Political Awareness Group (PAG), a group of Muslim professionals and technocrats for good governance, has advised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to be fair and transparent in the appointment of new judges in the state judiciary.
PAG made this disclosure while addressing a press conference in Ibadan, the state capital on Thursday.
Saga Gist recalls that three Muslim lawyers nominated as Judges in the state judiciary died between December last year and this year while awaiting approval.
They were Alhaja Fatimo Badirudeen, Mr. Wasiu Gbadegesin and Barrister Abdulrazak Bolaji Agoro. Badirudeen died in December last year followed by Gbadegesin and Agoro who died few days ago.
But, PAG Vice Chairman, Dr Moruf Yusuf, while speaking with journalists, said that the deceased nominees were never appointed as judges, based on the petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) by the then Attorney General of the state, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo that the list be withdrawn.
Yusuf wondered why the deceased nominees Alhaja Fatima Badirudeen, Mr Wasiu Adetunji Gbadegesin and Mr AbdulRasaq Bolaji-Agoro, were denied appointment by the state government.
He said that finding had revealed that Makinde was planning to fill the four vacant postion of judges in the state.
He then called on Makinde to be fair, transparent and consider the interest of all religions in the selection of judges in the state.
Yusuf while speaking further also urged Makinde to without wasting more time, obey the 2019 Supreme Court judgement which nulified the appointment of Oba Samuel Adegbola as the Eleruwa of Eruwa.
He urged Makinde to install the rightful owner of the stool since the dethroned monarch (Adegbola) has been sacked by the Supreme Court after he has spent 21 years on the throne.
Yusuf, who spoke further, also advised Makinde to extend cordial relationship to his Deputy, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan.
He said, “We remind your Excellency that as at present, the number of non-Muslim Judges are almost double that of Muslim Judges in Oyo State.
“We advise you, humbly, to redress this and make equitable balance in the ongoing appointments of judges.
“At this juncture, it is also essential that the Governor immediately install the new Eleruwa (Muslim) whom the Supreme Court of Nigeria has so declared.
“Ditto, extend cordial relationship to the Deputy Governor of the State.
“Clarion call is hereby made to Aare in Council, Seriki Musulumi of Yorubaland; Asiwaju Adini of Oyo State, League of Imam and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta etc to do speak the truth to the Governor always as Islam teaches.”
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