NIGERIA (Adamawa) – The Adamawa State House of Assembly has rejected the nomination of Ishaya Banu by the National Judicial Council for the position of the Chief Judge of the state.

The rejection of the nominee happened yesterday during a heated debate that ensued at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ahmadu Fintiri, who put the matter to voice vote with majority voting against the NJC recommendation.

The members, who supported the recommendation, argued that Mr. Banu as the most senior judge in the state should be considered based on seniority as recommended by NJC.

But those against argued that seniority was not enough as there was evidence from the Adamawa Judicial Service Commission showing that Mr. Banu’s performance as a judge was below expectation.

Those against the nominee also cited his health and made case for the present Acting Chief Judge of the state, Nathan Musa, who they said is a better hand in view of his current effort to transform the judiciary.