Chief Judge Husseini Baba-Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court is facing criticism for nominating his daughter, Maryam Baba-Yusuf, and other junior magistrates to vacant positions on the court, reminiscent of previous nepotism allegations within the judiciary.
The nomination of Maryam Baba-Yusuf, alongside Oluwakemi Victoria Ariwoola and Munira Ibrahim Tanko, has stirred controversy, with detractors accusing Chief Judge Baba-Yusuf of prioritizing family connections over merit and disregarding the principles of federal character.
Critics argue that the nomination process seems to favor individuals from influential families, raising concerns about the hindrance of career advancement for deserving magistrates from states yet to be represented on the court.
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Despite the backlash, Chief Judge Baba-Yusuf remains resolute in his decision to submit the nominees for vetting by the judicial council and subsequent confirmation by the Senate. He defended his actions by citing the underlying philosophy of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) principle, emphasizing “equality of access” and “fairness and equity” in public service representations.
However, critics warn that such actions could undermine the Nigerian Constitution, which emphasizes fairness, equity, and the principle of federal character in public service appointments.#High Court