal High Court, judge, Justice Lambo Akanbi from service based on the recommendations of the National Judicial Council (NJC) had nothing to do with the judgment he delivered on the case involving the All Progressives Congress (APC) local governments chairmen in Rivers State.
Instead, it was gathered that the NJC’s recommendation on Justice Akanbi has to do with a petition written by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) over allegations that the judge failed to deliver judgment in a case brought before him within the three months stipulated by the law.
A source close to Justice Akanbi who sought anonymity, told journalists in Ilorin on Sunday that there was no iota of truth by an online media report(PUO REPORTS) linking the judge’s travails to his sacking of 22 APC councils chairmen in Rivers State.
He dismissed the allegation that Akanbi received N100 million bribe from Governor Nyesom Wike to deliver judgment in his favour.
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He emphasised that the NJC’s letter to President Muhammadu Buhari recommending Akanbi for compulsory retirement only made reference to the SPDC’s petition dated June 3, 2014.
He suspected strongly that the judge was being persecuted by the NJC because he overruled the council on its interpretation of the law regarding the appointment of a Chief Judge for Rivers State.
It was further learnt that there were attempts by the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- led federal government to deny the former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the privilege to make input into the appointment of a Chief Judge for Rivers State.
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“The ruling of Justice Akanbi on this vexed issue which stood at variance with the position of the NJC, apparently pitched him against the council,” the source said.
He pointed out that the current travail of Akanbi in the hands of NJC might not be unconnected with the above issue.
“The truth is that an alleged non delivering of judgment within the stipulated period of three months is not enough to recommend a Judge of high repute like Akanbi who has not been found wanting in his 14 years on the bench for compulsory retirement,” he submitted.
Source: THISDAY
