SaharaReporters learnt that the NJC gave the admission in an NJC letter with ref N0. NJC/SCA/F.6/II/637 and addressed as response to an inquiry by an anti-corruption group, the Network Against Corruption & Trafficking.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has admitted that Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam (the Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory) has not forwarded a notice of retirement to it.
SaharaReporters learnt that the NJC gave the admission in an NJC letter with ref N0. NJC/SCA/F.6/II/637 and addressed as response to an inquiry by an anti-corruption group, the Network Against Corruption & Trafficking.
The anti-corruption group had written to the NJC under the “Freedom Of Information Act, 2011 For The Certified True Copy Of The Retirement Notice Submitted By Hon. Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam (The Grand Kadi, Shariah Court Of Appeal, Fct-Abuja).”
The NJC said, “With reference to your letters 6th October, 2023 and 30th October, 2023 to the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council on the above subject matter dated 23rd April, 2019, on the above subject matter. I have been directed to inform you that the National Judicial Council is not in receipt of such Notice of Retirement.
“Furthermore, with respect to your 2nd letter of 30th October 2023, I wish to inform you that Hon. Grand Kadi Ibrahim Rufai Imam is not yet due to retire in view of the Bill on Uniform Retirement Age for Judicial Officer signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 8th June, 2023, which extends the retirement age of Judicial Officers to 70 years. Please, accept the assurances of my esteemed regards,” the NJC said.
The group, in its reaction to the letter of NJC maintained that “...the failure or refusal to submit retirement notice by Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam as shown from your Council’s record support our complaint of his flagrant breach of Rule 120243 of the Revised Federal Government Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR)” adding that by the clear provisions of the Rules, a retiring public servant is mandatorily required to give ‘three-month notice to retire’ to his regulatory or appointing body, before the effective date of retirement.
According to the group, Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam was due to retire from service on the 15th day of July, 2023. Three months before this effective date was 16th April, 2023 when he ought to have submitted his notice of retirement. The group stressed that the law extending the years for Judicial Officers was signed two months later (the 8th day of June, 2023) and which was not in existence as at the effective date for Justice Imam to submit his retirment notice could not have being the reason or justification for the non-compliance with Rule 120243 of the PSR, especially that other persons and Justices forwarded their retirement notices when due.
The group viewed Justice Imam’s conduct as unbecoming of a Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it translated and pointed to a preditatemined intention to remain in office contrary to the PSR.
The Reply letter dated 4th December, 2023 was received by several offices on the 5th day of December, 2023 including the Hon. Attorney General of Federation, the Senate President, the Hon. Speaker House of Representatives, the Chairman Senate Committee on Judicary, Human Right and Legal Matters, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Judicary and the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Caiptal Territory demands the immediate retirement of Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam.