TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the dismissal of O.O Tokode, a high court judge.

He also approved the compulsory retirement of A. F. A Ademola.

Ademola is a justice of the federal high court in Abuja, while Tokode is a justice of the federal high court, in Benin, Edo state.

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

He said the development followed the recommendations from the National Judicial Council (NJC).

In December, the NJC recommended the retirement of the duo over allegations bothering on “professional misconduct.”

Tokode has been asked to refund all salaries and allowances “earned illegally” from December 2, 2015, when he was sworn in as a judge.

“The president urges judicial officers to be alive to their responsibilities and eschew corruption in the discharge of their duties,” the statement read.

Shehu added that Buhari has also commenced the process of ensuring that persons, judges and justices recommended by the NJC for appointment into various courts of record “are fit and proper, and are not under any disability to function as judicial officers”.

He said: “The president’s position is in furtherance of the executive powers vested in him under section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows him as the appointing authority to exercise same reasonably, taking all relevant factors into consideration.

“Nigerians are assured that President Buhari will issue his approval or otherwise as soon as the process of the background verification is completed.”