JUST IN: Buhari appoints Justice Garba as Acting Chief Judge of FCT High Court

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, has nominated Salisu Garba as the Acting chief judge of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court.

The nomination is contained in a letter sent to the senate by Buhari and read by Ahmad Lawan, senate president, at the plenary on Tuesday.

In an executive communication to the Nigerian Senate, the president asked the lawmakers in the upper chambers to confirm him in line with the act establishing FCT courts.

In January 2021, Tanko Muhammad, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), swore in Garba as the acting chief judge of the FCT high court, after the retirement of Ishaq Bello.

“Request for the confirmation of the appointment of Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi as the Chief Judge for the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja,” Buhari’s letter read.

“Pursuant to Section 256(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“I hereby request for the Senate’s confirmation of the appointment of Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, the acting Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, as substantive Chief Judge of the Court.

“I trust that the Senate will favorably confirm Hon. Justice Salisu Abdullahi as substantive Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in the usual expeditious manner.”

Garba hails from Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

He was called to the bar in 1984, and he completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in 1985.

Justice Salisu Garba who was sworn-in in January, 2021 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammed in Acting capacity will succeed Justice Ishaq Bello who has since proceeded on retirement.

Garba was appointed as a magistrate of the FCT high court in 1989. In 1997, he became the chief registrar of the FCT high court and was appointed a judge of the FCT high court in 1998.