Bauchi: Lawyer writes NBA over exclusion of lawyers as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal

From Paul Orude Bauchi

A legal practitioner has called on the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Bauchi branch, to intervene in the recent nomination of five judges of the High Court and five kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal in the state.

“I write with dismay to make an open declaration over the recent just concluded meeting of the Judicial Service Commission Bauchi held on the 23rd November,2023, on the appointment of Five (5) Judges of the High Court and Five (5) Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal Bauchi State respectively,” he wrote.

“The release of the names of the shortlisted nominees has trigger concern in the eyes of the general public and subject of mockery in the performance of the administration of justice in our dear state, Bauchi”

Alkassim noted that the nominees as Judges of the High Court Bauchi were all lawyers of good standing in the legal profession, constitutionally despite hitches in the entire process.

“However, the successful nominees as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi further drew my attention to the glaring segregation of lawyers as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi,” he said.

“I am aware with certainty that a good number of lawyers of Bauchi indigene had put application in that regalia.

“To my dismay, only two applicants’ lawyers made up the preferred list while others were put on reserved list and other applications were completely rejected”

The legal practitioner called on the leadership of the NBA in the state to intervene to ensure justice was done.

“It is worth noting that if this kind of practice is allowed, the existence of lawyers as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State will become history.

He urged the NBA to come out and speak for lawyers and the affected applicants.

“Your good voice will further repose our confidence in your administration of the Branchi,” he stated.

The lawyer urged the NBA leadership demand for the guidelines and procedure followed in making the list for the successful candidates, remarks of all the applicant/candidates and names of lawyers who applied as Kadis of the Sharia court of Appeal.