Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has reacted to report that he allegedly refused to confirm acting Chief Judge, Justice Esther Kataru, as the substantive Chief Judge of Kebbi State because of her religion.
Bagudu while swearing in Justice Suleiman Ambursa as Acting Chief Judge of the state refuted the claims, saying her appointment was not confirmed due to alleged alteration of her date of birth and primary school certificate.
DAILY POST had reported that the Kebbi Acting Chief Judge petitioned the National Judicial Commission, NJC, over Bagudu’s alleged refusal to confirm her as chief judge.
Reacting, the governor said, “It baffles me when I read a story on social media that I did not forward Karatu’s name for confirmation because of her religion.
“If you could recall, I re-submitted the name of Karatu for the second time on June 2, 2018 to the House for confirmation as Chief Judge.
“I was informed that on Aug. 1, 2018, the House refused to confirm her appointment over alleged alteration of her date of birth and primary school certificate,” he explained.
He said that he lobbied the lawmakers to ensure Karatu was confirmed but all effort proved unsuccessful.
He also disclosed how he wrote to the National Judicial Council (NJC) on his efforts to ensure Karatu was confirmed by the House without fruitful outcome, stressing that the refusal to confirm her was not based on her faith.
The governor, however, urged the new Acting Chief Justice to ensure proper things were done in the judiciary.
“Our state is at the cross road now, you must right the wrongs,” he said.
