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Court adjourns suit against Judicial Commisssion

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NJC absolves tribunal judge accused of taking bribe by Smart Adeyemi

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed June 23 to hear a suit filed by a socio-cultural group against the National Judicial Council (NJC) over alleged lopsidedness in the recent appointment of Appeal Court justices.

The group; the Incorporated Trustees of Alaigbo Development Foundation, also sued the Federal Judicial Service Commission, President of the Court of Appeal, Federal Character Commission (FCC), and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as 2nd to 5th defendants respectively.

The plaintiff, in an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/347/21 dated March 15 and filed March 16 by their lawyer, Max Ozoaka had urged Justice Inyang Ekwo to restrain the defendants from continuing the exercise pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The group sought a court order compelling the defendants to replace the three vacancies in the South East slots by three new justices from the zone.

READ ALSO: Court picks June 23 for re-arraignment of FIRS staff, ex-directors in fraud trial

Ozoaka said he had served all the defendants with hearing notices in accordance with the earlier court order.

He informed that the defendants had just served him with their counter-affidavits two days ago and that he would need time to respond.

Paul Usoro, SAN, who appeared for NJC, and counsel to 2nd and 3rd defendants, Y. C. Maikyau, SAN, also attributed the delay to the JUSUN strike action.

Justice Ekwo, who fixed June 23 for hearing of the suit, ordered parties to put their house in order.

By Mayowa Oladeji

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